Funeral Arrangements for Hunter Pardee

By now almost everyone has received the terrible news that Hunter Pardee went to be with the Lord following a tragic motorcycle accident last Sunday afternoon.  Hunter was the son of Mary Pardee and the grandson of Fr. Lon and Dru Pardee.  He has been a part of Church of the Messiah practically since his birth.  He was a member of our Youth Group, a dear friend, a brother, and so much more to so many of us.

There will be a viewing Monday night, October 29th, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, at Eternity Funeral Home (click HERE for a map).  The following afternoon, Tuesday, October 30th, beginning at 3:30, there will be a funeral service at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (click HERE for a map). There will be a reception in the Parish Hall of St. Luke’s immediately following the service.  If you would like to help provide food for the reception, please contact Lizz Looker.

Arrangements have been made to facilitate taking meals to the family through takethemameal.com. To sign up to provide a meal, you may click HERE go go directly to the page or search “take them a meal” a enter “pardee” as the family last name and password.  For more information or to answer any question, please contact the Parish Office at 904-721-4199.

Please keep the entire Pardee family in your thoughts and prayers and they endure this unimaginable loss.

Rest eternal grant to Hunter, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon him.

May his soul, and the souls of the the faithful departed,
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

Wednesday Night Services Resume Tonight!

After a long hiatus for the Summer and very successful 25th Anniversary Celebration, Church of the Messiah is excited to restart Wednesday Night services, this Wednesday, September 12th.  We begin the evening with a free community dinner from 6:00-6:45.  Tonight there will be two different types of soups, salad, and a kid-friendly option.  The service itself begins at 7 o’clock with a time of praise of worship, reading of Holy Scripture, prayer, a life-application Bible study on the First Letter to St. Timothy, followed by Communion.  Since we know that many have to prepare for work and school the next day, we are committed to be finished by 8:30.  During our Wednesday Night services, Youth Group, which is for students in 6th through 12th grades, meets in our Youth Room.  Throughout the entire service we have childcare provided.  For more information email or call Church of the Messiah at 904-721-4199.

Foundation Day this Sunday

Foundation Day is the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the consecration of Randolph Adler as the first bishop in the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  In honor of this event, we collect a special offering each year to help build the future of our Communion.  Due to an oversight, we neglected to collect the offering this past Sunday and will do so this coming Sunday, July 1st.  Below is a letter regarding the special occasion by Archbishop Craig Bates, the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  Thank you for supporting the future of our Communion.

Brothers and Sisters
It is once again time for every Church in the ICCEC to take up an offering called the “Foundation Day Offering.” The original name of the fund was the Founder’s Day Fund and was to be an offering give to Archbishop Adler in honor of his consecration as the first bishop in the ICCEC. Archbishop was, however, a man of great generosity – he was a giver and not a taker. He decided that rather than receive the money for his personal use, he wanted the offering to establish a fund that would purchase property and buildings for the future generations of people who would call the ICCEC home.
What happens to the offering? It is collected in each country and is given to the Patriarch, who delegates the spending of the funds to the Primates. This money is then divided into thirds. One third is given as a one time gift to a congregation to purchase or build a church. One third is loaned to a congregation at a very low-interest rate for the purchase of building of a church. One third is put into an investment account where the interest can be used for the purchase or construction of a church. If you want a history of the account you can find out all the information on CEC-NA. (https://www.cec-na.org/foundation–day/)
The author, Ken Follett, wrote a novel, later became a mini-series, called “Pillars of the Earth.” It is the fictional story about the building of a Cathedral in 12th century England. It becomes clear that the beginning of a Cathedral is small (planting oak trees) and will take decades, if not centuries to complete. The largest Cathedral in America, St. John the Divine, is still under construction. The idea of a Cathedral for New York was first conceived in 1828, and it wasn’t until 59 years later, 1887, that the cornerstone was laid. The first service was held in the crypt in 1892.
The same can be said for St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the people’s Cathedral) on Fifth Ave., in NYC. Now a landmark in New York and a center for the spiritual life of the City of New York,  Archbishop John Hughes had a vision of a Cathedral for the glory of God. With offering taken from the poor immigrants and 103 larger donors (1,000 dollars each – 103,000 dollars), he began the work. He obtained property in what was then the wilderness of New York. People called it “Hughes Folly” But the lack of manpower, the civil war, and lack funds did not stop the dream.
These stories can be told about every Cathedral and most local congregations. The Church I served for 32 years, began in the dream of the Bishop of Long Island to have a local congregation for every town and village. In 1936, work began. The congregation has gone through many changes, including becoming part of the ICCEC. And, like the great Cathedrals, it is still a living organism ministering not only to present members but a next generation. Some in the congregation are the fourth generation.
The Charismatic Episcopal Church was placed into the heart of Archbishop Adler. He always reminded the early Bishops and clergy that the vision was a 500-year plan.  He once said, “all I can do is be faithful on my watch.” That is true for each of us. Are we faithful in what God has given us? Are we planting seeds for a 500-year plan? Are we opening our eyes to see beyond what our eyes can see?
This is what Foundation Day is all about. It is our participation in God’s incredible plan of a three streams community proclaiming the Gospel. Please take part.
Under His mercy,
Craig Bates

Church of the Messiah to Pray Liturgy for the Pre-Born

This Saturday, April 28th, starting at 9 o’clock, the clergy and people of Church of the Messiah will gather outside of A Woman’s Choice, one of Jacksonville’s few abortion clinics and one which often performs abortions on Saturday mornings.  We will be praying for an end to abortion and especially for those who are about to die in that very clinic that weekend.

Please join with us as we pray for the pre-born children throughout Jacksonville and the world, but especially those a A Woman’s Choice, (Click HERE for a map) who will be murdered by the holocaust of abortion and have no one to pray for them. Let us pray for those who are about to die and for and end to abortion in America and in the world.

The best place to park is in the parking lot near the Payless ShoeSource (click HERE for a map) and walk to short distance to where we will be praying.  Be sure to park, however, away from the stores, because we do not want to be a nuisance to the vendors.

“Rise Up” for the CEC’s 2018 Summer Convocation

Please see the letter from Bp. Douglas Kessler, Bishop of the West and host of the 2018 National Convocation in Henderson, NV.  Below his letter you will find a .pdf of the current schedule of events.  For more information, visit the Convocation web-site.

God graciously gives us special times, special seasons and special events.  Please mark your calendars right now for a very special and anointed time as the people of the Charismatic Episcopal Church in North America gather for our national convocation in Henderson, Nevada.

As the Bishop of the Diocese of the West I am honored to host you all for this exceptional time together.  The sooner you sign your self, spouse or family up, the better we can prepare to serve you.  Time is important, as this is your vacation time, but is most everyone else’s to, right.

We pride ourselves in the CEC on being a generational church.  No greater treasure has God given us then or children.  Its no surprise our emphasis for this time is on family and children.

Henderson is a suburb of Las Vegas. As well as the nearly infinite man made attractions, it’s surrounded by major natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell. 

While we intend to see God move in a mighty way in our midst, with powerful worship and anointed words, we have purposely arranged our sessions so that families can have the most effective and convenient times for family outings.

 Our theme is “Rise Up” and there’s no better time to then right now.  Please mark your calendars, start planning your trip and signup so I know you’re coming.

I’ll see you soon.

Your servant and His,

Bishop +Douglas Kessler

Ash Wednesday is February 14th

Church of the Messiah invites you to join us this Wednesday night, February 14, as we observe Ash Wednesday.  As the traditional beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a day of special prayers and fasting to help start the season off properly.  Throughout Lent we remember the forty days which Our Lord spent in the wilderness prior to the start of His public ministry.  It is a time for all of us examine our hearts and prepare worship the Lord without any guilt or reservation holding us back.  As such, the Ash Wednesday Service is an amazing way to begin Lent.  The service includes the Litany of Penitence and the once a year Imposition of Ashes.  It is a powerful reminder of our own mortality and the judgement which we will all face.

As part of our Wednesday night services, we still will have our regular community meal on Ash Wednesday.  We will serve community supper from 6:00-6:45 and vegetarian alternatives will be provided throughout Lent for those who are fasting meat.  The service itself begins at seven o’clock.  Childcare is provided for children up to fifth grade during the service time and our Youth Group meets during this time as well.  The service ends by 8:30 in order to all everyone who needs to prepare for work or school the next day to do so in a timely manner.

Ash Wednesday is a truly wonderful service in the life of the Church.  Whether you have never been or you have been every year, we invite you to join us, Wednesday night, February 14th, for what will absolutely be an incredible evening.

Wednesday Night Services Resume This Week

After the Jacksonville Blizzard of 2018, Wednesday Night Services will officially restart this Wednesday night, January 10th.  We will begin the night with our community supper from six o’clock to 6:45 and our service will begin at seven o’clock.  Childcare is provide for those up to fifth grade during the service time and our Youth Group also meets during this time.  Our service consists of praise and worship, readings from Holy Scripture, a homily, and the Holy Eucharist.  The service concludes by 8:30 so that those who have to prepare for work and school the next day may do so in a timely manner.

Wednesday Nights are an amazing time of fellowship and worship and we look forward to having everyone join us as we restart these services after our Winter break.

This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 3rd, begins the Season of Advent, the first season in the new Church year.  The word “Advent” comes from Latin and means “to come.”  Advent is a time when the Church focuses on preparing our hearts and minds to receive the Messiah-King who not only came two thousand years ago in Bethlehem, but also is to come again.  It is a season where we focus on the Messiah-King who is going to come at an hour no one know and calls us to watch and be prepared.  Advent is the four weeks which precede Christmas, so this year the four Sundays of Advent are December 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th.  On each Sunday of Advent, we will have a special service focusing on our King who is to return and what we must do to make ready for His return.  We would love for you to join us every Sunday morning throughout the month of December starting at ten o’clock for our special Advent Services.

Celebrate Thanksgiving This Wednesday Night at Church of the Messiah

As everyone prepares for the incredible celebration that is Thanksgiving Day, let us not forget that you cannot just give thanks; you have to give thanks to someone.  Since “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,” (James 1:17) then let us come together and give thanks where it belongs–to Our Heavenly Father who loves us and has given us all the blessing which we have to be thankful.  Join Church of the Messiah Wednesday night at 7 o’clock and begin the celebration of Thanksgiving by first “entering into His gates with Thanksgiving and coming into His courts with praise.” (Psalm 100.4)

We will have an easy, hassle-free, non-turkey themed fellowship meal from 6:00-6:45 and then our worship time begins at seven o’clock.  The service includes a time of praise and worship, reading of Holy Scriptures, a short homily, a special series of prayers of thankfulness, and the Great Thanksgiving itself, the Holy Eucharist.  Our Youth Group will meet during this time and childcare is provided throughout the service time.  We know that you have a lot of work to do on Thursday morning, so we promise to have you on your way home by 8:30 so that you can get to making pies and brining turkeys.

As we begin what is perhaps the busiest six weeks of the year, let’s not lose sight of the focus of all of the holidays and start this entire season of properly.  Let’s begin the season by taking the time out to give thanks to Our Lord who makes all of our blessings possible.  We look forward to seeing everyone this Wednesday night.

The All Saints Offering for Mission and Development

Every year on the Sunday closest to All Saints’ Day, the Charismatic Episcopal Church takes a Missions and Development Offering.  This year we will take up the offering on November 5th.  CEC churches and individuals taken up the offering and then send it to the ICCEC offices in New York.  The funds are recorded online, so each Rector can see that their funds have been received and credited properly. The four General Secretaries in Africa are then given the amounts they can expect to receive.  Those bishops are:

-Bishop Gogo (Uganda, South Sudan and Southern Congo)
-Bishop Koyo (Kenya)
-Bishop Sekelwa (Tanzania)
-Bishop Emmanuel (Rwanda and Northern Congo)

80% of the moneys collected goes to start or reinvest in micro-businesses and 20% is designated for mercy needs (medical, disaster, refugee, food etc). The General Secretaries then account for last year’s funds and their successes and provide the plans for the upcoming year.

The reports of the previous year micro-business are posted on the CEC news website.

100% of the funds go to General Secretaries.  No part of the funds are used for travel or any administrative fees.  Any fees required to transfer funds are taken from the Patriarch’s office tithe, which goes to support missions.

The offerings are starting to bear fruit, by providing the local Bishops with their own funds to build churches, schools, buy transportation, and to create jobs.  They are becoming self-sufficient and standing on their own.

It is often said, “Give a man a fish and eats for a day, Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime,” but in Africa we must ask the question, what if the man has no fishing pole? Let us help provide the means to help them break the cycle of poverty and dependence.  Thank you.

You can make Donations and Offerings on-line by clicking HERE, by dropping a check marked “All Saints’ Offering” in the basket on Sunday, or you can send offerings directly to the Office of the Primate at Attn Missions. 50 Saint Thomas Pl, Malverne, NY 11565 (Check made out to “CEC”) or you can use a debit or credit card, see below.