Sat 12/7 Gingerbread & Sun 12/8 Holy bread

This Saturday 10am @ St. Matthew’s:
    + Advent decorating
    + Gingerbread houses for the kids

And Sunday at 11am in worship we will hear the word of the Lord:
"A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding…"
Isaiah 11:1-2

While the church decorations are green and festive, anticipating the joy of Christmas and the coming of light, the bare stump should give us pause. Isaiah is speaking to his people who have had their hopes cut-off at the base. Their country has been invaded, their leaders killed and exiled, their Temple in ruins.

After devastation, you wonder if anything will ever really live again, if anything can grow out of

God says yes.
In the coming of Christ, God says yes. In the bread and the wine of reconciliation, God says yes. In the community gathered together, God says yes.

God is faithful, and God's promise is sure.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
Pastor Hans Arnesen
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319