Welcome to St. Matthew Lutheran Church ELCA and Gordon Grace Methodist Partnering together — During COVID-19 times, we are worshipping at Gordon Grace UMC Church Building – 311 East St. Gordon, Ohio. We are a friendly, rural church that welcomes you just as you are, just as God does! All Services are lead by Pastor Marla Brown.

See all EASTER/LENTEN Sermons, Bible Studies, and Schedule FOR 2021 — POSTED BELOW

April 2021 Joint Journal

Our Newsletter is a joint effort and includes news from all churches in our partnership.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

(New Time!) 9:15 am and 10:30 am

Gordon Campus, 311 East Street, Gordon

The decision was made after much prayer, discussion, and research by the members of the task force to restart in-person church activities. Please know that effort has been made and will continue to be made to ensure the safety, comfort, and physical well-being of everyone. Please note that until further notice all activities will take place at the Gordon campus because the building has central air which allows needed airflow from outside the building and full handicap accessibility for entering and using the three restrooms.

4.18.21 – 3rd Sunday o fEaster Worship Video – Pastor Marla Brown – What Love! Luke 24:36, 1 John 3

4.11.21 – 2nd Sunday of Easter Worship Video – Pastor Marla Brown – Put Your Finger Here – 1 John 1:1-2:2 – John 20:19-31

4.4.21 – Easter Sunday Worship-Pastor Marla Brown-O Glorious Day! John 20:1-18 He is Risen – He is Risen, Indeed!!!

4.2.21 – Good Friday Services – Pastor Marla Brown – Beneath the Cross of Jesus (Mickie Ary’s Final Passion Reading – Crucifixion to Closing of the tomb)

4.1.21 – Maundy Thursday Services – Pastor Marla Brown – Just As I Love You – John 13:1-17, 31-35 – (Mickie Ary Passion Reading begins at 33:30 mins)

Holy Week at Gordon Grace & St. Matthew Church’s in Ithaca/Gordon, OH

Eucharist, or communion, is a symbol of Christian redemption through Jesus’ sacrifice. It is practiced by Methodists and Lutherans alike, but there are differences in its meaning. Methodists believe that the bread and wine of Eucharist are meant to symbolize the body of Jesus as seen in the Last Supper. In contrast, Lutherans believe that the bread and wine literally become the body of Jesus during the sacrament.

Gordon Grace UMC and St. Matthew Lutheran ELCA Partnership invite ALL to partake in ‘drive through’ Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, April 2 between 2 & 4 PM. Please enter the Grace Church Building parking lot, (750 Arcanum-Ithaca Rd. Ithaca) from the south entrance and drive around to where Pastor Marla Elifritz Brown will serve you in your vehicle by the north door of the sanctuary. All are welcome!

All Easter Services–Maundy Thursday (7p), Good Friday (7p) and Easter Sunday Morning Services (9:15a/10:30a) will be held at the Gordon Grace/St. Matthew’s Gordon Building (311 East St, Gordon, OH 45304)

Palm Sunday 3.28.21 – Pastor Marla Brown Sunday Worship Sermon – Palms to Passion Mark 11:1-11

Lenten Bible Study – 3.24.21 – Journey with Jesus on the way to Calvary – Session 5 – In the Courtyard and Before the High Priest Bible Study Guide

5th Sunday of Lent 3.21.21 – Pastor Marla Brown Sunday Worship Sermon – Drawn to Jesus
Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33 – Mickie Ary’s Passion Reading begins at 33:30 minutes

Lenten Bible Study – 3.17.21 – Journey with Jesus on the way to Calvary! Session 4: In the Garden Bible Study Guide

4th Sunday of Lent – Pastor Marla Brown Sunday Worship Sermon – But God! Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21- Mickie Ary’s Passion Reading begins at 39:00 minutes

Lenten Bible Study – 3.10.21 – Journey with Jesus on the way to Calvary! Session 3: In the Upper Room – Bible Study Guide

3.7.21 – Sunday Morning Worship/Holy Communion – 3rd Sunday of Lent — What Kind of Fool am I? I Corinthians 1:18-31 — (3rd Passion Reading by Mickie Ary begins at 45:10 minutes)

Lenten Bible Study – 3.3.21 – Journey with Jesus on the way to Calvary. Session 2: In The Holy City (part 2) Bible Study Guide

2.28.21 – Sunday Morning Worship – 2nd Sunday of Lent – What or Who is Guiding You — (2nd Passion Reading by Mickie Ary begins at 36:15 minutes)

Lenten Bible Study – 2.24.21 – Journey with Jesus on the way to Calvary! Session1 In the Holy City (part 1) – Bible Study Guide

2.21.21 – Sunday Morning Worship – 1st Sunday of Lent – Where the Wild Things Are — (1st Passion Reading by Mickie Ary begins at 32:00 minutes)

Mickie Ary has been sharing the Passion Story with us since 2000.

This is Mickie’s 21st year of sharing the story as only she can – leaving us to feel we are right beside Jesus as He begins his journey to the Cross. Today during worship, she tells us about Jesus and the Disciples in the Upper Room sharing the Last Supper.

ASH WEDNESDAY EVENING Lenten Services

Imposition of Ashes & Holy Communion

Beginning at 7 PM on February 17, 2021

Ash Wednesday Service 2.17.21 – It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord – Pastor Marla Brown