The Holy Eucharist: The Liturgy of the Word
Christ the King: Last Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 29, Year A) November 22, 2020
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
Preface
I am posting this worship service online because we at St. Matthew's Church in Savannah are unable to gather together in person this week. Due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak, public health officials recommend avoiding large gatherings of people to avoid spreading the illness to more vulnerable people. Therefore, under the guidance of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, the Vestry has decided to keep our church building closed to all in-person gatherings.
At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, 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.
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 Word of God
Hymn #616: Hail to the Lord's Anointed
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.
2 He comes with succor speedy
to those who suffer wrong,
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying,
were precious in his sight.
3 He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth,
and love, joy, hope, like flowers,
spring in his path to birth;
before him on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, to;
and righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.
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, para. of Psalm 72, Public Domain.
Music: Es flog ein kleins Waldvögelein, German Folk Song; adapt. and harm. after Henry Walkford Davies; 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 in the Highest
[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, 236]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from Ezekiel (34:11-16, 20-24)
Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.
Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 95:1-7
[BCP, p. 724]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians (1:15-23)
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
LEV #96: He is King of Kings
REFRAIN:
He is King of kings,
He is Lord of Lords;
Jesus Christ, the first and last
no man works like Him.
1 He built his throne up in the air
no man works like Him;
And called the saints from ev’erwhere
no man works like Him. [Refrain]
2 I was but young when I begun
no man works like Him;
But now my race is almost won
no man works like Him. [Refrain]
Words: Traditional, Public Domain
Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain; arr. Horace Clarence Boyer, © 1992 Horace Clarence Boyer.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #89686. All rights reserved.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. Matthew (25:31-46)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
[Jesus said,] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
“The King of Love” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda
Today is the Last Sunday after Pentecost and the final Sunday in the 2019-2020 church year. Next week we begin anew with Advent, the start of the church’s calendar and our time of preparation for Christmas. But before we roll into the new year, we worship together on what is commonly called “Christ the King Sunday.” Today we meditate on what it means for Jesus Christ to be our true king, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. What does it mean that all earthly kings and lords will acknowledge Jesus to be their King and Lord? What does it mean for the universe that our Loving, Liberating, and Life-Giving God is at the center of it?
This morning’s Gospel passage shows us a vision of what the world will be like when Jesus, “the Son of Man[,] comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, [when] he will sit on the throne of his glory” surrounded by all the nations and peoples of the earth (Matt 25:31-32). When Jesus is enthroned on that Great Day of Lord, on the Day of Judgment, what sort of king will he be like? What sort of leader will he be? How will Jesus use the godly power entrusted to him?
Jesus helps us understand this first through a story. Last week’s Gospel passage was immediately before this one. He told a parable about a wealthy slave owner who left large sums of money (called talents) with three different slaves. He commended the two who doubled his money (100% profit rate) and chastised the one who hid the money in the ground out of fear. The story ends with the enslaver-landlord berating and punishing the last enslaved man for his failure.
More often than not, we hear that parable as a godly endorsement of hard work, risk-taking, and achievement. We think that God will reward us for using the gifts we have and will punish us for squandering them. But that interpretation completely misses the point.
Jesus uses the parable of the talents as a negative example. He shows us how human rulers, how powerful people behave, in order to contrast this week’s prophecy about the Judgment of the Nations. This week’s prophecy shows us how God in Christ treats the world. It shows us how a loving King acts, which is surprising to us because we are so used to seeing powerful people abuse their power and hurt others.
The parable of the talents stokes our fears and anxieties about achievement. We human beings like to think we will be measured by our accomplishments or profits. We measure our success or efficiency through money, grades, possessions sex, family, or whatever else we value. We might even measure ourselves with religious standards -- How many conversions or baptisms or confirmations did you help to make happen? But God does not measure us like that.
God is not like the main character of the parable of the talents: God is not a wealthy, enslaving landlord who demands unimaginably big profits. In the first century, the only way you made 100% profit on a sum of money is through gambling or exploiting others. There was no stock market where you could get lucky on an investment. Those slaves who made five and two talents were probably bullies who pushed around weaker, poorer tenants and slaves to accumulate unjust wealth for their master.
And again, God in Christ is not that kind of king. God does not congratulate you for stealing from others, for taking what isn’t yours to take, for reaping where you do not sow. Likewise, God does not throw people away into the outer darkness because they are afraid of such capitalist tycoons. God doesn’t rub people’s fears in their faces and kick them while they are down.
Instead, God is love, and God measures us by our love. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ … ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me’” (Matt 25:35-36, 40)
God measures us by our kind, charitable actions toward one another. God measures us by how we acted toward poor, hungry, homeless, and imprisoned people. God cares that we care for our fellow human beings. And it’s not a competition or a contest. It’s not a game we can win. It’s just about living with compassion.
So when Jesus Christ is enthroned as King of Kings and he judges all the nations and peoples, we know what to expect. Jesus’ judgment is love. Jesus will not ask us how rich or comfortable or hard-working or accomplished we were. Jesus will ask us if we loved our neighbors. That standard is simpler but in many ways more challenging.
Each of us must make decisions every day about how we will love and care for other people. And as a parish church, we are measured by the same standard. If St. Matthew’s Church exists only to make its members happy, then we are not fulfilling our God-given mission. That’s why we support ministries of mercy like Emmaus House, caring for people experiencing hunger and homelessness. That’s why, when there isn’t a pandemic, we visit sick and shut-in members, and during these months, we call them frequently. That’s why we are organizing ourselves with Savannah Area Interfaith Justice Ministry to try to make our city a fairer place. That’s why we maintain this building for worship and for the education of our Day Care children. That’s also why our Vestry and I have decided not to open the church for in-person worship. We love you too much to put your health, safety, and lives at risk. We do all that we do for love--love for those we know and love for everyone else. That’s the mission, that’s the measure, and that’s the goal.
So as we prepare to end our “church year” and end our pledge campaign with a blessing in a few moments, I invite you to get even more connected to St. Matthew’s and keep working with us for love. Let’s keep our eyes on our true King Jesus, who rules not with might, threats, or destruction, but with love, love, and love. Amen.
Bibliography
Breuer, Sarah Dylan. "Proper 28, Year A." Dylan's Lectionary Blog. Published 14 November 2005. Accessed 12 November 2020. https://www.sarahlaughed.net/lectionary/2005/11/proper_28_year_.html.
Nuechterlein, Paul. “Christ the King A.” Girardian Lectionary. Published 27 February 2018. Accessed 12 November 2020. http://girardianlectionary.net/reflections/year-a/xrstkinga/.
_____. “Proper 28A.” Girardian Lectionary. Published 11 November 2020. Accessed 12 November 2020. http://girardianlectionary.net/reflections/year-a/proper28a/.
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 VI, BCP, p. 392]
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence, about 5 seconds.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For Donald, our President; Joe, our President-Elect; Brian, our Governor; Van, our Mayor; Al, the chair of our County Commission; Chester, the Chair-Elect; 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 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 staff, students, and families, and for those on our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Zavier Bradley, Raleigh Bryant, Christine Brown, Genella Chamberlain, Annie Colbert, Lazola Cope, Alice Dailey, Beryl Dandy, Mark Dashiell, Brittany Dawson, Eduardo Espinosa, Imani Ferguson, Ruby Fernandez, Harry Frazier, Gary Gordon, Amanda Green, 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, Frances T. Jones, Lori Jones, Robert L. Jones, Sr., Ronald Jones, Tonya Jones, 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, Glenzy Payne, Robert Payne, Dison Washington Slaughter, James Small, Gwendolyn Smith, Willie Stephens, Lori Ward, Gertrude Washington, Anthony Watts, and Noel Wheeler; 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, especially for Chloe Pennamon (11/22) and Joenelle Gordon (11/24) on their birthdays; for Raleigh & Jacqueline Bryant (11/23) and Shirley & Joe Bonaparte (11/27) on their wedding anniversaries; and for other blessings 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, [especially ___] that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, and 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.
The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect.
Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we, your servants who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
The Peace
[BCP, p. 360]
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Announcements
NOTICE - Vestry Keeps Church Closed for In-Person Worship: The Vestry has continued to track public health data and the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia’s COVID-19 safety guidelines. We have established a task force of church members who are health care professionals to advise the Vestry on when it will be safe to resume in-person gatherings.
You can follow the public health data with the Georgia Coastal Health District. The Vestry and COVID-19 Church Re-Gathering Task Force aim to see the daily COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 people fall below 10 in Chatham County (yellow zone) for a sustained period of time before authorizing in-person gatherings: https://covid19.gachd.org/daily-case-rate-per-100000/
A. 2021 Pledge Campaign: Today is the close of our 2021 Pledge Campaign. This campaign is the Vestry’s annual opportunity to check in with different members and your opportunity to reconsider your commitments to St. Matthew’s in the coming year. Pledges are now available online (see below). Physical copies were distributed at the A.S.K. Dinner To-Go and will be mailed to other members. All pledges are due today, when we will bless the pledges and give thanks for God’s many blessings!
B. Frankie Smith Hired as Bookkeeper: Fr. Arboleda and the Vestry would like to announce the hire of our next Bookkeeper, Frankie Smith. Mr. Smith is a Savannah native and just completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Savannah State University. He will begin the Master of Business Administration program at Savannah State University in January 2021. He will catch us up on accurate financial reporting, produce year-end giving statements, process 2021 pledges, and help prepare the 2021 parish budget. Mr. Smith may be reached by email at Bookkeeper@StMattSav.org.
C. T/W/Th Evening Prayer via Zoom in December: Starting on Wednesday, December 2, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in December, Fr. Arboleda will 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 like 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: Dec 2, 2020 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Tue, Wed, Thu, until Dec 23, 2020, 10 occurrence(s)
Dec 2, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 3, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 8, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 9, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 10, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 15, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 16, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 17, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 22, 2020 05:00 PM
Dec 23, 2020 05:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: See e-Newsletter
Meeting ID: 930 0965 1671
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 930 0965 1671
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
D. Thanksgiving Day Morning Prayer: Join us on Facebook Live at 9:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, 11/26) for a special Morning Prayer service. Thanks in advance to all participants in the worship video!
E. Worship with the Diocese on 11/29: On Sunday, November 29, the First Sunday in Advent, please go to the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia's Facebook page for Sunday morning worship at 10:00 AM. A link will also be available on the St. Matthew's Facebook page. See you then!
F. Bishop Logue & Canon Lasch to Visit St. Matthew's on 12/6: During the pandemic, Bishop Logue is still visiting parishes around the Diocese to film worship services and check in on church members. On December 6, the Bishop's Staff will film the Diocesan worship service at St. Matthew's, and it will feature the Rt. Rev. Frank Logue as officiant, the Rev. Canon Loren Lasch as preacher, the Rev. Guillermo Arboleda as litanist, and members of St. Matthew's as choir singers and readers. This video will premiere on Sunday, December 6 from both the St. Matthew's Facebook page at 9:30 AM and the Diocese of Georgia's Facebook page at 10:00 AM.
G. “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 will be December 15, 2020.
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.
H. “Women in Genesis” Ends 11/22 at 11:00: This Christian Education course for teens and adults is held virtually on Sunday mornings from 11:00 AM - 12:00 noon. Sunday, November 22 is the final session. (Note that this course runs parallel to the Diocesan Godly Play for children, listed below.)
This course will survey the women of Genesis, the first book in the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible. While the Bible is predominantly written by men and through patriarchal, male biases, women are featured more often than is commonly known. The Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney’s seminal work Womanist Midrash offers ancient and modern commentary on the women of Israel’s scriptures, highlighting their oft-neglected experiences, perspectives, and lessons for today.
I. Children’s Godly Play @ 11 AM: This Sunday the Diocese will continue a series of virtual Godly Play offerings. Godly Play is a Montessori-based curriculum that focuses on telling stories using physical materials and allowing participants to play and work with the stories at their own level.
Learn more by visiting the Diocese of Georgia Facebook page (see below) and subscribing to From the Field (https://gaepiscopal.org/from-the-field/). Please contact Canon Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org for the Zoom link and with your questions.
Diocese of Georgia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgiaepiscopal/
J. EYCS Scholarship Fundraiser: EYCS (Episcopal Youth and Children's Services) is a Diocese of Georgia scholarship fund that any college-bound Episcopal youth can apply for. We presently have two students who are benefitting from the fund, and we hope to have more in the future!
Due to COVID-19 the ECW is unable the hold its annual Silver Tea, a fundraiser with the proceeds going towards EYCS. In order to continue our support to the EYCS fund, we are asking for your support.
Please mail checks or money orders to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, make them payable to "St. Matthew's ECW," and write "EYCS" on the memo line. If you prefer to give online, you may donate directly to the Diocese of Georgia via http://eycs.georgiaepiscopal.org (Click the “Donate” button at the bottom of the page).
The last date for contributions is November 30. Please contact Mrs. Georgette Kelley or Mrs. Evalena Hoskins for more information. If you give online, please inform Mrs. Kelley and Mrs. Hoskins so they know that St. Matthew’s members have contributed.
K. Virtual Coffee Hour 11/22 - Pledge Campaign Celebration: We will hold a virtual "Coffee Hour" over Zoom on Sunday, November 22, 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.)
We will celebrate the end of our Pledge Campaign and offer a preliminary report on pledged giving for 2021.
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: Nov 22, 2020 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
L. 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. If you pledged a donation in 2020 and are able, please continue making those contributions. If you have not pledged, please consider donating to St. Matthew’s now and in the future. 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.
The Pledge Blessing & Offertory
[BCP, p. 377]
V. All things come from you, O Lord;
R. And from your own gifts do we give to you.
V. Prosper the work of our hands;
R. Prosper our handiwork.
V. Show your servants your works;
R. And your splendor to their children.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit: Thank you for inspiring your people to make offerings for your service, and for accepting these our gifts. Be with us now and bless us as we set apart these 2021 Pledges to your praise and glory; empower us to dedicate ourselves to you with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength; and renew us through these gifts of time, talent, and treasure to you and your Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2)
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
Hymn #544: Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun
1 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
doth his successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2 To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head;
his Name like sweet perfume shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
3 People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song;
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his Name.
4 Blessings abound where'er he reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
5 Let every creature rise and bring
peculiar honors to our King;
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen.
Words: Isaac Watts, Public Domain.
Music: Duke Street, John Hatton, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #94266. 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 & Dismissal
[Enriching Our Worship 1, p. 71; BCP, p 366]
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 may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
Permissions: 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. Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture readings and quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible
Cover Image: https://summitparkchurch.com/loveyourneighbor