St. Matthew's Messenger

March 12, 2023


Healing Service 

10:30 a.m. Wednesday


***


The church office is open

10 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

Monday through Thursday.

Closed Fridays




Daylight Savings Time starts THIS SUNDAY

Set your clocks AHEAD one hour Saturday night

so you won't be late to church



IN THIS ISSUE

  • Parish Workday TOMORROW
  • A Word from Fr. Tim
  • Words from the Warden:
  • New Beginnings Wrap Up & Photos
  • Youth Lock-In and Hunger Walk this week March 11-12 info and registration
  • St. Matt's Preschool: Create for a Cause Needs Your Creativity
  • Outreach Needs: CCG, Hunger Walk, Habitat, & a Ukrainian Family's Needs
  • Fellowship: Register for Gibbs Garden Outing March 18
  • Gwinnett Stripers Daytime Outing April 25 - Register on Realm
  • Save the Date-Kentucky Derby Party May 6
  • Lunch Bunch: Always Fresh Thurs March 16 at 12 noon

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Third Sunday in Lent


8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II


9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast


9:30 - 10:15 a.m. Christian Formation


10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II


Or view the service on FB Live


Service Bulletin

A Word from Fr. Tim: New Community


Last weekend, New Beginnings #45 was held at Camp Mikell. New Beginnings is a spiritual retreat for middle school youth staffed by high school youth and adult leaders. The retreat is a wonderful way to connect or reconnect with God.


Many youth from around the diocese, many of them from St. Matthew's, gathered for music, spiritual talks, small group time, four-square competition, and fellowship. Having been the spiritual director for the weekend, I observed what I call “instant community.” No matter where everyone came from, what the previous week was like, or what grade you were in, people formed a community. I loved seeing how strangers and old friends created community and everyone was a part of it. No prerequisites or applications, just presence. As the weekend restart unfolded, I saw how tight the community had become and friendships that became solid and treasured. I saw the community that Jesus envisioned for the world unfold, which is beautiful and hopeful.


We are always asked in the baptismal liturgy, “Will you respect the dignity of every human being?” and New Beginnings is the place where the answer to this question is not just answered but is put into practice. We have the opportunity to learn so much from teenagers about our faith. We can see how the love of Jesus for all is the community that young people form.


Let’s continue to support our youth ministries and renewal retreats for youth as much as possible. And let’s embrace New Beginnings as a model for the community we want to build, not just because Jesus wants to make it a reality for us, but because it will help form us into the people that God wants us to be.


Blessings and Beginnings,

Fr. Tim+

Parish Workday TOMORROW

SATURDAY MARCH 11

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Calling all volunteers!

Between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.


Come "Bee" Helpful at our St. Matthew's Parish Workday. 

Whether you can give an hour or the whole day, it is greatly appreciated. 

Click the button below to check out the list of projects around the campus, review the available slots on the SignUp Genius list,

and sign up for one or more items. If your child needs community service hours for school, this could be a great way for them to earn a few hours.


Sign Up HERE


Thank you!




St. Matthew's Preschool and Kindergarten Presents:

Create for a Cause

We need your donations!

We're accepting creative works of various mediums

and unique, handmade crafts for our

Arts and Crafts Fair Fundraiser


TO DONATE ARTWORK OR AN AUCTION ITEM, PLEASE CONTACT

JUANITA OR DALEX AT 770-978-1323 OR

stmatthewspreschoolsnellville@gmail.com


ALL DONATIONS NEEDED BY APRIL 12TH.


Generous donations last year allowed us

to complete the playground renovations and provide two scholarships this year.

All donations are tax deductible.

Words from the Warden: What's going on around St. Matt's


A big thank you to the Building and Grounds for their time scheduling estimates, talking with plumbers, and making sure our water leak was repaired. Luckily it was leaking outside the undercroft and not coming inside! 

They have been tirelessly working on securing the campus with cameras, lights, and door locks. Remember to always make sure the doors are secure when you leave the building.

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the Parish Work Day. If you read the newsletter before Saturday come join us for fun and fellowship taking care of our church home.

Prayers continue for the Youth as they continue their busy month including New Beginnings last week, a Lock-In and Hunger Walk along with St. Matthew's Outreach this week.


Thank you!

Trisha Voiles

Around St. Matt's

Lent at St. Matthew's

Soup & Bread Supper Lenten Program - Tuesdays through April 4. at 6:00 p.m.

Come enjoy homemade soup & fellowship, as we watch “The Chosen”. We will follow each episode with discussion.

Centering Prayer will move their time together from Tuesdays to Mondays from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. during Lent, so members can attend the soup suppers. Centering Prayer meets via Zoom, and all are welcome. If you wish to attend, please contact Vicki Conway or Cheryl Johnson for Zoom information.

The Daughters of the King are conducting a Lenten study concentrating on prayer, service, and evangelism every Sunday through Lent at 9:30 a.m. in the meeting room off the side hallway. All women are invited. For more information contact Peggy Isaacs,

Gail Sawyer, or Cecilia Billingsly.

Walking with the Word Bible Study

Father Tim has begun a weekly bible study in the parish library

from 11:30 am-12:30 pm (shortly after the Wednesday eucharist). We will explore different books, themes, issues, and perhaps tricky passages in the Holy Scriptures and what they mean for our lives and our walk with God. 

 

Bring your bible and join us as we dive into God’s Word. If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact Father Tim at rector@stmatthewssnellville.org.

Youth: New Beginnings Wrap Up

This past weekend we had several of our youth, our Youth Interns Jessie and Caroline, and Fr. Tim as the Spiritual Director attend New Beginnings. The weekend’s theme was Paved Way and the middle schoolers experienced spiritual formation through games, talks, music, and building their relationships with leaders and peers. 


During the weekend the middle schoolers came out of their shells making new friends and discussing topics with peers that are tough to discuss with others. They had some amazing discussions about friends, parents sibling, God’s Love, and what the church means to them. 


Our thanks to the adults and senior high youth who formed the team and accompanied the middle school on this retreat weekend. Check out a few photos posted on our website HERE.

youth ministries logo

St. Matt's Youth

Youth Events

NO Youth Group this Sunday March 12 Due to Hunger Walk


THIS WEEK: LOCK IN AND HUNGER WALK! (no Youth group 3/12)


Details:

March 11th-12th- Lock In/ Hunger Walk

  • be at the church at 6pm Sat Mar 11
  • text rsvp to Amanda (678-491-7457)
  • games, service projects, food, movie, and more!
  • The kids and chaperones will all sleep in the undercroft (separate rooms).  
  • Hunger Walk in the morning of the 12th- we'll go to the Diocesan youth worship service, meet St. Matt's people for lunch downtown, and walk as a group! (drivers needed!)
  • Register for the walk here:  http://engage.acfb.org/site/TR?team_id=41020&fr_id=2122&pg=team (scholarships available)


March 19th- youth group resumes 5:00 p.m.

March 26th- youth group- Stations of the Cross 5:00 p.m.

April 2nd- Passion Play- plan to attend both services!- no youth group (Spring Break)


If you want more information on youth activities at St. Matthew's, or would like to volunteer to help grow this important ministry, please see Amanda, Holly or Jay.

St. Matt's Fellowship

St. Matt's Fellowship: Gibbs Garden Tour

Next Saturday March 18

Have you ever seen the beautiful Gibbs Gardens, located in Ball Ground, GA?


Please sign up in Realm here so we will know who will be attending. Car Pooling is encouraged. If you are willing to drive and share some fellowship during the ride, please indicate when you sign up. 

We will be leaving the church at 8:30 AM. 

Gardens Operational Hours: 9 AM to 4 PM. We are looking to arrive at approximately 10 AM. 


Tickets: Please purchase online below to avoid the lines to purchase tickets at the gate the day of the event.

Cost: Adults (18-64): $25

Seniors (65+): $18

Child (ages 3-17): $10

Child (under 2): Free


Tickets | Gibbs Gardens


Food brought in from outside is limited to drinking water. The Arbor Café is available for lunch. Please allow 3.5 – 4 hours for your visit. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes (sandals and shoes with high heels not recommended), as our Gardens are a walking experience. 


To learn more about Gibbs Gardens, click here. For questions, contact Warren Drury or Rebecca Bowen

St. Matt's Goes to a Stripers Game

Baseball! Come cheer on the Gwinnett Stripers as they play Buffalo.

Date: Tuesday, April 25

Day Game: 11:05 a.m. (gates open 10:05 a.m.)


Cost: $15.00 per ticket (Payment through Realm) or by check prior to Apr 18. 

Deadline: Group ticket purchasing deadline is April 18. We need a minimum of 20 tickets purchased to get group ticket pricing.

The Gwinnett Stripers field is located at 2500 Buford Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30043


Register on Realm. Payment online through Realm at registration: choose Fellowship from drop down menu, or register and pay by check (mark "Ball Game" on the detail line) prior to April 18. Payment by check, place checks in the lock box on the church office door.

Contact Warren Drury for more information.

Save the Date - Coming May 6 (You won't want to miss it)


Kentucky Derby Party Saturday, May 6 - A taste of Kentucky-- food, fun, fellowship and the Race! Watch for more info and registration in coming weeks.

Lunch Bunch this month: Thurs, March 16 at 12 noon. Always Fresh, 5394 Five Forks Trickum Rd SW, Lilburn, GA 30047. Please let Becky Olbon know if you will attend. All are welcome—good food and great fellowship!  

St. Matt's Outreach

Lent Collection Drive:

Church of the Common Ground

During Lent, donating items to Church of the Common Ground, a ministry to the homeless in Atlanta. This year there are 2 opportunities to donate. If you would like to bring in items, we will be collecting electrolyte drink packets, such as Propel and Gatorade, snack items such as Belvita cookies or breakfast fruit bars, and packages of socks.

If you would like to purchase items that will be shipped directly to CCG they have created an Amazon Wishlist of specific items that are needed to support their ministry.

 

To purchase and ship directly, CLICK HERE


For information on Church of the Common Ground, click here.


Thank you for your continued support of programs assisting those in need in our community.

 REGISTER OR DONATE HERE

Sponsored by OUTREACH & YOUTH

2023 HUNGER WALK -

Come walk with the Youth and support the Co-Op!

Once again our youth are venturing down to the Home Depot Backyard in Atlanta to participate in the Annual Hunger Walk on March 12 for St Matt's Team, supporting the SE Gwinnett Co-op. Will you be walking with our youth as part of St Matt's team?


If you would like to participate in the Hunger Walk locally vs going downtown, please register virtually on the Hunger Walk link. We are making plans to walk in a local park the day of the event so please reach out to an Outreach Committee member if you are interested: Cheryl Wheeler, Dotty Merrifield, Greg Andrews, Karen Wilson, Nancy Griner or our Vestry Liaison, Lindsay Isaacs. 

Ukrainian Refugee Family Needs


The Ukrainian Church in Lilburn has sponsored a new family who has now moved out from their host family and have a place of their own. Eugene and Olla Vinokurov have 5 children; 4 boys ages 8, 7, 5, and 1. The girl is 4yrs old. Olla is pregnant with their 6th child. 

They have some essential items for their home but still need a bunkbed, a single bed, and a bicycle. If anyone has any of these items that are in good condition and would like to donate them please contact Dotty Merrifield at dmerrifieldcrn@gmail.com or by calling 404-641-0980. 

If you want to donate money towards their needs, please make your donation out to St. Matthew's with the designation "for the Ukrainian family ".  I will let you know if I identify any other needs. 

Thank you for your support. Dottie


St. Matthew’s is sponsoring the Saturday April 15th Habitat build day for House #154 in Lawrenceville for the Brubaker Family. The scope of work for the day is Shelving and Lockout, Punch Out, Shutters, 1/4 Round, Mirrors, and Bath Hardware. We will be on the jobsite, which is Shoal Circle, from 8:30am-2:30pm.


We are excited to have several volunteer spots available to fill for this workday. If you are interested in participating in the build, help prepare/serve lunch or have questions please contact Cheryl Wheeler or an Outreach committee member. To volunteer for the build please go to the following link to register and fill out forms. https://habitatgwinnett.charityproud.org/VolunteerRegistration/Index/4353

Loaves and Fishes needs you! Please contact Vicki Conway at vgconway@comcast.net to give a helping hand to members of the parish needing a prepared meal during illness, recovery from surgery, or other life situations.

Birthdays and Anniversaries Mar 5-11

Birthdays: Mavis Gordon, Kathy Bronaugh, Kenny Matteson, Richard Morris, Joseph Bolay, Eudora Goodman, Joan Kengla, Beverly Williams

Anniversaries: John and ShirleyGrace Madajewski.  

BREAKFAST SIGNUP - Thank you!

Hosts this Sunday: Jack Denton, Jack Reynolds, Gary Ellis, Jim Jung

Breakfast Next Sunday, March 19: Lisa & Dallas LeDuff


Which Sunday would you or your group like to help serve breakfast?

To sign up to host in April, please click here. Please contact Trisha Voiles if you can help. Some items are already available to serve. Funds are available to assist with costs. Ministry groups, committees, and individuals are invited to sign up for any open Sunday,

For more information on this ministry or to volunteer, contact Trisha Voiles.

From your Finance Committee: February Operating Revenue/Expenses

GIVE ONLINE THROUGH REALM


To request a Commitment Form,

please click here.

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St. Matthew's Episcopal Church | Website
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