Volunteers Needed for School Supply Give Away

School-Supplies-DonationsChurch of the Messiah has been so generous.  We already have enough school supplies to equip dozens of children for the first day of school and many of you have given financially so that we are sending a team out this afternoon to buy hundreds of dollars more!  Now what we need is people to show up on Saturday to help give out supplies.  Not only will will be handing out school supplies, but we will also be giving away hot dogs, chips and a drink as well so we need plenty of volunteers to show up.  Volunteers will need to be here by 11 am and we expect to be cleaning up by 1 o’clock.  Please contact Darla Shiell for more information.

David Lawrence to Preach at Church of the Messiah

David & Kris LawrenceThis Sunday, August 7th, David Lawrence will be returning to preach at Church of the Messiah.  Over a decade ago, David and Kris Lawrence packed up everything they owned and moved their entire family (three daughters and two sons) to the Middle East.  Ever since then Church of the Messiah has been a ministry partner with David and we have been blessed to hear all that has been accomplished in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond in his years spent abroad.  This Sunday, at our 10 o’clock service, David will have an opportunity to share details with us face to face and give us all the updates we can handle.  Be sure to join us this Sunday because this is one service that you will not want to miss!

 

Last Weekend to Donate to School Supply Give Away

School-Supplies-DonationsChurch of the Messiah’s Second Annual School Supply Give Away is just over a week away on August 6th.  This means that this is your last weekend to go shopping to get supplies!  We have had great turn out so far but there are still a lot of supplies that we still need.  We gave away supplies for over a hundred students last year and we expect more this year.  Last Saturday, our Men’s Ministry went out after their breakfast and canvassed the neighborhood, so we could have a huge turnout on August 6th and we do not want people to leave empty handed.  If you still want to purchase supplies, here is a list of what we need:

  • Pencil Boxes
  • Scissors (Elementary and High School)
  • Crayons
  • Pencil Pouches
  • WIDE-RULED Notebook Paper
  • Three-Ring Binders (2 or 2 1/2 inch)
  • Notebook Dividers
  • USB Thumb Drives

If you want to help but do not have time to shop this weekend, you may donate money either this Sunday or on-line (mark it “school supplies) and we will have a group go out next week and purchase supplies.  Also, do not forget that we will need volunteers on August 6th to help distribute supplies and food to the people who show up!

Men’s Breakfast This Saturday at Church of the Messiah

Men's BreakfastThis Saturday morning, beginning at 8 o’clock, the men of Church of the Messiah will gather for fellowship and breakfast.  There is sure to be a ton of bacony goodness along with our good, uplifting conversations.  After our time of food and fellowship is over, we will be heading into the neighborhood to hand out information regarding the church’s School Supply Give Away on August 6th so the breakfast is not just a time of fun.  For more information, please contact John Cunningham.

Church of the Messiah is Taking Donation for Annual School Supply Drive

School-Supplies-DonationsOn Saturday, August 6th, Church of the Messiah will hold its 2nd annual School Supply Give Away.  This is a tremendous outreach to the local community providing children from elementary through high school with supplies they would not otherwise have had this year.  Of course, we cannot do this without the support and generosity of people who are willing to give.  Between now and July 31st, please see the list of supplies below and grab anything and everything you see on sale.  Last year we gave away supplies to provide for one hundred students and this year we would love to do more!  If you would like to give but do not want to buy school supplies, you can give on Sundays or donate on-line (choose “Other” from the drop-down menu and add “School Supplies”).  Here are the list of needed supplies:

Elementary

  • Plastic school supply box
  • Pencils with erasers (fat or skinny)
  • Eraser pencil toppers (fat or skinny)
  • Composition notebooks (large ruled)
  • Primary scissors
  • Pencil sharpeners
  • Crayons

 

Middle School

  • Supply pouch (zipper)
  • #2 pencils and erasers
  • Pencil sharpeners
  • Notebook paper
  • Spiral notebook
  • Paper folders
  • Composition notebooks
  • Colored pencils
  • Red and black pens
  • Scissors (sharp)

 

High School

  • Supply Pouch
  • Mechanical Pencils
  • Red and black pens
  • Highlighters
  • Notebook paper (college ruled)
  • 3-ring binders (2 or 2 1/2 inch)
  • Dividers (6 or 8 subjects)
  • USB storage devices (thumb drives)

It is our desire to show this local community the love of God and that love comes in many different ways.  Sometimes it is clothing the naked and feeding the hungry; others it is giving pencils and papers to those who do not have it so that they are not embarrassed to go to school this year.  If they are too embarrassed to go to school, because they know they do not have the right supplies when they are called on, then they certainly will not do well in school.  We can stop that cycle for some before it ever gets started.

Fr. Alan Melanson to Preach at Church of the Messiah

Alan at BaptismFr. Alan Melanson of Church of the Intercessor, Malverne, NY, will be preaching the Word of God at Church of the Messiah this Sunday, July 17th, at the ten o’clock service.  Although born and raised in Jacksonville, Alan Melanson transferred from Church of the Messiah to Church of the Intercessor in 2004, when he began serving as the Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries.  Having been ordained to the priesthood in 2012, Fr. Alan now oversees every ministry in the church that ministers to children from infants to college-age.  In addition to his parish ministries, Fr. Alan is extremely active in both local and international pro-life ministries.  Fr. Alan married his beautiful wife Katie in 2002 and together they have three lovely daughters.  Of course, in spite of his substantial achievements and impressive ministry, many at Church of Messiah will know Fr. Alan as “Fr. Scott Melanson’s son”.  Church of the Messiah is delighted to receive one of its own back into the pulpit and excited to hear the powerful message this mighty man of God has for our congregation.  Be sure to invite your friends because this is sure to be a message that you will not want to miss!

Church of the Messiah to Host Baby Shower for Emergency Pregnancy Services

001 invite (1) (1)This Sunday, June 26th, Church of the Messiah’s Women’s Ministry will be hosting a Baby Shower honoring Emergency Pregnancy Services, from 1:30 to 2:30, at Secret Garden Cafe.  Please RSVP to Lizz Looker by Friday, June 24th.  EPS is especially in need of diaper bags, size 4 and 5 diapers, baby wipes, baby wash, diaper cream, and baby clothes sizes newborn through 2T.  Please come out to support this wonderful ministry which has been giving women in Jacksonville a Pro-Life alternative to abortion for over 35 years!

Foundation Day is June 26th

FD2016

Each year on the Sunday closest to the consecration of our first Bishop, Archbishop Randolph A. Adler, who was consecrated on 26 June, 1992, every Charismatic Episcopal Church in North America takes up an offering. While this offering was originally made to present Archbishop Adler with funds to help him in his ministry, instead he insisted that the best use of this money was to provide grants and loans to our churches so they could build and expand.

Saint Pauls

St. Paul’s Church, Nevada

Church of the Resurrection, KS

Church of the Resurrection, KS

This year Foundation Day falls on June 26th  and we ask each church to take up an offering to help us continue this ministry of building churches to expand the Kingdom of God.  The offering has traditionally been $10 per member of each household.

Recently the Foundation Day helped two churches either get into a new building or expand on their property.   Saint Paul’s Church in Nevada and Church of the Resurrection in Kansas. 

For more information about Foundation Day, including financial reports for past grants and loans Click Here.

Bishop David Simpson to Visit Church of the Messiah this Wednesday

Bishop David Simpson Preaching

This Wednesday night, May 25th, Bishop David Simpson will visit Church of the Messiah in order to preach, celebrate, and confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on four members of the parish.  Confirmation is the Sacrament where adults who were baptized as children make a mature profession of their faith, are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and receive an apostolic blessing for increased ministry in the Church.  This is an especially festive occasion for those who have been preparing for many weeks for this night.

Bishop Simpson has been in ordained ministry for over 39 years, with 20 of those years in the Charismatic Episcopal Church  where he has served as the Rector of Church of the Resurrection in Miramar, Florida.  This Fall Bishop Simpson will celebrate his ninth anniversary as the Bishop of the Diocese of Florida.

While in Seminary, Bishop Simpson married his college sweetheart Toni.  They have three grown children and have, as of a few weeks ago, now six grand children!  Join us as we welcome our bishop.  He is sure to bring an inspired Word of God.  The service will begin at seven o’clock and will be preceded by our Wednesday night soup supper from 6:00-6:45.  Childcare is provided during the service.  We hope everyone will join us.  It is going to be an amazing night!  All are welcome!

 

Funeral Arrangements for Sherry Mills

votiveCandleAs most of you know, Brandon Cribbs’ grandmother Sherry Ricker Mills went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 9th.  Funeral services will be held this Saturday, May 21st, starting at 11 o’clock, at St. John the Divine Charismatic Episcopal Church in Palatka, Florida.  For a Map to the parish, click HERE.  The Rev’d Fr. Scott Looker will officiate the service with the Rev’d Deacon Robert Massey delivering the homily.  An obituary for for Mrs. Mills can be found by clicking HERE.  Please continue to keep Brandon and his mother Sheila in your prayers during their time of grief and loss.

Rest eternal grant to Sherry, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon her.

May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.