Here are the topics we will be covering during this very special event. You will be hearing about the state of our church, the progress we are making in our search for our next Rector, our financial status, the state of our building and facility infrastructure, the very important role our brilliant Saint Matthias Choir plays in all our lives and worship, and the exciting news of the rejuvenation of our Christian Education program from our newly hired education coordinator. The future of Saint Matthias is indeed bright. Please join us for this very exciting and informative event.

The renowned Los Angeles Recorder Orchestra (LARO) under the leadership of Director and Conductor Tom Axworthy will be presenting a concert of sacred music from the 15th and 16th Centuries, Saturday evening September 28 at 5PM, in our historic and acoustically pristine Saint Matthias Episcopal Church. The first half of the program will include compositions by Pierre de la Rue (Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes, De Pacem Domine, Absalon fili mi), Josquin des Prez (Absolon fili mi), and Guillaume du Fay (Bon jours, bon mois, bon an). The second half of the program will highlight the Missa Assumpta est Maria with the music of the Ordinary Mass by Pierre de la Rue interlaced with Propers for the Feast of the Assumption by Francesco de Layolle. Myk Price (Bells) and Steve Padilla (Singer) will join LARO in the performance of the Missa. The musical program will be contiguous with no intermissions. The LARO do not charge admission to their concerts, but welcome donations. A reception will follow the concert in the beautiful Saint Francis patio.

Join us Sunday, September 15, 2024 to enjoy a wide variety of enriching activities from our varied ‘small groups’ and indulge your taste buds with the delicacies prepared for us by our incomparable Saint Matthias chefs and bakers.

Join us in Lewis Hall immediately following the 10am Service to participate in our annual ‘back to school’ Ice Cream Social. Sample a wide variety of delicious treats and enjoy the comradery of family and friends.

Bibliophiles' May Selection: Prequel by Rachel Maddow

The Bibliophiles welcome everyone to join them in reading and discussing May's selection: Prequel, An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow. In this book, "Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve American democracy back to World War II, when a handful of committed public servants and brave private citizens thwarted far-right plotters trying to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis." The Club meets Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30PM via ZOOM. Contact Fred Adams for the ZOOM information to join the discussion.

PENTECOST means “the fiftieth day.” It is used in both the OT and the NT. In the OT it refers to a feast of seven weeks known as the Feast of Weeks. It was apparently an agricultural event that focused on the harvesting of first fruits. Josephus referred to Pentecost as the fiftieth day after the first day of Passover. The term is used in the NT to refer to the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1), shortly after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. Christians came to understand the meaning of Pentecost in terms of the gift of the Spirit. The Pentecost event was the fulfillment of a promise which Jesus gave concerning the return of the Holy Spirit. The speaking in tongues, which was a major effect of having received the Spirit, is interpreted by some to symbolize the church's worldwide preaching. In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is now the seventh Sunday after Easter. It emphasizes that the church is understood as the body of Christ which is drawn together and given life by the Holy Spirit. Some understand Pentecost to be the origin and sending out of the church into the world. The Day of Pentecost is one of the seven principal feasts of the church year in the Episcopal Church (BCP, p. 15). The Day of Pentecost is identified by the BCP as one of the feasts that is “especially appropriate” for baptism (p. 312). The liturgical color for the feast is red. Pentecost has also been known as Whitsun or Whitsunday, a corruption of “White Sunday.” This term reflects the custom by which those who were baptized at the Vigil of Pentecost would wear their white baptismal garments to church on the Day of Pentecost. The BCP provides directions for observance of a Vigil of Pentecost, which begins with the Service of Light (p. 227). The Hymnal 1982 provides a variety of hymns for Pentecost (Hymns 223-230) and the Holy Spirit (Hymns 500-516).

• DAY OF PENTECOST with the Reverend Hartshorn Murphy presiding

• 8AM - Mass with Holy Eucharist, Church, In-Person

• 10AM - Joyous Choral Music Mass with Holy Eucharist, Church, In-Person and Streaming via Facebook

• 11:30AM - Celebration of PENTECOST, Saint Francis Patio, In-Person

Annual ECW Tea Party and Silent Quilt Auction

Join us for the Annual ECW Tea Party on Sunday, May 5, immediately following the 10AM worship service. Tea Party faire will be served and a silent auction of handmade quilts from the Friendship Square Quilt Guild of La Habra will be held.  Proceeds from the auction will go to our own Loving Thing.  Alice may not be there, but what a great way to gather and chat with a new twist on The Classic Episcopalian Coffee Hour, celebrating Cinco de Mayo.  All are welcome!

Feast of Lights Memorial Evensong

We will be celebrating the lives of all our loved ones (Family, Relatives, Friends, Inspirational Leaders, and, of course, our beloved pets) at our annual Feast of Lights Memorial Evensong Service, Sunday, November 5 at 5PM. Registration Forms to register the names of our beloved to be memorialized during the service and to sign up for the dinner following the service are available in the Church's Narthex. The forms can also be downloaded here: Feast of Lights Memorial Evensong 2023 Registration Form. You can submit payment online via Venmo here: Feast of Lights Payment via Venmo