The Church Office will be closed

Monday, September 7

in honor of Labor Day

Bread Breakers

Return enrollment forms to the office by Labor Day

An Adult Fellowship Opportunity for folks over 18 years of age

Call Barb & Walt Herrod 608-318-2129 (landline), or email bwhfam@gmail.com with any questions.

Morning Bible Study – Gospel of Luke

begins Wednesday, September 9th at 7:00 am

in the downstairs Meeting Room 

The Gospel of Luke invites readers to explore the story of Jesus as God's Chosen One (Messiah)

From the joyous account of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the images of his crucifixion at Golgtha, to the "eye-opening" meal at Emmaus, we are invited into a remarkable story. 

Contact person – Ray Robinson rayerobinson13@gmail.com    608-695-5591

Women’s Conversation Group

We had a wonderful discussion in August when a dozen women gathered to discuss faith and life, and offer support and prayer for each other.

The Women’s Conversation Group will meet again on Thursday, September 17^th.



All are welcome to gather from 10:30 am to noon for prayerful conversation and fellowship.

Our Thursday morning Women’s Book Study will kick off on Thursday, October 1^st. We will meet from 10:30am - noon for six weeks. Together we will read and discuss Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris

The books are available for pickup in the church office. You may pick up your copy from Judy during office hours or on Sunday mornings. We ask you to sign up on the Kiosk and leave a $10 donation (mark paid if you are leaving cash or check) to offset the cost of the book and replenish our fund for the next book. All women are welcome to attend this time of prayerful discussion, reflection, and support.

Here is the publisher’s overview of the book: Struggling with her return to the Christian church after many years away, Kathleen Norris found it was the language of Christianity that most distanced her from faith. Words like "judgment," "faith," "dogma," "salvation," "sinner"—even "Christ"—formed what she called her "scary vocabulary," words that had become so codified or abstract that their meanings were all but impenetrable. She found she had to wrestle with them and make them her own before they could confer their blessings and their grace. Blending history, theology, storytelling, etymology, and memoir, Norris uses these words as a starting point for reflection, and offers a moving account of her own gradual conversion. She evokes a rich spirituality rooted firmly in the chaos of everyday life—and offers believers and doubters alike an illuminating perspective on how we can embrace ancient traditions and find faith in the contemporary world.

The 2027 Lenten Devotional Theme has been selected and we are looking for writers! 

The 2027 Lenten Devotional is anchored in the Gospel of Mark—the primary Gospel focus of the Year B Lectionary cycle—and the rich tradition of Old Testament covenants which find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

While Lent is often viewed through the lens of penitence, guilt, or the traditional practice of "giving up" something, this year’s Devotional invites us into a deeper journey, to explore how God’s ancient covenants continue to bind us in love and responsibility today.  We are called to reimagine penitence, beginning with honest inward reflection and using what we discover to turn purposefully outward. 

Here are the complete directions. Contact Elizabeth with questions.

St. Stephen's Food Pantry - Item of the Month for September - Unsented Laundry Soap

If  you like to support the food pantry, they are trying something a little different.

They will have a monthly focus item that they are requesting along with the other items that you give so generously to support the pantry.

If you would like to see what they will be collecting in the months ahead, there are lists on the Kiosk, above the St. Stephen's Food Pantry Collection Bin in the Collection Area, and it will be in the Column Newsletter beginning in August.

St. Stephen's Food Pantry Fundraiser

September 15th ALL Day (Lunch and Dinner)

St. Stephen's Food Pantry has coordinated with Red Robin at 6522 Monona Dr., Monona

to hold a fundraiser on Tuesday, September 15.

The fundraiser will run throughout the day including lunch and dinner.

A percentage of the sales from that day will go directly to the food pantry.

Those attending need to mention the fundraiser when ordering.

Ladies Lunch Bunch - September 9th

Tully's II

  6401 Monona Dr. Monona, WI 53716

Please sign up on the Kiosk. There will be space for 25 women this month.

Please be there by 11:15 am - 1:15 pm.    Orders will be taken at 11:30.

 For questions call Claire at 920-319-6731 or Mary at 262-716-4600

The Ladies Lunch Bunch August Gathering collected $70.00 for the Boomerang Bag Group.

Staffed Nursery Returns to Regular Hours September 13th

Our nursery attendants staff the early and late services on Sunday.

You are always welcome to be in the nursery with your children and watch the stream on the TV. Also consider using the activity bags located near the coat rack in the Gathering Space.

Adult Choir Practice Begins - September 17th - 7:30 pm in the Community Room

Messiah has a long history with The Road Home, an agency in Madison that provides opportunities for homeless children and their families to achieve self-determined goals and affordable, stable housing.

During services on September 19th and 20th, we will have a chance to hear directly from their representatives about their programs, growth and progress. There will also be a table set up to stop by and visit with them before, after and between services.

The Community Outreach Ministry Team is excited to arrange this opportunity for the Messiah community to have direct interaction with one of our ministry partners.

SAM Hosts Open House at Food Bank

Have you thought about what it is that SAMies do at Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) and how you can join in on the fun? Well, September 21^st is your chance to stop by SHFB and see the SAMies in action.

The open house starts at 1:30 pm where you will see SAM in action prepping various foods for distribution to over 300 food pantries in 16 south central Wisconsin counties. At 2:00 pm, we have “recess” with a homemade treat from one of the volunteers. This is your chance to sit down with SAM volunteers in the break room and ask questions about volunteering at the food bank. At 2:30 pm, you will have the opportunity to take a tour of the food bank. You will be amazed at all the activity behind the scenes!

To sign up for the open house, send an email to SAM@messiahchurch.com 

SAM Season Opener Will Be Spectacular

Mark September 30, 2026, on your calendar in pen. Do that right now before you forget. Use a pen so you cannot erase it. Move your doctor appointments. This is the date for Messiah SAM’s 2026-2027 kickoff!

We will enjoy a catered pig roast with all the trimmings. Even dessert and beverages will be provided. Our caterer- Stoddard’s Meat Market & Catering, age Grove, WI. 

Then sit back and enjoy the music of Toco Beach Steelpan. Their music will make you think you are smack dab on the beach in the Caribbean. Advance registration is NOT required. There is NO sign-up. There is NO charge for this event. Your admission ticket is plenty of non-perishable food items for The Empty Table.  

Community Outreach Team Meeting - Thursday, September 24th at 10:00am

Community Outreach Team Collections

Please check out the Ongoing Community Outreach Collection webpage to see what Messiah collects to help local organiztions support their clients.

Paper copies of the Collections are available in the Collection Area at Messiah

(between the Gathering Space and the Community Room).

Fall Work Day - October 10 -  9:00 - 12:00 noon

Pizza will be served for lunch

Sunday School Begins Sunday, September 27th

Please use this LINK to register for Sunday School

Click HERE for the Sunday School Schedule

YOW - (Youth on Wednesday Nights) begins on Wednesday, September 30 with a Welcome Dinner

In-person time is 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Online times are:

Preconfirmation 6-6:45 p.m.
Confirmation 7-7:45 p.m.

The schedule for the year is available at

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xubCredmkKOUZ7kStnv-JKd63KUwBK5K7GJ9J3EAYiE/edit?usp=sharing

Register Now for 2026-2027 Youth on Wednesday Nights (YOW) - Please register by September 28. Cost is $40.00.

https://forms.gle/ndnGuEpUoc9XyL8v5

The YOW retreat is November 14-15 at Bethel Horizons.

Registration QR Code

"Thank you" to those who provided meals for Healing House the week of July 19-25.

They served 13 people who are experiencing life-changing events as they transition to stable housing.

Our next weeks for preparing meals for Healing House are:

August 30 - September 5

Please sign up on the kiosk if you can make a meal.

New Course Opportunity from the Nehemiah Center

The Racial Justice team is able to pay the full cost for up to 7 people to attend the Justice for a New Day course starting in September. See details in The Racial Justice Team section below. Contact Elizabeth at volunteer@messiahchurch.com or 608-235-6910 by August 31.

The same people who brought us Black History for a New Day have created a NEW COURSE called Justice for a New Day. It will focus on understanding incarceration and building stronger communities, and give a glimpse into the criminal legal system we were never taught.

We would love to have a group from Messiah participate in this new opportunity, especially if you have taken the Black History for a New Day course as this builds on what was learned during that course, but everyone is invited. The format is a lecture from an all-star lineup of professors and lecturers, followed by discussion time. The course is offered LIVE and IN PERSON or over Zoom. 

All sessions will be held Monday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm on:

September 14, 28

October 5, 12, 19, 26

November 9, 16, 23

Visit the Racial Justice Webpage for details on how to attend, the cost and a course summary.