The mission of Morning Star is to point people to the grace of God that we find in Jesus.
We pursue this mission through a vision of:

• inspirational worship
• radical inclusion
• alleviation of suffering

A five-week worship series called “Muscle Memory: Re-Calling Why Church Even Matters Today” will continue on Sunday, August 23, 2026, as we consider concepts developed by the Texas Methodist Foundation for thriving churches. The fourth message in the series, “How to Stay When It Would Be Easier to Leave,” is rooted in Mark 14:3-9 and explores the adaptive muscle of Walking Alongside.

Contemporary worship will take place in person and online (mstarlc.church and YouTube) at 9:15 AM, and traditional worship will take place in person at 11:15 AM. Both services will include a recognition of Father’s Day, with appreciation for all men who influence our lives, families and communities.

All are welcome!

Snacks are organized by Justy Wykert and brought by congregation members to be shared in between services. Check out the theme for next week below, and contact Justy at djwykert1@hotmail.com for more information. Thank you!

August Snack Themes:
8/23/26 - Waffle World: So many things come in waffle shapes and taste.
8/30/26 - Wrapping It Up: As summer moves on, it’s time to share our favorite summer treats.

PLEASE help support each week’s theme by bringing food to share.


Parables takes place at 10:15 AM and is storytelling project. Come early for the coffee and snacks; stay for the stories.
8/23 - Mary Roberts, Bell Choir 
8/30 - Parent Meeting
9/6 - Jayne Dunham
9/13 - Justyn Rippie

Adult Sunday School in Room 102 at 10:15.

Please welcome Chelsea Trejo to the Morning Star community! Chelsea joined the church on Sunday, August 16.

If you are interested in learning about membership or any next steps at Morning Star, please feel free to take part in the next First Sundays discussion on September 6 at 10:15 AM in the pastor's office, or contact Pastor Amy directly at amy@mstarlc.church. Grace and peace!

A Wesley Center (often called a Wesley Foundation or Wesley Student Center) is a campus ministry for college students. Methodist churches sponsor it, but it welcomes students from all backgrounds and religions.

Think of it as a "home away from home" for college students while they are at school.

Debbie Santmyer here. I just accepted a position on the Wesley Center Board, and I have a favor to ask small groups at Morning Star Church.

Morning Star has agreed to host five Sunday night dinners at the Wesley Center. They start at 5 pm and between four and 15 students are expected. I will have a more accurate head count after the first dinner on August 23.

Would you please consider signing up to provide a dinner for NMSU students on one of the following dates:

• Sunday, August 23 – Wesley Board Members
• Sunday, August 30 at 5 pm – Krista Michael
• Sunday, September 6 – Open
• Sunday, September 13 – Open
• Sunday, September 20 – Open
• Sunday, September 27 – Open

There are four open Sundays. Thank you for time and attention in this matter. If you have any questions please contact me, Debbie Santmyer, by phone (801) 200-2550 or by email: santmyer8488@gmail.com. If you are signing up to provide dinner please email or phone me with the selected date.

Thank you.

During the past several years, we’ve enjoyed the opportunity to learn from our partnership with Camino Real Middle School, and now other congregations will have that chance, too. In a humbling turn of events, Morning Star’s after-school snack program serves as the subject of a new case study prepared by the Forum for Congregational Life, a ministry of Duke Divinity School and part of Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations initiative. You can read the study here: https://mstarlc.church/casestudy

The study will be shared with congregations as a companion piece to the documentary completed by Big Dog Little Bed Productions about this outreach ministry as part of the Thriving Congregations initiative and released in October 2025: https://mstarlc.church/media/series/w5p55t2/thriving-congregations-documentaries

A big thank you goes to all who participate in this important act of neighboring after school. There’s always room for more! If you are interested in serving with the after-school snack program at Morning Star, please contact Angie Hereford at angie@mstarlc.church.

Here's what is going on THIS week, August 17 - August 23:
Monday: Men's Bible Study, 8:30A - 9:30A. In-person and on Zoom (link here)
Senior Singles' Luncheon at Sunset Grill, 12:30P
Tuesday: Food Pantry, 8A - 12P
Wednesday: Wednesday Night Activities, 6P - 7:30P
Kids, Youth, LGBTQ Grace Group, and Bible Studies:
- Deep Dive into the Gospel of John
- The Big Idea: Bible 101. In-person and on Zoom (link here)
Meal provided at 5:30P
Thursday: Women's Bible Study: July Coffee & Conversations, 9A - 10A. In-person and on Zoom (link here)
Praise Band Practice, 5P
Friday: Choir Practice, 3P
Food Truck Friday with LIVE MUSIC, 5P - 8P
Saturday: Ramp Build, 8A

Upcoming:
5 Adaptive Muscles Online Conversation, August 27, 10:30A - 11:30A
Children & Youth Parent Meeting, August 30, 10:30A

Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 9:30A - 12:30P

 
Don't see something you need more info on? Check the Events & Upcoming Events Calendars in the app and online at mstarlc.church.

We are beginning to gather information for an upcoming Morning Star Directory. This directory will be entirely opt-in. If you would like to be included, please fill out the survey that is linked below . Please also add any information which you would like to be included in the directory, including phone number, email and/or physical address.

Wednesday Nights are returning THIS Wednesday, August 19!

We will begin each week with a meal at 5:30 PM. This semester, we are suggesting a $2 donation per person to help cover the costs of these meals.

Activities begin at 6:00 PM and feature options for everyone:

• Kids & Youth Groups
• LGBTQ Grace Group
• Adult Bible Study 1: Deep Dive into the Gospel of John (with Johnny Talley, Sanctuary)
• Adult Bible Study 2: The Big Idea: Bible 101 (with Pastor Amy, Music Room and on Zoom).

Parables on Sunday, August 30, will feature a Children & Youth Parent Meeting.

If you have a child or youth at Morning Star, please come for info on upcoming events, to fill out some forms, and to brainstorm. This meeting will not be livestreamed. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please let Angie Hereford (angie@mstarlc.church) know so she can follow up with you individually.

We want to make Practicing Generosity as easy as possible at Morning Star.

Text MSTARLC to 888.364.GIVE.
You will receive a text back with instructions on how to give on your phone.

Mail a check to:
2941 Morningstar Drive, Las Cruces, NM. 88011

On our website: 
https://mstarlc.church. Click on Give and you can give online or simply click on the GIVE button below.

In person:
You can bring your gift to church on Sundays and drop it in the box at the back of the Sanctuary.

Questions or you need help setting up a recurring gift? Email Patty Groth:
finance@mstarlc.church