This Week At St. Matthew's
Sunday, November 17, 2019
23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Ingathering Sunday
|
|
Editor's Note:
The Messenger
is published on Thursdays. Please submit articles/content for publication
no later than the Monday prior to Thursday publication
. Thanks!
|
|
THIS SUNDAY
23rd Sunday After Pentecost
Stewardship Ingathering
Both Services
|
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Sunday School & Christian Ed
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist**
with the Epiphany Choir
READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY
** Nursery available 6 mos - 4 years
|
|
SUNDAY SCHOOL &
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
ALL AGES
Join us
this Sunday, November 17
9:30 a.m.
For information on
Adult Christian Ed classes,
Youth classes meet in the Undercroft.
Sunny's Kids (Pre-K - 5th grade) meet in the
Christian Education wing.
Nursery available for children 6 mos - 4 years
in the Christian Education wing.
|
|
THANKSGIVING DAY HOLY EUCHARIST
All are invited to attend a Eucharist of Thanksgiving at
10:00 a.m. on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, November 28. This service, a time of setting aside an hour to give thanks to God for all of the many blessings God has bestowed on us, is something that several parishioners have been requesting for a while and so, Father Tommy and I would like to start a
new tradition of holding a Eucharist on Thanksgiving morning. This will be a quiet service, without music, but with grateful hearts gathered around God’s table. It’s a wonderful way to start the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope to see you there.
Mother Liz+
|
|
MORNING PRAYER OFFERED BEGINNING DECEMBER 2
For centuries the break of day has been a time for prayer and meditation. Humans have understood that the dawning of a new day is filled with many hopes, promises and potentials. Therefore, it only seems natural to begin the day by joining our voices with the Psalmist by saying; “Create in me an open and living heart, O God, and renew a steadfast and longing spirit within me” (51:11). This idea is also woven into the Episcopal Tradition with the Latin phrase lex orandi lex credendi, (loosely translated; the way we pray determines the way we believe). That is why there is a section in our Book of Common Prayer set aside for Morning Prayer. Because the practice of prayer and meditation is so important in the Episcopal Tradition and to me, I will be offering an opportunity to gather together to pray Morning Prayer at St. Matthew’s.
Beginning Monday, December 2nd, Morning Prayer will be offered Monday through Thursday starting at 7:30 am. in the sanctuary. Morning Prayer is a beautiful worship service that can be led by anyone and takes less than 30 minutes. If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please contact me--or just show up.
Grace & Peace,
Fr. Tommy
|
|
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Flowers adorning St. Matthew’s sacred spaces for Christmas services are made possible by your generous donations.
To donate toward our flowers and ensure proper recognition in the Christmas Eve bulletin, fill in the form in the Sunday bulletin and drop it in the offering plate or basket provided in the Narthex, by December 15. Please make a check payable to St. Matthew’s for $12.00 and mark it for Christmas Flowers. You may also pay for Christmas flowers online by choosing Christmas Flowers from the drop down menu in your Giving section on Realm; however,
please be sure to complete the memorial/gifts form in the bulletin as well. Please note, names received after December 15 may not be printed in the bulletin.
|
|
Calling all angels, shepherds, sheep, Magi, and Innkeepers!
We are seeking any children pre-K through 5th grade who are interested in participating in St. Matthew’s Christmas Pageant. The Christmas Pageant will be at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24th at the Christmas Eve Family Service. There will be a rehearsal / orientation in the parish hall
THIS SUNDAY, November 17th after the 10:30 am service to go over the parts and positions for the Pageant. This rehearsal / orientation will be approximately 30 minutes. There will be additional rehearsals on Sundays, December 8th, 15th & 22nd after the 10:30 a.m. service, and will be approximately 30 to 45 minutes in length. If you have any questions, please
contact me or
Liz Livermont.
Grace & Peace,
Fr. Tommy
|
|
PLEDGING ONLINE THROUGH REALM
You can set up your 2020 pledge on Realm! Log into Realm; choose
Giving from the left side of the page; Click on
Pledge & fill out the form with amount and schedule; Choose
"Pledge Jan 1, 2020 - Dec 31 2020" from the drop down menu. Complete the form and choose
Save Pledge.
Please note,
once you have pledged for 2020 that option will no longer appear in your online choices in the future. If you need to change your pledge at any time, please contact
Mark Allen.
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
).
|
|
The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord; * and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest thine hand, * and fillest all things living with plenteousness.
Ps 145:15-16
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Luke 6:38
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
|
|
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)
|
|
ACOLYTE TRAINING WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 16
The Acolyte Ministry will hold a training session from
10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. THIS Saturday, Nov. 16,
in the church fellowship hall to prepare for the Advent and Christmas seasons.
We will be preparing for Advent and Christmas seasons, updating robing sizes for everyone and taking photographs for the Acolyte bulletin board. We need 1-2 volunteers to assist. Kindly let me know if you can help.
Acolytes play a vital role in our worship service. The workshop is a chance to sharpen acolyte skills and etiquette. The workshop will also be a time to measure for albs (robes) and update contact information.
Attendance is strongly encouraged as we plan for new processes and services during the Christmas season. Kindly RSVP by email to
dockjones@gmail.com
or
by text or voice to 404-217-8172.
|
|
THANKSGIVING POTLUCK FEAST
Sunday, November 24
12:30 p.m. (after the 10:30 service)
Bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share.
Please sign up
on the main bulletin board
in the hallway:
hot/cold sides, salads, desserts
Meats and beverages will be provided.
|
|
Guy's Night Out -- TRIVIA!
Play TRIVIA with a great group of guys! This group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month. They meet at McCray’s Tavern in Lawrenceville on the first Wednesday, and at Mellow Mushroom in Snellville on the third Wednesday, each at 7:00 p.m.
Mellow Mushroom is located at 2000 Main Street E, Snellville, GA 30078
Next meeting Nov 20
McCray's Tavern is located at 100 N. Perry St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Next meeting:Dec 4
|
|
Youth Group 2020 Calendar Sale
The Youth Group will be selling 2020 calendars between the services and after the 10:30 service to raise funds to install a Peace Pole in the Youth garden. The cost will be $10/calendar or $25 for 3 calendars.
A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. It is estimated that there are over 250,000 Peace Poles world-wide - they are found in every country in the world dedicated as monuments to peace.
If there are enough funds remaining, then the Youth wants to gift a second Peace Pole to another church, synagogue, mosque in our community as an outreach project.
|
|
GLIMMERS OF HOPE
Once again the
Southeast Gwinnett Food Co-Op is offering gift cards as their Christmas assistance program to eligible clients who have minor children living in their household. This small offering will help the heads of house–holds care for their children’s needs and remind them that they have friends walking alongside of them. You can make a donation in the form of a
$25 gift card from Kroger, Target or Walmart. A gift card tag board will be in the Narthex. Gift cards should be placed in the collection container in the church office, or given to Cheryl Wheeler, Greg Andrews or Dotty Merrifield.
All donations must be submitted by Sunday December 1st.
|
|
Knit, Crochet and Pray:
Winter Warmth for Rosebud Reservation
Rosebud is a reservation in Mission, South Dakota for Lakota Native Americans. Nancee Cekuta, formerly a member of St. Matthew’s (and now the rector at St. Bartholomew’s in North Augusta, SC), did a summer internship at Rosebud as part of her postulancy to the priesthood at that time and found great need in the Native American community there due to exceedingly cold temperatures in winter. As a result,
St. Matthew’s Knit, Crochet, and Pray Ministry and the parish at large began sending hats, scarves, gloves or mittens each year to the children (ages 4-18 years) living on the reservation who have to wait for school buses in the brutal cold. We mailed one shipment in September (25 sets) and hope to get another to them in November.
What you can do to contribute:
1. Knit or crochet the above items and place them in the labeled basket in the old narthex (parish hall entryway).
2. Purchase the items and put them in the basket.
3. Donate money designated for Rosebud.
4. Get in touch with Beth DiGiovanni at 678 227 8131.
Let’s share our Thanksgiving blessings and Christmas joy with these sweet children. Any help is greatly needed and appreciated.
|
|
Give a gift with lasting impact this holiday season with Episcopal Relief & Development's
Gifts For Life Catalog
To read more about this opportunity for giving,
click here
.
|
|
THE RUTH CHAPTER OF ST. MATTHEW’S Daughters of the King (DOK)
is planning a study in preparation to become a Daughter. At this time we are projecting January 2020 for those who feel so called. It will also be open to those Daughters seeking renewal. The DOK is a group of women dedicated to Prayer, Service, and Evangelism. If you would like to know more about DOK, 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:
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. We especially need servers for the 8:00 a.m. service. See
Greg Andrews about training/licensing for these rewarding ministries.
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. Breakfast doesn't have to be elaborate, For more information, contact
Nancy Drury
|
|
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.
|
|
POLICE BIRTHDAYS
Please keep the following
Snellville Police officers in your prayers as they celebrate birthdays in November:
- Communications Brian Howard, November 7
- Officer David Nguyen, November 7
- Communications Officer Barbara Ratcliff, November 7
- Officer Scott Hermel, November 11
- Lt. David Matson, November 14
- Communications Lisa Maddox, November 21
- Officer Neal Carter, November 24
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)
|
|
--- YOUTH GROUP NEWS ---
BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO YOUTH GROUP!
This Sunday, Nov. 17th the Youth will be participating in their Annual
Turkey Hunt. Please arrive promptly at 5:00 pm.
Parents, if you are interested and able to drive / chaperone for the Turkey Hunt please contact Holly Bond, Mara Di Giovanni or Fr. Tommy.
Up-Coming Youth Events:
Sunday, Nov. 24th – No Youth Group – Enjoy a Grace-filled Thanksgiving
Sunday, Dec. 1st – Annual Blue Gnu Mall Trip
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,
|
|
Revive ATL
: Love In Action
|
|
You, your neighbor, and congregation are invited to
ReviveATL: Love in Action
, an Episcopal Revival of the Diocese of Atlanta. The Planning Team is in the process of finalizing the venue, and we need all participants registered by November 24.
Register while there are still seats. To view an invitation from Presiding Bishop Curry,
click here
.
Join Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry, the Royal Wedding Preacher, and Bishop Robert C. Wright of the Diocese of Atlanta, and Episcopalians, friends, and seekers who are following the call to open their hearts, minds, and doors to the concerns of our state and country.
|
|
Please note:
The church office will close at 12 noon on Wednesday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday, and be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28 & 29. It will reopen on Monday, December 2.
|
|
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?
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 from the drop-down menu.
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
).
You can set up your 2020 pledge on Realm! Log into Realm; choose Giving from the left side of the page; Click on Pledge & fill out amount; Choose "Pledge Jan 1, 2020 - Dec 31 2020" from the drop down menu. Complete the form and choose Save Pledge.
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:
November 16 -- Acolyte Training
at 10:00 a.m.
November 17
--
Stewardship Ingathering
at both services
November 22 & 23 -- Diocesan Council
November 24 -- Thanksgiving Pot Luck Dinner
after the 10:30 a.m. service
December 1
--
First Sunday in Advent
|
|
Events and Serving Schedules
|
|
St.Matthew's Episcopal Church | Ph 770-979-4210 | admin@stmatthewssnellville.org | www.itsthepeople.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
