NEW CREATION WORSHIP SERIES
9/12 – Ocean Sunday
9/19 – Fauna Sunday
9/26 – Storm Sunday
10/3 – Cosmos Sunday
In Advent, Epiphany, Lent and Easter we celebrate the life of Christ. During Pentecost we celebrate the Holy Spirit. Now, in the season of Creation, we celebrate God, the Creator. For these 4 Sundays, prior to St Francis of Assisi Day, we join in celebrating with Christ the wonders of creation. In the liturgy, we follow the lead of the psalm writers and celebrate with creation — with the forests, the rivers and the fields, which praise the Creator in their own way. Bible readings focus especially on the story of Earth, which complements the story of God and the story of humanity in the Scriptures.
 

BLESSING THE QUILTS
Sunday, Sept. 19th during worship
On this Sunday we will dedicate the quilts that our ladies have worked so hard on over the last year. The quilts will be on display in the narthex and sanctuary, and we will bless them during the service.

FRIENDSHIP DAY INGATHERING
Thursday, September 24th at 9 AM
Friendship Day will resume on with InGathering, which is when we package the layettes and health kits to be sent to the LWR warehouse. We could use some help with this project and we need 2 men to help with the boxing and weighing. Usually we are finished by 11 AM. We do have some "sit down" jobs if you are not able to stand. Please come and help. The number of items packed will be in the October Messenger. The trailer will be in the parking lot October 2 and 3. We also need help then. The sign up sheet will be in the Narthex so look for it. The Angels in the Narthex Friendship Bucket was a great success. Thanks to all who contributed to it. ~ Eva Thoren "He won't forget the love you have shown his people." Hebrews 6:10

CROSSING TO A NEW PLACE:
2nd Annual Metro Chicago Synod Evangelism in Congregations Workshop
Where is God sending Messiah? What "storms” will we navigate to get there?
"Crossing to a New Place" is the name of this workshop that every Messiah member is invited to attend Saturday, Sept. 25, 9am to noon, at Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn. (We will car - pool from our church at 8am.) Please contact Mark Wiberg if you are interested in attending.

TABLE TALKS AT PANERA BREAD
Mondays at 7PM at Panera Bread in Des Plaines
We kick off the new conversation with a simple topic … CREATION! In conjunction with our Sunday worship Creation Series, Pastor Lynne will lead a discussion in a comfy atmosphere over coffee and treats. Martin Luther started this tradition of “table talks” that involved food and beverage (ML's favorite beverage was beer!) Come join us for a new twist on Bible Study beginning Monday September 27.

THE NEW CHAT ROOM!
Sundays at 9AM beginning Sept 19
Adult Forum has a new name! Everyone not in Sunday School or Confirmation is invited to join our CHAT–Christians Having A Talk. A variety of topics will be discussed over coffee and treats in the Library. NEW BIBLE STUDY

GENETICS & FAITH: POWER, CHOICE, & RESPONSIBILITY
Sundays at 9AM in the Library
Since the decoding of the human genome about 10 years ago, we have entered what many call the "Age of Genetics." This age will give us unprecedented powers over many forms of life, including human life. These powers promise to revolutionize both medicine and the growing of our food. These powers will confront us with a number of key choices about how to deal with what God has created. What do these possibilities mean for our Christian faith? What does Christian faith suggest for pursuing any of these possibilities? What are Christian responsibilities in the Age of Genetics?
Pastor Lynne Morrow and Ron Duty will lead four sessions about Genetics and Faith  
beginning 9 A.M. Sunday, September 19 in "The CHAT Room.” Join us in the Library for these conversations. The series will look at the first draft of the ELCA's social statement on genetics, which the group will be invited to criticize or make suggestions for improvement. All are welcome.
These four conversations will cover the following topics:
9/19    Introduction; Genetics and the Affirmations of Christian Faith
9/26    The Social Context for Developments in Genetics
10/3    An Ethical Framework for Applying Genetic Knowledge
10/10  Power, Choice, and Responsibility--Challenges for a Community in Christ