Archbishop Craig Bates Will Visit Church of the Messiah this Sunday

This Sunday, March 31st, at our 10 o’clock service, Church of the Messiah is blessed to welcome Archbishop Craig W. Bates, the Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  Abp. Bates will be preaching during the service as well as celebrating the Holy Eucharist on Sunday morning.

Archbishop Bates began his ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church where, in 1985, he was called to serve as the associate pastor of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in Malverne, New York. Five years later, after the retirement of the senior pastor then-Fr. Bates was called to be the senior pastors–a position he has maintained ever since! In 1994, Fr. Bates left the Episcopal Church and joined the fledgling Charismatic Episcopal Church. The following year, St. Thomas Episcopal Church became a part of the CEC and changed their name to Church of the Intercessor. On November 14, 1997, Craig Bates was consecrated the first Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast. Nine years later, on January 9, 2008, Bishop Bates was elected the second Patriarch of the International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church. In addition to pastoring the same church for over 30 years and all of his episcopal ministry, Archbishop Bates holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Franconia College, a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College and a Master of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary. Archbishop Bates is extremely active in the New York metropolitan area as a voice for church unity, an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration, and a staunch defender of the pre-born in the Pro-Life movement. He has been married to his wife for over 40+ years and together they have three grown children and a growing number of grand-children!

Archbishop Bates is a mighty man of God and a powerful prophetic voice in the Church.  Please join us in welcoming our Patriarch this Sunday, March 31st, at 10 o’clock.  We encourage everyone to attend and invite their friends to witness how God is moving throughout the world.

Lenten Bible Study Series Begins Wednesday Night

This Wednesday night, March 13th, Church of the Messiah will begin a new Bible Study series which will run through the the season of Lent.  This teaching series will bring back the previous “Lent with Lewis” theme and will be based on C. S. Lewis  work Reflections on the Psalms.  The Book of Psalms is the Old Testament book most frequently quoted in the New Testament.  It was the hymnal from which Jesus would have worshiped every morning and every evening.  C. S. Lewis has tremendous insights into the wonderful but rarely mined source of wisdom.  The evening begins with a soup supper from 6:00-6:45 prior to the service.  Our Lenten services will include a time of praise and worship, readings from Holy Scripture, teachings based on Reflections on the Psalms, and the Holy Eucharist.  Additionally, Church of the Messiah’s Youth Group (6th grade and up) meets during this time and childcare is provided for those too young for Youth Group.

Church of the Messiah to Hold Liturgy for the Pre-Born this Wednesday Night

This Wednesday, January 16th, beginning at 7 o’clock, Church of the Messiah will hold a Liturgy for the Pre-Born in place of our usual Wednesday night worship services.  The date for this liturgy was chosen in anticipation of the March for Life and the Feast of Our Lord and Giver of Life, both of which occur later on in the week.  Church of the Messiah has been holding the Liturgy for the Pre-Born on the last Saturday morning of every month since March of 2018, but those services have been outside A Woman’s Choice, one of Jacksonville’s local abortion clinics.  This Wednesday night people have an opportunity to experience the Liturgy for the Pre-Born at Church of the Messiah.  The Liturgy for the Pre-Born was developed by Fr. Terry Gensemer, Executive Director of CEC for Life and longtime friend of Church of the Messiah, who based the service on the service of Last Rites and intended the Liturgy to be both prayers to bring and end to abortion and memorial prayers for those children murdered by abortion who have no one to mourn or pray for them.  The Liturgy for the Pre-Born this Wednesday night will also include a time of praise and worship as well as the Holy Eucharist, two elements which are not logistically possible outside on the sidewalk.  Childcare will be provided although our Youth Group will participate in the Liturgy for the Pre-Born.  We encourage everyone to join us this Wednesday to experience the Liturgy for the Pre-Born and to pray for an end to abortion in America and throughout the world.

Funeral Arrangements for Patricia “Patti” Russell

On December 18, Patrica “Patti” Russell went to be with The Lord, ending her battle with cancer.  Patti was best known to Church of the Messiah as the sister of Fr. David Paysinger.  Church of the Messiah will hold a memorial service for Patti on Saturday, December 29th, beginning at noon.   The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service, from 11 am until noon.  Patti’s obituary can be seen on-line by clicking this LINK.  Please keep all of the Russell and Paysinger family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Rest eternal grant to Patti, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon her.

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

Wednesday is Church of the Messiah’s All Saints’ Festival

all-saints-festival-flyerThis Wednesday Night, October 31st, beginning at 6:30, Church of the Messiah will host our annual All Saints’ Eve Festival.   Be sure to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to a safe night of family-friendly fun for all with loads of games, candy, free food, candy, bounce houses, candy, and even cotton candy if you haven’t gotten enough candy!  It’s going to be a blast for everyone.

This is a wonderful event which provides a safe and fun alternative to trick or treating through neighborhoods.  Kids (and adults) can come to one location, play games, have dinner, and get every bit as much candy as they would have trekking about the neighborhood knocking on strangers’ doors.

Volunteers should plan on arriving around 6 o’clock and parking in the Fr. Caroline Presbyterian parking lot.  The party will wrap up at 8:30 and we should be done by 9 o’clock, but, of course, the more volunteers we have, the quicker we can be finished.

Get your best costume on, head to Church this evening, bring your friends and neighbors, and get ready to have a great time.  We will see you here!

Pancake Breakfast this Sunday to Send Our Youth to March for Life

Some of Church of the Messiah’s representatives at the 2018 March for Life

This Sunday morning, beginning at nine o’clock, Church of the Messiah’s Youth Group will be hosting a pancake breakfast in order to raise funds for their annual trip to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.  Taking a stand for life and proclaiming the truth that all life is sacred, our youth will be heading to Washington, D.C., this January to meet up with member of the Charismatic Episcopal Church throughout the country as well as hundreds of thousands of others gathering there.  In order to raise funds for the trip they will be providing an amazing pancake breakfast for those attending church on October 21st.  There will be blueberry pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, lots of syrup, and fifteen pounds of bacon!  All that the Youth Group is asking is that you give a love offering to help support them in their efforts to go to Washington, D.C., this year.  Since the Youth Group is only taking offerings, they want everyone to be able to enjoy the breakfast and ask that everyone comes regardless of whether they make a donation or not.  If you cannot be here this Sunday and still want to support our youth, you can click HERE, follow the link, and choose “Youth March for Life” to give on-line.  Be sure to skip breakfast this Sunday morning and come to church hungry with a little extra in your pocket to support the Youth Group!

 

Some of the CEC representatives who were present at the 2018 March for Life

Church of the Messiah Celebrates Twenty-Five Years!

This August, Church of the Messiah will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary and we have planned a special celebration twenty-five years in the making.  We will have special guests every Sunday in August as well as incredible fellowship and reunion events.  Here is all that we have planned for the celebration.

Sunday, August 5th–Our special guest preacher will be Bp. David Epps from the Mid-South Diocese of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  Bp. Epps is a mighty man of God, a pastor, a writer, and an incredible story-teller.  Church of the Messiah plays a key role in his transition into the Charismatic Episcopal Church.  His visit is sure to be one we talk about for years to come.

Saturday, August 11th–We are hosting a Youth Group Reunion.  Anyone who has ever attended Church of the Messiah’s Youth Group (or old St. David’s Youth Group, for that matter) or been a Youth Pastor or Youth Leader is invited to return to Church of the Messiah for a special night of fun and fellowship.  There will be music, skits, and time to reconnect with friends you haven’t seen in years (except on social media).

Sunday, August 12th—Fr. David Paysinger, the Archdeacon of the Diocese of Florida and Rector Emeritus of Church of the Messiah, returns to the pulpit for the first time since his retirement in 2015.  Fr. Paysinger was pastor of Church of the Messiah from 2006 until 2015.  He is known throughout the CEC as an incredible pastor, counselor, and prayer warrior.  His return to COM’s pulpit is sure to be anointed.

Saturday, August 18th–Church of the Messiah has always been known for its incredible praise and worship ministries and, as part of our 25th Anniversary Celebration, we are “getting the band back together” for a Call to Worship!  Join us for an incredible night of praise and worship with friends who have worshiped at Church of the Messiah over the last twenty-five years. We are grateful that this event will be hosted at The River Church at Jacksonville (click HERE for a map).

Sunday, August 19th—Archbishop Charles Travis of the Apostolate of St. Chad (CEEC) will be returning to Church of the Messiah after many years.  Abp. Travis and his family attended Church of the Messiah for many years when we knew him as “Doctor Chuck.”

 

 

Saturday, August 25th–Church of the Messiah will host a Community Fish Fry from 11:00 to 1:00.  Come join us as Earl Shimp and his team fry up amazing fish, hush puppies, and other incredible fixings.  Invite your friends; this is open to everyone!  Please RSVP on the event page, at church on Sunday, or by contacting the office.  We want to make sure we have plenty of food for everyone!

Sunday, August 26th–Our very own Bishop David Simpson of the Diocese of Florida will join us to cap off our month of celebration.  This Sunday is our actual anniversary and we’ve got lots of surprises in store.  It’s going to be an incredible and anointed service to be sure!

 

 

All events (except the Call to Worship) will be hosted at Church of the Messiah (click for a map).  All Sunday services begin at 10 o’clock.  Click on the dates to visit the Facebook events for each celebration.  For more information, call or email Church of the Messiah at 904-721-4199.  Everyone is welcome and we can’t wait to celebrate all that God has done in Church of the Messiah over the last twenty-five years!

Church of the Messiah’s 25th Anniversary–Save the Dates

This August Church of the Messiah will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary and we have an entire “month of Sundays” and even more planned to commemorate this incredible milestone for our community.  Grab your pencil and your calendar and “save these dates” because you will not want to miss any of what we have planned in August!

Sunday, August 5th: Bishop David Epps, the Bishop of the Mid-South Diocese of the Charismatic Episcopal Church will visit and bring the Word of God.

Saturday, August 11th: We are having Youth Group Reunion for anyone who has ever worshiped in Church of the Messiah’s Youth Group over the last twenty-five years!

Sunday, August 12th:  The Venerable David Paysinger, Rector Emeritus of Church of the Messiah, will return to the pulpit for the first time since retiring and share his memories from the very beginning of Church of the Messiah.

Saturday, August 18th: We will be having Worship Reunion Night!  Church of the Messiah has always been known for its incredible praise and worship and throughout out twenty-five years we have have phenomenally talented musicians and singers join us in praising the Lord.  We are issuing a call to “get the band back together” and call together all those who have worshiped with us in the past to praise Him together again.  This event will be hosted by The River Church at Jacksonville.

Sunday, August 19th: Archbishop Charles Travis, Archbishop of the Apostolate of St. Chad (Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches) and long-time friend of Church of the Messiah, will join us and share how Church of the Messiah helped to form him personally and has impacted the world.

Saturday, August 25th: We are hosting a Community Fish Fry and Family Fun Day.  We will have amazing fish and incredible sides with great fellowship and fun for the whole family.  Everyone is invited!

Sunday, August 26th: Bishop David Simpson, Bishop of the Diocese of Florida and the Caribbean, will join us to celebrate our actual Twenty-Fifth Anniversary.  This will be a celebration twenty-five years in the making and one you will not want to miss!

All events will be hosted at Church of the Messiah (except the Youth Reunion and Worship Reunion).  To be sure that you don’t miss any of the latest updates, “like” Church of the Messiah’s Facebook page or “follow” Church of the Messiah on Twitter.

 

Join Church of the Messiah as We Celebrate the Ascension

Coptic Ascension IconThis Wednesday night, May 9th, beginning at 7 o’clock, Church of the Messiah will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Heaven.  More commonly and simply known as The Ascension, this day commemorates how, forty days after His Resurrection from the dead, Our Lord went out to a mountain with His disciples and was taken up into Heaven.  This is an incredibly important feast in the life of the Church, yet it is often overlooked because of its time in between Easter and Pentecost.

This Wednesday night, Church of the Messiah will celebrate the Feast of the Ascension as part of our regular mid-week worship service.  The worship service will begin at 7 o’clock and will be preceded by our soup supper from 6:00-6:45.  The service is a Eucharistic service complete with praise & worship, intercessory prayers, and Holy Communion.  Childcare is provided during the service time and the service ends by 8:30 to accommodate those needing to prepare for school or work the next day.  The Feast of the Ascension is one of the most important feasts in the Church year.  Join us this Wednesday night and celebrate the incredible occasion with us.

Fr. Terry Gensemer Will Preach at Church of the Messiah this Sunday

Fr. Terry GensemerFr. Terry Gensemer, the International Director for CEC For Life, will visit Church of the Messiah this Sunday, April, 28th.  Fr. Gensemer will preach and con-celebrate the Holy Eucharist at Church of the Messiah’s regular service beginning at 10 o’clock.

In addition to leading CEC For Life and sitting on the Patriarch’s Council, Fr. Gensemer is a Board Member of the National Pro-Life Religious Council, a Pastoral Care Associate for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, and the Pastoral Director for the Society of Centurions, an organization which hosts healing retreats for those who have left the abortion industry.  Fr. Gensemer’s tireless work for the Pro-Life cause has taken him to five different continents and countless churches across the world.  On this trip, Fr. Gensemer will be joined by his wife Patti.

Fr. Terry will be fresh from a national meeting of pro-life leaders in Titusville, FL, and promises that he will have a powerful word for Church of the Messiah.  Be sure to mark your calendars and plan on joining us this Sunday, April 28th, as our time with Fr. Terry is sure to be anointed by The Lord!