The Holy Eucharist: Liturgy of the Word
1st Sunday After the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ January 10, 2021
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, January 10, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
Preface
We at St. Matthew's Church in Savannah are unable to gather together in person due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) pandemic. Under the guidance of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, the Vestry has decided to keep our church building closed for all in-person gatherings.
At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, I will broadcast the following worship service using Facebook Live at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav. After the service concludes, you can re-watch it at any time.
Today's service is the Liturgy of the Word (or the first part of the Holy Eucharist service we use on normal Sundays). This is for use at home while watching the live stream or reading the prayers when you cannot physically attend worship. Lay people may read the entirety of this service as printed.
This week, we will make some technological and liturgical changes to our live stream, which you may or may not notice while you watch. All these changes are intended to simplify the production process of these worship videos and be mindful of COVID-19 safety measures.
This liturgy will be performed live on Sunday morning as you watch from home, rather than pre-filmed and edited together. In other words, you are looking at a live feed of what we are doing in the church. This means there will be fewer flourishes on the video, but it will look like actually attending church again.
Due to the "live" nature of this video, there will be 3-4 people in the church on Sunday morning (Ms. Dandy, 1-2 lay readers, and myself). In compliance with the Diocese of Georgia's COVID-19 indoor worship guidelines, we will engage in social distancing, wear masks when not speaking to the camera, and aim to keep the liturgy under 40 minutes.
Therefore, all hymns will be trimmed to 3 or fewer verses and some portions of the liturgy that may be sung will be spoken.
May God protect you from this virus and protect the most vulnerable among us. May we be God’s hands and feet of compassion and service to all in need during this time. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The Word of God
Hymn #135: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
(Verses 1-2, 4)
1. Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David's stem
in thy birth at Bethlehem;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.
2. Manifest at Jordan's stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
and at Cana, wedding-guest,
in thy Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.
4. Manifest on mountain height,
shining in resplendent light,
where disciples filled with awe
thy transfigured glory saw.
When from there thou leddest them
steadfast to Jerusalem,
cross and Easter Day attest
God is man made manifest
Words: Sts. 1-3, Christopher Wordsworth, Public Domain; St. 4, F. Bland Tucker © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc.
Music: Salzburg; melody by Jakob Hintze, Public Domain; harmony by Johann Sebastian Bach, Public Domain.
Opening Sentences
[BCP, p. 355]
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his 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 (Canticle 20)
[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, 214]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Genesis (1:1-5)
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Psalm 8
[BCP, p. 725]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; *
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.
9 And in the temple of the Lord *
all are crying, "Glory!"
10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *
the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.
11 The Lord shall give strength to his people; * the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (19:1-7)
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. Mark (1:4-11)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
“Jesus is Lord” by Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
Today as we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer this prayer to Almighty God: “Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior;” (BCP, p. 214).
Jesus’ Baptism is something like a coronation. It is an event that helps show us and the rest of the world that he is God’s Messiah, which means Anointed One. God declares that Jesus is the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords, not just in heaven but also on earth.
We live in between two kingdoms, the heavenly and the earthly. They affect each other and they are both important, but they must not be confused. Too often in Christian (and broadly religious) history, people have equated their earthly rulers with divine ones. Whether you call them Emperor, Caesar, King, Queen, President, Governor, or Senator, no one is Lord but Jesus. In the words of the hymn, “Kings and kingdoms will all pass away but there’s something about that name [of Jesus]” (“There’s Something About That Name,” LEV #107).
And that’s what we often forget as American Christians. We are so tempted by our national mythos and the narratives we hear from the news media and politicians and even pastors to believe that our country is special, chosen, and unique. We like to believe that the USA is invincible and that it will be a “kingdom [that] has no end.” But from both a historical-political perspective and a theological one, that’s not true. All kings and kingdoms will pass away. No human being or human institution is permanent. I’m a US citizen and I am often proud and grateful to be an American, but I have no illusions that this nation is the greatest the world has ever seen or that it will survive into eternity.
We spent some time this week being reminded pretty starkly of how fragile American democracy is. On the one hand, our state of Georgia finalized a historic Senate runoff in which we set a record for the number of voters who participated (over 4 million). In that election, the citizens of Georgia selected their first Black senator, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, and their first Jewish senator, Mr. Jon Ossoff. Speaking nothing about their political leanings, this is a remarkable feat for our democracy. Blacks, Jews, and other racial, ethnic, and religious minorities have been terrorized and oppressed in Georgia for generations. But this year, the majority of Georgians chose a different path, one of respect and forbearance rather than hatred, violence, and vitriol.
But the very next day, on Wednesday, we witnessed an angry mob of domestic terrorists assault the U.S. Capitol building, the home of the U.S. Congress, where our new senators will work. Property was damaged and destroyed, but more importantly, lives were threatened with firearms and explosives, and some lives were lost. Congress’s proceedings were interrupted for several hours and those present feared for their lives and safety. All of this apparently occurred in defense of a series of undemocratic lies. The terrorists attacked the Capitol in order to overturn the results of November’s presidential election, going against the will of our country’s voters and Electoral College.
Much can be said about these harrowing events, but the point I’d like for us to meditate upon is the fragility of our country and its institutions. There is no guarantee that the USA will continue to exist as a nation, or that it will continue to function as a democratic republic. For now it is, but that could easily slip away into the tides of authoritarianism and fascism. And those big fancy political science terms may or may not mean something to you, but they can have a tangible impact on people’s lives and wellbeing. That is to say that it’s not an accident when our country makes good choices that help people. And it’s not an accident when our country makes evil choices that harm people. The quality of our leadership and the voice of the people matter for the direction of any nation. We must always speak truth to power, and the truth comes not from politics but from Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Baptism of Jesus is a reminder that our hopes do not rest in earthly nations. That does not mean we don’t concern ourselves with political affairs. But it does mean that our politics are always derived first from the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus, rather than simply the popular or populist politics of the day.
In other words, Jesus gives us a higher political calling than any politician or party can give us. Jesus gives us that calling in our baptisms, in the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, in the church community that feeds and nourishes us for the journey. The very Spirit of God lives within us because Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, invited that Spirit to live inside him. Now, through baptism, we share in the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that led Jesus to preach Good News to the poor, to call the rich and powerful to repentance, to bring hope to the masses, to show love for all -- that Spirit lives in us here and now.
Like a mustard seed that grows into a great tree, like yeast that spreads through a whole batch of dough, Jesus spreads his message of love, peace, justice, and reconciliation across the world through the hearts of people who are baptized like he was.
As baptized Jesus people, we strive to make the world a more loving, peaceful, and just place, but we always do so in the Jesus Way. Our methods must match our goals. Our means must align with our ends. We pursue justice justly. We pursue peace peacefully. We pursue love lovingly.
We do not seek to make ourselves the centers of attention. We do not seek our own glory. We look to glorify Lord Jesus by loving and honoring the least of our sisters, brothers, and neighbors. Every time we improve the lives of those whom society ignores, disdains, or oppresses, we glorify the God in whose Name we are baptized.
Whatever happens in our national and local politics, whatever direction the masses turn toward, we have a King who leads us and guides us. No matter who proclaims himself or herself as Lord or Leader or Moral Guide, we declare with Christians of all times and all places that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. And rest assured that the Spirit of Jesus lives in you. Amen.
LEVAS #141: Shall We Gather At the River
1 Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod;
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
REFRAIN:
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
2 On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day. [Refrain]
3 Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we ev’ry burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown. [Refrain]
Words: Robert Lowry, Public Domain.
Music: Robert Lowry, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84512. 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
[Adapted from Form IV, BCP, p. 388]
Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name, may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world; especially for Michael our Presiding Bishop, Frank our Bishop, Guillermo our Priest, and all Christians in Savannah.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace, especially all civic officials, such as Donald our president; Joseph our president-elect; Brian our governor; Van our mayor; Chester the chair of our County Commission; and Ann the Superintendent of our Public Schools; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. Bless especially Charles McMillan (1/11), Willie Mae Tennerson (11/15), and Virginia Farley (11/16) on their birthdays.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray especially the people of our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Charlotte Blue, Zavier Bradley, Myrtle Brow-Hollis, Jacquelyn Bryant, Christine Brown, Genella Chamberlain, Liam Clemons, Marquez Clemons, Taylor Blue Clemons, Teresa Blue Clemons, Annie Colbert, Lazola Cope, Alice Dailey, Beryl Dandy, Mark Dashiell, Brittany Dawson, Eduardo Espinosa, Imani Ferguson, Ruby Fernandez, Harry Frazier, Gary Gordon, Amanda Green, Jocelyn Bryant Harden, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Enoch Henderson, Charles E. Hines, Kenneth Howard, Terri Howard, Dale Hundley, Jared Hundley, Tracy Hundley, Milinda James, Alvin Jenkins, Dana Jenkins, David Jones, Frances T. Jones, Lori Jones, Robert L. Jones, Sr., Ronald Jones, Tonya Jones, Emmanuel Kelley, Whitney Kennedy, Leonard Law, Jr., Ralph Lovett, Ryan Lovett, Tammie Lovett, Marcus Marzen, Joan Maty, Craig Maxwell, Sada Maxwell, Altheria Maynard Carmelita Maynard, Bette Milledge, Hollie Moultrie, Patricia Murry, Russell Nails, Dorothy Neal, Jameel Newton, Glenzy Payne, Robert Payne, Dison Washington Slaughter, James Small, Gwendolyn Smith, Courtney Watts Vista, Ed Vista, Willie Stephens, Lori Ward, Gertrude Washington, and Noel Wheeler; and all whom we remember now…
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
We commend to your mercy all who have died, especially [_______ and] those whom we remember now… ; that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 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: Many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, including the church. 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.
“O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power; because you have created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
[Revelation 4:11; BCP, p. 377]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
Hymn 616: Hail to the Lord's Anointed
[Verses 1, 4-5]
1 Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free;
to take away transgression,
and rule in equity.
4 Kings shall bow down before him,
and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore him,
his praise all people sing;
to him shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.
5 O'er every foe victorious,
he on his thone shall rest,
from age to age more glorious,
all blessing and all blest;
the tide of time shall never
his covenant remove;
his Name shall stand for ever,
his changeless Name of Love.
Words: James Montgomery, paraphrase of Psalm 72; Public Domain.
Music: Es flog in kleins Waldvögelein, adapt. and harm. after Henry Walford Davies, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #94870. All rights reserved.
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 Blessing
[The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 9]
May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Announcements
A. Technological & Liturgical Changes in 2021: This week, we will make some technological and liturgical changes to our live stream, which you may or may not notice while you watch. All these changes are intended to simplify the production process of these worship videos and be mindful of COVID-19 safety measures.
This liturgy will be performed live on Sunday morning as you watch from home, rather than pre-filmed and edited together. In other words, you are looking at a live feed of what we are doing in the church. This means there will be fewer flourishes on the video, but it will look like actually attending church again.
Due to the "live" nature of this video, there will be 3-4 people in the church on Sunday morning (Ms. Dandy, 1-2 lay readers, and myself). In compliance with the Diocese of Georgia's COVID-19 indoor worship guidelines, we will engage in social distancing, wear masks when not speaking to the camera, and aim to keep the liturgy under 40 minutes.
Therefore, all hymns will be trimmed to 3 or fewer verses and some portions of the liturgy that may be sung will be spoken.
B. Vestry Member Term Extension Resolution: Due to the disruptive nature of the pandemic in our church's life, the Vestry is considering a resolution to extend its members' terms for an additional year. The Vestry seeks feedback from the members of St. Matthew's Church on this proposal between now and January 19, 2021.
Please direct all written feedback to Office@StMattSav.org. The resolution may be read in its entirety here: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/extend-the-terms-of-current-vestry-members
C. Raleigh Bryant Viewing on 1/8 & Burial Plans TBD: Adams Funeral Services held a viewing of Mr. Raleigh A. Bryant, Jr. on Friday, January 8, 2021, 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., at the funeral home via their drive-thru.
Mr. Bryant will be cremated and buried at a future date to be determined. A graveside burial service will be announced once plans are finalized. For Mr. Bryant's full obituary and online guestbook, please visit the following link: https://www.adamsfuneralservicesinc.com/obituary/MrRaleigh-BryantJr
D. Donations for New Security System, Internet, & Camera: In the last month, the Vestry and Rector have planned several improvements to our facility using the Building Renovation Fund. The Vestry approved a wholesale replacement and upgrade of the burglary alarm system across our entire building and we have asked several members to contribute to the upfront installation costs. The Vestry also approved a complete upgrade to our internet and wifi equipment, such that there is universal hi-speed internet coverage throughout the building (Office, Parish Hall, Day Care, and Sanctuary). Finally, we are purchasing a new HD video camera for use during live-stream worship on Sundays and holidays (see above).
The total cost of all these upgrades is approximately $5500.00. We thank all those that have already contributed designated gifts toward these projects. If you have not already contributed, please consider making an additional donation to the Building Renovation Fund for one or all of these building upgrades. The Altar Guild invites parishioners to offer memorial gifts in honor of departed loved ones toward these projects in lieu of flowers.
E. Virtual Annual Meeting 1/31 @ 10:30 AM: In place of our normal Sunday Coffee Hour, which is simply a social time to fellowship with one another, we will hold our Parish Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 31, 2021. The purpose of the 2021 Parish Annual Meeting is for church members to learn the state of the congregation via 2020 reports from parish leadership and to hold annual elections. Pending the adoption of the above resolution, Vestry elections may be suspended at the 2021 Annual Meeting, but Convention Delegate elections shall still take place.
If you lead a committee or organization within St. Matthew's and you ordinarily submit an annual report, please send those reports by email to Office@StMattSav.org by Tuesday, January 26, 2020.
The meeting will take place over Zoom, and may be accessed by computer, smart device, or regular phone using the information below. The meeting will be recorded and shared via a private YouTube link in the e-Newsletter afterward. That means that if you miss the meeting, you can still watch it later.
Topic: Virtual Parish Annual Meeting
Time: Jan 31, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92179080112?pwd=S016K1lRSlBYVitlRVBqT0JZY2RHUT09
Meeting ID: 921 7908 0112
Passcode: Annual2021
One tap mobile: +16468769923,,92179080112#,,,,*8797313155# US (New York)
Dial by your location: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 921 7908 0112
Passcode: 8797313155
F. J.U.S.T. Research Kickoff on 1/11: J.U.S.T.’s first Research Kickoff is on Monday, January 11th at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. At the Research Kickoff, you can expect:
presentations from other organizers that delve into problems vs. issues and outline the criteria for cutting an issue,
the formation of research committees for both housing and poverty/income inequality,
and the ability to brainstorm potential research avenues and sign up to attend research visits.
In order to attend, you must register using the link below. Please forward this to any of your network members that are interested in being a part of the Research Process!
Research Kickoff Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcu2rrj0qGNEWsEZWOxzZ4FgA3gOggQzM
G. T/W/Th Evening Prayer via Zoom: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, Fr. Arboleda will continue to invite parishioners to pray Evening Prayer with him over Zoom. The video will still stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM, but we'll see more faces and hear more voices. To join the Zoom call, click the link below at 4:45 PM on Wednesday. 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: Jan 5, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Tue, Wed, Thu, until Feb 25, 2021, 10 occurrence(s)
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
H. Virtual Coffee Hour 1/17: We will hold a virtual "Coffee Hour" over Zoom on Sunday, January 17, and again on every other Sunday at 10:30 AM. (Thank you to Mrs. Rachael Blue-Jones who is donating a professional Zoom login to the church for our use.)
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: St. Matthew's Coffee Hour
Time: Jan 17, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 825 7251 1175
Passcode: SEE e-NEWSLETTER
Dial by your location: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 825 7251 1175
Passcode: SEE e-NEWSLETTER
I. “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.
The first interim drawing was on December 16, 2020. Sheila Jones won four Christmas potholders and Yavonne Taylor won a set of six Christmas placemats. The next interim drawing will be in late February or early March.
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.
J. The Parish Prayer List:
Prayer List: Martha Avery, Charlotte Blue, Zavier Bradley, Myrtle Brow-Hollis, Jacquelyn Bryant, Christine Brown, Genella Chamberlain, Liam Clemons, Marquez Clemons, Taylor Blue Clemons, Teresa Blue Clemons, Annie Colbert, Lazola Cope, Alice Dailey, Beryl Dandy, Mark Dashiell, Brittany Dawson, Eduardo Espinosa, Imani Ferguson, Ruby Fernandez, Harry Frazier, Gary Gordon, Amanda Green, Jocelyn Bryant Harden, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Enoch Henderson, Charles E. Hines, Kenneth Howard, Terri Howard, Dale Hundley, Jared Hundley, Tracy Hundley, Milinda James, Alvin Jenkins, Dana Jenkins, David Jones, Frances T. Jones, Lori Jones, Robert L. Jones, Sr., Ronald Jones, Tonya Jones, Emmanuel Kelley, Whitney Kennedy, Leonard Law, Jr., Ralph Lovett, Ryan Lovett, Tammie Lovett, Marcus Marzen, Joan Maty, Craig Maxwell, Sada Maxwell, Altheria Maynard Carmelita Maynard, Bette Milledge, Hollie Moultrie, Patricia Murry, Russell Nails, Dorothy Neal, Jameel Newton, Glenzy Payne, Robert Payne, Paul Rockwell, Dison Washington Slaughter, James Small, Gwendolyn Smith, Courtney Watts Vista, Ed Vista, Willie Stephens, Lori Ward, Gertrude Washington, and Noel Wheeler
Birthdays: Charles McMillan (1/11), Willie Mae Tennerson (11/15), Virginia Farley (11/16)
Wedding Anniversaries: N/A
Deaths: Raleigh Bryant (12/18)
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), and other sources cited. The Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.