PARISH EVENTS
By vote of our Congregation Council, Messiah is tentatively planning to resume in person worship and other events on Sunday, June 28th, although plans may change in either direction depending on guidance from Upstate New York Synod Bishop John Macholz. Unless additional guidance is issued, all events listed below will be conducted virtually on either Facebook Watch, our website or Zoom as noted.
Mass for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Doubt
Sunday, August 9th at 10:15am
Through reflecting on the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33, we learn how God is at work in our doubts and anxieties, especially amidst COVID19, as our families prepare for a new uncertain school year and amidst the national reckoning with racism in America. Pastor Dustin will be preaching and presiding live from quarantine with that most fuzziest and awesome of worship assistants, Willard Excelsior Bear.
Mass for the Feast of Mary, Mother of God
Sunday, August 16th at 10:15am
Beginning in 2019 and into 2020, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is celebrating 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, the 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely as rostered leaders. On this cherished feast Sunday at Messiah for Mary, Mother of God, we also set aside time to recognize these important anniversaries, give thanks for the ministries of women in our own congregation and reflect on Miriam's song in Exodus 15:19-21. Pastor Dustin will preach with Pastor Jonathan presiding.
What Color is Today: A COVID19 Discussion for Children
Monday, August 17th at 6:30pm
https://zoom.us/j/96416641410
During times of crisis, young school-aged children are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and stress, and gosh, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly is a crisis! Recognizing that fact, we also know from research that children can be supported by providing age-appropriate information on the situation, guidance on actions to keep them safe, and reassurance that many people are working to fight the virus and end the pandemic. Age-appropriate books are an excellent way to provide information to children on COVID-19, but of course there are few available. To address this need, this spring the Emory Global Health Institute invited interested writers and illustrators (or aspiring writers and illustrators!) to write and illustrate a children’s eBook aimed at providing age-appropriate information for children ages 6-9 on the COVID-19 pandemic.
And beginning this August at Messiah, we'll launch a new monthly virtual conversation series for children using these wonderful new eBooks as a starting point. Pastor Dustin will read one book each month and then engage young people in brief conversation around how they're feeling and how their coping amidst COVID19. Our first book will be "What Color is Today," written and illustrated by Alison Stephen. Messiah / Trinity families and friends from the general public alike are invited to participate in this helpful conversation around supporting young people amidst the anxiety and stress of COVID-19. Join us on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/96416641410.
Mass for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Gifts
Sunday, August 23rd at 10:15am
All of us bring different gifts to bear in our families, in our communities, in our workplaces and indeed, as disciples of Jesus Christ. This Sunday, using Romans 12:1-8 we discuss what it means to build a stronger community together through all our various gifts! As long as the Capital District remains in Phase Four of the New York Forward plan and our Congregational Council chooses to do so when they meet on August 10th, this will also be the first Sunday individuals are welcome to return to Messiah's sanctuary for in-person worship since March!!!!! While things will not be "normal" (masks, social distancing, limited seating and many other precautions will be required), we will also take time to give thanks for the many folks who've contributed their gifts to keeping Messiah going while physically apart. Pastor Dustin will preach and preside.
Mass for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Harmony
Sunday, August 30th at 10:15am
Ouch... in Romans 12:9-21, Saint Paul writes we ought to love our enemies, but goodness, that ain't easy! Find out more about how God is at work bridging the many divides and ways we differentiate ourselves from one another this Sunday! We will offer in-person worship moving forward while also continuing to conduct services for those who feel more comfortable worshiping online. Pastor Jonathan will preach with Pastor Dustin presiding.
Mass for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Commandment
Sunday, September 6th at 10:15am
On this Sunday we reflect on what Christ's commandment to love one another truly means through Romans 13:8-14. We also spend some time this Labor Day Weekend reflecting on how God shows up in our professional lives and the many justice movements that have held up the dignity of work in the United States over many decades of change and reform. Pastor Dustin will preach and preside.
Mass for God's Work, Our Hands Sunday
Sunday, September 13th at 10:15am
As we rally this Sunday under the most difficult start to a school year in living memory, we rally behind our teachers, education staff and young people as they begin a new school year! As a sign of this support, we bless our children's backpacks during an outdoor and socially distanced service. We also consecrate a new COVID19 Remembrance Garden as a place to reflect on all we have lost and all we have learned since the start of the pandemic. Pastor Dustin will preach with Pastor Jonathan presiding. Following the service or along at home, we will engage in a short service project to support our local Mohonasen & Schalmont Central School Districts.
Solar Energy in the Home
Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/99782423899
In partnership with Common Energy, our Creation Care Committee will host a virtual evening forum entitle "Solar Energy in the Home." Find out more about how you and your family can save money and help build a greener future through the use of community solar energy! There will be an opportunity to sign up with Common Energy during the event, and for every member that successfully signs up, Common will contribute $50 towards Messiah's many other greening projects. Members of the general public encouraged to take part on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/99782423899 or watch on Messiah's Facebook Page.
To view our complete parish calendar, click here.
Mass for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Doubt
Sunday, August 9th at 10:15am
Through reflecting on the story of Jesus walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33, we learn how God is at work in our doubts and anxieties, especially amidst COVID19, as our families prepare for a new uncertain school year and amidst the national reckoning with racism in America. Pastor Dustin will be preaching and presiding live from quarantine with that most fuzziest and awesome of worship assistants, Willard Excelsior Bear.
Mass for the Feast of Mary, Mother of God
Sunday, August 16th at 10:15am
Beginning in 2019 and into 2020, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is celebrating 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, the 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely as rostered leaders. On this cherished feast Sunday at Messiah for Mary, Mother of God, we also set aside time to recognize these important anniversaries, give thanks for the ministries of women in our own congregation and reflect on Miriam's song in Exodus 15:19-21. Pastor Dustin will preach with Pastor Jonathan presiding.
What Color is Today: A COVID19 Discussion for Children
Monday, August 17th at 6:30pm
https://zoom.us/j/96416641410
During times of crisis, young school-aged children are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and stress, and gosh, the COVID-19 pandemic certainly is a crisis! Recognizing that fact, we also know from research that children can be supported by providing age-appropriate information on the situation, guidance on actions to keep them safe, and reassurance that many people are working to fight the virus and end the pandemic. Age-appropriate books are an excellent way to provide information to children on COVID-19, but of course there are few available. To address this need, this spring the Emory Global Health Institute invited interested writers and illustrators (or aspiring writers and illustrators!) to write and illustrate a children’s eBook aimed at providing age-appropriate information for children ages 6-9 on the COVID-19 pandemic.
And beginning this August at Messiah, we'll launch a new monthly virtual conversation series for children using these wonderful new eBooks as a starting point. Pastor Dustin will read one book each month and then engage young people in brief conversation around how they're feeling and how their coping amidst COVID19. Our first book will be "What Color is Today," written and illustrated by Alison Stephen. Messiah / Trinity families and friends from the general public alike are invited to participate in this helpful conversation around supporting young people amidst the anxiety and stress of COVID-19. Join us on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/96416641410.
Mass for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Gifts
Sunday, August 23rd at 10:15am
All of us bring different gifts to bear in our families, in our communities, in our workplaces and indeed, as disciples of Jesus Christ. This Sunday, using Romans 12:1-8 we discuss what it means to build a stronger community together through all our various gifts! As long as the Capital District remains in Phase Four of the New York Forward plan and our Congregational Council chooses to do so when they meet on August 10th, this will also be the first Sunday individuals are welcome to return to Messiah's sanctuary for in-person worship since March!!!!! While things will not be "normal" (masks, social distancing, limited seating and many other precautions will be required), we will also take time to give thanks for the many folks who've contributed their gifts to keeping Messiah going while physically apart. Pastor Dustin will preach and preside.
Mass for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Harmony
Sunday, August 30th at 10:15am
Ouch... in Romans 12:9-21, Saint Paul writes we ought to love our enemies, but goodness, that ain't easy! Find out more about how God is at work bridging the many divides and ways we differentiate ourselves from one another this Sunday! We will offer in-person worship moving forward while also continuing to conduct services for those who feel more comfortable worshiping online. Pastor Jonathan will preach with Pastor Dustin presiding.
Mass for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Commandment
Sunday, September 6th at 10:15am
On this Sunday we reflect on what Christ's commandment to love one another truly means through Romans 13:8-14. We also spend some time this Labor Day Weekend reflecting on how God shows up in our professional lives and the many justice movements that have held up the dignity of work in the United States over many decades of change and reform. Pastor Dustin will preach and preside.
Mass for God's Work, Our Hands Sunday
Sunday, September 13th at 10:15am
As we rally this Sunday under the most difficult start to a school year in living memory, we rally behind our teachers, education staff and young people as they begin a new school year! As a sign of this support, we bless our children's backpacks during an outdoor and socially distanced service. We also consecrate a new COVID19 Remembrance Garden as a place to reflect on all we have lost and all we have learned since the start of the pandemic. Pastor Dustin will preach with Pastor Jonathan presiding. Following the service or along at home, we will engage in a short service project to support our local Mohonasen & Schalmont Central School Districts.
Solar Energy in the Home
Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/99782423899
In partnership with Common Energy, our Creation Care Committee will host a virtual evening forum entitle "Solar Energy in the Home." Find out more about how you and your family can save money and help build a greener future through the use of community solar energy! There will be an opportunity to sign up with Common Energy during the event, and for every member that successfully signs up, Common will contribute $50 towards Messiah's many other greening projects. Members of the general public encouraged to take part on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/99782423899 or watch on Messiah's Facebook Page.
To view our complete parish calendar, click here.