Join Fr. Jim Craig for Worship this

Third Sunday of Lent, March 3, 2024

at Messiah, Myrtle Beach!

Dear Friends in Christ:

The Collect for the Third Sunday of Lent, March 3, 2024:

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

On this week, the Third Sunday of Lent, the story from the Hebrew Scriptures shifts from the Genesis Ancestral Stories to the Book of Exodus. Here, the People of Israel are gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai. There, Moses recites to them the Ten Commandments. It was quite the spectacle, as the story tells us, with "thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance!" In other words, this in an important event. Pay attention!

This week's Gospel reading comes not from Mark, but from the Mystical Gospel of John, but there's nothing mystical about Jesus' actions. He 'cleans house'. His Father's house. Jesus gets angry at the marketplace in the Holy Place.

In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

This rather violent and uncompromising behavior from Jesus follows last week's sermon by your Vicar where I talked about Jesus' repeated efforts to teach Humans to avoid violence and fighting, to listen to and respect each other, to see each other as God's Child! So, your Vicar notes that God speaks in many ways in scripture, and is glad that Fr. Jim Craig is preaching this week!

The Theological category introduced by Jesus last week, where his destiny is crucifixion and suffering, is called the "Theology of the Cross" or Theologia Crucis. In today's Epistle from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian Church, Paul teaches on the Theology of the Cross, and its incomprehensible nature. Paul writes,

we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles

The Bible is full of many wonderful and unexpected messages and stories, and the Preacher each week works to take God's revelation in scripture and proclaim the Good News of Christ to you, God's people. While Fr. Jim is preaching to you this Sunday, I will be driving on the beaches of the Outer Banks.

Many blessings to you!

Fr. John Sorensen, Vicar

A "Lenten Practices" work-sheet is available in the church for your consideration. We are all familiar with the idea that in some faith traditions, we "give up" something for Lent. This option expands that opportunity for us to try one of several types of disciplines or faith practices during the 40 days of Lent. A stone Jar is placed on the altar-table for you to place your completed document in, should you wish to give yourself the opportunity for accountability. No one will read the paper, it is entirely between you and God.

Church of the Messiah Upcoming Worship Schedule

Third Sunday of Lent, March 3, Eucharist Ten AM, Rev. Jim Craig

Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 10, Eucharist Ten AM, Fr. John

Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 17, Eucharist Ten AM, Fr. Jim Craig

Palm Sunday, March 24, Procession of Palms & Eucharist, Fr. John

Maundy Thursday, March 28, Eucharist and Liturgy, 7pm, Fr. Jim

Good Friday, March 29, Sacred Liturgy, Noon, Fr. John

Easter Sunday, March 31, Messiah Church, 10AM, Fr. John Sorensen

Second Sunday of Easter, April 6, 10 am, Fr. Jim Craig

The 2024 Messiah Church Vestry

The 2024 vestry held their organizational meeting on Sunday, February 18, after church, choosing officers. Above, Left to Right: John Sorensen, Vicar; Jim Kiefer, Jr. Warden; Monica Orosz; Peggy Kovacs, Treasurer; Rick Stall, Senior Warden; Patrick Patterson, Clerk; John Manley; Charlie Jordan, Legal Advisor; Eileen Fairchild.

Tuesday Evening Study Group

The Tuesday evening Study Group at the home of Charlie and Amy Jordan begins with dinner. Here, participants are enjoying their Shrove Tuesday supper before study begins.

Two Bible Studies During Lent and Beyond

Tuesday Evening Study Group

There is a Tuesday Study group meeting at the home of Charles and Amy Jordan. This group, led by Charlie, hosted by Amy has been meeting for over a decade. During Lent, they are  studying Walter Bruggemann’s book The Prophetic Imagination. If you need a book, they are available at the back of Church or from Charlie. You can view the commentary on the lessons at Charlie's Blog by clicking this link.

Charlie & Amy invite members and friends of Messiah to attend, here are the general particulars for the Tuesday evening meetings:

Dinner is at 6 at 1523 Brookgreen Drive, Myrtle Beach. Dinner is served. Discussion about 6:45. Compline at 8. If you have not joined us in a while, please consider making us a part of your Lent. All you will need is a Bible, and if you do not have one, we have extra here. 

Bible Study on Daniel, Thursday Mornings

Cindy Craig, parishioner and spouse of Rev. Jim Craig, is inviting parishioners to join her for a Bible Study on the Book of Daniel. The Course has 11 sessions and began January 11, in the Upper Room, from 10-Noon. It is a discussion and video format, and the author of the course is the former Baptist Bible Teacher, Beth Moore. The sessions are as follows:

I.                    Choices to Make

II.                  A Dream and a Kingdom

III.                No Smell of Fire

IV.               Farewell Lessons from Nebuchadnezzer

V.                 The Handwriting on the Wall

VI.               In the Lions Den

VII.              The Ancient of Days

VIII.            Foreshadowing the Little Horn

IX.                Unexpected Answers to Prayer

X.                  Kings in Succession

XI.                Go your Way

For questions, see Cindy at Church or email her at c.k.craig@hotmail.com

Saying Goodbye . . .

Shelby Vance was with us for a few months

Our October Visioning Retreat II Concludes with Recommendations for Building a New Messiah Church

Our second visioning retreat with Ann Fleming of the Episcopal Church Building Fund (photo above) concluded Monday afternoon, October 30, with five specific recommendations for building the new Messiah Episcopal Church on a new property in Myrtle Beach. You will be hearing more from the Steering Committee in the coming weeks, and the Vestry will consider the recommendations at their November 19 meeting. But here is a brief Summary of the Recommendations of our team, pictured above.

(1) begin the process of calling a full-time residential priest to Messiah by Summer of 2024, and provide a paid support staff for the office to support our clergy and ministry

(2) Grow and Expand the Messiah Congregation, and redevelop and improve existing parish program and ministry offerings

(3) Proceed with the purchase of a 1.4 acre lot that we believe is the future location of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Myrtle Beach

(4) Develop a financial and business plan to fund 1-3 above and lay out the timeline and steps that will lead to the construction of our new church within five years. This report will become our plan to be presented to and approved by the diocese for support and funding for this new future!

(5) Meet with the Diocese for acceptance and funding.

Stay tuned for more news, and keep our congregation in prayer. This will require the time, talent and treasure of each of us!

Many Blessings,

Fr. John

Messiah Sunday Children's Program

Our regular worshippers include at least three families with young children who have difficulty attending the entire worship service. Most churches consider it a part of their ministry to all their members to provide a childcare opportunity during Sunday worship. Our Fall Childcare program began September 10.

Chelsea, our new childcare person has enjoyed working with our children and will continue to do so. With your support and encouragement, Messiah will develop a quality, predictable Sunday Children's Program. This is an important component to church growth! We will also be employing a second childcare worker, Victoria, who is Chelsea's back-up.

Dear Reader:

Messiah Episcopal Church is a congregation in transition, seeking to rebuild at a new location after losing our church property in a schism that started over ten years ago. It's an exciting time to be part of a congregation! Please join us at Church Sundays at 10am. We are located in a shopping center at 4201 North Kings Highway, adjacent to (behind) Finish Strong Fitness. To reach me directly, you can email me at lakesinai@comcast.net.

Our Church Secretary, Patty Tate, is in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can email her at messiahatthebeach@icloud.com. She particularly wants you to email her photos of yourself for the Church Directory, which we print periodically in the office.

Many Blessings to you,

Fr. John Sorensen, Vicar