Outreach

Outreach Programs
Boy Scout Troop #244
Boy Scout Troop #244 meets every Monday night at 7:00 p.m. in the Activity Room. Sponsored by Messiah , the troop consists of approximately 35 members, with 15 adult members. Troop #244 attends four major camp shows during the year, assists with community projects such as the FM Food Pantry and attends the Scout Show.
Quilters of Messiah
Quilters of Messiah meet each Wednesday morning (September-May) at 8:30 a.m. to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief, New Life Center, Dorothy Day House, Churches United for the Homeless and local families in crisis. The coffeepot is always on, and many good recipes are exchanged.Everyone is welcome.
Almost A Giveaway Sale

This rummage sale raises funds for 3 area charities, newly chosen each year. With the exception of some larger items‐ everything you can fit into a standard‐sized grocery bag is just $5. Donated items should be clean and in good working order and can be dropped off beginning on Wednesday the week of the sale (held each fall). We do not have space to store items for longer than that. Sale date along with which charities will benefit from the proceeds will be announced late summer/ early fall.
The event is sponsored in part by the Eastern Cass County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Proceeds benefit several community organizations. Donated items should be clean and in good working order.
A day of service that kicks off our program year. The Sunday following Labor Day we invite you to come to worship in your work clothes. We’ll spend an hour after the service cleaning our building for use and then celebrate the new season with a meal & games.
Heart Springs Center
An integrated center for health, hope and healing. For more information contact Jan Nelson at 261-3142 or visit www.heartspringscenter.com.
Messiah Preschool
Call Director Jody Talley at 237-6771 for mor information.
Getting Involved
Social Ministry Committee
Follow Our Missionaries
Erin & David Simon Family
The Social Ministry Committee coordinates the efforts of volunteers from our congregation in programs throughout the community. Examples include serving a meal once a month at Churches United for the Homeless, helping in many capacities at the F-M Emergency Food Pantry, sending birthday cards to the 60+ age group of the congregation and sending people on Global Mission Events. The committee also raises funds to combat world hunger through the CROP Walk and special offerings, help Christians in Palestine by providing an outlet for their artisan works, and much more .

Outreach

As Christians, we’re called to reach outside the bounds of our congregation to those in need, both in the local community and beyond. In addition to vital social ministry work, some in our congregation are active in more evangelistic pursuits. Some members visit their neighbors in the community with the Good Word of Christ. Some provide printed materials to those in need,and some take part in our Visitation Ministry, bringing Christ’s healing love to people who are grieving, depressed or experiencing other stresses in their lives.

In His Great Commission, Jesus sent His followers out into the world to “make disciples of all nations.” Living that commandment is what outreach work at Messiah is all about.

Upcoming Events

Noisy Change		On the 2nd Sunday of the month (excluding May and December when it is the 1st Sunday of the month) We take up a collection of your spare change to impact and support a designated charity.

Serving at Churches United for the Homeless		At present time volunteers cannot serve at the shelter. The staff have been creative but are stretched thin as they’ve had to change to doing all in‐house with staff. To learn about ways to continue to support the mission go to the bottom of the page of their website https://churchesunited.org/process.php?option=com_services&task=detail&id=17 and click on the donate button.

Tool collection		We are always collecting common house‐hold tools to enable new immigrants with LSS to fix and maintain their homes. A 5‐gallon bucket to collect donations is located in the north entrance.
Emergency Food Pantry		All year long we collect non‐perishable/ dry/canned food goods along with 12‐ count clean, empty egg cartons, and clean plastic grocery bags. A donations trunk is located in the north entrance of the church
YWCA Shelter		We collect items for the women and children’s emergency shelter: Currently they are only accepting items from their needs list: https://www.ywcacassclay.org/urgent-needs/ Donations may be left in the wicker basket in the north entrance.
Project Hope		Our Wednesday afternoon Women’s Bible study collects toiletry products (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) and distributes them to a variety of local charities in need of these items. A basket to collect donations is located just outside of the Sanctuary on top of the bookshelf.
Thanksgiving Offering		Every November we work to raise awareness of and combat against hunger. This is a two‐fold effort. Your donations of both of non‐perishable/ canned/ dry food goods for the FM Emergency Food Pantry as well as financial offerings for ELCA World Hunger are brought forward and blessed at our Thanksgiving Eve Worship.
Christmas Outreach		Messiah alternates our focus each year between Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes and the Giving Tree of Hope. We do this believing we can impact needs in both our local neighborhood as well as the global community.
March MN FoodShare		During the month of March we encourage members & friends to donation canned and dry goods and/ or monetary donation to the FM Emergency Food Pantry to help restock the shelves. We also have shifts to fill in working to fill food baskets at the Pantry. Shift sign‐up is at the Welcome Center.

Van Rides to Worship		At present the church van is available but not running because riders have opted to stay home for their wellness. If you desire a ride to worship. Please contact the office, 7101-237-6770, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays so we can make arrangements for a driver.

Ongoing Projects

Sign up to Work by serving the evening meals at Churches United for the Homeless on the third Saturday of each month. This activity is terrific for singles, families, groups of friends, etc. If you would like to help, please contact the church office, 237-6770. An annual event to raise funds for local and global agencies that feed those in needs.

In the Community: Individuals and groups at Messiah are active in many worthwhile causes, including:

Serving meals at Churches United for the Homeless

Helping the F-M Emergency Food Pantry

Sending birthday cards to the 60+ age group of the congregation

March- We participate in the March MN FoodShare Project collecting donations of money & food items to replenish food shelves in MN and bordering cities.

Christmas Outreach Projects include participation in the Holiday Clearing Bureau's Giving Tree and the Christmas Shoe Box Project on alternating years.

Messiah Quilters meet weekly on Wednesdays from 8:30 am- 12:00 pm and can use as many volunteers as are interested- no experience necessary. Quilts are created to give to mission projects, area ministries, and individuals in need.