Messiah St. Charles Weekly Messages

Christmas seems to have two versions — the sacred and the secular. We anticipate the coming of our Savior while also enjoying the seasonal festivities that have little to do with our Lord's birth. There's nothing wrong with embracing all the traditions of this time of year. It does, however, bring up a question: Is Christmas too steeped in lore and myth to really be taken seriously? Has it become...

The season of Advent is the time in the church year when our thoughts turn to Christ's coming — both on Christmas Day and His return on Judgment Day. In his message, Pastor Chuck Schlie looks at a character in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation who is similar to a biblical character who is preparing the way for Christ.

Messiah is committed to the idea that the Faith of the Next Generation Matters NOW. Pastor Jim explains why it's one of Messiah's core values, and what we are doing to ensure our faith gets passed down to the generations that come after us.

Despite social media networks that keep us more connected than ever before, loneliness is endemic in our society today. The importance of being in community with others was a focus of the early church and one that Messiah wants to help you with today. Our Community Group ministry is here to connect you with others to strengthen your faith and offer support. Our new groups launch in January. In thi...

The Bible is full of stories of Jesus ministering to the practical needs of the people He encountered during His time on earth. Though our eternal salvation is His ultimate aim, He clearly demonstrates that God cares about what goes on in our day-to-day lives. In this message Pastor Jim explores what it looks like where Faith & Real Life Intersect.

When Jesus walked the earth, He had a mission that His followers didn't always understand. His ministry was marked by service and (ultimately) sacrifice. He sought out opportunities to help those who needed Him and asked His disciples to do the same. As His followers today, we are also urged to do as He did. We are to Love Him through service to others. It's the Jesus Way. If you've been feeling t...

As the Church, we have an important job to do, and the stakes are high. So many of our neighbors aren't connected to Jesus. The reasons are many, and it's up to US to find them and meet them where they're at. Pastor Jim begins our new worship series "This is Us" with the topic 'Found People Find People.'

The church is full of sinners—in its worshipers and its leaders. All of us fall short of God's standards on a regular basis. We sin, we seek forgiveness (or we don't, and thereby commit more sin!), and we begin the cycle all over again. Why, then, did God create such an imperfect institution to deliver His perfect message? That's an excellent question and one we consider as we wrap up "Start...

To be sanctified means to be set apart. But not in a way that elevates you above others. Instead, it's a way for Jesus's light and love to shine through you so that others can see Him. Think of this line from a song you've likely heard before: "They'll know we are Christians by our love." If we live like Christ wants us to live, His love radiates and the Gospel spreads. In this message we&nbs...

Start Here: Why Should I Care? It's true—if we don't see something's usefulness, it's easy to feel indifferent toward it. When you think of the Ten Commandments, you might picture old stone tablets with words like "Thou shalt not" written on them and wonder what coveting a donkey has to do with your life today.  Pastor Chuck teaches how these commandments from God can bring you into closer re...

What's for dinner?  Did I remember to pay the water bill? What time is Aiden's soccer match tomorrow?  Where will I spend eternity?  Our minds are full of questions as we go about our day-to-day lives. Our eternal salvation probably isn't a huge concern on a typical day. But we do have thoughts that creep into our minds and we wonder if we're on the right track, spiritually speaking...

God reveals Himself in the Trinity, and the Trinity is explained in the Christian Church's historic creeds. Pastor Chuck Schlie looks at the Apostle's Creed in more depth to better answer a question that is so foundational to our faith—"Who is God?" If you've ever struggled to explain just who God is and why we recite creeds as a congregation, watch the first part of Start Here: Building...

It's a contentious time in our country. There's an important election coming up, and there are opinions on it everywhere you turn. You may find yourself wondering, how should a follower of Christ respond? This timely and special message from Pastor Jim on "Religion & Politics" will encourage us to stand united in a divisive season—regardless of political party affiliations.

Your choice for the Action category, Sieged!, tells the story of the Battle of Jericho. In it, we meet a ragtag group of God's people who are reluctant to follow the instructions they've been given to take the town of Jericho from its child-sacrificing, idol-worshiping occupants. The Israelites are scared. They know they don't stand a chance against these fierce, bloodthirsty people. Or do they?

Your choice for the Drama category, Unfaithful: A Love Story, is the message topic in the second installment of Binge Worthy. In this story, we meet Hosea and his unfaithful wife Gomer. Despite Gomer's numerous infidelities and betrayals, Hosea doesn't stop loving her and doesn't give up on their relationship. Will his love be enough to save their marriage? What does their story reveal about God's...

This Sunday we're going deep into scripture to examine why this text of the woman caught in adultery resonates so strongly with us. Sin is front and center in this tale, but Jesus deftly turns the tables on the morality mob in a way they never expected.

We're circling back to the Easter story to look at the disciple Peter. At Jesus's crucifixion, Peter fell far. He promised Jesus he would not leave His side. But when the authorities closed in on Jesus, Peter denied Him three times. Fortunately, we worship a God of love and forgiveness, and Peter's fall from grace was temporary. As we wrap up this series, Peter's story is our story and his Comebac...

You’ve likely heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son before—younger son takes his inheritance and sqaunders it. Nevertheless, his father welcomes him back home and celebrates his return. The older son is bitter and refuses to join the party. Tomorrow, hear Pastor Jim present this story in a way you may not have heard before.

Our capacity for sin is great, which makes our need for a Savior even greater. Fortunately, we worship a God who wants to show mercy to His creation. You may recall the story of Jonah in the belly of a whale. If you think it's just about a big fish, we invite you to view this message. The story of Jonah is all about going "From Judgment to Compassion," and Pastor Chuck will explain how.

Today we go “From Defeat to Victory” in a story from the Bible that features the Old Testament prophet Deborah.

In the face of setbacks, how do you keep from giving up? When it feels like nothing is going right, can you possibly look forward to anything? The Bible says, YES! There are so many stories of people facing tremendous challenges. In this message, Pastor Jim is looking at Moses and his efforts to bring his people out of slavery in Egypt and back to their homeland. With God, there's always hope...

Our new worship series "The Comeback" begins with a message all about moving on from hurt to hope. We know it's not an easy feat, and we aren't promising you simple answers. But what we can offer is a vision for suffering that connects you to your Savior Jesus. The Bible is full of people in desperate situations. Learn from one of them how God takes you "From Hurt to Hope."

"Oh, the Places You'll Go!" comes to an end this Sunday with a prophecy from Elisha for a starving city under siege that God will supply them with food. It's a bold promise, and one that an officer of the king openly rejects. But through some leperous outcasts, good news reaches the palace that God has indeed provided for the people in a most miraculous way. On Sunday, learn what this Old Tes...

Leprosy was once a feared disease that had no cure. Naaman, a general in the Syrian army, has leprosy, and he thinks his money and power can save him. But in God's Kingdom, it doesn't work like that. Naaman needs to humble himself and trust in the true God before he can be healed—physically and spiritually.

Our Senior Pastor Jim Mueller addressed racism during a recent worship service. You can view his words to out community on the video below.