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Lent: A Time for Breakthrough (Based on Mark 2: 1-12) Lent starts on Ash Wednesday with a call to self-examination and the imposition of ashes as a tangible reminder that our life on earth is temporary. Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is (Psalm 39:4). Lent ends with Good Friday, then Resurrection Sunday - a celebration of the victory over sin and death we share in Christ. Remembering the shortness of life on earth, Lent is an opportunity for us to seek our Lord about where He is calling us to contend for a breakthrough - by repentance, fasting, receiving help, and perseverance in seeking a deeper relationship with Christ. Our purpose is that we may use our remaining time on earth to make tangible the life-transforming power of God's love so that all may come to know Christ. February 14 Where is Christ Calling Me to Contend for a Breakthrough? Pastor Marty O'Rourke February 21 Why Is It Hard To Accept Help? Pastor Jim Brown February 28 How to Persevere In Seeking Christ Pastor John Dooley March 6 The Power of Christ's Forgiveness Ashley Plunkett March 13 Living Without My "Mat" Pastor Jim Brown March 20 The Return of the King Reverend Mark Cartledge March 27 Resurrection Breakthrough Pastor Marty O'Rourke

What do you sense God wants you to focus on this Lent? More time in prayer? More time in the Word? Increased devotion to worship? Involvement in a home group? Lent is a time of reflection and repentance, prayer and preparation. Many of us were brought up with the idea of abstinence and fasting, "giving something up" or perhaps adding a special task or discipline to our daily activities. But what happens after Easter -- do we go back to our old routines? What if we approach Lent with the purpose of growing our relationships, with God and each other? Our 2019 Lenten sermon series and "equipping Wednesdays" are designed to help you focus on ways to develop an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus. Let's GO DEEPER with Him and see where He takes us. 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 Please reload

Welcome! We love our church, and we think you will too! Whether you call Messiah your home church, or you're a visitor, we believe you will fall in love with the people and their hearts for God. From the minute you arrive, to the second you leave, we want you to feel at home. We are a place where people can come and be refreshed by the Living Water of the Holy Spirit. Those who have been physically or emotionally wounded or are weary of running the race are being renewed, restored and healed. The outpouring of God's Presence is bringing healing to the brokenhearted, setting free those who have been held in bondage and restoring Jesus as our first love. Click the links below to learn more about the Messiah family! WHO WE ARE WHAT TO EXPECT FAQ WORSHIP WITH US

WAYS TO GIVE Your gifts and tithes are very much appreciated! Paypal : Log in to your Paypal account or sign up for Paypal using one of the links below. Your Bank : Use your bank’s online bill-pay system to set up a one-time or recurring gift payable to Church of the Messiah. Gifts should be sent to 816 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320. Church of the Messiah (General Funds) Foreign Missions Inreach/Outreach

Francis Chan: Forgotten God SERMON SERIES WINTER 2013 What Are You Afraid Of? February 24, 2013 | Pastor Jim Brown Theology of the Holy Spirit 101 March 3, 2013 | Pastor Marty O'Rourke Why Do You Want Him? March 10, 2013 | Rev. Mark Cartledge A Real Relationship March 17, 2013 | Pastor Marty O'Rourke Lord, Forgive the Judas In Me March 24, 2013 | Pastor Jim Brown Forget About His Will For Your Life! April 7, 2013 | Ashley Plunkett Supernatural Church PowerPoint Presentation April 14, 2013 | Pastor Jim

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Spending time together is an important activity for any family, and it's no different for the Messiah family! Forming and developing relationships with each other helps all of us grow spiritually as we eat, play, serve and work together in a variety of ways. Here are just a few of Messiah's fellowship opportunities. Coffee Hour Grab a cup of coffee, a cookie or pastry, and chat for as long as you like after service every Sunday! Do you have the gift of hospitality? Think about joining the coffee hour crew! Community Bible Study In addition to in-depth study of the Word of God, Community Bible Study (CBS) is a great way to meet people and fellowship on a weekly basis. Messiah hosts a Women's CBS class on Thursday mornings during the school year, a co-ed class on Thursday evenings, as well as virtual onlne classes. For more information on CBS, click here . Joyful Noise Club Our club for young people with disabilities currently meets in person the second Tuesday of the month and online via Zoom the fourth Tuesday of each month. In-person meetings start with pizza, then Club members hear a special message and enjoy a fun game or activity. Online meetings include a teaching or message, followed by a time of discussion and sharing. A game or activity is often included, where participants are asked to bring a special item or topic to share with everyone online. Everyone is welcome to join the fun! For more information, contact the church office. Men's Minstry Men need to form real and deep relationships with other men that will foster growth in Christ. Join the men of Messiah at 10 am every first Saturday of the month for a time of learning, discussion, prayer, and fellowship. The group meets outside (weather permitting -- bring a chair!) or in the Fellowship Hall. Women's Ministry Messiah's Women's Ministry focuses on building relationships and getting to know each other on a personal level, so we can truly walk with each other, carry each other's burdens, and develop lasting and supporting relationships with our sisters in Christ. Monthly meetings include Bible studies, discussions about life and God, prayer and encouragement to help all women grow in their walk with the LORD. The Women's Ministry hosts events throughout the year for women to come together in fellowship. Past events have included a Spring Tea, Fall Brunch, and Christmas Lunch. These are wonderful opportunities to meet and visit with the ladies of Messiah. Fellowship Events We like to spend time together! In addition to the groups and occasions listed here, Messiah hosts a number of church-wide events throughout the year.* These provide a great chance for people to come together to coordinate and attend celebrations that are open to all. Some of these events have included: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Seder Passover Meal Pentecost Picnic Joyful Noise

Our Advent Journey with Luke Advent 2021 J ourney along with Luke in preparation for the coming of Our Lord. This Advent, we are asking you to commit to join Our Advent Journey with Luke by each day saying a brief prayer, then reading an assigned passage for that day and answering one or more of the questions below. Prayer : Father in heaven, your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Open our eyes by your Holy Spirit to the wonders of your Word. Give us humble, teachable, and obedient hearts that we may receive what you have revealed, and do what you have commanded through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Questions : Based on this passage, what might the people directly involved or those listening to these words be thinking or feeling? What does this passage say about God? How does this passage apply to me? How might the wisdom from this passage help prepare us for Christmas? Scriptures : Each day, click the appropriate date below to access the daily Scripture. By signing in with your email address, you will have the opportunity to make, read, and reply to comments from others. For a list of all the daily readings, click here . Advent Scripture Journey Log In Friday, December 24 | Luke 2:19-20 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all... Thursday, December 23 | Luke 2:17-18 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,18 and all who heard it were amazed... Wednesday, December 22 | Luke 2:15-16 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that... Tuesday, December 21 | Luke 2:13-14 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest... Monday, December 20 | Luke 2:11-12 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a... Saturday, December 18 | Luke 2:8-10 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to... Sunday Sermons First Sunday of Advent | November 28, 2021 ADVENT BEGINS WITH THE END IN MIND Luke 21:5-7, 25-33 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides Second Sunday of Advent | December 5, 2021 HOW NOT TO TALK TO AN ANGEL Luke 1:3-22 Pastor Frank Allen Watch | Listen Third Sunday of Advent | December 12, 2021 HOW TO TALK TO AN ANGEL Luke 1: 26-38 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides Fourth Sunday of Advent | December 19, 2021 JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY Luke 1: 67-80 Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen Christmas Eve | December 24, 2021 THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT Luke 2:1-20 Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides

Our Ministry Staff The Rev. Dr. Jim Brown Interim Pastor The Rev. Dr. Ken Shomo Discipleship Pastor Melissa Scraba Church Administrator Bob Greeley Sexton Tim Maurer Minister of Music Caleb Stern Live Stream Producer

Grasp God’s character and His work on behalf of His people, in the past and present, as a catalyst to a more intimate relationship with Him. Learn how to practically extend joy, hope, peace, and love to others during this Advent season. Fuel your worship of Christ with a deeper understanding of Advent. Sermon Series | Advent 2019 December 1, 2019 LIVING HOPE Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 8, 2019 THE PEACE OF CHRIST Rev. Mark Cartledge December 15, 2019 WHY IS OUR JOY SO IMPORTANT TO THE LORD? Pastor Marty O'Rourke Slideshow Presentation December 22, 2019 LOVE: GOD LOVED Pastor Nile Gomez December 24, 2019 HOW DID GOD SHOW HIS LOVE AMONG US? (recording not available) Pastor Marty O'Rourke Please reload

Fall 2021 Sermon Series “For a few weeks I have been seeking the Lord about our next sermon series. As I was sitting in the sanctuary, I sensed the Lord calling us to focus on the Father Heart of God. If you were to look into the heart of God’s call on Church of the Messiah, it is to see people’s lives transformed, healed and restored by experiencing the Father’s love through His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit. I believe some of us are going to be healed through this series, and I have already sensed a difference in my own life as I have begun to focus on the Father heart of God.“ ̶ Pastor Marty September 19, 2021 Our Everlasting Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides September 26, 2021 Our Father's House Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 3, 2021 Our Compassionate Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides October 10, 2021 Our Adopting Father Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen October 17, 2021 Our Loving Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides October 24, 2021 Our Present Father Pastor Ken Shomo Watch | Listen | Slides October 31, 2021 Our Perfect Father Bishop John Guernsey Watch | Listen November 7, 2021 Our Good Father Pastor Nile Gomez Watch | Listen November 14, 2021 Our Heavenly Father Pastor Marty O'Rourke Watch | Listen | Slides November 21, 2021 Our Forgiving Father: The "Prodigal" God Rev. David Martin Watch | Listen

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Morning Trinitarian Prayer Good morning heavenly Father, good morning Lord Jesus, good morning Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the creator and sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Savior and Lord of the world. Holy Spirit, I worship you, sanctifier of the people of God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen. – John Stott, quoted in Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott PRINTABLE VERSION