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September means a lot of things to many people: the end of the summer doldrums, the beginning of a new school year—and our annual Harvest Home food collection here at St. Matthew’s. Gifts of food will be shared with area food pantries, and also our Food Bank here at St. Matthew’s. Over the past several months individuals and families not associated with our congregation have been helped. On occasion our own membership takes advantage of gifts when things come falling down around them. We are glad to help. So please be generous; the “schedule” of food items desired is in the Sunday bulletin for each week. It would be helpful if we were to receive canned and tinned meats and canned fruit to restock our own supply.

One thing we don’t ask for because of its perishable nature is bread. We just can’t anticipate when there is a need for food, and by its very nature bread will spoil rather quickly.

And yet we do offer the staff of life on a regular basis. This bread we receive in the Eucharist, and this bread we also receive in the Word. Jesus said, I am the bread of life. I am the bread that came down from heaven. (see John 6). Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we see through the eyes of faith this very Jesus in the sacrament. Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we hear and read this very same Word of life when we participate in worship and stretch our faith lives by participating in continued discipleship---continued learning.

I am encouraged that the adult class had to order more classroom Bibles this past year. This is the Holy Spirit prompting us to continue to immerse ourselves in this Word, the Word that became flesh in Jesus and came to live among us, and to redeem us.

Our Education Committee has planned a new curriculum for children’s classes, and the adult class will begin the year with a study of Paul’s Letter to the Romans. In addition, I hope to teach a class in New Testament Greek if there is enough interest throughout the Mission District of Bethlehem-Easton. You of course are invited to participate. Please call the church office at 610.867.1661 or send an email to mattsluth@enter.net to register. There is no fee, but a freewill offering to World Hunger will be gratefully accepted.