WORSHIP AT SAINT MATTHEWS

Click here to view a "Father Bill Video" our rector prepared to teach our children about church vestments and colors. Be patient as the large file loads.

Click here to view the video from The Blessing of the Animals
held on Sunday, October 5, 2008, on the parish grounds.

Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday December 18, 2011
In the Church at 10:30 am

The ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing… Isaiah 35-10

We Episcopalians are strong in our traditions. Portions of our Sunday morning services date back to the first century. The Nicene Creed, written almost 1700 years ago, is still in wide use today, and it is recited with deep appreciation for the Biblical source of the words.

On December 18th on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we celebrate another Bible-based tradition, though not quite as old: The Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols. It is interesting to note that the very first Festival was held on Christmas Eve, 1918, at King’s College, Cambridge, England. Some refinements were made in 1919 that included rearranging the order of the lessons. Since then, however, the service has always begun with the hymn, “Once in Royal David’s City.”

I believe the beauty of this uniquely Anglican service is generated straight from the appointed Bible readings, telling the greatest story ever told. The lessons are interspersed with musical songs of our season, and of course, there is plenty of opportunity for our congregation to join in the singing!

The music chosen for Advent Lessons and Carols demands much of our choir. These determined choristers put in extra rehearsal time and are very much up to the challenge. I hope you will join us on Sunday, December 18th at 10:30AM for our Service of Advent Lessons and Carols.

May you have a Blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas!
John Marshall, Director of the Adult Choir

CHRISTMAS DAY IS
ON A SUNDAY THIS YEAR!

Christmas Eve
4:30PM
Family Eucharist
with Christmas Pageant

Christmas Eve
11:00 PM
Prelude music begins at 10:30 PM
Festive Eucharist with the Choir

SUNDAY Christmas Day
One Eucharist at 10:30 AM

8 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I
Spoken with no music

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II
With traditional music and hymns accompanied by our organist, Karen Morris, and the Choir, directed by John Marshall

Sunday School and Nursery are available from 10 a.m. to noon during the school year
(there is no Sunday School during the summer; your children are welcome to join us for Sunday worship in the church)

Please stay after the service and join us for coffee and fellowship, outside in nice weather; otherwise, in the back of the church.

10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Mathes Hall Chapel

Something special happens in the Chapel in Mathes Hall on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. This very relaxed Holy Eucharist includes a teaching on the Saint of the Week by Father Bill. In many ways, this teaching is an open dialogue that allows everyone present to share fully the intent of the following Collect of the Holy Eucharist:

God our Father, whose Son our Lord Jesus Christ in a wonderful Sacrament has left us a memorial of his passion: Grant us so to venerate the sacred mysteries of his Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of his redemption; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Music at Saint Matthews

Adult Choir rehearsal

7:30 p.m. Thursday evenings during the school year in the choir loft. New voices are always welcome! Contact Choir Director John Marshall for information.

(NOTE: Our choir does not perform during the summer. During those months, we are blessed with anthems performed by soloists, instrumentalists and small groups from the Saint Matthews community and beyond.)