Worship at St. Matthew
“Empowered by the Holy Spirit, We share our Faith, by Loving and Serving our Neighbor.”
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Important News
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Sunday worship will be virtual until further notice. You can watch worship every Sunday on Facebook or zoom. When in - person worship resumes we will follow all CDC guidelines so if you are planning to join us, please remember to wear your mask.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, have been in contact with someone exposed to COVID-19, or feel uncomfortable attending in person, we ask that you join us via Facebook. The link will be posted below every week.
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You can find weekly Sunday bulletins on the home page.
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Prayer for Coronavirus
God of compassion,
Be close to those who are ill, afraid or in isolation. In their loneliness, be their consolation; in their anxiety, be their hope; in their darkness, be there light; through him who suffered alone on the cross, but reigns with you in glory, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
St. Matthew Holiday Worship Services
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Ash Wednesday: 7:00PM Maundy Thursday: 7:00PM Good Friday: 12:00PM Easter Sunday: 9:00AM Thanksgiving Eve: 7:00PM Christmas Eve: 7:00PM Lenten Soup Supper: 6:30PM - During Lent |
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Holy Communion
The Lord Jesus welcomes everyone to share in his real presence with us in Holy Communion. The method of communion is intinction ( the action of dipping the bread in the wine at a Eucharist so that a communicant receives both together.) Holy Communion is served every Sunday.
*** Coronavirus: Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen |
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This week's Gospel Message
GOSPEL MESSAGE
December 24, 2020
Hope Born in a World of Humbugs
Dressed up with presents, lights, TV specials, extra concerts, parties, and spending
money, there is a sense that Christmas is the time to feel good, do good, and perhaps
live a little better than the rest of the year. Even the most cynical get swept up in the
idea that the world and their lives shine a little brighter. It is a sugar-coated holiday
rush only to be met days later by an emotional crash. Yet these signs point to a
deep-seated hope that is lodged in the hearts and minds of those moving into this
season. There is a longing and fervent hope that God will enter in and counter the
challenges and humbugs of our days and world. And to this longing and fervent
hope we look to one who claims us from marginal lives and engages us in a central
story of hope and promise.
Wrapped in every breath, song, and action is God’s direct connection with the earth
and her peoples. This night counters voices and theologies that view God as distant
and unengaged with humanity and the world. From old, the promise of God
drawing near has been uttered; in the gospel we witness the birth of God’s yearning
presence through a teenage girl; throughout we are invited to join the song of
creation, hope, and salvation. Tonight we pulse with the exhilaration of Mary and
the shepherds, and those who have lived at the margins, as we experience and
proclaim, that “God dwells with us.” While people may often talk of the “magic” of
Christmas, it is our call to speak to the
incarnation
of Christmas. As people come
together to hear a familiar story and sing familiar hymns, the blessing and challenge
is to witness again to God’s promise and promise-keeping with vitality and to join
the chorus of joy in what God has done and continues to do in being made real
among us.
Into the lights and presents, the music and gatherings, even the wars, poverty, little
empires, and tumult of the world, God meets and claims us in that spirit of hope.
God calls us to dream and live into a new reality as we encounter this babe at
Bethlehem and find this Christ-child born in our lives again. Christmas speaks to
our greatest longing, and turns the “humbugs” to carols of joy.
www.Sundayandseasons.com
Thought to Ponder
The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever,
- Isaiah 40: 8
December 24, 2020
Hope Born in a World of Humbugs
Dressed up with presents, lights, TV specials, extra concerts, parties, and spending
money, there is a sense that Christmas is the time to feel good, do good, and perhaps
live a little better than the rest of the year. Even the most cynical get swept up in the
idea that the world and their lives shine a little brighter. It is a sugar-coated holiday
rush only to be met days later by an emotional crash. Yet these signs point to a
deep-seated hope that is lodged in the hearts and minds of those moving into this
season. There is a longing and fervent hope that God will enter in and counter the
challenges and humbugs of our days and world. And to this longing and fervent
hope we look to one who claims us from marginal lives and engages us in a central
story of hope and promise.
Wrapped in every breath, song, and action is God’s direct connection with the earth
and her peoples. This night counters voices and theologies that view God as distant
and unengaged with humanity and the world. From old, the promise of God
drawing near has been uttered; in the gospel we witness the birth of God’s yearning
presence through a teenage girl; throughout we are invited to join the song of
creation, hope, and salvation. Tonight we pulse with the exhilaration of Mary and
the shepherds, and those who have lived at the margins, as we experience and
proclaim, that “God dwells with us.” While people may often talk of the “magic” of
Christmas, it is our call to speak to the
incarnation
of Christmas. As people come
together to hear a familiar story and sing familiar hymns, the blessing and challenge
is to witness again to God’s promise and promise-keeping with vitality and to join
the chorus of joy in what God has done and continues to do in being made real
among us.
Into the lights and presents, the music and gatherings, even the wars, poverty, little
empires, and tumult of the world, God meets and claims us in that spirit of hope.
God calls us to dream and live into a new reality as we encounter this babe at
Bethlehem and find this Christ-child born in our lives again. Christmas speaks to
our greatest longing, and turns the “humbugs” to carols of joy.
www.Sundayandseasons.com
Thought to Ponder
The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever,
- Isaiah 40: 8