Organ Dedication - October 26th

Messiah Lutheran Church's Dedication of Pipe Organ and Organ Recital was held Sunday October 26th at 3:00 pm. Messiah's recently expanded sanctuary was once again filled with the beautiful tones and melodies that can source from a pipe organ.  A tremendous number of folks came out to celebrate the long awaited day!

Messiah Lutheran celebrates the newly installed pipe organ (shown upper left)
dedicated into service on Sunday, September 26th, 2014

The Dedication featured several readings of scripture and a dedication prayer.   Bob Gustafson talked on the mission and construction of the organ.   Pastor Scott Peterson led the Organ Search Committee working closely with Bob, Messiah's Director of Music Ministries, Lois Graff, along with the expert consultation of Mark Moorehead, principal organist at Trinity Methodist Church of Huntsville. The Organ features over 800 pipes and is located within the upper level of the east transept of the newly expanded altar space.  

Pastor Peterson spoke on the joyousness of the occasion, connecting Psalm 46  to Martin Luther's writing the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."    Psalm 46 was then sung (without accompaniment) by the congregation which then led directly into Mark Moorehead's jubilant introduction on the organ of that most famous of Luther's hymns, complete with trumpet played by Bryan Page. Singing hymns accompanied by organ had officially returned to Messiah Lutheran Church! 

The dedication continued with a talk on "Music and Martin Luther" given by Dagmar Miller. Messiah's Notabella Bell Choir, led by Rhonda Gaede,  performed  "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" by Haydn.   Messiah's choir, directed by Randall Fields,  was wonderfully rounded out by volunteers from All Saints Lutheran Church of Huntsville.  The choir performed Wood's Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100) and concluded with Mendelssohn's  Verleih uns Frieden. 

Organist Joshua Coble performing on Messiah Lutheran's
newly installed pipe organ, built by George Miller.

Finally it came time to feature the newest pipe organ in Madison County.  For the recital, Messiah secured the remarkable talent of organist Joshua Coble .  Coble, a Huntsville native, is a current candidate for the Doctoral of Musical Arts for Organ Performance at the University of Alabama.  Coble, who serves as the principal organist at Mountain Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham, presented several works that would provide the listeners an opportunity to listen to the wonderful range and capabilities of the newly installed organ.  He performed four works, clearly demonstrating the fitness of the instrument for future recitals and performances.

After the Dedication and Recital concluded, a reception was held for all in attendance. The reception was coordinated by Mary Ann Stasiak with the generous help of Jan Murphy and many many others.

Indeed, arriving at this day was the result of countless contributors and answered prayers and now that it is place, it will continue to bless our mission, our ministry and the music at Messiah Lutheran Church! 

We hope you will come to Sunday Services to hear this wonderful Instrument in Action.

You can also hear more this Saturday Night, Nov 1st.  The Music at Messiah Classical Concert Series will feature the choral ensemble "Huntsville Collegium Musicum" who is presenting Thomas Luis de Victoria's  Officium Defunctorum,  at 7:30 pm at Messiah Lutheran.  Organist Betty Augsburger will be playing several pieces just for organ as well.

Photos by Joe Stuart

Messiah's Family Friendly Halloween Party Held Oct 25

Fourteen Chili Recipes Competed for Annual Trophy

The annual Messiah Lutheran Chili Cookoff featured fourteen delicious recipes made by members and youth in the congregation.   Upon their arrival to the Parish Hall, the entries were carefully numbered in the kitchen so that judges could sample and also mark their tasting cups to track which chili was which. The variety of flavors that were brought were astounding and each recipe stood on its own as being delicious! Thanks to all who brought the chilis and various sides that were also donated.

In what was a very close decision, it was Amy McCarthy's chili recipe that took the coveted trophy for Best Overall Chili.   Bridie Ryan's chili was selected as the Runner Up.  Melanie Mooneyham's chili recipe was awarded the Spiciest Chili Award. 

An assortment of characters made up the costume contest this year.

After enjoying some games led by members of Messiah's Youth Program, the costumed children were brought back into the Parish Hall for the costume contest.  Each was introduced to the audience by Larry Ryan, who "officiated" the Saturday evening event.     The winners in the various age categories are shown above.   (Additional photos will be posted soon)! 

Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLS)

The Older Wiser Lutherans or OWLS as they are known 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, a visit to the Botanical Garden, to attending the "Living Christmas Tree" concert.  

OWL packing bags for Weekend Food Program

Sometimes the OWLs work on outreach projects like a recent event where they enjoyed a potluck dinner and then helped pack bags of food for the Weekend Food Program.  This program provides grocery bags full of nutritious food and snacks for scores of hungry Madison school children. The bags contain lots of food items, ranging from fruit and vegetable cups to cereal and soup to ensure that the children don't go hungry during the weekend.

A recent report released by the Food Research and Action Center (frac.org), said 23.4 percent of respondents in Alabama said they didn't have enough money to buy food at some point. The report said Alabama is the second hungriest state in the nation.

OWLS at Oktoberfest

And sometimes the OWLs get together just for fun and to enjoy each other's company like their recent Oktoberfest.

If you would like to learn more about this group or would like to attend one of their events, please contact the Church Office at (256) 721-0041.

Click here for more photos of OWLs Events

Pipe Organ Dedication

After an absence of more than 3 years, a pipe organ is being heard in Messiah Lutheran Church again.  The expansion of the sanctuary required a different pipe organ to fill the space.  

This custom built, refurbished organ was designed by Miller Organ Company with the rich textures of a solid foundation, adding tonal variety and color with reeds and mixtures.  The fine workmanship of the organ builders and the acoustics of the MLC sanctuary combine to give the pipe organ a lively presence and glorious sound.

Thank you to all who gave gifts to the pipe organ fund, to all the workers who gave their time and skills to ready the space, and to all who undergirded this project with prayer.

On Reformation Sunday, October 26^th at 3 p.m., Messiah Lutheran’s pipe organ will be dedicated to the glory of God.  May this instrument complement the proclamation of God’s Word and give praise and glory to our Lord.  Soli Deo Gloria

Wheelchair Ramp Build, 11 Oct 2014

Today, the carpentry team from Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, Alabama completed another wheelchair ramp for a gentleman in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Messiah Team with the Home Owner on the Completed Ramp

Our ministry is to provide a means for those are homebound to be able to safely enter and exit their homes. We try to build about one ramp per month.  And we have a lot of fun doing it.  If you would like to help us with this very fun and very rewarding ministry, please contact the Messiah Church Office at (256) 721-0041.

Messiah Lutheran Church builds these ramps in partnership with CASA of Madison County.

CASA (Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound) is a non-profit agency located in Huntsville, Alabama that provides services to individuals age 60 and older and to the homebound (wheelchair and bed bound) of all ages.


CASA's mission is to provide needed services to aging/homebound individuals that allow them to remain at home and age in place. Our programs are designed to enable the elderly and homebound to maintain their independence, dignity, health and safety by providing services that specifically address their special physical and emotional needs.


Click here to see additional photos of today's build.

Stewardship Temple Talk

Today Richard Webb gave a powerful (yet humorous) temple talk on stewardship.

Stewardship is graciously managing the time, talent and treasures given to us by God.  To put it another way: STEWARDSHIP is our response which shows gratitude to God for all God has entrusted to us.

If you haven't already done so, please fill out your estimate of Giving card, which wraps up the fruits of your time and talent as one of God's stewards at Messiah Lutheran.