MADISON – The congregation of Messiah Lutheran Church, 7740 U.S. 72 W. in Madison, will celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 23-24.

Messiah Lutheran has observed several milestones since organizing on May 20, 1990,” communications and media coordinator Meredith Kilby said. “The theme of this yearlong celebration is ‘God’s Word is our Great Heritage.'”

“The story began back in the mid-1980s when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recognized Madison as an excellent mission field for planting a new church,” Kilby said. In fall 1988, Rev. Scott Peterson accepted the call as pastor, moving from Minnesota with wife Bonnie Jane and their three children.

“Six months of knocking on about 3,000 doors seeking the ‘unchurched’ in the Madison area and multiple interest meetings culminated in Messiah’s first service of worship on April 23, 1989,” Kilby said.

That service with 115 people was held in United Rubber Workers’ Union Hall. “Like Madison, Messiah Lutheran grew,” Kilby said. “On Feb. 14, 1993, ground was broken for a church home.”

Members and friends built most of the original building with 11,000 square feet. The church was dedicated on March 13, 1994. Later projects have added space for education, fellowship and worship.

“Messiah Lutheran continues as a mission dedicated to celebrating that the God revealed in the Bible is gracious and merciful,” Peterson said.

The sanctuary now seats 300. The congregation dedicated a new pipe organ in 2014. Worship services are held at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays, with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

On May 23, members and guests will return to the union hall on Lime Quarry Road at 2:30 p.m. At 4:30 p.m. at the church, youth will lead activities and share history. At  5:30 p.m., members will enjoy a picnic and barbecue supper.

On May 24, worship and Lord’s Supper will be held at 8:30 a.m., reception for confirmands (individuals receiving confirmation) at 9:45 a.m. and worship with confirmation and Lord’s Supper at 11 a.m. At noon, a celebration dinner will be held in the parish hall.

For more information, visit mlutheran.org.