Lots of Exciting Events in February at Church of the Messiah

There will be lots going on in February at Church of the Messiah!  As the year is rolling on, be sure to read below because you will not want to miss any of these powerful events.

First, on Saturday, February 4th, starting at 8:30 am, Church of the Messiah’s Men’s Ministry will come together over breakfast to share the vision for the ministry in 2023.  We will prepare all the standards of a good southern breakfast and outline plans for discipleship, fellowship, and outreach in the upcoming months.  This is open to men of all ages, so, men, be sure to bring your sons.  To sign up to attend, click this LINK or sign up in the lobby in church on Sunday mornings.

 

 

So many people were blessed beyond measure by the small groups which met during the Fall of ’22.  We are so excited to announce that we are launching another season of Church of the Messiah’s small groups.  Small groups meet at individuals’ homes for about an hour once a week.  These groups will meet for six weeks starting the week of February 19th.  This will allow the groups to meet throughout the season of Lent and finish before Easter.  If you are interested in participating in one of the small groups this February, click this LINK or sign up in the lobby in church on Sunday mornings.

 

On February 22nd, starting at 7 o’clock in the evening, the church will come together observe Ash Wednesday.  This is the service that begins the holy season of Lent with a period of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and alms-giving prior to the celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday.  The service includes a time of praise and worship, reflective readings from Holy Scripture, Holy Communion, and the once a year Impositions of Ashes from which the day takes its name.  This is a very powerful, once a year service, which everyone should plan on attending.

 

There are so many incredible events going on at Church of Messiah throughout the month of February.  Be sure to make plans to attend them all to continue to grow in the knowledge and love of The Lord throughout February and all of 2023.

 

Join Us for Ash Wednesday at Church of the Messiah

On Wednesday, March 2nd, Church of the Messiah will start off the season of Lent with our observance of Ash Wednesday.  Lent is forty days prior to Easter and commemorates the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13).  To prepare our own hearts to celebrate the Feast of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, the Church also observes this time as a time of prayer, fasting, and charity (Matthew 6:1-18).  The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, the special, once-a-year service where we prepare ourselves to begin this time together.  The central element of the service is the unique Imposition of Ashes where worshippers are marked on their foreheads with ashes and called to “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  Ash Wednesday is an incredibly powerful service that begins a moving season of the Church year.  Be sure to join with Church of the Messiah on Wednesday night, March 2nd, starting at 7 o’clock.  For those unable to worship with us in person, our service will be live streamed on Church of the Messiah’s Facebook page.

Join Church of the Messiah for Ash Wednesday

Church of the Messiah invites you to join us on February 17th, starting at 7 pm, for our annual Ash Wednesday Service.  Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent which recalls Our Lord’s forty days in the wilderness following His baptism in the River Jordan.  The season of Lent is time of prayer, fasting, and charitable giving as well as deliberately focusing on strengthening our walk with The Lord.  The Ash Wednesday Service is wonderful way to begin the season of Lent.  The service includes a time of praise & worship, readings and a homily from Holy Scriptures, the special once-a-year Imposition of Ashes and Litany of Penitence, as well as the Holy Eucharist.

That evening we will hold our service in the sanctuary of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church to allow us to be seated with social distancing.  We ask that, while up and moving around the sanctuary, people wear masks for the sake of charity and in accordance with local ordinances.  For those who are unable to attend our service that evening, we will live stream the Ash Wednesday service on our Facebook page.  For more information on our COVID precautions, click HERE.

We invite everyone to join us Wednesday, February 17th, whether in person or on-line, beginning at 7 o’clock, as we observe Ash Wednesday and begin a Holy Lent.

You’re Invited to Ash Wednesday Service

On Wednesday evening, March 26th, starting at 7 o’clock, Church of the Messiah will hold its annual Ash Wednesday Service.  Ash Wednesday is the traditional beginning of the Holy Season of Lent which commemorates Our Lord’s forty days in the wilderness following His baptism in the River Jordan.  Lent is time of prayer, fasting, and charitable giving as well as deliberately focusing on strengthening our walk with The Lord.  The Ash Wednesday Service is wonderful way to begin the season of Lent.  The service includes a time of praise & worship, readings and a homily from Holy Scriptures, the special once a year Imposition of Ashes and Litany of Penitence as well as the Holy Eucharist.   Our Youth Group will be included in the special service and childcare is provided for those between the ages of one year old to fifth grade.  We invite everyone to join us this Wednesday night, beginning at 7 o’clock, as observe Ash Wednesday and begin a Holy Lent.

Ash Wednesday is February 14th

Church of the Messiah invites you to join us this Wednesday night, February 14, as we observe Ash Wednesday.  As the traditional beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a day of special prayers and fasting to help start the season off properly.  Throughout Lent we remember the forty days which Our Lord spent in the wilderness prior to the start of His public ministry.  It is a time for all of us examine our hearts and prepare worship the Lord without any guilt or reservation holding us back.  As such, the Ash Wednesday Service is an amazing way to begin Lent.  The service includes the Litany of Penitence and the once a year Imposition of Ashes.  It is a powerful reminder of our own mortality and the judgement which we will all face.

As part of our Wednesday night services, we still will have our regular community meal on Ash Wednesday.  We will serve community supper from 6:00-6:45 and vegetarian alternatives will be provided throughout Lent for those who are fasting meat.  The service itself begins at seven o’clock.  Childcare is provided for children up to fifth grade during the service time and our Youth Group meets during this time as well.  The service ends by 8:30 in order to all everyone who needs to prepare for work or school the next day to do so in a timely manner.

Ash Wednesday is a truly wonderful service in the life of the Church.  Whether you have never been or you have been every year, we invite you to join us, Wednesday night, February 14th, for what will absolutely be an incredible evening.

Join Us for Ash Wednesday

This Wednesday, March 1st, Church of the Messiah invites everyone to join with us as we observe the annual celebration of Ash Wednesday.  This unique event is the start of the Holy Season of Lent which commemorates Our Lord’s forty days and nights in the wilderness following His baptism and is an occasion for Christians all over the world to pray and fast for forty days to prepare themselves for the celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.  On Ash Wednesday we begin the time of prayer and fasting with special prayers and repentance and with the imposition of ashes on foreheads.  This is a powerful and moving event in the life of the Church and one that is not to be missed.

As part of our Wednesday night services, we will still have diner beforehand, but we will not be having soup.  In stead we will be having pancakes, a Shrove Tuesday tradition one day late, along with other “breakfast for dinner” fixings.  Dinner begins at six o’clock and lasts til 6:45.  The Ash Wednesday Service itself begins at seven o’clock and will end by 8:30 so that everyone can have time to make it home in time for work and school the next day.  Childcare is provided for those younger than fifth grade.  Whether you have made Ash Wednesday and Lent a part of your spiritual life for many years or you have only heard of Ash Wednesday, we pray that you will join us this Wednesday, March 1st, for this powerful evening.

Celebrate Ash Wednesday this Wednesday Night

Ash Wednesday BannerThis Wednesday, February 10th, Church of the Messiah will celebrate the beginning of Lent with our traditional observation of Ash Wednesday.  Lent is the season which precedes Easter and commemorates Our Lord’s forty days in the wilderness and Israel’s wandering in the wilderness for forty years.  Christians throughout the ages have prepared to celebrate Easter by observing Lent with prayer and fasting.  Ash Wednesday, as the beginning of Lent, is a special service which includes the Invitation to a Holy Lent, the Imposition of Ashes, and the Litany of Penitence.  This incredibly special and unique service will begin at 7 o’clock.

In order make it easier for everyone to be a part of this service, Church of the Messiah will be serving a soup supper dinner beforehand in the parish kitchen.  Dinner will be served from six o’clock to 6:45.  Everyone is welcome to attend the service and soup supper.  Childcare is provided during the service.  The service will be over by 8:30 in order to ensure that everyone may be home in time to get children ready for school the next morning and prepare themselves for work the next day.  We want everyone to join us for the beginning of the season of Lent and Ash Wednesday, February 10th.

This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday

when-is-ash-wednesday-2015-this-year-3This Wednesday, February 18th, begins the season of Lent with the yearly celebration of Ash Wednesday.  Lent is the period of 40 days which both commemorates Our Lord’s 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying before He began His public ministry and helps us to prepare to celebrate the coming feast of Easter by fasting and praying in similar ways.   Ash Wednesday is the special celebration where we take time to remember that the Christian walk is called to be one of prayer, fasting, and penitence.  We will gather together at 7 o’clock and participate in the imposition of ashes, the litany of penitence, and then partake of the Holy Eucharist as a way to begin a Holy Lent.  We invite everyone to join us this Wednesday, beginning at 7 o’clock for our Ash Wednesday Service.