Parish News- November 9



Congratulations! to Brian and Jessica Hackathorne on the birth of their son, David Robert (10/17) and to Kyle and Makala Boczkowski on the birth of their daughter, Gracie Elaine (10/25). Rosebuds have been placed on the altar in their honor.

Altar Flowers for November 9, 2008
One altar vase in memory of Harry Lindenberg, given by Betsy, Chip, Sean, Harris and Grace Cappelmann. And one altar vase in honor of our sons, Marshall and Maxwell, and in memory of Bruce Preston Marshall, given by Matthew and Tracey Whitmer.

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) Carol & Kerry Koon (11AM) Jan Puckhaber & Marilyn Orvin.

St. Matthew's worship services can now be heard on the new website kirkenmin.com. Listen whenever you wish. Services will usually be available within 24 hours from the time at which they occurred. This is Mark and Nancy Romness's new website.

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.

Mark your calendars!   Sunday, December 7th, the Outreach Center will be home to a silent auction from 8am-1 pm.  This surrounding the congregational meeting at 9:45.  The center has received in kind donations for the festival which remain as we were unable to hold the auction.   Help the Outreach Center recover from the "rainy festival" and benefit from many nice items at the same time.   It will be a festive, holiday event with refreshments and Christmas items.   Give us a call if you or your business has an item to donate to this benefit. 579-0420  

XYZ Singles Lunch today at 12:45 at the Holiday Inn Riverview Restaurant. All ladies 55 and over are invited to attend.

XYZ Christmas Celebration: Check the XYZ board in the Education Building to sign up for the XYZ Christmas Celebration. The luncheon will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 1:00 PM. Registration & payment are due in advance by Wednesday, November 25. See the November Messenger for further information.

The Community Ministry Board is sponsoring a food and coat drive during worship services on 11/16, 11/23, and 11/27. The donated items will be given to the St. Matthews Outreach Center, East Cooper Community Outreach, and Tricounty Family Ministries so that they may be distributed to those in need.

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. Thank you to Sondra Pfaehler for all her time devoted to helping our troops and families.  If anyone has updates or would be interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Cindy Greenwood (723-1611x26) cindygreenwood@smlccharleston.org

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 ext. 16 to schedule an appointment.

Muenda Fair Trade is coming to St. Matthew's!
Susie and Paul Dolphin will be here for their annual visit with Fair Trade items available for purchase in the Fellowship Room on November 23.

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 ext.16 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

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 Pastor Blalock.

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 serving in Afghanistan. We’ll assemble the kits on November 12 at 6:30PM as a part of Wednesdays Together.

Daily Bible Reading study with Pastor Blalock - Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30PM and Sunday, December 21, 9:45AM.

November Nursery Schedule for Childcare:
Sundays 8:00AM – 12:30 PM
Wednesdays 6:30-9:00PM


Help the Outreach Learning Center by SHOPPING the Weekend after Thanksgiving!! Barnes and Noble book fair Friday Nov. 28 through Sunday Nov. 30th any purchases made, a percent will be donated back to the OLC! If you are interested, we have vouchers at the OLC or email christyEstephenson@gmail.com for the vouchers.



The Coastal Conference has invited our new Bishop Yoos to Charleston. A potluck k dinner will be served from 5PM-6PM. At 6PM there will be an open forum with Bishop Yoos for the lay leaders. 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.

Annual Barbecue & Bake Sale at All Saints Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 15th from 4-7PM. Cost—$8.

Collections for our annual Bags to the Elderly in our community continue.  Boxes for your donations are in the education building and the Outreach Center.  All items are due in by November. Thanks.

From the Call Committee:
We have reviewed the qualifications of 18 pastors.
We have interviewed 3 candidates in Charleston.
We have made 5 unannounced visits to parishes to measure possible candidates.
We have 1 active candidate and have submitted 4 new names to Bishop Yoos, who has been very helpful. We can only have 3 active candidates at one time.
Five members of the committee will visit a parish out of state next month. This candidate has been interviewed in Charleston and this is the second stage of the candidate’s interviewing process.

**Congregational Meeting: December 7th, 2008.
at 9:45AM/between services**




The Week at a Glance

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

Monday, November 10—Martin Luther’s Birthday
10AM Respite Care (A)
3PM AS Kids (OLC)
5:45PM St. Matthew’s Ringers (CHR)
6:30PM Circle 1
6:30PM Circle 2
6:30PM ESL
6:30PM Cemetery Committee
Messenger Deadline

Tuesday, November 11
8AM Men’s Work Crew
9:30AM ESL (OLC)
10AM Bible Study
12:30PM GED Tutoring (OLC)
1PM Elderhostel Visit
2PM Staff Meeting
3PM AS Kids (OLC)
6PM Campus Ministry (OLC)
7:30PM Circle 8

Wednesday, November 12
9:30AM ESL (OLC)
12:30PM GED Tutoring (OLC)
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, November 13
9:30AM ESL (OLC)
9:30AM ESL (OLC)
10AM Respite Care (A)
12:30PM GED Tutoring (OLC)
3PM AS Kids

Friday, November 14
10AM Respite Care (A)

Saturday, November15
11AM Women’s AA