Messiah Lutheran Church sits on the corner of Eastern Avenue and Gray Avenue in Wesleyville, a small borough just east of Erie, Pennsylvania. From this quiet neighborhood location, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America offers two Sunday worship services - one traditional and liturgical, one contemporary - plus a busy week of Bible studies, fellowship groups, quilting circles, children's programming, and outreach into the surrounding community. Under the leadership of Rev. Thomas M. Glasoe, who began his ministry there in June 2023, Messiah has cast itself as a thoughtful, compassionate Christian community "where grace is larger than fear."
A Pastor's Journey from Three Orphanages to Wesleyville
No account of Messiah can be told apart from its pastor. Rev. Thomas M. Glasoe was born in Vietnam and spent his first ten years there before coming to the United States as an unaccompanied minor, having lived in three different orphanages. Those early experiences of displacement, suffering, and resilience continue to inform the way he walks with people through grief, doubt, uncertainty, and personal struggle.
Pastor Glasoe holds a Bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College and a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary. He has taught church history and religion at Texas Lutheran University, helping students develop curiosity, wisdom, and critical thinking. Before arriving at Messiah, he served churches in Texas and Pennsylvania. His preaching combines biblical depth with historical insight, practical application, and a deep concern for the human heart. He is passionate about creating a spiritually intelligent and emotionally safe church community where people can wrestle honestly with faith, ask difficult questions, and encounter the grace of Jesus Christ without pretense.
Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Glasoe is a prolific writer. His pieces - shared with the congregation and beyond - include Holy Envy, Emmanuel, Tongues of Fire, Who Sees Christ?, The Secret Garden of Our Soul, Two Kingdoms in a Manger, The Anastasis, Broken But Not Shattered, When a Nation Sings, Nothing Gold Can Stay, and Lech Lecha, along with seasonal Advent and Lent devotionals. He also teaches through short video series such as "Shakespeare & the Bible" and "Many Bibles," and offers one-on-one study sessions tailored to individual questions and interests. Outside of ministry, he is the father of two sons, an avid reader and writer, and a lover of coffee, history, aviation, literature, American presidential leadership, theology, philosophy, and meaningful conversation.
Two Sunday Services, One Congregation
Worship is at the heart of Messiah's life together, and the congregation gathers twice on Sunday morning. At 8:30 a.m., the Traditional Liturgical Worship follows the ancient rhythm of the Church, guiding worshipers through confession, proclamation, and the celebration of God's grace. Scripture, prayer, and music come together in a participatory service that is both reverent and accessible, whether one is new to liturgy or has known it all one's life.
At 11:00 a.m., The Gathering offers Messiah's contemporary worship experience. Centered on praise, prayer, and Holy Communion, the service features modern Christian music and a more free-flowing style. While less structured than the traditional service, The Gathering remains rooted in Scripture and the sharing of Christ's presence at the table. Both services are livestreamed on YouTube, and printed bulletins are available for each gathering.
The musical leadership reflects both worlds. Dr. Michelle Flaherty serves as Contemporary Worship Leader; Matt Lowther leads worship as Guitarist and Liturgical Worship Leader; and Jodi Joyce serves as Keyboardist. Together they shape the sound of both Sunday services and special offerings throughout the year.
Beyond the regular Sundays, Messiah gathers for Lenten midweek services and community worship in partnership with the Wesleyville Ministerium of Churches. The congregation also hosts special offerings such as sound baths, Taizé worship, and Lectio Divina - creative expressions of prayer that invite people to encounter God in different ways. Music, prayer, and the sharing of God's Word draw the community together and equip worshipers to carry Christ's love into daily life.
Behind the Scenes: Altar Guild and Sponsorships
Behind every Sunday service stands Messiah's Altar Guild, whose members prepare the sanctuary and the Lord's Table with care - setting up for Holy Communion, tending the altar, and ensuring that each service is orderly and meaningful. Anyone is welcome to join. Worshipers may also sponsor altar flowers, the vigil candle, or bulletins in honor or memory of a loved one, with each dedication printed in the weekly bulletin.
Formation at Every Stage
Messiah takes Christian education seriously as a place where people wrestle with honest faith rather than collect easy answers. Adult Bible study, book discussions, faith formation, and conversations about the world all gather around the conviction that God is still speaking into lives today.
The Messiah Book Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month during the school year at 1:00 p.m., drawing readers into thoughtful conversation about books read in the previous month. The 2026-2027 reading list ranges widely: The Rent Collector by Camron Wright, The Nine by Gwen Strauss, This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagmann, As Long as the Lemon Trees Grows by Zoulfa Katouh, Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb, The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel, and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. All are welcome - whether one comes ready to dive deep or simply to listen.
Two milestone classes anchor the church's formation work. The First Communion class for older elementary students uses engaging lessons, conversation, and hands-on learning to explore the meaning of Holy Communion and prepare students to participate more fully in worship. New Members' Classes are offered quarterly for anyone curious about Messiah and what it means to belong here - whether new to church or simply new to the congregation. Confirmation classes are also offered; interested families are encouraged to contact the church office.
Pastor Glasoe also writes printed devotionals for Advent and Lent, distributed for both group study and personal reflection.
Children, Youth, and Families
Children, Youth, and Family Ministries - known around Messiah as CYFM - aim to help families actually live out their faith together, not just talk about it. The ministry builds a community where families worship together, connect with church friends, and give space for kids and students to grow in their gifts.
The Children's Ministry offers a joyful, welcoming space where kids can learn about God, ask questions, and build friendships through engaging lessons, hands-on activities, and plenty of fun. The Youth Ministry walks alongside middle and high school students through weekly hangouts, community service, lock-ins, retreats, and summer trips. Big life questions get explored in a no-pressure, judgment-free atmosphere. Messiah's youth ministry is explicitly welcoming of LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent young people.
The Young Adults Ministry creates space for people in their twenties and thirties to show up without having everything figured out - their life, their faith, or their next step. The group gathers for real conversation, shared meals, service, and honest wrestling with what faith looks like in the middle of real life. The Families Ministry serves parents and children together, creating space for shared experiences and meaningful moments with people who understand the realities of daily life. No perfection is required - just a community growing together in faith.
Fellowship Across the Years
Life at Messiah extends well beyond the sanctuary. The O.W.L.s - Older, Wiser Lutherans - is a group for senior members that gathers for fellowship events, outings, shared meals, and meaningful conversation, celebrating both the wisdom and the joy that come with experience.
Throughout the year, the congregation hosts special fellowship events such as the Meal in the Upper Room, the Thanksgiving Celebration Dinner, the Summer Church Picnic, and the Blessing of the Pets and Pet Walk - a short neighborhood walk in which Pastor Glasoe blesses the companion animals of the congregation.
The Hospitality Ministry makes sure every person feels seen and welcomed - through greeters, coffee and conversation, and the small art of noticing when someone is new or in need of connection. The Prayer Ministry lifts up requests through prayer partners and intentional times of intercession. The Mediation Ministry offers a safe, respectful space for working through conflict with grace, honesty, and a commitment to reconciliation, available to members and, when possible, to the wider community. The Exercise Group meets for movement, stretching, and mutual encouragement, no matter one's age or fitness level.
The Sewers and Quilters Ministry brings together creativity and compassion. Members create items that offer warmth, comfort, and care to those in need, both within the congregation and in the wider community - hands busy, hearts engaged.
Care and Outreach in the Wider Community
The Care Ministry shows up for one another - with prayer, presence, and practical help - in both the good moments and the hard ones. Volunteers offer home communion, visitation, mental health support, and congregational care, ensuring that no one walks through difficulty alone.
The Outreach Ministry is built around four areas of focus: health, housing, hunger, and education. The ministry operates a community garden and a food bank, hosts service projects, and partners with local organizations to engage in mutual conversation with neighbors. The conviction is that being the church in this time and place requires stepping outside the walls of the building - listening, learning, changing, and growing alongside the people of Wesleyville and beyond.
Visitors wishing to give their time can sign up for opportunities that include Altar Guild, Worship Assisting, Music, Youth and Family, Audio/Visual Tech, Property/Maintenance, Care Ministry, Hospitality, Outreach, and the Community Garden.
Walking Through Life's Milestones
Messiah walks with people through the three great thresholds of life. In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, water and God's promises connect the one being baptized with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is once and for all, for people of any age - no one is too young or too old to receive God's gift. Parents, children, and baptismal sponsors meet with the pastor beforehand to explore the meaning of baptism and become familiar with the service.
For couples marrying at Messiah, the wedding is a worship service with its primary focus on God. Pastors, musicians, a wedding coordinator, and other members of the Messiah community assist with preparation. The sanctuary serves as the setting for vows and celebration with family and friends. Honorariums apply to the pastor and musicians.
When a loved one dies, the congregation mourns alongside the family. The pastor helps develop the order of service, musicians assist with hymn selection, and staff guide the family through every step before and during the day of the funeral. Honorariums apply to the pastor and musicians.
The Building and Accessibility
Messiah's building is much larger than it looks from the street. The sanctuary occupies the front portion of the facility and is the largest room inside. The building is fully handicapped accessible and compliant with all applicable accessibility laws.
A hearing assistance system is installed in the sanctuary, with devices ready for anyone who needs them. A nursery is available during all worship services and church events, and families are welcome to use it whenever needed. Located on the lower level just below the sanctuary, the nursery is stocked with toys, educational materials, and a child-friendly restroom, with an adult restroom just outside. Parents can continue to follow the service through the speakers.
Church office hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The congregation is served by a Friday weekly email and a monthly printed newsletter.
What Messiah Values
Five values shape the ministry of Messiah Lutheran Church. Meaningful Learning treats formation as transformation, engaging Scripture and asking honest questions in community. Compassionate Service takes seriously Jesus' words that he came not to be served but to serve, moving faith beyond words into action.
Wholehearted Worship gathers people to praise God, be renewed by grace, and be sent out to live their faith in the world. Christ-Centered Relationships chooses reconciliation, valuing relationships more than being right. Transformational Generosity sees giving as a response to God's grace - sharing time, talents, and resources with open hands and faithful hearts.
A Look Ahead
Messiah's vision points in five directions. The congregation seeks to expand learning, outreach, and fellowship; to build a stronger, connected community by developing leaders and deepening care ministries; to steward its building as a tool for worship, hospitality, and outreach; to invest in children and families through new programs and milestone ministries; and to strengthen worship through thoughtful use of technology, meaningful music, and accessible resources.
Rooted in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and grounded in Wesleyville, Messiah Lutheran Church continues to open its doors to anyone carrying questions, exhaustion, grief, doubt, or spiritual curiosity. As the congregation likes to say, you don't need to have everything figured out to walk through the doors - and you don't need to do life alone once you're inside.