November 30, 2020 Message from the Rector
Dear Parish family:
As I thought about how to make our Christmas Eve services safe for members of Saint Matthew's and their families, I didn't think it made a lot of sense to have multiple services for 30 people at a clip - that would mean five to six services if the attendance was like it was last year. So I remembered about a special service idea I had in Seminary.
The course was The Pentateuch, also known as the Torah - the first five books of the Bible. Specifically, the book of Leviticus describes the sacrificial system which was God's instructions to enable the Israelites to come nearer to God through a pure life of holiness.
Sacrifice serves as the divinely sanctioned means for restoring covenant relationship.
For example, Abraham's offering of his son Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19, describes how a ram becomes an acceptable substitute for the human whose life is symbolically offered to God in sacrifice. Sacrifice often focuses on the blood of the victim. Blood is the substance of life reserved for God who creates life and who performs the act of forgiveness and atonement.
There were five types of sacrifical offerings: The burnt offering (seeking God's forgiveness of sin: the giving of an animal back to God, making atonement for the person offering the animal sacrifice). The grain offering (an offering or gift to the Lord). The sin offering (public confession of sin and then receive forgiveness for sin seeking reconciliation with God, not pardon from punishment.) The guilt offering (Hebrew: Asham which means a breach of faith, requiring completion of a cleansing process). Finally, the fellowship or peace offering which is what our Family Blessings Christmas Eve Service is all about.
The fellowship/peace offering was administered last because it represented peace with God after completing the other sacrifices in order to be restored in communion with God. This sacrifice is predominately for fellowship between both the worshipper annd God who is among the worshippers. The worshipper and their family have a meal with God.
Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant at the Last Supper, the once for all sacrifice -his body and blood, and the imagery used, that of the paschal lamb and the day of atonement run together. For Jesus Christ himself became the complete sacrifice in which God's will for forgiveness and salvation is fully enacted and carried out on the cross.
Now you know the background to why a Family Blessings Christmas Eve can be in groups of individuals or families.
Here is the Family Blessings Service plan:
1) From 5-8pm, a group* of up to ten, who have pre-registered, will enter through the side door into the Narthex. An usher will advise when the group may approach the Communion rail.
2) After a brief liturgy of prayers, the Sacrament** will be administered, and after a Family Blessing, the group will be dismissed through the Parish Hall. (Total time: 7 minutes max)
3) Remember, the traditional 11:00pm Christmas Eve choral service will be held as usual for up to thirty attendees.
*Note: A group up to ten individuals may be a family who lives together, or a group of individuals who are comfortable to gather together at the Communion Rail for this brief service (about 7 minutes max). Social distancing and masks are encouraged. **For children under twelve years old or who have not been confirmed will receive a prayer.
(You are encouraged to gather your group up to ten and register through the Church Office between 9-12 Monday - Thursday). Jennifer will be happy to inform you of time slots available.
Thanks be to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us and how His sacrifice of love resulted in forgiveness of our sin and life everlasting for those who follow him. What a joy it will be to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ in this way!
Come Lord Jesus, Come!
In Christ’s love,
Rags+