40th Annual Holiday Blood Drive on Wednesday, December 24, 2025

at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center from 7am – 1 pm

The American Red Cross invites the community to give the gift of blood at Wisconsin’s largest one-day blood drive.

See more information on the Blood Drive Webpage.

Another Blood Drive Opportunity at Messiah - February 20th - 12:00 - 5:00 pm

In addition to our annual blood drive in May (Wednesday, May 6th this year), we have been asked to host another on Friday February 20 from 12-5 PM. Please save this date and watch for an opportunity to sign up coming soon.

Soon after his birth, the infant Jesus was targeted for murderous erasure by a politician hellbent on securing his throne at any cost.

Untold numbers of innocent children were sacrificed. On December 28th, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Christians will gather to march, pray and say, “Not in Jesus’ name” to the erasure of trans children and adults.

Sunday, Dec 28th 2:00-4:00 PM

State Capitol Building

Meet at the corner of Carroll St & W Washington Ave

The Altar Ministry team sends a special thank you to the Pewkeepers who did extra duty this holiday season!

Many people know the Pewkeepers as the team who resets the Sanctuary each week. They straighten out the hymnals making sure there are two different hymnals in each rack, they make sure there are Welcome Cards, giving envelopes etc. in the pew racks and they straighten out the pews making sure the space between the rows are even and regulation width.

 Recently, they also took on the task of replacing the glass cups in the communion trays in preparation to be refilled by the altar ministry team. During the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas they did 2 sanctuary resets and 2 tray fills!

The 2026 Offering Envelopes Available for Pick Up

If you are set up to receive either Weekly or Monthly Envelopes for the new year, please pick them up in the Church Office.

Thank you for your support of Messiah Lutheran Church and it's ministries.

Giving Statements for 2025 will be sent to you by email unless you have requested a paper copy to be mailed to you. The statements will be sent out during the first couple of weeks in January. If you do not receive your statement, please check your email spam folder before contacting the church office.

    Synod Care for Creation Team Winter Book Study - Begins January 8

       We will meet every Thursday from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, from January 8 through February 5.

Together, we’ll explore the book, Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters, by Sandra Richter, in which the author provides insights into ancient Israelite society that allow us to connect with their wisdom today.

Click here to register for the Zoom. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. Questions? Contact Deacon Meg Nielsen, Care for Creation Committee Chair.

Racial Justice Book Study - Gun Violence - January 11, 18, and 25

When Thoughts and Prayers Aren't Enough: A Shooting Survivor's Journey into the Realities of Gun Violence

by Taylor S. Schumann.

Please join us 9:20-10:20 AM on January 11,18 and 25 for a book study to help us prepare for our Safe Disposal of Guns event tentatively planned for March 21st.

Please sign up on the kiosk so we can get your book to you before Christmas, giving you time to begin reading. Books will be provided by Messiah with the opportunity to make a free-will donation of $10 toward the cost.

For a summary of the book from Goodreads go to the Racial Justice Webpage. 

We have 6 more copies of When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough available in the office. 

If you take one, be sure to sign up on the Kiosk or let Elizabeth know so you can be included on the communication regrading what to read, etc.



Right now we are missing one name!

Men's Bible Study - Book of Daniel - Wednesdays, January 21 - February 25 at 7:00 am

Explore the stories of Daniel and his friends in this rich and inviting study. The course provides an opportunity to ponder our calling as faithful disciples in troubling times. Additionally, each session begins and ends with a devotional component inviting participants to reflect on what they hear in the text and what the message of the text means for us in our calling to discipleship.

This 6-session course explores selected passages from Daniel.

1. Daunting Dream: What Does It Mean? (Daniel 2:25-49)
2. Feet in the Fire: Taking the Heat for Our Faith (Daniel 3)
3. Reading the Signs: Writing on the Wall and in Our Hearts (Daniel 5)
4. Nightmarish Dream: What Does It Mean? (Daniel 7)
5. Neck in the Noose: Paying the Ultimate Cost of Faith (Daniel 10:1,18-21; 11:1-35)
6. Reading the Signs: Written in the Book and on Our Hearts (Daniel 12)

Ladies Lunch Bunch - January 14th - Tully's II

Please sign up on the Kiosk for the first Ladies Lunch Bunch gathering for the new year!

They will have lunch at Tully's II Food & Spirits located at 6401 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716 

The Ladies Lunch Bunch December gathering collected $75.00 to be put toward the Waterproof Glove/Mitten Collection for the Madison Schools.

Visitation Ministry Retreat - January 17th, 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Pastor Dan invites all current and interested Visitation Ministers to our annual Retreat/Workshop! This year, we will be joined by Deacon Jessica McCarty, an ELCA Rostered Leader whose focus is Visitation Ministry, to share resources, skills, and practices to help us be the best we can be. 

To sign up, click here

Women's Winter Retreat at Fort Wilderness Resort - January 30 - February 1

The women of Messiah are invited to join the women of St. Luke’s Lutheran (Middleton) for a Women’s Winter Retreat!

 
When: Friday, January 30 – Sunday, February 1
Where: Fort Wilderness Resort, Rhinelander, WI
Why: To praise God, grow in faith, renew friendships, make new friends, and enjoy time together

Cost: $183 per person, which includes lodging; all meals on Saturday; Sunday breakfast; and access to all camp activities. No cooking required! Women often bring snacks or beverages to share in the evenings.

St. Luke’s has been holding this retreat for many years and return again and again—it’s clearly a joyful time of connection and renewal. They have asked me to lead the retreat program this year, and I told them I would be glad to if the women of Messiah could participate as well. Their response was an enthusiastic “Yes!”

Visit the  Women's Ministry webpage for more detailed information

Our next dates for preparing meals for Healing House are:



February 1-7, 2026 

March 1-7, 2026

Check the Kiosk for Sign Ups when the date gets closer.

For more specific information about preparing meals, check out the Community Outreach Team Webpage under Community Meals.

Here is a link to Ryan's cases website if you would like to see what the organization is doing. 

CASE FOR SMILES

Learn to sew, brush up on your sewing skills

Saturday, February 14 - 8:00 am - 12:00 noon

Is your sewing machine getting a little dusty? Are your sewing skills a little bit rusty? How about cleaning both off for a good cause?

We are holding a 4 hour class on making the Hot Dog Pillowcase for Ryan's Case For Smiles | Helping Kids Cope With Cancer.

This class is open to anyone who already sews and to those young and not so young who want to learn how to sew (kids of all ages welcome). 

IF you would like to watch a YouTube to see what we will be making CLICK HERE.   

Mardi Gras Celebration - Sunday, February 15 at 11:30 am

Messiah's Family Ministry team invites you to our Mardi Gras Party.

We will enjoy a pizza lunch, crafts, and a concert with Ken Lonnquist, the same performer who brought us Old Befana last year.

Please sign up so we know how much pizza to order. The signup will be on the Kiosk, or you can email Elizabeth at volunteer@messiahchurch.com.

Even if you don’t sign up, please come, we always have extra!

Check out the  Children's Ministry Webpage to learn more about:

Nursery - Sundays 8:00 - 9:20 am and 10:15 - 11:35 am

Sunday School - Sundays 9:20 - 10:20 am

Children's Choir  - at the beginning of Sunday School starting at 9:15 AM

Some future events including First Communion Instruction and Celebration, Summer Camp, Bible Blessing

Some past events including Trunk or Treat, Children's Christmas Program (pictures included).

Check out the Youth Ministry Webpage to learn more about:

YOW (Youth on Wednesday Night - Wednesday nights 6:00 pm. Check the calendar to see if YOW is online, or in person at Messiah.

Some past events including a Field Trip to UW Lutheran Campus Ministry, the Fall Retreat at Horizons, October's Activity Night, the 2025 Mission Trip, and the 2025 Confirmation Group (pictures included).

Check out the  High School Ministry Webpage to learn more about:

Waffle Wednesdays including October Pumpkin painting, and Friendsgiving (photos included)

Senior Recognition

Joan Shropshire Grant Information

Check out the  Family Ministry Webpage to learn more about:

Mardi Gras - February 26, 2026

Breadbreakers

Boundary Waters Canoe Trips

Family Camp

Summer Camp

Some past events including Trunk or Treat, Old Befana.

Check out the  Adult Education Webpage to learn more about:

Sunday Morning Adult Education - 9:20 - 10:20 am - Advent Lectionary Study

Martin Luther, The Reformation and Lutheran Heritage



Check out the Women's Ministry Webpage to learn more about:

Women’s Ministry Conversation Group  meets December 18th at 10:30 am -12:00 noon

Women’s Book Study - beginning Thursday, January 8, 2026 -

We will begin reading and discussing Philip Yancey’s book, What’s So Amazing About Grace?

Divine Yoga Dates - December  9, 16, and 23 more information on the webpage

Ladies Lunch Bunch at Kavanaugh's Esquire Supper Club - December 10th at 11:15 am

Women's Winter Retreat at Fort Wilderness Resort  - January 30 - February 1

Check out the  Men's Ministry Webpage to learn more about:

Men's Bible Study - now through December 17th - Book of Revelation

Check out the  Senior Adult Ministry Webpage to learn more about:

7th Annual Virtual Pie Sale

SAM Christmas Party - December 17 at 12:00 noon

SAM Hikes

Volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank

SAM Pot lucks

SAM Trips