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 six-week worship series called “Journey in Song: A Movement of Faith Through Favorite Hymns” will continue on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as we explore themes of classic hymns that have been selected by the congregation. The fifth message in the series features #77 in the United Methodist Hymnal, “How Great Thou Art,” and is rooted in Psalm 8:1, 3–6.

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!
Sermon Discussion Notes
Online attendance figures use a new weighted engagement formula for greater accuracy. While this updated calculation yields a much lower average, we are hoping to hone in on more accurate engagement numbers as overall viewership continues to increase. Based on current engagement, we estimate and are reporting an 80% engagement rate from our website and app viewers, a 30% engagement rate from YouTube viewers, and a 20% engagement rate from Facebook viewers.

Sunday Mornings at 10:15

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!

October Snack Themes:
10/18/26 - It’s A Savory Kind Of Day: How about a not so sweet treat today.
10/25/26 - Spooky Treats: Let’s bring all types of Halloween treats. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

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.
10/18 - Becky and David Martin
10/25 - Grace Hernandez, Sphinx Fitness
11/1 - Vietnam Veterans
11/8 - Sarah Mendoza, Epilepsy Awareness


Adult Sunday School in Room 102 at 10:15.

All Saints' Day Observance

All Saints’ Day will be observed in both worship services at Morning Star on Sunday, November 1, 2026. This holy day gives us the opportunity to honor the legacies of those who have died in the past year. During the worship services, we will light a candle for each person in gratitude and honor of their influence on our lives. If someone in your life has died since last All Saints’ Day (11/02/25) and you would like to include that person in this year’s list, please send a name, and if possible a photo and the dates of birth and death, to be included in our observance. Please send the information to Pastor Amy (amy@mstarlc.church) between Tuesday, October 12 and Monday, October 19. Grace and Peace.

This Week at Morning Star

Here's what is going on THIS week, October 12 - October 18:
Monday: Men's Bible Study, 8:30A - 9:30A. In-person. Zoom will return Oct. 20
Tuesday: Senior Connection: Game Day, 10A - 1P
Wednesday: Aging Gracefully, 11A - 12P
Wednesday Night Activities, 6P - 7:30P
Kids, Youth, LGBTQ Grace Group, Bible Studies (The Big Idea Zoom link here)
Meal provided at 5:30P (Fall menu from Bonnie Moore)
Thursday: Women's Bible Study, 9A - 10A. In-person and on Zoom (link here)
Ladies' Bunco, 6P
Praise Band Practice, 6:30P
Friday: Choir Practice, 3P
Sunday: Walking through Grief, 4P

Upcoming:
Senior Singles' Luncheon at Sunset Grill, October 19, 12:30P
Wildcard Dinner, October 23, 6P
Thanksgiving Food Bag Drive begins Sunday, October 25
Spooky-Not-Scary Haunted House, October 30, 5P - 8P

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.

Wildcard Dinner Coming Up!

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 23, at 6:00 PM for our next Wildcard Dinner (formerly So, Who’s Coming to Dinner?)! It’s a fun gathering designed to help you connect with others across the Morning Star community.

How it works:
  • Guests: You’ll be given an address a few days before the event. You will also be assigned to bring an appetizer, salad, side dish, or dessert.
  • Hosts: You won't know who’s coming to your dinner until they walk through the door! Hosts provide the main course.

Free childcare is available at the church.

How to Register: Turn in your registration card this Sunday, October 19, during either service. Won’t be at church? Email the church office at info@mstarlc.church to sign up virtually.
Last Christmas Eve, 239 people worshiped in the Morning Star building, which is more than our sanctuary can hold at one time. Offering two services allows everyone who wants to worship in person to have a place, while also leaving room for more people to celebrate Christmas at Morning Star this year. As this year's Christmas Eve schedule takes shape, please share what times would work best for you.
Survey Here

Blanket & Sock Brigade

Please bring your new and gently used, clean blankets and socks to church starting in October.  Look for the white laundry baskets in the hall between the gathering space and the church office. The Mission Team will be collecting and distributing the blankets and socks to needy members of our community from October to February.

Thank you for your support!
The Mission Team

Not-So-Scary Haunted House

Morning Star's annual FREE, kid-friendly haunted house is coming up on Friday, October 30, from 5 to 8 PM! Our “Not-So-Scary” Haunted House is filled with spooky fun, silly surprises, and Halloween excitement designed for kids of all ages, all without the terrifying scares. Food trucks will be on site, so come hungry and ready to spend time with family, friends, and the Las Cruces community this spooky season!

Celebrating the Life of Maurine Vogel

A memorial service for Maurine Vogel will take place at Morning Star UMC on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10 AM. Maurine is the mother of Denise Vogel Armfield. Please be in prayer for Denise and her family at this time.

Book Study Invite from the New Mexico Conference

Book Study about the Massacre at Sand Creek Led by Rev. Lisa Jo Bezner

As part of being appointed in both the New Mexico and Mountain Sky annual conferences, Lisa Jo Bezner will lead an online book discussion of Massacre at Sand Creek: How Methodists Were Involved in an American Tragedy by Gary L. Roberts. There will be four sessions beginning on Oct. 21 and finishing on Nov. 18.

Each year Mountain Sky Annual conference supports the Sand Creek Spiritual Healing Run, which is a sacred, descendant-led journey of remembrance, truth-telling and healing from the Massacre Site to Denver. This year’s run takes place Nov. 25-29.

The Sand Creek Massacre is not only Native American history, it is also Methodist history.

On November 29, 1864, approximately 675 Colorado volunteer soldiers attacked a peaceful village of about 750 Cheyenne and Arapaho people along Big Sandy Creek in southeastern Colorado Territory. More than 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed, most of them women, children and elders.

The attack was led by Col. John M. Chivington, a Methodist Episcopal minister.

If you are interested in taking part in the discussion, you may purchase the book through Cokesbury or your favorite bookseller. Please contact Lisa Jo Bezner at fumcratonpastor@gmail.com to get a reading guide and schedule for the sessions.

Practicing Generosity at Morning Star

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
Give Online Here
Start looking down here every week for a playlist recap of the music performed at the 9:15 service!
9:15 Playlist from October 11, 2026
If there is anything you would like added to next week's The Star Weekly, send requests to Brishen at brishen@mstarlc.church by Thursday
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 six-week worship series called “Journey in Song: A Movement of Faith Through Favorite Hymns” will continue on Sunday, October 18, 2026, as we explore themes of classic hymns that have been selected by the congregation. The fifth message in the series features #77 in the United Methodist Hymnal, “How Great Thou Art,” and is rooted in Psalm 8:1, 3–6.

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!
Sermon Discussion Notes
Online attendance figures use a new weighted engagement formula for greater accuracy. While this updated calculation yields a much lower average, we are hoping to hone in on more accurate engagement numbers as overall viewership continues to increase. Based on current engagement, we estimate and are reporting an 80% engagement rate from our website and app viewers, a 30% engagement rate from YouTube viewers, and a 20% engagement rate from Facebook viewers.

Sunday Mornings at 10:15

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!

October Snack Themes:
10/18/26 - It’s A Savory Kind Of Day: How about a not so sweet treat today.
10/25/26 - Spooky Treats: Let’s bring all types of Halloween treats. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

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.
10/18 - Becky and David Martin
10/25 - Grace Hernandez, Sphinx Fitness
11/1 - Vietnam Veterans
11/8 - Sarah Mendoza, Epilepsy Awareness


Adult Sunday School in Room 102 at 10:15.

All Saints' Day Observance

All Saints’ Day will be observed in both worship services at Morning Star on Sunday, November 1, 2026. This holy day gives us the opportunity to honor the legacies of those who have died in the past year. During the worship services, we will light a candle for each person in gratitude and honor of their influence on our lives. If someone in your life has died since last All Saints’ Day (11/02/25) and you would like to include that person in this year’s list, please send a name, and if possible a photo and the dates of birth and death, to be included in our observance. Please send the information to Pastor Amy (amy@mstarlc.church) between Tuesday, October 12 and Monday, October 19. Grace and Peace.

This Week at Morning Star

Here's what is going on THIS week, October 12 - October 18:
Monday: Men's Bible Study, 8:30A - 9:30A. In-person. Zoom will return Oct. 20
Tuesday: Senior Connection: Game Day, 10A - 1P
Wednesday: Aging Gracefully, 11A - 12P
Wednesday Night Activities, 6P - 7:30P
Kids, Youth, LGBTQ Grace Group, Bible Studies (The Big Idea Zoom link here)
Meal provided at 5:30P (Fall menu from Bonnie Moore)
Thursday: Women's Bible Study, 9A - 10A. In-person and on Zoom (link here)
Ladies' Bunco, 6P
Praise Band Practice, 6:30P
Friday: Choir Practice, 3P
Sunday: Walking through Grief, 4P

Upcoming:
Senior Singles' Luncheon at Sunset Grill, October 19, 12:30P
Wildcard Dinner, October 23, 6P
Thanksgiving Food Bag Drive begins Sunday, October 25
Spooky-Not-Scary Haunted House, October 30, 5P - 8P

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.

Wildcard Dinner Coming Up!

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 23, at 6:00 PM for our next Wildcard Dinner (formerly So, Who’s Coming to Dinner?)! It’s a fun gathering designed to help you connect with others across the Morning Star community.

How it works:
  • Guests: You’ll be given an address a few days before the event. You will also be assigned to bring an appetizer, salad, side dish, or dessert.
  • Hosts: You won't know who’s coming to your dinner until they walk through the door! Hosts provide the main course.

Free childcare is available at the church.

How to Register: Turn in your registration card this Sunday, October 19, during either service. Won’t be at church? Email the church office at info@mstarlc.church to sign up virtually.
Last Christmas Eve, 239 people worshiped in the Morning Star building, which is more than our sanctuary can hold at one time. Offering two services allows everyone who wants to worship in person to have a place, while also leaving room for more people to celebrate Christmas at Morning Star this year. As this year's Christmas Eve schedule takes shape, please share what times would work best for you.
Survey Here

Blanket & Sock Brigade

Please bring your new and gently used, clean blankets and socks to church starting in October.  Look for the white laundry baskets in the hall between the gathering space and the church office. The Mission Team will be collecting and distributing the blankets and socks to needy members of our community from October to February.

Thank you for your support!
The Mission Team

Not-So-Scary Haunted House

Morning Star's annual FREE, kid-friendly haunted house is coming up on Friday, October 30, from 5 to 8 PM! Our “Not-So-Scary” Haunted House is filled with spooky fun, silly surprises, and Halloween excitement designed for kids of all ages, all without the terrifying scares. Food trucks will be on site, so come hungry and ready to spend time with family, friends, and the Las Cruces community this spooky season!

Celebrating the Life of Maurine Vogel

A memorial service for Maurine Vogel will take place at Morning Star UMC on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10 AM. Maurine is the mother of Denise Vogel Armfield. Please be in prayer for Denise and her family at this time.

Book Study Invite from the New Mexico Conference

Book Study about the Massacre at Sand Creek Led by Rev. Lisa Jo Bezner

As part of being appointed in both the New Mexico and Mountain Sky annual conferences, Lisa Jo Bezner will lead an online book discussion of Massacre at Sand Creek: How Methodists Were Involved in an American Tragedy by Gary L. Roberts. There will be four sessions beginning on Oct. 21 and finishing on Nov. 18.

Each year Mountain Sky Annual conference supports the Sand Creek Spiritual Healing Run, which is a sacred, descendant-led journey of remembrance, truth-telling and healing from the Massacre Site to Denver. This year’s run takes place Nov. 25-29.

The Sand Creek Massacre is not only Native American history, it is also Methodist history.

On November 29, 1864, approximately 675 Colorado volunteer soldiers attacked a peaceful village of about 750 Cheyenne and Arapaho people along Big Sandy Creek in southeastern Colorado Territory. More than 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed, most of them women, children and elders.

The attack was led by Col. John M. Chivington, a Methodist Episcopal minister.

If you are interested in taking part in the discussion, you may purchase the book through Cokesbury or your favorite bookseller. Please contact Lisa Jo Bezner at fumcratonpastor@gmail.com to get a reading guide and schedule for the sessions.

Practicing Generosity at Morning Star

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
Give Online Here
Start looking down here every week for a playlist recap of the music performed at the 9:15 service!
9:15 Playlist from October 11, 2026
If there is anything you would like added to next week's The Star Weekly, send requests to Brishen at brishen@mstarlc.church by Thursday