What is Messiah Lutheran and what do we believe?
How do I become a Christian?
How do I become a member of Messiah Lutheran?

How do I:
Arrange for baptism?
Arrange for a wedding?
Arrange for Confirmation?
Contact a pastor?
Receive help in an emergency?
Receive Emergency financial and other assistance?

What is Messiah Lutheran and what do we believe?

Messiah Lutheran is a Christian congregation of over 1000 believers who gather together to worship and follow Jesus Christ, and to spread His Name and forgiveness to everyone. We believe the Bible is God’s Word, given as a gift by Him to direct our lives and ultimately to show us the way to heaven. As sinners, we believe people can be saved only by the grace of God. We believe in a Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are called “Lutheran” not because we worship Martin Luther – we worship and serve only the living God. But with this16th century German monk, we believe that God’s Word is the only source of unfailing direction for daily life, and of the life to come.

How do I become a Christian?

While going to church doesn’t necessarily make Christians, it certainly helps. Christians are people who acknowledge their sinfulness, and receive the gift of eternal life as offered through the death and rising again to life of Jesus Christ.

If you have ever wondered about becoming a Christian, consider two things:

1. Do you know for certain that if you were to die today, you would wake up in heaven with God?
2. If you died right now, and standing before God’s throne of grace, He were to ask you, “Why should I allow you into My heaven?” what would you say?
   
   If you have been considering your eternal relationship to Jesus Christ, and have considered becoming a Christian here is a brief outline of God’s saving truth as revealed in the Bible. If you wish to talk about this and any other issues please feel free to contact a pastor or staff of Messiah Lutheran by e-mail at Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org or phoning the church office, 763-784-1786.
   
   1. Christians admit their sinfulness and their failure to follow God and His will perfectly.
   • “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23
   • “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:10
   
   2. Christians believe that in the person of Jesus Christ, God did for them what they could NOT do for themselves.
   • “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life.” John 3:16
   • “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
   
   3. Christians acknowledge their utter dependence upon God to save them. Recognizing the truth of the Bible they respond to God’s word where He promises, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!” Acts 16:31
   
   If you have been searching, feeling doubts in yourself, and would like to become a Christian right now, consider praying the following simple prayer:
   
   “Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I have gone away from You in my thinking, my speaking and in what I do. I believe that You suffered on the cross for my sins, that You paid the price for my sins by Your shed blood, and proved that You really are the Son of God, as You claim to be in the Bible by rising again from the dead. You alone can give me the gift of faith, and forgiveness for all my sins. Come into my heart right now in a special way. Fill me to overflowing with love for You and for all others. Help me to live for You, and to tell others about what you have done for me. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
   
   Now you have begun a special walk with Jesus. Please, please continue that walk by reading your Bible on a regular basis. Talk to God in prayer regularly, as you would your best friend. And join others in a special time of worship each week. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to talk to a pastor or staff member at Messiah, Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org, 763-784-1786. May God bless you, and by the way . . . . . have a great forever!

How do I become a member of Messiah Lutheran?

Membership is a process, rather than a momentary event. Those desiring to become “members” of our congregation are invited to “date” the congregation through a series of orientation sessions, called “Questions of Life.” We deal with such ordinary daily struggles as “Why am I here?” “Why baptism?” “What about my money?” These sessions are taught several times each year. During this time of “dating” you will also begin to demonstrate your sincerity to become an active member of Messiah by regular worship, Bible study, and participation in fellowship activities within our community. Finally through an application process, a membership interview and a public welcome, you will become a member of Messiah. If you have questions, contact a staff member at Messiah, by calling the church office, 763-784-1786 or by e-mail at Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org.

How do I:

Arrange for baptism?

If you desire baptism for your infant or child, you and your spouse are asked to attend a Baptism orientation class, taught once every other month, and then schedule a date for baptism. Adults who desire to be baptized are invited to attend the “Questions of Life” classes, to learn more about baptism and your readiness. In any event, please contact a pastor to schedule your attendance at the Baptism class and to schedule a baptism. BFrederickson@Messiah-Lutheran.org.

Arrange for a wedding?

The privilege of being married at Messiah is reserved for those who publicly practice their Christian faith. Those desiring to be married at Messiah participate in a series of Pre-Marriage sessions held on the first two Thursday evenings each January, May or September. Couples then meet with a pastor for a number of private sessions leading up to their special day. Please contact a pastor well in advance to begin the process of marriage preparation, and reserve your spot on the church calendar. You may call 763-784-1786 x112, or by-mail at BFrederickson@Messiah-Lutheran.org

Arrange for Confirmation?

Baptized young people who desire to be “confirmed” attend a series of Wednesday evening sessions ordinarily held each September through April during their 6th, 7th and 8th grade years in school. These sessions are held each year from September through April, and the “rite” of confirmation ordinarily takes place the first Sunday in May. If you have questions about confirmation, please contact a pastor or confirmation staff at 763-784-1786 or e-mail at BFrederickson@Messiah-Lutheran.org

Contact a pastor?

Although our pastors are not always in their offices waiting for your call, if you have need of a pastor or church staff, we are always ready to meet and talk with you. Feel free to e-mail or call the church office during regular business hours, M-F, 9-4:30, 763-784-1786 or Messiah@Messiah-Lutheran.org.

Receive help in an emergency?

A member of our staff is always available to provide pastoral assistance. Simply call the church office. When someone answers the phone during business hours, M-F 9-4:30, simply indicate that you have an emergency and need the assistance of a church staff. If someone isn’t available in the office to speak with you, you will be directed to a special telephone “voice mail box,” in which you may leave your name, a brief message and telephone number where you can be reached. Immediately as you hang up your phone, the “on-call” staff member will automatically be paged, and will respond to your need as quickly as possible. This emergency “paging” system is available for you to contact a pastor 24 hours a day. Simply phone the normal church phone number and listen to the “prompts.”

Emergency financial and other assistance can be requested by coming into the church office during regular business hours, M-F 9-4:30, and completing a special request form provided for that purpose. We work within our own community of faith, and with other agencies throughout our community to provide the quickest and most effective assistance as is possible.