Upcoming Events and Opportunities at St. Matthew’s

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:  December 25, 2011

10:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary

This Week: December 26 – December 31

Monday CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING CLOSED

Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Church office will be open ½ day

Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Church office will be open ½ day

Thursday 9:00 a.m. Church office will be open ½ day

Friday 9:00 a.m. Church office will be open ½ day

Saturday

Mark Your Calendars!

Tuesday, Jan 04   6:30 p.m. COM Committee Leaders Room 102
Tuesday, Jan 04 7:00 p.m. Council On Ministries Sanctuary
Saturday, Jan 07 9:30 a.m. UMW Epiphany Brunch Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Jan 07 6:00 p.m. Children & Families Movie Night Fellowship Hall

Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S

Sunday, December 25, 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 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.

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, Nancy Perry, Lurene Chen, Megan Riley Keppler, Christina Schuliger, Rose & Ugo Gervasio, Bibi Haynes, Suzanne Davis, John Skotz, Wendy Hein, Betty High, *Brian Doan, *Mark Tipton & family, Mark Lineberry,  *George Pullicino & family, Stanley Goldstein, Jim & Kay Smith, *Jonathan Smock, AU, Chloe, Brett, Ruth Clark,  Sadie Harmon, Michael E., Darlene & Sam Jones, Anita Reichman, Carol Miller, Kevin McCann, Pat & Jessica Tyron, Sadie Conner, Heidi Shultz, Ronnie Dicken, Melissa & Reginald Arnold, Frank, Mike League, Ashley Moukalled, Mike B., Sharon Blevins, Carol Ohlson, Stanley Bice, Christine Willis, Will Fisher, Lynn Stottlemyer, Joyce Gummel, Eric, Kim Hutton, Zach Hammond, Mike & Pat Henderson, Tristen Dawson, David & Jody Rudd, Florence Louise Tesar, Karen Grande, Margery Furgason, Ward Bourgendine, Edith Miller, Kelsie, Rena Silbert, Eric Granahan & family, Ann Cooper, Danielle, Lesley Cogan, Steve & Sally Dale, the Priboth family,Verlinda Heppler, Mary Jo Goddard, James Blevins, Duncan Scott, Diego Norrid, Patricia Cox,  Priscilla Foote, Mary Dell Wickham, Al Mitchell, Jennie Evans, Dee Dee & Zeki, Jason Hammen, Jason Hershkowitz, LA Family, Mary McClurg, Ina Ray Foskey, Mitch Orlin, Mary Novicke, Shirley Egerton, Lorri Meadows, June Mathis, Bob Stoner, George Sook, Elmer Stokes, Rosemary Whitson, Brown family, Nicole Jones, Virginia Dahl, Ivy Morrison and family, Dawn S., Robert & Phyllis McNeill, Anne Kress, Bonnie Jones, Linda Kolzow, Goddard & Calvin family, Lightfoot-Taylor family, David Eicher, Shirley Gergel. Eleanor Ayers, Devu Pullanchodan, Jisha Raveendran.

*Denotes Military

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

Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth

Pastor’s Bible study will be on hiatus for the next two weeks.  The study will resume on January 10th at 9:45 a.m. in room 126.

ALL Sunday School Classes will NOT meet on December 25 and January 1.  All classes will resume on Sunday, January 8.  Children’s Church will resume on January 15.

ANGEL GANG WILL NOT MEET NEXT TUESDAY, December 27.  They will resume meeting on Tuesday, January 3 at 11:00 a.m. in room 126.

New parenting class will begin Sunday, January 7 at 9:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  The book is entitled “Parents and Grandparents as Spiritual Guides:  Nurturing Children of the Promise” by Betty Cloyd.  The class will be lead by Rev. Richard Miller.  The cost of the book is $12 and scholarships are available.  To register e-mail Rev. Kathy at kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net.

Mission and Service

Please continue to support the Bowie Food Pantry during the holiday season.  Although numerous food drives have substantially stocked the pantry, items still needed are canned meats, peanut butter and jelly and cereal.

Stewardship

Giving Envelopes for 2012 will be available in the church office until December 31.  If you do not currently have envelopes and would like to receive a box, please stop by the office.

A FINANCIAL REMINDER:  As you make your year-end contributions, please remember that checks must be received at the church by December 30, 2011.  If received after that date, they will be credited in 2012 (regardless of the date on the donations).

Congregational Life

Youth News – UMYF will NOT meet for the next two weeks.  We will resume on Sunday, January 8 at 6:30.  Enjoy your family!

Former Deacon at St. Matthew’s, Rev. Patti Fenske would greatly appreciate hearing from the St. Matthew’s congregation.  You can send her a card at the following address:  Emeritus at Towson, Room 103, 6451 North Charles Street, Towson, MD, 21212

All Women are invited to an Epiphany Brunch.  The United Methodist Women extend a warm invitation to all women of St. Matthew’s to attend an Epiphany Brunch in Fellowship Hall on Saturday, January 7, at 9:30 a.m.  A freewill offering will be taken and the brunch will conclude by 11:30.  Join us for this morning of Christian fellowship!  Babysitting will be available at no charge.

Calling all long-time members of St. Matthew’s – The History Committee is looking for members of our church who have been here since the 60’s and 70’s.  There will be a meeting to remember the good old days of beginning our church and helping it to grow.  Please come to the Parlor in between services on January 8.  Refreshments will be served.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Monday, December 26 – Church Office and Building Closed
Tuesday, December 27 – Friday, December 30 – Church Office open ½ days
Monday, January 2 – Church Office and Building Closed
Tuesday, January 3 – Church office resumes 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. hours

HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

7:00 p.m.  December 21 – Blue Christmas Worship Service

10:00 a.m. December 25 – Christmas Day Worship Service

10:00 a.m.  January 1 – New Year’s Day Worship Service

CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE

6:30 p.m.  Family Service

8:30 p.m.  Candlelight Service with Communion

(8:00 p.m. – Prelude by Gloria Ringers)

11:00 p.m.  Candlelight Service with Communion

10:00 a.m.  January 1 – New Year’s Day Worship Service