Bishop David Simpson to Visit Church of the Messiah this Sunday

This Sunday, August 27th, Bishop David Simpson will visit Church of the Messiah in order to preach and celebrate, as well as Confirm and Receive eight members of the parish.  Confirmation is the Sacrament where Christians 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.   Reception is a formal welcoming of a member who had been Confirmed previously in another denomination.  This is an especially festive occasion for Church of the Messiah as well as for those who have been preparing for many weeks for this event.

Bishop Simpson has been in ordained ministry for over 40 years, with 21 of those years in the Charismatic Episcopal Church  where he has served as the Rector of Church of the Resurrection in Miramar, Florida.  Bishop Simpson recently celebrated his tenth 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 six grand children!  Join us as we welcome our bishop.  He is sure to bring an inspired Word of God.  We hope everyone will join us because it is going to be an amazing day!  All are welcome!

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!

 

An Amazing Weekend at Church of the Messiah

Saturday and Sunday are shaping up to be one of the most exciting weekends we have had in a long time at Church of the Messiah.fish-fry3

On Saturday, we will have our annual community Fish Fry!  Beginning at 11:30, Earl Shimp and his highly trained crew of sous chefs will be frying up some of the very best local fish the First Coast has to offer.  Bring either a side dish or a dessert to share and Church of the Messiah will provide the fish, tartar sauce, and appropriate goodies!  Janice Paysinger is coordinating this event and can use some help.  You can e-mail her or call her directly at 904-703-9866.  The Fish Fry will run from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and will be in Showalter Hall, the fellowship hall of Ft. Caroline Presbyterian Church, the same location where we had our Epiphany Dinner.  We will also be joined this year by the bishop of Florida, Bp. David Simpson.

bishopsimpson

Then, on Sunday morning, we will have one of the most powerful services of the Summer!  Bishop Simpson will join us on his annual episcopal visit to consecrate and dedicate our new building, preach the anointed word of God, Confirm two new members, and celebrate the Holy Eucharist with us!  Although we have been in our building for close to nine months now, we have yet to have an opportunity for our bishop to come and formally set apart the place to the glory of God and impart an apostolic blessing upon it.  Similarly, the Sacrament of Confirmation is a convergence sacrament wherein the recipients make a mature profession of their faith, receive an impartation of the Holy Spirit, and receive the Bishop’s blessing to minister in the Church.  This will be a very exciting service for everyone involved.  The service begins at 10 o’clock and will begin in the hallway of the church so that we may process in together and begin the process of dedicating the consecrating the building together!