In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, it appears we have much to be thankful for. Saturday morning, Fr. Looker contacted most members of the parish who had not evacuated and most had a similar report. The majority of the parish had only minimal damage to their home, with a few limbs and trees coming down during the storm. While many are without power, most were prepared for that beforehand. Church of the Messiah’s building sustained no apparent damage and still has power, so services will continue as planned Sunday morning at 10 o’clock. Fusion, as previously announced, has been cancelled and will hold its next service on November 12th. While the people of Church of the Messiah seem to have been spared much of the full force of Hurricane Matthew, please remember that there are many who felt the effects much more severely than we did and many who are still being affected by this storm. Please continue to pray for those in the path of this catastrophic storm.
It’s a very busy week at Church of the Messiah. On Tuesday night, March 8th, we will host the Ultreya for Northeast Florida. An Ultreya is a reunion event for anyone who has attended Tres Arroyos or another three-day retreat along the same lines (Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, etc…). We will begin the evening at 6:30 with a potluck dinner, continue with grouping and conclude with Holy Eucharist. For more information, please contact Greg Looker.
Wednesday night, March 9th, we continue with our Lenten series “Renewed.” Fr. Looker is teaching on revitalizing your daily Christian walk by changing the way we look at our lives and walk with the Lord. The soup supper runs from 6-6:45 before the service, which begins at seven o’clock. The service ends by 8:30 to accommodate those who have work or school the next day and childcare is provided. These services have been especially powerful lately.
Our Women’s Ministry’s Lenten Bible study continues every Thursday morning throughout Lent starting at 11 o’clock. We are studying The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. Materials are free of charge for anyone interested in attending. Contact Diane Looker, who hosts the study, for more information.
On Saturday, March 12th, we have two events! First, at eight o’clock in the morning, we will have a Men’s Ministry breakfast and work day. This will be done in order to help make the church look as glorious as possible for Holy Week and Easter over the next two weeks. Come one; come all. Many hands make light work! Contact John Cunningham for more information.
Later that same evening, we will host Fusion, our ministry to Young Adults as well. The doors open with light appetizers at 6:30 and the service begins at 7 o’clock. If you know someone between the ages of 18 and 35, be sure to invite them to our monthly young adults Fusion service. Our special speaker this month will be Brandon Cribbs. Contact Tim Bromley for more information.
After all that is said and done, don’t forget that we lose an hour of sleep as we “Spring Forward” with Daylight Savings Time Saturday night/Sunday morning this weekend as well. Don’t worry though. Next week is much more laid back. It’s the calm before the storm until we get to Holy Week, March 20-27!
Fusion is Church of the Messiah’s ministry and outreach to young adults. It is a monthly worship service directed at those who are between the ages of 18 and 35. We begin each night with appetizers and light refreshments at 6:30 before the service starts at 7 o’clock. The service consists of contemporary worship, a powerful teaching testimony, and a time of ministry before the Holy Eucharist. Everyone is welcome and childcare is provided for those who require it. This month, Casey Harlow will be speaking to those present on overcoming self-doubts and seeing ourselves as God sees us based on Genesis 1:27. It will be, as it always is, an incredible night of worship and ministry. Fusion, the ministry, has its own Facebook page which you can find HERE and this month’s Fusion service has its own Facebook event page which you can find HERE. Be sure to invite those you know who should be attending.
December is jam packed with lots to do at Church of the Messiah. Be sure to mark everything on your calendar so you don’t miss any of the special events.
Saturday, December 5th, is the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at Church of the Messiah. Join with all of the men of the church as we gather at 8 o’clock in the morning for a manly breakfast and time of sharing. This month we will also help stuff Christmas cards for our Christmas Caroling outreach event later on this month. Join us for great food and great fellowship with great men of God.
Sunday, December 6th, is the Second Sunday of Advent and a special day for our kids. The Advent theme of Reaching Out and Reflecting In will continue but there will be an extra surprise in store for the kids this Sunday.
Monday, December 8th, Women Alive has is monthly meeting at Church of the Messiah. Women Alive is a monthly gathering of women from all over the city of Jacksonville and surrounding areas. These meetings are a safe place to encounter Jesus through extended worship, teaching, and prophetic ministry. Every woman is invited to attend as we pursue more of Jesus and discover more of who He is in us!
Tuesday, December 9th, is the December Ultreya for Northeast Florida. These are monthly reunion meetings for those who have attended a Tres Arroyos weekend or similar three-day retreat (Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, etc…). The night begins at 6:30 with a potluck meal, includes grouping, and concludes with the Holy Eucharist.
Saturday, December 12th, is our monthly Fusion Service. Fusion is our Young Adults Ministry which reaches out to those between 18 and 35(-ish) who are un-churched or whose home churches have no young adults ministry of their own. This month we will be addressing self-condemnation and seeing ourselves as God truly sees us, having been created in His image and likeness. We will begin at 6:30 with light appetizers and the service begins at 7 o’clock. Everyone is welcome and childcare is provided. A Facebook event has been created HERE. Click to join and invite those you know who would be blessed to attend.
Sunday, December 13th, following our service for the Third Sunday of Advent, our ladies will head our to their Christmas Progressive Luncheon and Ugly Sweater Contest. The ladies will be preparing Christmas Cards for our Christmas Caroling outreach event as well. By the way, they will be wearing those ugly sweaters to church on Sunday morning!
Sunday, December 20th, is the Fourth (and last) Sunday of Advent. After our service we will have lunch together and then head out into the ice and snow to bring merriment to the local neighborhood with Christmas Carols! We will sing Christmas songs and invite people from the local neighborhood to join us at our upcoming services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Be sure to join us for this incredibly fun outreach event.
Thursday, December 24, is Christmas Eve! We will celebrate the night beginning at 7 o’clock with our family service. There will be special music and offerings from our Kids’ Church and a special Children’s Sermon. Join with us as we celebrate the Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Friday, December 25, is our Christmas Day service. We gather bright and early at 10 o’clock on Christmas Day to observe the Feast and celebrate the Birth of Christ. This special service is holy and unique throughout the year and helps to keep the focus on the “Reason for the Season.”
This Saturday, March 14th, is Church of the Messiah’s Fusion Service, our monthly young adults’ outreach ministry. In addition to being an opportunity to reach out to young people and present convergence worship to people who have never experienced it before, this month we have an opportunity to present them with the heart and power of Lent and teach them about preparing our hearts to truly celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ at Easter.
The service is directed towards young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 although “we don’t ever card.” We serve appetizers at 6:30 and the service begins at 7 o’clock. Everyone goes out afterwards for fellowship.
For those beyond 35 looking to support the ministry, we are still in need of people to bring appetizers on Saturday evening and to help set up prior to and clean up once the service begins. If you are willing to help, please contact Amanda Paysinger.
SJL 
In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, it appears we have much to be thankful for. Saturday morning, Fr. Looker contacted most members of the parish who had not evacuated and most had a similar report. The majority of the parish had only minimal damage to their home, with a few limbs and trees coming down during the storm. While many are without power, most were prepared for that beforehand. Church of the Messiah’s building sustained no apparent damage and still has power, so services will continue as planned Sunday morning at 10 o’clock. Fusion, as previously announced, has been cancelled and will hold its next service on November 12th. While the people of Church of the Messiah seem to have been spared much of the full force of Hurricane Matthew, please remember that there are many who felt the effects much more severely than we did and many who are still being affected by this storm. Please continue to pray for those in the path of this catastrophic storm.
