February 2013 Volume 25 Issue 2

The newsletter and calendar for Messiah Lutheran Church (ELCA) Madison, Alabama

MESSIAH LUTHERAN

MESSENGER

Non-Profit

Organization US Postage

PAID Huntsville, AL Permit No. 454

Messiah Lutheran Church 7740 Highway 72 West Madison, Alabama 35758 Return Service Requested

Messiah Lutheran Church (ELCA) is located at 7740 Highway 72 West, just east of Hughes Road. Sunday Services of Worship are at 8:30 am and 11:00 am. Sunday School is at 9:45 am. A nursery attendant is provided. All are

welcome. Our website is www.mlutheran.com. Church office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, staffed by our Office Managers. The Pastor is Rev. Scott Peterson. The Church telephone is (256) 721-0041.

Email: info@mlutheran.org. Newsletter submissions may be sent to Beth Gloe.

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 February Calendar

2 Pastor’s Page/Services of Worship

3 Lenten Services/Fellowship News

4 Outreach

5 Music Notes/Birthdays/Council Notes

6 Stewardship/News Flashes

7 Youth Zone

8 Month in Pictures/Relay For Life

9 Meet the Azzam Family

www.mlutheran.com http://mlutheran.blogspot.com/

Contact Information Messiah Lutheran Church

7740 Highway 72 West Madison, AL 35758 Phone: (256) 721-0041

Office Hours……….…….8:00 am – 12:00 pm Monday – Friday

Staff Rev. Scott Peterson……………………………….………..…...Pastor Cheryl Byers, Ellie Nelson………………..….…Office Managers Claire Strand…………….…..…Director of Outreach Ministries Lois Graff……………………..….…..Director of Music Ministries Lauren Gray…………….…….…....Director of Youth Ministries Randall Fields………………..……….………….………Choir Director

Judy Sylvester………………….………….………Nursery Attendant

MESSENGER – February 2013 Page 1

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

10am Comforters

Dan & Michelle Shaffer

9am Craft/Knitting Group

7:30pm Bridge Group in Fellowship Hall

Tammy & Dale Rohe

5:00pm Confirmation 5:30pm Dinner

6pm Children’s Choirs 6:30pm Youth & Notabella Choir

6:30pm Adult Bible Class on Acts

7:30pm Adult Choir

Art Rockett

. 5:00pm Confirmation

5:30 Lenten Soup Supper

6:00pm Adult Bible Class on Acts

7pm Lenten Service 8:00pm Adult Choir

Heidi Sage

5:00pm Confirmation 5:30pm Lenten Soup Supper

6pm Children’s Choirs 6:00pm Adult Bible

Class on Acts 6:30pm Youth Choir. 7pm Lenten Service 7:45pm Adult Choir

Rex & Fran Shaffer

9am Craft/Knitting Group

Norm & Sheilah Scheurich

Shaun

9am Craft/Knitting Group

Lee & Janet Smith

4-6pm Jr. Youth Group

Bob & Peggie Rowell

10am Comforters

Paul & Amanda

Rochoviak Peyton

10am Comforters

7:00pm Church Council meets. All

weclome

Larry & Christine Ryan

Bailey, Bridie, Brendan

2-4pm Tweens Bowling

Doris Reynolds

Jonnianne Ridzelski-McCombs & Mark Brooke, Sebastian

Betty Roenfeldt

9:30am Moms Bible

Study Group

Linda Ruhl

Dan & Carolyn Scroggins

Chase, Lydia

9:30am Moms Bible Study Group

Lee & Dorothy Seitz Walter, Andrew, Hannah, Thomas

John & Elaine Shriver Iain, Christopher

4-6pm Jr. Youth

Group

6:30pm OWLS at Stasiak’s house

Steve & Jacqueline Smith

Natasha

9:30am Moms Bible Study Group

Todd Smith

8:30am Worship: Chicago Folk w/LS

9:45am Sunday School 11am Worship:

WOV Word/ Prayer

12:15pm Inst. Ensemble Carnation Sales &

SOUPer Bowl Sunday

6:15pm Sr. Youth Study

8:30am Worship:

LBW Setting 2 w/LS New Member Sunday

and Reception 9:45am Sunday School

11am Worship: Now the Feast w/LS First Communion

Celebration & Mardi Gras Lunch

6:15pm Sr. Youth Study

8:30am Worship: LBW Setting 1 w/LS

9:45am Sunday School 11am Worship:

Contemporary Service 12:15pm Communion

Instruction 5:30pm Notabella Choir 6:15pm Sr. Youth Study

Reformation Day 8:30am Worship:

WOV Word/Prayer 9:45 Sunday School

11am Worship: LBW Setting 1 w/LS

12:15pm Instrumental Ensemble

5:30pm Notabella Choir

Feb

ruar

y 20

13

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21

10am Comforters

Pamela Sparks

22 23

24 5:00pm Confirmation

5:30pm Lenten Soup Supper

6pm Children’s Choirs 6:00pm Adult Bible

Class on Acts 6:30pm Youth Choir. 7pm Lenten Service 7:45pm Adult Choir

Tim & Kay Spence Katie, Michael

9am Craft/Knitting Group

Scott & Bonnie Jane Peterson

Paul

25

Ash Wednesday

26 27

Jennifer Scheurich

28

Lon & Connie Stanger Josh, Ben

Looking ahead…

• March 2 – Stephen Ministry Workshop, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Brunch

• April 14 – Family Outing/Picnic at Botanical Gardens

• May 10 – Relay for Life, May 11 – Mother’s Day Lunch

Page 2 MESSENGER – February 2013

Pastor’s Page By Pastor Scott Peterson scott@mlutheran.com

February Services of Worship LBW = Lutheran Book of Worship WOV = With One Voice

ELW = Evangelical Lutheran Worship LS = Lord’s Supper

Sundays at 8:30 am

Feb 3 Chicago Folk w/LS Feb 10 LBW Setting 2 w/LS Feb 17 LBW Setting 1 w/LS Feb 24 WOV Service of Word & Prayer

Sundays at 11:00 am Feb 3 WOV Service of Word & Prayer Feb 10 Now the Feast w/LS Feb 17 Contemporary Service Feb 24 LBW Setting 1 w/LS

When I came to you, brothers and sisters,

I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God

to you in lofty words or wisdom.

For I decided to know nothing among you

except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

---1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Dear Friends of that Messiah, GOD DID SOMETHING FOR YOU AND ME. God refused to leave us in the dark about His disposition and plans for us. Jesus came to earth to bring God to light for us. Jesus knew He was entering a world where sin, evil, and death run amok. Yet, He was determined to see His mission through. SO, HOW DID THAT GO FOR YOU, JESUS? We know. Lent is a dark journey, but one that we best take each year—not because God needs it, but because we do. Imagine what those last days of Holy Week were like for Jesus: He knew the terror before Him, but rather than turn back He resolutely moved through the passion. Can we begin to fathom His anguish, His pain? Apparently… GOD WANTS US TO WRESTLE WITH THIS , because God gave us not just one account of the Passion of Jesus. We have the Passion of the Messiah from the perspectives of all four gospel writers--Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Plus, Paul’s encounter with the crucified and risen Jesus gives us another perspective. So… THIS LENT LET’S LISTEN TO THEM ALL. Local Lutheran pastors will come to MLC on Wednesday nights to preach on The Passion of Christ According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I will add Paul’s perspective. OUR SCHEDULE FOR LENTEN MID-WEEK SERVICES is--- February 13: Ash Wednesday: The Ten Commandments February 20: Pastor Scott: The Passion of Christ according to Paul February 27: Pastor Otto Wood: The Passion of Christ according to Mark March 6: Pastor Keith Cook: The Passion of Christ according to Matthew March 13: Pastor Dennis Fakes: The Passion of Christ according to Luke March 20: Intern Micah Kearney: The Passion of Christ according to John COME AND LISTEN to what Jesus did. When we do, I believe we will realize our Lord did EVERYTHING needed for YOU AND ME to be His own forever.

In Christ alone,

Pastor Scott Peterson

MESSENGER – February 2013 Page 3

Fellowship Committee News By Mary Ann Stasiak

Sunday, February 10th will be a busy day at Messiah. New Member Welcome reception will take place after the 8:30 AM service. And, a reception celebrating those who receiving First Communion will be held after the 11:00 AM service, along with the Fat Sunday Brunch (instead of Mardi Gras on Tuesday, we are celebrating on Sunday) as we prepare ourselves for Lent later that week. Please join us for these very happy occasions! Lenten Soup Suppers will start on Ash Wednesday, February 13th. Kay Spence has graciously agreed to be the Soup Supper coordinator; thank you Kay! Last year we had various groups from within our congregation host each Lenten Soup Supper and we would like to try that approach again this year. Soup Suppers continue weekly after Ash Wednesday – Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, and March 20. There is no soup supper during Holy Week. Hosting a supper includes providing the soups and side dishes and assisting with setup and cleanup. If your group is interested in hosting a Wednesday Night Soup Supper, please contact Kay Spence. The Foodies Supper Club is off to a great start with three supper club groups planning to meet in the coming months. Thanks to Meredith and Greg Kilby for organizing this new way to get to know new friends at Messiah! Bridge Club will be held Friday February 8th 7:30 PM in the Parish Hall. New and experienced bridge players welcome! If you’ve started learning bridge a little, want to learn more, need a refresher, or just need some practice before you start to play again, this was meant for you!! Bring a friend and a snack to share! Contact Mary Ann and Ed Stasiak. OWLS: Be on the lookout for more information in the Sunday bulletin as the OWLS decide their February meeting events. Future Events: March 17th – St Patrick’s Day Fellowship Lunch after 11:00am service Can you help with an upcoming event? Contact Mary Ann Stasiak.

The season of Lent begins with the February 13th

Ash Wednesday service of worship with the

Lord’s Supper and imposition of ashes for those who wish to receive them. Lent continues

with services on February 20, 27, March 6, 13 and 20. During these worship services, area

pastors will preach on the Passion of Christ from the perspectives of the four gospel writers,

plus St. Paul. There will be a Maundy Thursday service on March 28 and a Good Friday service

on March 29. All Lenten services begin at 7:00 p.m. Unless otherwise designated, Lenten

offerings will be evenly divided between the Weekend Food Program for local schools and

Habitat for Humanity Global Village.

Mid-Week Lenten Services of Worship

Page 4 MESSENGER – February 2013

Outreach News

Thrivent Builds--Huntsville: Announcement to come soon of the new Habitat family, when building will begin, and volunteer opportunities. Partners in Faith Project--El Salvador: The 15 houses for members of Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, Santa Ana, are currently being built. They may be poor in material things but RICH in faith and hope. Groundbreaking for the Church is expected later this year.

INTERESTED IN SEEING THE HOLY LAND IN 2013?

My highlight from leading 14 pilgrims to the Holy Land in 2011 happened right before the return flight home. Everyone in our group was gathered in the hotel lobby before getting on a bus to depart for the airport. All expressed how grateful they were for being on the tour to see where Jesus lived, worked, died, and rose again. That is when I thought, “I want to do this again, so others can experience this.” Bonnie Jane and I are preparing to lead an expanded Holy Land tour November 11-22, 2013, under the theme “Journey Through the Bible”. Brochures with details are being prepared. Let me know if you are curious about this tour. I can refer you to those who toured the Holy Land in 2011, so you can hear from them about their experiences. –Pastor Scott Peterson

Stephen Ministry Workshop : A Half -Day Workshop featuring:

Ministering to those experiencing grief, An intro to Stephen Ministry, How to Care in a Distinctively Christian Way

When: Saturday, March 2, 9am-1pm Where: Messiah Lutheran Church Cost: Free for Messiah members

Habitat for Humanity By Susan Burrer

MESSENGER – February 2013 Page 5

Discussed at the January Council Meeting:

1. Lutheranch Capital Fund Appeal begins

in April. More information to come.

2. No Open Forum at the end of January,

but we will have one in February or

March.

3. The Landscaping Committee is looking

into further beautifying the church by

starting Phase II of planting, irrigation

and mulch. There are also plans for a

dogwood tree and rose bush to be

transplanted in the church garden.

Council Highlights

Music Notes

By Lois Graff

Contemporary Worship On November 18, members of the Youth Praise Band accompanied the contemporary service of worship in the new sanctuary using acoustic instruments and some amplifiers. On January 20, contemporary worship was wired and on-the-board in the sanctuary! Thank you to Paul Zutter and Bob Davis who made this happen through many hours of labor and faith-filled generosity. Lent Choir Schedule Changes

Wednesday choir rehearsal schedule during Lent will be as follows. All children and youth choirs are cancelled on February 13 and March 27. Children’s Choirs (Cherub and Seraph) 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Youth Choir 6:30 – 6:50 p.m. Adult Choir 7:45 – 8:45 p.m. The Notabella Choir will meet on Sundays from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Music Camp The week of Music Camp 2013 is June 7 – 11, with presentations on June 13. Mark your calendars now for a week of fun and exploration of faith!

Page 6 MESSENGER – February 2013

Stewardship Thought

News Flashes!

Comforter’s will meet

every Tuesday in

February @ 10:00.

Questions call Annette

Joens @ 232-3449.

Flower Chart The Flower Guild is doing an amazing job of providing beautiful arrangements for our services of worship. There are still many

opportunities to sign up for this year. The flower chart is located on the east side of the Narthex near the Fellowship Hall. If two households

sign up for a Sunday the cost is $25 each. The Flower Guild will honor requests for special flowers (for example yellow roses) if they are

requested two weeks in advance and are available from the wholesaler. After second service you can arrange to take your flowers home.

Thank you for adding to the beauty of our services of worship.

Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. John 12:26 God has given us many gifts. As God has given to us, we grow in grace and faith by serving God and others. Please take the time this month to complete a Time and Talent form which was mailed to MLC members last month. OR, Adult and Youth/Children forms are also available in the church office or online at http://mlutheran.org/timeandtalent.html. Through you, lives can be changed. As disciples of the servant Christ, our mission can truly be God’s People, Reaching Out!

Children’s Church is offered at the 11am service for parents who wish to have their children 4-9

years old attend.

GUATEMALA IN JUNE ---YOU??? The SE Synod delegation will visit our sisters and brothers in the Lutheran church in Guatemala (ILAG) June 17-23, 2013. MLC’s own Bill and Marcie Emerson will lead the delegation. (Bill has led the Synod delegation to ILAG twice in the past, so he has a wealth of information and experience.) A number of MLC members have made this mission journey in previous years. All agree it is a positive, life-changing experience. Are you interested in going in June? If so, please talk to Bill Emerson or Pastor Scott.

THANK YOU from Pastor Scott

A BIG THANK YOU to all who gave me a very generous monetary Christmas gift. Your gift was used to get contact lenses and to purchase new everyday dishes for our kitchen (we gave our former dishes to our son Paul). Those may not sound like exciting gifts, but I am thoroughly enjoying them every day. And, they are daily reminders of your kindness. It is an honor to be the pastor of MLC. Let’s keep doing the Lord’s work together in 2013.

MLC 360: Practicing Discipleship beginning March 10.

6 sessions during Sunday School

hour. Watch bulletins for details.

MESSENGER – February 2013 Page 7

Youth Zone By Lauren Gray youth_director@mlutheran.org

Parents/adults are needed to sign up

as extra chaperones for Sr. and Jr.

Youth group meetings. Please see sign-

up sheets on bulletin board outside of

classroom 5 (youth room)!

Jr. Youth Group

The Jr. Youth Valentine’s

Day Carnation Sale is

currently underway! Sales

will take place in the

Narthex after each service

on Sunday 2/3. Flowers will

be delivered on Sunday,

2/10!

Coming Up… • TWEENS are going bowling on Saturday, Feb. 2nd

from 2-4pm. We will meet at Madison Bowling Center

at 1:50.

• SOUPer Bowl Sunday is Feb. 3rd. Jr. Youth will be

collecting donations that will go towards a charity

that feeds hungry people.

• Jr. Youth group meetings- Feb. 9th & Feb. 23rd, 4-6pm.

Sr. Youth have already

started a 5 week study on

Why Bad Things Happen.

This study is taking place on

Sunday nights @6:30pm with

Pastor Scott and Lauren Gray.

Sr. youth with Pastor Scott for our first study of

Why Bad Things Happen

Page 8 MESSENGER – February 2013

The Month in Pictures – January 2013

The newest fellowship group, “Foodies”, had a kickoff meeting on January 6th with a potluck luncheon.

Participants being instructed on how to make homemade bread and cheese.

Messiah Lutheran Believers For A Cure

Save the date and join Messiah Lutheran Church’s first Relay For Life team. On

May 10, 2013 at the Madison City School’s football stadium, we will Relay For

Life beginning at 6pm.

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, either through their own personal

battle or through someone they love. Every day, the American Cancer Society is

helping us stay well by preventing cancer or finding it at its earliest, most

treatable stages. They assist families in finding the best resources to help their

friend or loved one deal with a diagnosis and their journey to get well. The

American Cancer Society is also rallying communities (like ours!) through events

like Relay For Life, to fight back and find cures for this disease.

We would love to have all kinds of support for this event. You can support the

team financially with a donation, with prayers, or just by coming out to walk for

the Relay.

All ages are welcome. We would like to have 10 official team members to

collect donations and help organize fund-raising efforts, and an unlimited

number to come out and join the Relay on May 10th

. Also, if you are fighting

cancer and/or are a survivor, we would like to honor you there!

Please contact Lisa D’Antonio with questions, ideas, or to join the cause!

MESSENGER – February 2013 Page 9

February 2013 Volume 25, Issue 2 The Messenger is a monthly publication published by Messiah Lutheran Church. Material for publication may be forwarded to Beth Gloe. The deadline for the next month’s issue is February 18th.

Consider saving paper…if you’d prefer to receive

an electric copy of this monthly newsletter, email

info@mlutheran.org

Meet the Azzam Family

Dick and Barbara Azzam joined Messiah in 2003. They have two children Ben (21) and Katie (20) who both attend Auburn University. They met

and were married at Grace Lutheran in Huntsville (27 years ago) where Dick was the 5th grade teacher and Barbara’s mother was a Secretary. Dick now works at Intergraph as a Software Engineer, and Barbara is a

self employed Vocational Counselor. Dick often teaches Adult Bible Classes and is the current Council Education and Youth Representative. They both sing in the choir and Barbara currently serves on the Altar

Guild and Fellowship Committee. Dick enjoys competitive Radio Controlled Sail Boating and Barbara enjoys cooking, sewing and

gardening.