Join Rev. Jim Craig for Worship this Sunday

at Messiah, Myrtle Beach!

Dear Friends in Christ:

The Collect for this Sunday, January 28, the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany:

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The theme for this Sunday is how people of God are to faithfully live in the world with people who are not of the faith. Deuteronomy discusses the role of the Prophet in the promised land. In our continued reading from the Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth, Paul is working through a problem of food. Much of the meat in that society was slaughtered as part of pagan temple worship. Some thought that they shouldn't eat meat that comes from a pagan temple. Others pointed out, "that's the only way to get meat!" Paul shows how Christians can work through problems for which there is no perfect answer!

This week, we continue reading about the start of Jesus' ministry in the First Chapter of Mark. Last week, Jesus chose his first four disciples. Today, they move to Capernaum as the base of operations for Jesus' new ministry. Capernaum is a seaside town, on the Western shore of the Sea of Galilee, so you could say that Jesus is a bit like us: He moved to Myrtle Beach! Even today, you can visit Capernaum, and visit the ruins of Peter's home, not far from the shore where he worked in his dad's fishing business.

One of the first healings Jesus does is to expel an "unclean spirit" from a man at the local Synagogue. You can read the lessons for this Sunday at this link. Join Fr. Jim as he preaches on Jesus' message to us from these lessons.

Epiphany Blessings,

Fr. John

Thursday Morning Bible Study

A Thursday morning Bible Study on the Book of Daniel is now meeting at 10am Thursdays in the Upper Room. The next meeting is Thursday, February 1. Cindy Craig is the leader (left in the photo below). There's room for You!

Church of the Messiah Upcoming Worship Schedule

Sunday, January 28, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Ten AM: Fr Jim

Sunday, February 4, Fifth Sunday after Epiphany, Ten AM: Fr. Jim

Sunday, February 11, Last Sunday after Epiphany, Ten AM, Fr. John

Ash Wednesday, February 14, Ashes & Eucharist, Noon: Fr. John

Ash Wednesday, February 14, Ashes & Eucharist, 7pm: Fr. Jim

1st Sunday of Lent, Feb. 18, Great Litany & Eucharist, 10am: Fr. John

Two Bible Studies During Epiphany 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. A new study season will started January 9 for Epiphany. The topic of study is the Season of Epiphany. You can view the lessons at Charlie's Blog by clicking this link.

Charlie & Amy invite members and friends of Messiah to attend, here are the 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 new year. 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

The Annual Parish Meeting

Was Held Sunday, January 21, 2024, at 11:30 after Church

Messiah's Annual Parish Meeting was held on Sunday, January 21 at 11:30 after church. We welcomed our newest members, heard annual reports and learned details of our finances and a draft budget for the 2024 year. We learned about the report on our future business plan that Kristi Burch and team are preparing to be presented to the Diocese of South Carolina.

We elected the following vestry members: Monica Orosz, Jim Kiefer and Eileen Fairchild. We expressed thanks for the ministry of off-joing vestry-members David Martin and Alan Jeffcoat.

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 will be 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. Soon, the office email will be functioning as well.

Our Church Secretary, Patty Tate, is in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can email her at messiahatthebeach@icloud.com.

Many Blessings to you,

Fr. John Sorensen, Vicar