We are a family of faith reaching out to share the

life-changing love and grace of Jesus April 23, 2017

Church Calendar

TODAY, Sunday, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter 8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m. ONE Combine Worship in the Sanctuary Noon Confirmation Luncheon 3:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack Meeting 4:00 p.m. Children’s Ministry Team 5:00 p.m. Youth CONNECT 6:00 p.m. Adult Handbells Monday, April 24, 2017 1:00 p.m. Flower Ministry 6:00 p.m. Leadership Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 15 Tuesday, April 25, 2017 1:30 p.m. Bible Study with Andy Wednesday, April 26, 2017 4:00 p.m. Super 6’s 4:00 p.m. St. Matthew’s Blood Drive (through 7:30 p.m.) 5:00 p.m. WNL Supper begins 6:00 p.m. Activities for all ages 7:15 p.m. Adult Choir rehearsal Thursday, April 27, 2017 6:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study (Room 115) 9:30 a.m. Card Care Ministry (library) 2:00 p.m. Age-Less Aerobics (Room 111) 2:00 p.m. Pillowcase Pals (church library) Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 3rd Sunday of Easter Regular Sunday Schedule plus … 7:30 a.m. Men’s Club Breakfast 9:45 a.m. Reception for Jim Baker

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE - April 26, 2017 Make your supper reservations on the attendance pad THIS MORNING—

5:00 p.m. - Grilled Pork Chop or Cornish Hen, Hash Brown Casserole, Corn, Spinach Maria, Salad Bar & Dessert (Kids Option - Nuggets, Burgers & Fries)

There are days that are important in our lives. Days of great worth and importance— birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other such events. Each of these days is formational. They mark a shift from one moment to another. They are all part of our story of life and growth. Today is one such moment for the members of our Confirmation Class. Each of these young men and women have over the course of this school year meet weekly with their peers, gone on retreats, and grown closer to God and each other. We have seen tremendous personal and spiritual growth in these students this year. We as a church are very proud of them, and proud of their coming to this moment in their faith. Today we will have public professions of faith. We will have reaffirmations of baptism, and will have baptisms. We will have new members of our church, but more importantly, today we will have new members of God’s Kingdom. Today, we celebrate these members of our Confirmation Class. Today we honor their hard work, and rejoice in their desire to make this public decision to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior, as well as join in our covenant of membership here at St. Matthew’s. And all of us today, we reaffirm that covenant we too have made. That covenant we have made with God to follow Him, and that covenant we have made with our local church, to help change the world through it. Today, we rejoice in what these students are doing. Most of all, we rejoice in what God has done! Peace of Christ, Andy

St. Matthew’s Church Staff Ministers, Every member of the St. Matthew’s family

Andy Stoddard, Lead Pastor

Erin Hicks, Associate Pastor

Brian Johnston, Associate Pastor - Youth Ministries

Kaye Schloemer, Minister of Congregational Care Ministries

Tim Rigby, Minister of Music

Jennifer Heath, Director of Children’s Ministries

Nora Roberts, Director of Older Adult Ministries

Jennifer Landress, Financial Administrator

Barbara Berry, Office Manager/ Director of Communications

Stacy Johnson, Administrative Assistant/Membership Secretary

Peggy Phillips, Administrative Assistant

Elizabeth Kluender, Assistant Youth Minister

Gina Hardy, Weekday Ministry Director

Frank Laney, Organist

Allen Hart, Pianist

Anse Rigby, INTERSECTION Worship Leader

Jim Baker, Building Superintendent

Eddie Deuschle, Kitchen Coordinator

Dorothy Bell, Nursery Coordinator/Kitchen

Eddie Stewart and Scottie Burgess, Custodial Staff

Pillowcase Pals will meet THIS Thursday, April 27th, 2:00 p.m. in the church

library. If you are a beginner sewer - or accomplished sewer - we would love to have you join us! We will be completing our pillowcase donation for the Methodist Children's Home. Our pillowcases are making a special impact on many folks - abused women and their children at the Sims House, as well as children at the Methodist Home. Contact Kathy Helstrom at 601-942-7451 with questions.

Men’s Club Breakfast NEXT Sunday

7:30 a.m. All men are invited to this

time of great food and fellowship!

Emily Adcock

Jack Bishop

Hayden Brown

Sadie Bryan

Joseph Ciaccio

Kacy Crothers

Christian Davis

Isabel Dawson

Julia DeVille

McCoy Evans

Carson Ewing

Will Gallaspy

Justin Gray

Jack Houston

Ainslee Johnson

Kate Elizabeth Lewis

Daniel Lynn

Reagan Plotner

John David Phillips

Sydney Sanders

Sarah Stoddard

Simon Tipton

St. Matthew’s Class of 2017 Confirmation Class

TODAY is the deadline for registration for the St. Matthew’s Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 4th at the Canton Country Club. Cost is $100 per individual and $400 per team. Pick up a form at the RSVP Desk outside the Sanctuary or the INTERSECTION Activity Table.

Coffee With The Pastors - Sunday, May 7th at 9:45 a.m. in Perry

Hall. This is a great opportunity get to know the pastors and the church staff and learn more about our church. Let us know you are coming at 601-856-9581.

Our Prayers We express our love and sympathy to … … Dot and Felix Bell, in the death of her Cousin Clara’s husband, Mr. Ernest Torns. … Marty, Jessica, Caden and Kate Elizabeth Lewis, in the death of Jessica’s father, Mr. Jerry Magee.

Each week we invite you to pray for five families in our congregation, in addition to those whose prayer concerns have been made known to us. Please join us this week in remembering the following members of St. Matthew’s and their families: Jamie Rider; Tami Rigby; Tim Rigby; Anse, Courtney, Ella and Charlie Rigby; Frank, Kelly, Allen and Julia Lee Riley.

Our Presence - Last Sunday, April 16, 2017 - Easter Sunday

Sunday School - 242 Sanctuary Worship Services: 8:30 a.m. - 291 11:00 a.m. - 552

INTERSECTION Worship Service: 11:00 a.m. - 127 Worship Total: 970

Our Gifts 2017 Budget…………………….…………………….…………...….....…...…………….$1,249,654.00 Needed monthly……………….…...……….……………..……………..…….……………$104,138.00 Received for April 2017 to date……………………………..……..……………..………$85,263.71

Congratulations St. Matthew’s! STOP HUNGER NOW was a great success with $10,524.99 collected and 34,000 meals packed. Thank you for your generous and giving spirit in helping fight world hunger. Job well done! — Dave Mixon, 2017 SHN Coordinator

Our Service

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is shared monthly with friends who are hospitalized, homebound and living in retirement facilities. We will offer Holy Communion next on Thursday, May 11, between the hours of 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. (Please note that our usual First Thursday Communion is being postponed one week due to the National Day of Prayer observance and Golf Tournament; we will resume the First Thursday sharings on June 1.) If you would like to receive the Sacrament on May 11, or want to assist in the serving, please contact Kaye Schloemer at 601-856-9581, Ext. #209.

Connect - Tonight at Connect we will be continuing our series "Journey to the Cross." Gather at 5:00 p.m. in Perry Hall. Come, invite your friends, and learn about what Christ has done for us on the cross.

Baccalaureate Sunday - We will honor all graduating High School seniors

on Sunday, May 14th. If you will be attending the Baccalaureate Brunch

during the Sunday School hour, email Brian how many will be attending.

Great 8 Lock In - Calling all 8th Graders! You will not want to miss out on this fun night of fellowship. There will be movies, games, discussions about faith, and so much more. Deadline is THIS WEEK - April 28.

Mission Fest - Join us June 4 - 8, as we gather with other churches from Mississippi to participate in Mission Fest 2017! We will be staying at Millsaps, participating in inner-city service projects, studying scripture together, and worshiping together. The cost is $149. Deadline is May 8.

And Our Witness We are so pleased to welcome William “Bubba” Davis to our church membership. Bubba lives at 323 Grayling Blvd in Madison.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS We give thanks for all that God has already given you, and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

Memorials & Honorariums

In memory of Bethel Berry from Chris & Becky Wells from Hal Johnston

In memory of Juliette Brown from John & Peggy Fraiser from Chris & Becky Wells from Mary Young

In memory of Jane Colvin from Chris & Becky Wells from Mary Young

In memory of Dorothy Hicks from Dan & Suzanne Parker

In memory of Robert Hodges from Dan & Suzanne Parker from Hal Johnston

In memory of Helen Johnston from Charles & Vicki McCann from Dan & Suzanne Parker from Harry & Joyce Easley

In memory of Sam Morris from Algie & Sheila Broome from Chuck & Su Morris from Dan & Suzanne Parker from Harold & Vivian Robinson from Margaret Snider from Gardner & Lori Gallaspy

In memory of Dave Roberson from Bo and Mary Helen Bowen from Dan & Suzanne Parker from Chris & Becky Wells from the Jessie D. Allred Family from Hal Johnston

In memory of Smitty Smith from Mary Young from Hal Johnston

In honor of Algie & Sheila Broome from Harry & Joyce Easley

In honor of Curtis & Irvita Moffat from Harry & Joyce Easley

In honor of Rayford & Rosa Ann Woodrick

from Harry & Joyce Easley

Welcome! We are so glad you are here!

St. Matthew’s Blood Drive THIS Wednesday, April 26th - 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Plan to donate so we can continue to have all of St. Matthew’s membership covered in the case of emergencies.

Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Our palm crosses were great reminders of the love and sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. I am so thankful for the MANY HANDS who gently folded palm branches into crosses for our worshippers on Palm Sunday. These kind folks shared great fellowship as they worked together in this ministry. I personally enjoyed working with our team of folders. How incredible to be part of a group who step up to carry out ministries! You all know I LOVE Marthas!!!

“Sing”cerely - Tim

"For Your Great Name's Sake! Hear Us...Forgive Us...Heal Us!"

St. Matthew's UMC will join people from across this great nation in the 66th annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Please join us at 6:45 a.m. for a brief service followed by a Continental breakfast in the narthex. This will start your day in prayer and still allow you to be on time for work and school.

(The Sanctuary and Prayer Room will remain open all day for prayer.)

We would like to thank all of you who were able to be a part of our Lenten Prayer Vigil. We trust that this time set aside from your busy schedule was a meaningful part of your Holy Week. Also, thanks to all of you that experienced the Stations of the Cross. Our prayer was that this walk through the Stations would allow each individual to remember and reflect on the final, sacrificial steps that our

Lord took for us! May we continue to ponder where those steps lead us today. Also, special thanks to all of the many volunteers who worked to make these events possible.

Registration Begins TODAY!

VBS 2017 “HERO CENTRAL: Discover Your Strength in God”

June 19th - June 23rd

Adults and Youth Volunteers: We are now creating teams (decoration, preschool, registration, snack, crafts, music, science, Bible story, carpool, and registration) for each area right now! Contact Allison Smith (ag3first@yahoo.com) or Jennifer Heath (Jennifer@stm-umc.org) if you would like more Information or to find your place to volunteer. We also need lots of group leaders to shepherd children throughout their activities including art, experimenting, recreation, and music! You too can be a Hero!!!

Congratulations to Frances Gilbert and Evan Burkes on the birth of their son. Asher Thomas Burkes arrived on April 17, 2017 and weighed in at 5 pounds and 14 ounces. Asher is also welcomed by proud St. Matthew’s grandparents, James and Ann White and aunt, Ashley Ferman and uncle, Zach White.

Please join us next Sunday, April 30th at 9:45 a.m. in Hart Hall for a very special time of celebration in honor Mr. Jim Baker! Jim has served as our building superintendent for over 8 1/2 years and we would like to show our gratitude for his years of devoted service and care for our church. (Sunday School classes will meet as scheduled so you can plan to come as a class or stop by prior to class.)

Wesley Pines Offers FREE DAY! Camp Wesley Pines in Gallman invites all to come and experience a taste of summer camping this Saturday, April 29th! There will be archery, canoeing, high and low ropes events, camp tour, Burt

Fleming, world champion chainsaw wood carver and a free lunch. This is a great opportunity to help your child get excited about summer camp.

Thank You from the

Prayer Ministry!