Living Face to Face

Messiah's vision is to live face to face: with God, with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and with the most vulnerable. In worship, fellowship, mutual support, service, and seeking justice, we are called to encounter God and each other honestly and sincerely. Church should be a place of respite from a frantic, always-connected, constantly polarized world. It should be a place where we remember how to be human again, with all of the possibility and frailty being human involves. 

...with God

Worship is at the heart of our life in Christ. We celebrate Holy Communion on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Children are always welcome in worship, and a tended nursery is also provided at the 9:30 a.m. service. We gather for special days: Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and Day, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and on Wednesday evenings during Lent. Check out homepage for upcoming events.


Many gifts make worship possible. You are welcome to join our vocal choir, our praise ensemble, our bell choir, strings, or dance group. Send us a message for information about any of these worship ministries.


Children are invited to Sunday School between Labor Day and Memorial Day after the children's message at the 9:30 service. First Holy Communion instruction takes place every spring for students in fifth grade, and middle schoolers attend Pathway, our confirmation ministry, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Get in touch to learn more or sign up for a children or youth program.


Bible study groups meet on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. A women's Bible study meets on second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 9:30 a.m.

...with our brothers and sisters in Christ

Community, fellowship, and mutual support are a big part of how we live out the faith formed in worship and learning. Our middle and high school youth group meets on Sundays after church. Meditation, yoga, book clubs, Single Women In Ministry, and recovery groups all meet throughout the week. 


We support each other and members of the wider community in times of difficulty with trained, accountable Stephen Ministers.


Anyone seeking baptism for themselves or a child, wishing to have confirmation or first communion instruction after middle school, interested in joining the church or just wanting to learn more about Christianity is welcome to participate in our semi-annual Christian Basics small groups. These six-week groups meet on Wednesdays and Sundays in Fall and during Lent for learning, conversation, and prayer in a casual, friendly setting. Childcare is always provided. For more information or to sign up for the next group, click here.

...and with the most vulnerable

At Messiah we are always striving to serve people in their needs and advocate for justice for all. We host homeless men every Saturday night from October through April through PADS (Providing Advocacy, Dignity, and Shelter) of Lake County. Anyone can sign up to help out for one of Messiah's own shifts. 


Throughout the year we work with local churches, the Wauconda-Island Lake Food Pantry, community non-profits, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, ELCA World Hunger, and other groups to meet critical needs for foster children, people with disabilities, children of incarcerated parents, and other people whose needs are often overlooked. 


Messiah's Youth Group travels somewhere, near or far, each summer to work with and learn from another community. In 2017 we participated in our first-ever adult mission trip, and more are planned for the future. 

Hang tight while we prepare your form...