Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

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Click here to see our schedule of Prayer Services via Facebook.

by Christina Brennan Lee.

What is The Daily Office? A place I used to go to before I retired. Well, yes and not quite!

If you were present during our Annual Meeting in 2022, or, perhaps watched it on SsAM’s YouTube Channel (or are planning to!), you might have heard and then looked through Danny Schweers’ Communication Committee Report. In it, he says, among other important information, that our Facebook page is used to share our church’s ambitious schedule of 17 weekly prayer services via video.

Ambitious indeed! It was our now-retired Father David who gathered us to join him as part of a team to offer daily prayer during the pandemic and so we continue his legacy, 3 times a day, 5 days a week, and twice on Saturday, live. Each of us broadcast these services on the Parish Facebook page in real time from our phones or computers, from home, or wherever we are.

This prayer practice is known as The Daily Office. Why Office? The usual use of the word is to describe a place where one does particular work for a living. In the case of The Daily Office (or The Divine Office as known by some faith traditions), it is one way on the path to a Spiritual Living.

The Daily Office is a practice that has evolved from the early monastic roots of Christianity.

The Daily Office was once only required for and accessible to monks, nuns, and ordained clergy. Its purpose is to slow us down a bit, to spend time with God ~ not to do something but to simply be with God.

Through the time we spend with it, the words of the various services, mostly Biblically based, we are opened for God to work through us. It reminds us of the gift of being part of God’s Creation and our call from Christ. It can transform us in ways that fill our thoughts and be reflected in our actions, even unconsciously. When done regularly, as with attending the Sunday Liturgy, it refreshes, renews, and anchors us.

The Office is our space where the work of the Spirit attends to us, feeding and nurturing our souls. It’s an easy space on Facebook Live, accessible through the Parish website if you are not on Facebook, or to connect with other parish events on and off the website through The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew Facebook page.

Prayer Service Schedule as of September, 2022

The Office is prayed Monday to Friday beginning with Morning Prayer at 8am by Dr. Wanda Smith, Evening Prayer at 5pm and Compline (kom-plin/night prayer) at 8pm by the rotating team members of Dr. Rosie Castelli, Mary C. Morgan, Adele Meredith, and me.

On Saturdays, currently, the team members offer prayer at 10:30 am.

Morning and Evening prayer may take 20-30 minutes. Compline and Noonday are about 15 minutes.

We generally use the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer (BCP), sometimes A New Zealand Prayerbook, and other resources. We do the work, you come and listen, pray in your heart, and just be with God.

AND, the video sessions are all recorded and listed on the Facebook page under “view all videos” and available 24/7. Choose randomly or start with Compline or Noonday, even at 2:00 in the morning on one of those nights. It’s anonymous unless you choose to “like” or comment. You can add prayers requests, too! You are NOT on camera, it’s not Zoom. But you will be one of the two or three gathered and God will be in the midst of us even if you’re a month late!

Join us, it’s free and there’s a great spiritual payoff!

_____________________

Christina Brennan Lee, Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew (SsAM), Wilmington, DelawareABOUT 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 and serves on the SsAM Vestry. Click here to see her People’s Prayers website.

Click here to see all the Adult Education posts on this website.

We worship God on Sundays at 8am and 10:30am and offer prayer services other days.

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Use our Prayer Request form.

Minister to others in worship services, behind the scenes, and in the community.

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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...]

Worship God with us in downtown Wilmington, Delaware

You are invited to worship God with us in person on Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Our 10:30am Sunday … [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

Slavery By Another Name, Saturday, March 25, 10am via Zoom Recently, seventeen individuals viewed the PBS video "Driving While Black". Some … [Read More...]

Why I Walk

First Friday Walks for Justice in Wilmington, Delaware. A reflection by Mary Lou Edgar for March 21, 2023.  Shortly after I joined … [Read More...]

Wednesday Nights in Lent with Father Jim

Join the Rev. James M. Bimbi for a Lenten journey in the holy land as we read and reflect on the material in the book “River through the … [Read More...]

Holy Week and Easter Services in Downtown Wilmington, Delaware

Holy Week 2023 at our church in downtown Wilmington, Delaware starts with the promise of Palm Sunday, becomes tragic on Good Friday, but … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel continues on March 26, April 2, and April 23 at 10:30am.

Children’s Chapel will meet on March 26, April 2 (Palm Sunday), April 23 at 10:30am. Chapel is usually on every second and fourth Sunday at … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

The next walks are on Friday, April 7 and May 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the SsAM parking lot, 713 N. Shipley Street. Join us for this peaceful, … [Read More...]

Vestry Nominees Wanted

A call to Christian Service - Nominees wanted to serve on SsAM’s Vestry by April 10, 2023. When Jesus called his disciples, he did not ask … [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.

LINKS

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
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  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
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  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
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  • Calendar
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  • eNewsletter Sign-up

Donations Are Welcome, and a Necessity
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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