This Week At St. Matthew's
Sunday, September 22, 2019
St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
15th Sunday after Pentecost
Editor's Note:
The Messenger
is now published on Thursdays, in order to give more notice about weekend events. This necessitates a stricter deadline for content submission. Please submit articles/content for publication
no later than the Monday prior to Thursday publication
. Thanks!
|
|
THIS SUNDAY
St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
40th Anniversary Celebration
|
|
Come one and all!
THIS Sunday, September 22
St. Matthew’s 40th Anniversary
A service of thanksgiving to God
for the ministries begun here
and all who have given
of their time, talent and treasure
to make those ministries a reality.
WEAR RED!!
Single Service at 10:00 a.m.
Followed by a huge pot luck dinner—
You’re invited to bring
one or more dishes to share—
main dish, salad, side dish, or dessert!
Games and activities,
visitors from the community and
former members are invited.
**Don’t miss it**
IT’S THE PEOPLE!
|
|
9:00 a.m. Coffee
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II
No Sunday School and Christian Education
Reverend Doug Coil, Guest Celebrant
Reverend Canon Liz Hendrick,
Preacher
READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY
|
|
HELP!
St. Matthew's Family--
If you are in touch with former members of St. Matthew's who have moved away or no longer attend St. Matthew's, please help us
spread the word about this "homecoming" Sunday on September 22. Although letters are going out to many former members and we are publicizing in other ways we can't possibly contact everyone--I'm sure we will miss some folks. We want everyone to come! Thanks!
|
|
Musings From Mother Liz
St. Matthew’s Celebrates Forty Years
This Sunday, the St. Matthew’s community will have a joyous celebration of forty years of worship, community and ministry. We are here today because forty years ago, a small group of visionary Episcopalians saw the need for a church in Snellville. The story of St. Matthew’s beginnings can be read in the Sunday commemorative bulletin.
Sunday’s worship will allow us to thank God for the many blessings we have received over the last forty years, and to offer thanksgiving for the many ministries that have helped so many people over those years. Some of the charter members will return, and Father Doug Coil has agreed to serve as celebrant. Following the service, the celebration will continue with a parish potluck, games for the children and no doubt A LOT of stories and laughter!
I am grateful to God to have been called to serve as rector of St. Matthew’s and it is a privilege and joy to be here during this time of celebration. However, I cannot help but think about where God is calling us next. When studying the gospels, one thing you notice is that Jesus NEVER stood still. He was always on the move, teaching, healing and sharing the good news of God’s love. We’ve enjoyed 40 wonderful years, but this celebration serves as a platform to launch us into the next forty. We celebrate our accomplishments even as we look to the next challenge.
We are excited to have Father Tommy Matthews join us on October 1st as associate rector. While Father Tommy will be involved in all aspects of parish ministry, his focus will include children, youth, young families, and men’s ministry. I hope to develop new ways to deepen spiritual practices, to provide opportunities for fellowship for women and seniors, and to create ways for St. Matthew’s to be more visible in the communities of Snellville, Loganville and Grayson. The vestry is exploring development of a three to five-year plan for St. Matthew’s, and the process will invite every member of the parish to be involved in some way in the planning.
Beloved, it is an exciting time for St. Matthew’s! We have a wonderful history and the potential for an amazing future! A wise monk once told me that “God wastes nothing.” I believe that, and I believe that all that St. Matthew’s has experienced over the past forty years will give us the skills, energy, humor and faith to make us effective messengers of the Gospel. May God continue to bless this parish community as we do the work to which we are called in this part of God’s Kingdom.
In Faith,
Mother Liz+
|
|
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)
|
|
ARE YOU NEW TO ST. MATTHEW'S?
A series of three newcomers classes will be held September 29, October 6th and October 13 from 9:15 -10:15 in the Undercroft. All new comers are welcome to attend these informative classes. You will learn about our church, meet parishioners who head up some of our many ministries and have an opportunity to ask questions about Saint Matthew's. Please plan to join us and find out why our church slogan is "It's the People!"
|
|
CAR SHOW SPONSORS NEEDED
THE ST. MATTHEW’S ANNUAL CAR SHOW (OCTOBER 12) is looking for sponsors at all levels. If your business can provide a corporate sponsorship, or you can be an individual sponsor (several levels available), please speak with
Jack Denton. To donate to the car show on REALM, go to "Giving" and choose "Car Show" from the drop-down menu. Sponsorships help cover the costs of trophies and other event expenses. Proceeds of the event go to Place of Seven Springs and towards funding the Associate Priest reserve fund for St. Matthew’s. Thank you!
TIME TO VOLUNTEER!
It takes a village to make a successful car show! Volunteers are needed for setup/tear down, registration table, silent auction, bake sale, Kidzone, and more. Sign up for a 2 hour, half day, or full day shift. To volunteer your help in any capacity on Saturday, October 12, please contact
Jack Denton .
|
|
Hurricane Dorian: What Can I Do To Help?
To give to the ERD Hurricane Relief Fund,
click here
.
|
|
The Ruth Chapter of St. Matthew’s Daughters of the King (DOK) is planning another study to become a Daughter. We are a group of women dedicated to Prayer, Service and Evangelism. If you would like to know more about DOK, or if you would like to sit in on a Daughter of the King meeting and learn more about our Ruth chapter, please contact
Peggy Isaacs
at 770-923-1955 or
Lynne Kiker
at 770-235-6650.
|
|
It's the People -- and It's the Volunteers!
Time and talent are two foundational elements of stewardship in a church community. There are many things that happen in the life of the church that depend entirely on volunteer hours offered in service to God. Here are a few ways YOU can serve at St. Matthew's, and who to contact to offer your time and talent to God and your parish family::
Sunday Breakfast -- We are in need of volunteers to sign up to prepare breakfast. If you haven’t taken a turn since last school year, we need you now. If you are on a committee, please ask others on your committee to cover breakfast one Sunday. We have open dates in August, September and November and December. Breakfast doesn't have to be elaborate, and I will give you money to purchase your supplies the week before you are scheduled. Thank You very much for your assistance.
Nancy Drury
Ushers, Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers
-- join the rotation for reading lessons on Sunday mornings, and/or serving for either 8:00 or 10:30 service. See
Greg Andrews about training/licensing for these rewarding ministries.
|
|
G
ift Cards Needed
We are in need of $10.00 gift cards
to put in our Snellville Police Birthday cards. Please consider donating $10.00 gift cards from Mellow Mushroom, Cook-out, Arby's, Chick-Fil-A or Jimmy John's.
POLICE BIRTHDAYS
Please keep the following
Snellville Police officers in your prayers as they celebrate birthdays in September:
- Officer Zach Todd, 9/6
- Dispatcher Candance Baca, 9/18
- Officer Dastassia Bailey, 9/18
- Lt. John McKinney, 9/22
Prayer for Police Officers
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all men and women in law enforcement in our neighborhoods, cities, and on our highways. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; protect their families; strengthen them in their trials; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Adapted, BCP p.823)
|
|
JUNIOR WORSHIP
Every Sunday during the Sunday School year, children ages 5-7 spend a portion of the worship service in a child-size worship environment learning about how we worship in the Episcopal church, with hands-on opportunities to examine and experience elements of the worship service and ask questions about what we do in church. Additional
helpers are needed to take turns in rotation assisting in this ministry. Lesson plans are available and training will be given. For more info, speak to
Debbie Inman or
Mona Livermont.
|
|
INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ACOLYTE?
Our Acolytes are always welcoming new members. We invite anyone ages third- through twelfth grade who would like to serve as an acolyte to join us. If you are interested or want to learn more about the Acolyte Ministry, come with your parents and join us during an information and orientation session
after the 10:30 a.m. service on Oct. 13.
|
|
Ok, What IS Loaves and Fishes?
If you or your loved one is ill, recovering from surgery, or is in other ways unable to make meals for a period of time, Loaves and Fishes helps out.
Members of our Saint Matthew's family volunteer to prepare or buy a meal and deliver it to your home. It’s that simple.
No one needs to be a gourmet cook or even be able to cook. Meals can be made at home, or purchased at a local restaurant or grocery store and then delivered. Very cool- Right???
If you want to volunteer to participate in this easy and fulfilling ministry, all you need to do is be on Realm with your contact information available**. Requests for help are sent out to the parish via your Realm email contact number.
If you find yourself in need of help from Loaves and Fishes, please reach out to
Vicki Conway, or call the church office.
Loaves and Fishes needs everyone because we serve everyone.
**If you are not yet logged into REALM, please contact
Susan Carson.
|
|
Knit, Crochet & Pray --
Prayer Shawl Procedures
Prayer shawls are made by the Knit Crochet & Pray Ministry (KCP) for the purpose of giving them to someone in crisis to show our love, support and prayers for his/her difficult time. They are made by the ministry members (usually at the individual member's expense of time and yarn) and blessed by Mother Liz at the altar.
The prayer shawls are kept in the church office and must be signed out in a specific notebook by a church employee or a member of the Knit, Crochet & Pray Ministry. We welcome all in need to request a prayer shawl, but we have to remind everyone that the KCP membership is currently very low, so it is important to remember that our limited number of prayer shawls must be shared with all parishioners who need one. Thank you for being considerate of the needs of all.
We also would like to welcome anyone who takes a prayer shawl to consider making a donation to this ministry. This love offering could be in the form of purchased yarn, prayer shawls, chemo caps, hats, police lap robes, scarves, gloves or a financial donation. In addition, for those unable to attend the KCP meetings who knit or crochet, please consider creating any the above-listed items at home and donating them to our ministry. KCP meets the first and third Thursdays of every month at 10:00 a.m. in the library, and all are welcome. Please contact
Beth DiGiovanni for any questions about this ministry.
|
|
--- YOUTH GROUP NEWS ---
BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO YOUTH GROUP!
Youth group meets in the parish hall and/or undercroft most Sunday nights throughout the school year. All youth 6th - 12th grades are invited to attend. Bring a friend!
NOTE:
Youth Group now meets
from
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings.
For questions or to volunteer to help with youth group activities, please speak with
Thank you for being a part of our amazing youth program!!
Faithfully,
|
|
Thanks be to God!
I feel fine and am recovering very well after my hospital ventures in Hawaii and later in Snellville. Hopefully I will not need any more medical treatment for the condition. I give special thanks for you all for the prayers, cards, visits, kind words of comfort, and delicious food provided. Gini and I are so grateful for our wonderful Christian community.
God's Name be Praised!
Reid Peterson
|
|
IMPORTANT:CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CHURCH OFFICE
PLEASE NOTE that the
stmatts@bellsouth.net
email address has been discontinued and we no longer have access to email sent to that address.
It should be deleted from your contact email lists.
Please use admin@stmatthewssnellville.org to reach Charmaine, our parish administrator. Thanks.
|
|
THE REALM CORNER
Are YOU logged into Realm yet?
In order for this system to be utilized to its full potential it's necessary for ALL members to log into REALM
at least once
and set your privacy settings to Everyone.
This activates your account and makes you visible to other members so that your contact information will appear in the directory.
REALM invitations were reissued on 09/04/2019. Please check your email for this invitation and follow the instructions it gives to log into REALM. In the coming weeks we will be contacting members by phone who have not yet logged in, to complete this process. If you need a re-send of this invitation email, please contact
Susan Carson
.
Pledge payments and financial giving through REALM is easy:
Go to the church website,
www.itsthepeople.org
. Click on the blue Give Online button near the center of the page, and follow the prompts to choose the desired fund designation.
If you wish to set up automatic pledge payments, you can do so by logging into REALM and choosing Giving from the left side of the page. (If you have not yet logged into REALM, please contact
Susan Carson
).
Realm Directory and Your Privacy Settings
For instructions on how to change your privacy settings
, or other REALM information,
click here.
Stay connected! For information on logging in, and to view other Realm information and tutorials, check out the link below:
|
|
LOOKING AHEAD:
September 22
—
St. Matthew’s Day 40th Anniversary Celebration
Single Service at 10:00 a.m. Followed by Celebration / Covered Dish Dinner. Sign up on REALM.
October 1, 2019
Fr. Tommy Matthews
arrives as Associate Rector
October 6, 2019
--
Blessing of the Animals
-- 2:00 p.m.
October 12
—
St. Matthew’s Annual Car Show --
9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Sponsors and Volunteers are needed. Please contact Jack Denton 404-861-7675
October 19 -- Parish Work Day . More on this soon.
|
|
Events and Serving Schedules
|
|
St.Matthew's Episcopal Church | Ph 770-979-4210 | admin@stmatthewssnellville.org | www.itsthepeople.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
