St. Matthews Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

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

St. Matthew’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

Y’ALL COME!

–All members, former members, and residents of the local community are invited–

Sunday, September 22

we will celebrate

St. Matthew’s 40th Anniversary –

Single Service at 10:00 a.m.

Worship and give thanks for the ministries begun at St. Matthew’s

and the people who have given of their time, talent and treasure

to make those ministries a reality.

 

Followed by a huge pot luck dinner—

Members are invited to bring one or more of your favorite covered dishes
to share–
main dish, salad, side dish, or dessert.

Register & Sign Up on REALM / Events

/go to Sept 22

(Non members please email registrar@stmatthewssnellville.org to let us know you will attend. 

Games and activities

**Don’t miss it**

IT’S THE PEOPLE!



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Youth Retreat / Youth Program Information Meeting and Permission Forms

Hello all! I hope everyone has had a great summer–and is ready for school to start next week, too! I must admit the end of summer crept up on me, and I’m sorry for the lateness of these reminders!!

It’s hard to believe it’s already time for our annual Fall Youth Retreat**, but we are less than TWO WEEKS AWAY from the coolest camp of the year!

**[FALL YOUTH RETREAT — for all St. Matt’s Youth (6th through 12th grades) next weekend, August 9-11, at Camp Tugalo in Toccoa) Meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. Friday, return Sunday around 3 p.m. $40 (some scholarships available).]

Parents, there will be an informational meeting IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 10:30 SERVICE SUNDAY, AUGUST 4. This is for you to ask any and all questions you have about the retreat, the program, and the upcoming year, as well as fill out the release forms needed to allow us to take your kids off-campus for events. (It’s also a great time to volunteer to provide dinners, drive kids to events, and maybe even lead a lesson are for those considering volunteering in the youth program; please prayerfully consider how you may be able to help us grow our program!)

St Matts Release Form 2019      St.-Matts-Driving-Policy (1)

Thank you for being a part of our amazing youth program, and I look forward to seeing y’all Sunday!!

Faithfully,

Mara DiGiovanni

 



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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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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.