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:  Sunday, October 02, 2011

8:30 a.m. Worship Sanctuary

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

9:45 a.m. “Exploring Covenant” class Room 102

9:45 a.m. Shelter Committee Room 123

11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Room 124
12:30 p.m. Both UMYF groups meet at church for CROP Walk
1:00 p.m. CROP Walk here at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church
7:00 p.m. UMW Executive Board Room 102

Ticket Sales for “Nunsensations” after each service by Fellowship Hall

Coffee and Tea Club Sales after each service by Fellowship Hall

This Week:  October 03 – October 08

Monday 9:30 a.m. M & M’s card making Room 222

6:30 p.m. Gloria Ringers Room 124

7:00 p.m. “Enough” make-up session Room 126

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

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

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

7:00 p.m. Worship Committee Room 102

7:00 p.m. Christian Formation Committee Room 125

7:00 p.m. Missions Committee Room 126

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

Mark Your Calendars!

Friday – Sunday, Oct. 7 – 10 Fall Church Camping at Camp Harmison, WV
Sunday, Oct. 9 9:45 a.m. “Enough” Stewardship Classes Fellowship Hall
Sunday, Oct. 9 4:00 p.m. Blessing of the Pets Memorial Garden
Monday, Oct. 10 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY
Friday, Oct. 14 7:30 p.m. “Nunsensations” Performance Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Oct. 15 7:30 p.m. “Nunsensations”  Performance Fellowship Hall
Sunday, Oct. 16 3:00 p.m. “Nunsensations” Performance Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, Oct. 19 7:00 p.m. Administrative Board Fellowship Hall

Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S

Sunday, October 02, 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 loving memory of my mother, Margaret Simmons by Margie Pekala.

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 Becker & family, Raina Mooberry, Mark Tipton & family, Pat Christman, Mark Lineberry,  George Pullicino & family, Stanley Goldstein, Jason Webb, Jim & Kay Smith, Jonathan Smock, Don Walton, Jo Kim, Steve Golembiewski, Denny Hulen, AU, Tom Keith, Chloe, Betty Roberts, Sybil Saddler, HB, Tommy Antonis, Ruth Clark, Joseph Krivak, Sam Rainer, Kathleen & Bonnie Jean,   Jean, Sadie Harmon, Michael E., Pete & Sue Mekkelson, Darlene & Sam Jones, Anita Reichman, Mike & Vilma Bolanos, Carol Miller, Kevin McCann, Pat & Jessica Tyron, ST, Pete Fauconnet, Artie Roach, Sadie Conner, Heidi Shultz, Shirley Egerton, Margery Furgason, Ronnie Dicken, Melissa Arnold, Frank, Steve Smith, Georgina Price, Barbara Morris, Mike League, Christian Schott, George Linde, Laurie Clark, Ashley, Mary Goyen, Mike B., Paul Schuliger, Jena Cochrane & family, Dee Dee, Zeki, Sharon Blevins, Carol Ohlson, Stanley Bice, Tommy Baldwin, Sarah Behringer, Isobel McEwan.

* denotes deployed Military personnel

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

Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth

Children’s Church is offered during the 11:00 worship service (except on communion Sunday) after the scripture reading for children in Grades 1-5.  A volunteer is needed each week to assist with this ministry.  To volunteer for one, two or more Sundays please contact Rev. Kathy Wadsley at 301-262-1408 or kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net.

Children in Worship – October 9, 12:10 – 1:00 p.m., room 126 – All children in grades Kindergarten – Fifth grade and their parent/s, guardian/family are invited to attend.  Rev. Kathy Wadsley will give children an orientation for participating in worship services and parents ways to guide and assist them.  To get the most out of this event a parent/other adult needs to be with the child.  The brochure, The ABC’s of Children in Worship is available in the narthex with ideas for parents to use in guiding their young children in worship.

Third Graders will receive Bibles on Sunday, October 16, during the 11:00 a.m. service.  On the following Sunday, October 23, Rev. Kathy will lead the third graders in a Bible orientation during the 9:45 church school hour.  Parents are invited to attend this class.  If your child is in the third grade and has not received a letter, please contact the church office at 301-262-1408 so that we can make sure your child’s name will appear correctly on their Bible.

Mission and Service

It’s not too late to join us on the CROP Hunger Walk today!  Registration begins after the 11:00 service and the walk begins at 1:00 p.m.  Visit the registration table and let them know you would like to be your own sponsor!  The walk routes are either 2.5 miles or 4.5 miles for the more ambitious.  Reminder:  25% of the total collected will go to benefit the Bowie Inter-Faith Food Pantry.  A big thank you to all of the sponsors, volunteers and walkers who are participating in the event today.  Over 100 walkers from seven local churches will be walking to fight hunger today.  Hope you will be one of them!

Our Gift of Farm Animals through Heifer International helps hungry families around the world begin a life of hope.  Read to Feed is open to all readers, those who are beginners through grades six.  It is not to late to enroll and enlist sponsors.  Materials may be found in the narthex alcove.  DID YOU KNOW THAT the gift of a goat can supply a family with up to several quarts of milk a day, enough for the family and some milk that can be sold.  Read to Feed will make a difference.  Together we can help to end hunger in some areas of the world.  Parents, listen to your child read at least 20 minutes each day.

A UMVIM Team is forming to serve in Haiti, led by Clifford Knoll.  The trip is tentatively set for January 4 – 11, 2012 (the 11 – 18th may be an alternate/follow-up).  Those interested in volunteering for the trip or interested in supporting the trip in other ways (project planning, etc.) are encouraged to fill out interest sheets available in the narthex or online at www.stmatthews-bowie.org/missions/umvim.  We will be continuing the work done by the last VIM team and starting new projects.  All those interested will be provided with travel information and cost estimates.  A team meeting will be held the last week of October to firm up commitments and travel arrangements.  Contact Clifford Knoll at 443-303-7324 orcliffknoll@stmatthews-bowie.org with any questions.

Congregational Life

Youth News – Both UMYF groups will meet at 12:30 p.m. today to walk in the CROP Walk.  Parents plan to pick up around 2:30 p.m.  There will be NO MEETING tonight.

Get your tickets for the Theatre Troupe’s presentation of “Nunsensations” after each service by Fellowship Hall.  Show dates are Friday, October 14 & 21 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday October 16 & 23 at 3:00 p.m.  Ticket prices are $5 a person ahead of time and $7 at the door.  Tickets may also be purchased from the church office during the week.

The Fall church camping trip to Camp Harmison, WV, is scheduled for Columbus Day weekend, October 7-10.  Call Bill Haddock at 301-262-0904 for more information or directions.

Volunteers still needed for the church nursery – The Nursery I (infant-toddler nursery) and Nursery II (preschool – Grade 1) need to have two adults in each room on Sunday mornings.  We are asking volunteers to give an hour at 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 in each of these two rooms.  Consider working the same hour and Sunday of the month.  The adult in charge will be there weekly throughout the morning.  This is a great way to support our families with younger children.  To sign up for this vital ministry, please give your name and contact information to Rev. Kathy Wadsley at 301-262-1408 or kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net.

Parents of college students – Please call the church office at 301-262-1408 or e-mail Jen McClurg (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!

Family Matters is a weekly devotional written by Rev. Jim, a United Methodist Elder (pastor) who is serving as an Army National Guard Chaplin.  He lives with his wife and two children in Ohio and started writing Family Matters when he was deployed as a way to keep connected to his church and help families everywhere.  The devotionals focus on family and connect faith and scripture with real life.  If you would like to receive this devotional, please send an e-mail to kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net with Family Matters in the subject line and your name and e-mail address in the body.