A Message from your Rector:

Saint Matthew’s Church Re-Opens this Sunday!

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the House of the LORD!” (Psalm 122:1 A Song of Ascents)

The Mount of Olives or Mount Olivet is a mountain ridge East of Jerusalem overlooking the Temple Mount. From here, Jesus sent two of his disciples to fetch a young donkey colt with instructions if anyone asks “why are you doing this?” say “The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.”
(Here is the view showing the Temple Mount in the distance)

As we prepare to enter Holy Week this Palm Sunday, there are a flood of emotions coming into view for us. In context of Mark’s Gospel Chapter 11, the people were excited that perhaps this Passover, God would act in a big way. Maybe God would show his mighty hand overthrowing the Roman oppressors with their military presence and their heavy burdens of taxes cast upon the citizens. But Jesus chose a donkey to show his kingdom’s reign will be one of humility and compassion, not in a way people were expecting. Nonetheless, they heralded him “Hosanna in the highest!” and within a few days they would deny him crying out “Crucify Him, Crucify Him!”.

How far would you walk with Jesus? Will you partake of the Lord’s Supper? Will you stay awake in the Garden of Gethsemane? Will you witness Judas’ betrayal? Pilate's sentence? Will you walk to Calvary and suffer with Him? This is what Holy Week is all about, as we remember through the eyes of the Gospel writers and other eyewitnesses.
Oh the power of the Resurrection will be even more powerful when the discovery is made how God has acted in a big, big way! The tomb is empty, Christ Has Risen!
He is Risen indeed!

Details…Details…Details
The Holy Week Schedule below has been designed to welcome everyone in our walk: In-Church, Virtual Worship, and Outdoor Services.

In-Church services will require masks and social distancing. Holy Eucharist will be administered at the Communion Rail with packaged bread and wine to be consumed back in your seat.
Overflow seating will be in the Parish Hall.

Virtual Participants who are local may pick-up pre-consecrated bread and wine and bulletins from the Parlor in the Coxe Building.
Those who live remotely can download each service bulletin with hymn lyrics from the Webpage (www.saintmatthews.us) All bulletins will be uploaded by Thursday morning. (there will not be virtual slides).

Holy Week Schedule

Sunday,      Palm Sunday
March 28     9:30 a.m.        Virtual Sunday School
11:00 a.m.       Liturgy of the Palms & Holy Eucharist
(In-church & Virtual)
(Begins In the Parish Hall)
(Please arrive at 10:45 a.m.)

Monday, 12:00 p.m.       Midday Prayer
March 29   (In-church & Virtual)

Tuesday,     12:00 p.m.       Midday Prayer
March 30 (In-church & Virtual)

Wednesday, 7:00 a.m.      Men’s Bible Study
March 31   12:00 p.m.     Midday Prayer
(In-church & Virtual)
   5:30 p.m.        Virtual Church-Lent Series
   7:30 p.m.         No Women’s Bible Study (restart 4/7)

Thursday, 7:00 p.m.        Maundy Thursday Holy Eucharist Service
April 1   (In-church & Virtual)

Friday, 12:00 p.m.       Good Friday Service
(In-church & Virtual)
April 2         5:15 p.m.         Stations of the Cross
(Location Begins in the Parish Hall)

Sunday,      Easter Sunday
April 4       7:00 a.m.          Holy Eucharist
  (OUTDOORS-behind church)
                                          (Please bring your own chair.)
  9:30 a.m. Sunday School (Virtual ONLY)
                 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
(In-Church and Virtual)
(Over-flow in Parish Hall)
(Don't forget flowers for the Cross!)

March 22, 2021 Message from the Rector