Congregation to celebrate journey from a rented union hall to established community church.
Messiah Lutheran Church will celebrate its 25th anniversary
on May 23rd and 24th, 2015. Events will highlight a unique journey for
the Lutheran congregation and its Pastor, Reverend Scott Peterson. Leading up
to this weekend celebration, MLC has observed other milestones in its church
history since organizing as a congregation on May 20th, 1990. The theme of this
year-long celebration is “God’s Word is our Great Heritage.”
All are invited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Weekend events:
On April 26th, 2015, Messiah Lutheran observed and celebrated 26 years of worshiping in Madison. The 11:00 a.m. service featured a special re-creation of the first service of April 23rd, 1989, following the same order of worship, special music and included most of the same hymns. Even the same font was used in the printed program (see photo). Thankfully missing Sunday was the smokey aroma that permeated the rented Union Hall space where the congregation worshipped its first four years. Two receptions after each of the April 26th services allowed members to share stories, laugh and remember moments in Messiah's history. Members can also submit personal reflection on Messiah's history in a special "Messiah Memories" display which will hang in the church narthex through the celebration weekend.
All are invited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary Weekend events:
Saturday, May 23rd
- 2:30 PM - Visit to the former Union Hall, light snacks served
- 4:30 PM - Youth led activities and sharing of history at Messiah Lutheran Church
- 5:30 PM - Casual Barbeque picnic supper outdoors (if raining, in Parish Hall)
- 8:30 AM - Service of Worship with Lord’s Supper
- 9:45 AM - Reception for Confirmands (Fellowship Hall)
- 11:00 AM - Service of Worship with Confirmation and Lord’s Supper
- NOON - Celebration Dinner (Parish Hall)
Celebrating Messiah's Very First Service
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Mementos from the April 26th, 2015, reception celebrating MLC's first worship sevice
from April 23rd, 1989. The family of Pastor Scott Peterson is shown. |
A brief history of Messiah Lutheran Church, its mission and message.
The story began back in the mid 1980's when the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recognized Madison as an excellent
mission field for planting a new church. In the fall of 1988, Pastor
Peterson accepted the call, moving from Minnesota with his wife, Bonnie Jane, and
their three young children. Six months of knocking on about 3000 doors seeking
the unchurched in the Madison area and multiple interest meetings, culminated
in Messiah’s first service of worship on April 23rd, 1989. 115 people attended
that first service, meeting in the auditorium of the United Rubber Workers’
Union Hall.
In the following years, like Madison, Messiah Lutheran grew. On February 14, 1993, ground was broken at 7740 Highway 72W for a church home. The initial 11,000 sq. ft. building was largely built through the volunteer labor of members and friends. It was dedicated on March 13, 1994. Subsequent additions for more education, fellowship and worship space were completed in 2005, 2006 and 2012, respectively. The sanctuary, which seats 300, dedicated a new pipe organ on October 26, 2014. Services of worship in a variety of styles are 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. each Sunday with Sunday School for all ages starting at 9:45 a.m.
In the following years, like Madison, Messiah Lutheran grew. On February 14, 1993, ground was broken at 7740 Highway 72W for a church home. The initial 11,000 sq. ft. building was largely built through the volunteer labor of members and friends. It was dedicated on March 13, 1994. Subsequent additions for more education, fellowship and worship space were completed in 2005, 2006 and 2012, respectively. The sanctuary, which seats 300, dedicated a new pipe organ on October 26, 2014. Services of worship in a variety of styles are 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. each Sunday with Sunday School for all ages starting at 9:45 a.m.
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| Pastor Scott Peterson, center of photo wearing blue, helps raise one of the first walls of Messiah Lutheran Church with other volunteers. |
Commenting on the core of MLC’s mission and message, Pastor Peterson stated, “In north Alabama nearly everyone has heard about Jesus. Yet, many have never heard about the grace of God. Messiah Lutheran continues as a mission dedicated to celebrating that the God revealed in the Bible is gracious and merciful. Responding in gratitude to God’s love keeps us busy caring for children, building homes for families, and sharing the good news locally and around the world.”
About Messiah Lutheran Church. Organized as a
congregation in 1990, Messiah Lutheran Church seeks to live by its mission
statement: God’s People, Reaching Out. Information about MLC may
be found at www.mlutheran.org.
All media inquiries for Messiah Lutheran may be directed to Meredith Kilby, Communications and Media Coordinator, communications@mlutheran.org
All media inquiries for Messiah Lutheran may be directed to Meredith Kilby, Communications and Media Coordinator, communications@mlutheran.org
