Advent Sermon Series God used visions and dreams to prepare His people for Jesus' first coming and to remind us of his promised return. Our Advent Sermon Series will focus on the Visions and Dreams of Advent and call us to solemnly renew ourselves in the truth of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, as well as His promise to return. Our church year begins with Advent, which means "coming". It reminds us that time is linear, and we are in the time between His first and second coming. The purpose of the church calendar is to use the passing of time to tell and retell the story of our redemption: the coming of Jesus into the world; His life, death and resurrection; and the outpouring of the Holy spirit on His people. The origins of the church calendar are in Leviticus 23 where God speaks to Moses about the appointed feasts, including Passover, First Fruits, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These feasts were to prepare us for the coming of our Messiah and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Messiah, our Lamb of God, was sacrificed on Passover. He was resurrected from the dead on the Feast of First Fruits, becoming the first fruits of our coming resurrection, as Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:20. Then on the Jewish festival of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh. So this Advent, may the Lord prepare our hearts for His coming! November 29 John's Advent Vision Pastor Jim Brown December 6 Joel's Advent Vision Bishop John Guernsey December 20 Joseph's Advent Dream Pastor Jim Brown December 27 Joseph's Second Advent Dream Pastor Jim Brown January 3 Daniel's Advent Dream Pastor Marty O'Rourke

Our Ministry Staff The Rev. Dr. Marty O'Rourke Rector The Rev. Dr. Ken Shomo Discipleship Pastor The Rev. Tom Sweeney Deacon Melissa Scraba Church Administrator Lauren Coleman Children's Ministry Assistant Bob Greeley Sexton Tim Maurer Worship Leader Caleb Stern Live Stream Producer

Our Vestry Chris Woodland Senior Warden Marc Bagwell Junior Warden Drew Bohs Vestry Member John Curtis Vestry Member & Treasurer Susie Martin Vestry Member Carole Menzel Vestry Member

Sermon Series | June-July 2020 It’s trendy to “love Jesus but not church.” Yet during this season of protests and pandemic, it’s vital that we become the full expression of Christ in the world today. Here at Messiah, we have been praying for a move of God. Please join us for an engaging new sermon series as we explore: What significance does Christ give the Church? Why do we need the Church, and why does the Church need us? How does Christ use the Church to make a difference in the world? June 7, 2020 We the Church Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation June 14, 2020 We the Church: The Bride of Christ Pastor Nile Gomez June 21, 2020 We the Church: The Temple of the Holy Spirit Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation June 28, 2020 We the Church: The Family of God Pastor Nile Gomez July 5, 2020 We the Church: The Body of Christ Pastor Marty O'Rourke and Jennifer Sporl-Palmer Please reload

The purpose of Advent is to prepare for one of the greatest miracles in all history, the Incarnation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. The Eternal, Almighty and Invisible God has taken on a human body and entered our world as a baby so that we could know God by knowing Jesus. This Advent we are going to explore what the Incarnation reveals to us about God’s character and His great love and commitment to us. The Son of God became man to enable us to become the sons of God. — C S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Sunday Sermons First Sunday of Advent | November 27, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals the Humility of God Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons Second Sunday of Advent | December 4, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals God's Understanding of Us Tim Maurer Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons Third Sunday of Advent | December 11, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals the Exact Imprint of God's Nature Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Sunday Sermons Fourth Sunday of Advent (Annunciation Day) | December 18, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals Christ's Victory over Sin and Death Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides Sunday Sermons Christmas Eve | December 24, 2022 The Incarnation Reveals God's Deep Desire to Have a Personal Relationship with Us Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen

Why does God tell us that His mercies are new every morning? Things happen in life, often out of our control, and seasons come to an end, but God desires to do something new in our lives. He is all about giving us a fresh start, a new beginning. April 28, 2019 FOR PEOPLE WHO DOUBT Deacon Nile Gomez May 5, 2019 FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAILED Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation May 12, 2019 FOR WOMEN Vivian Hayes Slideshow Presentation May 19, 2019 FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO SERVE Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation Special Testimony by Joan Cartledge May 26, 2019 FOR PEOPLE IN TRANSITION Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation June 2, 2019 FOR RELATIONSHIPS The Rev. David Martin Slideshow Presentation June 9, 2019 FOR OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Bishop Frank Allen Pastor Daron Moore Please reload

Bishop Chris Warner Church of the Messiah is blessed to have Bishop Chris Warner as our bishop. Bishop Warner was elected to be the Bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic of the Anglican Church in North America on October 15, 2022, and was invested by Archbishop Foley Beach on February 18, 2023. To listen to the sermons of Bishop Warner, and former Bishop Guernsey, click any of the links below: Grace and Gratitude - Bishop Chris Warner October 26, 2025 Listen Watch Dare to Share - Bishop Chris Warner October 27, 2024 Listen Watch Teaching on "Conversion" - Bishop Chris Warner October 26, 2024 Listen God's Love, Our Assurance - Bishop Chris Warner October 29, 2023 Listen Watch Good Friday - Bishop Chris Warner April 7, 2023 Listen Watch Zacchaeus: The Unlikely Convert - Bishop John Guernsey October 30, 2022 Listen Watch Rewards in Heaven: Misunderstood Blessing for God’s People - Bishop John Guernsey October 29, 2022 Listen Our Perfect Father - Bishop John Guernsey October 31, 2021 Listen Watch Our Calling in a Polarized Culture - Bishop John Guernsey October 25, 2020 Listen Watch Our Mission with Jesus - Bishop John Guernsey November 10, 2019 Listen Return of the Seventy-Two - Bishop John Guernsey October 21, 2018 Listen Sharing the Bread of Life - Bishop John Guernsey February 25, 2018 Listen The Gift of Light - Bishop John Guernsey December 11, 2016 Listen Joel's Vision of Advent - Bishop John Guernsey December 6, 2015 Listen Who Are You Writing Off? - Bishop John Guernsey October 26, 2014 Listen A Taste of Heaven - Bishop John Guernsey November 10, 2013 Listen I Am a Member of Christ's Body - Bishop John Guernsey October 7, 2012 Listen

GET INVOLVED! CHURCH MINISTRIES Church of the Messiah is so much more than Sunday mornings! We have many opportunities for you to plug in and feel part of our family. Whether you're looking for a way to make personal connections, learn more about our faith and Scripture, or make a difference in the community, there is a way to get involved. Click one of the links at right to get started! SERVING THE COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP MISSIONS Check out our calendar to see what's going on at Messiah!

Advent with Luke Sermon Series “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!” Luke described those responding to the message of John the Baptist as people “waiting expectantly” for the Messiah. The purpose of Advent is to stir us up to be “waiting expectantly” for His Coming. A young woman, not married, expecting? A stable? A manger? Shepherds? All for the birth of the long-awaited Messiah? When it comes to Our Lord, “Expect the Unexpected!” We know life brings the unexpected as well. There is much we can learn about handling the unexpected by walking through Advent with the Gospel of Luke. December 2, 2018 Expecting His Return at a Time We Do Not Expect Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 9, 2018 How Not to Handle the Unexpected Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 16, 2018 How to Handle the Unexpected Rev. Mark Cartledge Slideshow Presentation December 23, 2018 Expect the Unexpected to Be Lifted Up Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 24, 2018 Christmas: When the Unexpected Exceeds Our Expectations Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 30, 2018 Simeon and Anna Expecting the Unexpected Deacon Nile Gomez January 6, 2019 Epiphany: The Journey of the Expecting, Finding the Unexpected Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation Please reload

START MAKING CONNECTIONS AT MESSIAH! If you have recently started attending Messiah or are interested in becoming a member of the congregation, our Spring session is starting soon. Classes will be held in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday afternoons, immediately following the worship service (lunch is incuded!). This five-seek session begins September 25. Pastor Marty O'Rourke and Pastor Nile Gomez will cover topics such as: How to Use Your Gifts and Find Your Ministry and How to Hear From God . This is a fine opportunity to meet other people and enjoy fellowship. If you are interested in attending, please fill out the form below, or call the office (757-436-2545). Connections Class Fall Class Schedule 5 Sundays beginning September 25: September 25 October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 Meet in Fellowship Hall immediately following worship service Lunch included! Your details were sent successfully! Send

FOREIGN MISSIONS The Foreign Missions Committee oversees the financial and spiritual support we provide to missionaries and organizations outside the United States, as well as to individuals from our congregation who go on short-term mission trips to other countries. The list here describes some of the areas we support. If you feel led to donate to any of our foreign missions, please click here . If you would like more information about any of these missions, please contact the church office . GET INVOLVED Eastern Europe: Aaron & Winnie Aaron and Winnie have been working with teens in Eastern Europe since 2009. Their youth center ministers to middle- and high-schoolers through music, drama and the arts. They have also been active with supplying humanitarian aid and witnessing to many refugees fleeing from Syria. Middle East: Betsy & David David and Betsy have ministered for over 20 years to a small but growing Christian community. They have also responded to the desperate needs of refugees from Syria by seeking out ways to welcome in and care for these refugees and provide medical aid. Central America: Carmen & His Love in Action School for the Deaf Since 1989, Carmen and His Love in Action School and Vocational Training Institute have been educating and training hearing impaired children. FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SERVING THE COMMUNITY CHURCH MINISTRIES

The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This 4-week series will inspire you to live an empowered life of deep devotion. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This 4-week series will inspire you to live an empowered life of deep devotion. Church, Devote Yourselves June 4 Vivian Hayes Watch | Listen | Sermon Slides | Sermon Notes Fellowship June 11 Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Devoted to Prayer June 18 Pastor Ken Shomo Watc h | Listen | Sermon Slides The Eucharist - Remembering, Receiving, and Renewing June 25 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watc h | Listen | Sermon Slides June 2023 Sermon Series DEVOTED