Midweek Messenger for November 14, 2024
Schedule Highlights
Worship Schedule: St. Matthews Worship Schedule
Other Meetings and Events: St. Matthews Calendar
Reminders: Christian Book Club will NOT meet in November during Isaac’s absence; however, the Tuesday Morning Bible Study WILL continue to meet at 9:45 AM in the parlor as regularly scheduled.
Upcoming Special Services:
- Blue Christmas Service, Wednesday, December 18 at 7:00 PM (a prayer service of comfort and support for those who find the holiday season especially challenging)
- Christmas Eve service, December 24 at 8:00 PM, with performances by the Gloria Ringers, Chancel Choir, Oboe, and Bassoon
- Watch Night Service with Communion, Tuesday, December 31 at 7:00 PM
December Circuit Rider Deadline is TOMORROW!
The deadline to submit articles for the December Circuit Rider is tomorrow, Friday, November 15. This deadline is firm so that our team can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Please submit articles to circuitrider@stmatthews-bowie.
Join Us for This Week’s Adult Sunday School Class
At 11:00 AM, Jim Wiedman leads a class called Lights, Camera, Faith: Christianity in Popular Movies. Join us as we explore the intersection of faith and film. This week’s topic: “Les Miserables.”
The 8:45 AM Adult Sunday School class is on hiatus for the time being. Watch this space for updates.
Piano Recital Invitation
Jung-hoon Park, a first-generation Korean immigrant who has been part of the United Methodist Church ministry for nearly 10 years, will be giving a solo piano recital at Calvary United Methodist Church in Annapolis on November 17 at 3:00 PM. Through Pastor JW Park, he has extended a special invitation to the entire St. Matthew’s congregation to attend the recital. The program will feature works by Bach, Gershwin, Liszt, and Ravel.
Turkey Basket Giveaway
The Interfaith Coalition of Bowie is partnering with Prince George’s County Councilmember Ingrid Watson to host a Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway on Sunday, November 24, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Bowie Community Center, 3209 Stonybrook Drive. ICB will be providing groceries and turkeys for 100 local families on a first-come, first-served basis. If you did not get a chance to reserve your Thanksgiving groceries, you may no longer be able to do so because the link ICB previously provided is no longer operative.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Potluck Supper
Just after the Turkey Basket Giveaway, on Sunday, November 24 at 4:00 PM, the Christian Community Presbyterian Church (CCPC), 3120 Belair Drive, Bowie, MD will host the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service. CCPC will host a potluck supper following the service. The special guest speaker for the event will be County Councilmember Ingrid Watson. Replies to the CCPC office are requested, but not required, at 301-262-6008 or office@ccpcbowie.org. Donations will go to the Bowie Food Pantry.
We Need You to Pitch In for the Interfaith Thanksgiving Potluck Supper!
CCPC has asked St. Matthew’s to provide sides and salads for the potluck supper. CCPC will provide main courses, bread, and drinks for the Interfaith Thanksgiving potluck supper and Temple Soleil is bringing desserts. With Councilmember Watson as special guest speaker, CCPC is planning for 100 people to attend the potluck. Based on the number of guests expected, we have calculated that St. Matthew’s needs to provide a total of 8 side dishes of approximately 3 quarts (the volume of a 9” x 13” baking dish). We are also asking for 8 total salads, with each to provide about the same 3-quart volume as the sides.
We have set up a Sign-Up Genius link where you can sign up to bring a dish: St. Matthew’s: Interfaith Thanksgiving Potluck Sides and Salads. When you sign up, please indicate what you plan to bring. Vegan dishes are especially welcome to ensure our Jewish and Islamic friends can adhere to religious dietary restrictions, but the dishes don’t all need to be vegan.
Please Pick Up Your Giving Envelopes
If you make donations in the church offering plates, please pick up your box of envelopes, so the church can save the cost of mailing them. You will find them in the narthex in December. Those who give online don’t need to pick up anything! Your online giving information will remain the same for 2024, and there’s nothing new for you to do. If you would like to make changes in the way you give to St. Matthew’s, please contact Lisa Wilson at 240-997-2772 or email at financialsecretary@stmatthews-
Need to Know Where You Can Take Your Excess Stuff?
Are you moving, downsizing, or simply cleaning out some clutter? Would you like to find a useful second life for things that are too good to throw away?
The St. Matthew’s Friendship Circle of the United Women of Faith (UWF) has compiled a list of agencies that accept donations and the types of items they accept. The list may be found in SMUMC narthex in the information rack. Among the items these agencies will accept are new or used adult clothing, baby clothes, children’s clothes, shoes, blankets, craft and sewing supplies, medical supplies, and other items.
For more information call Carolyn Menne at 240-475-3721.
You Can Help Mission Central with Disaster Relief
Mission Central continues to respond to relief efforts after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Mission Central is the largest of seven warehouses within the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Disaster Relief Network.
Mission Central is in dire need of UMCOR relief supplies and monetary donations, Recent relief efforts have nearly depleted their entire cleaning and hygiene bucket inventories. You can help replenish Mission Central supplies by:
- Donating through Mission Central’s secure site, Donate Money – Mission Central, designating funds for disaster relief (UMCOR Cleaning Buckets cost about $78 and UMCOR Hygiene Kits are about $14).
- Donate cleaning bucket supplies directly (see their Amazon Wish List for Cleaning Buckets, UMCOR Amazon Wish List) and send items to Mission Central, 5 Pleasant View Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.
- Volunteer to help St. Matthew’s (a Mission Central Hub) to pick-up supplies; organize supply drives; and assemble, check, inventory, and deliver buckets and kits to Mission Central. Contact missions@stmatthews-bowie.org to volunteer or learn more. Volunteer hours and duties are flexible, and service opportunities are ever-changing.
Say Hello on Facebook!
When you view our Sunday Service on Facebook, don’t forget to send greetings in a comment. We love to hear from you!
On November 10, we heard from an old friend, Jackie Wade: “Good Morning everyone. My name is Jacqueline (Castello) Wade … I have lived in Ohio for the past 50 some years but I was a member of the first confirmation class for this church.. my Dad was a Sunday School Teacher for awhile and I used to work in nursery and was a member of MYF”.
Book Clubs Resume in December
The Tuesday Morning Book Club will resume study of the Gospel of Mark on Tuesday, December 3, at 9:45 AM in the Church parlor.
On Tuesday, December 17 beginning at 7:00 PM, the Christian Book Club will discuss the first 56 pages of Rachel Held Evan’s book Wholehearted Faith. As usual the meeting will be via ZOOM. All are welcome.
Get Your Year-End Donations in by December 29
The Finance Committee would like to thank each of you for your generous contributions throughout 2024, which has enabled us to continue to serve God in our local community and throughout the world. As the year draws to a close, please do not forget your church and the financial commitment you made through your pledge last year. Note that, due to deadlines imposed by our bank, in order for your year-end contribution to be recognized in your 2024 giving, it must be received in the church office no later than 11:00 AM, Sunday, December 29. Donations received after that time will be included in your 2025 giving statement. If you have questions, please contact Lisa Wilson, Financial Secretary (Iisawilson@stmatthews-bowie.
Little Free Pantry Update
This is the month to visit our local Giant and buy a reusable bag for $2.75 and earn a dollar for our LFP!!! The bags are a good size for carrying home your Thanksgiving turkey and other sides for your feast! Beth Lingg for the LFP (bethlingg@comcast.net)
Bowie Food Pantry Update
The Bowie Food Pantry is extremely busy now with clients needing food. Their greatest needs are for condiments (ketchup, salad dressing, spices, etc.), canned tuna, and low-sugar cereal. Financial donations are welcome as the Pantry is providing gift cards to their regular clients for the purchase of their Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Funds can be donated through St. Matthew’s noting the fund for Bowie Food Pantry. Thank you for your generous support!
To ensure that your item is included in the Midweek Messenger, please send it to enews@stmatthews-bowie.org