Hungry for Fish?

You’ve gotta catch ‘em first!

Jesus says to you and me, "Follow me. You are essential personnel. Come as you are. Bring whatever gifts and talents you have and use them in my name. Bring your excitement and enthusiasm and I will channel them in the right direction. Bring your commitment and I will show you a place where you can make a difference. Bring your love and hope and watch them change lives."

Jesus' disciples were not a panel of experts. Jesus took people whom the world had labeled in many ways non-essential -- fishermen, tax collectors, notorious sinners, women who were never considered essential before -- and used them and their gifts in doing the work of love and issuing the call to others to follow in the way of Jesus. People who before never felt wanted found a place. People who doubted the world even knew they existed were suddenly important. 

True to the service’s theme, Vica told a story about fishing.

Vica went fishing and happened to catch a 6 inch catfish which she insisted on having taxidermied. Having caught this fish, she can now claim that she is a fisherman even though she do not like fishing nor has she gone since that fateful day as a child.

However, she is a fisher of people after the example of the disciples that Jesus called. You don't have to be a pastor or a missionary to share God's love and to live a life pointing to God's goodness. She implored upon the children that no matter what they choose to do in life, they can do it for God. 

Mary kept us on beat.

This past Sunday we had the lovely sounds of Kim Trolier on flute, playing beautiful hymn arrangements during the prelude & offertory. There was also an additional congregationally sung prayer, a hymn with words written expressly for hurricane victims, to support the special collection for the survivors of the hurricane & earthquakes in Puerto Rico.

Next week, to kick off our celebration of Black History Month, we have a special soloist, Donnie Hammond. Donnie is a familiar face to Philly theater-goers. She'll be joining us at both services - don't miss it!

Who's Better?

When it comes to the Kingdom, no one; since all are equal

In Paul’s day, some thought the answer was to be found in less variety, in exclusion, in isolation and the building of fences. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s day, many felt the same way, and built communities and churches by marking off who was not welcome. And so it is still in our own day.

All gifts are not acknowledged, the body is not complete, and love does not always prevail. 

But in this twenty-first century after Christ, let us live the way suggested by Paul: with diversity, with inclusivity, and with love. Let us ensure that all are welcome in the church, our communities, our neighborhoods and friendships.

Let us remember that all of humanity is made in the image of God. Not just the people who look like us, who think like us or act like us. Let us see the image of God that is in the other - especially the one that is different than us - because when we do so, we embrace God, but when we fail to do so, we reject God.

Embrace God in our Music

Lots of special music this past Sunday, in honor of Dr. King and Human Relations Sunday. The choir (with Kathy Niness on guitar) rocked the house with Garth Brooks' We Shall Be Free, and Janice Conner did a beautiful rendition of Abraham, Martin, and John. Some of the hymns were taken from a special hymnal: Songs for the Holy Other, an all-inclusive hymnal with special music celebrating diversity of all kinds.

The sermon included the song Don't Laugh at Me, an inclusionary anthem with special words written for the occasion by Mary Sugar.

Next week, Kim Trolier will be with us, enhancing the service with her lovely flute music! Don't miss a week!

Teaching Children to be Inclusive

The children spent a little extra time in worship so that they could participate in the litany in remembrance of Dr. King and to also witness our new friends, Erin, Charlie, and Sara join our church family formally.

When it came time to call the children forward, Vica only called the girls forward.  Everyone giggled as Vica extolled that girls rule and boys drool.  The girls thought it was great. However, Vica was quick to say that it was in fact not.

After having the boys finally join the girls, Vica shared that because all people were created in God's image, all people are important. No one is greater than anyone else. We all have a light inside that is the image of God and when someone tries to dampen it within someone else, two lights are dimmed. We are called to love like and because Jesus loves us.

New Beginnings

This is the Sunday we celebrate the baptism of Jesus and remember our own baptism. We remember how it can free us to be the people which God intended for us to be.

For a number of reasons, some of us need to be set free from our old lives. Some of us are unhappy with where we are in our faith journey. Some of us have made grievous mistakes along the way. The waters of Christian baptism symbolize the opportunity for every child of God: to make a new beginning. To be set free.

Coming up

In the next few weeks, we've got special music for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day/Human Relations Sunday, and we're getting ready for Black History Month in February, where all the choral and bell anthems will be Spirituals. There'll also be guests galore in February! Don't miss a Sunday!

Who's in the Details?

SERMON

We don't know who the magi were. We know they were seekers and we know they were Gentiles. They were not Jews.

Matthew wants us to know in the second chapter of his book that this Gospel is for everybody. It is not just for a select group. It is not just for the "in" crowd. It is not just for those who think and have all the answers. It is not just for the religious elite.

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

This past Sunday, Vica focused our children on the necessity of smaller details. She asked about the new addition we made to the nativity. It was a small detail of three new figurines that needed their attention. Some of them already knew what it was: the Wise Men come to visit Jesus. She shared about her own childhood tradition of placing their Wise Men in another room, on the top shelf in the far back corner. Do the math, and you figure it would take them at least 2-3 years to get to the nativity in the living room.

She pointed out how, before they arrive, noone ever seems to notice the missing figures from the nativity scene, despite their importance.

This is similar to the importance of the details in the Christmas story. It is a small passage that we read every year, but that doesn’t mean the details lose their importance. If we aren’t paying attention to the words, we’d miss that when the Wise Men. arrived Jesus is no longer a baby but a child and they are in a house. She stressed the hope that we all take time to pay attention to the small things. God does amazing miraculous huge things like what happens in the Christmas story, but so much of God happens in the small moments.

MUSIC

Coming up in the next few weeks, we've got special music for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day/Human Relations Sunday, and we're getting ready for Black History Month in February, where all the choral and bell anthems will be Spirituals. There'll also be guests galore in February! Don't miss a Sunday!

Refuge in the Nativity

For this first Sunday after Christmas, our own Vica Jones lead the congregation through service, complete with compelling sermon. She preached from Matthew 2:13-23, which picks up immediately after the wise-men's visit. Having been woken up from a frightening dream, Joseph and family pack and head for Egypt to escape Herod's murderous plan. After they were told that it was safe, they returned to Nazareth. This scripture was able to focus us on Jesus as Plan A. 

There is nothing that God does not foresee and cannot work for good. 

The wise-men had visited and brought to Jesus the weirdest gifts someone could bring for a small child. Though, God knew what they would be needed for. The gifts were light in weight and would have been worth years of wages for Joseph and family. This gave the family money for travel, to live off of while in Egypt, and travel back to Nazareth. Money they needed in order to follow the ordinances they received through Joseph's terrifying dream.

We also looked at a piece of art from Sister Grace Remmington from the Mississippi Abbey in Iowa (pictured above). The picture is of Eve and Mary interacting with each other. Ultimately, where Eve disobeyed, Mary obeyed. Eve's first born was killed because of jealousy, Mary's first born was killed because of perfect love. Eve's yes brought sin into the world, and Mary's yes brought about the Savior who would defeat sin for good.

As we go into a new year, I challenged everyone to step with faith that God is, was, and ever will be in control even in the midst of chaos. Will you say yes even if it's the middle of the night like Joseph?

The children learned through the book "Refuge." It is a book about the Nativity story from an uncommon perspective, that of the donkey. It follows the family from the birth of Jesus through their frightful flight to Egypt as refuges.

Service was completed through the recitation of the Covenant Prayer of Wesleyan Tradition:

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.P
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,
Praised for you or criticized for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service.
And now, O wonderful and holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, 
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
Let it also be made in heaven. 

 Amen.

What Do We Do?

We SING!

Music speaks to us of God. That is why music has always been part of the church.  And, of course, that is why music and singing is such a big part of Christmas. So, let us prepare for the birth of Christ with songs of joy and thanksgiving. Let us sing as God’s people with one unified voice. And let us pray that in the music we will sense the Holy Spirit at work in our lives drawing us closer to one another and to God. Isaiah writes about the coming age of the messiah, “They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” That’s the promise of Christmas. And it's worth singing about.

Where Do You Come From? What Do You Own?

Genesis and our heritage

Genesis says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God then asked us to "take care of the earth.” Psalms 24 puts it this way, “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” In effect, God is saying, “I still own it; I’m just asking you to take care of it.” We are stewards and not owners.

The oceans, forests, plains, rivers, lakes — it all belongs to God. Then God gives instructions as to how we’re supposed to take care of God's planet. There are four key instructions that were delivered: Subdue it, rule over it, work it, and take care of it. 

There’s been a lot of confusion about these directions, and humanity has often misinterpreted them to mean that we can do whatever we wantwith God’s creation. We have paid a steep price for that, and future generations are going to pay an even steeper price for our lack of understanding. This past Sunday, Pastor John explored those instructions in his message and helped explain what they mean for our own stewardship of creation. 

In-line with Genesis, our service also focused on heritage.

Specifically, we celebrated Native American Heritage Month with special musical offerings. The children learned a traditional Native American chant, and also learned the Lakota Sioux phrase "Mitakuye Oyasin," which translates to "all my relations." Relations, in this case, doesn't just refer to our human families, but to all Creation, recognizing that we must take care of the planet and all creatures as if they were our own family. As Stephen Schwartz wrote in the lyrics for Sunday's Prelude "Colors of the Wind,""The rainstorm and the river are my brothers, The heron and the eagle are my friends,And we are all connected to each other, In a circle, in a hoop that never ends." Flautist Kim Trolier played beautifully on the prelude as well as on the choral anthem "Creation Will Be At Peace," based on the Isaiah text that states, "in the Holy Mountain of the Lord, all war and strife will cease." Other musical selections of the day were "Share the Land" by The Guess Who, "I Want to Live" by John Denver, and "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.

Veterans Day Heros

What do you do when someone comes looking for a fight?

The Bells of Peace were tolled this past Veterans Day Morning, at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, as it was the 101st anniversary of the Armistice which ended WWI. St. Matthews took part in this national event, where tower & interior bells from participating churches all across the country rang 21 times in salute to our Veterans. 

In continuation of this honor, Veterans were musically saluted in this Sunday's service, with The Armed Forces medley being sung by the choir and congregation, while members of each branch stood in order to allow us to acknowledge them. Jim Dallas soloed and sang "In My Own Lifetime" by Bock & Harnick, praying "In My Own Lifetime, I want to see the fighting cease." Among the instrumentals chosen to honor them were Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon," Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," Mariah Carey's "Hero," and Glenn Miller's "American Patrol."

Next Sunday's music will be in honor of Native American Heritage Month, with Kim Trolier joining us on flute, and a special Native American chant with the youth & senior choirs.

Did you know that you have a little superhero in you? On Sunday, in a nod to Veteran's Day, the children's message was focused on our everyday superheroes but with a special twist. Everyday, we are confronted with heroes who do incredible, and sometimes impossible, feats. Fireman run towards burning buildings; first responders and police protect and help those in need. 

Although, there are other superheroes in life that sometimes we forget: teachers, bus drivers, waiters, that person who held the door open for you this morning. As well as we all have our own superhero inside of us because we are God's children. When we do something kind to others, we are being a superhero. And, as Abigail said, we know the ultimate superhero, Jesus, who defeated sin & death for our sake. 

So this week, how can you be a superhero in someone else's life? 

In Jr Church, we continued our journey through the Old Testament. We learned about Moses teaching the Israelites about their history and laws. This is an example of the importance for our families, so that they can learn together on their faith journey. 

Next week, we will take a break from our curriculum to focus on Creation Care for Native American Heritage Sunday.

In the sermon, Jesus came up against some Sadducees who to him looking for a (theological) fight. They came to Jesus with an attack question: a question designed to destroy the other person's viewpoint. These types of questions are designed to prevent the inquirer from changing their own viewpoint, since they are destroying their opponent's worldview.

The Sadducees weren't really interested in what Jesus believed about the possibility of resurrection from the dead. Their question about one bride for seven brothers was not a question which they hoped would bring them some new knowledge or understanding. Their question was not serious, except that it was seriously designed to entrap Jesus into taking a position that would alienate people while making themselves look good at his expense.But Jesus' opponents are the ones who are demolished by their own questions. He cuts through to the real issue -- do they really believe in God? Is their God big enough and powerful enough to raise the dead? His God is. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is. God is a God of the living. And people of faith, whether long dead or not, are alive to this God, who is the author not of death but of life. That is the amazing good news that Jesus brought us. 

Burning Questions?

Hot song choices!

This past Sunday, Pastor John preached from the prophet Habakkuk who pinpointed the single biggest theological question everyone comes up against: If we know God can, then why would God not? God can stop the violence. God can stop the injustice. God can stop the oppression, but God doesn’t.

Habakkuk struggled with a question that caused him sleepless nights, loss of appetite, depression, and discouragement. As he looked at a world that was collapsing around him (a world much like the one we are living in right now, where it seems like everything is coming apart, where it seems like the bad guys win a lot more often than the good guys) he wrestled with this question, “If God is good, and God is in control, why is the world the way it is?” Habakkuk was awash in a sea of doubt. If we have ever been there, or one day we find ourselves there, we can learn this truth from Habakkuk: It is not a sin to doubt or ask questions of God. 

In this week's All Saints Day music selection, the choir sang "Heritage of Faith" by Angerman & Paige, celebrating "All the Saints of God... who now from labors rest." The instrumentals, honoring our losses on a more personal level, included Josh Groban's "To Where You Are," David Foster's "Heaven Holds the Ones I Love," and Queen's "No One But You." Always surprises here at St. Matthew's - don't miss a week!

In Need of Some Grace?

Find it alongside gratitude

As Consecration Sunday continued our abundant celebration of Stewardship, our service was much needed mixture of grace and gratitude. Often, in our daily lives, we don't realize how important gratitude is to our spiritual well-being and growth. Just pointing out one thing daily that you are grateful for can help strengthen your resilience and calm.

Pastor John applied this gratitude to the story of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus feet at the house of Simon the Pharisee. This story strikes a chord in many people. We all want to believe that there is a merciful God whose nature is Love. We all want to believe that our sins can be forgiven, and Jesus can give us that assurance. He will give us that assurance if we will open ourselves to him. The only appropriate response to such grace is gratitude. Our Lord recognized the depth of the woman’s gratitude in the way she behaved. 

If he looked on our behavior would he see a thankful sinner or an arrogant Pharisee?

Enhancing the service, as we reflected on grace and gratitude, was Mary's music selection backed by some very special music. The Bell Choirgave us a beautiful rendition of Great is Thy Faithfulness, and the new Youth Choir gave us a rousing version of Let Us Go! by Michael Jothen. Also, keeping in theme as always, Mary played Alabaster Box by Cece Winans for the prelude to gear the congregation up for the scripture about the woman who anointed Jesus with oil from an alabaster box.

You never know what you'll miss, so don't miss a week!

You Missed . . . A Very Disturbing Parable

And Mary played Santana in Worship!

With September as Hispanic Heritage Month, St. Matthew's hosted the talented Steven Kendikian, a double-major of Spanish and Voice at West Chester University, to sing during service. He did it all! from singing a verse of each of the hymns in Spanish, to teaching the kids Spanish "This Little Light of Mine." Our own Mary Sugar, played vibrant instrumentals as well to accompany our services:  Eres Tu, Amigos Para Siempre, El Condor Pasa, and Oye Como Va. To quote the pastor, "Really? Santana? In church?? COOL!!"

To paraphrase Pastor John, he preached on a disturbing parable of Jesus (Luke 16: 1-13) about a dishonest manager whose master commends him for his shrewd business dealings. Is Jesus commending dishonesty? However, as is often the case with Jesus' parables, more is going on here than meets the eye. Instead of celebrating the manager's dishonesty, Jesus is suggesting that his disciples take action for the sake of God's Kingdom rather than sitting back and wringing their hands when things get rough. Even if it means being smart once and a while.

With so many committed staff-members, you never know what you might miss on a Sunday at St. Matthew's!