WORSHIP

Sunday, May 21, 2023

8:30AM and 10AM | Worship with communion.

 (ONLINE STREAMING or In-Person)

Website for online streaming: stmatthewsrenton.org or direct link:

https://stmatthewsrenton.online.church

+ View 8:30AM Bulletin HERE!

+ Missed last weeks sermon? View it HERE! (timestamp 30:31)

A Celebration of Life for Dick Ford will be at St. Matthew's tomorrow, Saturday, May 20 at 12 Noon. Please join the family for a reception afterwards.

Sunday, 5/21

+ 8:30 AM and 10 AM | Worship with Communion

+ 11:15AM | Send - Off Potluck Gathering for Pastor Kacey (bring a salad or dessert to share)

+ No Fuss Fundraiser

Monday, 5/22

+ VBS Registration

+ 5:30 PM-7:30 PM | Free Drive Through Grocery Store (Volunteers needed from 1:00 PM-8:00 PM

Tuesday, 5/23

+ 5:30PM | Exploring the Heart Class

Thursday, 5/25

+ 1PM | Connections Bible Study (this Summer beginning June 8, Connections Study will continue every 2nd and 4th Thursday)

+ 2:30 - 4 PM | After School Program (Last day June 15, 2023)

Saturday, 5/27

+Youth Trip to Camp Casey

Sunday, 5/28

+ ONE Worship Service at 10AM | Pentecost Sunday

+ Monday, 5/29 | Church office Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

Pastor Kacey will be going on a Pastoral Renewal Sabbatical this summer for three months. Her last day at St. Matthew's will be May 26, 2023, and she will return on August 30, 2023. During her absence, St. Matthews Council and staff will provide excellent leadership, and there will be two pastors (Rev. Mary Lindberg, Rev. Judy Brennan) covering pastoral care, preaching, and administration. Pastor Kacey will not be available for calls, text messages, or emails during the sabbatical. If you have any questions, please email: connect@stmatthewsrenton.org or call 425.226.2420.

Please find Pastor Kacey's detailed note here. A letter will be mailed this next week. 

REST WELL SEND OFF & POTLUCK

FOR PASTOR KACEY

Sunday, May 21

Pastor Kacey will be leaving for Sabbatical at the end of May. The community are invited to wish her well on Sunday, May 21, as we offer her a sending blessing during both worship services, 8:30AM & 10AM. Join her for a casual reception gathering at 11:15AM in the Conference Center. Please bring a salad or dessert to share, sandwiches provided.

Sunday, May 28, ONE Worship at 10AM

PENTECOST Sunday - WEAR RED!

Join us on Sunday May 28, Pentecost Sunday, for ONE worship service at 10AM. Communion will be served.

OPEN MIND. OPEN BOOK CLUB

Summer Discussion: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Beginning Tuesday, July 25 at 7 pm in the Cozy Couch Room at St. Matthew's

"People have to take chances in order to do something extraordinary." - Priya Parker.

The St. Matthew's community is invited to an extraordinary summer book discussion on the Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. We will experience what it means to take a human-centered approach to meaningful and memorable experiences together. We will meet Tuesdays at 7 pm (July 25, Aug 1, 8, 15, 22) in the Comfy Couch Room at St, Matthew's. Come to one discussion, or come to them all! You do not have to keep up with the reading to attend. Our conversations will be grounded in the book "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters," During this time, we will also plan our own gathering for St. Matthew's on August 27 after the 10 am service. "For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Matthew 18:20

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Amanda Bedsaul at grifsaul@yahoo.com or Stephanie Kincaid at stephanie.kincaid@gmail.com. (This book discussion is hosted by the St. Matthew's Council and St. Matthew's Anti-Racism Team) 

NO FUSS FUNDRAISER

Through Sunday, May 21

This summer the youth will be adventuring on two different trips, Idaho Servant Adventures, a service trip the Silver Valley where we will work in community with under-resourced people, and Leadership LAB, an experiential learning for both students and adults to gain practical leadership skill for the church and greater world. 

During the month of May participants going on our 2023 Summer Trips will be holding the No-Fuss Fundraiser, and we invite you into our trips with us both prayerfully and with financial support—nothing is too big or too small. Each week participants will meet you in the Narthex and share about their excitements for the upcoming trips. Envelopes will be available for you to take, fill, and return. Donations may also be give to YOUTH SUMMER TRIPS online on our giving page: https://www.stmatthewsrenton.org/giving 

Please be sure to mark these with a note/memo for the fundraiser so that gifts can be appropriately given for these trips. 

And the NW Washington Synod has PRIDE!

We are proud to be a Reconciling in Christ synod and there are many opportunities for you and your church to join in and celebrate PRIDE this month.

Seattle PRIDE Parade - We will be marching in the Seattle PRIDE parade again on Sunday, June 25th. (St. Matthew's PRIDE PARADE information is below.)

Additional PRIDE Events Around the Synod – There are many different PRIDE events happening throughout June (and even July) across our Synod. For several of these events, there is a Lutheran contact identified -- find that info on our website!

ST. MATTHEW'S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY LUNCH

Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 11:45 AM (after 10 AM worship) 

Meet at Panera at the Landing 

St. Matthew's has a growing LGBTQ+ community, and it is time for us to gather and connect! Monica Rivera, Debbie Bathurst, and Liz Pearce will host an informal get-to-know-you lunch at Panera on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 11:45 AM. Grab some lunch or a cup of coffee, and St. Matthew's will cover the costs for dessert. If you have any questions or would like to attend but have a conflict, please get in touch with Monica and Debbie at rivbats@hotmail.com

PRIDE PARADE

Sunday, June 25

Following 10AM Worship

St. Matthew's will be celebrating Pride on Sunday, June 25! You are invited to make signs from 9:15 -10 AM and then carpool to the Parade after the 10 AM worship. There are NO restrictions this year for the parade, so invite your friends to join other RIC churches in the Seattle area. Please bring water, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and a heart filled with love! All ages and families are invited to participate! Questions, please email Chimene: lauts5@comcast.net or Kim: kim.browne@comcast.net. 

Sunday, June 11

10:00 AM Worship

St. Matthew's is excited to Celebrate the Class of 2023 at a Baccalaureate Service on Sunday, June 11 at 10:00 AM. There will be cake and refreshments following the service. 

Leading up to Baccalaureate, we love to highlight all the graduates! Please help us recognize your graduate by filling out this short form HERE.

VBS July 31-Aug. 4

8:30AM -11:30AM

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

In the depths of a colorful underground cave, is the beating heart of the hero community, the Hero Hotline Headquarters where everyone’s gifts are valued and every hero has a role to play. Each day at the Hero Hotline Headquarters, superheroes of all ages and abilities answer the call and join the Professor and veteran hero, Super Meer the Meerkat, to provide expert assistance and solutions to Hero Teams everywhere.

VBS Volunteers:

Headquarters needs your help! Assembling Super Sidekicks (aka: Volunteers) of all ages and abilities to answer the call to lead, play, and share God's love with the little Heroes in our community! Are you ready to answer the call to Hero Hotline? Sign-up Here: https://forms.gle/J9HtjZ9iecjTfqPKA

VBS Participants:

All are welcome to join us at Hero Hotline - where we will be called together to serve God by helping others. Our adventure takes place from 8:30am to 11:30am on Monday July 31 - Friday August 4. Are you ready to answer the call to Hero Hotline? 

Registration will begin for all young Heroes on Monday, May 15

Ages: Pre-K-5th Grade 

Cost: $25 per child 

Register your Hero by July 7 

Sign Up Here

Learn more by contacting Headquarters at vbs@stmatthewsrenton.org

EXPLORING THE HEART CLASS

CLASS DATES:

5/23, 6/6

5:30 PM

Justus D'Addario, a faithful member of the St. Matthew's community, is continuing, exploring the heart class, three more Tuesday's. He will lead discussions and spiritual practices grounded in embodied love. As a student of Sufism for over 20 years, he is excited to be in conversation with anyone who would like to learn and explore.

BIBLE STUDY + FELLOWSHIP

This Summer Every 2nd & 4th Thursday at 1 PM

DATES: June 8, 22 | July 13, 27 | August 10, 24



We will gather in person for conversation, cookies, and exploration of the Gospels. The Connections Study is at 1:00 PM.

The Northwest Washington Synod is excited to announce they are launching a Lay Ministry Formation process!

Why Lay Ministry?

What is Lay Ministry Formation?

Who might be interested?

Where can I find more information?

Upcoming detailed informational meetings will take place on two dates, May 31 & June 14. You can access the informational Zoom links here:

May 31

June 14

More detailed information is available here or email live@lutheransnw.org

+ For the family of Trudy Gohl as she passed away on 4/26. A Celebration of Life will be Friday, June 16 from 12-4PM at her daughter's home in Maple Valley. 21833 242nd Pl SE. Peace and comfort for the whole family.

+ For the family of Dick Ford. Dick passed away Thursday, 5/4. A Celebration of Life is scheduled on May 20, 12 Noon at St. Matthew's. Peace and comfort for the whole family.

+ For Hilario, Laura & Family

+ For Judy Porterfield's sister, Abby, diagnosed with breast cancer.

+ End of the year tests and exams for students.

+ For all teachers.

+ For parents and students going through transitions.

+ For someone's health diagnosis which is deeply challenging. Praying for answers for the future.

+ UMBUMWE organization. For it's growth and continued support of immigrant single mothers.

+ For Curt's health.

An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. Online giving options include Venmo, PayPal, and the church website: www.stmatthewsrenton.org/giving

St. Matthew’s is a passionate, imperfect community of Christ. We boldly affirm people of all cultures, ages, abilities, stories and experiences, skin tones, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. We trust in the ridiculous love of God that shows no partiality. When our unique identities are used to divide or hurt us, we are committed to reconciliation and healing, so that justice, racial equity, grace and inclusion continue to be our way of life.