St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/27/2026
A Word from Father Tom
The Church office will be closed next week due to both Fr. Tom and Jennifer being away. Fr. Tom will be on study leave and Jennifer will be on vacation.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/20/2026
A Word from Father Tom
There is a phrase that comes up often in mystery and police shows: “Well, she kept herself to herself”. The police representative is asking about the neighbor who disappeared, the person in the apartment across the hall who is a suspect in a crime, or a person next door who may have just committed a violent crime and has been arrested: “Well, I didn’t really know them. They kept themselves to themselves”.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/13/2026
A Word from Father Tom
All,
I am going to keep the below article in this week for the purpose of broader exposure.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/6/2026
A Word from Father Tom
The Book of Common Prayer is one of the grounding sources of the Anglican Tradition that practically and ecclesiologically (i.e., our beliefs about church) binds all of the Anglican Communion together. The intent in the creation of the prayer book was to aid us in having a “common life” in Christ liturgically, scripturally, and even theologically.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/31/2026
A Word from Father Tom
I will be including a Sermon Outline in the Newsletter on a regular basis and when possible (see link in the next section). The hope is that some will be aided as they listen to the sermon and also benefit from have something tangible to reflect on during the week. Let us know your thoughts.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/22/2026
A Word from Father Tom
There is a physical response that often seems instinctual when we find ourselves ashamed or disappointed in ourselves as humans: We hang our heads…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/16/2026
A Word from Father Tom
A reminder that we only have one service of Holy Communion on Sunday, beginning at 10:00 AM. Following the service we will hold our annual meeting, reflecting on the year behind us, and moving into the year before us.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/9/2026
A Word from Father Tom
The Lord Jesus Christ was and is the light of the world. This Sunday we re-engage his gradual exposure to the world in The Feast of the Epiphany (and in the Epiphany Season). Of course, once he had accomplished his ministry and redemption on behalf of all humanity and the created order, he then called his church to be “his body” and presence in the world.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/2/2026
A Word from Father Tom
The word “King” stirs up various thoughts in our minds as Americans. While much of human history and culture has been shaped and ordered by some kind of Monarchy, the concept is less intuitive for we Americans. However, we still have ideas about “Kingship” and “Monarchy” both positive and negative.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 12/26/2025
A Word from Father Tom
I trust that you all had a blessed time of worship and festivity with one another and your family and friends over Christmas Eve and Day. Our family will be continuing our worship of Christ’s coming with my extended family in the Chicago area over this weekend. Father John Richmond will be preaching and celebrating for me while I am away.
Merry Christmas Season to all, and to all a good night!
St. Matthew’s Good News – 12/19/2025
A Word from Father Tom
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We are reminded in our texts of scripture for Sunday that the coming of the Messiah was prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus arrived. We are reminded that the Apostles and our hope of the church’s salvation is an act of God’s grace on our behalf. We can accept the reality that, as Advent always promises, the best is yet to come.
St. Matthew’s Good News – 12/12/2025
A Word from Father Tom
This text for this Sunday’s sermon is all about anticipation. In chapter 35, Isaiah lays out the hope and reality of the Messiah who will make all things “right”…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 12/5/2025
A Word from Father Tom
All,
I am including the below article again this week for thorough dissemination. Please be reminded that we will only have one service this Sunday due to the Bishop’s visit with us…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/28/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Vestry has approved a new budget for the year 2026, which, in turn will be presented to the congregation at our annual meeting on January 18th, 2026. We will set out our new pledge cards outside the office starting this Sunday.
Many newer members and attendees may be unfamiliar with the pledge system. Making a planned “pledge” (usually given on a monthly or weekly basis) communicates to the Vestry and Rector that we have the support of those who are worshipping and being blessed by our Covenant Community. Our giving monetarily to the ministry at St. Matthew’s is one of the ways we emphasize and participate in a “WE” before “ME” approach to knowing God and serving others…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/21/2025
A Word from Father Tom
As a reminder, we will only have one service this Sunday, November 23rd, 2025 at 10:00 am. We are looking forward to worshipping together and feasting together after the service. If you are visiting or hadn’t planned to bring anything, please come anyway. We will have plenty of food.
As we celebrate on Sunday and on our national holiday the following week, let us also be reminded that being a grateful person goes hand-in-hand with being a follower of Jesus Christ…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/14/2025
A Word from Father Tom
In the book of Acts, the newly established church (now, the New Covenant People of God) begins to run into everyday organizational problems as it grows. What becomes clear is that the solutions to these problems will involve the spiritual gifts and service of others…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/7/2025
A Word from Father Tom
This Sunday we look at a fascinating story when the Jewish leaders (specifically the Sadducees) came to challenge Jesus regarding one of their clear theological beliefs. Again, like many who are given over to unbelief and cynicism, the Jewish leaders do not come to learn but are motivated to harm Jesus as a threat to their system.
The truth is almost always a threat to people who believe that the simple world they think they control is essential for their happiness and well-being. When their assumptions are questioned, they are afraid that their whole way of thinking could fall apart. But with the truth, we don’t have to be insecure if our thirst and hunger is to know our God. He is our rock, and he will lead us to the truth that we need to have.
Jesus has a striking answer to questions of the perceived “scholars of the day”. He reveals that their understanding of Holy Scripture is rife with manipulation and their own lustful purposes.
The comfort for us is not that Christ won the argument and put the leaders in their place. What we can be assured of, is that while we do not have all the answers, when we connect ourselves to Christ and the teachings of the faithful historic church, we have nothing to fear. Sooner or later, the truth wins the day. But the reality is, while the truth grounds and frees us, as we grow in embracing it, this also makes us more of a threat to those enthralled with simplicity.
See you Sunday!
Fr. Tom
St. Matthew’s Good News – 10/31/2025
A Word from Father Tom
We are pleased to announce that Owen Holliday will be baptized during our All Saints Service this Sunday in the second service. Due to time considerations, I will be moving our normal healing prayer time during the Eucharist to the following Sunday, November 9th. However, healing prayer will be available this week during Holy Communion in the first service as is usual.
I look forward to worshipping our Lord together.
Fr. Tom
St. Matthew’s Good News – 7/25/2025
A Word from Father Tom
I got this out a little late this week. Hope to see everyone Sunday!
St. Matthew’s Good News – 7/18/2025
A Word from Father Tom
In recent sermons we have been discussing the reality of the “cultures” in which we breathe and drink in our understandings about what matters in life. Much of how we live is intuitive. When we make decisions regarding the use of our resources between two good things, there are assumptions behind our decisions…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 7/11/2025
A Word from Father Tom
When it came to the genuine, foundational, character problems of the Jewish religious community of their day, Jesus often meddled. I submit that if a person is actually honest with the clear revelation of Holy Scripture in the Gospels, there is just no way…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 7/04/2025
A Word from Father Tom
One of the characteristics of being a follower of Christ is the desire and action of reaching out to others with the hope and redemption offered by Jesus to…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 6/27/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Last week in the Gospel of Luke, we looked at the story of the demon-possessed man who was self-destructing, and the townspeople that were terrified when Jesus transformed him…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 6/20/2025
A Word from Father Tom
While it is still a work in progress in some areas, we have launched our new church website…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 6/13/2025
A Word from Father Tom
We will celebrate our sixth Principal Feast of the year over the weekend, Trinity Sunday.
Below is an article that was published in our newsletter back in November 2023. We have many newer attenders and members, so I would like to reintroduce these special days of sacramental celebration to you…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 6/06/2025
A Word from Father Tom
As many of you know, St. Matthew’s was featured in the summer issue of the Anglican Digest…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 5/30/2025
A Word from Father Tom
I am including the below article from last week to make sure it gets as much coverage as possible for our parish…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 5/23/2025
A Word from Father Tom
One of the things I am glad to see in our current church culture is how much we are enjoying our conversations and fellowship with one another – both before and after Mass…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 5/16/2025
A Word from Father Tom
During my first hear as a priest, I discovered some worship services created and completed by the previous priest, Fr. David Halt…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 5/09/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Stewardship in any area of life takes reflection, planning, and application. I will turn 57 years old in November. It is time for Karen and me to prepare…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 5/02/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Stewardship in any area of life takes reflection, planning, and application. I will turn 57 years old in November. It is time for Karen and me to prepare…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 4/25/2025
A Word from Father Tom
A word from Fr. Tom will return next week. Have a blessed week!
St. Matthew’s Good News – 4/18/2025
A Word from Father Tom
I hope you will join us for our Good Friday Service tonight at 6:00 PM.
I had mentioned at our Maundy Thursday and Way of the Cross Services…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 4/11/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Hear the words from An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, (Church Publishing):
The liturgy intended as the first (and arguably, the primary) celebration of Easter in the BCP (pp. 284-95). It is also known as the Great…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 4/04/2025
A Word from Father Tom
The contradiction of Good Friday is contained in its name. How can the manipulated trial, torture, and brutal killing of an innocent man be considered in any way, shape, or form “good”…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 3/28/2025
A Word from Father Tom
During Holy Week, Jesus is quite active in ministry in Jerusalem before he and his disciples celebrate the Passover on Thursday afternoon-evening…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 3/21/2025
A Word from Father Tom
The first day of Holy Week in the Christian Calendar is Palm Sunday (this year it appears on April 13th – we will only have one service at 10:00 am)…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 3/14/2025
A Word from Father Tom
For those who are new to worship at St. Matt’s, you might wonder about the different seasons of our church year and their corresponding colors..
St. Matthew’s Good News – 3/07/2025
A Word from Father Tom
This Sunday we will consider the Lord’s “gravitational pull” that exists toward the human beings he is seeking to redeem…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/28/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Please make plans to share food and time with one another at our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner on Tuesday at 6:00 PM, and then let us enter the Season of Lent together as we follow the steps…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/21/2025
A Word from Father Tom
This Thursday, we continue our Bible study at 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall considering the Book of I Corinthians…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/14/2025
A Word from Father Tom
On Thursday, we began our Bible Study on First Corinthians with thirteen of our church family present. First Corinthians is…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 2/7/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Four different people have shown interest in the Inquirer’s class, and others are certainly welcome…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/31/2025
A Word from Father Tom
In an effort to be better stewards of our finances and creational resources, we are taking a new trial approach to…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/24/2025
A Word from Father Tom
In an effort to be better stewards of our finances and creational resources, we are taking a new trial approach to…
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St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/17/2025
A Word from Father Tom
Salvation is all about newness; so is the Season of Epiphany. This Sunday we will look at the miracle of the wedding feast at…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/10/2025
A Word from Father Tom
For those who are new to St. Matthew’s, every year we have the various ministries of our church put together an “Annual Report Booklet” to be distributed…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 1/2/2025
A Word from Father Tom
The Christmas Season ends on Sunday. While it is certainly a season of light in it’s own right, this light is limited to “private showings” through God’s holy messengers from heaven…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 12/20/2024
A Word from Father Tom
According to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, we Episcopalians celebrate Seven Principal Feasts during the Christian Year/Calendar…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 12/13/2024
A Word from Father Tom
Advent is about preparation. It is telling how we often act differently about our homes when we are going to have guests. My Father and Mother-in-law have been to visit us several times since we have moved to Bloomington-Normal. While I take care of my yard, and enjoy doing so, there are times…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 12/06/2024
A Word from Father Tom
Advent is a season where we remember the faithfulness of God throughout the ages in the promise of his covenants to and with his people. The ultimate YES to His Covenant People came through Jesus…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/29/2024
A Word from Father Tom
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/22/2024
A Word from Father Tom
Being thankful takes discipline and a reliance on the Holy Spirit. I remember one Thanksgiving in college when I had decided that on Thanksgiving Day, I would spend some time in prayer by myself focusing all of my prayer on the blessings that the Lord had provided me in this life and the life to come. It was harder than I thought…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/15/2024
A Word from Father Tom
The Vestry will meet next week to examine and approve our budget for the year 2025. We have now set out the pledge cards for the new year on our newly donated information table just outside of the church office. We encourage you to turn in your…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/08/2024
A Word from Father Tom
Our printed Calendars for the Christian Year 2025 have arrived and are available on a table just outside of the Church Office. Please limit the calendars to one per person and two per family so that everyone gets one… even those who may start attending later in the year.
For those who may be new to the Christian Year (or those of us who might need a refresher) see this link for a brief video introduction: The Christian Year…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 11/01/2024
A Word from Father Tom
All,
Below is my article from last week. I will leave it in one more week for those who might not have seen it. Blessings!
It is that time of year when the Vestry of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church begins to plan for the upcoming year. If there is anything I have learned in my thirty years of pastoral ministry, it is that a church is only as healthy and effective as its membership chooses to be (this, of course, includes her clergy)…
St. Matthew’s Good News – 10/25/2024