This Week At St. Matthew's March 24, 2019--Newcomer Classes Start This Sunday, Holy Week Service Schedule, Volunteer Opportunities and More!

St. Matthew's Messenger

This Week At St. Matthew's

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Third Sunday In Lent

Visit our Website

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

9:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Sunday School and Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

are found here . Year C

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Baptism --The Sacrament of Baptism will be offered at the Easter Vigil on April 20. If you or your child desires to be baptized, please contact the church office, or fill out the form found here .

Newcomer's Classes -- Start this Sunday! The Spring Connections Classes will take place beginning today, March 24, on March 31 and on April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. downstairs in the Undercroft. The classes are designed for newcomers but all are welcome. If mobility is an issue let us know so we can provide assistance. The classes will cover Opportunities to Learn about St. Matthew’s Family of Faith, Ministry Opportunities and Communication Tools. RSVP to Linda Newton, 770-354-3499 (cell) or

lindaanewton@comcast.net

Confirmation Classes -- If you have not been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church and would like to be, this class is for you! Beginning Palm Sunday, April 14, during the SS hour, this class will meet in the Undercroft to prepare for Confirmation when the bishop visits on June 9 . Please contact the church office to register your interest in the class.

Adult Christian Education

My Island, My Community

During this final quarter of the 2018/2019 school year, we are sharing our stories and God’s stories about being alone, homeless, isolated and the need for community. Each week, we will explore, based on your class style, ways that the phrase ‘My Island, My Community’ relates to ‘The Story I Tell’. We will have a special forum with the Church of the Common Ground and even visit one Sunday. Church of the Common Ground is an Episcopal church community on the streets of Atlanta living the Good News that we are all God’s beloved.

Class Styles

Scripture- Making sense of Scripture today

Clay Olbon & Jim Jung

Relevant Tradition- How is affects my life?

Mona Livermont, Crystal Furman, & Elizabeth McGhee

Ages and Stages- Raising children in the church.

Ward Furman and Mary Louise Richards

Check out other Spring Adult Christian Education Classes and Other Than Sunday Offerings --

Click here for info.

Can You Help?

To the St. Matthew's Family,

By now, most of you have met and gotten to know the Pakistani refugee family St. Matthew’s sponsored. Zeba and her children, Judith, Aaron, and Jason, have been here since June of last year, and they’ve done a remarkable job of adapting to life here. They’re at church every Sunday, the kids are doing well in school, and Zeba got her driver’s license and has been working full-time since November.

Although Zeba has a Master’s Degree in Education, there are many obstacles to getting certified to teach in American schools. As a result, she is packing boxes at a cosmetics distribution company in Stone Mountain for $9.00 per hour. Needless to say, it’s a struggle to support four people on such an income.

Zeba and the kids currently live in a “less-than-ideal” apartment complex in Stone Mountain. One goal we have is to get them relocated to Gwinnett County in a “more ideal” residence, which will also enable the children to attend far better Gwinnett schools. To make this move, Zeba needs to find a job in this area that 1) isn’t temporary, and 2) pays enough to enable them to move.

This is where our St. Matthew's family might be able to help. If you know of an organization that might have a suitable job for Zeba, please let me or Zeba know. Zeba is very hard-working, diligent, and personable. She would be an asset to any organization. You can contact Zeba at 770 203-5424 or me at 678 227-8142. Thank you for your continued support of Zeba, Judith, Aaron, and Jason.

Thank you!

Mark DiGiovanni

LENT AT ST. MATTHEW'S

Every Wednesday in Lent -- Fellowship --A simple soup supper will be served from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. Come and go as your schedule permits. We had a great turnout for the first supper this past Wednesday --come join us for fellowship this week!

Every Friday in Lent — Church open for quiet reflection 6:30 - 7:00 p.m.; Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

Friday, March 29 — Quiet Reflection 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. followed by Stations of the Cross with Musical Meditations at 7:00 p.m., featuring the works of Cesar Franck and freely arranged by Gerard Carter. Cesar Franck (1822-1890) was organist at the Basilica of Saint Clothilde in Paris and a professor at the Paris Conservatory. Franck's organ works are known for melodic inspiration, rich harmonies and deep spirituality.

A special Adult Christian Formation series , 'My Island, My Community', will take place on Sunday mornings during Lent and into the remaining weeks of the CE year. See details about this series in this newsletter, above.

St. Matt’s Outreach —we will be supporting The Church of the Common Ground during Lent this year. See more about this, and other outreach projects here .

Lenten prayer stations are up in the Narthex by the name tag cabinet, and in the Parish Hall. These stations are there for silent prayer and reflection. You can then tie a jute string on the provided branches. Our hope is that this brings you closer to Jesus during Lent. The branches will be blessed and burned at the end of the Lenten season.

A Lenten calendar of St. Matt's activities is available in the narthex. Pick one up to stay in the loop! You can also find it here.

Lenten Meditation booklets provided by Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) are available in the narthex. Our thanks to the Global Mission committee for providing these booklets.

New! Centering Prayer Workshop

Do you seek the still small voice of God? Do you seek a more intimate relationship with God? Come and find a way to deepen your relationship with God.

Contemplative Outreach of Atlanta will present an Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop at Highpoint Episcopal Community Church, 4945 Highpoint Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30342 tomorrow, Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 10:00 AM -4:00 PM. The registration fee of $35 includes breakfast and lunch. You may register online under Upcoming Programs at https://www.contemplativeoutreachatlanta.com/ . The series will introduce participants to the four simple steps of Centering Prayer and provide opportunities to practice the discipline in daily life. For more information, contact Maggie Winfrey at coatlantageorgia@gmail.com .

Centering Prayer is a simple method of prayer, rooted in ancient Christian tradition. “… not so much the absence of thoughts as the detachment from them. It is the opening of mind and heart, body and emotions – the whole body - to God …beyond words, thoughts, and emotions.” by Thomas Keating in Open Mind, Open Heart.

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES SCHEDULE:

MA UNDY THURSDAY. April 18 —7:30 p.m . Holy Eucharist with Hand and Foot Washing and Stripping of the Altar. Followed by the Overnight Watch/Vigil till 12 noon Friday. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex. There will be someone at the church overnight to provide security for those coming and going during the Watch.

GOOD FRIDAY April 19— Stations of the Cross at 11:30 a.m. & 6:45 p.m., Eucharist at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL— Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. with baptisms. Bring bells to ring at the Gloria, the first Eucharist of Easter.

EASTER SUNDAY—April 21 at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Festive Holy Eucharist with Flowering of the Cross at both services.

Easter Flowers For the Altar

Flowers adorning the altar on Easter Sunday are provided through your generous donations. Forms are available in the bulletin each Sunday. Please complete your form (please print legibly) and place it in the offering plate along with your check for $12.00 per plant.

You may also pay for the flowers online through REALM, using the Give Now/Miscellaneous designation. Notate Easter Flowers on the Memo line.

The deadline for Easter flower memorials is Monday, April 8. Names received after April 8 may not be printed in the Easter bulletins.

LENTEN OUTREACH PROJECTS

Church of the Common Ground

For our Lenten Outreach project this year we are supporting the Church of the Common Ground (CCG). CCG is a worshiping community of the diocese of Atlanta. You can find more details below.

We have enough sugar! Thank you for your donations of sugar—we have well-surpassed our goal! We are now collecting black or white men’s XL athletic socks. There is a basket in the old narthex for the socks.

Next week on March 31, we have been invited to worship with CCG at 1:00 p.m. There are a few spots still available for this event. Please sign up on the on the Outreach board.

Mending the Gap

Spring Cleaning -- We are collecting specific cleaning supplies: : disinfecting wipes, 1 gallon trash bags, and liquid or pods laundry detergent to be shared with seniors served by this ministry. There is a bin in the old narthex (parish hall entry way) during March. Read more about Mending the Gap's work at www.mending-the-gap.org .

Have YOU Registered / Donated Yet?

Hunger Walk Registration is Open! Join the St. Matt's Team and walk or run for the SE Gwinnett Co-Op on Sunday, 4/28. Last year the team raised over $5,000 and this year we're setting our goal even higher at $6,000!

Around St. Matt's

Prayer For The Parish

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (BCP, p. 817)

Café Theology has begun study of the book, The Anglican Spirit, by former Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey. This book contains introductory lectures on Anglican theology that are informal and conversational in style and offer an overview of Anglican theology, spirituality, and history. The book is available in paperback and on both Kindle and BookNOOK (Barnes & Noble). The class, begun March 9, meets from 10:00-11:30 in the parish library on the following dates: March 23, March 30, April 13, April 27, May 11, May 25, June 8, June 22, June 29 and July 23. Since the book is a compilation of lectures, you can miss classes and still be able to participate. Coffee is definitely served, along with a light continental breakfast.

On Saturday, March 23, we will be discussing chapters 2 and 3.

ALL are welcome to join us!

Time and Talent Corner

SAVE THE DATE!!

Parish Clean Up, Spruce Up, Fix Up Day

Jobs Large and Small

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Lunch will be served.

Please bring yard and garden tools, brooms, gloves, rakes, spades, etc. (marked with your name)

WE NEED YOU! SAVE THE DATE!

ECW Outreach Sewing Project

We will work on the sewing project in the Parish Hall t his Sunday Marcy 24 from noon to 3 p.m. & also Sunday, April 7. All women of the church are invited to take part.

Please bring scissors for cutting fabric. Also, we will discuss the sewing project more and what can be donated. Bring a sack lunch.

Any questions can be sent to Nancy Drury wnnc@comcast.net and ribowen@yahoo.com

Greeters Needed

We are looking for smiling faces! We need greeters for both the 8:00 and 10:30 services. All you need to do is smile and give a friendly hello! You would serve one Sunday per month (a regular schedule of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Sunday, etc.) before the service and briefly afterward. This is a great starting place to actively serve at St. Matthew’s.

Greeters can often be a visitor's first impression of St. Matthew's, and part of the reason our motto is "It's the People!--come be a part of this important ministry. If you are interested please speak to Diane or John Eberhart, Sam Renfro or Mother Liz.

MEALS NEEDED FOR YOUTH SUPPERS We have such a great group of youth here at St. Matthew's who need your help. On Sunday night our youth come together to grow, learn, and well...they need to eat. It doesn't have to be fancy--team up with others! If you are able to provide dinner please contact Morgan Fletcher for details. Mfletcher0388@gmail.com

404-381-7520

THE EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZAA is coming!

SATURDAY, APRIL 20 10:00 A.M.-12 NOON

Can you help with this annual tradition at St. Matt’s?

We’ll need volunteers to help set up & clean up, help with crafts and other activities, and with the 3 egg hunts for the varied age groups (through age 10).

We also need plastic eggs and wrapped candy to stuff in them. A basket will be in the narthex for the eggs and candy. If possible, please consider donating gluten free and nut free candies for some of your donations.

If you can help please contact Liz Livermont at

crazy18smiles@gmail.com

READING CAMP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

week of JUNE 10TH—14TH!

Help 3rd through 5th graders hone their reading skills this summer.

We need volunteers in three categories:

Learning Center Leaders: Adults—you don’t have to have teaching experience—to help campers learn the skills they need to improve their reading abilities. Skills include reading, writing, phonics and comprehension.

Counselors: Teens to help guide campers through morning learning centers and afternoon games, educational projects, and crafts.

Support Staff: Everyone from cooks to prepare breakfasts, lunches and snacks to morning greeters and folks to check campers out at the end of day.

WE NEED YOUR HELP. SIGN UP ON THE READING CAMP BULLETIN BOARD IN THE HALL!

YOUTH CORNER

We have a great group of teens going to New Beginnings this weekend at Camp Mikell in Toccoa. Please keep the youth and adult sponsors in your prayers.

Those attending: Judith Bernard, Caroline Bond, Holly Bond, Eva Mitchell, Aiden Furman, Jacob Hurst, Aaron Robinson, Katie Robinson, Caroline Bowen, Liam Furman, Jessie Hurst, Josh Hurst, Katelynn Prichard, Ian Prichard, and Stephen Prichard

Atlanta Food Bank Applications for Youth Programs Open

Applications are now available for summer youth programs! This year, there are THREE different programs to choose from for your rising 8th - 12th graders – a Youth Leadership Summit, a Youth Service Summit and a Youth Learn and Serve day. Learn more and apply today! http://www.acfb.org/youth-programs

NO Youth Group This Sunday evening due to New Beginnings weekend . YOUTH GROUP meets next week as usual, Sundays at 6:00 p.m . in the Undercroft. ALL youth of the parish 6th - 12th grades are invited to be a part of this exciting year. Bring a friend! For more information, contact Holly Bond or Amanda Livermont.

DIVE BIBLE STUDY FOR HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH meets Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in Mother Liz's office. For more information on this dynamic Bible study please contact Mother Liz or Amanda Livermont .

Presents

ANNUAL CONVENTION WORSHIP

At St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

On Sunday, April 28, 2019 At 10:30 a.m.

Followed by TASTE OF LIBERIA

In the Parish Hall. All are invited!

Contact: Wilhelmina Wilson 770-815-9260

Note:

1) Friday, April 26th is the Opening Ceremony at St. Edwards at 7:00 p.m.

2) Saturday, April 27th is a Benefit Dinner and Ball at St. Edwards at 7:00 p.m.

StandUp For Kids, a 501c3 charity working with homeless youth

is sponsoring two events:

MUSIC FESTIVAL- -Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. Music on Main, Lilburn.

"TEE OFF FOR STANDUP" GOLF TOURNAMENT —Monday, April 29

@ Smokerise Country Club

Registration—8:30 a.m., Tee Off 10:00 a.m.

Benefitting Standup for Kids, Atlanta Chapter

For more information about the music festival, tournament or StandUp For Kids, please contact Tina Camden

tinac@standupforkids.org

To go to the StandUp For Kids website, click here .

THE STEPHEN MINISTRY CORNER

As you may know our Stephen ministers of St Matthew’s meet twice a month. The first meeting is at St Matthew’s, our second meeting is with our partners at First United Methodist of Lawrenceville.

This month’s education is on a book called “Why?” by Adam Hamilton. It has four chapters and our goal is to read one chapter per month.