ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCH Church Office: 717-637-7101 First Sunday of Lent Sunday, February 21, 2021 9:00 a.m.
WELCOME! ARE YOU NEW? We are a group of people gathered together to make a difference. We seek to make a difference in ourselves, in our neighborhoods, and in our world. We are thankful that you are here today. Check out our website at www.stmattlutheran.org, where you can find out more about us and get connected into our community.
Please tear off and put in the offering basket as you leave:
Names of everyone attending Sunday, February 21, 2021, at 9:00 a.m.: ________________________________________________________________ Would you like to be added to our email list? Please list your name and email address: ________________________________________________________________ Would you like to be contacted by a pastor? Please list phone number: ____________________________________________Tune your radio to FM 101.5 to listen to our service!
We hope you find this worship service meaningful. If you have concerns about your car battery, we have people on the premises with battery cables should the need arise.
If you leave your vehicle for any reason, please be considerate of others and wear a mask. Thank you! If there is an emergency in your car, please dial 9-1-1 and then let parking attendants know. + Celebrating God’s Love - Serving in Jesus’ Name + First Sunday in Lent
GATHERING MUSIC A Lenten Meditation Althouse
(Judy Porowski and Helen Smith, Soloists) ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.. All: Amen. Pastor: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. All: Amen.
Pastor: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection. Pastor: Most merciful God, All: we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Pastor: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. OPENING HYMN ... O Lord, throughout These Forty Days – No. 319
APOSTOLIC GREETING Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. All: And also with you. KYRIE
PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: Holy God, heavenly Father, in the waters of the flood you saved the chosen, and in the wilderness of temptation you protected your Son from sin. Renew us in the gift of baptism. May your holy angels be with us, that the wicked foe may have no power over us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. All: Amen. FIRST READING: Genesis 9:8-17 Today's reading is the conclusion to the flood story. Because of human sin, God destroys the earth by flood, saving only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark. Yet divine destruction gives way to divine commitment. As in the first creation, God blesses humanity and establishes a covenant with all creatures. Pastor: The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. LENTEN ACCLAMATION Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to Mark, the 1st chapter. All: Glory to you, O Lord.
HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 1:9-15 The Spirit that comes upon Jesus at his baptism sustains him when he is tested by Satan so that he might proclaim the good news of God's reign. Pastor: The gospel of our Lord. All: Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON Pastor M. David Kiel
MUSICAL OFFERING Give Me Jesus Larson
(Judy Porowski and Helen Smith, Soloists) CONFESSION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed Pastor: Let us confess our faith with the words of the Apostles’ Creed. All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlas.ng. Amen.
PRAYERS Each petition concludes, “Hear us, O God.” and the congregation responds, “Your mercy is great.” LORD’S PRAYER Pastor: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray: All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into tempta(on, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. PEACE Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. All: And also with you. BLESSING Pastor: You are what God made you to be: created in Christ Jesus for good works, chosen as holy and beloved, freed to serve your neighbor. All: Amen. CLOSING HYMN ... I Want Jesus to Walk with Me - No. 325
DISMISSAL Pastor: Go in peace. Share the good news. All: Thanks be to God. St. Matthew Lutheran Church Phone: 717-637-7101 General mailbox ext. 221
Email: info@stmattlutheran.org www.stmattlutheran.org The Rev. Kathryn Vitalis Hoffman, Lead Pastor, ext. 231 The Rev. M. David Kiel, Interim Associate Pastor, ext. 229 The Rev. Faye C. Snyder, Visitation Pastor Scott G. Fredericks, Minister of Music, ext. 235 Please note: Music for this service is covered under CCLI # 1000682 – Also #A-708989 One License.net
Our warm thanks to all those assisting in our worship services this morning: Musicians ... Judy Porowski and Helen Smith, Soloists Parking Attendants ... Jeremy Bucher, Roland Kunde, Tim Peck, Barb Rupp, Tom Shultz, Linda Wheeler Worship Assistants ... Joan Belt, Ardis Kunde, Gail Mummert THE ALTAR FLOWERS have been given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Robert Schriver Jr. by Dorothy Schriver and family. THE BULLETINS have been given to the glory of God. A SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held for June Marietta McIlwee on Monday, February 22, at Rest Haven Cemetery. Though we celebrate her departure to be with the Lord, we also include in our prayers of support the members of her family and all who are bereaved. DEATHS Micaela Kastner June M. McIlwee Attendance: (02/07) 9:00 a.m. service ... 164 (01/31-02/06) Online views ... 239 THE ANNUAL REPORT of the congregation is available this morning ahead of next week’s congregation meeting. Please let a parking attendant know if you would like one and they will have one brought to you. BLOOD DRIVE RESULTS: Fifty-six donors participated in the CPBB blood drive on February 15. Forty-eight units of blood were collected, impacting up to 144 lives! The Social Ministry Committee appreciates the continued support of the congregation, Pastors and staff for this life saving ministry.
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READINGS for the week of February 21-28: Sunday: Mark 1:9-15 Thursday: Romans 3:21-31 Monday: Ephesians 2:1-11 Friday: Romans 4:1-12 Tuesday: 1 Peter 3:8-18a Saturday: Mark 8:27-30 Wednesday: Matthew 4:1-11 St. Matthew Calendar February 21-28, 2021
Sun. Drive-In Worship with Holy Communion ... 9:00 a.m.
Confirmation Class (Zoom) ... 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Youth Group ... 6:00-8:00 p.m. Mon. Discovery Place Classes ... 8:15-11:15 a.m. Tues. Discovery Place Classes ... 8:45-11:45 a.m. Congregation Council ... 7:00-9:30 p.m. Wed. Discovery Place Classes ... 8:45-11:45 a.m. Lent Online Service ... 6:00 p.m. Lent Discussion (Zoom) ... 7:15 p.m. Thurs. Discovery Place Classes ... 8:45-11:45 a.m. Fri. Discovery Place Classes ... 8:45-11:45 a.m. Sun. Drive-In Worship with Holy Communion ... 9:00 a.m.
OUR ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING will be held THIS Sunday, February 21, in our vehicles, after the drive-in worship service. We will be accepting the Annual Report at that meeting and affirming 2 or 3 members to participate in the online Synod Assembly in June. The service begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be followed by the meeting at 10:00. We will park those who do not wish to stay for the meeting in a way that they would be able to leave before the meeting begins. If anyone needs a bathroom break between the service and the meeting, the bathrooms next to Fellowship
Hall will be available for use. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing going into the building. If you come only to the meeting, we will have space available for you. We tune our radios to FM 101.5 and that can be tuned in for a 1/2 mile radius around the church. We hope to see everyone for our Congregation meeting and it’s a great opportunity to try out the drive-in service if you haven’t already! CARING CUPBOARD – Our Youth will pick up donations for the Caring Cupboard directly from your car at the drive-in service if you would like to donate! They will begin THIS Sunday, February 21, and each month will have a week where they will be available. Donations of food can also be put directly in the cupboard or dropped off in the church office. JUST A REMINDER that we have copies of the Living Lutheran magazine, Spark Family magazine, the Lutheran Prayerbook and the latest edition of the Upper Room, large and regular print. Please ask a parking attendant for a copy or stop in at the church office. MARKED FOR LIFE A Mid-Week Worship and Learning Opportunity In Baptism, the pastor signs the cross on the baptized and says, “Child of God, you been sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” Our theme for Lent this year is “Marked for Life,” a study of the Gospel of Mark. The message of this gospel focuses on the cross and how in this symbol of humiliating death that we discover the amazing love and power of God. Pastor Mark Vitalis Hoffman, Professor of Biblical Studies at United Lutheran Seminary, will be giving the message. This study will be offered online and posted on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
* Feb. 24 This Changes Everything: An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark * March 3 The Plot Thickens: Conflict and Controversy in Jesus’ Ministry * March 10 With Friends Like These…: The Disciples in the Gospel of Mark * March 17 Will the Real Jesus Please Rise Up: The Mystery of Jesus’ Identity * March 24 Another Fine Mess: The Passion of Jesus * March 31 You Never Can Tell: The Resurrection of Jesus We hope that you will take the opportunity this Lent to be reminded of how we were marked with the cross of Christ in our Baptism and that it is a sign for us that we have been Marked for Life in Christ. MARKED FOR LIFE Bible Study discussions on the Gospel of Mark will be held beginning Wednesday, February 24. The Mid-Week worship with message will be posted online by 6:00 p.m., with discussion to begin at 7:15 by Zoom. To receive Discussion guides and a Zoom link, contact the church at 717-637-7101 or info@stmattlutheran.org.
ATTENTION 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS! Confirmation with the pastors will be held
the third Sunday of each month at 11:45 a.m. This month’s meeting, February 21, will be held by Zoom with Pastor Kathy. Watch your e-mail for more details and the zoom link. Do you have questions regarding Confirmation? Contact Pastor Kathy at pastorkathy@stmattlutheran.org or Pastor David at mdavidkiel@gmail.com for more information.
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DISCIPLE TRAINING CAMP KITS are available for all children 2 years old through 6th grade. The Bible stories follow the weekly scripture readings beginning the first Sunday of Lent, February 21. Parents, here’s a way to engage your child with important conversations and activities related to faith and life. Each Friday the week’s Bible story is posted on our website, our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. Thanks to Beth Koontz and Harper and Aurora for sharing the stories this month. The kits are available at the Drive-In Worship on Sundays and at the church office during the week.
ST. MATT YOUTH welcomes all 7th through 12th graders to experience faithful friendship with socially distanced, in-person activities (Wear your mask!) Meetings are held on the first and third Sundays at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. To receive REMIND messages or for more information text Tim at 717-476-9920. We will see you THIS Sunday, February 21, in the Fellowship Hall! A STORY TO TELL DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR LENT - In addition to our midweek focus on the Gospel of Mark, the St. Matthew community members are encouraged to enrich their Lenten experience with daily devotions. A Story to Tell focuses on texts from the Gospel of Mark that show Jesus’ journey from baptism to the cross, day by day, throughout Lent. This pocket-sized devotion is now available for a $2.25 donation. (A limited supply of large print will be available for a $6 donation.) It is also available as an e-book through Amazon. A Story to Tell is also being used for the call-In daily devotions. Stop in at the office or ask a parking attendant at the drive-in service.
