|
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Tidings from St. Matthew's
March 17, 2013
|
|
Greetings!
|
|
George Martin Joins Us this Sunday
 We are happy to welcome back the Rev. Dr. George Martin, who will be our guest preacher this Sunday. Fortunately for us, he's working on a new book about St. Paul and the Reformation, and his sermon will take a close look at the third chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians, a key text in his forthcoming book (he has promised to keep the sermon under two hours!). You can visit George's website at www.georgemartin.org to find out more about his work. The Faith Forum will meet in the library at 9:15 am to view and discuss Rob Bell's DVD, "Open," which addresses the question, "Does prayer really help?" All are welcome!
|
|
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Cows for the Blue House
 Two dairy cows have arrived at the Blue House orphanage in Uganda! The land has been cleared for grazing, and the fence, corral, and milking pen have been built. The girls positioned the drinking boat made from a hollowed-out log, filled it with water, and are watching to see if the cows will drink. We expect the cows to produce enough milk for the girls, plus some extra to sell. You can see more photos and learn more about the Blue House Orphanage in Kazo, Uganda by visiting www.blue-house.org.
|
|
|
|
|
Living Faith: Bread Baking
  Children, youth, and adults joined together last Sunday, March 10, to bake communion bread and Lenten pretzels. We enjoyed fresh-baked bread during the Eucharist, still warm from the oven. Would you and your family like to bake bread for the Eucharist? If you're interested, please e-mail Terese Lewis for the easy and delicious recipe: terese@visi.com. The bread can be made in advance and frozen for later use. Thank you!  
|
 Help Needed for Career Fair
Parishioner Sarah Sannes teaches Career Explorations class to kindergarteners through sixth graders at Obama Elementary School in St. Paul. She is organizing the school's first Career Fair which will be held on Tuesday, April 16 from 5 to 6:30 pm. The goal is to expose students to different jobs and help them learn about what is done at the job, what kind of college or training was needed, etc. Incorporating some type of hands-on activity so they can experience a small piece of that job would be best. Tables will be set up in the school library and students will go around to various "booths" to talk and learn. If you are interested in helping in this way, please contact Sarah at sarah.sannes@spps.org or 651-690-1217. Thank you!
|
 Spring Clean-Up Next Saturday, March 23
We'll be cleaning up the church next Saturday, inside and out, in preparation for Easter. We'll gather from 9 am to noon. Please bring rakes, leaf bags, rags, buckets, mops, brooms, etc. Many hands make light work! If you have questions, please contact Liz Morrison at 651-341-8769 or lmorrison0063@yahoo.com. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided!
|
Congratulations!
 | |
Kirsten Kringle (pictured above with daughter Harriet and mother Paula) was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from Luther Seminary to begin studies toward a master of arts in theology next fall. Kirsten is currently complete her PhD in philosophy at the University of Minnesota. She
|
|
Holy Week Services
PALM SUNDAY, March 24, 10:30 am
A palm processional will be followed by a dramatic reading of the story of Jesus' passion.
MAUNDY THURSDAY, March 28, 7 pm
Taizé music and interactive prayer stations, footwashing, a prayer writing station and candle lighting at the cross, concluding with the traditional stripping of the Altar. An Agapé meal with Middle Eastern food will take place before the service at 6 pm. Please bring Middle Eastern-style foods to share.
GOOD FRIDAY, March 29
Prayer Book Service, noon
Please join us for a traditional prayer book liturgy in our side chapel with reading of the Passion and communion from the reserved sacrament
Stations of the Cross, 7 pm
Journey through Jesus' last hours with the 14 Stations of the Cross, traditional "stopping places" during Jesus' walk to Calvary. Spanish-themed music from our Parish Choir will accompany the stations on the walls of the church, created by artists from the St. Matthew's community. This contemplative service includes periods of silence and congregational singing.
EASTER SUNDAY, March 31
Brunch at 9 am; Worship Service at 10:30 am
We'll join together for one celebratory Eucharist at 10:30 am. A festive Easter brunch will precede the service at 9 am. Please bring a coffee cake, egg dish, fruit or juice to share.
|
Looking Ahead: Calendar Highlights
 Reception for Community Art Show, March 24
Next Sunday, the Art Ministry will celebrate the opening of the Community Art Show. Guests will join us at 6 pm, following the Music in the Parks concert at the UCC next door. Our weekly Drop-In Dinner will be partnering with the reception, and finger foods will be served rather than a sit-down dinner. Ed Lotterman will be teaming up with the art ministry to provide plenty of delicious food. Space for the kids to eat and play will be set up in the youth rooms. Please join us!
New Member Class, April 14, 21 & 28, Noon to 1:30 pm
There will be a three session class for anyone wishing to join St. Matthew's or learn more about our faith community on Sundays, April 14, 21, and 28 after church from noon to 1:30 pm in the parish library. Please note the change of dates. We will explore Anglican Christianity, Episcopal Worship and polity, and the history and culture of St. Matthew's together. We will also focus on the two corporate spiritual practices central to our faith community: Eucharist and Dwelling in the Word. If you plan to participate, please rsvp to Blair Pogue at rector@stmatthewsmn.org.
 Service Auction, April 27
St. Matthew's Service Auction and dinner will take place the evening of Saturday, April 27. Ann Nerland is the Service Auction Chair, and she would like to invite anyone interested to be a part of the planning committee. Additionally please let Ann know if you have anything you wish to contribute to the auction. Examples: a week at your cabin, a special dinner for four or six, a child's birthday party, summer lawn mowing responsibilities, a ride on your motorcycle, an evening of wine, cheese, and poetry, etc. Please contact Ann at ahnerland57@gmail.com or 651-283-7855 if you can help out.
 Women's Retreat, May 3-4
Mark your calendars for the next St. Matthew's Women's Retreat at the Gainey Conference Center in Owatonna May 3 & 4. The theme is "Sursum Corda: Lift Up Your Hearts." The retreat will begin with dinner on Friday, May 3 (although you are welcome to arrive from 3 pm on) and conclude before dinner on Saturday, May 4. There will be workshops, discussions, music, and free time for socializing, walking the labyrinth, and listening to God. Don't miss this opportunity to hang out with and get to know the FABULOUS women of St. Matthew's!
|
|
Scripture for the Week
If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:4b-14
|
Please share your news and photos with us! Contact us at: tidings@stmatthewsmn.org . |
|
|
|
|
