The Holy Eucharist
12th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 15B, Track 2)
August 15, 2021
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, August 15, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The Word of God
Hymn #427: When Morning Gilds the Skies
[Verses 1-5]
1 When morning gilds the skies,
my heart, awaking, cries,
may Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall,
this rings my curfew call,
may Jesus Christ be praised!
2 When mirth for music longs,
this is my song of songs:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
God's holy house of prayer
hath none that can compare with:
Jesus Christ be praised!
3 No lovelier antiphon
in all high heaven is known
than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to the eternal Word
the eternal psalm is heard:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
4 Ye nations of mankind,
in this your concord find:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around
ring joyous with the sound:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
5 Sing, suns and stars of space,
sing, ye that see his face,
sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God's whole creation o'er,
both now and evermore
shall Jesus Christ be praised!
Words: German, ca. 1800, tr. Robert Seymour Bridges, alt., Public Domain.
Music: Laudes Domini, Joseph Barnby, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #92422. All rights reserved.
Opening Sentences
[BCP, p. 355]
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be God's kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity
[BCP, p. 355]
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn S-280: Glory to God (Gloria in Excelsis)
[BCP, p. 356]
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Words: Public Domain.
Music: Robert Powell, © 1985 Church Publishing, Inc.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #77081. All rights reserved.
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 232]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Proverbs (9:1-6)
Wisdom has built her house,
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
from the highest places in the town,
“You that are simple, turn in here!”
To those without sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Lay aside immaturity, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34:9-14
[BCP, p. 628]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
9 Fear the Lord, you that are his saints, * for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, * but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11 Come, children, and listen to me; * I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who among you loves life * and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking * and your lips from lying words.
14 Turn from evil and do good; * seek peace and pursue it.
A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians (5:15-20)
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The People stand for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. John (6:51-58)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
"Wisdom is Calling” by Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
“Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people, but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17).
These words from Ephesians beg the question: What does it mean to be wise, and what is the will of the Lord? These two questions are intertwined. Because wisdom is to do the will of the Lord Jesus. So figuring out what God wants for us here and now is a critically important task for all Christians. This takes community discernment around the Scriptures, Christian church traditions, and the best human reason available to us. So when we’re trying to figure out what to do, we study our Bibles, we pay attention to our Prayer Books and Hymnals, and we listen to the leading intellectual voices of the past and present.
God can speak to us through all of these avenues. That’s why Christians have nothing to fear from learning modern science, philosophy, psychology, and every other discipline out there. Not everybody is right, but if they are we should listen. All truth, after all, is God’s truth. Biblical truth and medical truth align in our belief that God desires life and safety for all. According to John 6:58, Jesus gives us his flesh and blood so that we will “live forever.” This spiritual reality must always inform how we treat our physical realities.
So when there are medical breakthroughs that save and protect human life, we should rejoice at God’s handiwork in the midst of human ingenuity. My middle school in Levittown, NY, is named after Dr. Jonas E. Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine, which is now universally distributed and required for all children. Because of that medical marvel in the 1950s, because everyone for generations now has gotten that shot, encause it’s required to enroll in schools and travel internationally, I have never met anyone who suffered from polio. The disease has been nearly totally eradicated. For that, we give thanks to God!
That sort of scientific advancement has made us safer as a human population. We are far less likely to die from many diseases today than we were even two or three generations ago. By all reputable medical accounts, the COVID-19 vaccines that are available today are the next step in that medical progress. They are not required yet in many places, but they could be and that would help protect the whole population. We Americans have safe, effective, free vaccines that dramatically reduce the likelihood of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from this otherwise severe virus. For that, we give thanks to God!
This brings us to today’s scripture from Proverbs 9. Here, God’s Wisdom is personified as a woman who is holding a banquet and inviting all of us to attend. She calls to anyone who seeks wisdom and understanding, saying, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Prov 9:5-6). I believe that Wisdom is calling to us in the form of these vaccines against COVID-19, mask mandates, and other safety precautions that will protect our entire community. But right now, the delta variant of COVID-19 is running rampant, particularly among unvaccinated people. According to the Georgia Coastal Health District, Chatham County is experiencing the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations of the entire pandemic right now, worse than last summer or this winter. It’s as bad as it’s been out there, but it doesn’t have to be.
We have tools to fight this pandemic, to survive as a society, and even to thrive. We just need to adopt them. God has provided miracles (medical and otherwise). God has given us moral compasses to care for ourselves and one another. The vaccines don’t only benefit you when you get the shot, but they also benefit everyone else you meet who might not have it or be unable to receive it due to age or some rare medical condition. This vaccination effort goes beyond simply loving people we know but to loving all of our neighbors.
We’re nearly 18 months into this pandemic and it’s not getting any easier. I don’t know about you but I’m tired of it. I don’t want to live in fear, I don’t want to suffer or see anyone else suffer, and I honestly don’t want to wear a mask anymore. But, God’s Wisdom calls to us. God’s Wisdom has set a table for us, is feeding us with living bread and wine. God’s Wisdom tells us, “Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight” (Prov 9:6). It’s okay to feel tired and frustrated. It’s okay to grieve what we have lost in this pandemic. But it’s not okay to make selfish, foolish decisions that hurt yourself and hurt those around you. When we resist mask wearing and/or vaccination, our decisions have negative consequences that ripple out to the whole community.
Right now it’s really easy to get vaccinated if you live in the USA. Just about all pharmacies are offering appointments right now. In other countries, it’s much harder to access these shots. Many of our international neighbors envy our access to vaccines and are incredulous that so many of us have yet to receive them. In fact, it’s imperative for the USA and other rich nations to share vaccine supplies with poorer nations too. God loves people from every corner of the earth, so we should do all we can to protect their lives too. Moreover, from a more practical point of view, this virus doesn’t respect borders and if it continues to spread and mutate elsewhere, it may well come back to bite us.
I know that I might be preaching to the choir at St. Matthew’s, since most, if not all of you in the room have been vaccinated. But even if you’ve already gotten your shots, we need encouragement to keep doing what we must to keep others safe. We’ll keep wearing our masks in public indoor spaces. We’ll keep fighting misinformation and talking with our loved ones who are hesitant to get vaccinated. Be encouraged in making these small but meaningful sacrifices for the greater good. They are forms of loving your neighbor. They are ways that we spread Jesus’ life-giving message in word and action.
We are about to sing the classic hymn, “Be Thou My Vision.” We will pray for God to be “my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light” (The Hymnal 1982, #488). I pray for God to give all of us vision, to give all of us wisdom, to fill us with the insight we need to make smart, healthy decisions for ourselves and for our communities. And I pray for God to give us courage and determination to continue doing the hard work of staying vigilant against this new viral threat. May God bless and protect us always, and may we not stand in the way of the protections God offers. Amen.
Bibliography
Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Tedros. “Why There Should Be a Moratorium on COVID-19 Booster Shots Until Low-Income Countries Get Vaccinated.” Time Magazine. Published 12 August 2021. Accessed 12 August 2021. https://time.com/6089974/who-moratorium-covid-19-vaccine-boosters/.
Coastal Health District of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “Chatham County COVID-19 Data.” Published 12 August 2021. Accessed 12 August 2021 (updated each weekday). https://covid19.gachd.org/chatham-county-covid-19-data/.
Hymn #488: Be Thou My Vision
[Verses 1-3]
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
all else be nought to me, save that thou art--
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father; thine own may I be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
3 High King of heaven, when victory is won,
may I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Words: Irish, ca. 700; versified by Mary Elizabeth Byrne; tr. Eleanor H. Hull, alt., Public Domain.
Music: Slane, Irish ballad melody; adapt. The Church Hymnary (1927), Public Domain
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #117636. All rights reserved.
The Nicene Creed
[BCP, p. 358]
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
[BCP, p. 392, Form VI]
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For Joseph, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; Chester, the chair of our County Commission; Ann, the Superintendent of our Public Schools, and all other civic officials; For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For our neighbors experiencing homelessness, that they may find safety and shelter, and for all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For all the churches in Savannah, that we may be one as you are one with the Son, and the Holy Spirit; For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Frank, our Bishop; Guillermo our Priest; and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially for our Day Care’s staff, students, and families, and for those on our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Ronald Baynes, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Craig Maxwell, Sada Maxwell, Gordon Moore, Willie Mae Robinson, Helen Scroggins, Paulette Sibert, Nia Simmons, Gon Trimble, and Leonard Villabona; and those we remember now…
Silence. The People may add their own petitions.
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life; for all visitors to this parish; for Claudine Lee (8/17) and Quentin Scott (8/19) on their birthdays; and for any other thanksgivings we remember now.
Silence. The People may add their own thanksgivings.
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, especially those we remember now...
Silence. The People may add their own petitions.
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Leader and People:
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant concludes with an absolution:
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
[BCP, p. 360]
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 377]
Giving to St. Matthew's: We know that many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The church is feeling it too. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. There are several ways to give, but the simplest are these:
Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High.”
[Psalm 50:14; see BCP, p. 376]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
LEV #148: I'm a-Going to Eat at the Welcome Table
[Verses 1-4]
1 I’m a-going to eat at the welcome table,
I’m a-going to eat at the welcome table, some of these days.
I’m a-going to eat at the welcome table,
I’m a-going to eat at the welcome table, some of these days.
2 I’m a-going to feast on milk and honey,
I’m a-going to feast on milk and honey, some of these days.
I’m a-going to feast on milk and honey,
I’m a-going to feast on milk and honey, some of these days.
3 I’m a-going to fly all around in heaven,
I’m a-going to fly all around in heaven, some of these days.
I’m a-going to fly all around in heaven,
I’m a-going to fly all around in heaven, some of these days.
4 I’m a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river,
I’m a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river, some of these days.
I’m a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river,
I’m a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river, some of these days.
Words: Traditional, Public Domain.
Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain; arr. Carl Diton © 1930 (Renewed) G. Schirmer, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Eucharistic Prayer A
[BCP, p. 361]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. ...
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
LEV #255:
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest!
[Words: Public Domain; Music: Grayson Warren Brown, A Mass for a Soulfoul People © 1979 North American Liturgy Resources. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #98299. All Rights Reserved.]
The people stand or kneel.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me." Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
[BCP, p. 364]
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Fraction Anthem
[BCP, p. 364]
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
The Gifts of God for the people of God.
LEV #150: Jesus, the Bread of Life
[Verses 1-3]
REFRAIN:
Jesus, the Bread of Life,
Jesus, the Bread of Life.
All who eat and drink of Him will never die,
Will never die.
1 I am the Bread that came down from heaven.
I will be your food.
All who put their trust in me
Will never die [REFRAIN]
2 All who come to me will not hunger,
Nor will they ever thirst.
If you turn to me in faith
I'll never turn away. [REFRAIN]
3 All who love and keep my commandments
Will be loved by my Father.
And we shall both comfort them
And make our home in them. [REFRAIN]
Words: John 6; Grayson Warren Brown © 1979, 1981 North American Liturgy Resources.
Music: Grayson Warren Brown, harm. Michael B. Lynch © 1979, 1981 North American Liturgy Resources.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #81302. All rights reserved.
The Post-Communion Prayer
[Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
We thank you for feeding us with this bread.
May it strengthen us
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
For Online Worshippers (i.e., Those Receiving Spiritual Communion):
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
Though we cannot consume now these gifts of bread [and wine],
we thank you that we have received the sacrament of Christ’s presence,
the forgiveness of sins, and all other benefits of Christ’s passion.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
may we embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
[Adapted from Enriching Our Worship 1, p. 71]
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Parish Announcements
A. Revised COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for In-Person Worship: On June 21, the Vestry authorized revised COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for in-person worship at St. Matthew's. Changes include:
Up to 100 people are now allowed in the church at a time (increased from 70)
People may stay in the building for up to 1.5 hours (increased from 1 hour)
One-way foot traffic floor arrows are removed and no longer necessary
Congregational singing is now allowed
All people in attendance are still required to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth at all times and maintain social distancing in their assigned seating areas. Click here to read the Vestry's June 2021 COVID-19 Safety Guidelines in their entirety.
For now, we will maintain the current worship schedule: one Sunday service at 9:30 AM. We will reevaluate and consider the congregation's feedback in the late summer or early fall, once we have tried this out for a few months. Note that even if you do not feel comfortable attending, in person, we will continue to live-stream services to Facebook permanently.
B. Bishop Harris' Hallelujah, Anyhow! Book Study: Thanks to all those who participated in the Christian Education Survey! We reached a consensus to study Hallelujah, Anyhow!: A Memoir by the Right Rev. Barbara C. Harris (1930-2020), the first woman and first Black woman ordained as a bishop in the Anglican Communion.
We will hold our first meeting on Wednesday, August 18, at 5:30 PM. Please read the Preface, Introduction, and Chapter 1 in time for the first meeting. The Zoom information is featured in the e-Newsletter. For now, you can purchase Bishop Harris' book from Amazon or Church Publishing for about $16. (If you need help ordering the book, you may contact the Office Manager at office@stmattsav.org or (912) 234-4440.)
C. Baptisms Available this Fall: After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, St. Matthew's is ready to resume performing baptisms and welcoming new members into the household of God. Holy Baptism is available to anyone at any age who has not already been baptized. We would like to hold baptisms on St. Matthew's Day and the 166th Parish Anniversary (Sunday, September 26) and the Eve of All Saints' Day (Sunday, October 31). We are also willing to work around you and your family's schedule to find a day for these celebrations.
If you or your child would like to get baptized, please contact Fr. Arboleda by cell phone or email (FrGAA@StMattSav.org). If you would like to be confirmed or received into The Episcopal Church, or if you would like to renew the commitment you made at confirmation, you may do so when Bishop Logue visits St. Matthew's on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Again, reach out to Fr. Arboleda to make a plan for preparing for this next step in your faith journey.
D. Parish Prayer List: In an effort to improve communication about the parish prayer list, the Office Manager and Rector launched a new format for collecting names beginning in August:
With the exception of members we know to be chronically sick and/or shut-in, the prayer list will reset every month.
If you would like a loved one to be prayed for publicly, please send the request to Office@StMattSav.org and/or FrGAA@StMattSav.org.
After one month, each name will be automatically removed from the list unless it is requested again.
This will help ensure that the list is as accurate and succinct as possible. You may begin sending names for August now.
E. T/W/Th Evening Prayer via Zoom: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer over Zoom. The video will continue to stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM. Please join the Zoom call by 4:50 PM. Otherwise, watch the prayer service as you have been on Facebook Live.
For security purposes, below is the Meeting ID only; please check your St. Matthew's e-Newsletter for the password (or email FrGAA@StMattSav.org to request it).
Topic: Zoom Evening Prayer
Time: 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: See e-Newsletter
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
F. “Trip Around the World” Quilt Raffle: The Quilter's Guild, through St. Matthew's ECW, is raffling a "Trip Around the World" Quilt to benefit St. Matthew's Building Renovation Fund. This fund supports major extra-budgetary building improvement projects, such as painting, replacing the sound system, replacing the oven in Toomer-Walker Hall, etc.
This beautiful, jewel-toned quilt measures 103"x90" and will fit a queen-sized bed. This machine-stitched quilt in tones of deep violet amethyst, blue sapphire, green emerald, blue topaz, and green peridot will enhance any bedroom.
The winner will be announced on September 30, 2021. Winners do not need to be present to win. In addition to the grand prize of the "Trip Around the World '' quilt, there will be interim raffles of seasonal quilt-type projects for no additional ticket purchase. Interim winners will still be eligible for the grand prize.
Tickets are $15 each. Please make donations in $15 increments. Tickets may be purchased by:
Mailing a check to St. Matthew's with "Quilt Raffle" in the memo line; OR
Expect your raffle tickets to be returned to you by mail or email within 5-7 business days of receipt. Direct any questions to office@stmattsav.org.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
Prayer List: Martha Avery, Ronald Baynes, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Craig Maxwell, Sada Maxwell, Gordon Moore, Willie Mae Robinson, Helen Scroggins, Paulette Sibert, Nia Simmons, Gon Trimble, and Leonard Villabona
Birthdays: Claudine Lee (8/17) and Quentin Scott (8/19)
Wedding Anniversaries: N/A
Recent Deaths: N/A
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
Note: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), African American Heritage Hymnal (AAHH) and other sources cited. The Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.