Sun 3/25 Andy Rhode celebration

It is a busy weekend at Saint Matthews.

Thursday 3/22 7pm: Bible study with soup, Mark chapter 10. Jesus is on the verge of entering Jerusalem and the week of his Passion.

Saturday 3/24 10am-2pm: Clean and Polish and Sort Day. A Rummage Sale strategy meeting will be held from 12 to 12:30. Bring your hands and minds ready to work!

Sunday 3/25 11am worship, 1:30pm Dedication of the Andrew C. Rhode Theater at the Barrow Mansion. Please come to celebrate Andy and share refreshments and stories with our neighbors.
You delight in truth deep within me, and
would have me know wisdom deep within. Psalm 51:6

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Prayer updates:
+ Emma Behrens remains at Jersey City Medical Center.
+ Carol Andersen's cancer surgery was successful; she and Harvey appreciate your prayers and good wishes.

Sunday 3/18 - Worship at 11am

This Sunday we hear an ancient story from the book of Numbers. After their escape from slavery in Egypt, the people are afflicted by serpents. The Lord tells Moses to raise up a bronze serpent that people can look to for healing. More than a thousand years later, John's gospel sees Jesus in this story, that he was lifted up on the cross, and that those who look to him are delivered.

This Sunday we will look to Jesus in the words of scripture, in our lives together, and in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, Rev. Will Henkel preaching and presiding.

Look to Jesus for healing; turn to Jesus for life.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Bible study in Lent:
- Thursdays at 7pm we'll share a light meal and read through the Gospel of Mark. Volunteers for providing soup are appreciated and can contact mark_sandstrom@yahoo.com.
- Sundays at 1pm we'll read through a number of shorter books in the Old Testament (targeting one book per session), Paul Ellis hosting.

Andy Rhode Celebration:
Sunday, March 25, 1:30pm St. Matthew's and the Barrow Mansion Development Corporation will dedicate the Andrew C. Rhode Theater in honor of Andy Rhode and his father's decades of service to our community. Please join us to celebrate Andy and share refreshments. 83 Wayne St.

Artwork: "Serpent Spiral," at the Musée Guimet, by Giant Ginkgo.
 

Lent Bible study and Sunday worship

Daylight savings time begins this Sunday. Set your clock ahead one hour.

Bible study in Lent:
- Thursdays at 7pm we'll share a light meal and read through the Gospel of Mark. Volunteers for providing soup are appreciated and can contact mark_sandstrom@yahoo.com.
- Sundays at 1pm we'll read through a number of shorter books in the Old Testament (targeting one book per session), Paul Ellis hosting.

This Sunday, Jesus gets angry. "In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables" (John 2:14-15).

A life lived in faith is not without turmoil. Responding to God may lead us into conflict, when we see injustice. The Jesus who overturned table, also overturned the world order, simply by practicing healing, forgiveness, and the miraculous sharing of his life.

We celebrate life in Christ with a meal of his bread and wine, Rev. Gordon Huff preaching and presiding.

All have a home in God's house.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Artwork: Jesus cleanses the temple, by the Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey.
 

Sunday 2/26 11am - First Sunday in Lent

The season of Lent is an opportunity to re-focus our attention on our spiritual lives, to re-engage with others in faith, to re-turn to the Lord. On Ash Wednesday, we received ashes as a reminder of our mortality and God's saving grace. In Lent, the Sunday gospel readings turn towards the cross, as Jesus journeys towards Jerusalem and the events which lead up to his death.

This year at St. Matthew's, each Sunday in Lent will lift up one theme related to salvation. This Sunday we will focus on the symbol of water, so important to life and in the Bible. Noah and his kin were brought safely through the flood; God led the people of Israel out of slavery and through the sea; we enter Christian community through the water of baptism.

This Sunday we will "wade in the water" with an 11am service led by David Sitler and with Myrna Perez preaching.
God will see you through.

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

Sunday 2/12 - 11am worship

A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him... Mark 1:40-41

Of course Jesus chose healing. It is a reflection of God's love, and also God's wisdom. For God knows, we all need healing. If you see people being healed, God is near.

This Sunday the Rev. Paul Brndjar will preside at a service of Holy Communion at 11am.

The Lord is good; God's steadfast love endures forever.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Congregation news:
150th Anniversary Celebration dinner next Saturday 2/18 4-8pm. All are invited, $25 contribution, we need to hear from you to confirm our numbers. Please contact Stephanie Sheppard (201.320.1265, Stephanieas23@aol.com).
 

Sunday 2/5 - 11am worship

At sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons... (Mark 1:32-34)

In his public ministry, Jesus seems to be known first not as Messiah, not as Savior, not as Son of God, but as a healer. This - probably more than his teaching - is what seems to have attracted crowds. And why not? Today health care is one of the things we will pay the most for. When you are ill or suffering, finding relief and especially a cure becomes supremely important.

Healing has always been Jesus' and the Church's mission. Theologically, in the sense that Jesus came to heal the wounds of sin. But more immediately in the care and cure of the sick, the wounded, the possessed.

This Sunday we seek healing in the balm of scripture, in the bread and wine, in the companionship of those gathered 'round the hope of Jesus. This Sunday, Pastor Pat Olausen will preach and preside at a service of Holy Communion, beginning at 11am.

Seek, and you shall be found.

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

At sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons... (Mark 1:32-34)

In his public ministry, Jesus seems to be known first not as Messiah, not as Savior, not as Son of God, but as a healer. This - probably more than his teaching - is what seems to have attracted crowds. And why not? Today health care is one of the things we will pay the most for. When you are ill or suffering, finding relief and especially a cure becomes supremely important.