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.

9:45 a.m. Church School (all ages) Various

9:45 a.m. Third Grade Bible Orientation Room 24

11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Room 124
11:30 a.m. Children’s Church Room 126
12:30 p.m. Confirmation Meeting Room 222
2:00 p.m. VIM Haiti Trip meeting Room 102
4:00 p.m. Tavia Wyatt Piano Dedication Service Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. Middle & High School UMYF Sanctuary

This Week:  November 14 – November 19

Monday 6:30 p.m. Gloria Ringers Room 124
7:00 p.m. Evening Circle at the home of Marty Bridgewater
7:30 p.m. Communications Room 127

Tuesday 9:45 a.m. Pastor’s Bible Study & 11:00 a.m. Angel Gang Room 126

7:00 p.m. Children and Families Council Room 127

7:00 p.m. St. Matthew’s Housing Corporation Room 123

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

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

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

7:00 p.m. Environmental Stewardship Room 226

7:00 p.m. Susanna Wesley Circle at the home of Jill Carr

7:30 p.m. EEC Board Room 126

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

Friday 6:00 p.m. Luke 8 Team Visitation Group Training Fellowship Hall

Saturday 9:00 a.m. Luke 8 Team Visitation Group Training Fellowship Hall

9:00 a.m. Altar Guild Sanctuary

Mark Your Calendars!

Sunday, Nov. 20 12:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Feast with the Beasts Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, Nov. 23 7:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve service at Temple Solel

Thursday & Friday, Nov. 24 & 25 CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S

Sunday, November 13, 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.

Today’s Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory of Clair and Dorothy Wolfe from K. Eric Wolfe and in honor of Eleanor Judy on her 85th birthday from the Gilbert family.

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, Pat Cone, Nancy Perry, Martha Sallet, Lurene Chen, Megan Riley Keppler, Christina Schuliger, Rose & Ugo Gervasio, Bibi Haynes, Suzanne Davis, John Skotz,   Pat & Ron Young, Wendy Hein, Betty High, *Brian Doan, *Mark Tipton & family, Mark Lineberry,  *George Pullicino & family, Stanley Goldstein, Jim & Kay Smith, *Jonathan Smock, Don Walton, Jo Kim, AU, Chloe, Betty Roberts,  HB, Ruth Clark, Joseph Krivak, Jean, Sadie Harmon, Michael E., Darlene & Sam Jones, Anita Reichman, Carol Miller, Kevin McCann, Pat & Jessica Tyron, Artie Roach, Sadie Conner, Heidi Shultz, Ronnie Dicken, Melissa & Reginald Arnold, Frank, Barbara Morris, Kay & Mike League, Christian Schott, Ashley Moukalled, Mike B., Sharon Blevins, Carol Ohlson, Stanley Bice, Isobel McEwan, Maysen Duran, Christine Willis, Will Fisher, Tommy Hyland, Betty Williams Samuels, Lynn Stottlemyer, Joyce Gummel, Kim Hutton, Jillian Bergamasco & family, Zach Hammond, Mike & Pat Henderson, Tristen Dawson, David & Jody Rudd, Florence Louise Tesar, Ginny Mone, Karen Grande, Margery Furgason, Ward Bourgendine, Edith Miller, Dolores Lowe, Kelsie, Jonathan Hathaway, Rena Silbert, Eric Granahan & family, Ann Cooper, Danielle, Paulette Wood, Sharon, Beth Lingg and Linda, Lesley Cogan, Steve & Sally Dale, the Priboth family,Verlinda Heppler, Mary Jo Goddard, James Blevins, Marvin Conner, Duncan Scott, Diego Norrid, Patricia Cox.

* denotes deployed Military personnel

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

Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth

Third Grade Bible Orientation TODAY at 9:45 a.m. in room 24, during the Church school hour, and led by Rev. Kathy.  Parents are invited to attend so they will know what is in their child’s Bible and be better equipped to help them use their Bible.

You’re invited to an Advent study based on the Revised Common Lectionary Scriptures.  Rev. Ginger will lead this four week study, beginning November 27, at 9:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Bring your Bible.  Explore what it means that Jesus is God’s Son and the creative tension of living in a world caught between what is and what is promised to be.  Find the healing capacity of hope to sustain us in times of trouble and learn how to make a space for God.

Mission and Service

NEXT Sunday is St. Matthew’s Day for Bowie Food Pantry – DON’T FORGET to continue to bring items for the Pantry.  ITEMS ESPECIALLY NEEDED:  canned fruit/applesauce, canned mixed vegetables, dry beans, baked beans, oatmeal, tea bags, toilet paper, fresh fruit and vegetables (bagged or loose).  A huge and heartfelt thank you to all who donate food items or contribute money to the pantry.  We would not be able to keep up with the increased demand without your support!

HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITIES ARE IN FULL SWING!

UMW Holiday Food Baskets (ongoing) – St. Matthew’s will again provide food baskets for families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Donations of non-perishable food are requested throughout November and December to help fill the food baskets.  Specially marked bins will be in the coatroom for these donations.  If you have any questions, would like to help sort or deliver, or if you know of a family in need, please contact Margie Dague at 301-262-3829.

Christmas Stocking Project – It’s time to fill a Christmas bag with gifts for children of inmates at the Prince George’s County Correctional Facility in Upper Marlboro.  Look for the stocking tags in the narthex.  Pick up a tag, plastic bag and instructions.  There will be specially marked boxes in the narthex for you to return your gifts.  Bags should be returned to the church NO LATER than Sunday, December 4.  For more information contact Sharon Heidenreich at 301-262-1408 or 301-805-8873.

NEW Sweatshirts for School Children – Look for a colored shape with a child’s name and size in a basket in the narthex beginning NEXT WEEK.  A specially marked box will be in the narthex for these gifts.  Deadline to bring the wrapped gifts to the church is Sunday, December 4.  Please no holiday sweatshirts.  Contact Barbara Haddock at 301-262-0904 for more information.

Stewardship

Today is Stewardship Sunday – Please fill out your Estimate of Giving Card.  You may either place the card in the offering plate or you can bring it to the altar and place it in the offering plate during the singing of the last hymn.

Congregational Life

Youth News – Tonight both UMYF groups will meet at 6:30 p.m.  Middle school will be embarking upon Shenanigans and High school will be having Pizza and playing Pictionary.  All youth in 6th – 12th grades are invited for a night of food, fellowship and fun!

Confirmation Meeting, TODAY, 12:30 p.m., room 222, for all 8th graders and their parents.  Any other youth older than 8th grade who have not been confirmed are invited to attend with their parents as well.  If you cannot make the meeting but are interested in being in the confirmation class this spring, please contact Jen McClurg.

REMINDER:  Combined December/January Circuit Rider – The FIRM deadline for this double issue will be THIS Tuesday, November 15.  Please submit articles to Lorrie Meadows at circuitrider@stmatthews-bowie.org.

Thanksgiving Feast With the Beasts – Children and families are invited to the Thanksgiving Feast with the Beasts, sponsored by the Children and Families Council, NEXT Sunday November 20,  in Fellowship Hall following the 11:00 worship service.  Children are invited to bring a stuffed animal.  Please bring non-perishable food items for the Bowie Food Pantry and to help fill the Thanksgiving basket.  Our stuffed friends will have a “picnic” on a blanket while families eat lunch together at tables.  The child friendly menu will feature chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, raw veggies and dessert.  A Thanksgiving story and crafts will help us share and give thanks.  If you would like to help with this event, please contact Rev. Kathy Wadsley at kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net. or 301-262-1408.

The annual Bowie Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, at Temple Solel located at 2901 Mitchellville Road in Bowie.  The theme of “Faith and Hope Respond to Economic Anxiety” will be addressed by members of the interfaith clergy group.  An interfaith choir will sing and an offering of staple goods and money will be taken for the Bowie Interfaith Food Pantry.

The Altar Guild is offering poinsettias for purchase this holiday season.  Donations may be made in honor or memory of a loved one or special person. Colors are red or white at a cost of $12 each.  Please use the special poinsettia envelopes and information form (print or write clearly) on the table in the narthex.  Fill out the form completely, then enclose it in the envelope with cash or your check made payable to St. Matthew’s UMC.  Drop it in the offering plate on Sunday mornings or in the church office during the week.  Deadline for ordering is December 11.  Contact Sharon Heidenreich at (301) 262-1408 for more information.

Many thanks from the UMW for everyone’s support and help at this year’s craft show.  It was a great success thanks to you and the proceeds will be used for the various missions supported by the UMW.  A BIG thank you is extended to the men who helped with setup and cleanup.

We wish to express special thanks to American Legion Disney Bell Post 66 for providing the flags for our Veterans portion of the service this morning.