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

DATE CORRECTION

Tuesday, September 22nd 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 15th.

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.

  Dignity at School Monetary Collection - Month of September

 The Community Outreach Ministry will again sponsor a fundraiser during the month of September for the two projects that focus on dignity for students.

    One is headed by Bernie Hartwig. Bernie goes to garage sales and thrift stores to collect sweatpants and other clothing items. She launders all of them and gets them ready for distribution by social workers or nurses in 11 local elementary schools and one middle school for students in need. She also purchases underwear and socks for distribution.

    The Dignity Project, led by June Nyhus, is the second group. Their portion of the money

collected will be used to purchase flannel fabric, 100% cotton batting, 2 inch safety pins, and underwear for when donations of these items do not cover the group's needs. We are now at the end of the flannel and batting we purchased before JoAnn Fabrics’ store closure so our need for donations will be greatly increasing.

    Both of these groups provide assistance for children. Please consider a monetary donation, allowing Messiah to continue supporting children in local schools and across the world. You may donate online, with cash or with a check indicating Dignity at School on the memo line. “Thank you” 

Give Families a Lift

The Kennedy Family Support Network is still in the process of buying the van.

Look for photos to come soon!

Thank you to those who donated to this initiative. Special "thank you’s" go out to:

Ladies Lunch Bunch, Adele Crary, Jeanette Weber, Karen Verhagen, Karen & Dave Smith

for the week of August 31st

Elizabeth Crummy & John Uselman, Bill & Kirsten Goetz,

for the week of September 7th.

Adult Education Begins Sunday, October 4th

September 27 – Spirit Weekend

Adult Ed. Handouts/Rep for  Adult Education, Women’s Thursday Book Study, and  The Women’s Winter Retreat

October 4 – ELCA Faith and Civic Life – Kacy of LOPPW

October 11, 18, 25 – Christian Nationalism

What is it? - History and Today - A Biblical/Lutheran View – Pastor Renee

November 1 – Break – No Adult Ed.

November 8, 15, 22 – Soteriology (the study of Salvation)

Why did Jesus Die on the Cross? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 – Pastor Renee

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. New this year is the option to include a prayer or not.

Here are the verses. Contact Elizabeth with your choice and/or questions.

Constitutional Amendment Voter Guide

Wisconsin voters will consider three Constitutional Amendments on their ballots this November. The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin has created a Constitutional Amendment Voter Guide with explanations, recommendations, and context about the proposed amendments, made within the framework of the principles values, and commitments of the ELCA’s social statements and messages.

The three proposed amendments are:

• Question 1: Partial Veto Referendum
• Question 2: Freedom to Gather in Places of Worship During an Emergency Referendum
• Question 3: Governmental Entity Discrimination Prohibited Referendum

Visit loppw.org/constitutional-amendments-2026 or use this QR code to access the Constitutional Amendment Voter Guide. 

Ladies Lunch Bunch - September 9th - 11:15 am

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.

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

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.

Women’s Conversation Group - Thursday, September 17th

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 17th - 10:30 am

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

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

September 21 - 1:30 pm

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

Wednesday, September 30 - 12:00 noon

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).

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

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.

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

Pizza will be served for lunch

Sign up on the Kiosk.

Divine Yoga Fall and Advent sessions

All Messiah folks and their friends are invited to attend on Tuesdays from 6-7:15 pm in the community room.

Bring your own mat.

Fall Sessions: October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3

Advent Series: December 1,8, 15, 22

"Thank you" to those who prepared delicious meals for

August 30-September 5.

More dates expected soon!

Justice for a New Day course offered by the Nehemiah Center

The Racial Justice team is sponsoring 6 Messiah folks and a pastor who works in prison ministry to attend this new class from the folks who brought us Black History for a New Day. 

Please check this section of the Weekly News for regular updates as we share some of what we learn.

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.