1.)  Worship ~ We value gathering to celebrate Christ through Word, Sacrament, Music, and Christian Community.

Messiah has a full and enriching worship life.  Members actively celebrate Christ by participating in the Sunday morning service as Liturgist, lectors, communion assistants, ushers, presenters, and greeters.  Youth and children are encouraged to participate in the children's sermon and to serve as acolytes, Crucifer, and torchbearers.  Incorporating both contemporary and traditional liturgy enhances Messiah's worship life.  Use of the Holden Evening Prayer during Lent and Advent, the Hymnal Supplement, and having Youth-led services has allowed the congregation to celebrate Christ in many different ways.  We have also enjoyed ecumenical services with other Congregational and Episcopal churches in our community.

Using music to enhance our worship life is of particular interest to our members.  Several members have offered their own musical talents to "make a joyful noise".  It is important to maintain a balance between singing older, familiar hymns, and learning new hymns.  Members feel music should be an uplifting part of the service, to enhance the overall worship experience.

2.)  Education ~ We value the life-long learning process to grow in Christ through the written, preached, and studied Word.

Christian Education at Messiah has become an increasingly important part of our lives.  Each Sunday, classes from preschool age to adult bring meaning to the Word in an exciting and creative way.  In addition to Sunday School, Messiah has grown to build a yearly, family-oriented Vacation Bible School program that invites learners of all ages to share in God's word.

Messiah currently offers a three year confirmation program with an emphasis on community service.  The first two years are taught by the laity and cover the Bible and Luther's Small Catechism in alternating years.  The third year has been taught by the Pastor and has covered a variety of topics, focusing on living the Christian faith in today's world.

3.)  Spiritual & Community Care ~ We value and support all people in the Christian community through individual relationships, small groups, and congregational ministries.

Our members are spiritually revitalized through word and sacrament in our worship services.  Traditional Lutheran liturgy is important to the members of Messiah, however we all enjoy flexibility with worship including different types and ways of presenting
sermons.

We care for our members through the newly formed Congregational Care committee's work.  We have utilized prayer chains, and often meals are provided for families going through changes such as a new baby, family crisis, illness or death in the family. Pastoral visitation to the sick, persons in crisis and shut-ins is especially important and is supplemented by visitations by our own members. 

 

4.)  Outreach & Evangelism ~ We value welcoming all people regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey.

We share our faith by how we live and act in our daily lives. We try to be strong and active Christians and wish to make our presence known in the community.  We hope to keep Messiah in constant focus through the local media, Messiah Messenger (our monthly newsletter), Sunday church bulletins, telephone calls, and special mailings.

We strive to be active and excited Christians, ready to share and care for our neighbors.  There are many areas that give us the opportunity to invite and share the Good News.  Once our building project is completed, we envision the facility being used for a variety of community activities and outreach functions.  We all need to work together to be strong public servants,  committed volunteers, and disciples.  We continue to have an open and sincere invitation - "Please join us, you are most welcomed". 

5.)  Service ~ We value sharing God's gifts of time, talent, and treasures in Christian service for each other, our communities, and the world.

Messiah is actively involved in many church and community projects.  To name a few:  Annual CROP Walk for Hunger, Ash Street Shelter (meals), Habitat for Humanity, Tree planting, Annual Harvestfest, SHARE (clothing, food), Antrim Girl's Shelter, Rape and
Assault Association, Adopt a Highway Program, Souhegan Valley Interfaith Housing Corporation, Family adoption at Christmas, Thanksgiving turkeys, Lutheran Social Services, Disaster Relief, and other programs as needs arise.  Through service to others our spirit is nourished and our faith is strengthened. 

6.)  Stewardship ~ We value God's call to be responsible for the spiritual and material gifts we have been blessed with by employing them in meaningful ministry.

We encourage our members to grow to a tithe and beyond through annual increases.  Leading by example, we corporately give more than a tithe to benevolence and grow that amount annually.  We care for and grow what God has entrusted to us.  We value our time, our possessions, as well as ourselves.  By individual example, we motivate each other to discover the joy of giving.

We strive to help other congregations as we ourselves have been helped, spread the values of stewardship to entire congregation, be mindful that our new building is a tool for ministry to serve the community, broaden our participation in service and outreach projects, share what we have with others and invite. 

7.)  Fellowship ~ We value hospitality whenever we gather as a community of believers in both service and social settings.

Fellowship has become an integral part of Messiah.  Many members have no immediate family in the area, and therefore consider Messiah members as extended family.  Newcomers and members alike are greeted on Sunday morning and newcomers receive a visit at home from a member of the congregation.  Fostering a sense of family and belonging is essential for the spiritual well-being of our members.

Yearly activities include Harvestfest, cookouts, bonfires, Family Camping, Annual Messiah night at the Nashua Pride Baseball game, attending productions at local theaters, dinner clubs, and gatherings at Camp Calumet.  Attempts are made to provide different activities which appeal to varied age groups.