August 9th Worship and LWR appeal

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

For those who were unable to join in corporate worship today, either Outdoor or by Zoom, here is a link to the video of today’s Zoom service:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1201SIdqQ8GiL1c3jCi9A9RxaJ5y0THC0/view?usp=sharing

Today we dedicated the new garden created, built, and donated by Rob O’Brien and his family in memory of his father, Ed.  We are truly grateful for this lovely and generous gift to our congregation!

Here is today’s order of Worship.
https://mcusercontent.com/3d8bff845113ab6fe5c22e41f/files/f14529cc-d20b-409f-9b2d-4f30e04b65c5/10th_Sunday_after_Pentecost_August_9.pdf

The Zoom information will be sent in the morning.

Emergency Assistance Requested:
Lutheran Disaster Response is an arm of the Lutheran Church that assists with domestic crises, Lutheran World Relief is an arm that assists with international crises.  Both have requested assistance for issues recently in the news.

Lutheran Disaster Response is seeking donations to assist people affected by Hurricane Isaias, many of whom live in our area.  

Lutheran World Relief is seeking donations to help in the aftermath of the explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.  From an email from LWR:

[I]n addition to the devastating loss of life, injuries and widespread damage caused by the Beirut explosion, three containers of LWR Quilts and Kits – amounting to more than 47,000 items – were also destroyed. These items were at the port of Beirut, on their way to families hit hard by the increasingly dire economic situation in Lebanon — including refugee families who fled conflict in Syria.For the families who were to receive these items, the loss of a quilt will mean a colder winter. The loss of a kit means fewer resources to keep families — and especially children — healthy and safe in difficult circumstances. We are committed to finding a way to replace these valuable items

If you would like to help either of these outreach efforts, you may make a contribution to St. Matthew, indicating which agency you are supporting, and we will forward your gift to them.  Or you may reach out directly by going to 

Lutheran Disaster Response:
Donate:
https://www.libertylutherandonatenow.org/lutheran-disaster-response

Lutheran World Relief:
Donate:
https://donate.lwr.org/give/295640/#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=activecampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email3FFWD_bodylink1&utm_campaign=beirutrelief_20&c_src=eappeal3FFWD&c_src2=bodylink1

Thank you for your generosity!

Midweek Communion
This week we will only have one opportunity for Midweek Communion, and that will be Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.  We will return to our Wednesday and Thursday options next week, but this Thursday I need to move my daughter into her housing at Gettysburg College.  Please be sure to sign up if you would like to receive communion Wednesday evening.  I currently have 10 people registered, so we have room for up to 15 more.  Please let me know by email to prkarl@stmattspringfield.org, or by calling the office number (610) 543-8700.

I look forward to worshiping with you tomorrow either in person or on-line.  

May the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord!
Pastor Karl Richard