Capital Campaign Forum

On February 13th, 2011, Messiah Lutheran Church conducted a forum during Sunday School hour in support of the Capital Campaign for our Sanctuary Expansion.

Much has happened at Messiah Lutheran Church since 1990. A quick look around at any worship service reminds us of God’s abundant blessings to us. In 1994, largely through the labors of members, the building was completed and provided a home for our ministries. In 2005, we completed our educational wing that provided five much-needed classrooms and a large youth room. In 2006 we dedicated our new parish hall, an audio room, and a much larger kitchen. Our continued growth has led to space issues. Of course, overcrowding on about two Sundays a month is a nice problem to have, but it is time to plan for our continued growth. As Bonhoe!er emphasized, “The church is only the church when it exists for others.” Our purpose with this appeal is to expand our worship area by about fifty percent.

Our goal for this capital program is $600,000. This project will provide a strong financial base for needed improvements for our facility so that we may better reach out to families. The short-term benefits would be to provide space for growth. The longterm benefit could be a fifty percent increase in our overall mission.

Information to help everyone determine their part will be provided in various ways. This will include Bible reading and reflection, prayer, and opportunities to learn more about different ways of giving. Everyone in the congregation will be encouraged to participate and grow in generosity as we help each other gain a vision of what our congregation can be and do. Three information sessions on the expanded facility will be held to answer questions. These will held be during Sunday School hour on Feb. 13, 20, and 27.

Additional Information

• Sanctuary Expansion Plans
• Capital Campaign: Building to Share God's Story Page
• Blog Article: Capital Campaign Kickoff Event

Building to Share God's Story

From 2011

On Sunday, February 6th, 2011, the congregation of Messiah Lutheran Church gathered together to kick off the campaign to raise the funding for the proposed Sanctuary Expansion.

The congregation was joined by Dr. Eugene Grimm who visited the Church, preached the sermon and led a special adult forum to discuss the capital funds campaign.  Pastor Grimm is a Stewardship Key Leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  He is a specially trained pastor, not a professional fundraiser.  For over forty years Pastor Grimm served Lutheran congregations in Ohio.  He also served as a stewardship specialist for the ELCA in the three synods of Ohio for nearly twenty-one years, a position from which he retired in 2008.  He will return on March 12-13 for the culmination of the capital appeal.

Our capital campaign will continue on Sunday, February 13th with a adult forum at 9:45am.

• We will review the schedule of events for the campaign, the planned design of the expanded sanctuary, and discuss the plans for New Facility Fund giving during the Capital Fund Appeal. 
• We will hear from several MLC members on previous construction projects and the one we are considering. 
• We will also discuss the gift chart our Stewardship Key Leader, Pastor Eugene Grimm, has prepared for us.

OWLS Spend Night In Italy

Mama Mia That's A Spicy Meatball.  On January 29th, the Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLS) of Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, Alabama dined at Terranova's Restaurant in Huntsville Alabama as their monthly outing.  The OWLS are a fun loving bunch and apparently the word is getting out.  The OWLS set a new attendance record with 30 members attending this event.  During this delightful evening event, the OWLS were immersed in an authentic Italian experience as they shared fellowship with one another. Terranova's provided an authentic Italian backdrop with ambiance unlike any other in the Tennessee Valley with bona fide Italian antiques, artifacts, and memorabilia, and Italian mood music which allowed all in attendance to savor their delicious dishes.

The OWLS are a loosely knit group of folks (over 50 years of age) who get together once a month for an activity.  These activities vary from a potluck at the church, Sunday brunch at a restaurant, miniature golf, a visit to the Botanical Garden, to attending the "Living Christmas Tree" concert.  If you would like to learn more about the OWLS, please contact Jan Murphy or the Church Office.