Midweek Messenger for August 20, 2026
Schedule Highlights
- Worship Schedule: St. Matthew’s Worship Schedule
- The Garden service starts at 8:30 AM.
- Other Meetings and Events: St. Matthew’s August 2026 Calendar
Sunday School Classes
- Children’s Sunday School resumes September 13.
- The Adult Summer Sunday School class will continue this Sunday, immediately after the Garden Service (approximately 9:10 AM) in the Parlor. This week, the session leader is Becky Roper.
Tuesday Bible Studies
Join our Bible studies every Tuesday:
- Join Isaac Borocz in the Parlor at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday mornings for our weekly Bible study. Week by week, we sit with Scripture, asking questions, wrestling with meaning, and allowing the text to speak into our lives.
- 7:00 PM Bible Study with Rev. JW Park has come to a close and will be on hiatus through the summer months. See you on September 8!
Messy Church Tomorrow!!
Our next Messy Church will be on Friday, August 21, when we will reflect on the scripture in Ephesians 4:1-6. The author of the scripture appeals to the Christian community to remember their calling and to preserve unity in the body because they are all one in God. There is, the author writes, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Even though we all have different gifts, we are all part of the same body (or zoo!). Come join us as we build unity and a feeling of belonging in this zoo (Messy Church)! Dinner will begin at 6:00 PM.
Annual Blessing of the Backpacks This Sunday
This Sunday, August 23, St. Matthew’s will hold the Blessing of the Backpacks. If you or your child attends school or teaches, please bring your backpack, bag, tote, or whatever back-to-school item you need blessed with you to church. We will have a special blessing for the school year! We will also celebrate the backpacks that you provided, which we delivered to Benjamin Tasker Middle School on August 18. The folks at Tasker were delighted! (Read more about this successful event in the September Circuit Rider.)
Clean Up Needed for the Marne Lane Property
During the August 19 Charge Conference, the members of the Administrative Council voted unanimously to sell the church’s property on Marne Lane. Decisive issues included the fact that the tenants have moved out, the church is no longer collecting rent on the property, and we continue to incur costs such as taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
To improve the house’s curb appeal and prepare it for sale, the Trustees have announced a clean-up day to occur on August 29, at 9:00 AM. The Trustees plan to do some basic yard work around the outside and house cleaning on the inside. They need volunteers to help. If you can help and/or if you could bring lawn tools (especially a hedge trimmer) or cleaning equipment (especially a vacuum cleaner), please contact the Trustees by email at trustees@stmatthews-bowie.org or Scot Lee at 301-526-4673.
Watch St. Matthew’s Events on Your Favorite TV
We always hope that everyone will attend St. Matthew’s services and events in person and enjoy the personal interactions and fellowship available there. However, if your schedule or circumstances prevent you from attending live events, you may still be able to watch some of them from the comfort of your favorite chair on your own television. Beginning on Monday, August 24 at 8:30 PM, the City of Bowie Public Access channel will be airing videos of selected St. Matthew’s Sunday services, with an occasional special concert or other St. Matthew’s event mixed in. Tune to Comcast channel 77 or Verizon channel 11 in Bowie to catch up on something you may have missed. This service is only available in the official incorporated city limits of Bowie for now. Those with a Bowie zip code outside of the official incorporated city limits of Bowie won’t be able to see it on TV.
Sharpen Your Trivia Skills to Win a Grand Prize!
The Interfaith Coalition of Bowie (ICB) invites you to their summer Interfaith Trivia Night. Join them for a fun night of food, games, and fellowship, and a chance to win a grand prize of $800, which will be split between the winning team and a local faith community of their choosing. The event will be held at the Sycamore Club at 12600 Fairwood Parkway on Saturday, August 29. Doors open at 7:00 PM and they will begin the festivities by serving a delicious (and free) catered dinner that will include vegan and gluten-free options and yummy desserts. The game begins at 7:30. To register to attend, click here: ICB Trivia Night Tickets. This event is made possible through a generous grant from the Prince George’s County Council District 4 office.
Gear Up for September Worship!
Are you ready for some football? Oh, we mean some amazing worship at St. Matts! September 13 is going to be our kickoff Sunday! We ask you to invite your family, your friends, your neighbors, a passing acquaintance, or anyone you can think of to join us for worship! Children’s Sunday School will be back and we are looking forward to worshipping with everyone! Also, since this is a kickoff event, please feel free to wear a sports jersey to worship with us!
Save the Date for Tea!
The annual United Women in Faith (UWF) Fellowship Tea is just 3 weeks away! Plan to come to Fellowship Hall at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, and enjoy tea and goodies and great conversation!
Calling All Rockers for the Bowie Crop Walk!
Did you hear St. Matthew’s UMC is bringing back the Crop Walk to Bowie on Sunday, September 20 (Bowie CROP Walk 2026)? But we are adding another level to the fun. We are also going to have Rocking Chairs in Fellowship Hall so those who may be unable to walk can still participate by rocking. Participating Rockers will get sponsors for their time rocking. More information will be coming out very soon.
But here’s the thing: we need to borrow your Rocking Chairs for this event.
Any rocking chairs will work as long as they are supportive and safe. They can be indoor or outdoor styles. Contact Karen Hastings by texting or calling at 301-785-4343 or email SHEEP at sheep@stmatthews-bowie.org if you are willing to let us borrow your Rocker. These rockers can be delivered anytime between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on Saturday, September 19 and picked up after the Crop Walk and Rock event on Sunday. Please label your rockers with your name under the seat, so we make sure you get your chair back. If you need help getting your rocker to the church, contact SHEEP at the phone or email address above. The more rocking chairs we can borrow, the more money we can raise to battle World and Community Hunger.
Looking for Volunteer Opportunities? You Can Help Those in Need!
Do you want to help others, but you can’t commit to a long-term obligation? Do you have some spare time available for worthy causes? St. Matthew’s has several opportunities for people who are willing to give their time and talents for others:
- Planners and volunteers are needed for preparing and serving the September and October Men’s Shelter Meal
- Help plan and support activities during September’s Hunger Action Month, including bringing the CROP Walk back to Bowie.
For further information and to volunteer and support any of these efforts, please contact SHEEP@stmatthews-bowie.org.
Comment or React and Be Counted!
Do you ever attend our Sunday morning service via Facebook? If so, did you know you get credit for your attendance when you click an emoji or leave a comment? We can tell how many people are on Facebook, but unless you interact with the service on Facebook, we don’t know who you are. So please, when you attend, click an emoji or better yet, leave a comment to say hello to the congregation! If you are gathered with anyone else to watch, please include their names in your greeting and we can give them credit for their attendance as well. Thank you for helping us to recognize your participation!
Latest News from Alpha House
St. Matthew’s Housing Corporation (SMHC) has expanded support for women victims of domestic violence to include expectant mothers and single mothers with their children. We are now ready to receive any donations you’d like to make! Please drop them off in the St. Matthew’s coat room.
As a reminder, SMHC needs your help to fulfill the current needs listed below:
- 6-foot ladder
- Pack and plays for infants (3)
- Large play pen for common area
- Bibs
- Disposable Diapers (size 1)
- $25 Gift cards (Target/Walmart/Gas/Grocery)
- Items for laundry room and linen closet (Large Hamper, Detergent, Dryer Sheets, Towels, Wash Cloths)
If you would prefer to make a monetary contribution, please make checks payable to St. Matthew’s and write “Bowie Housing” on the memo line of the check, as well as on the line on front of your envelope where you show the amount you’d like to donate to SMHC/Alpha House. When making your donation online, if you don’t find a code that looks right to you, simply put “Bowie Housing” in the comment section and your donation will be appropriately directed to SMHC/Alpha House.
SMHC/Alpha House appreciate any support you can provide. If you have any questions, requests for assistance with a donation, or offers of support, please contact Monica Cole, (202) 774-4785; email: MhStmatthews@gmail.com. Thank you for your generosity and support for this exciting extension of the SMHC/Alpha House mission!
Where to Donate Your Yard Sale Treasures with No Yard Sale
As you may recall, for the past couple of years, dedicated volunteers from the SHEEP team have been able to find charitable homes for almost all of the items that didn’t sell at previous years’ yard sales. Since the yard sale will not be held this year, if you were saving gently used items for the yard sale, here is a list of alternative options for your donations: Charities and the Donations They Accept.
The list includes location and contact information and examples of the types of items they accept. A big thank you goes to the Friendship Circle for starting this list.
In addition to the charities in the list, St. Matthew’s has some in-house donation opportunities coming up:
- Kitchen items can be donated during September Hunger Action Month.
- Coats can be donated during our October Coat Drive.
- Medical supplies and equipment can be donated year-round and will be taken to the Mission Central Hub or put in our Lending Closet.
For further information, please contact SHEEP@stmatthews-bowie.org.
Fall Registration for the Lay Servant Academy is Still Open
The Baltimore-Washington Conference Lay Servant Academy offers engaging courses that equip laity to lead with confidence in their churches and communities. Whether you’re pursuing Lay Servant certification, continuing your education, or simply seeking to deepen your discipleship, these courses provide practical tools, biblical insight, and meaningful connections with fellow learners. For more information and to register, see this link: BWC Lay Servant Academy. You can still make the deadline for registration for these two classes (August 26): Introduction to Lay Ministry: The BASIC Course and Loving People and Planet in God’s Name – Advanced Course.
You Are Invited to a Conversation on Social Principles
Registration is now open for a Conversation on the Social Principles. Deepen your understanding of The United Methodist Church’s Social Principles during a conversation led by the Rev. Neal Christie. Choose from two Saturday sessions: September 12 at Hunt’s Memorial UMC in Towson, or September 19 at Grace UMC in Aberdeen. Both events begin at 10:00 AM and last until 2:00 PM. Join others in exploring how our faith informs our witness in the world. Though these are being held in the Reservoir District, this conversation is open for all to attend. For more information and to register, follow this link: Conversation on the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church.
In Case You Haven’t Heard…
- Blessing of the Pets will occur on Saturday, October 3.
- Crofton PRIDE will be celebrated on Saturday, October 10
- St. Matthew’s annual Church Conference will begin at 9:00 AM, Saturday, October 10 at Mayo UMC, in Edgewater, MD.
Little Free Pantry Update
Thank you for your donations to the LFP. The current needs are cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, pancake mix, and syrup. Thank you for your generous donations. (bethlingg,@comcast.net)
Bowie Food Pantry Update
At this time, the Pantry is most in need of canned tomato products (diced, stewed), peanut butter, and low sugar cereal. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the coat room.
Please support the September 20 CROP Walk! A portion of the funds raised will go to the Bowie Food Pantry! Watch for news on how to participate.
To ensure that your item is included in the Midweek Messenger, please send it to enews@stmatthews-bowie.org by noon on Wednesday. Anything received after that may be held for the next week’s edition.