Palm/Passion Sunday April 1
Maundy Thursday Worship April 5 (7:30 p.m.)
Prayer Vigil April 6-7
Friday 8 – 10 p.m.
Saturday 6 – 9 p.m.
Good Friday Worship April 6 (7:30 p.m.)
Easter Celebration April 8
Sunrise Communion — 6:30 a.m.
Breakfast — 7:15 a.m.
Worship — 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

See Holy Week Service descriptions below:

Palm Sunday, April 1 Worship 8:30 and 11 a.m.

This special worship service will embody the sharp contrasts of Holy Week. In the Entrance with the Palms, we will experience the joyous demonstration of loyalty to Jesus as he enters Jerusalem. As we experience God’s
Word through dramatic word and symbol, we confront and respond to the story of Jesus’ passion. The passion narratives in scripture are highly unified and dramatic, and it is powerful to experience the story in its wholeness before we refl ect at greater length on its various parts during Holy Week. Communion will be served.

Holy Week Meditation Stations, April 2 – 6

During Holy Week, we will have several meditation
stations set up in the sanctuary that will allow you to refl ect on different stages of Jesus’ suffering as he
prepared for the crucifi xion and resurrection. We invite you to stop in as many times during the week as you would like in order to prepare for Easter. The sanctuary will be open as long as the church is open and the meditation stations are self-directed. For more information, contact Jen McClurg in the main offi ce or by email at jenmcclurg@gmail.com.

Maundy Thursday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m.

“Maundy” Thursday, from the Latin mandatum novum (“new commandment”), focuses on the institution of the Lord’s Supper and on the commandment in John 13 in which Jesus, after washing the disciples’ feet, tells them to “do as I have done to you.” Worship will provide an opportunity for us to respond to these commandments through washing one another’s hands and sharing, at the prayer rail, in the sacrament of Holy Communion. The Chancel Choir will share special music for the occasion.

Good Friday Service, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The centerpiece of this year’s Good Friday service is a short musical dialogue entitled Saturday 29 AD, by American author and composer Mark Schweizer. The piece is based on the verse of Matthew’s Gospel where Pilate’s wife tells him she has had a dream about Jesus (Mt. 27:19). Scored for soprano, baritone, choir and piano, it is a meditation on the themes of duty and order, sacrifice and salvation, love and redemption. Of course the service will also include Scripture, congregational hymns, readings and prayers. Please join us for this very special service.

Prayer Vigil April 6/7

The ancient tradition of the church is to keep vigil at the tomb of Jesus from Good Friday night through Easter morning.  Our Sanctuary will be open for prayer for two hours immediately following the Good Friday service.  The front doors will be locked after the two hour period, but if you would like to stay later for meditation and prayer you are welcome to do so.  All are invited and encouraged to spend significant time in prayer throughout Friday night and Saturday in your homes or wherever you may be.  On Saturday evening, April 7, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., the doors will be open and the Sanctuary will again be available for prayer.  All are invited to come and pray.

Easter, April 8, at 6:30,8:30 and 11 a.m.

An Easter breakfast will be served in Fellowship Hall following the 6:30 a.m.
service. Music at the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services will be provided by the Chancel Choir. Children’s church school will be held as usual at 9:45 a.m. Communion will be served at all three services.

Membership in St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is open to those who wish to join with other Christians in the worship of God, to be a part of a supportive and ministering fellowship, and to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

You may unite with St. Matthew’s through Profession of Faith, transfer from another United Methodist Church, or transfer from another denomination. All new and potential members are asked to attend membership classes designed to share insights about one’s faith journey.

Join Rev. Ginger for a PASTOR’S COFFEE on Sunday, April 15th (9:45-10:45)!
This event, provided both for newcomers to St. Matthew’s as well as for anyone else who is interested, will be an opportunity for you to learn about our United Methodist heritage, how God is working in and through the people of St. Matthew’s, and  how you can participate in our vision to be an inclusive congregation who shares the love of Christ and makes a difference in the world by taking the next step along the path as a follower of Jesus Christ. At the Pastor’s Coffee you will be invited to sign up for a six-week course on discipleship in the Wesleyan tradition that will be held on six consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm. This is the new format for our Exploring Covenant (New Members) Class. Participant Workbooks for this course will be available for $10 and the first Tuesday class will occur on April 17th.

PASTOR’S COFFEE
WHO: Seekers, newcomers, and all who are curious
WHAT: A session on discipleship in the United Methodist tradition AND an intro to the new Exploring Covenant course.
WHEN: The Pastor’s Coffee will be held from 9:45-10:45 on Sunday, April 15th.

The Exploring Covenant (New Members) Class will be held on Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm from April 17th through May 22nd. WHERE: All sessions will be held in the church parlor.

WHY: To deepen your discipleship of Jesus Christ!

St. Matthew’s Musical Theatre Troupe Presents Curtains

14900 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715 (301) 262-1408

March 16th, 17th, and 18th, and 23rd and 25th, 2012

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets $5.00 in advance, $7.00 at the door – on sale through the Church NOW

Call (301) 262-1408 or email tickets@stmatthews-bowie.org for reservations and info

Curtains is a musical with a book by Rupert Holmes, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander, with additional lyrics by Kander and Holmes.

Based on the original book and concept by Peter Stone, it is send-up of backstage murder mystery plots – something like Agatha Christie with songs. Set in Boston, Massachusetts. The story follows the fallout when the supremely untalented star of the “musical” ‘Robbin’ Hood of the Old West’ is murdered during her opening night curtain call. It is up to a police detective who moonlights as a musical theater fan to save the show, solve the case, and maybe even find love before the show reopens, without getting killed himself.

A fun time to be had by all.

LENTEN SCRIPTURE STUDY

Hosanna invites you to explore the main texts in all four Gospels and in Paul’s writings that deal specifically with the last week of Jesus’ life and with the resurrection.

Every one of the four Gospel writers has a reason for writing. Each wants his audience to come to see who Jesus Christ is and what God is doing in and through him.
For this study, Paul is also crucial. He is the first of the New Testament writers to mention the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. All of his work predates any of the four Gospels. Paul is the only writer that we know for certain was a witness of the resurrected Christ so he has a special place in the discussion of Holy Week and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We invite you to listen and respond to five stories of the One Story, over five sessions.  Join us on this spiritual journey through Holy Week:

• From Paul’s Perspective
• Holy Week Begins!
• Thursday Night
• Friday
• From Death to New Life

Kerygma:

• Does not assume any previous knowledge of Scripture
• Does not put anyone on the spot
• Has no tests or quizzes
• Is a good place to meet people

Tuesdays,  Feb 28-March 27

9-10:30 am  OR 7:00-8:30 pm … identical classes, come to either one

Study written and led by Rev. Carol Miller

Sign up on reverse side

TAKE THE CHALLENGE TO GROW!