JUNE 2015 EDITION
EASTER OFFERING IN ACTION– HELPING HAITI WORK
This year Messiah’s Easter offering was extended to help those in need both gloablly and locally, with one
of the recipients being Helping Haiti Work. This nonprofit organization is based on miro fiance programs,
provides microcredit loans to women in Limbe, Haiti, along with the new additional location of in rural
Ranquitte, Haiti. To-date more than 160 start up loans have been distributed, with 100 percent payback rate
success.
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Through the generous Easter offering this year Helping Haiti Work was able to use these funds during a
recent trip to Haiti. The funds have been used to establish two sewing centers within Helping Haiti Works’s
locations.
Participates within the program now have a new opportunity, in thanks to donations, support and the Easter
offering, with the addition of sewing centers, to allow women the opportunity to not only purchase sewing
kits for reusable menstal pads and diapers but to recieve first-hand steps in sewing these kits together in a
safe, welcoming environment.
CONGRAUTULATIONS TO MESSIAH’S GRADUATIING YOUTH
Messiah is proud to recognize the 18 youth who will be graduating in
the coming weeks from High School. This is a exciting and proud time,
and we commend each youth and their family on this special milestone.
Messiah prays for much success to each student as the embark on a new
chapter in their lives.
Messiah congratulates the following youth:
Robert Bloom
Landon Bloom
Jack Bonine
Jessie Boykin
Erik Branyon
Benjamin Dalton
Paul Epland
Savanah Halcomb
Justin Hobbs
Anne Hoekstra
Brennan Jaeger
Ashley Johnson
Jeremy Jost
Janelle McDonald
Katelyn Strauss
Leah Thompson
Sean Thompson
Aaron Weiler
The sewing centers are located in both Limbe and Ranquitte. Each sewing center has four sewing machines,
two electric and two treadle machines. There is a generator to power the electric machines and a small
charge the women are issued for using the machines, which is allocated from their loan funds.
Messiah member and the founder of Helping Haiti Work, Dr. Leslee Jaeger, recently traveled to Haiti to help
with the implentation of the sewing centers for the organization. As recalled in her blog on the journey and
experience, “The first day of the project went beyond our expectations. The sight of an electric sewing
machine (the norm in Haiti is a treadle machine as electricity is variable) generated much excitement when
women saw it in operation the first time. During a teaching session about business models, women
brainstormed new ideas building on the sewing program. One woman wants a loan so that she can
purchase fabric in Cap-Haitian and then sell to the sewers so that they can focus on sewing. Women
wanted to teach their sons and daughters to sew to increase production. Although cooking is considered
women’s work in Haiti, many of the tailors are men.”
Through the continued support back in the United States, with numerous cutting parties, the ability for the
women involved in the micro loan programs in Haiti continues to grow. Messiah has hosted a cutting party,
where participant gathered for several hours at the church and cut patterns for resuable diaper and mentral
pads to be placed in the kits. These kits are now in the Haiti locations for those enrolled in the program to
purchase, at a minimal cost, sew and asemble and then sell these safer and more sanintary options for
women and children into 0the marketplace.
Messiah and its generous gifts are touching the lives of those afar. They allow these Haitian women to grow
solid businesses, allowing their futures to be reshaped for the better.
Continue on Page 2
M ESSIAH S TAFF
PASTORS
Steve Richards, Senior Pastor
Lyndy Zabel, Associate Pastor
Dick Ellis, Pastor of Congregational Care
WORHIP
Joy Ann Harmon, Director of Worship
Matthew Ferrell, Director of Chancel Choir
Terrance Olson, Director of Hand Bell Choir and
Organist
Evan Remmel, Worship Media Specialist
MINISTRIES
Sarah Archer, Director of Children and Family Ministry
Kami Pohl, Director of Faith Groups and Missions
BUSINESS OFFICE
Jean Paulsen-Lepley, Director of Operations
Sally Hahn, Receptionist
Jeff Martin, Treasurer
Bob Mozdin, Maintenance
Tom Staehle, Security
COMMUNICATIONS
Marnie Baehr, Communications Coordinator
Nicola Freeman, Newsletter Editor
PARISH NURSES
Ann Garland, Parish Nurse
Sondra Weinzierl, Parish Nurse
AVAILABLE ONLINE!
You are one click away from being connected at
Messiah. Recorded sermons from Messiah’s Sunday
Worship Services and ATM (All Things Messiah) are
available online, at messiahchurchmn.org.
WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday Worship Service Times: Traditions 8:45 a.m.,
Journey 10:30 a.m. New Series; Forgotten Virtues, The
Road to Character 4 part series,. June 7-June 28
June 7: The Road Begins with Humility, Colossians
3:12-17
June 14 Loyalty, Matthew 26:33-35
June 21: Integrity, Psalms 15:1-5
June 28: Gratitude, Luke 17:11-18
Messiah News Brief
HELPING HAITI WORK...CONT. FROM PAGE 1
Interested in helping Haiti Work by hosting your own cutting party this summer?
It’s an easy and fun way to get together as a faith group, or with friends and
family. Spend the evening cutting patterns. The organization is asking for a fee of
$20 per participant to help cover cost of materials and shipping cost to Haiti. For
further information, contact Dr. Leslee Jaeger at [email protected].
CELEBRATION GARDEN COLUMBARIUM
On Sunday, May 31 at 10:00 a.m., there will be a brief service to dedicate the Celebration Garden Columbarium. Those who designed and constructed the columbarium will be with us and the service will take place in the garden. Many of you
have contributed to the project and purchased niches. For more information
about the columbarium, brochures are available in the office and on our website.
TASTE OF MESSIAH, SAVE THE DATE
Make plans to attend the Messiah’s TASTE OF MESSIAH Block Party on Wednesday, August 12, 6-8 p.m. This is one of Messiah’s outreach efforts which includes
fun, food, music and a opportunity to invite those into our church community. The
planning committee is finalizing the evening, look for more details in the next issue of Hands & Feet.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES THIS SUMMER
Starting June 7 Youth Sunday School will begin during the 10:30 service. Messiah’s Youth will participate in a four-week series revolving around the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; then ending with Three in One. And the
youth will also be participating in some fun and fellowship, too. On June 10 for
Middle School youth and June 17 for High School youth, will take a turn at knocking down some pins from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm , at Medina Bowling
Ever wondered if Jesus was in the movies? Youth will explore this answer on
Sunday, June 14 at Messiah from 7pm to 9pm and enjoy the film "When the
Game Stands Tall" Youth groups will continue this the second and fourth Sunday
of June, July, and August.
Youth also have the opportunity to serve the Lord out in the world. High School
youth have the chance to head to Pine Ridge in South Dakota, July 12-18 for the
Youth Summer Mission Trip, space still available and chaperones are needed Middle School Youth will be headed to Faribault, Minn. the week of July 19-25 to
serve and worship the Lord at STORM Camp. For further information on the mission trips and other youth opportunities this summer, check out the Youth section
of Messiah’s website today!
MESSIAH VBS PARTNERS WITH SOULS 4 SOLE
Messiah’s Kids VBS program announces a great partnership opportunity with
Souls4Sole. Consider purchasing or bring a gently used pair of shoes to Messiah
and leave in a bin located in the Atrium. Founded in 2006, Soles4Souls is a global
not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty through the distribution of shoes and clothing.
WORSHIP BYTE: THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES
By Joy Ann Harmon, Worship Director
The expression of words of affirmation is one of the five
love languages, according to Gary Chapman, marriage
counselor and author of the 1995 book, The Five Love Languages.
Holy Spirit, but affection can be expressed verbally, too, “I
love you, Lord,” “I’m safe in your arms, Lord,” “I feel your
presence and long to be close to You, Lord.” Or, take a moment to “feel” His love through a grateful heart.
Gifts: Our tithes and offerings definitely fall into this category,
According to Chapman, the five love languages are the way but also our spiritual gifts. Do we use them for God’s purwe express and feel and experience “being loved.” The five poses? That is truly a gift we give to our Savior.
include Quality time, Affection, Gifts, Acts of service and
Acts of Service: Do we spend time doing things for His chilWords of affirmation.
dren that we get no credit or thanks for?
Interestingly, the last time I was in a
Like caring for a cranky relative, staying
mixed group and asked about love
patient with a taxing child, checking in on
languages, all the men claimed words
the elderly and serving in our communiof affirmation as theirs. My husband
ties or in church? I’m not as good at this
does, too.
one. It’s not my love language, but that’s
no excuse!
Our Lord and Savior, clearly looks to
us to express these same five love
Words of Affirmation: from my reading of
languages in our praise and worship of His holy name.
the Psalms, and the consistent urging to praise and sing
and worship, it would seem the Lord loves to hear our
Quality Time: Let us set aside time just for Him: time in cor- words and prayers of thankfulness and adoration.
porate worship and time in solitude, just experiencing His
presence. Since this is my love language, I’m good at this
Whatever your love language, love the Lord with it today.
one with Him.
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his
name; make his praise glorious.” Psalm 66.
Affection: Not as straightforward an experience with the
MESSIAH SEEKS NEW ONLINE OPTIONS TO KEEP FOLLOWERS CONNECTED
Messiah continues to find ways to connect with others.
Through Messiah’s online presence of providing Sunday’s
scriptures and sermons, it allows more individuals access to
view and hear the message with a simple click on their
computer, tablet or smart phone. This online version offer a
way for many to stay connected with Messiah, including
shut ins, snowbirds, vacationers, college students, and others
who happened to miss a worship service. Also, for those
who attend a service and are truly touched by a message
they hear, they have the opportunity to listen to it again or
have an easy way to share it with someone else.
Through podcasts of each Sunday service sermon, users
have the ability to hear the sermon message and stay up to
date with the sermon series and easily share.
less than two years, and the number of listens has increased
tenfold. Views of the video on the website remain steady.
Both the video and podcast include the scripture reading,
sermon and prayer, so it's almost like a mini worship service.
Both the video and podcast are updated each week, usually
by Sunday night. There are also archives for both, allow
those interested to search for specific sermons or listen to
some of the very first sermons available online, beginning in
May 2013. When users access the sermon video on the
website, there is the option to download a PDF file of the
sermon script and weekly study guide.
There are multiple ways to listen to the podcast on your
computer, including accessing through our website or linking from our Facebook page. You can also access it via
iTunes, where users can either listen on via their computer
or download it to cell phone or mp3 player.
Messiah is averaging about 100 views per month on of the
video on the website (www.messiahchurchmn.org) and 500
listens to the podcast. In the past year, Messiah’s scripture
and sermon have been experienced over 5,500 times online Messiah looks at all avenues to keep you connected, now
(video and podcast combined), with the combined monthly just a virtual click away! .Go to www.messiahchurchmn.org
access more than doubling. The podcast has been active for and explore these great options today.
ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITS YOUNG MOMS AFAR
Imara International’s golf outing raises awareness and funds for teenage moms and children
At Messiah, groups are reaching out to many families and children. The Bundles of Love group is just one of the many ways
that Messiah is helping reach the young. As an active participant within the Minnesota based, volunteer-driven, non-profit
501(c)3 organization, Messiah members and friends are able to help fulfill the pledge to help infants and families through
this organization. Bundles of Love partners with community service agencies to assist Minnesota families in need by providing handmade baby clothing, bedding and basic care items for their newborns. The vision is to gather communities to support a parent and newborn. Bundles of Love offers peace of mind for families and provides important, essential, and practical
supplies to show that someone cares.
Today Bundles of Love volunteers are supporting approximately 60 hospitals and other organizations which serve infants
and their families in the state. In 2013, over 100,000 items were delivered to help over 4,900 families. Approximately 425
volunteer events were held and the effort continues to grow. In 2014, the organization helped approximately 5,000 families
with essential infant clothing and bedding.
Messiah’s Bundle of Love group meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall. All are welcome to attend,
including men, women, older children and youth for a fun evening of helping families. The evening consists of cutting, stuffing, clipping and sorting materials. Sewing, knitting, crocheting newborn and preemie clothing, layette sets, quilts and receiving blankets are some of the many tasks that take place throughout the evening. Messiah’s group provides a variety of infant clothing and beddings, keepsakes, and comfort items during each session. The group also relies on donations as well.
Messiah’s group welcomes fabric, soft knits, and cotton blend fabrics for their clothing kits and items, along with yarn of all
colors.
In addition to the sewing items that are assembled by the volunteers, the Bundles of Love group also accepts baby care
items like diapers, baby wipes, bathing soap and lotion, pacifiers, teething rings, bottles and other care items for infants, purchased clothes, blankets, diaper bags, toys and stuffed animals.
Portable sewing machines are also welcomed to be used on these monthly meetings, along with knitting machines for the
volunteers to use. Bundles of Love also accepts cash donations to help cover operational costs and expenses.
Once the items are completed at Messiah, they are then delivered to various organizational sites in the Minneapolis metro
area to be distributed to families with new infants.
With the continued support of generous volunteers and donors; Bundles of Love’s mission will continue until their ultimate
goal is met: that no family in Minnesota who needs clothing and bedding for their newborn, premature infant, comfort
items for hospitalized infant, or bereavement items for a lost infant, will be without these items.
Stitched in to every item is a generous amount of caring and love, which tells the families that they are intertwined with the
Bundle of Love’s volunteers, in one caring community of neighbors.
Messiah invites you to join the Bundles of Love story and help make a difference in a child’s life. Sewing experience is not
required as the group will find an area to interest you in helping to create these beautiful care packages that will touch a
new life. Give one evening or hours each week, Bundles of Love illustrates just how Messiah is loving God, loving each other and loving the world one stitch at a time.
Consider helping with Bundles of Love this summer. It is a fun evening that is sure to be rewarding while helping others.
When: Thursday, June 4, Thursday, July 2 and Thursday, August 6 —7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The scheduled working group will be cutting and sewing items for bundles. Contact Phyllis Bopp at 763-473-5303 for additional information. Meeting times are subject to change.
It is a day of golf on a beautiful Minnesota course where the cause reaches those thousands of miles away. The fourth annual Imara International Golf Tournament allows golf enthusiasts and supporters to come together for a day of leisure golf and
fun, while benefiting the non-profit organization. This organization is
geared toward working with Kenyan teenage moms to provide education
and life skills, along with early childhood education to their children, while
enriching their lives for a more promising tomorrow.
The day of play is slated for Monday, July 27, at Rush Creek Golf Course in
Maple Grove, MN. This year’s premier sponsors include Lexus of Wayzata as
the Hole-in-One sponsor, along with BlueStem Wealth Partners as an Eagle
sponsor.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to work with Lexus of Wayzata
who will award a new Lexus to the first person to make a hole-in-one on
Hole #3 at the Rush Creek Golf Course, “said David Ching, Imara golf tournament chairman. “These premier sponsors are
helping to not only make the golf tournament a great day of play, but helping the Imara mission change the lives of young
moms and their children.”
Imara House, the location of the organization in Nanyuki, Kenya, is currently at capacity with young moms and their children.
Expansion is in process for growth partly through the efforts of this golf tournament. In addition to the growth, this tournament has added to the funding of the day-to-day operations of the mission.
“Resources can be scarce, but hope is often scarcer in this region of the world. Through Imara change is on the horizon. Imara offers love and stability to young women facing overwhelming situations by giving them a safe place to live, a way to care
for their babies, and development of life skills, while nurturing their physical and mental well-being,” said Ching.
The annual Imara golf tournament supports the Imara mission in Kenya and is "locally founded and locally funded." The driving force behind Imara is empowering these Kenyan moms through education to build a self-sufficient future for themselves,
their children and their community.
Golf check-in starts at 11:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. Dinner and an awards program will follow the conclusion
of tournament. Registration is $160 per person which includes golf and dinner, or $40 for dinner only. Additional activities
taking place during the day will include ‘Beat the Pro,’ ‘Buy the Drive’ and the Lexus of Wayzata sponsored hole-inone contest.
“New this year is the Mac 9 putting contest for those
guests who are not golfers but want to join in a putting contest,” added Ching. “There is no cost associated with this contest, with putters available for use and
prizes awarded during the dinner ceremony. Come
out and have a good time with friends, practice your
putting stroke, and support the Imara mission
in Kenya.”
For further information on golf tournament sponsorship levels and registration along with ways to support this important effort in Kenya, go to
www.ImaraInternational.org.