Messiah Lutheran Church, Knoxville TN

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The following is a list of trustworthy ministries supported by Messiah. These agencies were already on the ground in Haiti and are, even now, at work assisting with earthquake relief in Haiti.

ELCA Disaster Response

Lutheran World Relief

The Haitian Timoun Foundation 

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

The images of the despair and destruction in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti continue to overwhelm us, but they also call forth our response of prayer and generosity. 

Paul’s letter to the Romans gives us words of comfort and hope. Paul writes:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:22-27).

Thank you for continuing to hold in prayer the people in Haiti and all those who are working to bring relief. Thank you for your generous financial gifts.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is already working through long-standing partnerships with The Lutheran World Federation and Lutheran World Relief to provide emergency food, water, shelter and medical supplies.

This church is uniquely positioned to provide immediate and ongoing help. The ELCA has committed an initial $250,000 from ELCA International Disaster Response, and we’ve authorized an additional $500,000 as congregations respond both to the immediate needs and long-term rebuilding efforts.

For those of you who would like to support these relief efforts, I encourage you to visit this Web page (www.elca.org/haitiearthquake) or call 800-638-3522.  Read More »

Dear Friends, Messiah members, and interested persons.

The following is a news report from the ELCA on our efforts to assist the people in Haiti. Included in the report are ministries who are doing amazing work in that impoverished country and can be trusted to use your donations to bring assistance now in this most critical of times.

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE
January 13, 2010
Presiding Bishop Details ELCA Response to Haiti Earthquake

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is responding to the earthquake in Haiti through the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), wrote the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, in a Jan. 13 letter to members. Hanson, who is also president of the LWF, noted that the ELCA has committed substantial funds to support relief efforts, and encouraged members to share information and provide financial gifts.

In a brief interview, Hanson told the ELCA News Service that "this is a time for the ELCA to come together as we have so often done in our history." He said the church has the capacity to respond to human tragedy, and "members are called to bear witness to our faith by responding generously and working with partners" to provide relief.

The presiding bishop asked members to contribute financial gifts to the church's relief efforts. Members can provide gifts online at  http://www.ELCA.org/haitiearthquake or call 800-638-3522.   Read More »

When I was introduced to Lutheranism as a tweenager, one of my first impressions was, “Wow, it is really cool that this congregation is a part of something bigger than itself.” Having only ever worshipped in churches where the prevailing vibe was that they were a stand alone, independent church, I found Lutheranism’s connection to Synodical, Churchwide and World expressions refreshing. Even though I knew that not all of those Lutheran churches did everything exactly alike or even agreed on ever detail of their faith life, I still found the connectivity very appealing.

Fast forward some thirty plus years and for me, that appeal has not decreased one iota. Each individual Lutheran congregation isn’t alone, but is a part of something so much bigger. Messiah Lutheran does not just consist of 434 members, but some 68.5 million Lutheran Christians around the world. Of course, we also belong to the universal church, the Body of Christ. We don’t all look alike. We don’t agree on everything. We worship with different styles and using different words. We even interpret scripture differently. But, even with these differences, we all agree that at the center is Christ.

In spite of our differences, we are to let Christ alone be that which binds us and keeps us together. Christ alone is all that we need for unity and mission. Take as example the ELCA’s new Lutheran Malaria Initiative http://bit.ly/16FR3W . This is an effort to educate U.S. Lutherans about malaria, advocate for global health initiatives, and raise funds to help combat malaria. The ELCA and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, as well as the Lutheran World Federation are partners in this effort. The Lutheran Malaria Initiative is but one example of how we all connect together to accomplish something that is much bigger than any one church. It also is an example of how, even in spite of differences, we can be united in Christ for mission.

This is the beauty of our diverse and, as I said in yesterday’s blog, large family. We are able to come together, in spite of our differences, share our resources, our gifts, and accomplish much more than we could ever do alone. Wow! Isn’t it cool that we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.

After a long day of air travel delays, I finally arrived in the Twin Cities at 1:30am Monday and got checked into my hotel, only to collapse on the bed to grab a bit of sleep. 

Today, Monday is all about settling in, getting registered for the Assembly and greeting all kinds of folks, friends and acquaintances, from throughout the years.

That’s part of the fun, you know. The Lutheran church is a close-knit community and whenever it gathers it is like a big, family reunion.  Come to an event like this and it doesn’t take long to find connections with folks you meet. For example, at lunch today, I sat next to the Bishop of Upstate New York. Her and her husband, also a pastor, knew Pastor Carl Olin very well. Of course, Pastor Olin is the beloved former transition Pastor at Messiah. Last night I sat on the airport shuttle next to the pastor from Oregon whose story was shared via the Goodsoil video, which I showed at Messiah. I’ve also already bumped into a few Southern Seminary alums, the former Assistant to the Bishop from the Southeastern Synod, and of course, most of the voting members from the Southeastern Synod. All of these encounters elicit conversations like, “Oh you’re from ___________, do you know _____________?” Or, “Long time no see. How are you? How’s your family. Have you seen so and so lately.”

There’s something beautiful about a big family. It is full of so much history, shared experiences, love for each other, and yes, often times, conflict. But, at the end of the day, family is family. A family loves, forgives, and seeks always to stay united.

May this big ELCA family reunion in Minneapolis seek nothing less.   

So I thought I would make a go at blogging here on the Messiah site. I hope to use this blog as a place to more frequently post thoughts, comments on news and events directly or indirectly pertaining to Messiah, and beginning next week, to provide you with news and reflection on the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. So, stay tuned and we'll see where this conversation can go. 

Peace,

Pastor Eric 

Welcome!