ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to the announcements section! This section of the website will be used to keep you informed of what’s happening at St. Matthew. We will be listing concerts and events, as well as, closings and cancellations. So, check back frequently.
Guests, Visitors & Friends
YOU ARE INVITED!
If you are reading this and are not a member of any church or congregation or are looking for a church that is the “right fit”, please accept this
invitation to join us again at St. Matthew Lutheran Church for Worship and Sunday School.
Sunday School is scheduled for Adults and Children at 10:00 a.m.
Our Contemporary Worship is held at 9:00 a.m.,
with the Traditional Service at 8:00 a.m.
and the Festival Service at 11:00 a.m.
Child care with "parent pagers" are available for infants to age 4 yrs. during all worship services.
Stop by the Welcome Center in the lobby as you enter from the rear parking lot.
Someone will be happy to help you.
Hope to see you soon!
NOW'S THE TIME!
Now’s the time to consider joining one of the many congregation committees that we offer. The committees are gearing up for their new year and need your suggestions and assistance. Call the church office now, 845-2721 and we’ll place you in contact with the committee chairperson of your choice.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Cold Hands, Warm Hearts. Donate Blood. St. Matthew will be hosting our annual winter American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, February 13 in the Folkemer Fellowship Hall between the hours of 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Appointments are not necessary but suggested. Please contact Josie Dick or call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule your “life-saving” donations. Blood donors are NEEDED!
HELP NEEDED!!!
We need your help with the lunches and dinners for Lent on the following dates
February 29
March 7
March 14
March 21
March 28.
We need someone to prepare the food on these days for both lunch and dinner and 3 others to assist for each meal.
Those who will be preparing the meals will pick the meals. If we don’t get the replies we need we will not be able to have the meals.
Please contact Denny Reigart know ASAP if you need additional information or willing to help.
LUTHERAN MEN'S CLUB LENTEN BREAKFAST
The Lutheran Men’s Club of York County will hold Lenten Breakfasts each Wednesday at 7 a.m., beginning Ash Wednesday, February 22. The location is the Lyndon Diner, 1353 Kenneth Road, in York. The last breakfast, which will include the Holy Eucharist, is set for April 4. Speakers for the breakfasts will be announced shortly. Spouses and friends are also welcome to attend.
MENS CHORUS
The Men’s Chorus will sing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” during worship services on February 19th. All men wishing to sing should attend one brief rehearsal from 7:45-8:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 18th. Coffee and donuts will be provided.
CHILI/BBQ SUPPER TO BENEFIT YOUTH
A Chili and BBQ Supper will be held on Sunday, February 26 at 5:00 PM in the Folkemer Fellowship Hall.
The league will provide the Chili with cornbread and Hamburger BBQ with rolls. The congregation is asked to bring snack/picky foods and desserts to share.
The fundraiser will support our youth going to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering in 2012.
A free will donation will be taken to help defray the cost of the supper and some of their costs for the trip.
Come join us for a good old fashioned evening of church fellowship. If you missed the soup and salad social you certainly don’t want to miss another fun evening.
FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES
Lutheran Social Services Offers FREE Tax Preparation Service
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program of York County offers free tax preparation services to low and moderate income (below $50,000) taxpayers. All of our volunteer tax preparers are IRS certified. We have several locations available in York County. To have your federal, state and local taxes prepared for free, call 717-854-2244 to schedule an appointment beginning January 10.
ST. MATTHEW BOOK REVIEW GROUP
Our next book is "Heaven Is For Real" by Todd Burpo. Colton Burpo made a miraculous recovery from an emergency appendectomy and in the months that followed, emerged a beautiful story detailing the Burpos’ son’s trip to heaven and back. He told his parents he left his body during surgery and relayed stories told to him by people he met there and even shared events that happened even before he was born. He describes Jesus, the angels, how "really, really big" God is and how much God loves us. He offers us a glimpse of the world that awaits us and "will encourage those who doubt and thrill those who believe." (Ron Hall) It will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see and believe, like a child. The book will be reviewed on Wednesday, April 25 at 7:15 p.m. in the Gathering Area. To order the book, call Carolyn Shaffer in the office.
DO YOU NEED SOMETHING TO DO THIS SPRING??
If so would you consider joining the Biloxi Brigade for a spring break in Biloxi MS from May 12 – 19, 2012? This will be our 11th trip to Biloxi since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August 2005. The group will be staying at Camp Love in Gulfport for the first time. We welcome anyone who is interested. Airline tickets should be ordered in early February so if you have any questions or are interested please contact Denny Reigart or Pr. Fair.
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAPPENINGS.
Sunday School at St. Mathew...a long tradition. One little known fact in the history of St. Matthew Lutheran Church is that it started as a Sunday School for the children in the west end of York City. A few years later, worship services were added and the church we know today was born. Throughout the uninterrupted 125 year tradition, Sunday School classes for children, youth and adults have been the norm. Today, in addition to classes for new born children through grade twelve, seven different classes help our adults continue to learn from the ancient Biblical text and learn ways to apply those principals to everyday life. In addition to class time, classes also take advantage of opportunities to serve our church, the community and missions throughout the world.
We also have a new Young Adults Class offered for those whom just graduated from high school, are going to college, starting a vocation or still deciding. You are welcome to come and meet downstairs in Room 12 at 10:00 a.m. Join this group for discussion and Bible study. Teacher, Ben McIntyre, promises a worthwhile result for the simple step of joining in something new.
KID'S KINGDOM
Kids’ Kingdom is a youth group for students in grades 3 through 6.
This group usually meets once per month. You will receive a monthly newsletter to keep you informed of the activities.
Activities include fun, service, trips e.t.c. You never know what the "e.t.c." may be!!!Join the fun and fellowship.
Friends are always welcome if it is okay with your parent(s). Your parents are welcome to come to activities and events if you would like them to do so. That is your decision.
Your lead advisors are Mr. Jon & Miss Debbie Frey, with help from Mr. Kevin and Miss Karen Herman and Mr. Charlie and Miss Tracy Bollinger and new this year is Miss Sally Hoh!
THE LEAGUE
Youth Group is for all youth 7th through 12th grade. Find out for yourself why so many youth attend to join in fun, fellowship and crazy games. Participate in service projects, shore trips and Bible study. Be a part of our prayer circle and learn that YOU are important to the group, but, you’ll never know until you "try" and "participate" and we will never get to know you until you do. Be a part of it!! In order to attend any retreats and the National Youth Gathering, you must be an active member of the League. This means attending at least one (1) event or meeting per month AND helping with Fair Parking and other fund raisers. If you have a conflict because of school or sports, please feel free to talk to Danelle prior to missing the event.
WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday Morning Bible Study returns on Wednesday, September 21st from 10:15 AM until approximately 11:30 AM. Pastor Shively will be the primary leader for the study that will focus on the Gospel of Mark. Adults aged 18 and older are welcome and encouraged to attend! No previous experience required. Come and study the Book of Faith, the Bible!
Wednesday Morning Bible Study will continue through Wednesday December 14th. We will take a break for the Holiday season and return Wednesday, January 4, 2012.
GRIEF SHARE - Grief Recovery Support Group
Grief Share is a friendly, caring group of people who with the direction of a facilitator will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. The goal of this ministry is to provide ongoing, effective ministry to people in our community who are grieving the death of a loved one. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
The Grief Share program will be built around three components:
Video Seminar
Support Group Discussion
Personal Study and Reflection.
You’ll gain access to valuable Grief Share resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life.
A weekly program for those dealing with grief Is held every Tuesday. The evening sessions will begin at 6:45 PM until 9:00 PM. This is open to anyone dealing with grief. Members of the church and the community are welcome. You are welcome to begin attending the Grief Share group at any session. Each is "self-contained." so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. You will be able to continue with Grief Share through the next cycle and view any of the videos you have not seen.
A new series has just begun, so if you would like to visit a session to see what the program is all about, please feel free to visit on Tuesday.
Those in need, please call the church office at 717-845-2721
FINAL MONDAYS
Final Mondays is a gathering for young adults and their friends, ages 18 to “30-ish.” Join us for fun and conversation around the things that really matter in church and life. We meet on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Panera Bread on Carlisle Road (in Delco Plaza). Just bring yourself, your friends, and $$$ if you want to eat or drink.
Real Life, Real Faith, Real Community.
ST. MATTHEW TIDINGS
Articles and photographs for the next issue of ST. MATTHEW TIDINGS are due
Sunday, March 25th for the April/May issue
May 25th for the June/July issue
July 25th for the August/September issue
September 25th for the October/November issue
November 25th for the December/January issue
Send information to stmatttidings@yahoo.com or
deliver a hard copy to the church office
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011
PLEDGES | 400 |
TOTAL PLEDGES | $3,984,826 |
GOAL | $4,000,000 |
THRIVENT MEMBERS
Choice Dollars are designated to you when your premiums are paid and contract value is determined. You can designate your Choice Dollars to Lutheran organizations including St. Matthew. Visit
www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to begin or call 1-800-847-4836 and say "Thrivent choice". Review and select the organization or congregation you want to fund. If you select St. Matthew, your "dollars" will come directly to our Financial Secretary. You should have received a letter from Thrivent about participating in this new program.
Those committees or organizations planning fund raisers or hands-on projects, are reminded to contact Debra Goodling "before" your event to apply for Thrivent Supplemental Funding. Also, thank you to those members who continue to direct Thrivent Choice dollars to St. Matthew.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN HYMNAL SPONSORSHIPS
You can still sponsor or purchase a hymnal for just $20.00 each and payment, cash or check, is expected at time of ordering. You may also stop by the church office Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 12:00-1:00 PM).
We still have 46 hymnals available.
LET'S GET THE WORD OUT
With all the different ways we’re communicating, the staff decided that we needed to have a point of contact. Some one who will receive the information and then disburse the information to all the different sources, the Web Site, the Broadcaster, SMILE and Tidings. Here’s what we need YOU TO DO. Write your announcement, including the date, time and location and submit the information to Sue Folkemer via pony express mail, e-mail - office@stmatt.org or hand deliver to her office mailbox. Make sure you include your name and telephone number. Sue will see that the information is disbursed to everyone and will follow-up with any questions. We’re hoping this will help every one to "Get the Word Out".