Frequently Asked Questions

When I visit, what can I expect?

HOSPITALITY AND WELCOME

As you enter our doors, you’ll be welcomed by one or more of our congregation members with a smile. No matter what you are wearing from jeans and a t-shirt to a suit and tie, you’ll be welcomed. As you near the sanctuary, one of our ushers will hand you a worship bulletin which contains information for you to follow the service. The ushers are available to answer any questions you have about worship.

Children are welcome too! We invite children to join their parents for worship and provide “Busy Bags” with activities and storybooks for your use. We believe children are important to God and are delighted to hear them as well as see them. During the service, there is always a special children’s time with one of the pastors. If you are concerned about having your children in worship, there is a worship extension room immediately behind the sanctuary where you may take your child to play. You will be able to hear the service in its entirety from this location.

MEANINGFUL WORSHIP

You will find that worship is the central activity in our life together as God’s people at Messiah. We gather together around God’s Word heard in the scriptures, the songs, and the message and God’s Sacraments experienced in the renewing waters of baptism and the love and forgiveness offered by Jesus through his body and blood as we eat and drink at communion. All who believe that Jesus is truly present in the meal are welcome at the feast that Jesus Christ invites us to.

During the program year, we offer two services; an 8:15 service offering traditional Lutheran liturgy and music. We also have an 11:00 am service, which is family-friendly and offers a blend of different music styles and liturgy. (Between the two services we have an Education Hour, which offers study and conversation to people from middle-school age through adults.) All year long we also offer a 5:00 Saturday Evening service which includes the sacrament of Holy Communion but which is more informal and casual in style. During the summer, we offer one service with both traditional and contemporary music at 9:30am.

Each week in worship we take up an offering. It is an opportunity for us to invest in the life of our church and that of the world around us. We believe that God has generously blessed us, and because we are thankful for what we have received, we want to share God’s blessings and love with the world around us through our offering. As a visitor, you are our guest and we don’t expect you to put anything in the offering plate. Nobody will look at you funny if you don’t. The offering is for our regular worshipers who want to share their financial blessings with others.

EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP FOR ALL AGES

In your worship bulletin, you’ll find an announcements section which is filled with information about what’s going on at Messiah. You’ll find lots of opportunities to grow in faith each week through educational ministries like Bible Studies, Small Groups, Sunday School, Youth Group and fellowship ministries like Merry Messiah Members, JOY (Just Older Youth) Group, and Friendship Circle (Ladies group). These groups are a great source of encouragement and friendship. We also offer study and conversation during the Eduation Hour, between the two Sunday services.

What does Messiah offer my family?

Opportunities… to grow in faith

Bible Studies, Soup and Study, Small Groups
Vacation Bible School, MAD Camp, Sunday School

Opportunities… to worship and praise God

Worship Services
Musical Groups: Vocal Choir, Bell Choir, Signing Choir, Praise Band

Opportunities… to care for others and the world God made

Care-giving Ministries (Shepherds, Stephen Ministry, Visitation Ministry)
Outreach ministries (Habitat, RAIHN)

Opportunities… to gather for fun, food and friendship

Family activities
Men’s Groups, Women’s Groups, Youth Groups