St. Matthews Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” Acts 2:17

The Episcopal House at Candler School of Theology – Furnishings Needed

You might have heard that Candler just acquired a house ( “The Episcopal House” ) to use for formation. Emory owns the house but it will be used as a residential community . Four new students will live in TEH next academic year. The new House Rector will be a  Postulant from The Diocese of Atlanta Will Drosos. ( copied) Will has agreed to work on furnishing the house this summer as everyone moves in Aug 1st. The house needs some furnishings ( see list below) and I wondered if you would be willing to make an announcement to see if anyone has any  furniture that they might donate. Will will co-ordinate with anyone interested so this will not become a hassle for you .

We will also need to fit out a chapel so any chairs , altar , prayer books , etc that you may be able to loan would be helpful as well. We are expanding morning prayer to include a service at the house . The community will be an intentional community with a Covenant . Dr Kyle Lambelet is on point to pull together the community and is also working on a chaplain.

Here is a list of items I believe we’ll need:

  • Leaves for the dining room table
  • Additional dining room chairs (4)
  • Couch
  • Love seat
  • Arm chairs (2)
  • Seating for chapel
  • Altar/kneeler for chapel
  • Lawn table and chairs (4)
  • Lawn mower
  • Vacuum and cleaning supplies
  • TV and TV stand
  • Side tables (2)
  • Lamps (4)
  • Book shelf

 



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Pentecost, Baptism and Confirmation With the Bishop

Sixteen youth and adults were confirmed or received and one infant was baptized at the Holy Eucharist service on June 9, the Day of Pentecost, celebrated by The Right Reverend Robert Wright. Twenty-three individuals were reaffirmed. The joyous service of celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit ended the fifty days of Easter in the liturgical calendar.

To view photos of this important day in St. Matthew’s, click here.



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May Food Drive – Outreach At St. Matthew’s

This year, May is the month in which St. Matthew’s will focus on collecting special items for the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministries.

The Co-op asked we collect Shampoo, 1 lb bags of white or brown rice, Canned chicken, and Canned pineapple

The pineapple is always in high demand and just seems to fly off the shelves.

The Outreach Committee will be handing out bags with attached food list after both services, so please fill the bag and return to the barrel outside of the Parish Hall.

Volunteer Opportunity: This year, all the food we collect during our special May food drive will be delivered to the Co-op all at once, on Saturday morning, June 1st. We would like volunteers to help bring the food over, stay and help sort the food and then take the opportunity to tour the facility. This is a great opportunity to see where and how your donations are used and what an impact St Matthew’s Church has.

Summer Manna/Fun Under the Big Top at the Co-op

Families with school aged children often experience food insecurity during the summer months due to the suspension of school breakfast and lunch programs. The Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry assists these families by allowing them to visit the Co-op twice during the summer months. These extra visits put a huge burden on the volunteers who work in the Pantry. St. Matthew’s has agreed to assist by providing volunteers to work alongside the regular Pantry volunteers on May 29th and May 31st. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the Outreach bulletin board. In the Pantry, youth volunteers must be Middle School Age (with a parent/guardian) or High School Age (solo/no parent). ALL Pantry volunteers MUST WEAR closed toed shoes…. NO sandals.



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St. Matthew’s Annual VBS Coming July 8-12, 2019!

St. Matthew’s VBS offers children Pre-K through rising fifth grade a fun and rewarding week of fellowship, games, crafts and story time, all centered around God’s love for us.

Our 2019 VBS will be held July 8-12, 2019.

9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Cost: Before June 15 — $20 per child

After June 15 — $25 per child

(payable ON REALM when registering, at church office by check, or on first day of camp)

Camper Registration

 School Level: Pre-K through rising 5th Grade (4-11 yrs. old)
Volunteers are needed! Register to volunteer ON REALM
Information on Special Needs VBS (Tuesday & Thursday, modified hours) coming soon.



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Stephen Ministry Update, April 2019

This month’s continuing education with our partners at First United Methodist Lawrenceville provided a further look at the book titled “Why?” by Adam Hamilton.
Our discussion centered around Chapter 2, “Why Do My Prayers Go Unanswered?”

Thoughts & Observations:

  • Jesus said, “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” Jesus was speaking hyperbolically (overstatement or exaggeration to make a point).  If we took these words literally, human beings don’t have to work, strive, research or put forth any effort for anything. It would automatically be given to you.  This is not what Jesus meant when he spoke about prayer.
  • God does not always answer our prayers, even when we offer them in faith at times of real and critical need.  While God may not answer our prayers as we offer them, God does not abandon us.  He will always be with us through our trials.
  • God does not suspend the laws of nature that he created, but rather works through people to help people. This is the very basis for Stephen Ministry!
  • God will not suspend another’s free will in response to our prayers.
  • Intercessory prayer – prayer that asks for God’s intervention and help. Perhaps it is better to ask for God’s comfort and sustaining presence as we walk through our trials and tribulations.
  • Why pray? Praying opens a relationship with God.  Jesus prayed and so should we.



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Photos From Annual Easter Eggstravaganza 2019

Great Fun!! The rainy weather didn’t dampen the excitement, and all activities were held inside–even the bounce house! Check out the photos from our annual Easter Eggstravaganza!

 

ST. MATTHEW’S ANNUAL

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Saturday April 20 – 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon

for children up to age 10



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St. Matthew’s Stephen Ministry Continuing Education

St Matthew’s Stephen Ministers Continuing Education
At First Methodist Church Lawrenceville
February 28, 2019

As you may know our Stephen ministers of St Matthew’s meet twice a month. The first meeting is at St Matthew’s, our second meeting is with our partners at First United Methodist of Lawrenceville.

This month’s education is on a book called “Why?” by Adam Hamilton. It has four chapters and our goal is to read one chapter per month.

This month we read “Why do the Innocent Suffer?”

We had a very lively discussion with this first chapter: starting with what not to say,
“Everything happens for a reason” and “It must have been the will of God;” I’m sure there are a few more you might know, but you get the idea.

As we moved through to the conclusion of the chapter, we were encouraged to consider our Christian Faith; The ideal that if we have Faith in God and seek to do what is right, Will we be exempt from suffering? This is far from the truth,

Rejecting God doesn’t change the situation that has caused our suffering; it only removes the greatest source of hope, help, comfort, and strength we have.



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Lent At St. Matthew’s

Ash Wednesday: Holy Eucharist and Distribution of Ashes at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Soup & Salad Suppers — Wednesdays during Lent through April 10, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Fellowship and conversation; come and go as your schedule permits.

Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at 7:00 p.m. The church will be open for quiet meditation and prayer beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Stations of the Cross With Musical Meditations on Friday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. — featuring the works of Cesar Franck and freely arranged by Gerard Carter. Cesar Franck (1822-1890) was organist at the Basilica of Saint Clothilde in Paris and a professor at the Paris Conservatory.  Franck’s organ works are known for melodic inspiration, rich harmonies and deep spirituality. All are invited to this special musical event.

See the full Lenten calendar of services and events here.



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Parish Lenten Outreach — Church of the Common Ground

For our Lenten Outreach project this year we will be supporting the Church of the Common Ground (CCG). CCG is a worshiping community of the diocese of Atlanta.  You can find more details below.
We will be collecting 4 lb bags of sugar for the CCG. In a typical week, they go through 8 lbs of sugar a week during their programs. Our goal is to collect 416 lbs of sugar (104 bags)! There will be bins set up in the narthex March 6 through April 18. UPDATE: We have surpassed our goal of 104 bags of sugar, and are now collecting men’s XL athletic socks in black and white. Please bring your donation to St. Matthew’s and place them in the basket in the old narthex (entryway to the parish hall).

The Very Reverend Monica Mainwaring, the Vicar of Church of the Common Ground will be at St Matthew’s on March 10 as guest preacher at both services, and will be talking about CCG during the Adult forum.

On March 31, we have been invited to worship with CCG 1:00-3:00 pm. Unfortunately there is only space for 15 parishioners to attend. Please sign up on the Outreach board. Sign up now to reserve your spot!

We will be providing 65 sack lunches for the CCG congregation that we will be putting together between the services on March 31. Please look on Outreach board to sign up to bring specific items.

Here is some information about The Church of the Common Ground from their website:
“The Church of the Common Ground is a worshiping community of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. We are a “church without walls” on the streets of Atlanta, providing support for the pastoral and spiritual needs of women, men and youth who live on the margins of our city. We welcome people of all faith backgrounds, and those who seek a new connection to faith.
Common Ground aims to be a faithful, consistent presence and a witness to Christ’s love for all people. We work to share the good news with the un-housed, the urban poor and other under-served people that they are God’s beloved. We offer comfort and relationship through pastoral, social and health care connections and referrals.
Annually, approximately 5,000 people worship, pray and share fellowship with one another at Church of the Common Ground services and programs. Our core congregation membership is 50 to 60 people. “



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Tracing My Mission Journey — World Mission Sunday March 3, 2019

Global Mission has been an important aspect of St. Matthew’s focus almost from the beginning. Gini and Reid Peterson have headed up several trips both in the states and to other countries, and their work in the mission field began long before they came to St. Matthew’s. We asked Gini about her heart for mission work. You’ll see some other familiar faces in the photos here. It’s the People!

by Gini Peterson

In today’s world many people are tracing their family roots. I decided to go a different route and look at my mission journey- from its early beginnings to the present.
Now, don’t panic! I’ll hit the high spots. If you want to know more, please ask me.

My earliest memory of mission work is hearing the story of my pastor and his wife when I was a preschooler. They had fled Armenia when the Turkish government took over and with the help of Christians had come to the United States for refuge.

In elementary school at church we were encouraged to keep a mite box during Lent combining our sacrifice- usually giving up candy- with coins which were sent to support the Church School Missionary Offering which was used to fund Episcopal Missionaries in the field. Mite boxes were collected on Easter with the front of the cross being flowered and the back being filled with our mite boxes. Just think- resurrection and mission celebrated together!

Many opportunities to serve have been available to me over the years, but the bottom line is this:
Our church is the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and elsewhere. As members we are all missionaries and are called to mission both in our country and in other global areas. On pages 854- 855 of The Book of Common Prayer the Catechism describes our role in the church’s mission. “The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”

Jesus gave us the Great Commission- Matthew 28:19-20- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” RSV

So, I’ve shared this in order to tell you that some of the greatest joys of my life have been when I have been blessed to serve God’s children- near and far- in Mississippi after Katrina, in Cuba, Ecuador, the Philippines, and in every province of the Episcopal Church and many provinces of the Anglican Communion in places where I never imagined that I would be called to go.

It is truly a gift to share Eucharist, sing, dance and work with God’s children whether in Snellville or far away parts of God’s kingdom in other countries.
To God be the glory!



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At St. Matthew’s, our MISSION is to continue the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, by serving the greater community through loving its children, caring for the unfortunate and witnessing to the healing power of God’s love.