Messiah Lutheran Church of Fairview Park

12/24/2020

7pm Christmas Eve Service

Bulletin Cover art: licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.5. International license. Icons by The Noun Project

"O Come, All Ye Faithful," Hal H. Hopson (c) 1997 The H. W. gray Company

Psalm tone reproduced from “Psalm 96,” Kenneth T. Kosche & John A. Behnke, Copyright 2002 Concordia Publishing House

"Christmastime Alleluia," James J. Chepponis (c) 1997 GIA Publications, Inc.

"Let All Together Praise Our God," (c) 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Setting (c) 1953 Wurttembergisches Choralbuch

"Sing We Now of Christmas," Mark Patterson (c) 2014 Hal Leonard Corporation

"Silent Night," (c) 2020 Larry Sue

"Joy to the World," Hal H. Hopson (c) 1997 The H. W. gray Company

Liturgy setting reproduced under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SB131019

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from OneLicense with License #702571

12/24/2020

5 pm Christmas Eve Family Service

Liturgy setting reproduced under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SB131019

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from OneLicense with License #702571

12/22/2020

Christmas Message from Bishop Barbins | Northeastern Ohio Synod - ELCA

A word for Christmas from our new bishop.

For ten long months we have been hearing the same refrain, “Easter will be different this year.” “Graduation will be different this year.” “School will be different this year.” “Elections will be different this year.” “Sports will be different this year.” “Thanks-giving will be...

12/22/2020

Messiah Lutheran Church & School

Merry Christmas from Messiah Lutheran Church & School in Fairview Park, Ohio.

Our Christmas Eve worship services are offered at 5, 7 and 9:30 pm, Christmas Day at 10 am. Services at 5 and 7 pm on Christmas Eve will be offered in-person or livestreamed; 9:30 pm will be offered in-person only. Christmas Day at 10 am will be offered in-person and live-streamed.

Registration for these services are required; we are limited to 50 guests per service. Please visit our website of messiahfairview.org to register. You will be directed to either a sign up for in person services or a welcome page asking for your name. Let us know you’re joining us. For online services, scroll down to view our current and archived worship services. All services are archived for your convenience of viewing at any time.

May God continue to watch over us all and grant us health and safety during these days ahead.

12/22/2020

Devotion, December 22—

“For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37). That’s what Gabriel said to Mary when he sprung the news of her baby on the way and added the news of another baby on its way in gray-haired Elizabeth.

Years later Jesus says the same to listeners reeling in shock from his assertion that getting a camel through the eye of a needle is easier than getting a rich person into the kingdom of God. “Then who can be saved?” they gasp. Answer: “What’s impossible for people is possible for God” (Luke 18:26-27).

Now there’s a thought—a promise—for this dead of winter when all of us lie buried by a mountain of woes we cannot change or fix or cure. A virus is the least of our worries. A shot or two of the right vaccine won’t get Americans (or any other bunch of sinners) to like and trust each other and work together for the good of all, to say nothing of the glory of God.

No shot, for example, will ever get the rich sharing with the poor to the extent that God expects. No pill is in the works that will raise the dead.

Jesus, anyone?

God’s power to do what we can’t do leaked into the night from a manger in Bethlehem a long time ago. If you’re reading these words—if you’re daring to take them seriously—that power is working in you. You may not feel it, but you sure can trust it. It’s the power that blew a grave wide open on Easter morning. It’s been doing impossible things ever since, mostly out of sight. It’s out there bubbling in the darkness of this coming Christmas night. It’s slowly pushing camels through the eye of the needle we all have to pass through to get where God would have us be.

Remember that when Thursday gets here. –Pr. Burce

12/20/2020

About Us

Tonight @ Bethesda by the Bay Lutheran in Bay Village: LIVE Nativity!!! With a Live Camel !!! 4:30 pm TODAY to 6 pm. Drive Thru Live Nativity ...... How awesome is this !
http://www.bethesdaonthebay.org/about-us/

News from Bethesda Live NativityDecember 20th – 4:30-6:00 pm Physically-Distanced and Drive-By Viewings!Start a NEW Tradition! Come and Behold: Live Animals, Angels and – of course R…

12/20/2020

8:30 am - Follow Along Service

Worship on the Fourth Sunday in Advent

“Kyrie” Music © Dinah Reindorf, admin. Augsburg Fortress;
“My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness,” Text © 1995 Augsburg Fortress
“Savior of the Nations, Come,” Text © 2006 Augsburg Fortress
Liturgy setting reproduced under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License SB131019
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from OneLicense with License #702571

12/19/2020

Blessed Advent evening to one & all!

12/18/2020

Devotion, December 18—

A week from today is Christmas Day. I won’t be posting a devotion that morning, so let me remind us already now of the good news we’ll get to hear all over again when the day arrives, if only our ears are open to it:

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we have seen his glory—the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

This Word is the One through whom all things were made, as St. John reminds us earlier (1:5). Creation is his specialty. Redemption is only his second job, if I dare to put that way.

Here’s how he says it himself: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

That’s who was born into the mess of a long-ago December. He’s with us in our current mess too, as determined as ever to “lose nothing of all [the Father] has given me” (John 6:39).

And this is the Word who keeps his word, as St. John and his companions saw for themselves on Easter night (John 20:19ff.).

We’re hunkered down this December. So what? Can sickness or sin drive Jesus away? Will it keep him from raising the dead and making things new?

Merry Christmas when it gets here. –Pr. Burce

12/17/2020

Word & Reflection - Mary - December 16, 2020

Enjoy a Word and Reflection from Connie Triplett on Mary.

https://youtu.be/YpntzLYZK3M

12/16/2020

Devotion, December 16—

Is there a morning I can’t spoil with a spot of early grumbling? Such creatures we are, whom Christ was born to rescue.

Today it’s the Post Office. You’ve noticed too how slow the mail is this month. I’m one of those troglodytes who are still using it to pay bills. Yesterday came a late notice. By email, of course.

I also tend to be slow in getting the Christmas cards out. This week’s job, I figured. I’d better cross off the “Merry Christmas” inside and write “Happy New Year” instead.

And while I’m doing that, I could muse and mutter dark thoughts about malicious evildoers who are gumming up the system on purpose to make themselves somehow richer at your expense and mine. The spirit of the times invites such thoughts in spades.

Or, alternatively, I could take my cues from the Holy Spirit, the One who moved in Mother Mary to bring her baby into the world.

In that case I’d send my thoughts in the direction of the harried postal workers who will spend today trying to dig through those heaps of letters and mountains of packages and get them all delivered.

There they are, scorned and slandered by their frustrated customers, yet treasured by God. Perhaps I pray for them today. –Pr. Burce

12/16/2020

Thank You Wednesday!
Thank you for supporting Messiah School’s joyful, challenging, world-changing, Jesus-centered education! We hope you’ve enjoyed Giving Tuesday photos of our Trailblazing staff and students rocking teaching and learning during these pandemic days! Give now: http://bit.do/MLSGivingTuesday #MessiahFairview #GiveLikeATrailblazer #LeadLikeATrailblazer Photo credit to Arlee Reust, AzkaLynn Photography

12/15/2020

Devotion, December 15—

It’s a “Thanks, but…” day if ever there was one.

First the thanks, or better still the THANKS, shouted in capital letters—

THANKS for that photo in yesterday’s newsfeed of the nurse in New York getting THE shot. The one we’ve all been hoping for. The one that promises to squash the pandemic and get us back to normal.

“Thank you, God, for all the talent, all the knowledge, all the skill, all the incredible gifts of knowledge and organization that have brought us to this point. Thank you for all the people we don’t know and never will whose hard work and passion are allowing us to breathe deep with honest hope this morning.”

And now the “but...”, prompted by immediate rumblings of discontent over the way vaccines are bound to reach the world, rich countries first, poor countries last. So screamed a headline in one news source just now. (Well, of course, comes the answer. How else does it work?)

And so we pray as Advent people do: “BUT deliver us, merciful God, from the sin and selfishness that is bound to taint this wondrous gift as it does all others. Show us Christ. Perform the impossible. Infect the world with his heart, his values, his ways. Relieve the darkness with flashes of his Light, to the praise of your Greatest Gift Ever. –Pr. Burce

12/14/2020

Messiah Lutheran's Virtual "For All the Saints"

Day 14 Giving Tuesday
At Messiah Lutheran Church, we consider the singing congregation to be the premier musical ensemble. When we all sing and make music together, we proclaim Christ to one another. Due to concerns about potentially spreading the coronavirus through singing, the congregation's song has been silenced for many, many months. As a way to bring the congregation's song back even in a small way, Music Director and organist Connie Triplett, joined by MLS alums Jared Waugaman and Adonai Henderson, put together a beautiful congregational virtual hymn. About three dozen Messiah members, one school student, one school alumni, one school staff member, as well as friends of Messiah came in for personal recording sessions in October. The end result was a congregation of believers who could sing together once more. An integral member of our trailblazing staff, Connie says, “I thank God for my role in being able to serve at Messiah and to lead others to serve God with their talents as well.” Thank you for contributing to our campaign supporting our trailblazing Lutheran education at Messiah! http://bit.do/MLSGivingTuesday #MessiahFairview #GivingTuesday #LeadLikeATrailblazer #GiveLikeATrailblazer

"For All the Saints," Walter Pelz Arrangement © 2009 Augsburg FortressAugsburg Fortress. Liturgy setting reproduced under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual ...

12/13/2020

8:30 am Worship on the Third Sunday in Advent

Did you miss worship this morning? You can view Pastor Seth's Advent message here or watch the whole service at messiahfp.org/video.aspx

12/13/2020

Day 13 Giving Tuesday
“! am a lifelong member of Messiah Church and have worked as the school secretary for ten years. I have always felt like a member of a large family while here. Our family has now enrolled our fourth generation at Messiah starting with my mother, myself, my children and now my grandchildren. We feel like we are home.” --Mrs. Mary-Ann Coreno. Help ensure all children can access this quality education with a supportive faith community! Give now: http://bit.do/MLSGivingTuesday #MessiahFairview #GivingTuesday #LeadLikeATrailblazer #GiveLikeATrailblazer

12/12/2020

Day 12 Giving Tuesday
“By the time students move up to Messiah’s Middle School, they are wanting more responsibilities and know that they are meant for something bigger than just themselves. When students come to Messiah, they don’t feel “new” for long; when students move on, they leave lasting friendships and memories that stay with this community in the feeling of love and family. They keep that fondness in a special place in their hearts. Everyone who walks through the doors, walks the halls, worships with this Messiah Family feels it. It is our hope that they recognize this feeling--that they see the light of Christ in the students, families, and staff. May your good memories of Messiah never fade and may we continue the tradition of creating a loving, prayerful community, and a family in Christ.” --Mrs. Heidi Kanz, 4th Grade Teacher/6th Year in service. Forty-three percent of Millennials are inspired to give by social media--are you one of them? Give now: http://bit.do/MLSGivingTuesday #GivingTuesday #MessiahFairview #LeadLikeATrailblazer #GiveLikeATrailblazer Photo credit to Arlee Reust, AzkaLynn Photography

12/11/2020

Devotion, December 11—

Years ago, when watching a drama set in early 19th century England, I was struck by how incessantly the characters would inquire about each other’s health when they met. “Are you well?” they would ask. “Is your family well?”

All of a sudden I catch myself doing the same thing. “Are you well? Is your family well?”— first thing out of my mouth these days when I cross paths with someone I haven’t seen for a while. And every note I send seems to end with the same phrase. “I hope you’re well.”

If nothing else this pandemic is teaching us what life used to be like for everybody all the time. A little on edge. Not quite so sure that someone you know and like will be around six months from now. All those bugs out there. All that untreatable illness.

I recall one of the saddest sights I’ve ever seen. A woman’s gravestone in a rural Wisconsin cemetery. And in front of it at least six little stones for the children who didn’t make it to their teenage years.

If you’re struggling to thank God for something today, you might at least thank God that for us it’s not as bad as bad has been.

But these, of course, are paltry thanks. We can do better. So very much better.

Recall those many times in the gospels when Jesus says to someone, “Your faith has made you well.” The word he uses there can be also be rendered like this: “Your faith has saved you.”

Did you make the sign of the cross this morning? Even now, do you take it more or less for granted that you belong to Christ and always will? Then yes, you are well. And come what may, you are saved.

Not that this will keep me from asking about your health the next time I see you. Good grief, the virus is still out there. But I sure won’t worry about whether, in the big picture, you’re as well as well can be.

Thanks be to God for that today. –Pr. Burce

12/11/2020

Day 11 Giving Tuesday
COVID 19 has brought us masks, tri-fold dividers, social distance, playground restrictions, and distance learning, but we are social, we see each others’ smiles in our eyes, (in person or online) and we connect as friends and family. Prayer keeps us strong and sharing concerns, fears, and still thankful for our abundance of blessings. It's not too late to make a contribution! Give now: ttp://bit.do/MLSGivingTuesday #GivingTuesday #MessiahFairview #LeadLikeATrailblazer #GiveLikeATrailblazer
Photo credit to Arlee Reust, AzkaLynn Photography

12/10/2020

Day 10 Giving Tuesday
Messiah Lutheran School in Fairview Park, Ohio offers Joyful, Challenging, World-changing, Trailblazing education both on Campus and Online. When we are on campus, our large classrooms and small class sizes limited to 16 students allow us to provide social distancing using available credible guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the CDC. Two of the following four mitigators are always in place: physical distance, face coverings, barriers/shields, and outdoor settings. Staff wears face coverings throughout the day. Students receive the vast majority of instruction in their own homeroom. Art, Music, Technology, PE, and Faith Formation are offered in a modified format to each class.When we move to distance learning, we survey families to understand their needs, including need for and access to electronic devices. Because the shift to distance learning can be stressful for some students, parents can make a Google Meet appointment with our counselor Mrs. Bost, who is available on Tuesdays. Help ensure all children can access this quality education with a supportive faith community! Give now: http://bit.do/MLSGivingTuesday #MessiahFairview #GivingTuesday #LeadLikeATrailblazer #GiveLikeATrailblazer
Photo credit to Arlee Reust, AzkaLynn Photography

12/09/2020

Word & Reflection - Gabriel - December 9, 2020

Enjoy a Word & Reflection from Pastor Shelley Nelson-Bridger about Gabriel.

https://youtu.be/v17yajIKx_g

12/09/2020

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Devotion, December 9—

We meet again tonight for Advent Evening Prayer at Messiah. Or shall I say Messiah-on-Zoom. See below for a button to hit that will get you there. It starts at 7 p.m.

Advent-minded people bubble with prayer. It’s what happens when you lift up your eyes to look around—and then remember how God promised to finish what he started when he graced the world with his crucified Son.

There’s a great line in that great Christmas carol about the little town of Bethlehem. “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” That includes the hopes and fears of 2020.

Advent prayer is simply a matter of naming those hopes, those fears as well. The ones that churn in you today. And then you add, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”

“Don’t worry,” he answers. “I’m coming soon.” --Pr. Burce

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