St. Matthews Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

“Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” BCP

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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St. Matthew’s 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

The event starts at 10 a.m. with the Easter story engaging all of the children. The hunt times are

Ages 4 and under at 10:15 a.m., followed by

Ages 5, 6 & 7 at 10:45, and ending with

Ages 8, 9 & 10 at 11:15 am.

The eggcitement will include:

Balloon clowns, bounce house, games, egg coloring and tattoos.

So bring your children, their basket, and your camera and join in a morning of fun for children up to age 10.

**Easter Eggstravaganza Help Needed**

—Youth & Adult Volunteers Needed

To Help With This Morning of Fun For The Children.

Just to name a few….

Set Up * Decorating * Hunt * Snacks * Egg Coloring

Bounce House/Games * Clean Up

You will find the signup sheet on the bulletin board in front of the office.



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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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Liberian Episcopal Community USA (LECUSA) Annual Convention Worship

LECUSA

(Liberian Episcopal Community USA)

Presents it’s

ANNUAL CONVENTION WORSHIP

At St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

On Sunday, April 28, 2019 At 10:30 a.m.

Followed by TASTE OF LIBERIA

In the Parish Hall.   All are invited!

 Contact: Wilhelmina Wilson 770-815-9260

 

Note:

1) Friday, April 26th is the Opening Ceremony at St. Edwards at 7:00 p.m.

2) Saturday, April 27th is a Benefit Dinner  and Ball at St. Edwards at 7:00 p.m.

 



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Outreach Spring 2019 At A Glance

March/Lent— Church of the Common Ground — Sugar Drive 4 lb. bags of sugar can be donated in the Old Narthex in the month of March

Mending the Gap Cleaning Supplies Drive — Spring Cleaning — We are collecting cleaning supplies: Disinfecting wipes, 13 Gallon trash bags, Liquid or pods Laundry Detergent– There is a bin in the Old Narthex (parish hall entry door) during March. Mending the Gap is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide low-income seniors with supportive one-on-one services that will alleviate hunger, isolation, and loneliness and enhance their well-being, while bridging the gap between generations. Each month they provide fresh food, toiletries and cleaning supplies to over 300 seniors located in Senior living housing and care centers. There are volunteer opportunities for pre-teens through adults. More information can be found at www.mending-the-gap.org.

3/23  — Delmar Gardens Birthday Party

3/31 — Visit to Church of the Common Ground Read more about this event here.

April — FODAC Donations & Registration (event is 5/6) Register at https://www.fodac.org/run+

4/14 – 4/20 — 1C1P (One Congregation, One Precinct) Dispatcher’s Week

4/28  — Hunger Walk & Run

May — Co-Op Food Drive — Focusing on Shampoo, dried beans, canned mandarin oranges, & dried pasta

5/4  — Int’l Firefighters Appreciation Day

5/6 – FODAC Run, Walk & Roll

5/12 – 5/18 Police Week

5/18  — Delmar Gardens Birthday Party

June — School Supply Drive

Co-Op Summer Fun



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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.