Midweek Messenger for April 25, 2024
Schedule Highlights for April
Every Sunday:
- 10:00 AM Traditional & Virtual Worship Service
- 11:00 AM Adult Sunday School
- 11:00 AM Children’s Sunday School
- 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
- Daily 6:30 AM, Morning Prayer (except Sundays), call-in 267-807-9601, access code 111-576-270#
Every Tuesday:
- 9:45 AM Bible Study – in the Parlor. All are welcome. Bring your Bible.
- 11:00 AM Angel Gang – ZOOM only
- 7:00 PM Bible Study – ZOOM only
Every Wednesday:
- 8:00 AM Men’s Breakfast Group at Rip’s;
- 7:00 PM Simple Prayer Service Live & Listen by Phone (same call-in and access numbers as daily morning prayer above)
Sunday, April 28, 10:00 AM service: we will celebrate Worship & Music Sunday, with a special program featuring music from both the Gloria Ringers and the Chancel Choir
Tuesday, May 21, Christian Book Club meets at 7:00 PM via ZOOM. The book this time is Gregory S. Clapper’s As If the Heart Mattered: A Wesleyan Spirituality. As always, all are welcome to join us!
See the church calendar for the full monthly schedule: STMUMC April Calendar. Find the link for each ZOOM meeting in a St. Matthew’s alert email a day or two before each meeting.
Christmas in April This Saturday!
It is that time of year again and volunteers are needed. Scott Lee is the House Captain for a house here in Bowie on Saturday, April 27, from 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM. We will be painting, mending fences, and performing a number of other tasks, big and small, for the homeowner. This is a great opportunity for youth to get service hours! No special skills are necessary, just a willingness to pitch in and help a family in need.
If you are able to volunteer, please contact Scott Lee, at 301-526-4673 or scotthlee.mail@gmail.com. Thanks!
Senior Pastor at UMC General Conference
On Tuesday our Senior Pastor, Rev. JW Park, joined United Methodists from all over the world in Charlotte, NC to attend the postponed 2020 General Conference (April 23 to May 3, 2024). The General Conference, which typically meets every four years, is the highest legislative body in the UMC, but the 2020 conference was postponed due to the pandemic. The General Conference is the only body that can change the Book of Discipline (BD) or the Book of Resolutions (BR). The BD establishes doctrinal policy, church law, the church’s constitution, and other basic rules applicable to the faith we follow. The BR describes the church’s positions on social issues and expires after eight years unless readopted by the General Conference. The General Conference also sets the formula for shares of the UMC-wide budget that is to be met by regional church giving and makes decisions on any theological issues, such as communion or baptism, among other things. One of the goals of this General Conference is to achieve a shorter, more globally relevant BD.
Among the issues being considered are the revised Social Principles. The United Methodist General Conference began a project to revise the Social Principles in 2012 and issued a draft revision in 2019. The General Conference began considering those revised Principles on April 24 (General Conference April 24 Wrap-Up). Among other things, the revision expands upon Christians’ obligations to care for God’s creation. To review the revised principles, follow this link: Revised Social Principles for General Conference Charlotte 2024 • GBCS (umcjustice.org).
The General Conference theme is “… and know that I am God” from Psalm 46:10 (Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.) Please keep Rev. Park and all the attendees in your prayers during this long-awaited event.
To stay up to date with the latest General Conference news and decisions, or to view the Live Stream follow this link: UMC General Conference.
Help the Church with Spring Cleanup Next Weekend
Please plan to help with our Spring Cleanup around the church’s exterior on Saturday, May 4, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Tasks include weeding and cleaning up gardens, trimming shrubs, power-washing bricks, and many other chores. The Trustees will provide refreshments and water. Please come out and lend a hand to beautify the church. The last cleanup was 1-1/2 years ago and about 40 people turned out. Let’s make this one as successful! As we get closer to the date, we’ll publish a list of tools and other items we’ll need people to bring, if available. Please RSVP to trustees@stmatthews-bowie.org.
New Acolyte Ministry Director Announced
St. Matthew’s has a New Acolyte Ministry Director! Please help us welcome Joanna Gilbert who will begin on Sunday May 5, 2024.
We would also like to thank Bee Scott for her gracious leadership in serving as Acolyte Ministry Director during the pandemic and leading the Acolytes in a new direction during the past 4 years and 5 months. Your service will be missed!
Join Your Favorite Dueling Doggie in Ending Hunger!
The Lead Dogs are set! Plan to join in and show your support for Joyful Johnny, Lovely Lily, or Marvelous Mandoo (aka the Darling Korean Dumpling). Pick your favorite pooch and join your team through your participation or donation.
St. Matthew’s Dueling Doggies be participating in the Traditional Hyattsville Area CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Participants will meet at the Linsom Pool parking lot for registration and then walk around Lake Artemesia.
Please see or email Angela Cockrell (angela.g.cockrell@gmail.com) for sign-up sheets or more information about the walk and how we can help end hunger in our area.
Church on the Move — Saturday, May 11
Please join us in Fellowship Hall from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM on May 11 to participate in Church on the Move 2024. We will pack buckets for UMCOR, make cards, pull weeds, prepare sandwiches, and other tasks that come along. Please bring a bag lunch; drinks and dessert will be supplied.
Sign-up sheets will be available at the Welcome Desk on Sunday April 28 and May 5. If you have any questions, contact Pat Clunies at 301-910-2698 or clunies@verizon.net.
Save the Date for the St. Matthew’s Inaugural Car Show!
St. Matthew’s United Women in Faith are hosting a car show and food fundraiser on Saturday, June 15, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Read our flier here: St. Matthew’s Car Show 2024. More details coming…
Little Free Pantry Update
The LFP needs are canned meat, jelly, canned fruit, mashed potatoes, and dental items. Thank you. Beth Lingg (bethlingg@comcast.net)
Bowie Food Pantry Update
At this time, the Pantry is most in need of tuna and canned fruit or applesauce. Please leave donations in the shopping cart in the coatroom. Thank you!
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