Category: Christmas 2020

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Christmas 2020 Services

Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020

Watch our Zoom services from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including our Virtual Christmas Pageant. Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, these services were virtual only.

This week, we had to pivot at the last minute from livestream to Zoom for Christmas services due to a COVID-19 exposure involving our worship and music teams.

Christmas Eve – Eucharist & Christmas Pageant

Christmas Eve – Eucharist & Christmas Pageant

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020

Virtual Christmas Pageant

Virtual Christmas Pageant

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020

Christmas Eve – Traditional Service with Music

Christmas Eve – Traditional Service with Music

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020

Christmas Day Service – Rite I Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day Service

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Friday, December 25th, 2020

Christmas 2020 News & Information

  • Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020
    Watch our Zoom services from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including our Virtual Christmas Pageant. Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, these services were virtual only. This week, we had to pivot at the last minute from livestream to Zoom for Christmas services due to a COVID-19 exposure involving… Read more: Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020
  • Virtual Christmas Pageant
    The children and youth of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Nursery School have created a virtual telling of the story of the Birth of Jesus! The pageant premiered during our 3 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Virtual Christmas Pageant Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020 St. Matthew’s would like to thank… Read more: Virtual Christmas Pageant
  • COVID Update
    St. Matthew’s Family, No doubt, this has been a year that has stretched our abilities to be flexible and frequently change plans, but, with Jesus Christ as our anchor of hope, we take these alterations as they come and faithfully put our trust in God.  Now I must share with you another change of plans… Read more: COVID Update
  • Christmas Services for 2020
    Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, services this Christmas will be virtual only. Please note that previously announced service times were updated on December 21 based on this communication from Fr. Rodney. Christmas Eve:3:00 p.m. – Eucharist & Christmas Pageant (via Zoom) (View service bulletin)7:00 p.m. – Traditional Service with… Read more: Christmas Services for 2020
  • Do Not Be Afraid: A Saint Matthew’s Virtual Christmas Pageant
    It remains a challenge for Saint Matthew’s to gather in person during this most special and holy season. In times like these, I wonder how technology might bring us together? What is a virtual pageant?A virtual pageant means that we won’t be performing inside of our church building this year. Instead, we’ll each record our lines in advance,… Read more: Do Not Be Afraid: A Saint Matthew’s Virtual Christmas Pageant
Categories
Christmas 2020 Sunday School Youth Ministry

Virtual Christmas Pageant

The children and youth of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Nursery School have created a virtual telling of the story of the Birth of Jesus!

The pageant premiered during our 3 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.

Virtual Christmas Pageant

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020

St. Matthew’s would like to thank Anthony Carella, Janine Buesgen, Antonia Greene-Edwards, Jackie Anderson, Martha Reynolds, and the children, youth and families of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Nursery School for all of their hard work and effort in putting together this year’s pageant!

Christmas 2020 News & Information

  • Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020
    Watch our Zoom services from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including our Virtual Christmas Pageant. Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, these services were virtual only. This week, we had to pivot at the last minute from livestream to Zoom for Christmas services due to a COVID-19 exposure involving… Read more: Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020
  • Virtual Christmas Pageant
    The children and youth of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Nursery School have created a virtual telling of the story of the Birth of Jesus! The pageant premiered during our 3 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Virtual Christmas Pageant Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020 St. Matthew’s would like to thank… Read more: Virtual Christmas Pageant
  • COVID Update
    St. Matthew’s Family, No doubt, this has been a year that has stretched our abilities to be flexible and frequently change plans, but, with Jesus Christ as our anchor of hope, we take these alterations as they come and faithfully put our trust in God.  Now I must share with you another change of plans… Read more: COVID Update
  • Christmas Services for 2020
    Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, services this Christmas will be virtual only. Please note that previously announced service times were updated on December 21 based on this communication from Fr. Rodney. Christmas Eve:3:00 p.m. – Eucharist & Christmas Pageant (via Zoom) (View service bulletin)7:00 p.m. – Traditional Service with… Read more: Christmas Services for 2020
  • Do Not Be Afraid: A Saint Matthew’s Virtual Christmas Pageant
    It remains a challenge for Saint Matthew’s to gather in person during this most special and holy season. In times like these, I wonder how technology might bring us together? What is a virtual pageant?A virtual pageant means that we won’t be performing inside of our church building this year. Instead, we’ll each record our lines in advance,… Read more: Do Not Be Afraid: A Saint Matthew’s Virtual Christmas Pageant
Categories
Christmas 2020 COVID-19 Fr. Rodney Services

COVID Update

St. Matthew’s Family,

No doubt, this has been a year that has stretched our abilities to be flexible and frequently change plans, but, with Jesus Christ as our anchor of hope, we take these alterations as they come and faithfully put our trust in God.  Now I must share with you another change of plans that will directly affect our worship schedule for Christmas.

Unfortunately, a parishioner at the 8 am Holy Eucharist yesterday (12/20) has tested positive for the COVID virus.  Therefore, the ten people present must now go into quarantine for two weeks or until receiving a negative test result. This does not pertain to those attending the 9:30 am service or those who came to decorate for Christmas. The church and adjacent areas must also be professionally deep cleaned, which is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Tuesday (12/22).

As a result of my having to quarantine, in addition to several members involved in the recording and music aspects of our worship, the services will be held via Zoom.  Here is the updated schedule through the weekend:

December 24th – 3 pm – Family Service with Pageant (Zoom link)
December 24th – 7 pm –  Traditional Service with Blended Music (Zoom link)
December 25th – 10 am – Rite I Holy Eucharist (Zoom link)
December 27th – 9 am – Rite II Holy Eucharist (Zoom link)

Lord willing, we will be able to recommence our streamed services from the church on Sunday, January 3rd. Please keep in your prayers the parishioner who tested positive and the other nine individuals who are now in quarantine, including my family.

I am thankful that we had the opportunity yesterday to finally worship together, even if virtually, and begin our ministry together.  May we, united in faith and mission, glorify God in all places and in all circumstances, giving special thanks this week for the gift of the newborn King.

With Love in Christ,
Rodney+

Christmas 2020 News & Information

Categories
Christmas 2020 Services

Christmas Services for 2020

Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, services this Christmas will be virtual only.

Please note that previously announced service times were updated on December 21 based on this communication from Fr. Rodney.

Christmas Eve:
3:00 p.m. – Eucharist & Christmas Pageant (via Zoom) (View service bulletin)
7:00 p.m. – Traditional Service with Blended Music (via Zoom) (View service bulletin)
All Day: Outdoor Nativity

Christmas Day:
10:00 a.m. – Rite I Holy Eucharist (via Zoom) (View service bulletin)
All Day: Outdoor Nativity

See here for additional information on joining our services using Zoom.

Archives of Christmas Services

Christmas Eve – Eucharist & Christmas Pageant

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020

Virtual Christmas Pageant

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020

Christmas Eve – Traditional Service with Music

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020

Christmas Day Service

Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Friday, December 25th, 2020

Visit Our Creche

We invite you to make a small pilgrimage to our church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to encounter our outdoor nativity scene, and to share the light of Christ with members of our community.

Please arrive with a gift of a non-perishable food donation for a local food pantry. Bins will be provided.

Parents can interact with their children at our outdoor nativity, complete with the figures of Christmas. Kids can lay out hay for our stable guests, scoop gifts of “frankincense and myrrh,” and lead a beautiful family prayer.

All are invited to pray devotions provided at the stable, and to take some Epiphany chalk and prayers home with you!

While on Saint Matthew’s campus, we ask that the whole family dons a mask, remains socially distant, and uses the provided hand sanitizer before touching or using anything at the site.

Video Walkthrough

Join Anthony Carrella, our Youth Ministry Coordinator, on a video walkthrough of the outside creche at St. Matthew’s. 

Christmas 2020 News & Information

  • Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020
    Watch our Zoom services from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including our Virtual Christmas Pageant. Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, these services were virtual only. This week, we had to pivot at the last minute from livestream to Zoom for Christmas services due to a COVID-19 exposure involving… Read more: Services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020
  • Virtual Christmas Pageant
    The children and youth of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Nursery School have created a virtual telling of the story of the Birth of Jesus! The pageant premiered during our 3 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Virtual Christmas Pageant Posted by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, December 24th, 2020 St. Matthew’s would like to thank… Read more: Virtual Christmas Pageant
  • COVID Update
    St. Matthew’s Family, No doubt, this has been a year that has stretched our abilities to be flexible and frequently change plans, but, with Jesus Christ as our anchor of hope, we take these alterations as they come and faithfully put our trust in God.  Now I must share with you another change of plans… Read more: COVID Update
  • Christmas Services for 2020
    Due to significantly increasing COVID-19 infection rates and guidance from the Diocese, services this Christmas will be virtual only. Please note that previously announced service times were updated on December 21 based on this communication from Fr. Rodney. Christmas Eve:3:00 p.m. – Eucharist & Christmas Pageant (via Zoom) (View service bulletin)7:00 p.m. – Traditional Service with… Read more: Christmas Services for 2020
  • Do Not Be Afraid: A Saint Matthew’s Virtual Christmas Pageant
    It remains a challenge for Saint Matthew’s to gather in person during this most special and holy season. In times like these, I wonder how technology might bring us together? What is a virtual pageant?A virtual pageant means that we won’t be performing inside of our church building this year. Instead, we’ll each record our lines in advance,… Read more: Do Not Be Afraid: A Saint Matthew’s Virtual Christmas Pageant
Categories
Christmas 2020 Sunday School Youth Ministry

Do Not Be Afraid: A Saint Matthew’s Virtual Christmas Pageant

It remains a challenge for Saint Matthew’s to gather in person during this most special and holy season. In times like these, I wonder how technology might bring us together?

What is a virtual pageant?
A virtual pageant means that we won’t be performing inside of our church building this year. Instead, we’ll each record our lines in advance, combine them together, and interact with a recording being streamed live to our homes. Though this experience might feel new and maybe even a bit strange, do not be afraid! With your help, all of us will be able to create a memorable, joyful, and holy memory as Saint Matthew’s this year. 

How will it work?
Anyone can participate, but we will prioritize children for the major roles! After you or your family signs up as a participant, they’ll be sent a few lines from our pageant script. From there we’ll ask you to record those lines, and send them to us when you’re done. We’ll stitch all of the clips from Saint Matthew’s together into one pageant movie,  which you’ll be able to interact with at your home during the Advent and Christmas seasons. You’ll also be able to keep pageant forever, and send it to your loved ones with the click of a button. 

What Now?
We’re asking families to sign-up here by Sunday, December 13th to participate. After that, we’ll send your family a few lines to record — we’ll ask if you’d like to create your own costumes, or if you’d like Saint Matthew’s to lend you a few of our own. Once you record your lines, we’ll show you how to send them to us. We ask that you do this before December 20th. 

Who Do I Go To With Questions?
Reach out to a member of the Pageant Team! Anthony Carrella, Janine Buesgen, Antonia Edwards, and Martie Reynolds. 

Yours in Christ,

Anthony M. Carrella,
Youth Ministry Coordinator