Dear siblings in Christ,
I hope this finds you well and staying safe! I missed seeing you this past week but am glad that we are able to worship virtually on days in which the weather does not permit us to gather together outdoors.
The forecast is calling for sun this coming Sunday, so we will plan to gather this coming Sunday, July 26, at 9:30 a.m for outdoor worship (with masks and social distancing). Please bring your lawn chairs, umbrellas or sunhats, bottle of water, and sunscreen!
As a reminder, we will meet outside the church at 9:30 a.m. on the Sundays on which we have good weather. In case of rain, I will be posting our worship service online, which you will be able to find here on our website, as well as on the church’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Speaking of Facebook, I am holding “Free Prayer” on Wednesday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. Stop by the St. Matthias Facebook page and post your prayer requests (or send them to me privately) and we can pray together, and I will also add any that I receive to our prayer requests for the week.
We Commemorate…
This week, the Church remembers and gives thanks for Mary Magdalene.
Sometimes called “the apostle to the apostles” because she told them of her encounter with the risen Lord, Mary was a woman of Galilee who followed Jesus throughout his ministry. As one of his closest friends, she was present at Jesus’ crucifixion and his burial. And as John 20 reveals, she was the very first evangelist, called by Jesus himself to share the news that he was alive:
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew,[b] “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
In almost all the lists of women who followed Jesus, she is named first. Through the centuries, in the Western church she has been the object of misconceptions about her life and her relationship to Jesus. Now we recover her role as leader
among Jesus’ followers and as witness to the resurrection. Like Moses’ sister, she came running with the good news that the one who had been given up for dead was restored to life.
As we remember Mary and what she did, it also gives us the opportunity to reflect on the truth that God has always utilized women as messengers and bearers of the Gospel, and still continues to call women today as pastors, deacon/deaconesses,
lay leaders, and other important roles within the church.
Prayer Requests…
As you spend time in prayer this week, would you please remember the following:
All those affected by COVID-19 and for our healthcare workers and essential personnel.
Our brown, black and indigenous siblings experiencing racism and violence, and those throughout the nation who are victims of violence.
Christian M. (Marines) and all service personnel.
Those in our community who are ill or recovering from illness this week, their friends, and the loved ones who care for them,
Don and Joanne, Jacques, Pam, Betty Lou, Mark, Pat, Seth, DJ, Margaret, Larry, Sally, George, and all who ask for the Lord’s healing and mercy.
Almighty God, your Son first entrusted the apostle Mary Magdalene with the joyful news of his resurrection. Following the example of her witness, may we proclaim Christ as our living Lord and one day see him in glory, for he lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
God’s Peace and Love,
Vicar MJ