The Resurrection of Our Lord

ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCH Church Office: 717-637-7101 Mary, Mother of Our Lord Sunday, August 15, 2021 @ 10:45 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, August 15, 2021, at 10:45 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:

______

PLEASE OBSERVE THESE GUIDELINES IN THE BUILDINGS:

1. Vaccinated people no longer need masks. 2. We ask those who are not vaccinated to wear masks. We remind everyone that children cannot be vaccinated and we want to make our gatherings safe for them. 3. We continue the current procedures for communion and offerings through the summer. A waste basket for the communion cups and napkins is placed at the exits. 4. We continue to distance people by separating chairs and marking pews to be used. 5. Offering plates will not be passed. There is a basket at the door.

+ Celebrating God’s Love - Serving in Jesus’ Name +

PRELUDE I Thank You, Lord Martin (Tasha Bobb, Soloist)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Pastor: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, full of compassion and mercy, abounding in steadfast love. All: Amen.

Pastor: Trusting God’s promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sins against God and one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Pastor: Eternal God our creator, 3 All: in you we live and move and have our being. Look upon us, your children, the work of your hands. Forgive us all our offenses, and cleanse us from proud thoughts and empty desires. By your grace draw us near to you, our refuge and our strength; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pastor: Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. In the mercy of almighty God, Christ died for us while we still were sinners; and for his sake, God forgives you all your sins. All: Amen.

OPENING HYMN ...... Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones – Lowry

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.

HYMN OF PRAISE Holy God, We Praise Your Name

PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: Almighty God, in choosing the virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son, you made known your gracious regard for the poor, the lowly, and the despised. Grant us grace to receive your word in humility, and so to be made one with your Son, 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: Isaiah 61:7-11 The prophet proclaims a hopeful message: God loves justice and will make an everlasting covenant with Israel and her descendants. In response, the prophet sings a joyful song, like Mary many generations later, about God's mercy and salvation.

Pastor: The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the 1st chapter. All: Glory to you, O Lord.

HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 1:46–55 Mary's song, the Magnificat, serves as a thematic anthem for God's work in the world and therefore for the ministry of her son, Jesus. In Mary's praise we hear of a saving God who remembers the humble, scatters the proud, lifts up the lowly, and fulfills all things.

Pastor: The Gospel of our Lord. All: Praise to you, O Christ.

THE MESSAGE Vicar Taylor Berdahl

MUSICAL OFFERING In a Servant’s Heart Raney (Tasha Bobb, Soloist)

CONFESSION OF FAITH Apostles’ 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.

7 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 everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS Each petition concludes, “God, in your mercy,” and the congregation responds, “hear our prayer.”

PEACE Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. All: And also with you.

(The congregation is invited to greet one another with nods and waves)

THE MEAL GREAT THANKSGIVING Pastor: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Pastor: Lift up your hearts. All: We lift them to the Lord. Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION 8 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 temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION Pastor: Come, let us eat, for now the feast is spread. All: Amen.

RECEIVING OF THE ELEMENTS OF BREAD AND WINE Pastor: The body of Christ, given for you. All: Amen. (Eat wafer)

(Pause)

Pastor: The blood of Christ, shed for you. All: Amen. (Drink wine)

POST-COMMUNION BLESSING Pastor: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. All: Amen.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Pastor: Let us pray. Jesus Christ, host of this meal, you have given us not only this bread and cup, but your very self, that we may feast on your great love. 9

Filled again by these signs of your grace, may we hunger for your reign of justice, may we thirst for your way of peace, for you are Lord forevermore. All: Amen.

BLESSING Pastor: May God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, grant you the gifts of faith and hope. Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. All: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN ...... Canticle of the Turning – Cooney

DISMISSAL Pastor: Go in peace. The Spirit sends us forth to serve. All: Thanks be to God.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Please note: Music for this service is covered under CCLI # 1000682 – Also #A-708989 One License.net

11 St. Matthew Lutheran Church Phone: 717-637-7101 General mailbox ext. 221 Email: [email protected] www.stmattlutheran.org The Rev. Kathryn Vitalis Hoffman, Lead Pastor, ext. 231 The Rev. Faye C. Snyder, Visitation Pastor Scott G. Fredericks, Minister of Music, ext. 235 Tim Peck, Youth Ministry, [email protected]

Our warm thanks to all those assisting in our worship service this morning:

Musician ...... Tasha Bobb, Soloist Courier ...... Ardis Kunde Greeters ...... Sally Staub, Steve and Penny Rutters Lector ...... Penny Rutters Ushers ...... Team 5 – Jay Bowersox, Jeremy Bucher, Jody Ruhlman, Ellen Shenk

THE ALTAR FLOWERS have been given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Samuel and Venetia Mavros by their daughter Diane Hoffman-Neail; and in loving memory of Paul E. Spears by his wife Josephine and his family; and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blettner by their niece and family.

THE BULLETINS have been given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Paul E. Spears anniversary of his passing on to the Glory of God by his wife Josephine and family; and in loving memory of Samuel and Venetia Mavros by their daughter Diane Hoffman-Neail; and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blettner by their niece and family.

ATTENDANCE: (08/07) Saturday 5 p.m. service ...... 37 (08/08) 9:00 a.m. Drive-in service ...... 120 10:45 Worship service ...... 72 (08/02-08/08) Online views ...... 175 Total ...... 404

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READINGS for the week beginning Aug. 15: Sunday: Luke 1:46-55 Thursday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Monday: Acts 6:1-7 Friday: Romans 13:11-14 Tuesday: Acts 7:9-16 Saturday: Luke 11:5-13 Wednesday: Mark 8:14-21

The Congregation Council is calling a Special Congregation Meeting immediately following our 10:45 service today, August 15, 2021, to vote on extending a call to Vicar Taylor Berdahl as Associate Pastor. Extra copies of her biographical summary are available at the Hospitality Desk or from an usher. Both the Call Committee and Council are excited about the future of our congregation as we prayerfully move forward.

AN INVITATION FOR ALL WOMEN Cyber Women will meet on Monday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Panera on Eisenhower Drive. (It is now open until 9:00 p.m.) Our topic for discussion is The Spirituality of Tension. As this month’s author Emily Carson writes, “Life is not perpetual sunshine...we can learn to embrace the gifts of tension, knowing that it often paves the way for meaningful transformation.” Check out www.boldcafe.org. For more information contact Pastor Kathy at [email protected].

13 St. Matthew Calendar August 15 - 22, 2021

Sun. NO Drive-In Worship Worship with Holy Communion (Nave) ...... 10:45 a.m. Congregation Meeting (Nave) ...... 11:45 a.m. Youth Group Meeting (Youth Suite) ...... 6:30-8:30 p.m. 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering information meeting ...... 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mon. Cyber Women ...... 7:00 p.m. Tues. Women of the ELCA Bible Study (Upper Room) ...... 6:30-8:00 p.m. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Mini Minister Puppet Camp (Fellowship Hall) ...... 10:00-10:45 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion (Fellowship Hall) ...... 5:00 p.m. Sun. Drive-In Worship with Holy Communion...... 9:00 a.m. 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering information meeting ...... 9:50-10:20 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion (Nave) ...... 10:45 a.m. Mini-Minister Puppet Camp (Fellowship Hall) ...... 12:00-12:45 p.m.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA (EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA) We are meeting on Tuesday, August 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Room. Pastor Faye will be leading the Bible Study on Wisdom. All women are welcome! For more information contact Johnnetta Miller at 717-637- 4259.

THERE WILL BE TWO information gathering meetings for youth and their parents who are interested in attending the 2022 ELCA Youth Gathering. The first meeting is Sunday, August 15, 7:30-8:30 p.m. in the Youth Suite. The second will be held on Sunday, August 22, 9:50-10:20 a.m. and will also be held in the Youth Suite. The Gathering will be held July 22-28, 2022, in Minneapolis, MN.

COME ONE, COME ALL! Our annual Flea Market has returned (after a year’s hiatus), in conjunction with the annual Dutch Days, now renamed Snacktown Days. The new date for this event is September 18, and the Evangelism and Social Ministry Committees will be gathering items for the sale. You may begin bringing items to Fellowship Hall on September 1. We will take donations from 9-11:00 a.m. and 1-3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. So, if you have some “clearing out” to do, we will be happy to receive clean and in good working order items. All sales will benefit Social Ministry’s Meal Packing Event.

CARING CUPBOARD – Our Youth will pick up donations for the Caring Cupboard directly from your car on Sunday, August 22, at the drive-in service if you would like to donate! Donations of food can also be put directly in the cupboard or dropped off in the church office.

COMMUNITY AID has changed their policy for crediting the church for your donations. You no longer need the church ID. If you give them the name St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hanover, that is all they will need to give us credit. Thank you to everyone who has donated in the past, giving credit to St. Matthew.

A THOUSAND THANK YOUS could never cover for the generosity of this congregation regarding our mission trip to Guatemala! We have been totally floored each week when we came to church and the box was more full than the week before…it is so very, very heart- warming and brought me to tears more than I would like to say. Thank you also for the cash donations – so much more than we imagined! We bought more meds and also a small gift and card for the four children the church sponsors – Kevin & Trinidad (food sponsorships) and Zulema & Nahomi (educational scholarships)… (the cards have a photo of the church in them!) We will be using the rest of the money for what we see the orphanage and/or school needs. Watch the church Facebook page every evening for updates! Thank you for your prayers and well wishes – you are all truly wonderful! God’s peace be with you, Andrea & Brad

MINI-MINISTER PUPPET invitations were mailed out to all 6th through 12th graders. IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN! Summer camp has begun but there is still room for more puppeteers! Anyone who is interested in becoming a part of this fun, meaningful ministry, please contact the church office, [email protected] or show up at one of the rehearsals listed in the calendar on page 14.

Our Music Ministry is gearing up for a great year. You will want to be a part of it!

Scott G. Fredericks, Minister of Music Ruth Erb, Children’s Choir Assistant Deb Smith, Puppet Ministry Director

Children’s Choirs - All children age 3 to grade 8 – Letters have been sent to all children. If you did not receive one, they can be found on the Hospitality Desk or call the church office and we can send/email it. Forms are due in the church office by September 1. If your child has never been in the choir, please consider having them join us. It is a wonderful way for children to be involved in our worship services and become a part of our church family. Please contact Scott Fredericks if you have any questions, 717-637-7101, ext. 235.

Choirs begin rehearsals on:

Pre-School Music Makers (ages 3, 4, 5 & Kindergarten) Thursday, September 23, 6:15-7:00 p.m. (Preschool children must be age 3 by September 1)

Primary Choir (Grades 1, 2 & 3 and K5 could be in this group) Wednesday, September 22, 4:20-5:00 p.m.

Junior Choir and handbells (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8) Wednesday, September 22, 4:45-5:30 p.m. (The Primary and Junior Choirs overlap for 15 minutes so we can have joint experiences and music opportunities.)

DISCOVERY PLACE PRESCHOOL is looking for some HELPING HANDS at St. Matthew. The preschool is sharing a display board with requests for specific donations to our preschool - items like glue sticks, colored copy paper, paper towels, and sanitizing wipes. There is also a large bin available to collect these supplies. To be a HELPING HAND to our preschool simply remove a hand from the display board, then shop the back-to-school sales for the item listed and return it to St. Matthew. Thank you in advance for helping us prepare our preschool for this fall’s students. Please keep our teachers and preschool families in your prayers as we begin planning the 2021-2022 Preschool Year.

We are still registering children for this fall - Some classes still have openings! Please share our registration information with families with young children. Our information can be found on the website, www.stmattlutheran.org, and full registration packets are available in the church office and in the Gathering Place. Contact Director Martha Lobaugh with any questions: [email protected] or 717-637-1864.

Donors needed for whole blood and “Power Red” Monday, August 23, 2021 12:00 – 5:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Blood donations typically drop off during the summer months, but the need for blood does not. So, your donation is even more important right now. The Whole Blood donation process takes about 1 hour, while a Power Red donation takes about 1 ½ hours. If you have one of these blood types, O positive, O negative, A negative, or B negative, please consider making a Power Red Donation. If you have questions about your eligibility to be a whole blood or Power Red donor, please visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information. You may also call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) with specific questions about your individual medications, health conditions, travel history and how these factors may impact your eligibility. Please visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 today to schedule your donation appointment. Thank you in advance for your generosity! - Social Ministry Committee, - Barb Thomas, Blood Drive Coordinator, 717-586-7047

UNITED LUTHERAN SEMINARY GETTTYSBURG FOOD PANTRY The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Lower Susquehanna, Synodical Women’s Organization will be having our annual tangible ingathering to benefit United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg Food Pantry. According to Amy Moorhus Baumgardner, food pantry coordinator, there has been an increase in the usage of the food pantry this academic year. She estimates that nearly 80% of the residential and commuter students now utilize the food pantry. There are families that find this opportunity invaluable as the cost of living increases. The gift cards (Giant, Weis Market, and Walmart) that we provide help many needy students to find specific items including gas and prescriptions. Also, international students appreciate the cards in order to be able to prepare foods from their cultures. Seminary education is significant investment. Most individuals and families rely on scholarships, grants and loans to cover both educational and living expenses during their time at United Lutheran Seminar Gettysburg. For many, it is difficult to make ends meet. The food pantry ministry helps to ease this burden by providing essential items for individuals and families. St. Matthew Women of the ELCA are collecting gift cards thru August 30. Please send or drop off gift cards at the church office. Please place them in an envelope marked “Women of the ELCA.” Thank you for helping the seminarians.

CAMP HEBRON – FALL RETREAT Sponsored By: The Lower Susquehanna Synodical Women’s Organization Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 29, 30, 31, 2021 Retreat Theme: “Our Lutheran Sisters in Jerusalem: The Life of a Woman in the Land of Jesus.” Our leader for the Camp Hebron Retreat this year is Pastor Angela Zimmann, former Interim President of United Lutheran Seminary. At Camp Hebron there will be faith renewal in worship, laughter and tears, getting acquainted with old friends and making new friends, refreshing walks in the outdoors or sitting quietly in meditation. Camp Hebron offers motel-type accommodations including linens, private bath and 5 delicious meals (no cooking for a whole weekend ladies!). There will be carpooling from the church lot for those interested. Registration forms can be picked up at the Hospitality Desk or in the church office. Registrations must be postmarked by Monday, September 13. For additional information call Johnnetta Miller, 717-637-4259.