EMERGENCY PHONE (941) 548-6163
ALL EVENTS
ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS/WORSHIP
CANCELED THROUGH MAY 12, 2020
On March 13th, in response to Governor DeSantis' Declarations of Emergency and A Public Health Emergency, our Synod Bishop, Rev. Pedro Suarez issued recommendations for all ELCA churches in Florida to consider. Bishop has asked that we cancel all events including worship, meetings, activities through the end of March. Our council and pastoral staff have met and decided to accept the bishop's recommendation, and thus we have canceled all events.
Meetings
Worship
Classes
In addition, the parish office will be closed to the general public. Our pastoral staff will continue to maintain office hours and will be available in emergency situations by appointment only. We will continue to update you by email and encourage you all to remain safe and adhere to all precautions suggested by the CDC, WHO, The State of Florida and local authorities, to remain safe throughout this unprecedented period.
We will be publishing a guide for home worship and sending that out via email in order that you may observe a time of prayer and worship privately, while our corporate worship times together are suspended. Many churches are planning to LIVESTREAM or FacebookLIVE worship services. We will try to gather these together to provide to you as well.
Should you have any questions, you may direct them to us via email
pastor@messiahnfm.org
john.renfroe@messiahnfm.org
office@messiahnfm.org
God, our peace and our strength, we pray for our nation and the world as we face new uncertainties around coronavirus. Protect the most vulnerable among us, especially all who are currently sick or in isolation. Grant wisdom, patience, and clarity to health care workers, especially as their work caring for others puts them at great risk. Guide us as we consider how best to prepare and respond in our families, congregations, workplaces, and communities. Give us the courage to face these days not with fear but with compassion, concern, and acts of service, trusting that you abide with us always, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Hope of New Life
Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 29, 2020
Hope overcomes despair for God’s people: this is the message of the readings for today. The hope of new life is evident in the story of “dry bones” from Ezekiel. The children of Israel declare their hope is lost. The prophet’s experience in the valley of dry bones inspires him to preach renewed hope to the people. Psalm 130 sings of hope in God and God’s word. The work of God’s Spirit gives hope of new life in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. The Gospel of John tells the hope-filled story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The gospel gives us encouraging words to sustain us through the approaching despair of Christ’s passion and brings us to the fulfillment of hope on Easter. Martha’s wistful words to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here. . . . But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him” (John 11:21-22), reflect the hope of God’s people in the face of despair, even in the face of death.
Each text encourages hearers to hope in God and God’s word. How do Christians experience unfulfilled hope? This is the challenge for those who interpret today’s texts for hearers. Israel’s woes are not at an end; other psalms tell of struggle and pain; the Christ-believers at Rome are persecuted; Jesus who raises Lazarus from the dead soon dies. And yet hope is fulfilled as Paul proclaims “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). Psalm 46 sings of God’s presence in time of trouble. A preview of the hope of the resurrection will sustain believers in these final days of Lent (John 20:17). The Christian’s confidence in the resurrection of the dead epitomizes their hope in Christ.
Cape Coral, Florida 33909
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