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Peace and a Thankful Heart
Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. In the above familiar passages from the book of Philippians the Apostle Paul provides a prescription of sorts for maintaining peace in the midst of adversity. First, if we are going to have peace of God in our lives, it is important for us to be prayerful. Paul says in Philippians 4:6a, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition…” When we feel discouraged and overwhelmed, especially for a prolonged period of time, we do not always feel like praying. However, if we are going to have peace, then it is important for us to not slack off on our prayer life. While our cell phone is our direct line to others, prayer is our direct line to God. And when we pray, we have the priceless privilege of leaving all our worries with God. Taking everything to God in prayer and leaving everything with God in prayer enables us to have peace. In addition to being prayerful, if we are going to have the peace of God in our lives, it is important also for us to be thankful. Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving…” But being thankful today seems like a very tall order. Every day seems to come with new challenges, and yet in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, God’s word tells us to: give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus. Having an attitude of gratitude even during these difficult times will help us to maintain the Peace of God in our lives. Not only is it important for us to be prayerful and thankful during this pandemic, but to maintain the Peace of God in our lives, it is important also for us to be truthful. Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…” Present your requests to God. Be truthful with ourselves and with God – and the truth is there are some things we just cannot do on our own. Thankfully, there is nothing wrong with saying, “God I can’t, but I know you can." Advent Worship Service Schedule Wednesday Advent, December 2, 9, and 16: 6:30pm Thursday, December 24, Christmas Eve: 3:00pm and 6:00pm All services will include Holy Communion and be available for viewing on our live streamed YouTube channel. - The Board of Elders 
Gifts for Children at Youth Haven
This year again, the Fellowship team will be sponsoring Christmas gifts for the Youth Haven children. The ranch is hopeful that by the Christmas season they will be able to have some of the children staying overnight at the ranch. But either way, they are committed to providing gifts to the children. The Christmas tree will be displayed beginning November 8th and gifts will be collected until November 29th. This year the ranch has asked that we focus on sports balls, school supplies and gifts for the older children (both boys and girls ages 10-13). Please bring your unwrapped gifts when you can, so that all children can receive something. Thanks so much for your continuing generosity! Messiah Fellowship Team 
A reminder for folks planning to attend the 9:30 Sunday worship service at Messiah:
worship together, we all need to look out for one another in practicing good safety measures. - The Board of Elders |
Mid-Week Worship
Advent Series: Jesse’s Tree Through Jesus, you are a part of God’s family. This Advent, consider His great story anew. The Jesse Tree is filled with symbols that walk you through the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Jesus is the Seed of Jesse’s tree. He is the Root of Jesse’s tree. He is the Life of Jesse’s tree. And He is the Firstfruit of Jesse’s tree (Isaiah 11:1). - December 2 Theme - “Very good.” These are the words used in Genesis 1 to describe what God sees as He looks over everything that He has just made. All of creation, including humanity, is perfect and just as God intended it to be. Yet, that perfection does not last long. With Adam and Eve’s disobedience of God’s command to not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin enters the world. What was once “very good” is now fallen, imperfect, and not-so-good. Yet, already in Genesis 3:15, the Lord promises One who will save. Eve’s offspring, Jesus, will bring redemption by another tree—the tree of the cross. Through His birth, life, death, resurrection, and return, all creation will be restored and will again be “very good”! 
Messiah’s First Memory Tree
Once the Christmas toys and gifts for Youth Haven are distributed, the tree in the narthex looks a bit pathetic. This year, let’s use that tree as a Memory Tree, where members are invited to hang ornaments in memory of friends and family whose presence will be especially missed during the holidays. The ornaments can be simple, handmade or purchased. If you can add the name of the person you are remembering that would be great. The ornaments may be hung starting December 6, and you may retrieve your ornaments after December 27. 
Christmas Poinsettia Orders are currently being taken through Sunday, December 13th. Plants are $10.00 each and available in either red or white. Plants will be used to decorate the Altar area for both Christmas Eve services. They can be taken home following the late service on Christmas Eve or left for use during our service on December 27th.
ON-SITE ORDERS: Order sheets and payment envelopes are on the table in the entry. Please place your payment envelope in Chris Gilliland’s mailbox. PHONE OR E-MAIL ORDERS: For those of you who are not currently attending in-person worship but who would still like to participate in ordering flowers to decorate our Altar Christmas Eve, arrangements have been made for you to do so. Please contact Chris Gilliland. She will take your order information and provide an address to remit your payment. Chris is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have concerning this year’s sale. 
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Sign up for the Email Announcements
The weekly announcements are sent out in an email every week. If you do not receive it and wish to subscribe, just click here and enter the email address where you want to receive the announcements.
The weekly announcements are sent out in an email every week. If you do not receive it and wish to subscribe, just click here and enter the email address where you want to receive the announcements.
Deadline for Bulletin Submissions
If you have submissions for either the weekly or the e-mail bulletin, please provide the information to the church office no later than 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Thank you.
If you have submissions for either the weekly or the e-mail bulletin, please provide the information to the church office no later than 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Thank you.
Monthly Calendar and Room Usage
Our monthly calendar only highlights ministry events here at Messiah, but there are many other groups and individuals who use our facilities throughout the week. If you would like to hold a meeting or event at the church building, please contact Pam in the church office (517-694-1280 or office@messiahlutheranholt.org) to make sure that the space you would like to use is not already reserved. Thank you!
Our monthly calendar only highlights ministry events here at Messiah, but there are many other groups and individuals who use our facilities throughout the week. If you would like to hold a meeting or event at the church building, please contact Pam in the church office (517-694-1280 or office@messiahlutheranholt.org) to make sure that the space you would like to use is not already reserved. Thank you!
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Pastoral Care
Please contact the office for an appointment. If you have something that needs to be brought to an elder's attention, please call them at their number as listed in Messiah's Directory. |
Altar Flowers
If you wish to dedicate flowers for an occasion or just want to be able to take home some color on a Sunday, take a look at the flower chart in the hallway by the church offices. There are many openings available between now and the end of the year. |
There are now multiple ways to give to Messiah through our website.
You may use the black Donate button at the bottom of the page to give through Kindrid or
the yellow button below to give using PayPal. Also, giving to Messiah is available through text (serviced by Kindrid).
Please text 'Donate' to 517-210-0900 and follow the link provided.
Thank you for continuing to support the ministry of Messiah Lutheran Church.
You may use the black Donate button at the bottom of the page to give through Kindrid or
the yellow button below to give using PayPal. Also, giving to Messiah is available through text (serviced by Kindrid).
Please text 'Donate' to 517-210-0900 and follow the link provided.
Thank you for continuing to support the ministry of Messiah Lutheran Church.