Just a few short weeks ago, moving into the season of Advent, we turned the church calendar to a new year, and now we have changed the secular calendar to the new year as well! 2022 certainly went out like a (very cold) lion, so let us pray that 2023 comes to us like a very peaceable lamb. 2022 has been an eventful year for many of us, and we all look forward to the freshness that God offers us in the new year.

The church council took up a bit of important business during the December meeting, promoting Adam Dellinger from interim organist to permanent organist. Adam's faith, his enthusiasm for worship music and his musicianship has already enriched Messiah's worship life, and I am sure his presence at the keyboards will continue to fill our hearts with musical joy.

Also, in our annual congregational meeting, we adopted a budget that I have been describing as "aspirational.” I'll continue to offer that description while we aspire to meet the budgetary needs to which we have pledged ourselves. The largest budget item continues to be staff salaries, and we are blessed to have dedicated, faithful, and talented staff to help us meet the ministry goals and challenges that make us a vital part of the Lyndhurst community, and a vital part of God's church in this corner of the world!

We are still in a search process for a Christian education leader, but Pastor Paul, our wonderful teachers and the faith formation re-formation committee continue to provide education for all ages. I encourage each and every one to participate in all the opportunities that will deepen our spiritual awareness.

All in all, we can be encouraged by the journey we have been on together and by the presence of God's spirit within us. We're a healthy and strong congregation, and we are on a path for a great new year!

c/o Jon Paulus, Council President 

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#MM158 - Church, Time after Epiphany continues in its fourth week this Sunday, drawing forward more themes of what Christ’s revelation to the world means. The Gospel text is a familiar one: the Beatitudes. Some might say this encapsulates Gospel writer Matthew’s “thesis statement.” How does that influence the way we hear these words of blessing? Read it ahead of Sunday as we prepare together: Matthew 5:1-12 (bible.oremus.org/?ql=541789246).

• Health and Safety This Weekend: The community risk level is yellow (medium risk). NOTE: Masks are optional for all community gatherings going forward.

• Bulletin: Please find attached the bulletin for this coming Sunday (1-29-23): https://bit.ly/Jan29thBulletin-MLC

• Messiah Fellowship Hour – Birthday Sunday on January 29: Join us for Fellowship Hour after the service for our renewal of Birthday Sunday (the last Sunday of the month) to honor everyone who celebrated a January birthday. All are invited for refreshments and fellowship after the service. NOTE: there is a sign-up sheet on the church website for anyone who wants to bring cookies/cakes for non-birthday Sundays.

• Souper Bowl of Caring - January 15 thru February 12: The Social Ministry Committee is collecting canned or packaged soup for the Tri-C East Campus food pantry. Please support Messiah's effort to "love our neighbors" by leaving your contribution on the table by the church's rear entrance. 

• Direct links to view the live stream of our services: https://www.facebook.com/MLC44124/ and https://www.facebook.com/MLC44124/live_videos

• Participation Opportunities: readers, acolytes, fellowship hour, music and more...click here: https://messiahlyndhurst.org/sign-ups

• Prayer Requests: we encourage you to make prayer requests for the weekly Bulletin and monthly Grace Note by sending these to the church via email: office@messiahlyndhurst.org. Please send by Wednesday at noon for Bulletin inclusion the following Sunday.