Celebrate Christ’s Ascension and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Forty days after His Resurrection, Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven.  Ten days later the Holy Spirit descended on the Feast of Pentecost.  Join with Church of the Messiah as we celebrate these momentous events in the life of Christ and His Church.

The celebration begins on Wednesday, May 24th, when we commemorate Our Lord’s return to Heaven on the Feast of the Ascension.  From six o’clock til 6:45, we will have a Soup Supper Fellowship Meal.  At seven o’clock our service for The Ascension begins.  There will be praise and worship, readings from Holy Scripture, a teaching about this rarely discussed moment in the life of Christ and His Church, as well as Holy Communion.  In addition, Church of the Messiah’s Youth Group will meet this evening and childcare is provided for those up to 5th grade.  The service will end in time for everyone to be home to prepare for school and work the next day.

Then we join with the Apostles and Disciples in a powerful time of prayerful waiting on the Lord.  Sunday morning, May 28th, we will have our “in between times” service beginning at ten o’clock in the morning.  This powerful service reflects the time in between the Ascension and Pentecost when Jesus’ followers “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14), awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Our Sunday morning service, includes praise and worship, readings from Holy Scripture and a Bible-based teaching, as well and children’s Sunday School, and Communion.

On Wednesday, May 31st, we break from our normal Wednesday night routine and host a special service where we will be waiting on the Presence of the Lord.  We will still gather from 6:00-6:45, but on this night we will have a grilled cook out with hot dogs, hamburgers, and all the sides.  At seven o’clock our service begins but instead of a teaching we will have an extended time of praise and worship throughout our service.  We will still have childcare provided during the service and our service will still end in time for everyone to be home to prepare for school and work on Thursday morning.

Finally, on Sunday, June 4th, join with us beginning at 10 o’clock as we celebrate the Descent of the Holy Spirit and the Birth of the Church on the Feast of Pentecost.  This is one of the most powerful days in the whole history of the Church and we would love for you to join us as we commemorate this miraculous morning when three thousand believers came into the Kingdom of God.

For more information, please visit our website, e-mail us, or call us directly at 904-721-4199.  To God be all the glory for these amazing moments in the life of Christ and the Church.  Please join us as we celebrate them all!

Wednesday Night Series Focuses on Mission of the Church

Beginning this Wednesday, January 18th, and continuing through Wednesday, February 22nd, Church of the Messiah’s mid-week services will focus on the mission of the Church.  As the Church observes a variety of special events in the liturgical year, we will delve into how the Church is called to live in the modern era and how each of us as Christians can participate individually in the call to reach the world.

Each evening will begin with a soup supper from six o’clock to 6:45.  The service itself begins at seven o’clock.  Childcare is provided during the service for those younger than 6th grade and Church of the Messiah’s Youth Group (6th-12th grades) will be meeting during the service as well.  The evening will conclude by 8:30 so that everyone can have plenty of time to return home and prepare for work and school the next morning with plenty of time.

Wednesday nights are always amazing at Church of the Messiah.  Bring a friend.  Have dinner and fellowship, then hear about the mission of the Church and our call to live in the world today!  It’s going to be an incredible few weeks.

New Teaching Series Begins This Wednesday Night

all-messiah-clergyThis Wednesday night, October 26th, Church of the Messiah will begin its new teaching series called “The Testimony of the Priests”.  This series will provide each of the active pastors of the parish with an opportunity to share their own personal testimony with the congregation.  While each of the priests at Church of the Messiah has been with the parish for over a decade, they have never had an opportunity to share their own story of how God moved in their lives.  Over the next four week, each of the clergy will have an opportunity to do so and satisfy 1 Peter 3:15 where the Apostle calls us to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  This will both help the congregation get to know their pastors better and encourage all of us by sharing stories of how God has moved in the lives of our own people.

“The Testimony of the Priests” is part of Church of the Messiah’s regular Wednesday Night Worship Service.  The evening begins with a soup supper at 6:00-6:45 and the service itself begins at seven o’clock.  In order for everyone to be home at a reasonable hour in order to prepare for work and school the next day, the service ends by 8:30 each night.  Childcare is provided during the service portion of the evening.  This is an excellent opportunity to introduce new people to our parish by introducing them to our clergy in an open worship setting.  Everyone is welcome and we would love for you to join us.

New Bible Study Begins Wednesday Night

biblical-church-advert

This Wednesday night, September 14th, Church of the Messiah will begin is newest Bible study series.  The title of the study will be “The History of the Biblical Church.”  Fr. Looker will be leading the study and he wants to make it clear that that this Bible study will not be a “Church History 101” class but rather,

We are going to look at The Acts of the Apostles in combination with the various Letters of St. Paul to put pieces together and get a more complete picture of what was going on in the Church during Biblical times.  We are going to see things that are in the Bible.  You’ve just probably never noticed them before.

This Bible study is going to be a fascinating look at the ministry and missionary work of the very first Christians.

“The History of the Biblical Church” will be part of Church of the Messiah’s regular Wednesday night services which begin with a soup supper from 6:00-6:45.  The service itself is a Eucharistic service which begins at seven o’clock.  Childcare is provided throughout the service which ends by 8:30 so that those who need to prepare for work or school the next day can be home early enough to do so promptly.  We invite everyone to join us and learn more about what happened in the earliest days of Christianity.

 

Topic of Newest Bible Study Announced

biblical-church-advertLast night, during the amazing night of worship and intercession, Fr. Scott Looker announced the title and topic of the new, upcoming Bible study series for Church of the Messiah’s Wednesday night services.  The title of the study will be “The History of the Biblical Church.”  It will be a five-week series beginning September 14th and concluding October 12th.  Fr. Looker was quick to point out that this would not be a “Church History 101” class but rather,

We are going to look at The Acts of the Apostles in combination with the various Letters of St. Paul to put pieces together and get a more complete picture of what was going on in the Church during Biblical times.  We are going to see things that are in the Bible.  You’ve just probably never noticed them before.

This Bible study is going to be a fascinating look at the ministry and missionary work of the very first Christians.

“The History of the Biblical Church” will be part of Church of the Messiah’s regular Wednesday night services which begin with a soup supper from 6:00-6:45.  The service itself is a Eucharistic service which begins at seven o’clock.  Childcare is provided throughout the service which ends by 8:30 so that those who need to prepare for work or school the next day can be home early enough to do so promptly.  We invite everyone to join us and learn more about what happened in the earliest days of Christianity.

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!

 

“Preparing for Pentecost” Continues Tonight

Preparing for Pentecost BannerChurch of the Messiah’s Easter teaching series continues tonight, Wednesday, April 20th.  In previous weeks Fr. Looker addressed what the Jews expected from the Feast of Pentecost and the overall structure of I Corinthians 12-14 as St. Paul addressed “spiritual matters.”  Tonight Fr. Looker will address I Corinthians 12 in detail, focusing on what it meant to the Corinthian church as well as what it means for us today.

“Preparing for Pentecost” is part of Church of the Messiah’s mid-week worship service.  The service begins at seven o’clock and includes praise and worship, prayer time, as well as the Holy Eucharist. The service is preceded by a soup supper from 6:00 to 6:45.  Childcare is provided for the service and the service ends by 8:30 in order to accommodate the needs of those who have work or school the following morning.  Everyone is welcome.  Join us this Wednesday night as we learn about our spiritual heritage and what Pentecost means today.

It’s a Busy Week at Church of the Messiah

This WeekIt’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!

Lenten Mid-Week Services Continue Tonight!

Renewed BannerWednesday night, February 24th, Church of the Messiah will continue its Mid-Week services which began Ash Wednesday.  Throughout the season of Lent, Fr. Scott Looker will be hosting a series titled “Renewed” and taking its title from the words of St. Paul in Roman 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  The series focus on transforming how we see our spiritual life and renewing our walk with the Lord.  The service itself begins every Wednesday night at seven o’clock and is preceded by a soup supper from 6-6:45.  Everyone is welcome to attend and childcare is provided.  In order to ensure that everyone is able to attend, we are committed to ending by 8:30 in order to accommodate everyone who needs to have children home and prepare for work and school the next morning.

Join Church of the Messiah Tonight as We Prepare for Pentecost

acts1_14-articleIn Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke tells us that, while they were awaiting the promised power of the coming Holy Spirit, the Apostles “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (1:14)  Join with Church of the Messiah tonight as we observe the “in between” time in the midst of the Ascension last Thursday and Pentecost this coming Sunday.  We will likewise be in one accord in prayer and supplication for the Church, the city, and the world, and we will, in the words of St. Paul, “proclaim the Lord’s death (and resurrection) til He comes again” (I Corinthians 11:26) when we celebrate the Holy Eucharist tonight.  Please join us for the special service.  Childcare is provided.  The service ends by 8:30 so that everyone may prepare for work and school on the following morning.