November 2015 - St. Matthew`s Episcopal Church

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
The Messenger
November 2015
St. Matthew’s Staff
Advent Candle of Hope
William McVey
Priest
The last Sunday of November is the start of Advent, and I want to draw your
attention to the practice of lighting the Advent candles during the celebration
Sherry Minzey
of Advent. Each week a candle is lit, and it represents a spiritual expectation
Admin. Assistant
theme for the week. We begin on the First Sunday of Advent with the first
Ron Stockton
Advent candle that I call the candle of hope and expectation. I use the word
Music Director
expectation because I suggest that we best understand Advent as a season of
expectation in that we believe in faith that Christ, the Son of God, has come
and fulfilled his earthly task of bringing us salvation. It is because we are
Officers
saved in and by Jesus Christ and we have become a people of hope.
Jane Petrie
This hope that we celebrate during Advent is not some type of vague
Senior Warden
promise about the afterlife. This hope that we celebrate is not hope, as the
world knows it. The hope of the secular world is never more than a type of
Mark Muller
trust in the laws of probability working in our favor. Indeed, without Jesus
Junior Warden
Christ there is really no lasting hope for humanity because hope and trust in
Jesus Christ promises us an eventual victory over death. It is only by means of
David Macey
Treasurer
the coming of Christ that we have the final answer to the present and
haunting issue of death. At the same time when we become aware of our
Linda Gerding
ultimate victory in Jesus Christ, we also begin to participate in the loving
Secretary
energy that carries us through life and towards our final destiny. In our heart,
as a result, we begin to feel this hope more deeply until it turns into a
Dave Chullino
passionate and all absorbing expectation. The hope is no longer vague, but it
George Miller
Clerk of the Works
is clarified through a life of receiving and participating in the penetrating love
of Jesus Christ.
Service Time
Death is not to be seen just as the end of life because the issue of
death
overshadows
our whole life. Indeed, we spend our life running from
4:00 p.m. Saturday
Rite II
the reality of death, but it is a paradoxical escape. It is a paradox because we
busy our life with play and distraction to avoid the confrontation with death,
10:15 a.m. Sunday
but in avoiding the issue of death and redemption, we seem to lose our souls.
Rite II
When we spend our life running from the question of death, we lose touch
with the spiritual forces of our soul. When we lose touch with our souls, then
we become dead to all the spiritual energy of life and the burning love of
heard this put so well by a lady recently who was telling me about a friend
who had just died from cancer. She said, “My friend Carol just died of cancer.
9349 E. 65th Street, Raytown, Missouri 64133 Phone: 816.353.4592 Email: [email protected]
She had just come to Christ, and shortly after accepting Christ as her Savior,
1 The cancer advanced quickly, and she died just recently. I
she was diagnosed with cancer.
was with her during her ordeal, and she explained to me that she was not dying, rather she was
Continued from page 1
Jesus Christ. We run from the issue of death, and as a result, we die spiritually. I heard this put so well
by a lady recently who was telling me about a friend who had just died from cancer. She said, “My
friend Carol just died of cancer. She had just come to Christ, and shortly after accepting Christ as her
Savior, she was diagnosed with cancer. The cancer advanced quickly, and she died just recently. I was
with her during her ordeal, and she explained to me that she was not dying, rather she was going
home. She then continued to explain that really she had been spiritually dead for years, but she had
become born again to eternal life in Jesus Christ.”
The Advent candle burns as symbol of hope. It is a purple candle, and the purple color
symbolizes the suffering and pain of humanity. The candle also represents the suffering and pain in
our life, but it is the candle of hope and expectation. The hope grows from the fire of God’s love for
us that is the flickering of the flame. It teaches us that no matter how much suffering and pain there
is in anyone’s life there is always burning within us the Advent candle of hope. As we feel this burning
love, we face life with hope, and we wait as our hope becomes a clear expectation about what is to
come, as we read in Isaiah 60: 1-3, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord
rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and the thick darkness is over the peoples, but the
Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light and the kings to
the brightness of your dawn.”
ECW THANK YOU!
“Thank you” are two very small words but they are heartfelt by all St. Matthew’s
ECW members for your support during this year of three fundraisers to benefit
our organization. As our way of saying thank you, we would like to invite all St.
Matthew’s members to a free lunch! Yes, there still is such a thing as a free
lunch! Please save the date of December 6th immediately following the 10:15
service for soup and salad in our parish hall.
To make our luncheon memorable, we are encouraging all to participate in our
“Ugly Christmas Sweater/Sweatshirt Contest”! To participate, we are asking that
you wear your sweater/sweatshirt during church service and during our
luncheon. We will be voting on the UGLIEST sweater/sweatshirt and a prize
will be given. More details in our December newsletter.
Emalea Miller
ECW President
2
ST. MATTHEW’S COMMUNITY OF CHAPLAINS
The following St. Matthew’s Community of Chaplains: Jim & Brenda Laney, Marci
Brown Turlin, Mary Cease, Jane Petrie, and Linda Gerding, took their September
Circle of Care meeting “on the road” again.
This time we arranged to meet with Irene Fortney at Lee’s Summit Point Health
Care. A little snafu in communication didn’t have Irene up and ready to visit with us
initially, but the helpful staff at LS Point jumped right in to get her ready and
wheeled down to join us in the dining area. Irene was so happy to see everyone and
to receive communion. We had a very nice visit with her and shared some coffee
(decaf of course) and cookies provided by Mary Cease. As we left, Irene thanked us
again for “remembering” her, for her little party, and to tell everyone at St. Matthews
that she said “Hello”. Irene was 102 this year and the oldest living member of St.
Matthews Parish.
The St. Matthew’s Community of Chaplains again feel that they have extended lots
of St. Matthew’s Parish Family love to one of our parishioners who is definitely still
with us in spirit.
If you are interested in having us visit you, or someone you know, contact Linda
Gerding at 356-5856 or [email protected].
St. Matthew’s Community of Chaplains
LR: Jane Petrie, Mary Cease, Irene Fortney, Marci Brown Turlin,
Jim Laney, Brenda Laney
3
Irene Fortney
CROP WALK 2015
ST. MATTHEWS-“ENDING HUNGER ONE STEP AT A TIME”
Sunday Oct. 11, 2015 ~ 2:00 p.m.
On Oct. 11, 2015 at Central United Methodist Church, the following parishioners made up
the ST. MATTHEW’S CROP WALK TEAM: Jason, Christina, and Dominic Brooks.
Unfortunately several of the usual team members were unable to join in the walk this year
due to other commitments. It was a beautiful Fall afternoon however, and lots of participants
from various churches gathered to walk for the hungry. The St. Matthew’s Team may have
been few in number but the Parish was represented and faithful in its efforts to donate to
help in the fight against world hunger.
St. Matthew’s Team has raised $306.00. A BIG THANKS goes to the tremendous generosity
and fundraising efforts of many from St. Matthew’s Parish. By supporting the Crop Walk,
the opportunity to help “eradicate extreme poverty and hunger” world wide, has been met.
As always, we pray for those less fortunate, hungry, and in need: Oh God, to those who
have hunger, give bread. And to those who have bread, give hunger for justice. (Latin
American prayer)
Blessings,
Linda Gerding/Christina Brooks
Crop Walk Co-Chairs-2015
Service & Outreach Commission
J
Jason & Dominic Brooks
4
REAP’S FALL BOY SCOUT FOOD DRIVE
OCTOBER 24, 2015
Darrel and Beth Cook and Robyn Williams turned out to represent St.
Matthew’s and join in with other community volunteers at REAP to help with the Fall
Boy Scout food drive. The shelves at REAP were getting pretty bare so this effort by
the Boy Scouts was so very, very, welcome and desperately needed!
Again, thank you to St. Matthew’s Parish helping each month to make a
difference in the lives of so many in our local community by contributing to the
Loaves and Fishes program.
Linda Gerding
Service & Outreach Commission
5
TREASURER’S REPORT
October Income – Expense
Year-to-Date Income - Expense
Dave Macey
Treasurer
6
NOVEMBER
LOAVES & FISHES COLLECTION FOR REAP
Please especially remember for the Thanksgiving month of November those in our community who
are not as fortunate as most of us at St. Matthews. Won't you please pick up an extra item or two
when you shop for your Thanksgiving dinner: Cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, stuffing, green beans,
instant mashed potatoes, canned sweet potatoes, and canned fruit are just a few suggestions. Frozen
turkeys may also be purchased and taken to REAP to be kept in their big commercial freezer and
distributed before Thanksgiving. Cash donations also allow REAP to purchase turkeys. "Kindness
is the golden chain by which society is bound together" –Goethe
Loaves & Fishes Count for:
August
186
September
164
Thank you,
St. Matthew’s Service & Outreach Commission
REAP
The REAP Christmas Box will be in the Narthex for collections during the
month of November. Items will need to be delivered to REAP by Dec. 7th.
TOYS FOR ALL AGES
ADULT GIFTS
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Action Toys
Costume Jewelry
Can Opener
Infant Toys
Billfolds & Purses
Cookware
Stuffed Animals
Toiletries & Cosmetics
Towels, All Sizes
Dolls & Clothes
Men’s Belt & Gloves
Sheet & Blankets
Building Toys
Writing Tablets & Pens
Decorative Items
Small Radios
Houseshoes & Slippersocks
Crockpots & Coffeemakers
Books
Watches & Calculator
Puzzles
Balls
Games
Cars & Trucks
Caps, Gloves & Mittens
(No Clothing Please!!!)
7
St. Matthew’s Choir is sponsoring a
1950s-60s Sock-Hop
Sat. Nov.14, 6:00 P.M. to 9:00P.M.
Admission is one item per person donated to REAP.
(food, toiletries etc.)
Contests & Prizes !!!
Bring a food dish and beverage of your choice.
1950s-60s attire encouraged, and bring pictures or
items of memorabilia to reminisce.
Music provided via vinyl 45- RPM records.
8
FALL RETREAT
On October 3, 2015 Daughters of the King members
attended our Fall Retreat at Trinity Episcopal Church in
Independence, Mo. These retreats are held every fall and
spring within our Diocese.
The speaker at this year’s Fall Retreat was The Reverend Dr. Steven Rottgers, Canon
to the Ordinary Diocese of Western Mo. “Feeder or Feedee” and “Understanding the
difference between Shepherds and Sheep” were the themes. The topics discussed;
relationships, "Being", mindfulness and sharing. The discussions were enlightening
and enjoyable, as was the buffet table.
Sharing: The things we love, tell us who we are. Saint Thomas Aquinas
The true measure of a person is what's in the heart.
Daughters of the King
Linda Batson, President
COMMITMENT SUNDAY
November 22nd
OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED
NOVEMBER 26th & 27th
Please remember to turn in your
pledge cards and Time & Talent
forms at the Saturday 4:00 p.m.
service or the Sunday 10:15 a.m.
service. If you cannot attend, you
can mail to the church in addressed
envelope provided in your
Stewardship packet.
THANK YOU!
MESSENGER/CALENDAR DEADLINE
NOVEMBER 18TH
9