Healing Eucharist every Wed 10:30 a.m.

Walking With the Word Bible Study

Wed at 11:30 a.m. (library)

***

Church office hours:

Monday - Thursday

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

Closed Fridays

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

In This Issue:

• Warden's Corner from Clay Olbon, Sr. Warden
• Mardi Gras Party Feb 4
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Feb 13 at 6:00 p.m.
• Ash Wednesday Services & Ashes to Go Feb 14
• Outreach - February Co-Op Needs
• ECW -- English Tea Feb 25 at Holy Trinity, Decatur
• 'The Chosen' Potluck Supper and a Movie begins Feb 20
• Scam Warning
• Youth Group Schedule
• Lunch Bunch, Men's Trivia, and Restaurant Foyers

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II

9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Christian Formation All Ages

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

Or view the service on FB Live

Service Bulletin

**Nursery available for young children

Feature Photo of the Week

Youth Group Makes Mardi Gras Floats

Last Sunday, the St. Matthew's youth made shoebox Mardi Gras floats for this Sunday's Mardi Gras party. Come Sunday after the 10:30 service so you can enjoy some great Cajun food & fun and make a float too!

Celebration of Life for Susan Adkins (Dec 23, 1955 -Jan 9, 2024)

will be held this Saturday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew's.

You can find the bulletin HERE.

The service will also be livestreamed. If you are unable to attend in person,

you can watch the service live HERE.

A reception will be held in the parish hall after the service.

Warden's Corner: Greetings from your 2024 Vestry!

from Clay Olbon, Senior Warden

After a great Annual Meeting last Sunday your vestry met briefly to organize for 2024. First of all, I want to thank the outgoing members for their service - what a pleasure it has been to serve with Trisha, Jack, Mindy, and Oscar! And thank you to Cheryl Wheeler for serving as our vestry secretary for the past three years. I would also like to welcome our newest vestry members: Amanda, Dave, Jan, and Wilhelmina - class of 2026! And a big welcome and thank you to Carol Podezwa for volunteering to be our new vestry secretary! 

Your vestry is here to serve you, the people of St. Matthew's and to help us fulfill our mission statement. Below is the full list of our vestry members for this year, and the ministry areas they are responsible for. Reach out to any of us with questions, concerns, or suggestions. If you are interested in learning more about vestry, our meetings are open and you are welcome to join and listen in. The next meeting is the 11th of February at noon in the Library. 

Many thanks to everyone who helped prepare for, set up, and facilitate last week's Annual Parish Meeting! It wouldn't have been possible without you. Congratulations to our newest vestry members: Amanda Livermont, Dave Lott, Jan Nabors, and Wilhelmina Wilson, and thanks to those rolling off: Mindy Barringer, Jack Denton, Oscar De Leon, and Trisha Voiles. Thanks to all who attended the meeting, and a special thanks to our own Oren Morris Chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew for their delicious fish and chicken dinner! This annual tradition is much anticipated and most appreciated. Thank you to all--It's the People!

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!

We have a Girl Scout troop that meets at St. Matthew’s twice a month. I encourage you to help them with their cookie sales. Who doesn’t love cookies! There is a sign-up sheet outside the office hanging on the bulletin board. Sign up there, or if you know what cookies you would like you can let me know, and I can sign you up on the list. (Trisha Voiles)

Youth Group Schedule

Sunday 2/4 from, 5-7pm

Sunday 2/11 No Youth group (Super Bowl)

Tuesday 2/13 Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Supper--Youth please arrive at 5pm

2/18 Youth Group

2/25 Youth Group

3/1-3 New Beginnings at Camp Mikell- contact Amanda Livermont for more info.

Mardi Gras Party - Sunday, February 4

After the 10:30 service.

Food - Fun - Games - and much more!

(If it's Mardi Gras, can Lent be far behind?)

++Authentic Cajun meal of Cajun red beans & rice, hot dogs, and King cake

(Who will find the baby in the King Cake?)

++Crafting stations for making shoebox floats (pictured) for a parade.

++Supplies and decorations provided to make your float.

++Prizes for First, Second and Third place floats

Pictured: Shoebox float by Dallas LeDuff--what will YOURS look like?

Mark Your Calendar!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

Served by our St. Matt's Youth

Tuesday, February 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

followed by

Burying of the Alleluias at about 7:30.

Come eat delicious pancakes and support our youth program!

(Youth, please arrive at 5:00 p.m.)

Ash Wednesday Service Schedule

Wednesday, February 14

Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes (spoken) -- 12:00 noon

Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes (with Choir) -- 7:00 p.m.

Ashes to Go 7:00 - 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 - 5:30 p.m. in the front parking lot

Coming February 20 --The Chosen, Season 3

Potluck Supper and a Movie is back during Lent! Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. beginning Feb 20, continue the story of Jesus' ministry through the eyes of his disciples and others around him. Watch for more information coming soon.

ECW - Come to an English Tea at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Decatur on Sunday, Feb 25th. 

There are two seatings, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 

Tickets are $20 each & must be purchased ahead of time since both times are usually sold out. 

The money that is raised from the tea goes to Outreach.

Please let Rebecca Bowen or Kim Beasley know

by January 31st if you would like to go or sign up on the main bulletin board. All ages are welcome. (All women of the church are members of Episcopal Church Women).

SCAM WARNING: We are aware of a phishing scam text that went out recently using Fr. Tim's phone number. This was NOT from Fr. Tim. As a reminder, St. Matthew's staff will NEVER ask for favors, cash, gift cards or other donations from anyone via text or email. NEVER click on any links in these fraudulent communications; delete them immediately without responding to them.

Co-Op Food Drive for February

For the month of February, the Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op Ministry would like St Matthew’s to concentrate on donating Oatmeal and Grits to the food bank. For those who shop at Sam’s Club, the 52 ct. individual flavored packets is still appropriate as the Co-op will break it down into individual family sizes. Other items are always welcome as well.

 You can place items in the barrels in the hallway outside the parish hall. If you make cash donations via check or through Realm, please notate Outreach/Co-Op on the detail line, or choose Outreach from the drop-down menu.

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

What: Lunch Bunch - good food and fellowship!

When: Third Thursday of each month at 12 noon

Where: various restaurants in the area

Next Date: -- Feb 15, Cherokee Rose BBQ, 975 Main Street, Stone Mountain, 30083

Everyone is welcome! Come have lunch with old and new friends!

Contact: Joan Kengla by Wed Feb 14 to let her know you will attend to get a head count.

What: Cafe Theology - good food and fellowship for individuals and couples

When: one Friday per month at 7:00 p.m. Next date: Feb 16

Where: various restaurants in the area

Next Date: -- Fratelli's NY Style Pizza & Restaurant

1711 Athens Hwy, Grayson, GA 30017

Sign up on Realm, or let Warren Drury or Rebecca Bowen know by Thurs Feb 15 if you will attend, to get a head count.

What: Trivia, of course! (And fellowship & food)

When: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month @ 7:00 p.m.

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

All men of the parish are invited.

Contact: Levi Livermont, Jay Jones

Next dates: Feb 7 & 21 at 7:00 p.m.

Cafe Theology meets the first and third Saturdays from 10-11:30 a.m. in the library. All are invited to join us to read and learn with Father Tim through the book, What is The Bible? by Rob Bell.  

This book is available through Amazon and several used book markets. Please join the study to enjoy learning, sharing and laughing as well as a nice breakfast. The next meeting is Feb. 17.

🙂 All Welcome!

Sunday Breakfast Host Sign Up –

Thank you for all who have signed up!

Breakfast this Sunday Feb 4: Trisha Voiles & Carol Walsh

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. 

Get a couple of friends and join in the Sunday fellowship in February! Feb 18 & 25 are still available to host.

 Click this link: Fellowship: February 2024 Breakfast Hosts (signupgenius.com)

St. Matt's Financial Update as of December 31, 2023

GIVE ONLINE THROUGH REALM

To request a Commitment Form,

please click here.