Today:  February 19, 2012

8:30 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
9:30 a.m. UMW Book & Jewelry Sale (after each service) Fellowship Hall
9:45 a.m. Sunday School all ages Various
9:45 a.m. Parenting Class Room 106
9:45 a.m. Lenten Study:  Ways to Pray Class Room 113
11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Room 124
11:00 a.m. Youth Choir Fellowship Hall
11:30 a.m. Children’s Church Room 126
1:00 p.m. Confirmation Class will go on a field trip to Baltimore
5:00 p.m. Esther Circle Room 102
5:00 p.m. SHELTER MEAL
6:30 p.m. Middle and High School UMYF Sanctuary

UMW Dinner Dance and Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper tickets on sale after each service by Fellowship Hall

This Week: February 20 – February 25

Monday CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING CLOSED FOR PRESIDENT’S DAY
Koinonia Circle – Contact Lisa Klein for time and place

6:30 p.m. Gloria Ringers Room 124

Tuesday 9:45 a.m. Pastor’s Bible Study & 11:00 a.m. Angel Gang Room 126
5:00 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. Housing Corporation Room 123

Wednesday 9:00 a.m. UMM Breakfast at Rips in Bowie

10:30 a.m. Bible Study for Health Room 126

1:00 p.m. Knit Wits Room 126

7:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship Service Sanctuary

7:00 p.m. History Committee at the home of Kay League

7:00 p.m. Musical Troupe Rehearsals Fellowship Hall

Thursday 2:30 p.m. Crochet-O-Rama Room 126

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir & 8:30 p.m. SpiritMove Room 124

Friday 7:00 p.m. Musical Troupe Rehearsals Fellowship Hall

7:00 p.m. UMW Dinner/Dance at Crofton Country Club

Saturday 9:30 a.m. Musical Troupe Rehearsals Fellowship Hall

Mark Your Calendars!

Sunday, Feb. 26 9:30 a.m. UMW Book and Jewelry Sale Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, Feb. 29 6:00 p.m. Soup & Salad Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, Feb. 29 7:00 p.m. Lenten Worship Sanctuary
Friday, March 2 5:30 p.m. EEC Dinner and a Movie Fellowship Hall
Friday, March 2 9:45 a.m. World Day of Prayer Worship Service Sanctuary

Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S

Sunday, February 19, 2012

We offer the following assistance:  a hearing loop (“T” position); large print hymnals (available in back of sanctuary); Infant Nursery (Room 116) and Nursery (Room 109); Children’s Bulletins and crayons (available at center doors to sanctuary)

Join the St. Matthew’s Family

If you are living in this area and do not have a local church home, we invite you to join us.  Our pastor will be happy to talk with you, or you may indicate your interest in joining the next Exploring Covenant (membership) class either by marking the attendance register (“wish to join”) or calling the church office, 301-262-1408.

Today’s Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in honor of the baptism of Owen Wallace Groff from the Groff and Ivins family.

Our Prayers*
When adding names to our prayer list, please specify whether you want them for one or two weeks:   John Still, Millie Hobbs, Emily Long, Sandy & Richard Hill, Nancy Perry, Lurene Chen, Megan Riley Keppler, Christina Schuliger, Rose & Ugo Gervasio, Bibi Haynes, Suzanne Davis, John Skotz, Wendy Hein, Betty High, Mark Tipton & family, George Pullicino & family, Stanley Goldstein, Jonathan Smock, Brett, Ruth Clark, Michael E., Darlene & Sam Jones, Carol Miller, Heidi Shultz, Ronnie Dicken, Melissa & Reginald Arnold, Frank Lane, Mike B., Eric, Kim Hutton,   Tristen Dawson, David & Jody Rudd, Kelsie, Rena Silbert, Eric Granahan & family, Danielle, Lesley Cogan, Steve & Sally Dale, Verlinda Heppler, James Blevins, Duncan Scott,  Mary Dell Wickham, Mary McClurg,  Mary Novicke, Rosemary Whitson, Robert & Phyllis McNeill, Kress family, Beverly Westcott, Dave Kimmel, Christy Streetman, Dorothy & Jack Whalen, Dwaine & Lori Kronsor, Mary Hearn, Jason Webb, Laurie Clark, Bob King, Ilana Rothberg, Harold Jennings, Joyce Taylor, James Goddard, Ava DelRicco, Sara Ward, Wendy Waller, Chad Esh, Charlotte Seigler, Daniel Broxterman, Richard Conner, Carl Pekala, Zeki & Dee Dee, Reynolds family, Ann Nitsch & family, Tracy Bowman, Ray Strawser & family, Bill Schneider, Arjay Sexton, Ruth Kominicki, Jane Miller, Ann Fauconnet, Stanley A. Jacknewitz, Carol Galden, Dr. Carol Pressey, Carol Vogel, Lew and Jane Dodd, Ursula and David Unnewehr, Betty Miles, Ann Moyer, Priscilla Foote, Sharon Etridge, Trevor Lazarus, John Meadows, Rzepka family, Randy, Lizel Salmon, Kathy Tracy, Debbie Parsons & family, M.B., Ron Defore, Shirley Dumas.

Denotes Military

Sunday Servant Leaders (Sign-up to serve at the “Tower of Opportunity” in the narthex)

Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth

Lenten Study:  Ways to Pray STARTS TODAY – Explore different ways to pray using basic practices of Christian spiritual formation such as prayer, meditating on the Lectionary Scriptures, journaling and soulful listening.  Each week in class, learn and practice a different way to pray.  Come nurture your relationship with God and grow in your faith and discipleship.  Rev. Kathy Wadsley will lead this six week study, starting TODAY, at 9:45 a.m., in Room 113, and ending on Sunday, April 1.  The class will NOT meet on March 11.  Bring your Bible.  All are welcome.

Thanks to everyone who helped the Children and Families Council with the Family Valentine’s Party last Sunday.  A special thanks to all the church school children who made Valentine cards for the residents at Heartfields Assisted Living in Bowie.

Children’s Church – Volunteers needed during the 11:00 service each week except for Communion Sundays.  Parents whose children participate in Children’s Church as well as all church members are encouraged to volunteer.  Contact Rev. Kathy for more information or sign up at the Tower of Opportunity in the narthex.

Mission and Service

Bowie Food Pantry – TODAY is St. Matthew’s designated collection day for the Bowie Food Pantry.  However, drop-offs can be made at anytime to the shopping cart which is located in our coat room.  Please bring all non-perishable items to the coat room and place in the grocery cart. Your faithful support of the Food Pantry is greatly appreciated.  As always, monetary donations are welcome – write your check to St. Matthew’s UMC and put “Food Pantry” on the memo line.

Telling St. Matthew’s Story

Coming to a Fine Dining Establishment Near You – Next time you go to a local restaurant look to see if they have the Coffee News.  It’s the little free newspaper you get at restaurants to read while you wait for your food.  Starting March 1, St. Matthew’s events will be featured there on a continuing basis.  It covers Bowie, Crofton and Glendale.  It means that more people will find out about our awesome church and the activities we do.  It is updated weekly.  If you want to get into the submission calendar, contact George Wood at georgewood@stmatthews-bowie.org.

Congregational Life

Youth News – Both UMYF groups will meet at 6:30 tonight.  Middle school will continue planning for the worship service and high school will have play practice.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is THIS Tuesday, February 21, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., in Fellowship Hall.  Tickets are available after both services today or at the door on Tuesday.  Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children.  (Children 2 and under are free).  All proceeds will help send our youth on their ASP mission trip this summer.
Annual Used Book Sale – TODAY, and NEXT Sunday, February 26, in Fellowship Hall after each service.  Proceeds from the book sale will support various mission projects.  Thank you for your continued support of this project.

Fabulous Used Jewelry Sale will be TODAY after each service in Fellowship Hall.  All items will sell for $3.00 and will help to defray printing costs of our 2013 50th Anniversary Memorial Book.

“Black and White Society Ball” – LAST CHANCE FOR TICKETS IS TODAY! St. Matthew’s Dinner/Dance Social returns THIS Friday, February 24, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m., at the Crofton Country Club.  Tickets are $50 per person and will be sold after both services by Fellowship Hall.  For additional information contact Karen Hastings at 301-464-6961.

Opportunities for Leadership Development and Church-Building Skills

Offered by the Baltimore-Washington Conference

Attention:  The United Methodist Baltimore-Washington Conference offers many energizing opportunities to develop leadership and church-building skills.  We encourage all to consider attending the following workshops:

Leadership Day 2012 – The session will be held at Severna Park UMC on March 17 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  The cost for on-line registration is $35 ($40 for paper registration).  Morning and afternoon workshops are designed for anyone who wants to take a more active leadership role in the church.  Workshop topics include:  Staff Parish Relations Committee, Finance, Mentoring Youth, Reaching Young Adults, Church Council, Trustees, Small Group Formation, Small Membership Church, Sermon Series and Topical Preaching, Web Tools for Call to Action and Ministry Planning and Stewardship.  DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING IS MARCH 1.  Register at www.bwcumc.org/academy/asrleadership  if you are interested in participating.

Prodigal Workshop will take place on April 21 at Queen’s Chapel UMC in Beltsville from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Cost for this workshop is $89 and includes lunch.  DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MARCH 9.  There will be keynote speakers, workshops, and resources to help empower congregations to build more vibrant and engaging worship communities.  Workshop topics include:  Lectio Divina; Break Barriers and Build Bridges Through REAL Worship; Celebrating God – Children Worship; Build your Brand:  A Social Media Workshop; and Worship to Grow Your Church.  More information can be found at www.bwcumc.org/events/prodigalworship.  Anyone interested in how we at St. Matthew’s can have a greater impact on each other and the community is encouraged to attend these events.

Dawn Henry, Carl Long and Dave Monroe, Lay Leaders

DON’T FORGET to check the Tower of Opportunity for chances to sign-up to be readers, communion assistants, greeters, and nursery volunteers.

OFFICE REMINDER: If you wish to e-mail Sharon Heidenreich, our Office Administrator, please use the following e-mail:  sharon.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net.