Sunday 1/27 - Annual meeting

ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING
Sunday January 27 12:30pm

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.  1 Corinthians 12:12-14

This Sunday we will formally receive new members into our congregation: Daniel McLaughlin, Luis Bernard, Timothy Walls, Kirsi Paalanen, Peter Waldron, Jephanya Kasukurthi, and Edgar Rivera Colon. United in Christ, we rejoice in the chance to walk together, to work together, to share God's blessings in community.

At our annual meeting we commit ourselves to mission: in our budget, by electing members of the Congregation Council, and in discussing key areas of focus for the coming year.

We gather as a body having been nourished by the body of Jesus Christ, with Pr. Hans Arnesen leading a service of Holy Communion beginning at 11am. The Congregation Meeting will begin at about 12:30pm, following the service.

One in faith, one in Christ.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319

Sunday 1/20

This Sunday's gospel reading has Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding celebration at Cana. It describes this as the first of Jesus' signs.

Yet it might seem an odd sign. Helping a party keep going? Wouldn't something more earth-shaking be more in order, a really dramatic healing or that walking on water trick? Yet God's creative power and joyful presence come into the world in many ways. Would we recognize a sign from God if it was near us?

This Sunday we'll look and listen for signs of God among us. Paul Bellan-Boyer will preach and lead a Service of the Word.

Receive the signs of God's grace.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319

Sunday 1/13 - Baptism of Jesus

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming... Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3:15-16,21-22

Despite taking place in the wilderness, this baptism is a pretty public event. There were crowds who came to see John, some to be baptized. And as this Egyptian icon illustrates, the church has imagined angels as witnesses. People have struggled with the apparent conflict between the historical truth that Jesus was baptized by John, and the question about why Jesus (later known by the church as the Son of God) would need such a baptism.

But one thing is clear: the voice from heaven which proclaims Jesus as beloved. The same voice that God speaks to each of us in claiming us for the heavenly kingdom. This Sunday we'll listen together for God's Word, and share the meal of Holy Communion, with Pr. Hans Arnesen preaching and presiding.

Come and receive God's blessing.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319

Epiphany 1/6 11am

The Christian festival of Epiphany commemorates the visit of the wise men from the east to the infant Jesus. The word "epiphany" means a sudden manifestation or perception of truth, an illuminating discovery. When they see this sign of God at work in the world, they bow down before it, and give the best gifts they can bring.

At St. Matthew's, we celebrate the wise seers. Following their example, we look in our own day for signs of God's presence in the world.

Pr. Hans Arnesen will preach and preside at a service of Holy Communion, God with us this day.

Come and know the gifts of God.
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319

Christ is Born - Alleluia!

God has come to dwell with us, bringing gifts too great to number and without price.
May the blessings of Christmas be with you.

Rejoicing in God's gift of life, and eternal life, we celebrate the life and mourn the death of our beloved sister in Christ, Emma Behrens, a member of St. Matthew's for nearly 90 years.

Wednesday, December 26 3-8pm, there will be a viewing at McLaughlin Funeral Home, 625 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306.

Thursday, December 27 11am, there will be a funeral service at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 85 Wayne Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302.

May God be with you always.

Christmas

Christmas Eve concert 7pm, service 7:30pm. All are welcome.

In the region near Bethlehem, there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.   Luke 2:8-10a

Good news... of great joy... for all the people...

As the calendar year draws to a close, the church year is just beginning. Every year has its challenges, yet this year has also been one of blessing for our congregation. We've seen a pastor and new members come; and beloved friends depart. Even as our neighborhood has been challenged by superstorm Sandy, we saw the goodness of people shine forth, neighbor helping neighbor.

We celebrate Christmas eve with a concert beginning at 7pm, and a service of Holy Communion filled with Christmas carols beginning at approximately 7:30pm, and concluding in candlelight. Pastor Hans Arnesen will preach and preside. The concert will feature music by members of St. Matthew's, including the Kevin Morali Trio.

The grace of God has appeared!
Titus 2:11
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319

Sunday 12/9 11am worship

Friday 12/7 2pm-8pm JC Fridays at St. Matthew's: Stained glass treasure hunts, tours of the church and historic Barrow Mansion, Family game night starting at 6pm.

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:5-6

A voice crying in the wilderness, John the Baptist preaches repentance, and quotes the prophet Isaiah's hope for a world which is easier, which works better, where God's people are ruled not by political machinations, not by economic oppressors, not by violence, but by righteousness. A world we still hope for.

Like the Advent calendar pictured above, as a people we are counting down the days until God's reign of justice and peace fills the world. On Sunday we share God's hope, God's Word, God's food, with Pastor Hans Arnesen leading a service of Holy communion starting at 11am.

I thank my God every time I remember you.
Philippians 1:3
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201.432.9319