New Year's Day - Holy Communion 11am

The new calendar year begins with Sunday, and the celebration of God's promise in Jesus Christ. This Sunday we observe the naming of Jesus, how the infant was circumcised on the eighth day, and named as the angel had foretold.

Our worship service begins at 11am with Pr. Judith Spindt preaching and presiding at Holy Communion.

The promise of God is here.

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

Christmas Eve 7pm & Christmas Day 11am

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15

Throughout the 4 weeks of Advent, we have been preparing, looking and listening for signs of God's coming into the world. This Saturday night and Sunday morning we celebrate the miracle of the incarnation - God in flesh. Born to a poor young girl in the most humble of circumstances, witnessed by shepherds and goats and angels - and by those of us who gather together in his name.

At St. Matthew's we will gather Christmas Eve for a service of Holy Communion filled with Christmas carols and special music and ending in candlelight. Rev. Paul Brndjar will preside and Paul Bellan-Boyer will preach. The service begins at 7pm. Then on Sunday we will have a small informal communion service at 11am, Rev. Judith Spindt preaching and presiding.

May God bless us, each and every one, this Christmas season.

Come! Let us adore him - Christ the Lord!

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

Advent - Sunday 12/11 worship 11am

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all
might believe through him. He himself was not the light,
but he came to testify to the light. John 1:6-8
The days get shorter. Sometimes the light seems fragile, scarce, hard to find. Sometimes we may need some prompting, a hint, a witness to show where the light is, or even to kindle the hope that the light is coming.

This Sunday we light the 3rd Advent candle as we wait for Messiah, the light coming into the world. Rev. Lisa Bellan-Boyer will be leading worship and preaching starting at 11am. Following the service, we will have a special congregation meeting to review our call process and elect a call committee.

The Light is Coming!

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

Sunday 11/20 11am - Christ the King

This Sunday we celebrate the vision of Christ as King. But he is a king like no other. While depicted as a ruler, Christ's kingdom is built not upon the power of his military forces, or the gold in his treasury, or the labor of the poor and exploited, but upon God's righteousness, God's justice, God's love for creation, and God's promise of salvation. God seen in Jesus Christ did not rule from an earthly throne, but was found amidst the poor, the suffering, the oppressed.

Our worship service begins at 11am, with Paul Ellis preaching. Come and share in Christ's kingdom.

May God's glory be yours.

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Image:
The image of Jesus seen on the right is "Christ of Maryknoll," by Robert Lentz.
 

Sunday 11/6 - 11am worship

Reminder: Daylight Savings Time ends Saturday night - turn your clock BACK one hour.

This Sunday we will observe the feast of
All Saints, remembering our ancestors in faith,
especially those who have died this past year.

As we trust that God has written their names in the Book of Life,
we will write and read their names, and light candles
to remember the way they have lighted our way.

We will share in the communion of saints, in a service of
Holy Communion, Rev. John Melin preaching and presiding.

May God always hold you close.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Congregation news:
The Council will be appointing a call committee to work with the Synod and possible pastoral candidates. If you are interested in being part of that work, please contact Council President Paul Bellan-Boyer.
 

Sunday 10/30 - Wear red!

Five hundred ninety-four years ago this Monday, Martin Luther began what became known as the Reformation. A priest and a monk, Luther had been awakened to the surpassing grace of God and become disturbed at how little the Church seemed to reflect that Good News. He hoped to help people know the real presence of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives.

This seal, known as the Luther Rose, is here surrounded by three principles of the Reformation. In place of lesser authorities, Luther preached that we should rely on the Word alone (the living presence of Christ in the Bible and the sacraments). Also that we are saved by God's grace alone - not by how good we are, not by how hard we work, only by God's gracious gift. And finally, that this happens in our life by faith alone, only by trust in God's promises.

Come hear God's good Word of grace in Jesus Christ. Pastor Gordon Huff will preach and preside at a service of Holy Communion beginning at 11am. Please remember to wear red, the color of the saints and witnesses who have gone before us.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Congregation news:
After church this Sunday we will be gathering for fellowship and to help with two projects.
+ Setting up for next weekend's rummage sale
+ Filling bags of groceries for the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation

God bless you always!

Sunday 10/23 worship at 11am

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." And then the Lord gave ten commandments for the people to follow. Leviticus 19:1-2

Over the years, the commandments might have picked up a bad reputation with some, fueled by those who would impose them on others, or who seem to delight in punishing lawbreakers. But the commandments were given not by these lesser authorities, but by God. And you might simply take them as guidelines for good behavior. We don't need a heavenly enforcer to know that killing, stealing, jealousy, failure to rest, and disrespect to others eventually leads to bad results.

But look back to the way God gives the commandments: not to keep people in line, but out of God's desire that we share in the holiness, the righteousness, the goodness that is God's very nature. "You shall be holy..."

This Sunday, we'll share in God's goodness at an 11am service of Holy Communion. Rev. Lee Schleicher, a friend of David & Caroline Sitler's, will lead us in worship. His sermon is titled "Why We're Here."

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church
85 Wayne Street (btwn Barrow & Jersey Aves)
Downtown Jersey City
201-432-9319
stmatthewsjc.org
Congregation news:
On each of the next two Sundays we will be completing surveys to help us in strategic planning and the process to call a pastor. Please plan to join us on one of these Sundays and share your thoughts and hopes.