St. Matthew's Episcopal Church 
Tidings from St. Matthew's
March 10, 2013
Taize candles
In This Issue
Cry to the Lord
Baking Bread
Literary Feast
Holy Week Services

Greetings!
Celtic Cross
Quicklinks

    

 

Readings for this Sunday:  

    

               

Joshua 5:9-12  

 

Psalm 32   

                    

2 Corinthians 5:16-21                          

 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32                                      

 

                      

Cry to the Lord: God's Listening Presence
Lewis Bowman, Transfiguration  
In the second and final part of our Lenten Series on Thursday night, Luther seminary professor Chris Scharen explored the character of God's covenant with us and God's response when we cry out in lament. Through readings in the Psalms, Isaiah, and Revelation, we considered God's faithful response to our cries of grief, terror, confusion and despair.

We talked about ways that contemporary artists have interpreted the promises of scripture and translated them to give a word of hope in our current context. We watched and discussed U2's halftime performance from the 2002 Superbowl, just four months after the tragedy of 9/11. In the unlikeliest of venues, the band brought forth a powerful reminder of God's healing presence in response to the cries of a grieving nation. You can watch the performance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqtkik7nTik.

We looked at lyrics from Lucinda Williams' latest album, Blessed, and discussed her song, "Seeing Black," a poignant response to the 2009 suicide of singer and songwriter Vic Chesnutt:     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqMWXV5Dkog. Our discussion closed with an Alabama Shakes performance of their recent hit, "Hold On": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqMWXV5Dkog. Lead singer Brittany Howard started writing songs at age four with her sister, who died of a brain tumor at the age of 13, and the song is an impassioned dialogue with God, alternating between the singer's lament and God's  compassionate encouragement.      
 
"Before they call I will answer,
   while they are yet speaking I will hear."
                                     Isaiah 65:24
FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITY
Living Faith: Bread Baking 
This Sunday, we need adults to join with kids from kindergarten on up as we roll up our sleeves and bake bread together in the parish hall at 9:15 am.  We'll talk about the significance of bread in stories from the Bible, and then we'll bake fresh bread for the Eucharist and delicious pretzels to take home.  We need adult helpers to make this work! 
Please note that the Faith Forum will be meeting in the parish library to watch a short DVD reflection titled "Where God Is" by Nadia Bolz-Weber, followed by discussion exploring an expansive vision of the Christian faith, and seeking to develop language and imagery that speaks to our wonderfully diverse faith community.
Scenes from the J2A Literary Feast   
  Lots of characters turned out for the J2A youth group's fundraising dinner last Sunday evening! Miss Frizzle, Bugs Bunny, Clifford the Big Red Dog & Emily Elizabeth, and Things 1 & 2 (& 3!) were just a few of the beloved characters who turned up. More than $700 was raised for the J2Aers pilgrimage, and donations are still coming in.  The J2Aers are very grateful for the generosity of the St. Matthew's community and they look forward to planning their pilgrimage in the coming year.   
Holy Week Services   

Palm Sunday, March 24, 10:30 am
A palm processional will be followed by a dramatic reading of the story of Jesus' passion.

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 7 pm

Taiz� music and interactive prayer stations, footwashing, a prayer writing station and candle lighting at the cross, concluding with the traditional stripping of the Altar. An Agap� meal with Middle Eastern food will take place before the service at 6 pm. Please bring Middle Eastern-style foods to share.  
 
Good Friday, March 29
Stations of the Cross, 7 pm
Journey through Jesus' last hours with the 14 Stations of the Cross, traditional "stopping places" during Jesus' walk to Calvary. Spanish-themed music from our Parish Choir will accompany the stations on the walls of the church, created by artists from the St. Matthew's community. This contemplative service includes periods of silence and congregational singing. 

Easter Sunday, March 31
Brunch at 9 am; Worship Service at 10:30 am

We'll join together for one celebratory Eucharist at 10:30 am. A festive Easter brunch will precede the service at 9 am.  Please bring a coffee cake, egg dish, fruit or juice to share.

Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights   
   
Game Day/Acts II Fundraiser this Sunday, March 10
Noon to 5:30 pm
 
Please join us for Game Day this Sunday!  We will begin to throw the dice as soon as coffee hour has ended and won't stop until the Drop-In Dinner begins. Please bring a snack or a drink to share. Supervised play is available for the under 12 crowd. Suggested donations for gaming are $5 per player or $8 per couple. All proceeds will benefit the Acts Fund for parishioners in need.
 
Welcome stones New Dates for New Member Class, April 14, 21 and 28, Noon to 1:30 pm  
There will be a three session class for anyone wishing to join St. Matthew's or learn more about our faith community on Sundays, April 14, 21, and 28 after church from noon to 1:30 pm in the parish library. Please note the change of dates. We will explore Anglican Christianity, Episcopal Worship and polity, and the history and culture of St. Matthew's together. We will also focus on the two corporate spiritual practices central to our faith community: Eucharist and Dwelling in the Word. If you plan to participate, please rsvp to Blair Pogue at [email protected].

Service Auction, April 27 
St. Matthew's Service Auction and dinner will take place the evening of Saturday, April 27. Ann Nerland is the Service Auction Chair, and she would like to invite anyone interested to be a part of the planning committee. Additionally please let Ann know if you have anything you wish to contribute to the auction. Examples: a week at your cabin, a special dinner for four or six, a child's birthday party, summer lawn mowing responsibilities, a ride on your motorcycle, an evening of wine, cheese, and poetry, etc. Please contact Ann at [email protected] or 651-283-7855 if you can help out.

Women's Retreat, May 3-4   
Mark your calendars for the next St. Matthew's Women's Retreat at the Gainey Conference Center in Owatonna May 3 & 4. The theme is "Sursum Corda: Lift Up Your Hearts." The retreat will begin with dinner on Friday, May 3 (although you are welcome to arrive from 3 pm on) and conclude before dinner on Saturday, May 4. There will be workshops, discussions, music, and free time for socializing, walking the labyrinth, and listening to God. Don't miss this opportunity to hang out with and get to know the FABULOUS women of St. Matthew's!
 

Scripture for the Week

 

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

 

So Jesus told them this parable:

 

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

 

"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

 

 

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32                  

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