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.

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:  Sunday, October 30, 2011

8:30 a.m. Worship Sanctuary

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

9:45 a.m. “Enough” Stewardship class Fellowship Hall

11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. Children’s Church Room 126
12:30 p.m. “Read To Feed” Potluck Fellowship Hall
2:00 p.m. Middle school UMYF meets at Heartfields on Rt. 197
6:30 p.m. Senior High School UMYF Sanctuary
7:00 p.m. UMW Executive Board Meeting Room 102

This Week:  October 31 – November 05

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

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

6:30 p.m. COM Leaders Meeting Room 102

7:00 p.m. Council on Ministries Sanctuary

Thursday 9:30 a.m. Agape Circle Room 102

Saturday 10:00 a.m. UMW Annual Craft Show Various

Mark Your Calendars!

Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S

Sunday, October 30, 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)

Today’s Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Betty Monroe on the occasion of her birthday, given by her husband Jim, children (David, Ruth, Kathy, Paul and Allen), grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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, Monica Chaney, John Skotz,   Pat & Ron Young, Wendy Hein, Betty High, *Brian Doan, *Mark Tipton & family, Pat Christman, Mark Lineberry,  *George Pullicino & family, Stanley Goldstein, Jim & Kay Smith, *Jonathan Smock, Don Walton, Jo Kim, Steve Golembiewski, Denny Hulen, AU, Tom Keith, Chloe, Betty Roberts, Sybil Saddler, HB, Ruth Clark, Joseph Krivak, Kathleen & Bonnie Jean,   Jean, Sadie Harmon, Michael E., Darlene & Sam Jones, Anita Reichman, Carol Miller, Kevin McCann, Pat & Jessica Tyron, Pete Fauconnet, Artie Roach, Sadie Conner, Heidi Shultz, Ronnie Dicken, Melissa Arnold, Frank, Barbara Morris, Mike League, Christian Schott, Laurie Clark, Ashley, Mary Goyen, Mike B., Paul Schuliger,  Sharon Blevins, Carol Ohlson, Stanley Bice, Isobel McEwan, Maysen Duran, Christine Willis, Will Fisher, Tommy Hyland, Betty Williams Samuels, Lynn Stottlemyer, Joyce Gummel, Kathy Kruse, Kim Hutton, Jillian Bergamasco & family, Zach Hammond, Mike & Pat Henderson, Tristen Dawson, the Rudd family, family of Raina Mooberry, Florence Louise Tesar, Ginny Mone, Ann Moyer, Karen Grande, Marjorie Furgason, Ward Bourgendine, Edith Miller, Dolores Lowe, Jonathan Hathaway, Rena Silbert, Eric Granahan & family, Ann Cooper, Paulette Wood, Jacqueline Keith.

* denotes deployed Military personnel

We are saddened to announce the death of Thomas Keith, husband of Jacqueline, who passed away peacefully Thursday morning October 27.  All funeral arrangements will be private.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Jacqueline at 5602 Lockwood Rd, Cheverly, MD, 20785.

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

Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth

The “Enough:  Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” study and worship sessions continue TODAY in Fellowship Hall between services.  The fourth session will be “Cultivating Contentment.” Next week’s session entitled “Defined by Generosity” will be held on Monday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. in room 126 and Sunday, November 6 at 9:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  This will be the final session.

Connecting Parents with Ministry – The Christian Formation Committee has asked Rev. Kathy Wadsley to include the topics children are studying each week at Church school when she adds the St. Matthew’s announcements for children and families to Family Matters, a weekly devotional that connects faith and scripture with real life.  This e-mail named Family Matters will now be sent (BCC) to all families with children (preschool to fifth grade) for whom we have e-mail addresses, unless parents opt out.  If you would like to receive or opt out of Family Matters, please send an e-mail to kathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net with Family Matters in the title and your e-mail address in the body.  Thank you for being a partner in ministry.

Mission and Service

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 Food Baskets (ongoing) – Donations of non-perishable food are requested throughout November and December in order to provide food baskets for families in need at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas.  A marked box will be in the coatroom for donations.  This project is organized by the United Methodist Women.  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.

Congregational Life

Youth News – Today our Middle school UMYF group will meet in the parking lot at 2:00 p.m. at Heartfields nursing home on Rt. 197 for Reverse Trick-or-Treating.  We will go in together as a group.  Parents, please plan to pick up your children at 3:30 p.m. at Heartfields.  The High school group will meet at church at 6:30 p.m. for Inreach/Outreach.

Confirmation Meeting, Sunday, November 13, 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.

A big THANK YOU to all WHO came out to support our Trunk-or-Treating yesterday!  We had a great day with lots of fun activities and we could not have done it without your help!

HELP!  Landscaping Day at St. Matthew’s – On Saturday, November 12, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., we need help moving 25 plants from the east side of the church to the front of the church.  Contact Howard Waterworth at 301-731-3063 if you can help us out with this worthy cause.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month – The Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC) invites our congregation to join in the recognition of Ginger and Kathy, our church’s clergy members, by sharing words of encouragement, sending cards, or in whichever way your creative instincts lead.  The SPPRC is also planning to participate in a special conference activity for clergy in commemoration of this month’s celebration.  If would like to join in that effort, please contact the SPPRC chair, Eileen Mc Call at 301-430-0380, or see any member of the SPPRC by TODAY.

UMW 20th Annual Craft Show will be held here at St. Matthew’s THIS Saturday, November 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The show will feature handmade crafts, delicious baked goods, free children’s activities and a concession.  This is the major fundraiser for the UMW’s mission projects-your support is greatly appreciated!  Home-baked goods (nothing store bought, please) are requested from the congregation at large.  Please leave them in the kitchen (marked “UMW”) on Friday, November 4 for pricing.  When appropriate, please note whether items contain nuts (e.g. banana breads, chocolate chip cookies). For more information, please call Lorri Meadows at 301-262-2592.

Volunteers in the Church Nursery – Here’s a great way to support our families with younger children.  Volunteer to help for a little over one hour at 8:30, 9:45 or 11:00 in the church nursery.  Consider working the same hour and Sunday of the month with the Team Leader who’s in charge.   To express interest in this vital ministry, please give your name and contact information to Rev. Kathy Wadsley at 301-262-1408 orkathy.stmatthews-bowie@verizon.net, or sign up in one of the nursery rooms or the Tower of Opportunity in the narthex.

Christmas Greenery Sale – Boy Scout Troop 1249 will be selling beautiful, fragrant, evergreen wreaths, garland and centerpieces.  Orders will be taken after each service TODAY in front of Fellowship Hall.  The greenery will be handmade to order and available for pick up in front of Fellowship Hall on December 5 after both services.  Payment is due when the order is placed.  For more information, contact Michael or Maureen Garvis at 301-805-9768.

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.

REMINDER:  The next Circuit Rider will be a double edition for December/January.  Please e-mail your articles to Lorri Meadows atcircuitrider@stmatthews-bowie.org by NO LATER than November 15.  This is a FIRM DATE.  Articles received after November 15 will NOT be included in this edition.

Are you on St. Matthew’s E-alert list?  Winter is coming and St. Matthew’s email alert system has been set up to keep our church family informed of weather cancellations as well as news of our church family and reminders for church events.  Emails are sent blind copy so addresses are not seen by others and they can be identified by [STM] in the subject line.  People on the email list will also receive the Circuit Rider monthly and our weekly e-news Midweek Messenger.  If you would like to be added to the email list, please call the church office or send your email address to Lorri Meadows at LKMeadows@aol.com.