Healing Eucharist Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.

Bible Study follows at 11:30 a.m.

***

The church office is open

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

Monday through Thursday.

Closed Fridays

In This Issue:

• Rector's Corner: Another Busy Weekend
• Warden's Corner: Thankful
• Vestry Elections
• Stewardship Talk from Nov 5- Terri Hurst
• Youth Events - Turkey Hunt This Sunday!
• November Outreach - Co-Op Food Drive, Christmas Lights, Ukrainian Family Update
• Flower Vases Thank You!
• Free items!
• Fellowship - Lunch Bunch, Men's Trivia, and Thanksgiving Potluck!

Sunday, November 12, 2023

The Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost

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

A Baptism at St. Matthew's

On All Saints' Day!

Fr. Tim+ shows baptismal candidate Matilda Jane von Waldner the water in the font before her baptism. Welcome to the household of God, Matilda!

Stewardship Ingathering of Pledges -- Many thanks to those who have submitted their pledges, either online or in person. As of today, we have received 71 pledges totaling $285,640.

It is not too late to submit a pledge! Remember, the front of the pledge card is for your Treasure, and on the back are for your Time and Talent. You may do it online through Realm, dropping the card in the offering plate or leave it in the office.

In Case You Missed It...

Stewardship Talk from November 5, given by Terri Hurst, Stewardship Chair

I prayed for weeks about this talk, and it occurred to me that in all these years, after inviting many people to share their stories, I’d never shared about OUR Stewardship journey.

I grew up in a family very involved in church. Service was just a way of life. My parents believed in sharing our SPIRITUAL GIFTS in service to God, country and community.

My parents pledged every year but...Read the full text

Rector's Corner - Another Busy Weekend

We have another busy weekend ahead of us, following the All Saints’ weekend. Our parish delegates, consisting of Caroline Bowen, Sylvia George, Sharon Hansen, Lindsay Isaacs, Susan Jung, Bernie Waller, and myself, will attend the Diocesan Annual Council at the Cathedral. Our main responsibility will be to represent our parish in the governance of the diocese. We will also be electing members for diocesan groups and committees, approving the diocesan budget, learning about the various ministries throughout the diocese, and networking with other Episcopalians. Our delegation will present a report of the diocesan council at the parish’s annual meeting on January 28. We kindly ask for your prayers as we represent St. Matthew’s.

We are excited to announce that Lindsey Hardegree, the Executive Director of the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia, will be our guest preacher on Sunday, November 12. Lindsey will preach at both services and also lead a forum to discuss the various ministries that ECF is involved in and around the diocese. She will share about the amazing work that ECF is doing, and we invite you to join us on Sunday morning and give her a warm welcome to St. Matthew’s.

Be sure to read the weekly newsletter and the announcements for more upcoming events as we approach the holiday season!

Warden’s Corner - Thankful

November is a month for being Thankful. I just want St. Matthew’s to know that as my term of Senior Warden is coming to the last months, how thankful I am of the many things we have done since the opening back up after the Covid shutdown. I truly see St. Matthew’s come ALIVE again! This is not due to just a few folks. As a community, we have made St. Matthew’s a welcoming home for all who seek Jesus Christ, as we share God’s Love with the community.

I am also Thankful for the abundance of stewardship envelopes that were received by the Nov 5^th ingathering. The 2024 budget is being developed, and it is with the numbers from the stewardship forms that we can get a better idea of what next year may hold for St. Matthew’s. If you are still prayerfully considering making a promise to help St. Matthew’s in the coming year, please bring your envelope to the collection plate or office. We would love to see folks under 40! Remember no amount will be looked down upon. We all have to begin somewhere and then strive each year to improve upon.

I am Thankful for those who show their time, talent, and treasure every day. I am especially thankful for those who see something that needs to be done around the campus, and they use their time to make even the smallest attempts to help. We still need help from every one. We do not have one person to do all the small things, it takes all of us, whether it be refilling the plates at breakfast line, adding a toilet paper roll, taking out a trash bag, cleaning up a spill, or buying soap for the bathrooms because there was a sale. All of these small things are seen and appreciated!

I am Thankful for my St. Matthew’s Family!

Trisha Voiles, Senior Warden

Vestry 2024 – We NEED You! We are opening up the opportunity for any one who is feeling God leading them to help on the St. Matthew’s Leadership Team, the Vestry. These names will be collected and voted on at the January 28 Annual Meeting. Every year 4 vestry members rotate off of the team of 12. A vestry member serves 3 years on the Vestry as a liaison to one of the 12 committees. You must be at least 18 years of age, confirmed or received in the Episcopal church, and a pledging member. Please let Trisha Voiles, Jack Denton, Mindy Barringer, Fr Tim Meyers, or Susan Carson know if you would like to be considered for the Vestry 2024 ballot.

Peace and Prayers,

Trisha Voiles, Senior Warden

All youth grades 6—12 are encouraged to attend these youth activities & join in the fun!

THIS SUNDAY!

November 12 - The Quest for the Golden Turkey (Turkey Hunt) from 3-6pm

RSVP BY WEDNESDAY (11/8) to Amanda or Jay (see below)

November 19th or 26th- No Program -- Happy Thanksgiving!

November 17th-19th - New Beginnings!

· Participant Application Link- click here. 

Sunday, Dec 3—The Search for the Blu Gnu (Mall of GA trip) . 

** RSVP to Amanda Livermont by 11/29** Small groups work together around the Mall 

of Georgia using clues to find parishoners "hiding" throughout several stores. The groups 

work together to find all parishoners. The first to finish wins the Blue Gnu. Dinner and 

time for Christmas shopping follows.

The Quest for the Golden Turkey (Turkey Hunt)

from 3-6pm

Small groups work together to complete

a turkey-included photo list. 

Each group will have 4-5 students and 1 adult. 

They often drive to places like Walmart, parks, other parishioners' homes, etc. 

Creativity is most important.

You don't want to miss this!

NO DINNER

Thank You! The response to Flower Guild's request for vases has been overwhelming! Due to the abundance of donations, we are now out of storage space, and would like to share the abundance with the parish. The vases on the table in the parish hall are available to anyone who can use them. Thank you again for your generosity.

Thanksgiving is Coming!

And so is the parish Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon

organized by our wonderful Fellowship Committee.

Sunday, November 19 at 12 noon (after the 10:30 service).

Everyone is invited!

Turkey & Dressing, ham, rolls & drinks are provided.

Bring your favorite holiday side dish or dessert--

SIGN UP on the bulletin board in the main hallway,

or email the parish office what you plan to bring: salad, vegetable, dessert or ??

(Please put "Thanksgiving Potluck Sign Up in the email heading)

Gobble Gobble!

If you have any questions, please contact Warren Drury or Becky Olbon.

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. Law’ville

All men of the parish are invited.

Contact: Levi Livermont, Jay Jones

Next dates: Nov 15, Dec 6 & 20 at 7:00 p.m.

What: Lunch Bunch - good food and fellowship

When: Third Thursday of each month at 12 noon

Where: various restaurants in the area

Next Date: -- November 16 at Always Fresh, 5385 Five Forks Trickum Rd, Stone Mtn, 30087

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

Contact: Joan Kengla by Wed Nov 15 to let her know you will attend to get a head count.

Free Items - Just pick them up!

At the parish workday we have done quite a bit of cleanup and the campus is looking great. We did identify a few items we would like to offer free to anyone in the parish who could use them. Please reach out to Clay Olbon or Trisha Voiles to arrange pick up!

• Water Dispenser: Working condition, plug it in and add a water bottle and you are all set!
• Bunn Large Coffee Makers (2): Great condition and work just fine! Take 1 or both and use them for parties or in your business.
• Solid Oak Pew: For those woodworkers out there this is hundreds of $$ worth of materials! 3/4"x18"x8', 1"x15"x8', plus 4 supports 1 1/2"x12"x15" (approximately)

BREAKFAST SIGNUP - Thank you to all who have signed up!

Breakfast this Sunday, Nov 5: Gary Ellis, Jim Jung, Jack Denton, Jack Reynolds.

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

Breakfast does not need to be an elaborate spread--choose simple fruits, pastries, yogurt, etc. Funds are available to assist with costs.

To sign up to host a Sunday in December, click here.

Please contact Trisha Voiles if you can help. Ministry groups, committees, and individuals are invited to sign up for any open Sunday.

Co-Op Food Drive

Thank you to all who donated much-needed canned chicken and tuna for the food drive over the past months. This month The SE Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry is asking that we concentrate on supplying jams and jellies for the food pantry. (other items are always welcome, too). 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 in Realm and note Co-Op on the detail line. Thank you!

Update on Ukrainian Family - Coat Drive

Eugene and Olla are doing well. Olla gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Mark in July. He does have a touch of colic, so therefore Mom is a little tired. The three older boys attend school and are doing well. Their four year old daughter and two year old boy are home with Mom and the new baby.

When asked if there was anything else they needed, Olla mentioned winter jackets for the kids. They have fall jackets but not winter jackets. If anyone has a gently used winter jacket they would like to donate, please place it in the box in the back of the Parish Hall. Boys Jacket Size 9, 7 and 2T. Girl’s Size 5T. If instead you would like to donate a Visa or Master Card gift card for the purchase of a new jacket, you may drop it off in the fish bowl in the office.

Thank You! 

 SE Gwinnett Food Co-Op’s

 Christmas Lights Program 2023

Once again, because of the continuation of increases in rent, food, gas and other necessities, many of the Co-Op’s clients have really been struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, the Food Co-op’s Christmas program will be to offer to pay $300 towards a utility bill of qualifying families.

To qualify for this program, a household must have utilized the Co-op’s pantry services at least 12 or more times from January through September of 2023. St Matthew’s Outreach would like to sponsor at least 4 families with this much needed program.  Please feel free to make a donation in any amount that might fit into your budget; we will pool it all together to make our goal. Mark online donations for “Co-op Christmas Light Program” or write it in the memo section on your check donations payable to St Matthew’s Episcopal Church.

Help to Keep the Heat and Lights on for These Families

Please submit your donations by December 4^th.

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

GIVE ONLINE THROUGH REALM

To request a Commitment Form,

please click here.