Matthew. Franz Hals, 1625; Odessa Museum of Western and Eastern Art
I was very moved when I came across this painting. I was looking through art across the ages that meant to convey the gospel writer Matthew. I love Franz Hals, and I have ever since I was introduced to his work during a bicycle tour of Europe the summer before entering university, when Thom and I stumbled across and into the Franz Hals Museum in Haarlem, Netherlands. But what made this painting particularly meaningful this week is that it hangs in a Museum in Odessa, Ukraine.
This month we are exploring the various gospel accounts of the New Testament – each attempting to describe the Risen Lord with a different perspective upon the earthly witness of Jesus, and each traditionally symbolized by a traditional image.
This week – the Gospel according to Matthew, and the image is a ‘living creature with the face of a human’. It is the humanity of Jesus that Matthew emphasizes. It is also the humanity to which his followers are called. This canvas hanging in Odessa and surrounded this day by violence and death calls out all the more urgently for us to heed the witness of Matthew, and the call of Christ, and allow God to grow us in the ways of true humanity.
This week – the Gospel according to Matthew, and the image is a ‘living creature with the face of a human’. It is the humanity of Jesus that Matthew emphasizes. It is also the humanity to which his followers are called. This canvas hanging in Odessa and surrounded this day by violence and death calls out all the more urgently for us to heed the witness of Matthew, and the call of Christ, and allow God to grow us in the ways of true humanity.
The sanctuary doors are open for in-person worship (with physical distancing, wearing of masks and forgoing congregational singing). Live-streaming continues. Organ preludes will begin around 10:25 a.m. and the service will commence at 10:30 a.m. The link to the livestream can be found at https://youtu.be/z-nGusWcvsk. Previous services can be found on the St. Andrew’s Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/StAndrewsPresbyterianChurchKingston
Have a look at the Order of Service, notes of the Director of Music, scripture readings, hymn lyrics and announcements below – this electronic form includes hyperlinks for easy connection, and you can print them out if you wish for reference as the hour unfolds, or even through the week. Please join in worship, study and service as you are able.