SHARE:  

THE GOOD NEWS


from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church


A Word from Father Tom


Advent is a season where we remember the faithfulness of God throughout the ages in the promise of his covenants to and with his people. The ultimate YES to His Covenant People came through Jesus, who Joseph was told by an angel would "save his people from their sins" - (Matthew 1:21). Over and over again in this season we are invited by the lectionary to reflect on God's prophetic promises to send the Messiah with the realization that He kept and is keeping them all. When God promises something, we know that He will deliver.


However, the Lord's deliverance was on His time, not on the timetable of any human group or faction - including His own covenant people. Most of the Israelites of any generation became tired of waiting and turned to more concrete and tangible gods who promised easier answers and quicker results. It is a reminder today of what has become a common theme among many of those who name Jesus as their savior. They like some of the things Jesus says but feel completely free to ignore other things that He taught or established. Like those in the Old Testament that tried to mix Yahweh with other gods, Paul tells us in II Timothy 4 that we should also expect a time when people within the church will have "itching ears":


In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.


The Christ child has appeared, and He will appear again. His kingdom is here but is also "not of this world". God's word can be trusted, and those that put their hope in His promises will - like the Covenant People of old - find Him reliable and true to His word.


Thanks be to God.


Fr. Tom

Click on the below links to open the documents

Men's Breakfast

Mark your calendars, there will be a men's breakfast on December 13th from 8:00-9:30 AM.


Adult Education and Fellowship

Mark these dates for our upcoming Reading Group meetings:

  • December 8th at 6:00 PM: Tolkien Reading Group
  • December 15th at 6:00 PM: Theology Uncorked


December Cookie Exchange and Bake Sale

The cookie exchange and bake sale (donation offers) will take place on December 8 in the parish hall. If you are interested in participating, please drop off the cookies at the church on Saturday, December 7 at 3:30 PM for the exchange. Please note that this is a change in time. If you have any questions, please contact Jack Pitts at 309-825-8196.


Planning Financially for 2025

We have now set out the pledge cards for the new year on our newly donated information table just outside of the church office. We encourage you to turn in your pledge cards before the end of 2024.


Filling out a pledge card is not a contract which cannot be broken. It is a tangible communication of intent and support that encourages the leadership and members of St. Matthew's that we are all in this together, striving to be generous and "cheerful" givers. I am hopeful that we will have many more first-time pledgers this fall.



Worship Lectors

7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Dec 8 - Julie Bennett and Brad Bauman

Dec 15 - Lynn Gray and Jim Cooper

Dec 22 - Bill Johns and Shelley Carter


Lay Eucharistic Ministers

10:00 AM

Dec 8 - Mark Gibson and Brad Bauman

Dec 15 - Bill Johns and Jack Pitts

Dec 22 - Bill Johns and Jonathan Martin


Crucifer

10:00 AM

Dec 8 - Kathy Ledinsky

Dec 15 - Georgia Solis

Dec 22 - Carla Murillo


Altar Guild Prep

7:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Dec 8 - Lynn Gray

Dec 15 - Julie Bennett

Dec 22 - Patty Pitts


Coffee Hour Schedule

Dec 8 - Susan and Shelly

Dec 15 - Deedee Ann Champion

Dec 22 - Shelley Carter


Looking for Church Events beyond the coming week?

Go to our website (CLICK HERE) and look at the Happenings menu for past newsletters, the church calendar, and other information.


St. Matthew’s Schedule this week

7:30 a.m.- Rite I, Holy Communion

9:00 a.m.- Adult Study

10:00 a.m.- Rite II

10:00 a.m. - Children's Sunday School (Preschool - 4th grade)

11:00 a.m.- Coffee Hour

5:30 p.m. - Evensong (Evening Prayer)



Monday - Fr. Tom's day off


Tuesday

10:00 a.m.—Stitchin' Bees


Wednesday


Thursday

7:30 a.m.--Morning Prayer

6:30 p.m.- Vestry Meeting


Friday


Saturday


Sunday - Dec. 15th

7:30 a.m.- Rite I, Holy Communion

9:00 a.m.- Adult Study

10:00 a.m.- Rite II, Holy Communion

10:00 a.m. - Children's Sunday School (Preschool - 4th grade)

11:00 a.m.- Coffee Hour

5:30 p.m. - Evensong (Evening Prayer)



MONTHLY Reoccurring Events:

Each Sunday - Adult Study in Parish Hall, 9 a.m., Children's Sunday School, 10 a.m., Evensong 5:30 P.M.

Each Tuesday - Stitchin’ Bees, 10 a.m.

Each Thursday- Morning Prayer, 7:30 a.m.

Third Thursday - Vestry, 6:30 p.m.

Monthly on the 2nd Saturday of the month - Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8 a.m.


Weekly Choir Rehearsals:

Each Sunday - Jubilate & Jubilate Chimes, 9:15-9:45 AM

Each Wednesday - Adult Choir, 4:15-5:00 PM

Each Wednesday - Handbell Practice 5:00-5:45 PM

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

309-662-4646

office@stmattsblm.org

St. Matthew's | Website
Facebook  Instagram  YouTube