Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church

St. Matthews Episcopal Church | 695 Southbridge St | Worcester, MA 01610 | (508) 755-4433

Worship

Join Us in Worship this Week!

Full summer schedule listed on Homepage

A Prayer for the Election of a Bishop

Almighty God, giver of every good gift:  Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Prayer for the Mission of the Episcopal Churches in Worcester County

O Loving, Reconciling, and Empowering God, You have placed us as Your witnesses in the midst of all the people of Worcester County, and You have graced us with the goodly heritage of those who planted our parishes, missions and ministries in this place:  We thank you for the gift of the Good News of Your Reign; for the call to be reconciled with You and with one another in Your Son Jesus Christ; for the power of the Holy Spirit to be made Your New Creation, and for the commission to become members of the apostolic Body of Christ.  Grant us, we pray, the will to trust You in these challenging and uncertain times, to obey You though we may be anxious and fearful, and to persevere in walking in the ways of discipleship, so that Your Mission may be carried out in our lives, our parishes, missions and ministries, and in all of the communities into which you have sent us and set us, that Your Reign may come.  We ask these things in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

This week we remember those in need of prayer:

Joseph, Rick & Katie Smith and family, May-Britt Quinn, Scott, Andrew Zadig & family, Mike and Dianne Nagy and family, Jenny, Jennifer, May-Britt Quinn, Virginia Baillie, David Swalae, Janice & Lee Logan,  Daniel, Mary D., Mark, Ann and Tom, Audrey Brown, Stephen Fotos, Jonathan Hanks, Chet Ireland, Eleanor, Jean Konneh, Gus, Princess Miller, Kelly MacGregor, Karen and Francis, Ernestine Notice, Ethan Townsend, Father Donald Chamberlain, Michelle, Father Calvin Adams, Michelle.

In the military: Jason Nagy, Aaron Doyle, Samuel Crumbaugh, Peter Gemma, Herbie Morris, Elizabeth Black, Derek Piscitelli, Nathan Chenarak,  Stephen Hassink, Andrew Moisan, Angela, Brian Schelin, Nick Beinar, Jonas Sinacola, Alexander Smith, Anthony Tremblay, Kaylee Johnson, Seth Caleb Johnson, Samantha Johnson, David Robinson, Patty Wetherbee, James Baillie.

Those who are shut-in:  Mary Camosse, Barbara Brunelle, Lena Furey, Elaine Larson, Be Mills, Lester Maynard, Betty & David Montgomery, Sarah and Fred Bromley.

For those seeking employment:  Staci MacGregor, Sumo Dennis

For those awaiting the births of children: Jennifer Martocci and Crystal Wilson Natalucci

In Thanksgiving for the birth of....

Josephine Lea Galeckas born to Jeremy and Stacy (Chilton) Galeckas and grandparents Joe and Judy Chilton. 

Kyra Faith Gingo born to Rebecca Kasenge and Sunday W. Gingo

 Emmett Paul Chilton born to Eric and Kate Chilton and grandparents Joe and Judy Chilton. 

Wes William Danger Chilton and blessings for his parents, Peter and Carla Chilton and grandparents, Joe and Judy Chilton.

Abigail Jane Blanchard and blessings for her parents, Megan and Paul Blanchard and grandparents, Jim and Paula Buonomo

Timothy David Booth and blessings for his parents, Chris and Randi Booth and grandparents, Eric and Margaret Booth

We continue praying for peace, stability and justice in Liberia.  For peace in the Congo, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Middle East, the Sudan and Somalia, Libya and the Ivory Coast.  We pray for all those affected by the earthquakes in Haiti, Japan and New Zealand and for the relief workers sent to help.  We pray for the continuing efforts to end the enslavement of our fellow human beings around the world.  We pray for outreach programs in our neighborhood, especially at the Village at Cambridge Street, Salvation Army, Jeremiah's Inn, and the South Worcester Neighborhood Center.  We pray for groups meeting in our Parish House. 

Baptism 

      St. Matthew's Parish observes four Baptismal Sundays each year (The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, Easter, The Day of Pentecost and All Saints Sunday), but also adds another Sunday as pastoral needs arise.  The next Sundays for Holy Baptism will be on Sunday, November 6th and January 8th.   If you wish to bring a child for the Sacrament of Baptism, please speak with the Rector as soon as possible.  Minimum requirements for parents bringing infants and very young children for Baptism are regular attendance at worship, and consultation with the Rector.  For older children and adults, a period of preparation is required.  For more information, please see Mother Strong.

Please pray for Ballah Corder, William Corder II and Mardea Smith who are preparing for this step in faith. 

Confirmation

Please speak with Mother Nancy for information on upcoming Confirmation preparation.

  "Strengthen, O Lord, your servants..."

Acolytes

For more information please contact Mother Nancy or Mr. Festus Konneh. 

Welcome Blessing Cisco, Alisa Gailor and Raekwon Notice as new acolytes! Next meeting for acolytes - Saturday, September 10th

Ushers

Ben Albinson, Head Usher

     Those who serve in this ministry include Ken Berg, Paul Bryand, Millie Cummings, Evans Doe, Alec MacGregor, Steve MacGregor, David Saydee and Withfield Felix.  Children serve as ushers during the monthly Children's Service collecting change (and some bills too) for Rachel's Table. 

Altar Guild

Chair:  Karen Beaudoin.  Judy Chilton, Dartulah Gailor, Musu Konneh, Kelly MacGregor, Kim Rossi, Charlotte Townsend, Betsy Weatherbee, Pam Wilson, Patricia Borja and Barbara Forzley.

     Anyone interested in learning about the Altar Guild's essential ministry at St. Matthew's, please contact either Karen Beaudoin or Charlotte Townsend for more information.  Members meet four times a year.  Two of these days are used for cleaning for Christmas and Easter.  One Saturday in January is used as a Quiet Day with time for prayer, reflection and sharing a meal.  Our evening meeting is in late August and includes bible study, prayers and a light evening meal.  Our ministry involves preparing the church for weekly services and special occasions. 

Come away for a space…and refresh yourselves…” (Jesus, to his disciples, in the Gospels).

Altar Flowers

Contact:  Pam Wilson

If you would like to have flowers placed on the altar on Easter in memory of loved ones who have died or in thanksgiving for blessings received, please complete the yellow donation available in the office.  thank you!

Contact the church office if you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for our many blessings towards altar flowers. 

Flowers are generally placed on the Altar at Saint Matthew’s every Sunday of the year with the EXCEPTION of most of the Sundays in Lent.  You may not have given much thought to how they get there, or how to offer to sponsor the flowers on a particular Sunday, especially if you are relatively new to Saint Matthew’s.  Here’s what you need to know: 

The total cost for flowers each Sunday is $ 25.00 (two arrangements).  The cost may be divided between two persons wishing to place flowers on a given Sunday, or may be paid in full by one person making a flower offering. 

In order to place flowers, either in memory of a loved one, or in thanksgiving, please call Pamela Wilson.  She can tell you what dates are available to place flowers. 

To sponsor the Aumbry Light, please call Pamela Wilson.  The cost per candle is $3.50.  Each Aumbry Light burns for 7 days before requiring replacement. 

The Vestry has decided that there will not be flowers placed on the Altar in June, July and August UNLESS they are sponsored by parishioners.  In the past, we have absorbed the cost, but there is no budget line for Altar Flowers, and therefore, this represents an “unfunded” item, unless people give designated gifts.  The Altar Guild has indicated that it is willing to accept cut flowers from home gardens if there are members of Saint Matthew’s who would like to bring bouquets to church during the summer.  Please speak with Karen Beaudoin if you would like to do this.

              Choir

Director & Organist:  Don Irving

           Can you "make a joyful noise unto the Lord?"  St. Matthew's Choir needs you!   Choir rehearses every Sunday morning at 9 am.   See Don or a member of the Choir for more information.  Welcome Back the Choir on September 11th at the 10 am service!

Lay Eucharistic Visitors:

David Wilson

Lectors