Lent - “Faith, Hope, & Love”
shrove tuesday
Tickets for the Shrove Tuesday dinner are on sale. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for ages 7-17, Under 5 free, and $20 for a family of four or more. Date of the dinner is Tuesday, February 13th, details to follow. Come and enjoy fellowship!
ash wednesday February 14th
12:00 PM (Communion)
6:00 PM (Communion) Available on Zoom)
wednesday evening lenten series
Beginning February 21st at 5:15PM followed by dinner at 6:15pm. Discussion on the book, Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises. Call the office to order a book. Nursery care will be available.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS:
EVERY FRIDAY AT 5PM IN THE NAVE
Centering Prayer via zoom
Click here for the Zoom Link
Maybe you are well acquainted with Centering Prayer and have a regular practice. Or perhaps you’ve heard of Centering Prayer but don’t really know what it’s all about. Either way, this opportunity is designed for you.
Once a week, beginning on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and extending through Lent, (last session will be March 26) you are invited to join a Centering Prayer group via Zoom. The sessions will be every Tuesday from 4:00-4:40. We will begin with a short spiritual reading and then have 20 minutes of silence. There will be an opportunity for brief reflections at the end of each session.
Centering Prayer is a type of contemplative prayer that involves sitting in silence and opening oneself to the presence of God. Individuals use a sacred word or phrase to facilitate the process. The goal is to quiet the mind and cultivate a deeper connection with the divine or spiritual presence. The practice encourages a state of inner stillness and openness to the presence of God. It's a form of meditation that aims to foster spiritual growth and awareness.
In the first session, we will spend most of our time in an introduction to Centering Prayer, its theological basis, technique, and why we find it valuable. Your leaders will be Lyn Fraser, Richard Morgan, and Jan Head.
We always talk about giving things up for Lent (a very overrated practice!) Perhaps this year you might consider taking something on. No signup or preregistration is necessary. The Zoom link will be provided each week in Thursday updates and on the church website. All are welcome. You need not be a member of St. Matt’s to participate!
HOLY WEEK
As the church approaches Holy Week, here is a summary of the services offered at St. Matthew’s. If you are new to St. Matthew’s and the Episcopal Church, you are highly encouraged to attend Holy Week services, especially the worship services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter. These services work in unison to become what is called the Triduum (Three Days). These combined services work together to express the fullness of the Christian faith and salvation history as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday in the Episcopal Church is a dual commemoration that marks Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem with the waving of palm branches and also reflects on the events leading to his crucifixion. The service typically begins with a joyful outdoor procession (weather permitting), symbolizing Jesus' welcome into Jerusalem, followed by readings recounting his passion and death. The liturgy captures both the excitement of Palm Sunday and the solemnity of Christ's sacrifice, setting the stage for Holy Week's reflection on the central themes of redemption and salvation. Sunday, March 24 at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Maundy Thursday
The significance of Maundy Thursday to Christians stems from its origin in the Latin word "mandatum," meaning "commandment," referencing Jesus' commandment to love one another as he loved them. This day commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine, instituting the Eucharist, and washed the feet of his disciples, symbolizing humility and service. It marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum. The special service on Maundy Thursday is a remembrance of these events, fostering reflection on Jesus' sacrifice, love, and teachings, emphasizing themes of forgiveness, unity, and selflessness. Thursday, March 28 at 6:00 PM.
Good Friday
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, marking the pinnacle of his sacrificial journey for humanity's redemption. It is a day of solemn reflection, acknowledging the magnitude of Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. The special service on Good Friday calls us to deeply contemplate the significance of Jesus' sacrifice, his unconditional love, and the promise of salvation. Following the service in the church, those who want to continue the Good Friday observance will carry the cross in procession to the Hill of the Crosses on Horizon Dr. as we pray the Stations of the Cross. Friday, March 29 at Noon.
The Great Vigil of Easter
The Great Vigil of Easter is the most significant and richly symbolic service of the church year. It is the first celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, signifying God’s victory over death and the fulfillment of God's promise of salvation. This special service, held on Holy Saturday evening, symbolizes the transition from darkness to light, reflecting the journey from despair to hope. Through rituals like the lighting of the Paschal candle and the proclamation of the Exsultet, we rejoice in the resurrection, and renew our baptismal vows, embracing the transformative power of Christ's triumph over sin and death. Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 PM.
Monday-Friday during Holy Week
• 9:00AM Morning Prayer, Zoom/Facebook Live
• Anytime - self-guided Stations of the Cross on YouTube. Be sure to click the bottom right to proceed through the stations or the bottom left to return to a station.
Father Steve and Deacon Rich will be available for spiritual direction and/or Reconciliation of a Penitent by appointment.
Easter Sunday
March 31st
• 8:00 AM Easter Day and Holy Communion, in person
• 10:00AM Easter Day Holy Communion, in person and livestream on Zoom/FB Live. Egg hunt and brunch to follow the 10AM service.
Suggested Activities During Lent
Lent is an opportunity to undertake a special act of devotion or worship. Some possibilities include:
· Church. Join us online or watch our Facebook live for Sunday Morning Prayer with homily.
· Prayer. Join us online or watch Facebook live for Morning Prayer Monday through Friday at 9AM. See our service information page under the Worship tab for the zoom link. Join our youth led Compline prayer every Wednesday evening at 6PM HERE. Set aside a special time, or say evening prayers with children or make a point of saying grace before meals.
· Holy Scripture. Some set aside time to read the Bible, or read a specific book, or take time to read the Bible as a family.
· Generosity. Some give to charity. Some take up work with a food bank or other organization.
· Special Devotion. Some will fast on Fridays or some other day, or for a meal, as an act of devotion. Others might walk the labyrinth at St. Matthew’s.
Robes and slippers
This Lent we are again collecting new robes and slippers for folks in nursing homes, as well as Easter cards. Your generosity is appreciated!