NO Healing Eucharist

and

NO Walking with the Word Bible Study

on Wed Nov 27

***

Church office hours:

Monday - Thursday

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

Closed Fridays

Please Note the church office

is closed Thursday, Nov 28

 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

From this Sunday's readings:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,

who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. 

From Revelation 1:8

November 24, 2024 - In This Issue

• Rector's Corner: Thanksgiving and Advent
• Vestry Corner: Sharon Hansen
• Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon This Sunday
• Advent at St. Matt's: check out all the activities!
• Wreath-making Dec 1, St. Nicholas Visit, Lessons & Carols, and More!
• Youth Events in December
• Outreach during Advent: Matthew's Crate; Co-Op Needs for December
• Potluck and a Movie: The Chosen, Christmas Special
• Men's Trivia and Lunch Bunch
• At-A-Glance: Save the Dates

Sunday, November 24, 2024

The Last Sunday after Pentecost

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II++

9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Adult Christian Formation Classes

(no children or youth classes due to holiday)

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II**

(children's chapel as usual)

Or view the service on FB Live

Service Bulletin

**Nursery available for young children

Feature Photos of the Week:

Give Thanks to the Lord

Wishing you a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

We are thankful for YOU!

St. Matt's Annual Thanksgiving

Potluck Luncheon

This Sunday, November 24

After the 10:30 service

Turkey & Dressing, Potatoes, Gravy, Rolls & Drinks

Provided by our wonderful Fellowship Committee

Please bring a vegetable, side or dessert to share

Rector's Corner: Thanksgiving and Advent

Over the past few weeks, we have neglected the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a great Halloween, and then it’s on to Christmas, which feels like it gets here earlier each year (this could also be a sign of how old I am getting). As we end the church’s year and Advent begins on December 1, I hope you can find time to pause and reflect on your thanksgivings over the past year. Where did you encounter God? How did God reveal God’s self to you in 2024? What spiritual practices and awareness did you learn that you want to carry into the new year? Thanksgiving is not only giving thanks but a time for reflection. Also, I hope you can join the St. Matthew’s community at our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon after the 10:30 service in the parish hall this Sunday. There will be plenty of food and fellowship. We invite everyone to attend!

And speaking of Advent, we will use a new liturgy for this season. We will use the Eucharistic Liturgy from A New Zealand Prayer Book. As you can tell from the name, the liturgy comes from the Anglican Church in New Zealand. The order of service flows like our regular liturgy does, yet the wording is different. The wording will resemble the liturgies from Enriching Our Worship last Advent. I invite you to pay attention to the wording and see how the differences affect how you worship, hear others share, and experience the season. We will light the candles on the wreath, sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and add to the creche during the season. Advent is a remarkable season as we joyfully anticipate and prepare for the coming of Christ.

I wish you a blessed Thanksgiving holiday and Advent!

 Peace,

Father Tim

Vestry Corner: Sharon Hansen

My name is Sharon Hansen and I have been one of your vestry representatives for almost 3 years now. Many people raised in other faith traditions don’t even understand what the term “vestry” means. I read a lot of British literature and before joining St. Matt’s, I thought it was a side room in the church where people donned robes. That is true- in Britain. The Episcopal tradition calls the vestry the ordained and lay leadership of the church. In fact, according to EpiscopalChurch.org “basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances. 

Serving on the vestry has been a privilege for me and especially since Fr. Tim joined us. I am truly a better person for serving. Being on the vestry is being a servant leader. You may have heard that term in your workplace, but honestly it was pioneered by Jesus and the disciples over 2000 years ago. Jesus showed us how to do it.  

Our vestry meets once a month on Sunday after church and the meetings are well organized and to the point. We all have the same objective- to help St. Matt’s be the best we can be. We also have committees that we are responsible for, and the committee usually meets once a month as well. We have all sorts of committees (that always need more people) from communications to publications to finance to pastoral care to youth to long range planning, fellowship and more. There is a place and interest for everyone. When I chose my church home of St. Matthew's, I fell down the rabbit hole of people who cared about me and supported me- through good and bad times.

When asked to serve on vestry I was intimidated and reluctant but after all we had been thru with Covid I wanted to do more than warm a pew, I wanted to give back. It has been rewarding beyond anything that I could have foreseen. I have grown so much and accomplished more than I expected- it has truly been a VERY positive experience for me. I honestly like everyone on our vestry, and we are all on the same page when it comes to helping St. Matt’s be all that God wants us to be. 

We have so much we want to do in our congregation and community. God still matters. St. Matthew’s still matters. You still matter. Please prayerfully consider your contributions to St. Matthews, because it matters. Only members who have pledged can be considered for the vestry. I KNOW we have amazing people who would be fabulous members. Everything you contribute – time, money, prayer- it all matters. 

Sharon Hansen

Altar Flowers

Flowers adorning St. Matthew’s sacred spaces for Christmas services are made possible by your generous donations. If you would like to donate toward flowers, to ensure proper recognition in the Christmas bulletins please fill in the form found in your bulletin over the next few Sundays and drop it in the offering plate or give it to an usher by December 17. You can pay through Realm or by check payable to St. Matthew’s for $15.00 per plant and mark it for Christmas Flowers. (Please note, donations received after December 17 may not be printed in the bulletin). Thank you.

Christmas Pageant News!!

Behind the Scenes of the Christmas Pageant—Our annual Children's Christmas Pageant will take place during the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve. Forms to sign up are going home from CF classes: If you can participate and attend that service, please let us know so that we can begin to prepare enough costumes. (Pageant practice will be on Dec 22 after the 10:30 service).

 Speaking of costumes... we are looking for some sewers who can help us sew a few shepherd and angel costumes and/or make more angel wings and halos for this year to accommodate our increased number of families at St. Matthew’s. Material will be provided. Please see Sarah Koriath if you are able to help with costumes or are interested in helping in any other way with this year's pageant!  

Sunday, December 1

Next Sunday!

Make Your Advent Wreath!

Mark your calendars & get ready to make Advent wreaths during Christian Formation hour Dec 1 from 9 -10:15 a.m. (no Youth/Kids Formation classes that day) as we work together to make advent wreaths for our homes. Wreath forms, candles, and supplies will be provided. Feel free to bring in greenery from home to add to your wreath. This is a wonderful tradition for the whole family to welcome in the advent season by creating a wreath together at St. Matthews.

Sunday, December 1

ECW (Episcopal Church Women)

Annual Christmas Party

12 noon in the parish hall (after the 10:30 service)

All women of the church are members of ECW and are invited. ECW will participate in the Angel Tree Project through Quinn House, L'ville (watch for info, coming soon).

ECW is collecting coffee, sugar, and creamer for the Church of the Common Ground in Atlanta. Please place your items in the purple bin in the hallway near the parish hall. 

Tuesday, December 3

Potluck Dinner and a Movie

'The Chosen' Christmas Special

at 6:00 p.m. in the parish hall

All are welcome on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 PM for a potluck supper and then special viewing of the hit series The Chosen's special Christmas Episode followed by a group discussion.  Participants have loved watching this series and discussing it together and we hope you'll join us for this special episode as a wonderful way to kickstart your Holiday season!

Sunday, December 8

You better watch out...St. Nicholas is coming to St. Matthew’s! 

from 9:30 -10:15 AM

During the Christian Formation Hour

Kids and Youth Classes will read the story of Bishop Nicholas and how he is celebrated now as the original gift giver in many different ways across the globe as beloved St. Nicholas. There may even be a special visit on this day from St. Nichols himself! 

Sunday, December 15

St. Matthew's Sanctuary Choir Presents

Advent Lessons and Carols

4:00 p.m.



followed by Wassail and Cookies

in the parish hall

provided by our Fellowship Committee



Back By Popular Demand…   Matthew’s Crate

Starting now through December 15 Outreach will have a box, affectionately known as Matthew’s Crate, for you to pick up after services. It will include the nonperishable items list for Taco Soup & Side. You just bring back the box with the items listed in it.

If you choose to add a $10.00 grocery gift card for the purchase of the perishable items, please place gift card in an envelope marked “Matthew’s Crate” and put in the lockbox on office door. We will be delivering the boxes to the SE Gwinnett Co-op to be distributed to the clients the week before Christmas starting December 16th.  

OUTREACH

November Co-Op Food Pantry Needs

For the month of December, the item St. Matt's has been asked to concentrate on is Jelly or Jam, any flavor. (Other food items and personal care items are always needed also.) You can drop your donation in the barrels in the hallway near the parish hall or donate via Realm or by check made payable to St. Matthew's. Please note Outreach/Co-Op on the detail line.

Contact: Cheryl Wheeler or Dottie Merrifield if you have any questions.

For more information about the SE Gwinnett Co-Op or to volunteer, please visit their website.

Times are tough for many families. SE Gwinnett Co-Op serves and average of 100 families each week.

Thank you for your continued support in helping the Co-Op feed those in need.

Hurricane Helene Relief in North Carolina

The Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina has places where people can donate and help financially. If you prefer to donate directly to the North Carolina area, please click here.

NO Practice This Sunday due to holiday

(resumes next Sunday)

Children's Choir Practice after the 10:30 service in the choir room

12 noon - 12:45 p.m. Children, ages 3 through third grade.

Contact Deb Herron or Karen Whitehead.

Men's Trivia 1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month @ 7:00 p.m.

Next date: Dec 4 & 18 at 7:00 p.m.

McCray’s Tavern, 100 N. Perry St. L’ville

All men of the parish are invited. Contact: Levi Livermont, Jay Jones

Lunch Bunch 3rd Thursday each month at 12 noon at various restaurants in the area

Next date: Dec 19 at 12 noon, at 12 noon

Three Blind Mice, 1066 Killian Hill Rd, Lilburn GA 30087

Everyone is invited. Contact: Joan Kengla Please let Joan know you will attend.

Sunday Breakfast Host Sign Up –

Thank you for all who have signed up!



Breakfast this Sunday morning: November 24: Fellowship

Did you know there are 3 ways you can sign up to use your time and talents to help with Sunday Breakfast?

You can contact Trisha Voiles, you can Sign up on the list in the office hallway bulletin board, or you can click on the below links for sign up genius. All Sundays in November are covered! If you wish to host in December, please click here.

Thank you to all who signed up to host breakfast one Sunday!

Save the Dates & Mark your Calendars (and watch for more info): 

November

24– Annual Parish Thanksgiving Pot Luck

December

1 - First Sunday of Advent, Advent Wreath-Making, 9am

1 - Search for the Blu Gnu (Mall of GA) Youth

3 - 'The Chosen' Christmas Episode and Pot Luck Dinner, 6pm

8 - St. Nick Visits Sunday School Classes 9:30am

15 - Advent Lessons and Carols & Wassail, 4pm

24 - Christmas Eve Family Service with Pageant, 4pm

24 - Christmas Eve Carol Sing, 10:30pm

24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Eucharist, 11pm

25 - Christmas Day Service, 10am

29 - Christmas I, ONE SERVICE at 10am, no Christian Formation

Office Closed Dec 24 through Jan 5

January

5 - Inquirer’s Class Begins (Confirmation class)

5 - Youth Parent Meeting and Potluck (Undercroft)

12 - Baptism of our Lord—Baptisms

February

2 - Candlemas (Presentation of Jesus at the Temple) ONE SERVICE after the meeting

2 - Annual Parish Meeting & Fish Fry

GIVE ONLINE THROUGH REALM

To request a Commitment Form,

please click here.

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

Website

Financial Giving in REALM

stmatthewssnellville.org/givenow 

or

Text Stmattsnell to 73256