Upcoming Events and Opportunities at St. Matthew’s

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.

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, andCapri Sun empty foil packs.

Today:  Sunday, August 28, 2011

7:30 a.m.         Worship                                                           Garden

8:30 a.m.         Worship                                                           Sanctuary

9:45 a.m.         Children in Worship Class                               Room 126

11:00 a.m.       Worship                                                           Sanctuary

12:30 p.m.       Usher’s Potluck                                                           Fellowship Hall

!2:30 p.m.        UMYF Youth Pool Party at the Birkhead’s home

7:00 p.m.         UMW Executive Board                                                Room 102

This Week:  August 29 – September 03

Monday           6:30 p.m.         Children’s Church School Teachers Workshop           Room 126

Tuesday           9:45 a.m.         Pastor’s Bible Study                                         Room 126

11:00 a.m.       Angel Gang                                                      Room 222

7:00 p.m.         Fall Stewardship Task Force                            Room 126

Wednesday      9:00 a.m.         UMM Breakfast meeting at Rips inBowie

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

7:00 p.m.         Missions Committee                                        Room 222

7:00 p.m.        AdultChurchSchoolTeachers Meeting                       Room 127

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

Thursday         7:00 p.m.         SpiritMove                                                       Room 124

7:00 p.m.         Disciples – A Course in Miracles                     Room 126

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

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

Mark Your Calendars!

Monday, Sept. 5  CHURCH BUILDING & OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY

Sunday, Sept. 11          12:00 p.m.       “Feast for the Soul”                             Fellowship Hall

 Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S

Sunday, August 29, 2011

Welcome to all who have gathered for worship today!

We extend a special welcome to all visitors.  Please let us know of your presence by filling out the attendance register that will be passed down the aisle during worship.

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 106); Children’s Bulletins and crayons (available at center doors to sanctuary)

Today’s Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God.

Our Prayers*

When adding names to our prayer list, please specify whether you want them for one or two weeks:   John Still, Millie, Christine Furgason, Emily Long, Justine Ameral, Sandy & Richard Hill, Liz Hanna, Pat Cone, Nancy Perry, Martha Sallet, Lurene Chen, Megan Riley Keppler, Christina Schuliger, Rose & Ugo Gervasio, Bibi Haynes, Suzanne Davis, Monica Chaney, John Skotz,   Pat & Ron Young, Wendy Hein, Betty High, David Gray Ross,  ODavid Becker & family, Raina Mooberry, OMark Tipton & family, Pat Christman, Mark Lineberry,  OGeorge Pullicino & family, Stanley Goldstein, OJason Webb, Jim & Kay Smith, Don Walton, Jo Kim, Steve Golembiewski, Chris Burkes, Lew Dodd, Denny Hulen, AU, Steven Marshall, Robert Lindsey, Tom Keith, Chloe, Mary Mondonado, Betty Roberts, Sybil Saddler, Jeanette, HB, Tommy Antonis, Ruth Clark, Barnes family, Joseph Krivak, Sam Rainer, Kathleen & Bonnie Jean, Linda Sutton,  Jean, Thomas Einof & family, Jeffrey & Alexander Robinson, Sadie Harmon, Michael E., Pete & Sue Mekkelson, David E., Brian Cochrane, Darlene & Sam Jones, Anita Reichman, Val, Mike & Vilma Bolanos, Golding family, Carol Miller, Kevin McCann, Skip Mead & family, Karen Hollinger, Stephanie Antonis & family, Lee Ann Flinter, Pat & Jessica Tyron, Anthony Johnson family, Duncan Scott, Brian Kraus, Linda Owens, ST.

*O denotes deployed Military personnel

We are saddened to announce the passing of Dee Sand, daughter of Lew Dodd, on Saturday, August 20, at 6:00 p.m.  Dee was very ill from cancer and was 58 years old.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Lew and Jane at 16215 Audubon Ln, Bowie, MD, 20716.

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

Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth

“Exploring Covenant” is our “membership” class and it provides an environment to consider whether God is calling you to take the step into covenant with St. Matthew’s.  The course will invite your questions as you learn a bit more about the ministries and resources for spiritual growth and service that exist here.  A wide range of topics will be addressed including history and theology of theUnitedMethodistChurch, worship and sacraments, spiritual gifts and lay leadership, discipleship, covenant, and whatever issues are most important to you!  The next class will start on September 11, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m., in room 102 (Parlor), and continue for four weeks.  The leader will be Rev. Ginger Gaines-Cirelli.  Please call the church office at 301-262-1408 for more information.

COMMUNION STEWARDS NEEDED  –  Four communion stewards are needed at each service (eight persons) on the first Sunday of EVERY month.    Please sign up on the clipboard in the tower of opportunity to help with NEXT Sunday’s communion.  We need you!

Children in Worship – TODAY, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m., room 126  – Children in grades K – 5 and their parents/guardians are invited to attend this NEW event.  Rev.Kathy Wadsley will give children an orientation for participation in worship services and parents ways to guide and assist them.  Come learn the “why” behind what we do in worship, good times to wiggle and snuggle, and age appropriate ways to be involved.  To get the most out of this event, a parent or other adult needs to attend with the child.  Everyone in the family is welcome.

The fall schedule begins Sunday, September 11 with the following events:

• Blessings for all Ministries during the 8:30 and 11:00 worship services
• Church school for all ages, including adults, from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
• Children’s church for ages 7 to 5^th grade at 11:30 a.m.
• Feast for the Soul potluck in Fellowship Hall after the 11:00 worship service open to the whole congregation
• Middle and High School UMYF at 6:30 p.m. starting in the Sanctuary

Church School Registration – Registration forms are available in the narthex to register your children from infants through 12^th grade, for Church school.  Please complete and return to the church office on or before September 11.  This will help us to better communicate with you and be better prepared for your children.  Contact Rev. Kathy Wadsley with any questions.

Mission and Service

Nothing But Nets – To date we have collected enough funds to send 234.5 nets to help end death of children caused by Malaria.  Our goal for 2011 is 500 nets.  The 2011 campaign ends on November 1, 2011.  Help us make our next report to you one that says “WE DID IT!”

Two UMVIM Trips planned for 2012 -  Missions is in the final stages of planning two UMVIM trips for 2012 by their August 31 meeting.  In January 2012 they are planning a trip toHaiti to finish work on a medical facility and establish a scholarship program that mirrors Operation Classroom.  This program will have student to sponsor contact throughout the year.  In March 2012 they will be going toLiberia to begin building a medical clinic and visit the school inLoganTown.  If you are interested in joining either of these teams, assisting the teams from home base, making a monetary donation to aid in building/supply costs or becoming a sponsor for a scholarship, please contact Cliff Knoll 443-303-7324 (Haiti) or Pete Saderholm 443-994-3295 (Liberia).

Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship – Registration for the Environment series on Health and the Environment starting on Wednesday, September 21, 7:00 p.m., room 126, begins today by Fellowship Hall.  For more information contact Elizabeth Buckner at 301-262-7654.

Congregational Life

Youth News – All  middle and high school youth are invited to a Pool Party TODAY, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., at Mike and Betty Ann Birckhead’s house located at 3506 Malec Lane, Bowie, MD.  Bring a swimsuit, towel and $5 for pizza.  UMYF and youth church school will start Sunday, September 11.  We will NOT meet next week for Labor Day.

Parents of college students – Please call the church office at 301-262-1408 or e-mail Jen McClurg at  jenmcclurg@gmail.com, your child’s mailing address.  We would like to stay in touch with them during the year and let them know that their church family is thinking about them and praying for them!

Check the Tower of Opportunity for a hard copy of the latest version of the NEW e-mailed Mid-Week Messenger.

Children’s Ministry Workshop/Safe Sanctuaries Update – By virtue of our baptism all are ministers and welcome to be in ministry. Persons who work with children and youth must follow our Safe Sanctuary Policies. The policies will be included at the teacher/leader/volunteer workshop on Monday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m.  A make-up workshop is scheduled for September 4 at 9:45 a.m. in room 126.

Church School Teachers – We have a few openings for Church School teachers on Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Our goal is to have three teachers in each child’s classroom. New teachers will be placed with experienced lead teachers. Curriculum will be provided. Teacher workshop for teachers of children is August 29 at 6:30 p.m. Please contact Rev. Kathy Wadsley to express interest at 301-262-1408 or kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.com.

Nursery Volunteers – The church nursery is one of the first places that families with young children evaluate in choosing a new church home. In keeping with our Safe Sanctuaries Policy, we need volunteers to assist our lead nursery caregivers. Volunteer sign-up sheets are on the clip board in the Tower of Opportunity in the narthex. Volunteer for the 8:30, 9:45 or 11:00 time on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th Sunday of the month or as available.  Questions, please contact Rev. Kathy Wadsley at 301-262-1408 or kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.com.

Children’s Church – We are looking for volunteers to assist and help lead Children’s Church during the last part of the 11:00 worship service, except for the first Sunday of the month. Please volunteer on the sheets in the Tower of Opportunity in the narthex.  Questions, please contact Rev. Kathy Wadsley at 301-262-1408 or kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.com.