30 Hour Famine, March 14-16, 2014

From 30 Hour Famine, March 16, 2014

This weekend, 23 Junior and Senior Youth members of Messiah Lutheran Church participated in the 30 Hour Famine. The 30 Hour Famine is an annual event that lets the participants see what it was like to be hungry.  This year marks the 10th anniversary of Messiah's participation in this program.  This event provides an opportunity to raise money and awareness for children suffering during a famine. Here are some highlights from the weekend's events:

• During the event, for 30 hours, participants abstained from eating food, and instead they drank only water and juice. 
• The youth slept on the cold, hard Church floor.
• They also participated in games and activities to raise their awareness of child hunger.
• The youth hung hundreds of crosses in the narthex to symbolize the children who have perished from starvation.
• They youth fully led both Worship services on Sunday including, greeters, ushers, worship leaders, music and sermon.  They did an awesome job leading Worship Service on Sunday.

From 30 Hour Famine, March 16, 2014

Did you know?
19,008 children under the age of 5 die of starvation every day.
That's one child every 4.5 seconds
$1.25 can feed one child for a day
$35.00 can feed a child for one month

Learn more about the 30 Hour Famine at the 30 Hour Famine Website.

Click here to see more photos from our 30 Hour Famine Event.

30 Hour Famine, March 16, 2014

Sunday of Love, 2 Mar 2014

From Sunday of Love, March 2, 2014

On Sunday, March 2, 2014 Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, Alabama celebrated the "Sunday of Love". This multi-generational Sunday School and Fellowship event brought the entire congregation together including Children, Youth and Adults to learn some of what scripture teaches us about love.  Additionally, we enjoyed a wonderful potluck of sweets including cookies, snacks and fresh fruit.

Click here to see some additional photos from this event.

Sunday of Love, March 2, 2014

Wheelchair Ramp Build, 1 Feb 2014

From Wheelchair Ramp Build 2014-02-01

Today, the carpentry team from Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, Alabama completed another wheelchair ramp for a very nice lady in Gurley, Alabama.

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.

From Wheelchair Ramp Build 2014-02-01

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.

Here are some additional photos from today's build.  Click on photo to see the album.

Wheelchair Ramp Build 2014-02-01

Help Wanted: Youth and Education Director

Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, Alabama, is seeking a full time Youth and Education Director.  The Director of Youth and Education will oversee all ministries in the congregation relating to youth (nursery through grade 12).  This person will recruit youth and adult leadership, support existing ministries, develop new programs, provide needed curriculum and resources, and ensure our youth experience a safe, Christian, nurturing environment grounded in our Lutheran beliefs.  Salary will be commensurate with experience. 

Here is the link to the position description.

If interested please submit resume to: youth&ed@mlutheran.com

Ring and Sing 2013

Sunday, December 8, 2013 was the 15th Annual Ring and Sing concert at Messiah Lutheran Church. Each year the various musical groups at Messiah present their selections of Christmas favorites. The musical groups include the Notabella Bell Choir, Cherub Choir, Adult Choir, Handbell Quartet, Instrumental Ensemble, and Audience Participation.

Music director: Lois Graff.
Notabella director: Rhonda Gaede
Adult Choir Director: Randall Fields
Cherub Choir Director: Claire Strand

Here are some links to previous years' ring and sing concerts

• 2012 Ring and Sing
• 2011 Ring and Sing

Wheelchair Ramp Build, 23 Nov 2013

Completed Wheelchair Ramp, 23 Nov 2013

The mighty Messiah Carpentry Team braved the elements today to build another wheelchair ramp.  We had a hard deadline to complete this build. The owner's granddaughter is coming to town this week to take her shopping and there would be no way for her to get out of the house without this ramp.  The owner was very excited and thankful for our efforts.

As always, we had a great time and great fellowship.  The Messiah Carpentry Team loves doing this work. We truly believe it is what we are called to do.  If you would like to learn more about the carpentry team, please contact Joe Stuart or Owen Wasmoen.

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.

Here are some additional photos from today's build.

Wheelchair Ramp Build, November 23, 2013

Huge turnout for Messiah's Halloween Chili Cook-off and Costume Party

Messiah's annual Chili Cook off  was combined with a good old fashioned Halloween Party this past Sunday, the 27th. What a fun event it was for many members who attended.   Fellowship Co-Chair  Hillary Warren and her costumed crew gave our Parish Hall quite the makeover with the wall streamers, banners, and hand-made table laterns and decorations. A fun playlist of spooky / silly songs playing in the background kept the kids wiggling and toes tapping.  

DJ and Hillary Warren

The event began with the "hotly" contested Chili Cook off.  Messiah taste testers had to whittle their favorite chili recipe down to just two entries and cast their vote for Best Chili  and Hottest Chili.  This was no easy task as each of the twelve chili contenders that were brought were delicious and had their own unique personality and flavor.  The chili was served with all the fixins; cheese, cornbread, sour cream and Fritos for a little crunch.  First place for Best Chili was awarded to Michelle Strand  (her name will be engraved on the impressive trophy shown below). Second place was awarded to Larry Ryan's chili recipe.  Bragging rights stayed in the Strand Family with Stephen Strand taking home the prize for Hottest chili.

"Harry Potter" Samples several Chili recipes.

Our Chili Cook off trophy and prize table.

As folks finished dining, the youngsters were led away to enjoy some organized fun and games led by members of the Messiah Youth team while the rest of the diners finished their meals and enjoyed some fellowship time.  A photo area was set up so that we could capture the wonderfully creative costumes from the party.  Note: A link to view the rest of the pictures from the event will be sent out with this week's MLC E-News Message. 

We're seeing Double!  The Cella Family

Prize winning couple! The Strands

The kids returned and took the stage for the costume contest and then the votes were collected and tallied.  Prizes for children's costumes were given to Chelsea McCarthy, Hanna Seitz, Abigail Warren and Bridie Ryan.   Prizes for the adult costume contest went to Stephen Strand (tied with DJ Warren) for Best Male,  Claire Stand for Best Female; Ben Cella won Funniest Male (tied with Greg Kilby) and Leigh Cella  took home the prize for Funniest Female.

It was wonderful to see our Parish Hall bursting with life, laughter and a joyful spirit. It was after all Reformation Sunday, a day to celebrate our church heritage and Martin Luther's teachings about Christian faith.  Our faith in Christ Jesus is a precious gift God gives us freely to help us live our lives to the fullest. So take the Gift. Unwrap it! Use it! Enjoy it.  When we reflect the true light of His Holy Spirit we are beacons of hope and grace to others during times of darkness, so remember to shine!

Photos and Text by Meredith Kilby

Messiah Men Work - Fish and Explore at Lutheranch

The Men’s retreat was held October 24-26, 2013 at Lutherranch.  The theme was “Fish, Work, Explore” and all these were accomplished!  We probably should have added fellowship to the theme!  Nine fellows went on the retreat.  We fished, we worked, we studied, we ate, and we explored.

Our work project included removing significant amounts of dead wood from around Holy Trinity House at Lutherranch.    Everyone at the retreat pitched in on the task to pile the dead wood. 

Then, a crack team of hired muscle (Pastor Scott, Martin Campbell, Ed Brunner, Mark Zesinger, and Greg Kilby) hauled the wood away.  It will make an impressive bonfire for a future group at Lutherranch.  What did we learn from the task?

You get what you pay for…. and when you need a huge pile of wood moved fast, you hope Martin Campbell’s on your (free) labor force!

Our other task was to “organize” building materials in the Lutherranch shed.  The Messiah team’s skilled labor force, headed by Richard Webb, decided to construct a much needed wood crib for the ranch.  Lee Smith, Bill Murphy and Bob Loshuertos built the set of shelves seen in the shed photos. 

Our host, Mark Allen, greatly appreciated the efforts of the team!

Our study for the weekend consisted of a brief look at Simon Peter’s ministry.  Of course it culminated with the great fishing story from John: 21. 

Despite all the productive work, we had plenty of time to fish, eat, and explore Lutherranch.  What a facility!   For our Friday dinner, we were treated to Pastor Scott’s blackened fish (prepared from his 3^rd place (still pretty big…) fish from a summer fishing trip).  No doubt, it was better than Walter!  If you don’t know who Walter is … come to Pastor Scott’s annual Fishing Sermon.

Stay tuned and get your name in for next year’s trip!  There is room for you at Messiah!

Greg Kilby

On the fifth day of Creation

On the fifth day of October we celebrated the fifth day of Creation

It was a beautiful fall day to gather and sing praises for God's creation of the heavens and the earth and the animals.  

Amid mums and sunshine, an assortment of pets (and their owners) arrived for a special blessing at Messiah Lutheran Church.  

There were 26 animals in all with an unusual visit by 2 ferrets.  

Together, accompanied by Bob Davis, we sang "All Things Bright and Beautiful" and celebrated and gave thanks for the blessings we have been given through the gift of animals.  

Terry Frakes shared her personal experiences as animal lover quoting Job 12 verses 7-10.  Special thanks to Michelle Strand for pushing through a beautiful oboe solo although the wind blew her sheet music away. After the service families enjoyed water and snacks provided by Gary and Juli Langford and were treated to a portrait sitting by Meggy deJong.  O praise Him! Alleluia!

Here are some additional photos from this event.

Blessing of the Animals, October 5, 2013

Here are some related articles

• Blessing of the Animals 2009
• Blessing of the Animals 2011

Wheelchair Ramp Build 7 September 2013

Today the Carpentry Team of Messiah Lutheran Church built another wheelchair ramp in partnership with CASA of Madison County.  This was our biggest wheelchair ramp to date.  The ramp was 62 feet long.  It was also our biggest build in terms of attendance.  Thankfully, we had a crew of 18 carpenters on the job today.

The family we built this ramp for was very grateful.  The ramp took a bit longer than normal because of the size of the project and the build lasted 7 1/2 hours including load-up time.  The attached video is a time lapse of those 7 1/2 hours.  Many thanks to everyone who participated in today's build.

ALS Walk 2013

Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis.

Every 90 minutes a person in this country is diagnosed with ALS and every 90 minutes another person will lose their battle against this disease. ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries.

This crippling disease can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease yet it still costs loved ones an average of $200,000 a year to provide the care ALS patients need. Help make a difference and donate or join a walk today.

The Messiah Lutheran congregation has lost several members to this disease and we want to fight back.  We have supported the ALS walk for several years.  Your generous donations to this cause have helped make a difference.  There is still time to donate to this years campaign.  This Wednesday night at 5:30 pm, we will be having a spaghetti fundraiser in the parish hall.  Everyone is welcome.  The meal is free.  Donations will be accepted if you desire to contribute.  Please come out and help the cause.

You can also designate a portion of your offering to go to this cause or you can contribute directly to the ALS website.  For more information, please contact Mary Mast or the Church Office.

Thanks for your help!

New Members Reception Aug 2013

Welcome to the newest members of the Messiah Lutheran Congregation.  We are so happy that you are part of our church family!

Messiah Lutheran Church officially receives new members on a quarterly basis.  Visitors are always welcome.  If you would like to learn more about Messiah Lutheran Church, please visit our website, or call the Church Office at 256-721-0041 for more information.  

Sending our Love

The Sanctuary was overflowing this week with comforters and boxes filled with health kits, school kits and layette kits. These comforters and kits reflect the work over the last year of two of Messiah's long running ministries.

The comforters, led by Annette Joens, meet each Tuesday at Messiah Lutheran Church. They create the hundreds of the wonderful quilts like the ones seen in this photo.

The quilts and prayer shawls created by the comforters are sent to those in need both in the local community and around the world via Lutheran World Relief.

Rhonda Gaede leads the Kit Ministers.  This group collects, assembles and boxes thousands of health kits, school kits and layette kits.  These kits are sent around the world to those in need via Lutheran World Relief.




During our worship service, we wrapped ourselves in the quilts that were made with love and that we are sending in love in hopes that they will provide comfort to those in need.

Both of these ministries are looking for helping hands.  You don't need any special training or skills.  Just a willingness to help.  If you would like to learn more about how you can help these ministries, please contact, Annette Joens, Rhonda Gaede, or the Church Office at (256) 721-0041 or info@mlutheran.org.

The Unexpected Visitors

On Saturday, the Messiah Lutheran Church Adult Choir and Repertoire Players presented an original production of "The Unexpected Visitors". This hilarious two act musical/comedy mystery explores comedic result of two couples from out of town visiting a Lutheran Church. Because no one recognizes them, the congregation jumps to the assumption that they are a search committee who has come to take the pastor away.

Dinner Theater is an annual event at Messiah Lutheran Church. This year's standing room only event was used as a fund raiser for Messiah's "Lunches for Learning" Ministry. Over $1000 was raised to support this awesome ministry that feeds school age kids at our elementary school in Honduras. "

The Unexpected Visitors" was created, produced and directed by Messiah's very own Bob Gustafson. The assistant producer/director was Taylor Bono. Music direction was provided by Lois Graff and Randall Fields. The technical director was Paul Zutter.

Special thanks to Greg Kilby and the fellowship committee for providing a wonderful dinner of Marsala Chicken and all the fixings. And thanks to the youth of Messiah Lutheran Church for serving as wait staff for the event. They did an incredible job feeding a hungry mob of Lutherans.

Wheelchair Ramp Build, 13 Jul 2013

From Wheelchair Ramp Build, July 13, 2013

After a hiatus of several months for our annual habitat build, the Messiah Carpentry team came out swinging and completed a wheelchair ramp for a wonderful lady in Huntsville, Alabama.

 The Carpentry Team builds approximately one wheelchair ramp per month in partnership with CASA of Madison County.

CASA builds wheelchair ramps for needy individuals regardless of income or age and at no cost to the client. Wheelchair ramps provide CASA clients the mobility necessary for safely entering and leaving their homes, while promoting a sense of independence and freedom and access to the outside world. Each ramp is custom designed for each client and built by CASA volunteers. By providing wheelchair ramps, we are providing our clients with the knowledge that there are people in the community who truly care about their well-being.

The team can always use a few extra hands to help build the ramps. No special skills or tools are required. If you would like to help with the next build, please contact the Messiah Carpentry Team Leaders, Joe Stuart and Owen Wasmoen.

Click Here to see additional photos from this build.

Wheelchair Ramp Build, July 13, 2013