Parish News- October 12, 2008


Congratulations to Chris & Laura Altman on the birth of their new baby boy! Tyler Christopher Altman was born on October 3, 2008. The rosebud placed on the altar is in his honor.

Altar Flowers for October 12, 2008
One altar vase in memory of Mr. & Mrs. John H. Puckhaber and John Skuhra, given by Doris Skuhra. And one altar vase in memory of loved ones, given by Julius & Gladys Mappus.

If you desire prayer for any reason, our Prayer Partners will receive you in the chapel after you have communed. The Prayer Partners for today are: (8:30AM) Rudy Matzner (11AM) Cheryl Steadman and Nancy Romness.

Sales of Fair Trade Coffee, Tea & Chocolate will resume today. The Fair Trade table is in the hallway of the Educational Building. Please visit between services.

Genesis Youth (grades 6-12): service project today! We're volunteering the afternoon shift at the OLC's Lowcountry Bounty Festival. Meet for lunch at 12:30 pm, we'll ride to the festival together and work behind the scene anyway we can. We'll return to church by 6:30 pm. Please come, serve, and help us support our Outreach Center!

Next Sunday, Oct. 19, the Art-Music-Justice Tour comes to Gaillard Auditorium. The concert features Sara Groves, Derek Webb, and others, and all proceeds go to the International Justice Mission, Food for the Hungry, and Habitat for Humanity build project. Meet and pick up at church for youth, 6:30 pm -- 10:00 pm. Cost is $12. Parents and families welcome!

Preparation for Baptism – Pastor Blalock would like to meet with anyone who is interested in being baptized or has a child to be baptized. Please contact LaVondilyn Watson, Parish Secretary, and 723-1611 to schedule an appointment.

The Franke Home Auxiliary is having its White Elephant Sale and bake sale Wednesday, November 12th from 11AM—2PM. If you have anything you would like to donate, please call Addie Smith

XYZ Now & Then Luncheon today at 12:45 at the Holiday Inn Riverview. All single ladies 55 & over are invited to attend. For further information call Irene Bennett at the church office.

Coming Soon...Organ Spectacular! Charleston’s part in launching The International Year of the Organ, Sunday, October 19th at 5PM at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Hear music by J.S. Bach; the French masters Eugène Gigout, Louis Vierne & Charles-Marie Widor; Americans Horatio Parker, Gordon Young and Billy Nalle; and the premiere performance of a work by St. Matthew’s own, Clayton Moser. The Organ Spectacular is FREE.

Boys and girls in grades K5 - 5th grade are invited to serve in the St. Matthew's Alleluia Choir which meets each Wednesday from 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. They sing once a month in addition to the Candlelight Service at Christmas. Please speak to Mr.
Ludlum or Ms. Danelle Welzig after either service if your child might like to be a part of this ministry to children.

We Care for Our Troops Prayer Wall is located by the elevator on the lower level of the first floor in the Education Building. Please add names, addresses and pictures of anyone you know who is serving in the military. For updates contact Sondra Pfaehler pfaehlers@bellsouth.net.

CARE KITS FOR OUR TROOPS We’re collecting donations for Christmas Care Kits for our troops. A list of needed items is available at the Prayer Wall. There is also a letter from Debra Yost about items Pastor Carl Yost needs while in Afghanistan. We’ll assemble the kits on November 12 at 6:30PM as a part of Wednesdays Together.

Don't forget to visit the Lowcountry Bounty Festival this afternoon until 6 pm at Seabrook Island.  It is your chance to enjoy this beautiful fall weather on pristine Seabrook Island, have a great time and support our Outreach Center.   Tickets are available at the gate, $25, $10 students, kids under 8 free.  See you there.

** Needs for Outreach Center ** Collared shirts with buttons, Props for a play (hats, funny shirts, items and clothes you think kids would enjoy dressing up in!) and tin cans.

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Our Quality Time Respite Care Program urgently needs volunteer workers, drivers and riders. Workers assist clients by helping them to converse, move, sing, exercise and enjoy arts and crafts. Any hours workers can contribute on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between 10AM and 2PM are welcomed.

Van drivers and riders participate one or more days each month for approximately one and one-half hours before and/or after the Monday and Thursday sessions. At present, this program is limited by the number of volunteers we are able to recruit. Please consider indicating your willingness to participate on your Time and Talent cards or by calling Rudy Matzner or Larry Amick .

St. Matthew’s Kids in the Spotlight
Ella Webb & Jack Webb
Please stop by the Education Hallway to meet and greet Ella and Jack following 8:30 worship today. A poster with their picture and information about them will remain on display through the coming week.

Child Protection
Anyone who wishes to help with children and youth ministries needs to complete Stewards of Children training from Darkness to Light and complete paperwork. The training is available online! Once you begin the online program, you have two weeks to complete it. To sign up for the Stewards of Children online training, please contact LaVondilyn Watson, Parish Secretary, 723-1611 to get St. Matthew’s log in ID and password.

Shepherd Ministry
The purpose of the St. Matthew’s Shepherd Ministry is to create, maintain and sustain loving and caring relationships within the life of our church family. If anyone in the congregation has not been contacted by their Shepherd, has a change of address or would like more information about this ministry, please contact: Janelle Othersen jnbothersen@bellsouth.net

The Coastal Conference has invited our new Bishop Yoos to Charleston for informal meetings, a meal and worship on Thursday, November 13th at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in West Ashley. The installation of the Reverend Michael T. Shackelford, who has accepted the call to specialized ministry as the Lutheran Hospice Chaplain for the lowcountry, will be a part of the 7PM worship service.

Reformation worship to feature Lenoir Rhyne University
Choir, October 26. This year St. Matthew's is privileged to host this fine choir at both 8:30 & 11AM services on this special day. Housing is needed for 41 students for Saturday evening, October 25. If you’d like to host two or more students, please contact Sara Bates. We will also host an organ recital on Saturday at 7PM. by Thomas Dahl, organist of St. Peter's Church in Hamburg, Germany. He will also accompany the choir at both services

CHILDREN AND YOUTH GROWING IN DISCIPLESHIP

Classes meet Sundays at 9:45AM in the Education Building
Children Age 1 – Grade 1 “Learn the Bible to Live the Good News”
Toddler Class for ages 1-2 Room 102
Preschool Class for ages 3 -5 Room 101
Kindergarten - Grade 1 Room 104
Grades 2 – 5 and parents - Bible Song in the Auditorium
Confirmation Ministry for Grades 6-8 and parents – Head to the Heart (H2H) Room 209
Senior High - DevoZine Third Floor Youth Room

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Adult classes meet Sundays at 9:45AM in the Outreach Center
Faith Lessons First Floor
Contact: Charles Schantz
Discover St. Matthew’s Room 201
Contact: Bev and Ed Blanton Becky & Pastor Dick Campbell
Young Adult Class Room 301
Contact: – Laura & Chris Altman lauratlion@aol.com

WEDNESDAYS TOGETHER!

Please join us for a time for sharing a meal, fellowship, choir rehearsals, activities and learning. Please make dinner reservations on the Record of Attendance.
5:30 – 6:30 Dinner served
$5/person, maximum $17/family, no charge/college students
Dinner is available to anyone at no charge if there is a need. Please talk to Cindy Greenwood.
Centering Prayer
Wednesday 6:30PM in Rm 209
October 12: Pastor Raymond Hollifield will lead a study on centering prayer.
The Four Acts of Prayer - Come experience the video-based study featuring Walter Wangerin, Jr.
Wednesdays, 6:30PM in Room 209.
October 29 & November 5 : Walter uses stories to explore the vital elements of the complete circle of praying: We Speak, God Listens, God Speaks, We Listen. He shows us that these four simple acts, practiced and developed with diligence, bring us into close communion with God that supports us in our daily living.
*We will assemble the care kits for our troops on Wednesday, November 12*
Daily Bible Reading
Pastor Blalock will lead a monthly study for those who desire group Bible study and discussion with this initiative. The dates for this semester are Wednesdays, October 22, and November 19 at 6:30PM and Sunday, December 21, 9:45AM.

The Week at a Glance

Sunday, October 12
8:30AM Holy Communion (S)
9:45AM Sunday School for All Ages
11AM Holy Communion
12:30PM Youth—Lunch & Service Project
12:45 PM XYZ Then & Now Singles Lunch

Monday, October 13
10AM Respite Care (A)
12:30PM GED Tutoring
1:30PM XYZ Bowling
3PM AS Kids
5:45PM St. Matthew’s Ringers (CHR)
6:30PM ESL
6:30PM Cemetery Committee
6:30PM Circle 1
6:30PM Circle 2

Tuesday, October 14
8AM Men’s Work Crew
9:30AM ESL (OLC)
10AM Bible Study
12:30 GED Tutoring (OLC)
2PM Staff Meeting
3PM AS Kids
6PM Campus Ministry (OLC)
7PM Circle 8

Wednesday, October 15
9:30AM ESL (OLC)
12:30PM GED Tutoring
3PM AS Kids
4:45PM Alleluia Choir (CHR)
5:30PM Youth Choir (CHR)
5:30PM Wednesday’s Together—Dinner
6:30PM ESL (OLC)
6:30PM Bible Study & Childcare
6:30PM Genesis Youth
7:30PM Gallery Choir (CHR)

Thursday, October 16
9:30AM ESL (OLC)
10AM Respite Care (A)
12:30PM GED Tutoring (OLC)
3PM AS Kids

Friday, October 17
10AM Respite Care (A)
6PM Lloyd/Brownell Rehearsal

Saturday, October 18

11AM Women’s AA