Dear Friends in Christ,
I hope you have had a great week! As I begin the second month of my internship, I feel blessed to serve among you and feel God’s presence in our midst. Even though we are in a pandemic and aren’t able to gather in person as the church has typically done, I’m strengthened by the resilience and hope that exists at St. Matthias.
Our forecast for this coming Sunday looks like it will be a sunny and not-too-hot day, so we will plan to gather outdoors at 9:30 a.m. As a reminder, Sister Davia and I will confer Saturday morning to determine whether to meet outside or hold virtual worship based on the heat index. We will send an email out after Noon on Saturday and will also put a message on the church voice mail around the same time. You may call the church at 717-245-2475 for a recorded message regarding how we will be worshiping on Sunday.
Announcements…
* This week, we remember Mary, Mother of our Lord. The church (including Martin Luther) honored Mary with the title theotokos, meaning “God-bearer,” for her role in giving birth to the Son of God. Her song, the Magnificat, speaks eloquently of God’s lifting the lowly and feeding the hungry. But Mary’s role is not limited to giving birth to Jesus and mothering him in his childhood. In John’s gospel, she is among the women standing near the cross; in Acts, she is among the disciples awaiting the gift of the Spirit. Through all that happened, she continued to see how God was at work through her son, keeping the ancient promises to her ancestors, brushing aside the rich and powerful, and focusing on those as poor and powerless as Mary herself.
* We will have prayer request inserts that will be included in the Celebrate bulletins for you to complete if you would like to add a name to the prayer list. Please add any requests and either drop them in the offering plate or give them to me following worship.
* We recently learned that Community Cares, Project Share, and Safe Harbor are again accepting donations, so we will be collecting non-perishable food items for Project Share and personal care items for Community Cares. We will be placing a basket outside near our welcome table each week and you may place your donations in it, and we will see that the items get delivered. THANK YOU for your previous support of these ministries — and THANK YOU for your continued support, especially during the pandemic, when these vital organizations in our community need our support more than ever!
*Do any of you have a video camera that we may be able to borrow to film a mid-week prayer service? If you do, please let Vicar MJ or Sister Davia know…thank you!
* If you have a bit of time to spare, we are looking for some volunteers who may be willing to scan some of our historical items (photos, programs, bulletins, etc.) on our copier so that they may be saved digitally. If you may want to help with this project, please let Vicar MJ know and we will provide you with directions on how to scan (or show you how following worship!)
* A reminder the the Internship Committee will meet this coming Wednesday, August 12, at 2 p.m. in the Education Building.
Prayer Requests…
As you spend time in prayer this week, would you please remember the following:
All who were affected by the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, in which more than 100 lives were lost and more than 4,000 were injured or missing. We also pray for the Lutheran Disaster Response volunteers who are helping in the relief efforts.
Those affected by the wildfires in California, which have ravaged more than 26,000 acres of land, including firefighters and rescue workers.
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.
Gracious and Loving God, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen.
God’s Peace and Love,
Vicar MJ