Parish News February 1, 2009


Altar Flowers for February 1, 2009.
One altar vase in honor of Martha Stackel, in appreciation of her faithful service as President of the Altar Guild. One altar vase in honor of Doug Ludlum and Saint Matthew’s Choirs for enriching worship services.

If you desire prayer for any reason
, our Prayer Partners will receive you in the chapel after you have communed. Prayer Partners for today are: (8:30AM) Jan Puckhaber, (11:00AM) Wayne Weart.

Special Note:
Copies of the 2008 Annual Report will be available on Sunday, February 8, 2009.

The 8th Annual Saint Matthew’s Oyster Roast and Barbecue will be held February 6 at 7:00 pm at Sand Dunes Club. This is the last day to purchase tickets.

Please consider making a donation to the Darryl G. Johnson Scholarship Fund. The fund directly benefits the participants and families in the Quality Time Respite Care Program who cannot afford our small fee. Quality Time does not turn anyone away because of an inability to pay. Darryl G. Johnson was the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the respite program for 10 years. Upon Darryl's retirement from the board, the fund was created to honor his many years of dedication and service to the program. To contribute, please make check payable to Respite Care Ministries with Darryl G. Johnson scholarship in the memo.

Our Outreach Learning Center and Respite Care Ministries both apply annually for funding from the Exchange Club of Charleston. We are asked each year for the names of Exchange Club members who are involved in St. Matthew’s. If you are a member of the Exchange Club of Charleston, please contact Margaret at the Outreach Learning Center to get your name on our list of members to submit. Thank you.

Needed for the After School Program!! If you have old calendars, head phones and/or disposable cameras or old cameras you no longer need (and film), please give it to the After School Program. Contact Christy Stephenson for more information.

WELCA Valentine Sale for World Hunger. WELCA Circle 2 has hand-crafted Valentine Cards for sale between church services (9:45AM and 10:45AM). The cost of each card is $3.00 (includes postage stamp) and all of the proceeds go to the World Hunger Relief Fund. Circle 2 will be selling the cards every Sunday until Valentine’s Day in the Sunday School Building Foyer. Quantities are limited, so don’t miss out on this special opportunity to send a smile while contributing to a great cause. An example of the card is on the WELCA bulletin board.

There is a Mother’s Lounge available to use anytime:
Room 201 in the Education Building located at the top of the steps by the Vanderhorst Street door is now available with rocking chairs and a changing table.

Book of Faith Initiative:
In 2007 the ELCA churchwide assembly voted to embrace an initiative called Book of Faith. The bold vision for this five-year initiative is: That the whole church become more fluent in the first language of faith, the language of Scripture, in order that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the Word.

Wednesdays Together!
This is a time for all ages to come together for a meal, fellowship, music and learning. Childcare is provided.
Dinner will be available 5:30 – 6:30. Please make your reservation for dinner on the Record of Attendance found in the Sunday bulletin. The cost is $5 per person with a maximum of $17 per family. College students/no charge. If you need financial assistance for the meal please contact Cindy Greenwood 723-1611 Ext. 26.

Dr. Russ Seabright, retired Pastor and member of the congregation, will lead a study on Wednesdays, February 4, 11 and 18, 6:30 PM. As we approach Lent in February, we will consider what the New Testament and the ancient Church said about the Crucifixion: what it accomplished, how it accomplished it, how it was explained. In Romans 3:25, Hebrews 12:2, Ephesians 4:8, and the writings of Augustine, Anselm and Abelard, we find images and comparisons that will provide a rich variety of meaning and balance for our Lenten reflection. There will be four Wednesday evening sessions. Each participant is encouraged to bring her/his own copy of the Bible. We will spend time looking at individual passages and the ideas of individual writers as we form a personal understanding of this event that has cosmic effects.

Please note: We have a new contract with a caterer beginning February 11. We need to raise the cost for dinner to $7/person, $20/family, college students/no charge. Financial assistance available for all

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Classes meet Sundays at 9:45AM in the Education Building
Sunday School Superintendent: Mary Beth Hill

Children Age 1 – Grade 1
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

Grades 6-8—Head to the Heart (H2H) Confirmation Ministry - Room 209 Parents are encouraged to attend.

Senior High - Third Floor Youth Room - devozine – Devotions to help youth develop a lifelong practice of spending time with God and reflecting on what God is doing in your life.

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Adult classes meet Sundays at 9:45AM – Meet in the Community Outreach Center (ORC) or in the Chapel in the Education Building

That the World May Know - Charles Schantz - ORC – First Floor
Filmed on location in Israel,
Faith Lessons is a unique video set that brings God’s Word to life with astounding relevance.

Young Adult Class – Laura & Chris Altman - ORC - 301
Young adults gather for coffee and discussion to help you examine your faith as you grow as a Christian.

Bible Study - Pastor Raymond Hollifield - Chapel
Come be a part of this class for an in-depth, verse by verse study of the Gospel of Mark.

Discover St. Matthew’s
– ORC -201 (10 Sessions) January 25 – April 26
Finding out what's involved in being a church member is just one of the purposes of this class. This a great opportunity for anyone to brush up on being Lutheran and living out your faith. Come explore the ministry and mission of St. Matthew's. New Member Sunday is May 3. Contact: Bev and Ed Blanton or Becky & Pastor Dick Campbell

SAVE the DATE… Saturday, May 2

At the invitation of Bishop Herman Yoos, our congregation will be participating in Operation InAsMuch with all of the South Carolina Synod. This is a day of compassion ministry in the community.



The Week at a Glance

Sunday, February 1
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Little Red Wagon Sunday
8:30AM Holy Communion (S)
9:45AM Sunday School for All Ages (ED)
11:00AM Holy Communion (S)

Monday, February 2
10:00AM Respite Care (A)
10:30AM Circle 3
1:30PM XYZ Bowling
5:45PM St. Matthew’s Ringers
6:30PM—Board Chairs
7:00PM Ministry Boards

Tuesday, February 3
8:00AM Men’s Work Crew
10:00AM Bible Study
2:00PM Staff Communion/Meeting (CH/L)
6:00PM Campus Ministry

Wednesday, February 4
11:00AM Circle 6
12:30PM ORC Board Meeting
4:45PM Alleluia Choir (CHR)
5:30PM Youth Choir (CHR)
5:30PM Dinner (A)
6:30PM Childcare (N)
6:30PM Genesis Youth
6:30PM-Bible Study with Pastor Russ Seabright
7:30PM Gallery Choir (CHR)

Thursday, February 5
10AM QT Respite Care (A)
11:00AM Circle 4

Friday, February 6
10AM QT Respite Care (A)
7:00PM Oyster Roast & Barbecue
(Sand Dunes Club)

Saturday, February 7
9:30AM WELCA Winter Retreat
(Mepkin Abbey)
11AM Women’s AA (201)