Sunday 10/16 Worship at 11am

God, my Savior, the Mighty One, has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. Luke 1:46-55, edited.

Mary, with Jesus in her womb, sings of God's goodness, of God's power, of her trust in God's action on behalf of those in need. At a time when Wall Street is occupied, and people question the powers of this world, Mary's song echoes through the centuries with radical hope.

This Sunday at our 11am worship service we will sing of God's goodness, God's mercy, God's surprising love of justice and action on behalf of the oppressed and marginalized. Our dear friend Sat Reddy, visiting from India, will be our preacher.

Come, hear God's good news!

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org

Congregation news:

We had a fabulous time at the Jersey City PRIDE Festival last Sunday!

Sunday 10/9 Worship at 11am

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

This Sunday we continue our journey seeking revival, renewal, and reformation. We hear the Apostle Paul write from prison. No doubt he has much to worry about - yet his word is to put aside cares and bring all your concerns to the Lord. The apostle is confident that even as this new community in Christ is forming, God is re-forming the people in the image of Christ: as servants, as healers, as givers and forgivers, as citizens of a new kind of kingdom.

Rev. Judith Spindt will preach and preside at a service of Holy Communion, starting at 11am. Please join us in prayer, in thanksgiving, and in the love of Christ.

God hears you, and welcomes you.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Congregation news:
The Congregation Council will meet Monday 10/10, light meal at 6:30, meeting from 7-8:30pm.
 

Sunday 10/2 Worship at 11am

This Sunday, Jesus tells a parable of a vineyard and tenants who refuse to pay their rent. And he says, "The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom." Matthew 21:43 
Then, regardless of how productive we are, he will feed us with the bread and wine of his forgiveness.
Pastor Paul Brndjar will preach and preside at an 11 o'clock service of Holy Communion. After the service, we will gather for refreshments, and there will be a Bible study on the letter to the Hebrews.

May God bless & nurture you.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Congregation news:

We are looking for congregation members to participate in hosting our table at the Hudson PRIDE festival next Sunday, 10/9, any times between noon and 6pm. We need to hear from people this week in order to finalize arrangements. Please contact Paul Bellan-Boyer or Stan Shih to signup or for further information.

We have opportunities to appoint new board members to the:
+ Barrow Manson Development Corporation (BMDC), which leases and manages the Barrow Mansion to serve the community; and
+ Puerto Rican Lutheran Housing Corporation, which operates the Villa Borinquen housing complex.
If you are interested in either of these organizations, please contact any member of the Congregation Council, or email the Council at StMatthewsJC-Council@yahoogroups.com.

Sunday 9/25 Worship at 11am

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. Philippians 2:5-7

This Sunday we'll hear these words from one of the earliest hymns to Jesus. Unlike other lords, he did not "lord it over" others, but chose the way of humility, of service, of loving the world's outcasts. He died for it, executed by the state as a criminal. And he rose from the dead, continuing this new kingdom eternally.

We celebrate and witness to this new kind of Lord in a service of Holy Communion beginning at 11 o'clock, Pastor Paul Brndjar preaching and presiding. After the service, we will gather for refreshments, and there will be a Bible study on the letter to the Hebrews.

Grace and peace to you.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org

Congregation news:
We have opportunities to appoint new board members to the:
+ Barrow Manson Development Corporation (BMDC), which leases and manages the Barrow Mansion to serve the community; and
+ Puerto Rican Lutheran Housing Corporation, which operates the Villa Borinquen housing complex.
If you are interested in either of these organizations, please contact any member of the Congregation Council, or email the Council at StMatthewsJC-Council@yahoogroups.com.

Artwork:, "Way of the Cross - Station I: Jesus is condemned to death," by Ted DeGrazia.
 

Sunday 9/18 11am worship

This Sunday our lessons focus on God's strange willingness to extend grace beyond the bounds of what we might think is appropriate. Jesus tells the story of day laborers who come late to work and still get paid.

"The Late Comers," Jesus Mafa, Cameroun
We remember and celebrate God's grace in a service of Holy Communion beginning at 11 o'clock, Pastor Judith Spindt preaching and presiding. After the service, we will gather for refreshments, and there will be a Bible study on the letter to the Hebrews.

All are welcome in God's house!

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Congregation news:

+ Worship & Music meeting Tue 9/20 7:00pm in Bavendam Hall. All are welcome as we collaborate and plan for our upcoming church seasonal changes, event planning, and weekly worship and liturgical support. We need your input and participation for lively and inspiring worship that sustains and nourishes ourselves and our world!

+ Please thank Rod Aycox for his service as our Treasurer from February to now, and Paul Ellis for taking on this ministry, assisted by Katri Tuori.
 

Sunday 9/11 - Worship at 11am

This Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus,
and hear about God's response to evil.

Our service begins at 11am, with Paul Ellis leading worship.
Our preacher, Paul Bellan-Boyer, served as a chaplain in
the World Trade Center recovery.

After the service, we will gather for refreshments, and
there will be a Bible study on the letter to the Hebrews.

God be with you always.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org

The cross (above) was one of many burned from World Trade Center steel
by firefighters and recovery workers as a remembrance of the site.

Sunday 9/4 10am

Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.... Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8,10

This Sunday at 10am we will gather to hear, to practice, to know God's great love, Rev. Silvia Misinova preaching and presiding at a service of Holy Communion.

(Next Sunday we will move back to an 11am worship time.)

May God be with you always.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org