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MESSIAH MEMOS Messiah Fairview Park Issue 5: July-August 2018

In This Issue

Music Ministry page 2 From the Pastor page 3

Thanks! page 4

Principal’s Page page 5 VBS Registration page 7

Laundry Love: Messiah

Update page 9

Golf Outing Recap page 11

During worship on August 11th & 12th, Messiah will honor our

recent graduates and formally "Send Off" all College students at

both the 8:30 and 10 am worship services. Plan to

worship with us and be part of the "Send Off.”

Questions?

Please speak with Pastor Seth.

Welcome Danielle

Danielle Twigg (nee Waugaman) has joined the Messiah Church office staff as a part-time assistant, working Tues., Wed., and Thurs. She has been a member of Messiah since 1999 and is

now joined by her husband, Owen and two children, Felix and Lorelei. Felix attends the Messiah Lutheran preschool. Danielle enjoys sewing, reading, spending time with family and watching her children in their various activities.

A Way to Say “Thank You” this Summer

God has blessed us richly at Messiah over the past many months. He brought Pastor Bridger to us last August. He led Connie Triplett here as our new music director. He blessed us with new friends at church and new families at Messiah School, where we are seeing clear signs of enrollment growth. Week after week he underscores his love for us in the words we hear at church and in Jesus’ presence for us in Holy Communion. He uses his people at Messiah in countless ways to pass along his love to others.

The work God does both for us and through us in our life as a congregation costs money. It always does. Here too we’ve seen the Lord providing what we’ve needed. The Holy Spirit keeps stirring so many of us to contribute with steady generosity to the ministry of our church and school.

As we near the end of another fiscal year there is still much to gather. With that in mind, we were recently invited to express our thanks to God with a special year-end gift. Please give this invitation your prayerful consideration. God guide your response. If you’re a regular contributor, we encourage you to use a special pew envelope for that special gift—or else mark it accordingly on your regular envelope. If you give online through Messiah’s website, use the “Other” line for your special donation.

God be praised for all his steadfast saints at Messiah. Let

thanks abound this summer. —Pr. Burce

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Vacation Bible School Children ages 4-10 are invited to attend Messiah’s Vacation Bible School July 30-Aug. 3, from 9 am-

noon. Cost is $20/child plus a donation of cookies or drink mix. The theme for this year’s Vacation

Bible School is “Shipwrecked.” Registration forms are available on our website and in the church office. This year’s program will be led by Mandi

Ressler mandi.ressler@gmail.com and Deaconess Jeannette Rebeck djrebeck@roadrunner.com. Volunteers are needed! If you are interested in

helping out, contact Mandi or Deaconess Jeannette. Registration & Medical Authorization

forms on page 7 & 8

“Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.”—Ephesians 5:18b-19

What a joy it has been to come to Messiah and find a congregation filled with the Spirit who also sing robustly!

As I am settling into the director of music position, I am connecting with more and more musically talented people at Messiah who are willing to use their talents for God's glory. Be on the lookout this summer for a Musical Talents Survey which will allow you to share your musical background and volunteer to serve as a part of Messiah's Music Ministry, whether that be through the choir, as a cantor, instrumental playing, congregational singing, or some other capacity.

The Church's music serves as a way to proclaim God's Word. As we raise our voices in song together, we join with the Church in every time and place in proclaiming the Good News of Christ's death and resurrection. What a blessing it is to me to serve in this role alongside the saints here at Messiah.

In Christ, Connie Triplett, Director of Music

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Summer brings with it many reasons for celebration. From graduations and weddings, to 4th of July and family reunions (and possibly even an occasional class reunion!) We celebrate the season with fresh fruits and vegetables, we celebrate with backyard barbeques, epic corn hole games, and for many,

we celebrate the season with travel.

This summer, the ELCA Youth Gathering will be taking place in Houston, Texas from June 27 through July 1. “This Changes Everything” is the theme. Every 3 years, our international denomination hosts an incredible celebration and harnesses the energy and creativity of the international church. This gathering will be my 5th such celebration, and each gathering I have attended has contributed to my Christian faith.

Each gathering has somehow opened my eyes and hands and heart to some aspect of Christ and Christ’s church here on earth. And this is our hope for those attending this summer. This is our hope, not just for our own 33 young adults and leaders, but for all who travel to attend this Youth Gathering. We pray that their eyes, hands, and heart will be opened to Christ.

Travel is one of the great privileges afforded to us as human beings. Through the course of human history and incredible ingenuity, humans have harnessed the energy necessary to fly, cruise, and drive to all sorts of places. As you think about your own life, where are some of the places that you have traveled and remember most? Do you remember what you learned during those travels?

The Rev. Seth Bridger

From Pastor Seth

Did you learn anything of Christ, or something about the character of God during those travels? Have you stopped recently to give thanks for the travels which you have experienced?

In Jesus’ day, travel was possible. He may not have booked a flight to an exotic vacation destination or cruised the ocean blue to a beautiful island, but Jesus did travel. I often wonder when I travel just what Jesus’ thought process was as he began to minister though the ministry of travel.

Fortunately for us, we get a glimpse of his travels and learn what was important to him. He valued people, and relationships (think Mary and Martha and Lazarus). Jesus took time for himself for reflection and renewal (think going off by himself to pray). He understood the need to meet people where they were at (think the entire multitude of people who were in need of healing).

This summer, we will continue to hear and see stories of Jesus changing lives, and overcoming the boundaries of his day. We will experience a God that is willing to change everything in order to offer salvation, and a glimpse of the kingdom. Join me in amazement at how Jesus is not limited by the boundaries of time and place and culture in order to fulfill God’s mission in and for the world. And the truly amazing thing to celebrate is this …. we get to be part of it! —Pastor Seth

If you want to follow along, and be encouraged in your own faith, visit www.elca.org/YouthGathering to watch a livestream or learn more about the Gathering.

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Thank You!

A hearty thanks for all who prepared the delicious meal on Sunday, June 10 for the people served by Redeemer Crisis Center at West 30th & Walton in Cleveland. We were able to provide this food because of your generous giving of donations on Souper Bowl Sunday. We have enough funds to provide an additional meal on Sunday, September 9th. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us in serving. —Deaconess Jeanette Rebeck

Dear Messiah Lutheran Church and School Family, My heart is overflowing from the love you extended to me upon my retirement. For the words of kindness spoken, laughs and tears shared, and gifts given I give my heartfelt thanks!

I look forward to putting my God given talents to use at Messiah Lutheran Church. I love serving and worshipping my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessings to you all.

All my love, Priscilla R. Hinsch

A Note of Thanks From the Caminero Family…

Hello Messiah parishioners, students, faculty, and parents. Every year, Miss Hinsch and her third graders hold a bake sale in honor of a worthy and charitable cause. This year, our family was chosen to receive the proceeds from this sale on behalf of our son Israel, a student at Messiah School.

Our son was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (an aggressive bone cancer affecting his long bones where growth occurs) in the early fall of 2014. Izzy spent a little over a week in Messiah’s Kindergarten before he became a full-time Rainbow patient for 30 plus weeks following his leg amputation. As you can imagine, that was a very scary time in in our lives, but God kept us and sustained us through our relationship with him and through relation-ships like yours.

This spring, Israel sustained an injury to his leg stump. During subsequent x-rays, his doctors discovered a large lung mass that had been growing undetected. Izzy had surgeries to remove the lower-left lobe of his lung, and also to shorten his stump. He returned to school in a mere two weeks, saying, “I was made for tough!”

Although we do not know where our lives will be in the future, who does? We are choosing to stand firm in our faith and in the promises God has placed in our hearts. We just wanted to extend our deepest gratitude from our family to our friends and family at Messiah. Over the years, you have shown us that your love for Israel and for our family is not just something you say, but also something you do. Thank you for your ongoing prayers, your time invested, and monetary donations. Every donation made will be spent with wisdom according to Israel’s needs. —Caminero Family

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CALENDAR

August 23: School resumes for K-Gr. 8

September 4: PK3 First Day

September 5: PK4 First Day

Congratulations, graduates! The Messiah School class of 2018 received their diplomas on Wednesday, June 6. Our graduates will now progress to Lutheran High School West, Fairview High School, and Lakewood High School. Join us in praying that the Holy Spirit is strongly felt throughout their lives, and that they will continue to be blessed and bless others as they grow. The Presidential Award for Academic Excellence was given to Sidney Bacon, Grace Kandrach, Cassidy Yesko, and Mitchell Zaremba. Mitchell Zaremba was also awarded a scholarship to attend Lutheran High School West.

The Messiah Lutheran School class of 2014 recently graduated from high school! May God bless you as you carry what you have learned out into the world. Special congratulations to Beth Coulter, Lutheran West valedictorian and Carleen Ellerbruch, Lutheran West salutatorian, both of Messiah School class of 2014.

Academic Achievement Our standardized test scores are in, and through God’s blessings, Messiah students demonstrated outstanding learning and growth! 76% of our grade 3 – 8 test scores were in the accelerated and advanced ranges! Thanks be to God, and to our students, teachers, and families for their combined efforts.

Admissions Space is still available in many classes at Messiah School for the upcoming year! If you know a student or family looking for academic excellence in Christian community, please encourage them to consider Messiah among their options. We would be delighted to hear from interested families at 440.331.6553 or jsnyder@messiahfp.org.

Principal Memos June 2018

Lakewood Fourth of July Parade We will march in the Lakewood parade on the 4th of July. Help us greet our neighbors and show them what a great community of families we have here at Messiah Church and School! To march with us, email jsnyder@messiahfp.org.

SummerFest Festival Booth SummerFest, Fairview Park’s largest community festival, takes place on Friday, June 29-Saturday, June 30. Messiah Church and School will be hosting a nice, big booth at Bohlken

Park throughout the festival. We invite you to come visit, or to be one of the friendly faces who greets visitors! To get involved, email jsnyder@messiahfp.org.

Please continue to pray for our school as we continue to pray

for our congregation. God bless you!

Your servant in Christ,

Helen Casselberry, Principal

Summer Fun!

With gratitude, Messiah Lutheran School says goodbye to three teachers this summer.

As many know, Priscilla Hinsch retired at the end of 43 years of teaching, 37 of which were at Messiah.

Lindsey Poole has faithfully served as our middle school reading/language arts teacher and 8th grade homeroom advisor for the past seven years. She also served beyond the classroom as a student council advisor to our student leaders. Mrs. Poole is leaving the classroom to stay at home with her son Adam (1), and her next baby, due in September. Lindsey has been a gracious, loving, and highly skilled teacher, remembered by her students as someone who made a lifelong impact. Their family recently joined Messiah, so we will still see them at worship.

Julie Bacon taught preschool at Messiah for seven years. Her talents with young children and in the arts were put to use in her classroom and as a leader of our primary grades "little chapel." Recently, she has discerned God calling her in a new direction for the coming year. She is remembered with much love by her students, and we look forward to seeing how the Lord will put her talents to good use in future pursuits.

This means that Messiah School is hiring! Please share the news with educators in your friends and family circle, and encourage them to apply for these positions online at MessiahSchoolFairview.org.

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Our Messiah Youth and adult leaders journey to the Houston Gathering on June 24. Messiah has registered 32 people for the Gathering. The youth are:

Lily & Sidney Bacon

Danielle & Tom Biddle

Kaleigh Cool

Padraig Donohoe

Bella & Jason Epperson

Joey Gentile

Maddy Golden

Luke Howes

Emma & Gabi Ilg

Ariana Laurie

Adult leaders: Pr. Seth Bridger, Jason Epperson, Kate Ilg, Dale Mortensen, and Darlene Waugh. Plus, Greg Paton who is serving as a gathering volunteer.

Check out the ELCA website to see what our Messiah Youth are experiencing and follow along with some of the live stream at www.elca.org/Gathering. All of the evening mass gathering events will be broadcast live CDST 7:30-9:30 p.m. Plus 7/1, Sunday morning worship at 10 am.

We are extremely thankful for the fund raising support our Messiah Youth have received. With your love and support we successfully raised $40,000.

Kevin & Sarah McLeeson

Nick & Julia Moore

Luke Mortenson

Kaylie Norris

Dana Quayle

Sam Ratvasky

Tim Roman

George Skliros

Evan Tengler

Evan & Luke Thiel

Repairs on the church roof have begun! Norlyn LLC, the company that rebuilt our front stairs and handled other recent renovations, is coordinating the project. The re-roofing will take 3 to 4 weeks. During this time, the east driveway entrance (by Santos' restaurant) will be closed. Due to the potential for roofing nails on the atrium drive-way, please utilize the back parking lot and on W. 215. Thank you for your cooperation!

Look for our Messiah School ad at the foot of pages 4 and

5 in the June 2018 issue of Northeast Ohio Parent!

The free magazine is a Summer Fun Guide complete with

"Oh So Fun Summer Reading" suggestions (pages 6 & 7)

and amazing activities and events close to you. Pick up a

copy at local merchants, or visit

https://www.northeastohioparent.com

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Registration Form

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Laundry Love & the Luthers

(A story brought to our attention by Rev. Bruce Hathaway).

“Before I was married,” (June 13, 1525) Martin Luther recalled, “the bed was not made for a whole year and became foul with sweat. But I worked so hard and was so weary I tumbled in without noticing it.” However, when

Martin married the runaway nun Katherine Von Bora (whom Luther called Katie) the bed was made and the sheets were clean. Guess that makes Katie Luther the Patron Saint of Laundry Love!

Over the past 18 months (since January 2017) our Laundry Love: Messiah care team has blessed over 400 low-income people (averaging 75 per month) by paying the cost to wash and dry 22,000 lbs (ELEVEN tons) of laundry at a cost of $4100. Currently our costs average $300 per month.

A 2018 ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger grant of $2,000 has generously supplemented the homemade, casual meals (featuring healthy food options for those with diabetes and other health concerns) that our volunteers have prepared and served this year. Our Laundry Love: Messiah volunteers were thrilled to receive a “shout out” at the recent NEO Synod Assembly from Mikka McCracken of ELCA World Hunger, as part of her Churchwide ELCA report.

Laundry Love guests are a diverse bunch, including young couples, senior citizens on fixed incomes, people with mental illnesses, low income families, students, and single apartment dwellers (often in Section 8 Housing) of all races. We pray with them and for them. Several of our guests have come to Messiah for community meals and for worship.

In partnership with the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank and because of Messiah Lutheran School’s commitment to literacy, Laundry Love: Messiah also provides free books to every child in the laundromat every month.

Our next event will be Thursday, June 28 from 6-8 pm at Leo's Laundromat, 20210 Lorain Avenue, where we pay for everyone's laundry, offer a home cooked meal, and give books to every child. Stop by to see what all the joy is about! —Janice Snyder, Care Team Leader

Mission & Ministry

Messiah Visitation Ministry

Deaconess Ruth Mortensen

Every month a team of volunteers brings communion to members of our congregation who, for a variety of reasons, aren’t able to come to church. Deaconess Ruth Morten-sen has graciously agreed to lead our visitation ministry on an interim basis. Please hold all the members of our visitation teams in your prayers,

I have several thanks I want to express. First, I want to thank the congregation for the privilege of being your Visitation Pastor for the past 9 years. I have come to know upwards of 50 of our shut-in folk very well over that time, and to represent you to them, keeping them in touch with you through me. Having retired as a chaplain, this was a natural extension of my ministry, and it was very rewarding for me. Thank you for the cordial reception on Ascension Day, and for the unexpected and generous retirement gift. I also want to thank Pastors Burce and Seth, the office staff, and Church Council for their support and collegiality over this time. In every way I have only had cooperation, encouragement, and interest in what I was doing. One of the things that drew me to Messiah back in 1986 was the commitment of the pastoral staff to the pastoral care of the shut-ins, sick and dying, and I was privileged to become part of that ministry.

I also want to thank the shut-ins themselves for always receiving my ministry without reservation and with gratitude. I truly came to love you all. I also want to thank the Eucharistic Ministers who so willingly, eagerly, and with such grace joined me in visiting and bringing communion to those who can no longer worship with us. I also want to thank God for this opportunity to bring Christ to so many in an extension of my ministry be-yond my initial retirement. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit bless us all now and forever. —Pr. Ron Morgan

From Rev. Ron Morgan

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Gourmet Prayer with Priscilla Hinsch

Prayer for Inner Peace (Author unknown)

Lord, the example of Your life tells me of an inner peace that I truly desire. Your care for people who were ill or living in sin shows that You are

always with me, helping me find healing and peace.

I thank You for Your response of compassion toward all who needed You, for I know that I need You often. Give me the peace of knowing that

You are with me as I try to proclaim the message of Your love.

Help me to feel you at my side in trials, that my response to injustice will tell others of the power of Your love.

Lord, I am grateful that You never abandon me, even when I think that You have. Help me not to abandon You, but keep my ears attuned to

Your voice, the voice that gives me peace. Amen.

Mission & Ministry

Online Giving & Text to Give

Thank you for faithfully giving to Messiah Lutheran Church! You can make a donation online by visiting messiahfairview.org. Or, simply text your donation amount to 440-574-5039. It takes 30 seconds to register and 10 seconds to type a donation. Thank you!

DIGGING FOR GOLD

A six-session summer Bible study with a special focus on how to reach and find God’s Gospel throughout the Biblical text.

Regular sessions: June 20, 27; July 11, 18; August 8, 15 (Wednesdays all, 6:30-7:45 pm,). Study will take place at Messiah, north end of the Fellowship Hall. One session builds on the other, but people dropping in halfway through will also benefit.

Expect important pointers on how to listen effectively on Sunday morning, how to think and pray through a Bible passage in private study, and how God works through the Bible to speak to us today and increase our joy in Christ. Leader: Pr. Burce.

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Messiah School Fundraiser

A HUGE "Thank You" to our Messiah School Scholarship Golf Committee; Scott Straffen, Dean Kinter, Mike Thiel, Jason Reynolds, Rusty Bloor, Greg Norris, Kathy Campogni, and Darlene Waugh.

Messiah Church and School had a very successful 2018 golf outing. Ninety-four golfers registered for our 7th Annual Messiah Golf Outing benefiting scholarships for Messiah Lutheran School. Nearly $11,000 was raised to assure that EVERY child at Messiah School receives a scholarship!!

Thank you to everyone who came out to golf, sponsored the outing, donated items, bought raffle tickets, and bid on Silent Auction items.

Messiah Lutheran Golf Outing

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July 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Pentecost 6 2

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4 Messiah Church & School march in Lakewood 4th of July Parade! Line up at 9 am. OFFICES CLOSED

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OFFICES CLOSED

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7 No Saturday Night-Worship Service

8 Pentecost 7 8:30a Holy Communion 10a Holy Communion 7:30p AA

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7:30p Basketball

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11 6:30p Bible Study

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5:30p Holy Communion

15 Pentecost 8 8:30a Holy Communion 10a Holy Communion 7:30p AA

16 7p Trustees 7:30p Basketball

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18 6:30p Bible Study

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20

21 5:30p Holy Communion

22 Pentecost 9 8:30a Holy Communion 10a Holy Communion 7:30p AA

23 7:30p Basketball

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25

26 6-8p Laundry Love

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28 5:30p Holy Communion

29 Pentecost 10 8:30a Holy Communion 10a Holy Communion 7:30a AA

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August 1

August 2

August 3

Vacation Bible School

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August 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 Lunch

& Learn about Messiah School @ noon

4 5:30p Holy Communion

5 8:30a Holy Communion 10a Holy Communion

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7:30p Basketball

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8 6:30p Bible Study

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11 5:30p Holy Communion * Blessing of College Students

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8:30a Holy Communion 10a Holy Communion * Blessing of College Students (both services) 7:30p AA

13 7:30p Basketball

14 7p Church Council

15 9a Staff Retreat 6:30p Bible Study

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18 5:30p Holy Communion

19 8:30a Holy Communion 10a Holy Communion * Blessing of Messiah School Staff (10am) 7:30p AA

20 7p Trustees 7:30p Basketball Back-to-School Night (Gr 6-8)

21 Back-to-School Night (Gr K-5)

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23 K-8 Students’ First Day

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25 5:30p Holy Communion

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8:30a Holy Communion 10:00a Holy Communion Recognition of Wedding Anniversaries 7:30p AA

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7:30 Basketball

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30 Preschool Orientation 6-8p Laundry Love

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Vacation Bible School

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Non-Profit Org. US. Postage

PAID Cleveland

Ohio 44126 Permit No. 3829

Messiah Lutheran Church & School

21485 Lorain Rd,

Fairview Park, OH 44126

Phone (440) 331-2405

www.messiahchurchfairview.org

Dated Materials

Issue 5

July-August 2018

Drawing in to Christ . . . Building up in Christ . . . Sending out for Christ. . .

To the glory of God, through the strength of the Spirit.

Messiah Memos

Insert Label Here

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Messiah Mirror

Messiah Lutheran Church is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am.

Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many

causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship,

if I invite and bring them. It will be a church where people grow in faith and serve you,

if I am open to such growth and service. Therefore, with your help Lord, we shall dedicate ourselves

to the task of being all the things you want your church to be. Amen.

Dates to Remember:

July 4: Lakewood 4th of July Parade with Messiah Church & School marchers July 30–August 3: Vacation Bible School