This Week At St. Matthew's
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Christ the King Sunday
Last Sunday after Pentecost
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Wishing you and yours a happy and safe Thanksgiving week! Please note that the church office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26-27 for the holiday. |
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Thirty Days of Thanks, November 1-30, 2020
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God. (Heb 12:28).
Thirty Days of Thanks allows us to move from those events around us over which we have little or no control, to a place of realizing and trusting that God IS in control!
How are you marking these Thirty Days of Thanks? Here's just a few things that you all have shared on Facebook 30 Days of Thanks about what or who you are thankful for so far:
**Cuddles with my pups; Serving lunch at Habitat Faith Build with Gregory Andrews; Two 4 year old twins gave me a morning hug; Seeing my persimmon tree full of fruit; Getting to have full communion; My 80 lb dog acting like a puppy and crawling into my lap; Desert Honey; Spanish bean soup; My grandmother’s pies and my mom’s cakes; I will get to see my daughter at Christmas. It’s been a year.;
**Thankful for being able to maintain my strength so I can do the things that I do for my home, garden, and my family; I’m thankful for my sense of humor; I am thankful for my heart! I know it is always in the right place (physically and spiritually);
**Thankful I've learned: How to stand up for myself; When to speak and when to keep silent; Basic life skills that allow me to take care of myself, such as, feeding myself etc.; Grammar, spelling, and punctuation; Reading would be the biggest.
Watch our Facebook page for daily scripture verses about giving thanks (see FB Album: 30 Days of Thanks), and spend a few moments each day reflecting on how God is working in your life. We hope you will share some of your own thanksgivings for God's blessings along the way, either on Facebook or in: conversations with others. Giving thanks in small things can give us a new perspective on God's abundant goodness, even in difficult times.
COMING IN DECEMBER: Thirty Days of Hope
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Musings, November 20, 2020
The temperature this morning when I got up was 32 degrees – there was frost on the grass. The seasonal change that moves us from summer to fall has made itself known. Next week is Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after is the start of Advent. I wasn’t tracking on this, so at the beginning of this week, realizing where I was in the liturgical calendar caught me by surprise. Days seem to side one into another without much differentiation when you are pretty much confined to home.
I say that because it’s easy to think that what is happening around us is a never-ending series of events out of our control. However, we are an Advent people. We do our best to cope with the challenges around us, while all the time looking forward in hope. And with Thanksgiving coming up next Thursday, for me it is a good time to pause for a minute, make a cup of tea, sit in the living room in front of the warm fire, and reflect on where I have found blessing this year. I am not going to share a list, but I would encourage you to find your own comfortable space, either at home or outside, and take time to think of the blessings that have occurred to you this year. Focusing on blessings reminds me that events causing me angst may not be in my control, but they are in God’s control. What I have control over is the way I respond. When I choose to set aside time to reflect on my blessings, it confirms in my spirit that God is fully present in all that we experience. John’s Gospel put it best: “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it” (John 1:5). I hope and pray you are able to set aside time to really think about all of the ways you have been blessed this year, and then to thank the Source of all blessing for that which sustains us, even now.
I also encourage you to find the story of the first Thanksgiving on-line and realize how extraordinarily difficult things were for those first pilgrims. And yet, they persevered. They had help from native peoples. Many pilgrims died. But they didn’t give up. And they took time to thank God for helping them not only survive, but begin to thrive. I hope you have the chance to discuss the story around your Thanksgiving table with your children, or perhaps on a Zoom call with family who cannot be with you this year. I pray your conversations will reinforce your belief in God’s presence, God’s abundance and God’s never-ending love, and that with that knowledge, you might look forward, in faith and hope, to the coming Light that will fulfill God’s promise next month. Happy Thanksgiving. Liz+
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR ALL AGES |
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Last Sunday After Pentecost
Christ the King Sunday
This Sunday, November 22
TWO SERVICES
8:00 a.m.
Zoom Holy Eucharist: ++
Join Early Sunday a.m. Zoom Service:
and
10:45 a.m.
Outdoor Holy Eucharist
Livestreamed Video Service
Go to the Sunday 10:45 a.m. Online service:++
Sunday Worship Live Stream (best option)
or find the service on
for both services
** problems with Facebook video streaming have caused frequent interruption on our Facebook page. Go to the Sunday Worship Live Stream on our website if you have issues.
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++Drive-thru Communion will be available after both the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services, from 9 – 9:45 a.m. and from 12 – 12:45 p.m. The host will be given without the need to leave your vehicle.
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Next Bible Study Thursday, Dec 3 |
Next Cafѐ Theology Saturdays
Nov 21, Dec 5 & 19
10:30 a.m.
Passcode 769582
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YOUTH GROUP will meet ONLINE this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. All youth of the parish ages 6th through 12th grades are encouraged to attend, this fun fellowship event. For more information, please contact Fr. Tommy .
Meeting ID 927 9585 6469
Passcode: 311504
Come find out the results of the virtual scavenger turkey hunt** this Sunday!
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**YOUTH GROUP --The Virtual Turkey Challenge (in past years known as the Great Turkey Hunt) has begun! It is a delightful and creative scavenger hunt in which the youth and their families are asked to take pictures of a turkey in various scenes and/or scenarios while at home and staying safe--points for creativity! Join us online this Sunday, November 22nd for the results. Contact Fr. Tommy or Mara DiGiovanni for details--but hurry! Event closes Saturday at 4:00 p.m.!
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Worship Changes for Advent
With the increased unpredictability of the weather, we have decided to move the 10:45am worship service into the sanctuary, effective November 29, which is Advent 1. The service will be live-streamed from the sanctuary. The service for 8am will continue to be from the chapel via Zoom.
We are also modifying our weekday services. Effective November 29 (1 Advent), our weekday worship will occur Tuesday and Thursday at 8am, and Wednesday (healing service) at 10am.
We are deeply grateful for all of you who have taken advantage of the services we are able to offer and have shared how meaningful they are during this time of isolation. Our prayer is that God will continue to bless you by what we are able to offer with today’s technology.
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It's Coming!--Advent At St. Matthew's |
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Advent: 30 Days of Hope
Make an Advent Wreath at Home
All are invited to make an Advent wreath that you can light on Sundays during the service and/or during the week as you gather for family devotions or attend the on-line services.
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Instructions for making an Advent wreath can be found here.
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Scriptures for the lighting of the wreath and suggestions for prayers can be found here.
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The meaning, history and symbolism of each candle can be found here.
Also check out:
Insert a card in each day's pocket in this or another calendar. The calendar structure doesn't have to be elaborate--you and/or your children can use poster board, construction paper & glue or tape, and markers to construct, decorate and label the calendar, and insert slips of paper or index cards in each date pocket with a suggestion for a family activity. These suggestions should be simple -- doing something thoughtful as a family for someone you know or for one another during Advent; or doing activities such as baking and delivering Christmas cookies to police or firefighters, neighbors, etc., to keep the focus on giving to others during the season. Secret kindnesses are especially fun (make your sibling's bed without them knowing it's you, etc.)
Outreach In Advent -- A Reverse Advent Calendar
A Reverse Advent Calendar focuses on the spirit of giving by placing donations in a box throughout the month as Christmas draws near.
Thursday With the Text
As a special Advent study, the bible study on Thursday evenings will explore the women in Luke’s narrative of the birth of Jesus: Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-45; 57-61), Mary (Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-35), and Anna (Luke 2:36-38). These women, especially Elizabeth and Mary, had to manage through what would be considered extremely controversial events happening in their lives. How did they cope with this? What kept their faith strong enough to withstand criticism and possibly judgment? With Anna, what was the life of a widow in 1st century Jerusalem? How did she demonstrate her faith in the promise of a Messiah? All are invited to bring their bibles and join us for some lively discussion on December 3, 10 and 17th, from 7-8pm, on Zoom (see above link for Zoom info).
Café Theology
In December, Café Theology will finish its study of Ann Lamott’s book, “Almost Everything: Notes on Hope”. Stay tuned to the Messenger to see what the new year will bring!
Adult Formation – For the season of Advent, Adult Formation will return to the Way of Love curriculum; Journeying the Way of Love: Advent Curriculum. The sessions explore the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke as we anticipate the coming of Christ. Luke’s gospel provides a pattern for understanding how we can live the Way of Love as individuals, as families and friends, as a community, and out in the world. Sessions are December 6th, 13th & 20th.
Drive-Thru Nativity – December 20th @ 4 pm – Experience the story of Christmas from the comfort of your car. A drive-thru nativity is a live nativity experience with actors and “animals” and all the sights and sounds of the birth of Jesus, but you drive past while practicing safe protocols.
If you and your family are interested in participating in the Drive-Thru Nativity please contact Liz Livermont or Fr. Tommy.
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Matthew's Crate -- Reverse Advent Calendar
During our 31 Days of Hope in December, the Outreach Committee invites you to participate in a project aimed at bringing the hope of Christmas to our neighbors in need.
While traditional Advent Calendars reveal a small surprise in the days leading up to Christmas, a Reverse Advent Calendar focuses on the spirit of giving by placing donations in a box throughout the month as Christmas draws near. It's a simple daily reminder that we are sharing God's greatest love with those around us.
A printable calendar and instructions can be found HERE.
Feel free to share photos of your Matthew's Crate on Facebook and Instagram throughout Advent.
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Please don't hesitate to contact either Mother Liz or Fr. Tommy
if you or your family have need of assistance or counsel.
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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)
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Birthdays and Anniversaries This Week
11/22 - 11/28
Birthdays: Lisa King, Cynthia Newton, Ernest Thomas, Clay Whitehead, Debbie Inman, Chuck Conway, Pat Kohler, etty Medlin, Robert Paulding, Mina Wilson
Anniversaries: None this week
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Monday Morning Walking Group November 23 at 8:00 a.m.
The Monday Morning Walking Group will meet at Harbins Park 2995 Luke Edwards Rd, Dacula, GA 30019. All are invited.
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Thank You Thank You!
Big Thank Yous to all the gardening angels who came out to help us last Saturday: Greg Andrews, Dennis Doane, Judith Kimsey, Cecelia Billingsley and Cub Scout Troop 553. We spread the mulch in the garden beds on the undercroft side of the church, and it looks great and ready for colder weather. Additional notes of gratitude for Judith, Cecelia and Warren Drury who were my gardening angels through the summer and fall. Special thanks also to our mulch donor.
Janis Williams
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Financial Giving in REALM
stmatthewssnellville.org/give or
Text Stmattsnell to 73256
Or, give through your Realm account by logging into Realm and choose Giving.
Or, 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 have trouble logging into Realm, please contact Susan Carson.
Please mail donations made by check to St. Matthew's, 1520 Oak Rd. Snellville, GA, 30078. DO NOT MAIL CASH.
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St. Matthew's Episcopal Church | Ph 770-979-4210 | admin@stmatthewssnellville.org | www.itsthepeople.org
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