St. Matt's News


Click for Events Calendar
Add Calendar Feed

Sunday Worship

7:30, 8:30,
& 11:00 a.m.

Education Hour:
9:45-10:45 a.m.

Office phone:
414-774-0441

 

 

Thanksgiving 2011


Thanksgiving Eve Worship
and Pie Social

Come, you thankful people, come; then enjoy some pie!

Introduction for the Day: As winter darkness crosses the land, the nation takes time to offer thanks for the harvest and the abundant resources of this land. While this holiday witnesses many households gathering for a festive meal, Christians recognize that the source of all good things is the God who feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field. As we share these gifts, we are knit together into a community whose mission is among those who are poor and in need. We offer thanks to god for the bounty of the land and seek to share these riches with all in need.

Landing at Plymouth Rock in late 1620, the Pilgrims faced a devastating winter. Less than 50 of the original 110 who had sailed on the Mayflower survived. That they did was partly thanks to the Native Americans who befriended them. The following autumn brought a bountiful harvest, which the remaining colonists celebrated with 91 Indians in a feast of thanksgiving that lasted three days. It is unlikely that the first Thanksgiving featured our favorites such as turkey or pumpkin pie. There was no flour, butter, milk, or cider; potatoes were still considered poisonous by many. However, it did include venison, fish, lobster, clams, watercress, berries, dried fruit, and plums. George Washington declared a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. But not until 1863 did President Lincoln proclaim an annual Thanksgiving Day-thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale, who had campaigned for the holiday for 40 years. In 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt established the fourth Thursday in November as the day we now celebrate Thanksgiving.

 

Thanksgiving Eve Worship;
Pie Social Follows Worship Service
Nov. 23, 7:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving has always been a special time for the people of St. Matthew’s to gather and to give thanks for blessings received and for us as a faith community to give thanks for the work God has called us to do.

Thanksgiving Eve Service:
Join the Community of St. Matthew’s for a Festive Thanksgiving Eve Service with combined choirs and other special music.

Special offering of food:
Bring any non-perishable food items for the food pantry at Reformation.

Your Thanksgiving offering:
All offerings using the special Thanksgiving Envelopes will be designated for our Special Benevolences including World Hunger.

Pie Social after Thanksgiving Service:
Following the Service on November 23, the Fellowship Committee will host a Pie Social. We ask those who wish to bring a pie to share and St. Matthew’s will provide the rest, coffee, juice, whipped cream and ice cream. You are invited to stay even if you don’t bring a pie.

 

Photo Album of 2010 Thanksgiving Eve Worship and Pie Social [here]

 

Readings for a Day of Thanksgiving

  • Deuteronomy 26:1-11
  • Psalm 100 (4)
  • Philippians 4:4-9
  • John 6:25-35

Prayer of the Day
Almighty God our Father, your generous goodness comes to us new every day. By the work of your Spirit lead us to acknowledge your goodness, give thanks for your benefits, and serve you in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

 

Links: Advent - Christmas