Messiah Lutheran Church

Friends of Messiah

Bob Iser — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:54:29 +0000

Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
It is no surprise that technology has had an impact on our society. It affects the way we communicate, interact, work, play, and even worship. While it is hard to argue that technology brings information to us at lightning speed and connects us to each other in new and different ways, it also can be an inhibitor to developing deeper relationships; something important to growing God’s mission. So the question I pose to you; how, in this technology driven world, do we effectively spread the Love of Jesus in a way that develops strong personal relationships founded in a common faith?
Let me share a story. A middle school teacher recently asked her students, “How many friends do you have?” The students eagerly raised their hands. One student said, “I have 150 friends”; another said “I have 250 friends”; and yet another said “I have over 300”. The reality is that these students, and many of us, now count acquaintances among their circle of “friends”, because the definition of what a friend is has been altered by technology. When I was a kid I had about 10 friends, I had about 3 really good friends, and 1 best friend. Now, according to Facebook I have, 226 “friends”, many of whom are reading this very letter. What Facebook refers to is really our network of social connections in the world. Social connections are the primary source of evangelism for our fellowship. So I could conclude that a great way to touch people with the Love of God is to use a tool, like Facebook, to do so.
Did you know?
• In the last month over 400 people have visited Messiah’s website
• The church, preschool, youth group, and Sunday School all have Facebook pages
• 515 people have looked at one or more posting on the Church’s Facebook page
• Pastor Hill’s weekly sermon videos are posted online
• There are 50 photos (and growing) of Messiah activities on Facebook.
Technology is a resource that God has entrusted to us to steward. It is imperative that we utilize this resource in a way that demonstrates our faith, while helping achieve Gods mission for us. So how do we do that? How do we use his resources effectively as a Church, as individuals, to that end? What can you do? I am not suggesting that these tools are for everyone. But if you are comfortable using them, use them to the glory of God.
Here are a couple suggestions to make better use of these technology tools:
• Connect with people and encourage them to visit the church Facebook page
• If you have an event or activity planned use our website and Facebook to promote it (talk with Ed Lamberton or me about how)
• Take pictures of our fellowship activities and post them to the Church
• If you’re a Facebook user, “Like” the Messiah Lutheran Church Facebook page and share it with others
I believe that technology, when used properly, can be a great enabler. Use it as a tool to connect with a new set of “Friends” and invite them to share in the Love of Jesus. God’s blessings to all my friends and “Friends”.
Yours in Christ,

Gabe Hare

Vice President,
Messiah Lutheran Church

Fruitful Friends have Overcome the World by Faith

Edward Lamberton — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:27:49 +0000

Pastor Hill preaches on:

Acts 10:34-48 (Gentiles are baptized.)
Psalm 98 (Make a joyful noise to the Lord.)
1 John 5:1-8 (We show God’s love as we keep His commandments.)
John 15:9-17 (Jesus’ words are to fill us with joy so we share His love.)

Tested, Loving Guides; Pruned, Bearing Fruit

Edward Lamberton — Mon, 07 May 2012 02:44:03 +0000

Pastor Hill preaches on:

Acts 8:26-40 (Philip baptizes an Ethiopian.)
1 John 4:1-11 (12-21) (God’s love compels us to love.)
John 15:1-8 (Jesus is the vine; we are the branches.)

Part 1

Part 2

Bring a Friend to the Ballpark

Edward Lamberton — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:30:24 +0000

Bring a friend or neighbor to the Key’s game and share a night of fun, fellowship and friendship evangelism.

The night includes games tickets and an all-you-can-eat picnic buffet in the tented picnic pavilion, located on the third base concourse. The Picnic Menu includes Jumbo Hot Dogs, Grilled Hamburgers, Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Potato Chips, Watermelon, Iced Tea, Lemonade and Soft Drinks.
- Also: Fireworks – Stay for the Key’s spectacular fireworks following the game.
- And: Fun Zone tickets are included for the kids to use in the amusement area that features carnival type games, carousel and inflatable games and bouncer.
- And: Run the Bases – After the game, kids get a chance to run the bases.

The cost is $28.00 per adult and $25.00 per child (makes checks out to Messiah Lutheran Church).

Yes! I would like to join you at the Ball Park!

[contact-form-7]

Vines and Branches

Edward Lamberton — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:52:37 +0000

The Mountain Maryland Association of LCMS Pastors will host its fourth annual Vine & Branches Conference. The conference is intended for lay people, pastors and church workers. This year’s conference is entitled Christianity and Culture, with Dr. Gene Edward Veith presenting.

Dr. Gene Edward Veith is provost and professor of literature at Patrick Henry College . He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture,

The conference will be held on Saturday, June 16 from 9:00-4:00 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hancock, Maryland.

A signup sheet is available in the entry hall.

Any questions please contact us at vineandbranchesmd@gmail.com or 301-777-1800.
Please mark your calendar with this date and plan on joining us.

Lay it down for the Shepherd, as He did for you!

Edward Lamberton — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:51:55 +0000

Pastor Hill Preaches on

Acts 4:1-12 (Peter and John speak before the council.)
1 John 3:16-24 (We are commanded by God to believe on the name of Jesus Christ and to love one another.)
John 10:11-18 (Jesus says there will be one flock and one shepherd.)

Part 1

Part 2

Refreshing, Restoring, Responding in Righteousness

Edward Lamberton — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:31:25 +0000

Pastor Hill Preaches on:

Acts 3:11-21 (Peter preaches in the heart of Jerusalem.)
I John 3:1-7 (St. John reminds us that we are God’s children now.)
Luke 24:36-49 (The Disciples are witnesses of the risen Lord.)

Part 1

Part 2

St. Thomas of Missouri

Edward Lamberton — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:45:14 +0000

Pastor Hill preaches on:

Acts 4:32-35 (The very first Christians share with each other.)
Psalm 148: (Praise the Lord!)
1 John 1:1—2:2 (We walk in the light of the Lord.)
John 20:19-31 (Jesus appears to His disciples behind locked doors.)

Part 1

Part 2

Preaching and Believing

Edward Lamberton — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:28:50 +0000

Pastor Hill preaches his Easter Sermon:

Part 1

Part 2

Stewardship and Mission

Bob Iser — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:39:26 +0000

Greetings!

Early in March, I was part of a group of Messiah folks that viewed a wonderful presentation from Rev. Wayne J. Knolhoff, the Director of Stewardship Ministry for the LCMS. The title of his presentation was “Stewards of the Gospel – Connecting People with Christ.” When we hear stewardship, many of us, think about money, bills and budget time. However, this is only a very small part of stewardship. The presentation was all about redefining what most of us think stewardship is all about.

Stewardship is about managing the gifts God has given to us to do His work. It is about keeping God’s mission in the front of our mind in everything we do. Rev. Knolhoff provided us some very thought-provoking quotes. One example was “Mission without stewardship is impossible. Stewardship without mission is unnecessary.” I think this demonstrates that the linkage between God’s Mission and stewardship are inseparable. He also added that “Christian stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family, the Church, in managing life and all of life’s resources for God’s purposes”.

Rev. Knolhoff broke stewardship into four key issues: Identity, Ownership, Possessions and Relationships. In Identity, as we receive God’s gifts we must realize that we are called to be responsible stewards of those gifts. In Ownership, we must realize that we own nothing. All things are God’s and He provides them for us to do His work. In Possessions, we must not think about stewardship as money and other possessions, but about sharing the gifts we have been given in service of the Lord. Finally, in Relationships, we must always think about stewardship in terms of our relationship with God, with our self, with our neighbor and with the whole of Creation. These four key issues help us build a more complete definition of stewardship.

Another quote shared with us was from J. Hudson Taylor (a Protestant Missionary to China in the late 1800’s and the founder of the China Inland Mission). Taylor said “God’s work done in God’s way will not lack God’s supply.” I think of this as a very comforting “cycle”. We do God’s work, in His way and He will continue to provide us what we need to continue doing His work. Of course the opposite of this, and where we as sinners often find ourselves, is: God’s work done in man’s way will lack God’s supply.

After this presentation I know I walked away with a better understanding of what stewardship means. So the next time we hear the word stewardship, let’s try not to limit ourselves to thinking about money or the budget. Let’s expand our thinking to include everything God has given us, to fulfill His mission.

Your Brother in Christ.

Bob Iser
Church Council President
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:10-11a (ESV)