Messiah Lutheran Church • 5200 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst, OH 44124 • 440-442-6941
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).