“…Love one another. As I have loved you…” John 13:34
Giving is an expression of love - As God gave us his only son, we believe that joyful giving to those in need is one of the greatest expressions of our love for our church, for our community, and for one another. That’s why Outreach is such an important aspect of parish life at Church of the Messiah. Whether you have an abundance of time and resources, or just a little to share, every contribution is deeply appreciated and we hope that you will join us in participating in one of our vital Outreach programs.
Homeless Solutions - This is another
opportunity for ”hands-on” ministry, cooking and serving the dinner at
the Morris County Homeless facility called “Homeless Solutions. We
cook a very nice meal − usually baked chicken, roasted potatoes, a
vegetable, salad, bread and butter, and dessert. Anyone 9 or older can
help. Please refer to the Messenger for dates and times. Neighbors in Need -Neighbors in Need for June is Chester Food Pantry. Please see the Messenger on our Calendar page for a list of most needed items. PLUS ONE
when you are shopping for groceries. If every family picked up just ONE
extra item each week whe
n shopping, the bins at the back of the church
would be full every week. Please remember the needy right here in our
community!! We boosted our food collection recently in several ways.
Some of us went trick-or-treating in Chester requesting canned food
instead of candy, and we were quite well-received. People also brought
many food donations to our very successful potluck supper in November,
and to the recent music concert. Every event at Messiah is an invitation
(but never an obligation!) to share food items with our needy
neighbors.
Haven of Hope for Kids: Hope, New Jersey-- provide a BBQ dinner each summer for the families who are there.
Easter bags for all the families who receive food from the Chester Food Pantry.
Back Packs: We
support all the school age children at Transition Housing
Thanksgiving Baskets for area families in need
Christmas Giving Tree:We support families in Transition Housing (formerly at
Homeless Solutions)
Thrift shop not only sells clothing and home furnishings to all our shoppers, it also supplies many clothes for the needy in Jersey City. Vacation Bible Camp collects canned goods for the Chester food pantry.
“Tricks and Treats” for food donations in lieu of candy during Halloween to benefit the Washington Township food pantry.
Annual Mission Trip -- Summer: to support various ministries in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. In
2016 and 2017 and 2018 we supported the Church of the Good Shepherd in Ringwood by
leading the rotations at their week long Vacation Bible Camp. In
2017 we also spent a week at the House of Prayer Episcopal Church in Newark
helping lead their Vacation Bible Camp.Watch the bulletin for 2020 details!
Neighbors in Need program, collecting requested items throughout each month (on a rotating basis) for the Chester Food Pantry, the Washington Township (Long Valley) Food Pantry, and North Porch in Dover, which ministers to the needs of mothers and infants. Our members bring their donations to Messiah, where they are brought up the altar to be blessed during the offertory hymn.
Printer Cartridge Recycling. Think Green! We will take all your spent printer cartridges and cell phones for recycling. Contact us if you have questions by sending an email to info@messiahchester.org. Put "Recycling" in the subject heading.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon, where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, The Book of Common Prayer, Prayers and Thanksgivings
NEW! ELECTRONIC GIVING NOW AVAILABLE!
It just got easier to give to Messiah! Just lick the "Donate" button below or on the Home Page.
The first time you do, you'll be asked to
provide the bank account which you want your gift to come from. Your
gifts may be one-time or recurring. And you may specify any
particular cause within Messiah that you wish to support.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon, where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 
