Upcoming Events and Opportunities at St. Matthew’s (see printable version)

Ongoing:  Feed the hungry!  Contribute non-perishable food items to the Bowie Food Pantry;

End malaria!  make a donation through “Nothing But Nets;”

Care for the earth!—and support our EEC program—by bringing your recyclable paper to the yellow/green bin in the parking lot;

Support the EEC – by bringing in Box Tops for Education, Campbell’s Soup Labels for Education, used ink cartridges, and Capri Sun empty foil packs.

Today:  May 13, 2012

8:30 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Sunday School All ages Various
11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Room 124
11:00 a.m. Youth Choir Fellowship Hall

 

This Week: May 14 – May 19

Monday 6:30 p.m. Gloria Ringers Room 124
7:00 p.m. Evening Circle Room 102
7:00 p.m. Adult Class Teachers Room 125
7:30 p.m. Communications Committee Room 127
Tuesday 9:45 a.m. Pastor’s Bible Study & 11:00 a.m. Angel Gang Room 126
7:00 p.m. Exploring Covenant New Member’s Class Room 102
7:00 p.m. Housing Corporation Room 123
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. UMM Breakfast at Rips in Bowie

10:15 a.m. Bible Study for Health Room 126

7:00 p.m. Susanna Wesley Circle Contact Pat Bond

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

Saturday 9:00 a.m. Spring Into Service Various

 

Mark Your Calendars!

Sunday, May 20 DRT Open House after both services Various
Wednesday, June 6 6:30 p.m. COM Leaders Meeting Room 102
Sunday, June 10 12:30 p.m. Church Wide Picnic at Allen Pond in Bowie

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

 

 Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S

Sunday, May 13, 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 all mothers everywhere.

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, Megan Riley Keppler, Christina Schuliger, Rose & Ugo Gervasio, Bibi Haynes, John Skotz, Wendy Hein, Betty High, George Pullicino & family, Stanley Goldstein, Jonathan Smock, Brett, Michael E., Ronnie Dicken, Melissa & Reginald Arnold, Frank Lane, Tristen Dawson, David & Jody Rudd, Lesley Cogan, Steve & Sally Dale, Verlinda Heffler, Duncan Scott,  Mary Novicke, Beverly Westcott, Christy Streetman, Dorothy & Jack Whalen, Dwaine & Lori Kronser, Mary Hearn, Jason Webb, Bob King,  James Goddard, Ava DelRicco, Zeki & Dee Dee, Tracy Bowman, RJ Sexton, Lew & Jane Dodd, Ursula & David Unnewehr, Priscilla Foote, Randy, Lizel Salmon, Kathy Tracy, M.B., Ron & Shirley Dumas, Mark Lineberry, Conner Hedge, MM, Michael Kraus, Mark Bartalozie, Ann Cooper, Paulette Wood, Debi Shanahan, Mom Bellis, Larry & Sandy Rinck, Jerry Connolly, Christian Schott, Ingrid VanBlerk, Carole Vogel, Anderson family, Carter Bucciero, J.S., Karen Dyer, Cathy Stewart, Gail Grierson, Marianne Skarr, Jack & Kay Calloway, Dave Cute, Luda Unkenholz, Martha Rhoades-Spivey, Trevor Lazarus, Brooksann Epiceno, Ronnie & Cathy Tayman, Don Gaines, Ann Fauconnet, Mickey, Ainsworth family,  Chris Shephard, Dwight Purcell, M. Connolly,  Mary Dell Wickham, Aunt Laurie Clark, Guy Levee,  Dennis Conner, Keith Chadwick, Banchero family, Gayle Bivens, Edie Vasco, Charles Bowles, Wendy Waller, Paul Clarke, Trimeloni family, Matthew Wilson, Trisha Rzepka, Sutton family, Melvyn Goldsborough, Jim Brooks, Lisa Wilson, Chen family, Paul & Anna Nadler, David Hait, Karen Dyer, Hensler-Davis family, Tommy Hyland, Sailor family, Pat Eagen, Scott Lee, Lee Howard, Fisher family.
Denotes Military

 

We are saddened to announce the passing of Doris Fisher, mother of Steve, on Monday, April 30 in Holland, Michigan.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Fisher family at 11802 Drummond Ct., Bowie, MD, 20720.  A family service is planned in Michigan on May 20.

 

Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth

Adult Class Teachers – All teachers and interested leaders of adult classes and small groups are invited to attend the Adult Class planning meeting on May 14, 7:00 p.m., Room 125.

Children’s Service Project – The children’s church school classes are learning songs to sing during worship on June 10.  On Sunday, May 20, 4:00 p.m., the children will meet at Heartfields Assisted Living, 7600 Laurel Bowie Road in Bowie.  The residents enjoy seeing and hearing the children.  They will sing for about 15 minutes.  Parents will need to stay and join in greeting the residents after we sing.

Mission

WANTED:  Items for UMCOR Birthing and Layette Kits.  These kits will be assembled during the Spring into Service event on Saturday, May 19th.  There will be a donation box in the coat room for the following items:  Receiving blankets 30” – 32” square, Newborn Gown/Sleepers, Newborn Sweater/Hoodies that open in the front, and Newborn Onesies.  All items should be in NEW condition only.

What exactly is DRT?  Come to the DRT Open House and Tour, Sunday May 20, between and after services and find out!  Disaster Response Team leaders at 7 stations inside, outside and all around the church are eager to show, tell and demonstrate how they – and over 100 church volunteers on their teams – will be able to help you if an emergency or disaster should affect our church family.  Shelter, food, debris removal, house repair, transportation, health concerns, first aid, communication, emergency power, tools, evacuation slides, clothing, neighbors checking on neighbors – all these and more are topics this dedicated group has trained for and trained others to be prepared.  Come see how we serve you now and can in the future.  Get your questions answered!

Stewardship

“Spring Into Service!” – THIS Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m. here at St. Matthew’s.  See the insert in TODAY’S bulletin for more information.

Environmental Stewardship Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 23, 7:00 p.m., Room 126.  They will begin their discussion on “Discovering a Sense of Place.”  “To be rooted is perhaps the most important but least understood need of the human soul.” – Simone Weil.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  See you there!

Shout Out St. Matthew’s – We need you!!  Come join us at Bowiefest at Allen Pond on Saturday, June 2, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  We need people at our booth to hand out information about St. Matthew’s, help with activities and be a Good Steward for our church.  For more information contact George Wood 301-262-5835; georgewood@stmatthews-bowie.org or find us on Facebook at STMUMC.

 

Congregational Life

Youth News – There will be NO UMYF tonight.  We hope you enjoy spending time with your Mom!

REMINDER:  Deadline for the June Circuit Rider is May 15.  E-mail your items to Brooksann Epiceno at circuitrider@stmatthews-bowie.org.

Parents of Graduates –  As graduation draws near, we ask that anyone who has a senior graduating from high school or college to please submit the student’s name along with the name of the school to the church office 301-262-1408 or sharon.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net for special recognition.  Deadline is May 29.

Meals Ministry is Ready to Serve! – Several teams of volunteers are now ready to support this ministry.  Please get in touch with any one of the contacts listed below if you family would be helped by the Meals Ministry or you know of someone who has a need.

• Meals Ministry Team (mealsministry@stmatthews-bowie.org)
• Church Office (301-262-1408; Sharon.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net)
• Luke 8 Ministry Team (luke8@stmatthews-bowie.org)
• Angel Gang (angelgang@stmatthew-bowie.org)
• Rev. Ginger (ginger@stmatthews-bowie.org)

Volunteers are still needed to provide meals—to sign up, please e-mail or call Lorri Meadows (lkmeadows@aol.com, 301-262-2592)

Family Camping – Family camping will be over the Memorial Day weekend, May 25 – 28,  2012 at Camp Harmison, WV.  All are welcome and should come prepared for the pot luck supper on Saturday night.  There will be a campfire, even if the weather is hot, so bring your s’more ingredients and enjoy.  For more information or directions call Bill Haddock at 301-262-0904.

Vacation Bible School – Dive into a new adventure at Vacation Bible School to be held at St. Matthew’s, July 23 – 27, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Children who were three years old on September 1, 2011, through those in Grade Seven in the fall of 2011 will discover God’s underwater universe at Operation Overboard:  Dare to Go Deeper With God.  Through Bible stories, age-appropriate crafts, songs, recreation, missions and ocean life kids will be challenged to dive deeper into God’s Word and discover what it means to have faith.  This year a new class “Mommy or Daddy and Me” invites young children who were age two by September 1, 2011 (but are too young for VBS classes) and a parent, guardian or grandparent, to attend VBS together from 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.  Check out the VBS bulletin board in the narthex for registration forms.  Completed forms may be placed in the scuba diver back pack on the bulletin board.

VBS Leaders – All adults and teens who will help teach or lead VBS will have a VBS Workshop on Monday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 126.  At this workshop all leadership/teaching groups will have an orientation on this year’s procedures, receive curriculum, be equipped to lead their portion of VBS and have time to plan as a group.

Needed to BORROW for VBS crafts for grades four and five, 12 wood burning tools.  Contact Rev. Kathy if you can help VBS out.  Also we will need the following recyclable items for crafts:  empty paper towel tubes and old non-working CD’s or computer discs.  We will start collecting these items in July.

PLEASE NOTE:  CHECK OUT THE COAT ROOM! – There are a number of coats and jackets hanging in the coatroom and have been there for a VERY LONG TIME!  Please check and make sure that you have not left a coat or jacket hanging in the coatroom.  Anything that is still unclaimed by Sunday, May 20th will be donated.