Healing Eucharist Wed at 10:30 a.m.

followed by

Walking with the Word Bible Study

at 11:30 a.m. in the library

***

Church office hours:

Monday - Thursday

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

Closed Fridays

"Our help is in the Name of the Lord, *

the maker of heaven and earth."

Psalm 124:8

• September 29, 2024 - In This Issue
• Youth Group in October; New Beginnings & Happening Registration Links
• Preschool News/Preschool Sunday
• Parish Workday Oct 19
• St. Matt's 101 Class Starts This Sunday
• Rite of Passage Date Change: Oct 27: 8th Grade Youth
• Blessing of the Animals Oct 6 at 4pm
• Children's Chapel Every Sunday / Children's Choir Practice
• September Outreach Co-Op Needs
• Men's Trivia, Restaurant Foyers, and Lunch Bunch
• At-A-Glance thru Dec: Save the Dates

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Preschool Sunday

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II

9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Christian Formation Classes

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

Or view the service on FB Live

Service Bulletin

Announcements Insert

**Nursery available for young children

Feature Photo of the Week:

St. Matthew's Day 2024

International Potluck Lunch

From the single 10am service bringing 8 and 10:30 worshipers together, with The Rt. Rev. Dr. Victor Atta-Baffoe, bishop of the Diocese of Cape Coast, Africa as guest preacher, to the International Potluck Lunch following the service coordinated by our wonderful Fellowship committee, this past Sunday was a marvelous celebration! There were several tables of food from all over the world prepared by members, highlighting the vibrant diversity of our parish. Thank you and well done, Fellowship and St. Matt's. It's the People!

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.

Are you new to St. Matthew’s? St Matt’s 101 is for you!

Beginning this Sunday with a luncheon and tour of the church campus after the 10:30 service, and running through October 20 during the CF hour, there’s a class you won’t want to miss. During these sessions you’ll learn about the history of our parish and a brief history of the Episcopal Church, as well as about the many ministries and fellowship activities of the parish. This class is open to all new or prospective members of St. Matthew’s. Please RSVP to the invitation sent out recently by calling or stopping by the church office during office hours so that we may get a head count. If you haven’t received an invitation to the class and wish to attend, please contact the church office. The class will meet in the undercroft.

Spotlight on St. Matthew's Preschool and Kindergarten

This Sunday is Preschool Sunday! Our thanks to the preschool staff, who will host breakfast. Preschool teachers will be honored during the 10:30 service. Here's an update on the preschool as it starts another school year.

Preschool News 

We began the 2024-25 school year with an enrollment of 92 students and a staff of 20 members. All classes are currently full except for Kindergarten, which has 6 openings. 

Last fall, we reintroduced a beloved preschool tradition: our Thanksgiving event. However, we made a significant change. Recognizing that traditional Thanksgiving foods are not part of every family's culture, and given the diversity of our preschool community, we decided to transform the event into an International Thanksgiving. This allowed families to share dishes from their own cultures, and the change was met with enthusiasm. Both families and staff enjoyed sampling a variety of foods from around the world. 

This past spring, we held our 2nd annual Heart of the Preschool Art Auction. The auction culminated in an evening event in the Parish Hall, attended by numerous parishioners, parents, some alumni families, and featuring delicious food, drinks, and the super cool, charismatic MC, Jack Denton. The event was a great success, raising $4,000 for the preschool. The funds will be used for scholarships for needy families, preschool upgrades, and updated curriculum materials. 

A highlight of the evening was a performance by alum William Zhang in the Sanctuary. William, a talented young pianist and composer, attended St. Matthew’s Preschool as a 2- and 3-year-old. At just 6 years old, he won First Place and the First Winner of Judges' Distinction Award across all age groups. He debuted at Carnegie Hall as one of the youngest pianists and later appeared on the TV show Little Big Shots with Melissa McCarthy. Now 10 years old, William has just completed a composed piece for orchestra titled Blue Dragon. His performances can be found on YouTube. We hope you had the chance to meet him and witness his extraordinary talent. 

Looking ahead to 2025, we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the preschool. While plans for the celebration are still in development, we invite you to join us for this special event when the details are announced. 

Acolytes for 2024

Thank you to all who serve as acolytes in our worship services. If you are interested in continuing as an acolyte OR if you have a child aged 3rd grade or older who would like to join the acolyte ministry (or anyone you know that wants to be a part of this group), please complete this form here by October 4th 2024.

If you are no longer interested in being a part of the acolyte ministry, please email Crystal Sheldon at crystal.furman@gmail.com

Youth Group THIS SUNDAY, September 29:

Regular Schedule: All youth aged 6th-12th grade are encouraged to attend Sunday from 5-7pm in the Undercroft.  Come have supper and join in the fun activities! For more info, please contact Mandy Johnson or Amanda Livermont.

Next Sunday: Jung’s Barn Night - 10/6 4:30-7:30

Meet at the church at 4:00 pm.

Liability Waiver Required! This will be sent out to all youth, if you are interested and don’t receive one, please contact Mandy Johnson or Amanda Livermont.

New Beginnings and Happening Registration Links and Deadlines:



Happening (Oct 18-20) Participants Registration Click Here. Due by Oct 6 (High School Age)

New Beginnings (Nov 15-17) Team/Volunteers Registration Click Here Due by Oct 6

New Beginnings (Nov 15-17) Participants Registration Click Here - Due by Nov 1. (Middle School)

Want to Help Our Growing Youth Program?

The youth need cans of soda (name brand) for our weekly youth meetings and events. You can leave donations in the York room (copier room next to the office) marked YOUTH.

Eighth Grade Youth Rite of Passage:

DATE CHANGE October 27 at 10:30 a.m.

The Rite of Passage is a special time of recognition for 8th graders as they begin their journey to adulthood as mature Christians. This year the date is October 27. The 8th graders will make posters showing important events in their lives that are displayed in the Narthex on that Sunday. Any 8th grader may participate. Please contact Liz Livermont or Carolyn Coil by September 22 if your child would like to take part in this ceremony.

September Co-Op Food Pantry Needs

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

For the month of September, the item St. Matt's has been asked to concentrate on is Macaroni and Cheese. (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.

October Food Item: Canned Pastas (SpaghettiOs, Ravioli, etc.)

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.

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

Invite your friends and neighbors!

Donations of dog and cat food accepted, to be shared with a local no-kill shelter.

Sunday October 6 at 4pm

in the lower gardens

Treats for pets / + Kona Ice Truck for people!

Pets should be on a leash or in a carrier

Mark Your Calendars - We Need YOU!

FALL PARISH WORKDAY

Saturday, October 19, 2024

8am - 2pm

Indoor & Outdoor

Lunch will be provided by our wonderful Brotherhood of St. Andrew.

Great family or group activity--jobs both small and large for all ages and abilities.

Please bring gloves, yard tools, wheelbarrows, or other items as you are able

(Be sure to mark them clearly with your name)

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

Next dates: Oct 2 & 16 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

Restaurant Foyers 2nd or 3rd Friday each month at 7:00 p.m. at various restaurants in the area

Next date: Friday, Oct 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Summit Tavern, 3334 Stone Mountain Highway US 78, Snellville GA. 30078.

Please register on Realm to help get a head count.

Individuals and couples, good food and fellowship. Contact: Warren Drury or Rebecca Bowen

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

Next date Oct 17 at 12 noon.

Foggy Bottom BBQ, 85 Ray Rd, Loganville, GA 30052 

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

Elaine Pagel's, book: The Gnostic Gospels  

Cafe Theology meets the first and third Saturday each month in the library from 10-11:30 a.m. All are welcome. Discussion is always lively and interesting. Next dates: Oct 5 & 19.

The book is available in bookstores and through Amazon.

Sunday Breakfast Host Sign Up –

Thank you for all who have signed up!



Breakfast this Sunday morning: St. Matt's Preschool & Kindergarten Teachers

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.

Thank you to all who signed up to host in September. To sign up to host in October, click here.

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

September

28 - Delmar Senior Center Sing Along, 4-5pm

29 - Preschool Sunday

30 - Outreach Provides Dinner at SE Co-Op, 5pm

October

6 - Blessing of the Animals, 4pm

6 - Youth Group Barn Night

19 - Parish Workday, 8am-2pm

20 - Music Concert Series - St. Matthew's Talents (see above info)

27 - Rite of Passage, 10:30 service

27 - Trunk or Treat, 4pm

November

3 - All Saints Sunday - Baptism

5 - Day of Prayer, Nave open 8am - 6pm

8 & 9 - Diocesan Council

24 - Thanksgiving Luncheon Potluck

December

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

3 - 'The Chosen' Christmas Episode, 6pm

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

15 - Lessons and Carols & Wassail, 4pm

24 - Office Closed Dec 24 through Jan 5

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 - One Service, 10am 

GIVE ONLINE THROUGH REALM

To request a Commitment Form,

please click here.