Dear friends,
Greetings and I hope this finds you well and getting ready for the extended holiday weekend! As more and more people are becoming vaccinated and things are opening up, it’s one of the first holidays in which many of us will be spending with friends and family. If you’re planning to do so, please stay safe.
The weather for this coming weekend will be rainy and damp, so we will move inside the church building for worship beginning at 9:30 am. If we worship indoors, we will continue to wear masks and practice social distancing to help protect those in our congregation who are not yet vaccinated. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
As we move from the Season of Easter into the summer “green” season following Pentecost, we will celebrate Holy Trinity Sunday this weekend. The New Testament readings for Holy Trinity collect several of those passages in which the persons of the Trinity are all referred to. We hear that Paul has been speaking of the ministry of the Spirit, who frees us from death and the condemnation of the law, and allows us to share Christ’s eternal life.
Sunday Forum – We know that the Bible refers to spiritual gifts — and we have been hearing about the work of the Holy Spirit both last week and this coming Sunday — but have you ever wondered what this means, or how you can find out what your spiritual gifts are? Join Vicar MJ after church this Sunday as we explore the idea of spiritual gifts, what they are, and how you can use them both within the church and in your everyday life!
Online Book Study – As a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation, we recognize that the journey of welcoming is ongoing, and an invitation to continually ask, “How is the Spirit moving us today in the work of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy?” We invite you to participate in an online book study and discussion that the Lower Susquehanna Synod is hosting on Drew Hart’s ‘Who Will Be A Witness; Igniting Activism for God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance.’ Who Will Be a Witness offers a vision for communities of faith to organize for deliverance and justice in their neighborhoods, states, and nation as an essential part of living out the call of Jesus. Attendees will meet via Zoom on Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. from now through June 10, 2021. To register or for more info, visit www.lss-elca.org/journey-towards-justice. Vicar MJ is participating in this and invites anyone who is interested in additional conversation or discussion on the book to contact her. Please note: you are welcome to join Zoom presentation at any time, even if you are unable to attend all of the weekly sessions.
Celebrating our RIC Anniversary – We are excited to announce that we will have a special guest joining us on Sunday, June 28, as we celebrate our second anniversary as a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation. The Rev. Dr. Guy Erwin, President of United Lutheran Seminary and former Bishop of the ELCA’s Southwest California Synod, will join us to preach and celebrate our anniversary. Dr. Erwin is the ELCA’s first gay, partnered bishop and the first openly gay male to serve in that office in the churches of the Lutheran World Federation. As an enrolled member of the Osage Nation, on whose reservation he was born in Oklahoma, he is the first Native bishop in the ELCA. Dr. Erwin was elected as synod bishop in 2013 and served in that role until his appointment as ULS president in 2020. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend, as this will also be Vicar MJ’s last Sunday with us.
Giving to St. Matthias – We are grateful for your continued offerings of time, talent, and treasure to St. Matthias.
We have set up a secure online giving tool (endorsed by the ELCA and used by more than 4,000 churches) through Tithely. You may give online by clicking on the link below — and you may also use the site to set up recurring giving, where your gift will be automatically deducted on a day of your choosing. There’s also a green DONATE button at the bottom of this bulletin (and at the bottom of our website) that you nay click on to make a gift. If you have any questions on how to use this service, please let Vicar MJ know. THANK YOU for your continued support of St. Matthias and its ministry.
https://tithe.ly/give?c=2732717
Prayer List – All those affected by Covid-19, all affected by gun violence in our nation, conflict and violence in the Middle East, Christian M. (Marines) and all military service personnel, Pam, Betty Lou, Mark, Pat, Seth, DJ, Margaret, Sally, George, Arleen, Greg, Charles, Carol, Darryl, Billie, Gayle, Wayne and family, Troy Snyder, Lisa Myers, the Hurley family, all who are traveling this holiday weekend, and all who ask for the Lord’s healing and mercy.
In Christ’s Love,
Vicar MJ