Reminder: Don’t Fall for Scams!

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Messiah,

Once again we've received reports by members who've gotten texts from "Pastor Eric" asking for money.  These texts are scams!

Messiah staff members and volunteers will never make phone calls or send emails/texts asking you for money or gift cards to meet personal or church needs, or the needs of others. Pastor Eric and the Board of Elders have a regular process to help people in need through Messiah's For Others Fund. This process includes provisions for emergency situations.

"Emergency scams" are more common than ever, often using the names of officials gleaned from public websites like ours. (We’ve noticed that members frequently report scam texts around holidays like Christmas and holiday weekends like Memorial Day & Labor Day.) This past May, our Board of Outreach hosted an Fraud Prevention Workshop presented by an FBI special agent; you can access FBI information on Scams and Safety here.

Please contact Pastor Eric or myself if you receive scam solicitations purporting to come from us or anyone connected with Messiah; thanks to those who reported this round of misleading texts. Thanks and God bless!

Yours in Christ,


Rick Krueger
Messiah Lutheran Church