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, November 27, 2011
8:30 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Church School (3’s – 5th grade) Various
11:00 a.m. Worship Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. Children’s Choir Room 124
7:00 p.m. UMW Executive Board Room 102
This Week: November 28 – December 3
Monday 6:30 p.m. Gloria Ringers Room 124
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
12:00 p.m. Membership Committee Room 102
7:00 p.m. Advent Reflections Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. Environmental Stewardship Committee Room 126
7:30 p.m. Nominating Committee Room 102
Thursday 9:30 a.m. Agape Circle at the home of Judy Shickel
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir & 8:30 p.m. SpiritMove
Saturday 9:00 a.m. Altar Guild Sanctuary
10:00 a.m. Musical Troupe Tryouts Room 124
Mark Your Calendars!
Sunday, Dec. 4 Christmas Stockings and Sweatshirts due
Thursday, Dec. 8 9:00 a.m. Christmas Stocking Stuffing Fellowship Hall
Friday, Dec. 9 9:00 a.m. Sweatshirt Wrapping Fellowship Hall
Sunday, Dec. 11 LAST DAY for Poinsettia orders
4:00 p.m. Church School Christmas Program – Sanctuary followed by Potluck in Fellowship Hall
Attendance Last Sunday
8:30 – 153
11:00 – 149
Total: 302
YTD Offerings
Budget: $611,470
Actual: $586,351
-$25,119
Inclusive… Vibrant… LIFE AT ST. MATTHEW’S
Sunday, November 27, 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.
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, 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, 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, Ashley Moukalled, Mike B., Sharon Blevins, Carol Ohlson, Stanley Bice, Maysen Duran, Christine Willis, Will Fisher, Tommy Hyland, Lynn Stottlemyer, Joyce Gummel, Kim Hutton, Jillian Bergamasco & family, Zach Hammond, Mike & Pat Henderson, Tristen Dawson, David & Jody Rudd, Florence Louise Tesar, Karen Grande, Margery Furgason, Ward Bourgendine, Edith Miller, Dolores Lowe, Kelsie, Jonathan Hathaway, Rena Silbert, Eric Granahan & family, Ann Cooper, Danielle, Paulette Wood, 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. Priscilla Foote, Mary Dell Wickham, Al Mitchell, Jennie Evans, Dee Dee & Zeki, Jason Hammen, Jason Hershkowitz, LA Family, Mary McClurg, Walton family, Steve Cone and family, Ina Ray Foskey, Mitch Orlin, Mary Novicke.
We are saddened to announce the death of Pat Cone, wife of Steve, who transitioned to life eternal on Friday, November 18. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Steve and family at 2704Filbert Lane, Bowie, MD, 20715.
We are saddened to announce the death of Don Walton, who transitioned to life eternal on Sunday, November 20. A memorial service will be held here at St. Matthew’s on Monday, November 28 at 11:00 a.m. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers please send a donation to the Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Dr, Suite 100, Rockville, MD, 20805, www.montgomeryhospice.org or St. Matthew’s.
Sunday Servant Leaders (Sign-up to serve at the “Tower of Opportunity” in the narthex)
Infant/Toddler Nursery, Rm 116
Shirley Gergel
Nursery II (2 ½ – 6), Rm 109
Alicia Carroll
Ushers at 8:30
Jerry Benitez, Sylvia Covington, Sharon Jahn, Barbara Layton, Liz Herrera
Ushers at 11:00
Mike League, Kirk & Renee Doan, Henrietta Briggs, David Carr
Readers: Opening & Scriptures
8:30 – Linda Cooper
11:00 – Mary Jennings
Acolytes
8:30 – Michael Birckhead, Liam Greaves
11:00 – Josh Behringer, Logan Baker
Greeters
8:30 – Jeanne McWilliamson; Filimon and Maysen Duran
Counters
Bob Matthews, Pat Clark, Eleanor Judy
Musicians
8:30 – Isaac Borocz, organist; 11:00 – Chancel Choir
Christian Formation and Spiritual Growth
The Christian Year begins with Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Day. During Advent we anticipate Christ’s coming again and prepare to celebrate the Birth of Christ, both historically and in our hearts. The color of Advent is purple or blue. Purple symbolizes both penitence and royalty; blue is the color of hope and royalty. The devotions and worship of Advent help prepare our hearts for Christmas.
ADVENT MEDITATION BOOKLETS AND CALENDARS are available on the table in the narthex. Using both the booklets and calendars during your daily devotional time is a way of centering your spirit for your journey through Advent.
You’re invited to an Advent study based on the Revised Common Lectionary Scriptures. Rev. Ginger will lead this four week study, beginning TODAY, at 9:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Bring your Bible. Next weeks study will be on Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a, Mark 1:1-8.
More Than Just Music, Sunday, December 11, 9:45 a.m., room 124. Bernstein’s Mass, composed for the dedication of the Kennedy Center, will be the focus of this short course. Learn a bit about Bernstein’s attitude to music for theater and the church, about this particular composition and its place in music history. Come one, come all!
Mission and Service
HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITIES ARE IN FULL SWING!
UMW Holiday Food Baskets (ongoing) – St. Matthew’s will again provide food baskets for families in need at Christmas. Donations of non-perishable food are requested throughout 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 – THERE ARE STILL 77 NAMES LEFT FOR THE CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS. 350 children are depending on us! Please pick up a tag TODAY and return for next Sunday, December 4. For more information contact Sharon Heidenreich 301-805-8873 or call the church office. Thank you in advance for your support.
NEW Sweatshirts for School Children – Look for a colored shape with a child’s name and size on the small Christmas tree in the narthex. 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
Giving Envelopes for 2012 will be available in the narthex on Sunday, December 4 and 11, then 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 table.
Congregational Life
Youth News – There will be NO Sunday school or UMYF TODAY for Middle or High school.
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.
Register for Women’s Retreat – The UMW will be taking registrations for the Women’s Seaside Escape Spiritual Retreat after each service today outside Fellowship Hall. The retreat will be on Saturday, February 11, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at West River Center located 35 minutes from Bowie. The cost is $40 which includes lunch, snacks and materials. Gift certificates are available – this makes a great Christmas gift for a woman in your life! For additional information, contact Pattie Klein at 301-512-5526 or paklein58@gmail.com.
St. Matthew’s is going to a Fragrance Free Environment – Many of us are sensitive and even experience allergic reactions to various scents and chemical odors. Because of this, we are asking you to be considerate of your fellow worshippers by refraining from using cosmetic fragrances and colognes when in our sanctuary. Thank you.
Communications Needs You Now! – With the Advent Season coming up we need your help. We need photographers, photos, stories and all sorts of content to help us tell our story the best way we can. This opportunity is open to all. To help you we now have 2 Flip video cameras to use for recording church events and activities and more tools for you to use on the way. Training is available. For more information, contact George Wood georgewood@stmatthews-bowie.org or 301-262-5835.
Choirmaster’s Open House, Sunday, December 11, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Isaac, Jeff and the greyhounds invite you to an open house at their home at 6505 Alexis Drive in Bowie. Come celebrate the holidays, including Isaac’s birthday with a nibble and a sip. All are welcome.
Christmas greenery delivery from Boy Scout Troop 1249 will be in front of Fellowship Hall NEXT Sunday, December 4, after all services. For more information, please call Michael or Maureen Garvis at 301-805-9768.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY REVEREND GINGER
Don’t forget to wish Reverend Ginger a happy birthday on Tuesday, November 29th.
