About us
Organized as a mission church of the American Lutheran Church in 1986, Messiah is centrally located to serve several southern New Hampshire communities. Members are primarily from Amherst, Milford, Merrimack, Mont Vernon, Hollis, Bedford and New Boston.
Our first sanctuary was completed with a Service of Dedication held November 17, 2002. Worship Services, Sunday School and church offices are now all located at 303 Hwy 101.
We are a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and also part of the New England Synod.
​
We worship weekly at 9:30 am. Communion is a regular part of our worship services and all who wish to come to the communion table are welcomed. We vary our worship service but work mainly from the hymnal Evangelical Lutheran Worship (aka the cranberry hymnal) and the 1991 Hymnal Supplement. We have accompaniment that includes keyboard, guitars, drums, ukuleles and brass in various configurations from week to week. Children are welcome in worship and we have a nursery space available to children and parents as well.
​
We believe in a gracious God who loves us and the entire world. This God comes to us in Word (Bible) and Sacrament (Baptism and Holy Communion). We come together to INVITE, CARE, GROW and SHARE with people the goodness of our God and the saving message of the gospel. We strive to be an open and faithful community. You are welcome to come and be with us however you come: whatever your questions, whatever the condition of your beliefs, however you are dressed, whatever you have done or left undone. If you are looking for a place to belong you just may have found it here at Messiah.
​
​
Our Staff
Karl Hester
Pastor
Karl began serving as pastor here at Messiah in March of 2019. He and his wife Kim (who is also a pastor serving at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Nashua) relocated from Oregon. Karl and Kim were married on Martin Luther's birthday in 2012. They have a son named Kai who timeshares between the two congregations. Karl has two sons from a previous marriage as well, Caleb and Nick. Nick is married to Jordan and they have two daughters. Karl is an avid cinephile (lover of movies), enjoys word games and puzzles and has had a significant portion of his life populated by African Pygmy hedgehogs.
​
If you would like to connect with Karl you can reach him by text/voice at 503.953.5164, by e-mail at pastormessiahnh@gmail.com or on social media using the icons below.
Joanne Theil
Administrative Assistant
Joanne has been the administrative assistant at Messiah since 2003 and a member since 1992. Before Messiah she grew up on Long Island, NY and was a member of Faith Lutheran in Syosset, NY.
She has been married to her husband Ray for over 37 years. They have three sons, Raymond, Ryan and Greg. Their son Ryan is married to Samantha and have two sons Darren and Bennett. Their son Raymond is married to Krystal. Joanne enjoys playing golf, playing with her grandsons and taking long walks outside.
​
If you would like to contact Joanne you can call the office at 603.673.2011 or by e-mail at messiahnh@comcast.net.
Jon Abrams
Music Director
Jon is a school teacher and a professional musician who finds the most joy from lifting people's spirits. He brings with him a significant amount of varied experience and expertise and is excited to put it to good use.
Jon comes from Lowell, MA, but has toured extensively and lived in Las Vegas, New York City and now Manchester, NH. He graduated from Lawrence Academy in Groton and from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA before beginning his career both in education in the Lowell Public Schools and in professional music with the inception of his Billy Joel band, The Strangers.
Jon went on to successfully audition to be the 'piano man' (playing and singing) for Billy Joel's Broadway show 'Movin' Out' and joined the touring company in 2008. He stayed on the road for a few years until returning to the classroom in 2012. Ultimately he's happiest as a teacher because he feels he has a better opportunity to make a greater impact in the classroom rather than the concert hall. (However, he's also acutely aware of the power of music in a liturgical setting, which is what brings him here to Messiah Lutheran Church).
Presently, Jon's happy with his music/teacher balance. Besides teaching elementary school in Lowell and serving here at church, he also directs a wedding/function band called 'Rare Form'.
Jon is excited to work with everyone at church and thankful for the opportunity to serve.
​
If you'd like to contact Jon you can reach him by e-mail at musicdirectormessiahnh@gmail.com.