Messiah marks 25 years of its Charter opening and welcomes newest members!

(excerpt from Sunday Bulletin, Dec 14th, 2014)

On December 17th, 1989, after worshipping for eight months,  the mission start at Messiah Lutheran took that first critical step toward being an organized Congregation.  Then worshiping in the United Rubber Workers' Union Hall Auditorium, 113 brave souls signed their names or inked their fingers (if they were infants/toddlers) on the membership charter.  The membership charter was open three more Sundays in the months that followed and closed on May 20th, 1990 with 159 charter members. 

On Sunday December 14th, Messiah celebrated the charter opening in a most fitting way by welcoming  fifteen new members to the Messiah Lutheran Church congregational rolls.  

During both services charter members in attendance were asked to stand so that they could be recognized. Post service receptions in the Fellowship Hall saw  Messiah members "young and old" enjoy the multitude of treats brought by volunteers. The reception was coordinated by the 25th Anniversary committee members, Judy Starkloff (who is a charter member) and Greg Kilby, who currently serves as Messiah's Fellowship Chair.

The next  25th Anniversary event will be on February 15th 2015, when Messiah marks the February 14th, 1993 Ground-Breaking for the church.  

New member photos and details about upcoming 25th anniversary events can be found in the upcoming E-news and newsletter.

Article and Photos by Meredith Kilby 

The sounds of Christmas resonate at Ring and Sing 2014

Messiah's 16th Annual Ring and Sing Concert took place on Sunday, December 14th.  The concert featured the musical talents of Messiah's several handbell groups, the adult choir, the Luthermen quartet and the vchurch's instrumental ensemble.  The event was emceed by Rhonda Gaede, who also serves as the director for the church's handbell choir, Notabella.

Notabella, which is comprised of youth and adults, started things off with "The First Noel" and were joined by flutist Michelle Bono on "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming." 

While  ringing was very much the center stage of the event, there was plenty of singing, too!  The audience sung several traditional Christmas Carols accompanied by the church orchestra and newly installed pipe organ.  Lois Graff, who is Messiah's organist and Director of Music Ministries, directed the instrumental ensemble which is comprised of youth and adults musicians.

The Adult Choir performed "Away in the Manger."  Messiah member Dick Azzam arranged the familiar tune to four parts for the occasion and also directed. 

The Luthermen, an all male quartet, sung "Silent Night" with the addtion of Messiah's Beth Gloe. The foursome also sang the spiritual "Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow."

The Cherub Choir,  led by Messiah's Outreach Director, Claire Strand,  sang and rang  "Jingle Bells" and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.   Messiah's youngest choir expanded it's numbers greatly this past year and sported brand new choir robes for their performance.

Along with a handbell trio, the handbell quartet returned to play "Caroler's Hoedown"  complete with cowboy hats.  This challenging and humorous piece never fails to delight the youngsters in the audience.

Another tradition of Ring and Sing is the audience participation segment.  Notabella players distributed the octaves of chimes and their corresponding Christmas Carol music books. "If the word is circled, you ring... if it's underlined... you stop it from ringing. It's as simple as that!"  explained Ronda Gaede to the audience.

The family friendly and light hearted evening ended with a Christmas Cookie reception put on by church volunteers.  The event is sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  Donations were collected to benefit the Madison Public Library.

To view additional pictures from the evening:

View additional photos from Ring and Sing 2014

Submitted,

Meredith Kilby