The Holy Eucharist: Liturgy of the Word
5th Sunday in Lent (Year B) March 21, 2021
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, March 21, 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.
This worship service is designed for 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.
In 2021, we have made some technological and liturgical changes to our live stream, in accordance with the latest COVID-19 Safety Guidelines from the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. All these changes are intended to simplify the production process of these worship videos and comply with those guidelines.
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 at all times, and aim to keep the liturgy under 40 minutes.
Therefore, most hymns will be shortened (typically 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 Penitential Order
Hymn #473: Lift High The Cross
[Verses 1-3]
REFRAIN:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
1 Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. [Refrain]
2 Each newborn servant of the Crucified
Bears on the brow the seal of him who died. [Refrain]
3 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. [Refrain]
Words: George William Kitchin, alt. Michael Robert Newbolt © 1974 Hope Publishing Company.
Music: Crucifer, Sydney Hugo Nicholson, Public Domain; desc. Richard Proulx © 1985 G.I.A. Publications, Inc.
Opening Sentences
[BCP, p. 351]
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
God's mercy endures forever. Amen.
The Decalogue
[BCP, p. 350]
Hear the commandments of God to his people:
I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage. You shall have no other gods but me. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not make for yourself any idol. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not invoke with malice the Name of the Lord your God. Amen. Lord have mercy.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Amen. Lord have mercy.
Honor your father and your mother. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not commit murder. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not commit adultery. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not steal. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not be a false witness. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. Amen. Lord have mercy.
Confession of Sin
[BCP, p. 351]
Jesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."
[Mark 12:29-31]
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
[1 John 1:8-9]
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
[Hebrews 4:14,16]
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Kyrie Eleison
[BCP, p. 356]
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 219]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ 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 Jeremiah (31:31-34)
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
Psalm 119:9-16
[BCP, p. 764]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? * By keeping to your words.
10 With my whole heart I seek you; * let me not stray from your commandments.
11 I treasure your promise in my heart, * that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord; * instruct me in your statutes.
13 With my lips will I recite * all the judgments of your mouth.
14 I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees * than in all manner of riches.
15 I will meditate on your commandments * and give attention to your ways.
16 My delight is in your statutes; * I will not forget your word.
A Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (5:5-10)
Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. John (12:20-33)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.
“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
"We Wish To See Jesus" by Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
“We wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21). Some Greek people come to Philip, one of the Twelve Apostles, with this simple request. It’s the same desire that many of us have. It’s the desire that motivates us to come to church (or open up Facebook) on Sundays. It’s the desire that drives our prayers and our conversations. Religion is nice and this church is great, but we’re really here for Jesus. We want to see him.
When Philip and Andrew tell Jesus about the folks who asked for him, strangely, Jesus does not address them. He doesn’t speak about the Greek inquirers or their request at all in his reply. But that doesn’t mean Jesus ignored them. His answer is in response to people wanting to see him. But like many things Jesus says, this response is surprising.
“Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor’” (John 12:23-26).
When people ask to see Jesus, he talks about his coming death. He points them to the Cross. That means the Cross is where Jesus, the Son of Man, is both most glorified and most clearly seen. On the Cross we see Jesus as he wishes us to see him: “‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth [i.e., on the Cross], will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die” (John 12:32-33).
But, as we know, the Cross is grotesque. The Cross is horrible. The Cross was a device for human torture at its absolute cruelest. A cross is not where anyone expects to see anything good, and certainly not God, the very Definition and Source of Goodness, Love, and Life. But that is where Jesus points when we ask to see him -- at the Cross.
What does that mean? What do we learn about Jesus Christ when we look at the Cross? How does the Cross help us see Jesus?
For one, the Cross reveals to us the depths of human sin. It shows us the logical consequences of hatred. It shows us just how far we will go to maim, torture, kill, and oppress one another. It reminds us of the atrocities humanity has commited, and it reminds us of the suffering and trauma we have inflicted upon one another.
But perhaps more importantly, the Cross reveals God’s response to our violence and rage. On the Cross, Jesus shows us that God is on the side of all victims of violence. The Crucified Savior stands in solidarity with the enslaved, the imprisoned, the executed, the murdered, and the lynched. Jesus does not align with those who use and abuse their power, robbing others and killing them when they can’t have what they want. Jesus reveals to us that our God is for oppressed people everywhere.
Like the Greeks who came to Philip, “we wish to see Jesus.” And Our Lord tells us that the Cross is where we see Jesus most clearly. That means that we see Jesus most clearly when we support and defend victims of violence and oppression. We, like Jesus, must stand together with any people who are victimized, attacked, brutalized, or murdered.
In a week like this one, Jesus reminds us to stand alongside our Asian American and Pacific Islander siblings. Jesus reminds us to stand alongside our sisters. In the wake of the racist and sexist murders of eight people in Atlanta area spas, Jesus reminds us that he was crucified. He did not crucify others and he never will.
We see Jesus in the faces of those women and men who were killed by hate. We can become Jesus by offering condolences and comfort to Asian Americans who are hurt and afraid to live in this country. And most of all, we can become Jesus by working as hard as we can to prevent such violence and hate from spreading across our land. Just as we repeatedly say the names of victims in the Black community -- George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin -- we will lock arms with our siblings of all races as we call the names of this week’s slain (begging apologies for any mispronunciations): Hyun Jung Grant, Xiaojie Tan, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Yong Ae Yue, Daoyou Feng, Soon Chung Park, and Suncha Kim. May Light perpetual shine upon them and may God put an end to the hate and violence that killed them. We also pray for Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz, who has survived being shot in these attacks and remains in intensive care. Lord, have mercy on us.
People of all races and colors stood with us in the marches for Black Lives over the last few years. There is an increasingly multi-racial coalition of people in our country who are vocally resisting the spread of hate, racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and more. They are on “the right side of history” because they are siding with God, siding with all who are hurting. We find our Savior and Lord Jesus when we look upon the Cross, and so, by God’s grace, we will always stand the crucified peoples of this world. Amen.
Bibliography
Hanna, Jason, Amanda Watts, and Madeline Holcombe. “Suspect in Atlanta-area spa shootings might have intended more shootings in Florida, mayor says.” CNN. Published 18 March 2021. Accessed 18 March 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/17/us/metro-atlanta-shootings-wednesday/index.html.
Vasquez, Maegan, and Betsy Klein. “Biden and Harris condemn deadly Atlanta spa shootings.” CNN. Published 17 March 2021. Accessed 18 March 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/17/politics/kamala-harris-atlanta-shooting/index.html.
Miller, Ryan W., Trevor Hughes, and Romina Ruiz-Goiriena. “We now know the names of all 8 people killed in the Atlanta area spa shootings. Here’s who they are.” USA Today. Published 20 March 2021. Accessed 21 March 2021. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/03/19/who-are-atlanta-shooting-spa-victims/4762802001/.
LEV #159: Lift Him Up
[Verses 1-3]
1 How to reach the masses, those of ev’ry birth,
For an answer Jesus gave the key;
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all folk unto Me.”
REFRAIN:
Lift Him up (Lift the precious savior up)
Lift Him up (Lift the precious savior up)
Still He speaks from eternity:
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all folk unto Me.”
2 Oh! the world is hungry for the living bread,
Lift the Savior up for them to see;
Trust Him and do not doubt the words that He said,
“I’ll draw all folk unto Me.” [Refrain]
3 Don’t exalt the preacher, don’t exalt the pew,
Preach the gospel simple, full and free;
Prove Him and you will find that promise is true,
“I’ll draw all folk unto Me.” [Refrain]
Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., Public Domain.
Music: B. B. Beall, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #95094. 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 the Rev. Rick Morley, http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/1431]
Celebrant: Have mercy on us, O God, according to your loving kindness; in your great compassion, hear our prayers.
Intercessor: We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers, and all the holy people of God. Wash us through and through, And cleanse us from our sin.
We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth, and for all who govern and judge, especially for Joseph our President, Brian our governor, Van our mayor, Chester the chair of our County Commission, and Ann the Superintendent of our Public Schools. Purge us from our sin, And we shall be pure.
We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst, those who cry out for justice, those who live under the threat of terror, and those without a place to lay their head. Make them hear of joy and gladness, that those who are broken may rejoice.
We pray for those who are ill, those in pain, those under stress, and those who are lonely. Give them the joy of your saving help, and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit.
In this season of Lent we pray for those who prepare for baptism, and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength to repent and grow closer to you, O God. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
We pray for those who have died and who have entered into the land of eternal Light and your abiding peace, especially (_____, and) those whom we remember now... Cast them not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from them.
We pray for our Day Care staff, students, and their families, and for the people of our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Zavier Bradley, Myrtle Brow-Hollis, Jacquelyn Bryant, Christine Brown, Genella Chamberlain, Taylor Blue Clemons, Annie Colbert, Ana Columna, Lazola Cope, Alice Dailey, Beryl Dandy, Mark Dashiell, Brittany Dawson, Eduardo Espinosa, Imani Ferguson, Ruby Fernandez, Harry Frazier, Charles 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., 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, Willie Mae Robinson, Paul Rockwell, Dison Washington Slaughter, James Small, Gwendolyn Smith, Courtney Watts Vista, Ed Vista, Willie Stephens, Lori Ward, Gertrude Washington, and Noel Wheeler.
We give thanks for Frank Brown (3/22), Edwin Nails (3/22), Esther McAlpine (3/23), Nathaniel Nails (3/23), Whitney Robinson (3/24), Michael Canada (3/25), and Craig J. Maxwell (3/27) on their birthdays.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Concluding prayer led by the Celebrant:
Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit; as we prepare our hearts to remember your death and resurrection, grant us the strength and wisdom to serve and follow you, this day and always. 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.
“If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”
[Matthew 5:23-24; see BCP, p. 376]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
Hymn #439: What Wondrous Love Is This
[Verses 1-3]
1 What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul!
2 To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I AM
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing!
3 And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on!
Words: American Folk Hymn, Public Domain.
Music: Wondrous Love, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #87289. 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 Solemn Prayer Over the People
[The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 12]
Let us bow down before the Lord.
Look with compassion, O Lord, upon this your people; that, rightly observing this holy season, they may learn to know you more fully, and to serve you with a more perfect will; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Parish Announcements
[See below]
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Parish Announcements - 3/21/21
A. Holy Week & Easter Schedule: Join us for worship over Facebook Live in Holy Week and Easter. Holy Week begins on March 28 with Palm Sunday and runs through April 4 wtih Easter Day. See below for highlights and click on the following link for the full schedule: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/holy-week-easter-2021-worship-schedule
Palm Sunday (3/28/21)
9:30 AM Palm Sunday Worship (Facebook); use your own "palm" at home with any leafy branch from outside
10:45 AM Virtual Coffee Hour (Zoom)
Maundy Thursday (4/1/21)
5:00 PM Evening Prayer (Zoom & Facebook)
6:00 PM Maundy Thursday Liturgy (Facebook), featuring Idella Jones as preacher
Optional Agapé Meal at home: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/maundy-thursday-agapé-meal-at-home-2021 (Link live on 3/26/21)
Good Friday (4/2/21)
12:00 noon Good Friday Liturgy and Emptying of the Tabernacle (Facebook)
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Fr. Arboleda available for Private Confession (phone or video call only; email FrGAA@StMattSav.org to schedule an appointment)
5:00 PM Evening Prayer (Zoom & Facebook)
Easter Day (4/4/21)
B. In-Person Worship Survey Results: The Rector, Vestry, and COVID-19 Task Force wish to thank the members of St. Matthew's for participating in our In-Person Worship Survey this month. We received 45 anonymous responses (with some responders speaking for entire households).
Some Highlights from the Survey:
80% of responders "attend" St. Matthew's online worship at least monthly.
56% of responders have participated in online Christian Education offerings.
Only 39% of responders indicated that they would attend in-person worship under the Vestry's Safety Guidelines "as soon as possible."
All responders affirmed the Vestry's Safety Guidelines, and many urged greater patience until a higher percentage of the community has been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.
85% of responders have either already received a COVID-19 vaccination or intend to get one "as soon as possible."
After deliberating and analyzing the survey responses, the Vestry has decided not to proceed with re-gathering for public in-person worship services at this time. The members of the Vestry believe that the high rate of vaccinations against COVID-19 in our community is encouraging and that in-person worship services will be available to the public again in the not-too-distant future, but we are not quite ready to set the timeline.
We will continue to hold Sunday and holiday worship via Livestream sessions, which under Diocesan guidelines may include up to 10 people in the church to produce the videos. If you are interested in serving as a reader, tech support, singer, or other liturgical role, please contact Fr. Arboleda at FrGAA@StMattSav.org.
C. 2020 Giving Statements Now Available: This week, St. Matthew's mailed out Giving Statements to all individuals and families who contributed financially to St. Matthew's mission and ministry in the year 2020. If these do not arrive by next week, feel free to contact the Office to pick up a hard copy or receive your statement electronically. If you notice a discrepancy on your statement when compared with your own records, please also let the Church Secretary know at Office@StMattSav.org or (912) 234-4440.
D. Bookkeeper Resigns: Our Bookkeeper, Frankie Smith, has resigned from his post in an effort to focus on his graduate studies at Savannah State University. We are sad to see him go and wish him the best as he pursues an education.
We are again fielding candidates for this open position. If you know of a qualified candidate, please share the following job description and invite them to apply by sending a cover letter and résumé to FrGAA@StMattSav.org.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nV28OhFpK49O_ZHWB4pJZD1qmW6CFM_8/view
E. Wednesday Study in Lent: This Lent, St. Matthew's will hold a weekly discussion about the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia's Thriving in the Vine: Daily Reflections for Lent. We encourage parishioners to read the daily devotions prepared by priests and laypeople from around our Diocese (including folks from St. Matthew's). Download the Lenten Devotional Book here: https://gaepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Lent-2021-Book.pdf. You may also purchase a printed version of the devotional book for $3.60 per copy, plus shipping at: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/liz-williams/thriving-in-the-vine/paperback/product-gprw5q.html?page=1&pageSize=4.
On Wednesdays from February 24 - March 31 at 5:30 PM, right after Evening Prayer ends, we will hold a discussion group focusing on the spiritual practice of the week (highlighted each Saturday and Sunday), and provide time for a conversation about the other weekday devotions. The Devotional Study will meet over Zoom using the same call information as Wednesday Evening Prayer. All you need to do is log into the call at 5:30 to join the study. If you log into the call at 5:00, you can pray with us and be featured on the Zoom Facebook Live-stream. Note that the discussion group will not be live-streamed to Facebook.
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: 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) every Wednesday
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. Virtual Coffee Hour 3/28: Join us for virtual coffee hour over Zoom on Palm Sunday at 10:30 AM.
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: Mar 14, 2021 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: See e-Newsletter
Meeting ID: 825 7251 1175
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 825 7251 1175
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
G. Raleigh Bryant Burial Plans TBD: St. Matthew's mourns the death of Mr. Raleigh A. Bryant, Jr., who passed away on December 18, 2020, at the age of 96. 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 to Adams Funeral Services' website: https://www.adamsfuneralservicesinc.com/obituary/MrRaleigh-BryantJr
H. T/W/Th Evening Prayer via Zoom: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, Fr. Arboleda invites you to pray Evening Prayer with him 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.
During Lent, we will use the Evening Prayer liturgy from Enriching Our Worship 1, an Episcopal worship resource that includes new prayers from more parts of the Bible, an emphasis on non-gendered language for God, and featuring more feminine perspectives both ancient and modern.
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
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 second interim drawing was on February 28, 2021. Sandra Mitchell and Iris Jenkins won aprons designed by our Quilters' Guild. The next interim drawing will be around Easter.
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 Parish Prayer List
Prayer List: Martha Avery, Zavier Bradley, Myrtle Brow-Hollis, Jacquelyn Bryant, Christine Brown, Genella Chamberlain, Taylor Blue Clemons, Annie Colbert, Ana Columna, Lazola Cope, Alice Dailey, Beryl Dandy, Mark Dashiell, Brittany Dawson, Eduardo Espinosa, Imani Ferguson, Ruby Fernandez, Harry Frazier, Charles 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., 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, Willie Mae Robinson, Paul Rockwell, Dison Washington Slaughter, James Small, Gwendolyn Smith, Courtney Watts Vista, Ed Vista, Willie Stephens, Lori Ward, Gertrude Washington, and Noel Wheeler
Birthdays: Frank Brown (3/22), Edwin Nails (3/22), Esther McAlpine (3/23), Nathaniel Nails (3/23), Whitney Robinson (3/24), Michael Canada (3/25), and Craig J. Maxwell (3/27)
Wedding Anniversaries: N/A
Recent 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.
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