Pastor Rusty's Writings

Special Weekends in February

             In February we transition from the season of Epiphany to the season of Lent.  The Gospel lessons in February help us understand that transition.  On February 5th the Gospel reports Jesus’ act of healing Peter’s mother-in-law which results in the whole town gathering around her home and bringing to Jesus all who were sick or oppressed with demons. The following Sunday the Gospel records Jesus healing a beggar.  The Gospel on the last Sunday in Epiphany is the story of the Transfiguration.  In all these stories the power and role of Jesus as God’s anointed is made manifest and revealed.  Epiphany is intended to teach us who the babe of Bethlehem is.  The Gospel text for the first Sunday of Lent (and the last Sunday of February) transitions to what it means for us to be disciples of this Jesus that has been revealed.  As we make our way through March (and the season of Lent), the Gospels will lift up themes of discipleship and the way of the cross.

In addition to these powerful Gospel themes, weekends in February will be special for four other reasons:

Adult education with John Baskin’s class will continue in February.  If you haven’t yet participated, join NOW!

Debbie Wolf (Dave Samuel’s daughter) will be here on February 5^th to present “Blessing Counting Can Change Your Life”.  This is change that you will want to embrace.

Messiah’s Clown Troupe will be presenting the sermon at both the Saturday evening service and the 11:00 AM Sunday service on Feb. 25 and 26.  This is a new sermon that they have been developing over the last few months.  I don’t want to give away the theme…but you’ll want to attend one of those services.

Elaine Alexander will be presenting a fascinating program on the Lewis and Clark Expedition on Feb. 26.  ^.That will be at 3:00 PM in the Family Center.

 Ash Wednesday Services

On Thanksgiving Eve we welcomed the members of All Soul’s Episcopal Church to worship with us.  There was general agreement by the leadership of both congregations that we should find other times to worship together.  With the blessing of the Worship and Music Committee and the Church Council I have been in conversation with Fr. Kelmereit and they have endorsed us beginning and ending Lent with our sister congregation.  On Ash Wednesday we will join them at All Soul’s.  Like us, they offer two worship times; they are NOON and 7:00 PM.  You can attend either service.  There will be no services at Messiah on Ash Wednesday.  All Soul’s does not have an Easter Vigil service and so they will be joining us for that service in April to learn about that worship tradition which we started using a few years ago.

 The Other Wednesdays in Lent

       This year we will be participating in a Lutheran Cluster pulpit exchange. The participating clergy (congregations) will share a common theme/Scripture readings for the season of Lent and the pastors will visit each of the participating churches.  The participants (in the order in which the pastors will preach at Messiah) are: Pr. Dave Stacy (Faith, Lehigh), Pr Gary LaCroix (Christ, Cape Coral), Pr Nancy Fisher (Redeemer), Pr Walter Still (Peace, Fort Myers) and on the last Wednesday in Lent you get me back.  The theme will be announced in the near future.   

          In Christ,

   Pr Rusty          

Lenten Worship Service Schedule

Ash Wednesday Services at 12 Noon and 7 PM

at All Souls Episcopal Church on US 41

Mid-week Lenten Services:

Feb. 29, March 7, 14, 21 and 28

11 AM and 6:30 PM

Lenten Soup follows 11:30 AM services