Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

Seeking to know and love God in every person, here, now.

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Newness of Life: a reflection by Christina Brennan Lee

“Newness of Life” reflection for February 27, 2022 by Christina Brennan Lee for the 8th Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C.

“Newness of Life” — Have you ever noticed those three words in prayers from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)? I wouldn’t have recognized them by themselves yet I have used them countless times in reading and praying through the Daily Office. (The Daily Office consists of prayers for specific hours of the day. Please see my note below.). If you’ve been to other Episcopal churches that use the Prayers of the People in the BCP, you’ve probably used Form VI at one time or another and that phrase is just about at the very end on page 393. It is also used in prayer during the Great Vigil of Easter, the Burial of the Dead, and elsewhere.

One of the prayer times in the Daily Office is known as Compline (kom-plin), beginning on page 127 in the BCP. It is read/prayed Live at 8 p.m. every weeknight on SsAM’s Facebook page. After the untold numbers of times I have read that phrase, long before and especially in the nearly 1 ½ years I’ve been reading Compline live on SsAM’s Facebook page, suddenly a couple of weeks ago it just stood out for me. It just stopped me. Although I kept on reading aloud, my mind stayed in that spot. Part of the prayer in which the phrase occurs is: “forgive us all our offenses; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.” It continues to stand out for me each time I read it.

I did an online search at the Book of Common Prayer website to find out all the other places it occurs in the Book of Common Prayer. And each day since I have been pondering the phrase. I’m slowly beginning to discover what “Newness of Life” means for me and what it calls me to do. What does it mean for you?

NOTE ON THE DAILY OFFICE:  At the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, we say the Daily Office on our Facebook Page with Morning Prayer at 8 a.m., Evening Prayer at 5 p.m., and Compline at 8 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. On Saturdays, Morning Prayer is at 8:30 a.m. and Noonday prayer at 12 Noon. Please tune in and pray with us any time. You don’t even need to have a prayer book. Also ALL of our Prayer Team’s readings are recorded so you can hear these short services at any hour of the day or night! You do not need a Facebook account to watch. Click here to learn more about broadcast prayer services at SsAM. Others on the team are Wanda Smith, Sr. Rosie Castelli, Mary Morgan, and Adele Meredith. Give it a chance and listen for that phrase “newness of life”. P.S., we can always use more Team Members. It’s easy and done from your home computer! Check with any one of us and we’ll get you started.

Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” —Romans 6:4

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Every week, Christina Brennan Lee writes the Prayers of the People we use in our worship services on Sundays. She also leads weekday prayer services. Click here to see her People’s Prayers website.

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NEWS

Clergy Transition – Our Search for a New Rector

SsAM IS NOW RECEIVING NAMES FOR OUR NEXT RECTOR! If you are a clergy person and interested in our open rector position, we invite you to … [Read More...]

The Reverend Clay Brown

Father Clay will celebrate his first Eucharists at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at SsAM. The 10:30 a.m. service is … [Read More...]

Worship God with us this Sunday in downtown Wilmington, Delaware

You are invited to worship God with us in person this Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Our newly-ordained … [Read More...]

Welcome To SsAM. You are invited!

SsAM, the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, welcomes you. Come to God’s Table! Come, you … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events

The Rev. Kevin Clayton Brown, will celebrate Eucharist for the first time on Sunday, February 5, 8:00 am and 10:30 am By the Grace of God … [Read More...]

Charisse Rodgers is New Co-Chair of Racial Justice and Reconciliation Commission

Charisse L. Rodgers has served the church in numerous capacities, to include, vestry person, church treasurer, ECW board, diocesan … [Read More...]

Reflection on Winter – A Time to Slow Down

A reflection for February 5, 2023 by Mary Lou Edgar. It is hard to believe that we are in the middle of winter. We have had many nice … [Read More...]

The Extraordinary Life of Rosetta Henderson

An interview with Rosetta Henderson and a digital exhibit exploring her life and accomplishments is now at the Hagley Museum and Library. … [Read More...]

Spiritual Music in Wilmington, Delaware

Wilmington Children’s Chorus Teaching Fellowship applications are due February 10. The Wilmington Children's Chorus is accepting … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel continues on February 12 at 10:30am.

Children’s Chapel will meet on February 12 and 26, and on every second and fourth Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Crypt Hall. Children have several … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Worship Services

We will be delighted if you worship with us in-person or via video this Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Click here to learn more!

Visit Us

719 N. Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
with free parking weekends and evenings next to the church at 713 N. Shipley Street. Click here to learn more about parking and directions.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday, 9:00 to 4:30
Friday, 9:00 to 1:00

OUR MISSION

To be an inclusive Christian community which worships God, follows Christ in all aspects of our lives, and serves the Greater Wilmington area through actions and ministries which promote peace, justice, reconciliation and empowerment for all people.

Contact Us

PHONE: 302 656-6628

EMAIL: Click here to use our email form.

FACEBOOK: Click here to see our Facebook page. You need a Facebook account to see it.

YOUTUBE: Click here to see our YouTube Channel. Some smart TV sets will allow you to stream YouTube, so you can watch in your den or living room. Search for “Saints Andrews and Matthew”.

Are You New to SsAM?

If you are new to SsAM, please click here to see the Welcome to SsAM booklet in PDF format. The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is a dynamic and diverse congregation in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Our Vision

The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew seeks to be a dynamic, spiritual center that is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community and a place where all God’s people are honored.

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Our ministries are dependent on financial donations. Click here to make a secure credit-card donation on-line or to learn

Our main focus is ministry, not money!
We offer a host of ministries for which you can volunteer. You can participate in worship services, help make the church hum, or offer your time and talent to the local community.

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