May 9-10

For this fifth Sunday of Easter, our Bible readings will be Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:1-11, and John 15:1-8.

The message will come from Acts 8:26-40. As you read this, think about these things:

In Acts 2, Luke uses 1 verse to tell us about 3000 people becoming Christians. Here he dedicates half a chapter to 1 conversion. What is so special about this one?

Philip is one of the seven men that the disciples picked to oversee the distribution of food to the widows in Acts 6. What do his activities in Acts 8 tell us about God’s plans as opposed to human’s plans?

What does this story have to do with Acts 1:8?

Read closely Acts 8:30-31. How can you be someone who guides?

What’s the difference between a travel agent and a tour guide? Which one more closely matches the role of disciple maker?

See you in Church!

April 18-19 (2nd Sunday of Easter)

This weekend we are completing our series FAITH+, based on 2 Peter 1:3-9. So far, through the Holy Spirit working in us through God’s Word, we have sought to add to our faith, goodness; to goodness, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, brotherly kindness. Now, in the same way, we seek to add love.

I would encourage you, as you prepare for God to work in worship this weekend, to read John 13 and 1 Corinthians 13.

Also, it would be helpful to read about the biblical word for God’s love, agape here.

Finally, begin to think and pray about these things:

• Does this type of love transform us? How so?
• Does it transform our speaking, our thinking, our doing and our giving? How so? (see 1 Cor. 1:1-3)
• Is love more important than faith? Can you have this type of love without faith?
• How does this type of love impact our lives as disciples and our witness?

Holy Week Worship

Thursday, April 9 Maundy Thursday—The Ongoing Service and Supper
4:30 Worship 7:00 Worship
Special music and the celebration of Holy Communion will help us remember this special day in Holy Week. The stripping of the altar will conclude the evening service.

To prepare, read John 13. Begin to think about the relationship between love, obedience and service in the life of Jesus and in our lives.

Friday, April 10 Good Friday—The Ongoing Presence and Forgiveness
12:00-3:00 Community Good Friday Service at Oak Hill Baptist
The annual community Tre Ore (three-hour) service, commemorating Christ’s time on the cross, will be held this year at Oak Hill Baptist Church, 4141 University Ave. NE. St. Matthew members will lead in the music and presentation of the third word: “Woman, here is your son.” A light luncheon will be served throughout the service time.

4:00 Family Good Friday Service and Resurrection Egg Hunt
Our third annual Easter Egg Hunt and Good Friday Family Worship Service. This service is designed for families with children. The traces the Good Friday events in a way that children can understand.

7:00 Service of Darkness
The Tenebrae service of darkness will be led by the choir and include congregational songs and readings appropriate for this most solemn day. The service ends with the “earthquake” and the removal of the Christ candle, symbolizing the completion of Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf.

To prepare for all the events of Good Friday, see if you can read the entire passion story, a compilation of what all 4 Gospel writers say about the last week of Jesus’ life. A list of all the readings can be found here.

Saturday, April 11 Easter Vigil—The Ongoing Wait for Death to End
7:00 PM The Great Vigil of Easter
The first cries of “He is risen: HE IS RISEN INDEED!” echo throughout this service, which begins in the darkened church we left the previous evening. Holy Communion liturgy and your favorite Easter songs will start our Easter celebration!

To prepare for this service read John 11 and John 20

Sunday, April 12 Easter Day—Ongoing Easter
6:30 Sunrise Worship
8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 Easter Festival Worship
Plan to join us often on this glorious day as we celebrate our risen Lord with alleluias, wonderful choral music, lilies, and the ever-popular Easter band! He is risen: HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!” Holy Communion is celebrated at all services.

To prepare, meditate on Mark 16:1-8. Begin to think about why Mark’s Easter story ends the way it does.

FAITH+ Brotherly Kindness April 4-5

This coming Sunday, in addition to our Palm Sunday worship, we will be continuing with our FAITH+ theme from 2 Peter 1. So far, we have sought by the power of the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word, to add to our faith, goodness; to goodness, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self control, perseverance; and to perserverance, godliness. Now we seek to add to our godliness, brotherly kindness.

As we do this, you can prepare for God’s working in you by reading the lessons for the day:
Psalm 118:19-29
Zechariah 9:9-12
Mark 11:1-11

You can also read 2 Peter 1:3-9 and 1 Peter 1:22-23. Begin to think about brotherly kindness in terms of your family and friendships.