Church of the Messiah

Author: Father Scott Looker

  • It’s Homecoming Week!

    It’s Homecoming Week!

    This Sunday, July 4th, at our 10 o’clock service, Church of the Messiah will return to our home sanctuary for the first time on a Sunday morning since the beginning of the Pandemic!  In March of 2020, when the pandemic began, Church of the Messiah adapted and streamed our services while providing Holy Communion to those who joined us in the parking lot of our church.  Beginning in July of 2020, however, we were blessed to be able to worship in the sanctuary of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church.  Pastor David Imhoff and the leadership of FCPC were gracious and allowed us to use their sanctuary while they began to worship in their parking lot.  Now, after a wonderfully blessed year, we are happy to be returning to our own home sanctuary in our building.   We have been preparing for this change for quite a while and getting everything ready all week long.  Be sure to join us this Sunday morning to see what has changed and what still remains the same.  You can join us in person or you can still join us on-line as we stream on our Facebook page via Facebook Live.

    We are so grateful to The Lord and Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church for the providence and hospitality that has allowed us to worship together over the last year.  We are also thankful and excited for the opportunity to worship together in our own home sanctuary once again.  Join us this Sunday and we can worship The Lord and give thanks together!

  • Abp. Craig Bates and Cn. Terry Gensemer to Lead Liturgy for the Pre-Born

    Abp. Craig Bates and Cn. Terry Gensemer to Lead Liturgy for the Pre-Born

    This Saturday, June 26th, Archbishop Craig Bates and Canon Terry Gensemer will lead the Liturgy for the Pre-Born in front of A Woman’s Choice of Jacksonville.  Abp. Bates is the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC) and an ardent pro-life advocate who has prayed on the front lines of the culture wars for  decades.  Canon Terry Gensemer is the founder and director of CEC for Life, the pro-life advocacy arm of the Charismatic Epicopal Church, which this year will celebrate its 20th anniversary.  Both men are tremendous advocates for the pre-born and we are blessed to have them lead the Liturgy for the Pre-Born in Jacksonville.  The Liturgy for the Pre-Born is a prayer service that is a combination of last rites for those who are condemned to die in abortion, prayers for repentance, and prayers for the end of the abortion holocaust throughout America and the world.

    We invite you to join with Abp. Bates, Cn. Gensemer and Church of the Messiah this Saturday morning beginning at 9 o’clock.  Through the graciousness of Family for Life  we are able to pray directly across from A Woman’s Choice of Jacksonville (click HERE for a map).  For those who are unable to attend in person, Church of the Messiah will live stream the event on their Facebook page via Facebook Live.  Please join Church of the Messiah and these mighty men of God as we pray for the day that abortion becomes not only illegal but unthinkable!

     

  • Read the Patriarch’s Foundation Day Message

    Read the Patriarch’s Foundation Day Message

    The challenge to the Church in every age is both evangelism, assimilation, and leaving a legacy.  The Bishops are actively seeking the Lord, even during this pandemic, and listening to His voice regarding all these areas of mission and ministry.  And, on all levels, things are happening to give glory to God.  There is not a Church in the CEC that isn’t about doing all we can to lead people to the phenomenal, awesome, and glorious savior named Jesus.

    I want to address legacy for a moment.  This June, we once again have what is called “Foundation Day.”  On this day, each Church in the CEC is to take up a special offering.  It is suggested that each person give ten dollars.  When collected, the money will go to a fund where 1/3 will be given out in loans, 1/3 will be given out in grants, and 1/3 will be invested for the future.  For what purpose?  To build the Church through the building, purchasing, or repairing of Church facilities.  It will also be used for programs that can advance the growth of the Church.   It is building a legacy.

    My children grew up in convergence worship and the Charismatic Episcopal Church.   They now have children (my grandchildren and inheritance from the Lord).  It is possible, in my case, that in the not so far away future the children of my children could have children.  (Not the near future as they are still young, but time goes by fast).  We will be a fourth-generation CEC family.  (Some have already reached that point in their families and their church families.)

    I would encourage you to give generously to the foundation offering.  We are still under the mandate to build places of prayer, worship, and unity.  We are called to be part of the three streams of evangelical, charismatic, and sacramental/liturgical worship that makes visible the ancient and historic faith in Jesus.  We are small, but our call is not about size but faithfulness to the mission.  We are called to be faithful to build a legacy for the next generation to continue this very holy and worthy mission.

    The pandemic is coming to an end, and we can now get together face to face.  We soon can return to receiving communion in both kinds from a common cup.  We can once again greet one another with a sign of God’s peace that might involve a hug.  It is a good day that is in front of us.  Let us rejoice and be glad.

    Under His mercy,

    Craig W. Bates,

    Patriarch

    To give to the Foundation Day offering through Church of the Messiah, click HERE.  For more information on Foundation Day, including the history of the offering and financial accountability, click HERE to visit the Foundation Day page on the web-site of the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America.