September Events
Sunday School Starts September 8th
We are excited to begin “Weaving God’s Promises” with the Elementary and Middle School children of St. Matthew’s and continue enriching the hearts of our Pre-K and Kindies with our “Godly Play” program. Classes will begin on Sunday September 8th at 9:15 am. We will gather in the Children’s Chapel of the Balcomb House for music and begin our learning time at 9:30am. If you have not yet done so, please register your PreK through Eighth grader using this link or contact Whitney Tomlin at 303-880-5689 so the link can be sent to you.
We are still looking for one more assistant teacher for the Pre-K/Kindy class. If this is something you would be interested in, please contact Whitney Tomlin.
Calling All Musicians
Our regular chancel choir will soon begin with the first choir anthem being sung on Sunday, September 8th. Regular rehearsals begin on Thursday, September 5th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. All singers from 6th grade to 99+ are welcome to come and join our group.
Remember, this is an important ministry of worship and no auditions are necessary. Choir rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm and again on Sunday mornings from 9:45 am to 10:15 am. If you have further questions concerning this group, please contact Danny Flores at 575-937-3423.
Outreach Meeting September 15
Anyone interested in St. Matthew’s Outreach Program please join us September 15 after the 10:30 service. There is lots of exciting new and old business to discuss. If you are unable to attend but are wanting to help please contact Ann Williams WEBranch@msn.com or 720-354-5199. It’s going to be an exciting year for Outreach.
Douglas County Religious Liberty Event
Saturday, September 21st
6:30 pm
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
11755 Tara Lane Parker, CO
Panelists:
Ms. Jenny Kraska, President, Colorado Catholic Conference
Pastor Del Phillips, Senior Pastor, The House of Worship Center
Judge Ryan Nelson, 9th Circuit Court Judge
Public Question & Answer to Follow Panelist Presentations
Next Big Thing Update
YOU paid $21,645 in principal on August 15 from funds we collected in July! That means that we paid down 7 months and 1 week of payments, or we get 31 weeks of interest payments off our loan because we’ll pay off the mortgage sooner. It’s our hope to get pledges to completely pay off the mortgage by the end of 2021 and anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated! Every month we’ll let you know how much further we are in paying down the mortgage. EVERY month that we have money come in, it will go out to pay down the mortgage. If you have any questions please contact the office or Fr. Michael.
To print a pledge card, Click Here
Parker Wine Walk
5 to 8 PM
Sept 27, Oct 25
We have had over 740 guests visit during this year's Wine Walks and many opportunities to share with newcomers about St. Matthew’s! Please join in this fun event to let people know who we are and where we are! We've had many more people inquire about the times of the services and enjoy hearing the church's history. Several families have come to service on Sundays after learning about us from the wine walk. At the walk, people are telling each other that everyone needs to go to the friendly Church around the corner. So, come on down, help pour, and meet new people in our community. It really is helping to get the word out about our church.
Please help out by volunteering, donating appetizers, or reimbursing wine purchases. Contact Jody Shoemaker at shoec@aol.com, Ruth Ann Nelson at RuthAnn.Nelson@smecp.org, or Christine Greene at cgreene353@msn.com
Downtown Parker Wine Walks take place May through October. For all the details go to: www.parkerchamber.com/events/details/wine-walk-3046
Changes to Building Access
The kitchen door has been changed to a pass-through window. Those who used to access the building using the kitchen door can use the same code to access the new lock box near the window. The key inside the lock box opens the door to the Narthex. Please put the key back immediately after using it. Any questions, please contact Mary Pat at office@smecp.org.
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Calendar
Friday, September 6
ECW Bunko Night 6:00 pm
Saturday, September 7
Centering Prayer (Balcomb House Children’s Chapel) 9:00 am
Women’s AA (Balcomb House) 9:30 am
Sunday, September 8
Worship Services 8:00 & 10:30 am
Sunday School 9:15 am
Adult Sunday School 9:30 am
Choir Practice 9:45 am
Children's Chapel (Balcomb House) 10:30 am
Youth Group Fall Kick-off 4:00 pm
Tuesday, September 10
Staff Meeting 10:15 am
Midweek Worship & Discussion (Balcomb House) 7:00 pm
Vestry Meeting 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 11
Riches of Grace 7:00 pm
Thursday September 12
Choir Practice 7:00 pm
Saturday, September 14
Centering Prayer (Balcomb House Children’s Chapel) 9:00 am
Women’s AA (Balcomb House) 9:30 am
Sunday, September 15
Worship Services 8:00 & 10:30 am
Sunday School 9:15 am
Adult Sunday School 9:30 am
Choir Practice 9:45 am
Children's Chapel (Balcomb House) 10:30 am
Youth Group 4:00 pm
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Youth Group
Youth Group News and Dates
Youth and Families:
Join us Sunday Sept. 8 for our annual YG kick off potluck dinner and games. YG time, 4-6 pm in the parish hall. Come learn about our youth program, enjoy dinner with your YG friends, meet new friends and hear about new stuff YG has going on this year.
The leadership team can’t wait to see you all!!
Sept. 8 YG Kick Off Potluck Dinner/Games
Sept.15 RM
Sept. 22 RM
Sept. 29 Fall BBQ @ Hubbs House 4-6 pm
Oct. 6 RM Care packages to college kids
Oct. 13 RM
Oct. 20 Corn Maze Event 2-5 pm
Oct. 25-27 Fall Quest Retreat
Nov. 3 YG Serves Breakfast Sunday Tamale/Wreath Sales Begin
Nov. 10 RM
Nov. 16-17 Tamale Weekend!
Nov. 24 Movie Day
Nov. 30 Pick up wreaths/label 9:00-11:00 am
Dec. 1 NO YG Happy Turkey Day Weekend
Dec. 8 Christmas Family Shopping 1-4 pm
Dec. 15 Lessons & Carols Reading 7:00 pm
Dec. 20 Family Caroling Event
Dec. 23 YG Christmas Party & White Elephant Exchange 6-9 pm @Hubbs House
Dec. 22 NO YG Winter Break
Dec. 29 NO YG Winter Break
Jan. 5 NO YG Winter Break
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Women of St. Matthew's
Please mark on your calendars some important dates coming up for the ECW.
September 6: Bunko night! We had a great time last month so come and play a fun dice game ! It’s very easy to learn. Bring a dish to share and $6 to play and you could be a big winner at the end of the night! Please RSVP to Barb Mcnish at 303-910-9362 or mcnishcolo@aol.com
October 11 6:00 pm: A card making class! Make 4 cards, cost is $12. Bring a snack and also bring monotape/taperunner. Please RSVP to Barb McNish by 10/8 at 303.910.9362 or mcnishcolo@aol.com
November 15: Christmas craft hosted by Robbin Thompson, details to follow
November 17: assemble bags for our parishioners that are not able to come to church, details to follow but start thinking of items to put in the bags for approx. 12
Events in December will be our annual Tea in Elizabeth, possibly Dec 14th, and our annual cookie exchange, potluck, ornament exchange possibly December 22.
Any questions contact Barbara McNish mcnishcolo@aol.com or Robbin Thompson
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Upcoming Events
Fellowship Volunteers needed
Do you enjoy coffee or tea and a few goodies after church while visiting with friends and newcomers? Volunteers who provide these goodies do so about once a month or every 6 weeks. We are in need of more volunteers, especially for the 10:30 service. This ministry involves refreshing the coffee before the service and setting out home-made or store-bought goodies. Clean up after the service is quick and easy and is usually completed by 12:15.
If you are able to assist in this ministry, please contact Jo Ellen Richardson at joellenrr@comcast.net
Volunteers needed for Lawn Mowing
It’s time to mow the lawn. A tradition at St. Matthew’s has been to have this weekly task (on Fridays or Saturdays) performed by members of the congregation, similar to snow removal. All of the required equipment is available in the shed. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Building and Grounds section of the large bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Questions??? Please contact Jr. Warden, Mike Collar at: 214-202-0415 or mike.collar@smecp.org.
First Aid Volunteer List
We would like to create an on-going list of parishioners who would be able to help out in a medical emergency during service. If you are trained in first aid or have medical training and would be available to help out if someone needed medical assistance during services on Sundays, please contact Mary Pat Gallagher at office@smecp.org. A list will be compiled and given to Steve Smith to share with the ushers each week. Once you've volunteered, we ask that you let the ushers know when you are at a service so they can call on you if there is a need.
Ever Wanted to Visit the Holy Land?
Sandy Schwindy is putting together another tour to the Holy Land for next year. The travel dates are July 28th through August 6th of 2020. The cost for the trip is $3,600. Stops include the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem. Sandy is taking deposits now. Questions? Contact her at 2schwindys@gmail.com
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Ongoing Weekly Events
Riches of Grace Support Groups
Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm starting Sept 4
Are you or someone you care about living with a mental health difficulty? Life can feel chaotic, lonely, and hopeless when we face challenges alone. Riches of Grace is a mental health support group that provides a space for you to connect with others and learn tools to help.
We will be meeting each Wednesday starting September 4th from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Parish Hall. The Family Grace group is for people with family members who are going through mental health difficulties. The Living Grace group is for those who themselves experience mental health difficulties. Sessions are free, confidential, and everyone is welcome!
If you are interested in becoming a small group facilitator for the Riches of Grace small groups, contact Lynda Schutzenberger at 562-338-5477. We will be setting up an upcoming training date based on interested peoples' availability.
Midweek Worship & Discussion Group
Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Our Mid-week Worship and Discussion Group meets on Tuesday evenings at 7pm, upstairs in Balcomb House. We begin with Evening Prayer and then move to a topic associated with adult spiritual development.
Currently, we are discussing meditations by CS Lewis, Mark Nepo and others.
Our goal is to offer group spiritual direction through sharing. We’ve covered topics as varied as using the Book of Common Prayer, meditation, and developing a Christian Rule of Life. Future topics will be recommended by the group. Questions or comments? Contact Mark Williams, 720-354-5199 or kf6yu@msn.com
Centering Prayer
Saturdays at 9:00 am. Centering Prayer is a renewal of an ancient form of Christian prayer. It is a method of consenting to the presence and action of Christ in the stillness of our being. It is an exercise of faith, hope and love, moving beyond conversation with Christ to communion. The fruit of this prayer is a growing sense of God’s leading us beyond anxiety into an inner stillness and peace, and outward in compassion and service. Anyone desiring to deepen his or her prayer life will benefit.
When: Saturdays at 9:00am
Where: Balcomb House - Children’s Chapel room on first floor.
For further information, please contact:
Donna Gardner donnadgardner@q.com or 303-841-8054.
Children’s Chapel
Children’s Chapel is for all children preschool through 3rd grade. The children join the procession at the beginning of the 10:30 am service and gather together in the Balcomb House to hear the gospel story. From there we discuss and learn the meaning of the gospel using activities and crafts to enhance the story. The children come back to “big church” during The Peace. We always welcome additional teachers! If you would like to join the teaching team or have any questions please contact Christine Rodriguez at cricket61980@gmail.com.
Altar Flowers for 2019
The flower chart for 2019 is in the parish hall on the bulletin board. To request a remembrance, please write your name on the chart. Add appropriate language such as: In Loving Memory of…, In Thanksgiving for …, or in Celebration of ..., and please print clearly. The suggested donation for Sunday flowers is $40 payable on or before date requested and may be shared with another family. Please mark check in memo area Flowers for … If you have any questions, please contact Barb McNish at 303-805-2414 or mcnishcolo@aol.com, or the church office at 303-841-0121 or office@smecp.org. Thank you for making our church beautiful!
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Outreach
The Parker Task Force Collection for September:
Paper Towels, Cleaning Supplies, Glass Cleaner, Lysol Wipes
Items listed each month are from the PTF’s current needs list and may be dropped in the basket in the narthex. Thank you for your donations!
The Parker Task Force is a non-profit organization operated entirely by dedicated volunteers. The Parker Task Force is dedicated to providing individuals and families in our community with food, limited financial assistance and other support services to help them become self-sufficient. These services will be delivered with compassion, dignity and respect by their 100% volunteer staff. For more information about the PTF, please visit: parkertaskforce.org.
The St. Francis Center
Thanks to everyone for your continuing donations!
Current Needs:
Men’s Clothing: Jeans, Tee Shirts (all colors) in sizes L, XL, XXL and XXXL, Athletic shoes, Work Boots, and Hiking Boots, White athletic socks, underwear – boxers and briefs in S, M, and XL
Women's Clothing: Only highly practical women's wear. No fashion or business wear. Jeans, outerwear, athletic socks, work boots, and hiking boots.
Other: Body Towels, hand towels, washcloths, floor towels, Depends briefs (all sizes), reading glasses, eye glass cases, back packs
Toiletries: petroleum jelly (Vaseline), shaving cream, shampoo, lotion, body wash/liquid soap, foot powder and body powder, hair gel, deodorant, peroxide and rubbing alcohol
All donations may be dropped off in the St. Francis LARGE STORAGE BIN located in the parish hall.
A friendly reminder, please keep your donations limited to the above listed items. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Parker at 303-805-8889 or lindaparkerscot@gmail.com.
King Soopers: New Rewards Program-Easier than Ever
King Soopers launched a new program that will allow us to support St. Matthew’s by simply using our registered King Soopers loyalty card to earn funds. Enroll your King Soopers Loyalty Cards online at their secure website www.Kingsoopers.com/communityrewards.
Please note that when you search for St. Matthew's be sure to select "St. Matthew's, Parker" and not Grand Junction. - Thank you!
Thank you for being a part of the King Soopers Neighborhood Rewards Program. Please send any questions to kingsooperscommunityrewards@kingsoopers.com.
For the period of 04/01/19 thru 06/30/19 St. Matthew’s received a rebate check for $545.93 from 27 households. The more households, the bigger the rebate. Please sign up today!
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Bulletin and Email Items
Bulletin items are due by Wednesday mornings and Parish Weekly Update items are due by Friday mornings each week. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Pat Gallagher at office@smecp.org. Thanks!!!
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Readings for Sunday, September 8
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Moses said to all Israel the words which the Lord commanded him, "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
Psalm 1
Beatus vir qui non abiit
1 Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
2 Their delight is in the law of the Lord, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.
4 It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.
Philemon 1-21
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and co-worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
When I remember you in my prayers, I always thank my God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
For this reason, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do your duty, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love-- and I, Paul, do this as an old man, and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might be of service to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel; but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother-- especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.
Luke 14:25-33
Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions."
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