Messiah Lutheran Church • 5200 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst, OH 44124 • 440-442-6941
Here you will find Pr. Paul's message from the monthly Grace Note, along with sermons from various Sundays and Adult Bible Study. Also, the special service for the Emanuel 9 is now on this page, along with the bulletin and the prayer for Racial Healing.
Dreaming About the Future
Dear Church, In late April, a small group of Messiah members joined with other ELCA congregants to dream about the future of the church in our Northeastern Ohio Synod. The conversation opened us in some important ways, and I’d like to share some reflections from our synod staff, below. I am thankful for the ways God’s Spirit is active among us!
Over the last month, your Synod Staff have facilitated five Project Isaiah 43 events all over Northeastern Ohio! The theme we heard over and over again was one of hope. We often hear messages of decline, pastoral shortages, and fear about the future, but at these events, participants shared a more hopeful outlook. One participant observed, "It's time to focus on WHO we are, not what we've always done." Another person shared a new awareness that their ministry is vital, "It's God's work, we simply plant the seeds."
Participants also shared messages of feeling empowered. If we collaborate more with the body of Christ, there will be a "greater empowerment of folks in congregations to use their gifts," one participant shared excitedly. As we wrapped up the final event, one person asked, "Could we do this more? Like multiple times a year?" The answer is, of course! There is certainly power in gathering together as a synod to hear what is happening in our neighboring congregations and to get to know our fellow members of the body of Christ.
We will continue these conversations at Synod Assembly on June 1st at the John S. Knight Center. As we are "Waiting and Watching" for the Spirit to Speak, may we be ever mindful that God is already doing a new thing! May our hearts and minds be open to see it.
c/o Pastor Paul
Archived lessons below:
First Sunday of Advent + Year A November 27, 2022
Christ the King Sunday + Year C November 20, 2022
Bible Study 2022 C Lectionary 33 November 13, 2022
All Saints Sunday + Year C November 6, 2022
10/30 - Group led class: Reformation Sunday + Year C October 30, 2022
10/16 - Sunday School Lectionary 29 C 2022
10/9 - Sunday School Lectionary 28 C 2022
The First Sunday After Lent 2021 (Lectionary 1B)
The Second Sunday of Advent
The Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost 2020 (Lectionary 33 A)
The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost 2020 (Lectionary 29 A)
The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost 2020 (Lectionary 28 A)
We invite you to to CLICK HERE to read Pr. Paul's message.
Five years ago today a stranger was welcomed into Bible Study at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. After the study ended, he opened fire, killing 9 of the people present in the name of white supremacy. The gunman grew up and was confirmed in an ELCA congregation, and is indicative of the continued, required work needed for us to repent of the sins of racism and white supremacy.
Today, along with our entire denomination, we commemorate the martyrdom of The Emanuel Nine. We give thanks for their faithful witness, grieve their deaths, and confess our own complicity in these systems of sin and death.
Take a few moments this evening to light a candle, participate in the brief liturgy (CLICK HERE FOR BULLETIN), and remember the lives of these siblings in faith. The video is below.
~Pastor Paul
August 12, 2018
Please watch the following blog for updates regarding the location and topic:
Please check the blog below (or click here: pubtheologyeast.wordpress.com) for the topic(s). We'll be meeting in person, location to be determined.