Parish Notes
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. Classes are from May 15, 2011, 9:45 a.m., room 102 and continue until Sunday, May 29, 2011.
Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth
The Pastor’s Bible Study has begun a new chapter – well, actually a whole new book! This group meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. and is studying the book of the prophet Isaiah. Join us! Please Note: The Pastor’s Bible Study will be on hiatus June 7 – June 14. They will resume meeting on June 21, 9:45 a.m. in room 126.
The Angel Gang will NOT met on June 7. They will meet on June 14 at Pete Saderholm’s at 10:45 for a cook out. They will resume meeting at the church on June 21 at 11:00 a.m., room 126.
CHURCH SCHOOL CHILDREN WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE 11:00 A.M. WORSHIP SERVICE on June 12, the last Sunday of church school until September 11.There is still time to contribute to our offering projects for this year – helping build a kindergarten classroom in Liberia and the ministry at St. Matthew’s – through June 12. Don’t miss out!
Mission and Service
Footnote to report on our special Bowie family: The June Circuit Rider includes an article highlighting the progress in aiding our special Bowie family. It should be noted that a detailed report of income and expenses can be obtained by contacting Dan Blades at 301-262-5148 or Irene Schneider at 301-262-4691.
Stewardship
There is still time to sigh up to help at the St. Matthew’s booth at BowieFest on Saturday, June 4. The sign-up list is in the Alcove in narthex. Please join us in inviting others to share in God’s words and work at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church. For more information, see Ray Denmark after the service or e-mail him at raydemark@stmatthews-bowie.org.
Congregational Life
Youth News: – There will be NO church school today or UMYF tonight. Enjoy the long weekend!
All fifth graders are invited to join our Middle school UMYF group on Sunday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. We’ll have food and games and you’ll have a chance to see what UMYF is like and meet our counselors. See you there!
All graduating HIGH SCHOOL seniors are invited to attend either worship service on June 5 for a special recognition of your accomplishments.
Like to cook? To coordinate projects? To lend a hand? St. Matthew’s Care and Concerns Committee is a group that provides food and support for folks in our church family at the time of loss of a loved one, hospitalization or serious illness of a major meal provider or the arrival of a new child in the family. We are looking for folks to work with Committee Chair, Donna Starkey, to coordinate these feeding and support ministries AND for folks who like to cook, bake and provide hospitality. If you’d like to help with this important ministry of caring, please contact Donna at 301-249-2198. We need YOUR help!
Shirley Bickel’s Tenure at St. Matthew’s ends on June 30. After 17 years of devoted Christian service to St. Matthew’s Christian Education Program, Shirley is beginning a new phase of her ministry, as she seeks another part time church position. We will be accepting a love offering for Shirley through the end of JUNE. Please make checks payable to St. Matthew’s and put “Fund Code 341- Shirley Bickel” in the memo line. You may drop it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings or leave it in the church office.
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 31.
Our Annual church picnic will be on Sunday, June 12, starting at 12:30 p.m., at Allen Pond. We will be in Group Areas 5 & 6, which are shaded areas. The church will provide drinks, hot dogs and paper products – please bring a dish to share. We hope you will join us in this wonderful fellowship opportunity!
Join us for this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) which will be held July 25 – July 29, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. here at St. Matthew’s. This year’s theme is “Shake It Up – God Has a Recipe For You!” Registration forms are in the alcove in the narthex and also as a bulletin insert today. Three-year-olds (need to be potty-trained and three by September 1, 2010) through seventh graders are eligible for these wonderful activities – bible stories, crafts, singing, recreation, worship and snacks. Contact Christin Vare 301-860-1296 (thevares@verizon.net) or Karen Hastings
301-464-6961 (kdance10@verizon.net) for more information.
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 youth ASP trip—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: Sunday, May 29
8:30 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Exploring Covenant (New Members Class) Room 102
9:45 a.m. Sunday School Classes (3’s – 5th grade only) Various rooms
11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Room 124
This Week: May 30 – June 4
Monday CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Tuesday 9:45 a.m. Pastor’s Bible Study & 11:00 a.m. Angel Gang Room 126
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. UMM Brunch Bunch meet at Rips in Bowie
11:00 a.m. Eicher Memorial Service Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. Council on Ministries Fellowship Hall
Thursday 11:00 a.m. Agape Circle meet in church parking lot
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir & 8:30 p.m. SpiritMove Room 124
Mark Your Calendars!
Sunday, June 5 9:30 & 12:00 Environmental Stewardship Presentation Fellowship Hall
Monday, June 6 – Wednesday, June 8 CHURCH BUILDING CLOSED FOR ALL DAYTIME ACTIVITIES AND MEETINGS UNTIL 6:00 P.M. – BUILDING MAINTENANCE
Sunday, June 12 12:30 p.m. Church Wide Picnic at Allen Pond in Bowie
Saturday, June 18 10:00 a.m. Steel Magnolias Breast Cancer Fundraiser Parking Lot
RAIN DATE WILL BE SATURDAY, JUNE 25
PLEASE NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT!
On Monday, June 6 – Wednesday June 8, the church building will be CLOSED, during the day for a number of major building maintenance activities. These activities will require electricity to be turned off and phone service and internet service to be taken down. We will also be doing interior painting in a number of classrooms and hallways. The paint that is used is a Latex water based paint for those of you who may have an allergy to latex. The Trustees ask that you NOT schedule or hold any meetings during that time period from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Any evening meetings scheduled after 6:00 p.m. should still be able to be held. Sharon Heidenreich, our Office Administrator, will be contacting the groups involved to reschedule the daytime meetings.
