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APRIL & LENTEN EVENTS

Breakfast Sunday- April 7th
A parish breakfast is provided on the first Sunday of every month, with a summer hiatus. We will serve between services around 9am.  It is a chance to meet others from “the other service” and catch up with each other over coffee, tea and food!!.  Because it is Lent, we will recognize this with less rich, well-buttered and less spicy offerings. There is no cost—just come and eat and enjoy nice conversation.   Please reach out to the newcomer at your table!!!


Wednesday Night Lenten Program
All are welcome to attend all, or any part of the Wednesday Night Lenten Program, on  April 10. There will be a Eucharist at 6:00pm, followed by a soup and bread supper, then a teaching led by Fr. Michael from 7-8pm.

Please bring a pot of soup and bread to share!

Link to Study: https://www.smecp.org/lenten-study-2019


Passover Seder Supper
On Tuesday, April, 16 at 5:45pm we are having a Seder supper, organized by Bobbi Scheinin, (rscheinin@q.com) with all the food prepared by us! We’ll sign up to fix particular things or to help set up and clean up, like we do for breakfast Sundays. and all ages and kinds of folks are invited. It will be great fun and we will learn a lot about our faith. Sign up sheet is on bulletin board in the Parish Hall. Plan to come together with members of St. Matthew’s during Holy Week to enjoy our Christian faith and its Jewish roots.


St. Matthew’s Annual Lenten Blood Drive
Contact Vitalent at: www.vitalent.org, or call number below to sign up to give any time during Lent: March 6 - April 20 at the Parker site:

10259 S. Parker Rd. Ste. 104
Parker, CO 80134
(303) 363-2300
(800) 365-0006 

When registering, be sure to mention St. Matthew's as the group and Vitalent will let us know how many pints we donated! Please consider making this a priority and give the gift of love and life by donating blood during Lent! If you have any questions, please contact Danny Flores at dfloresdirector@yahoo.com or 575-937-3423.



Fill the Ark
This Lent the Sunday School will be gathering their pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to “Fill the Ark” in partnership with the Heifer Project. 

Heifer’s  Ark carries hope into thousands of communities, bringing hope and healing and the joy of “Passing on the Gift” to families around the world.  Every family who receives livestock agrees to pass on one or more of its animals’ offspring to a neighbor in need.  The family also passes on new skills in growing crops and caring for the environment.

 This Lent the children in our Sunday School are asked to take home a calendar and Giving bank. The calendar gives daily suggestions for the family to give an offering in thanksgiving for all the blessing that they have.  It is a great way to pause, evaluate and give of our riches to those less fortunate.  

The monies will be collected each Sunday in Lent.  Each week we will display the total of monies collected and what we can buy with our collections.  

You don’t have to be in Sunday School or have a child in Sunday School to participate. Calendars and Giving Boxes will be available in the parish hall.  

Let’s Fill the Ark!


Easter Candy Donations Still Needed
The Easter Bunny will again hide eggs between the 9am and 11am Easter Sunday services for all children ages toddler through 5th grade.  The Egg Hunt will begin at 10:30 sharp!!  The Easter Bunny has received many egg donations for which he is very grateful. However, he is very much in need of more candy with which to fill them!!  He needs non-chocolate items (non-meltable candies) such as jelly beans, malted candy eggs, jolly ranchers, Smarties, etc.  Please leave them on a kitchen counter and Jo Ellen Richardson (720-369-9639) will collect them for the Bunny.  The Youth Group will be stuffing the eggs for the Bunny during their Lenten Retreat.  Many thanks for all the donations thus far!!


Easter Flowers 
Please help to beautify our church for the Easter season with lilies. The suggested donation is $15. Form can be found in the narthex. Please indicate if your donation is for a memorial, thanksgiving or a celebration. Then put your form and check/cash marked “Easter flowers” in the offertory basket or drop off at the parish office. Due date is Tuesday, April 16 to be listed in bulletin. Thank you so much for helping to decorate St. Matthew’s for Easter. If you have any questions contact office: 303-841-0121/office@smecp.org, or Barb McNish at 303-910-9362.


Holy Week Service Schedule 
April 14 - Palm Sunday - 8:00am & 10:30am
April 16 - Passover Seder Supper
April 18 - Maundy Thursday - 7:00pm  
April 19 – Good Friday
                Stations of the Cross - Noon   
                Tenebrae - 7:00pm
April 20 - Easter Vigil -7:00pm


Easter Day Service Schedule  
April 21 - Easter Day Worship Services 

                7:30am, 9:00am, & 11:00am 

                Children’s Chapel at 9 & 11am services

                10:30am - Easter Egg Hunt

       Choir will serve breakfast between the services


Easter Sunday Breakfast-April 21
St. Matthew’s Choir has offered to provide a pot-luck breakfast after the 9am service on Easter Sunday.  Please consider joining them to celebrate the day (and wait for the Easter Egg hunt).  Please consider providing a pot-luck dish to assist the choir in "feeding a multitude”.  There is no sign-up so please share your favorite Easter Sunday treat or breakfast dish.      Any questions or concerns, please contact Teri Flores (575-937-3424), Elizabeth Flores-Moran (575-649-0800) or Jo Ellen Richardson (720-369-9639)


UPCOMING EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE FOR VBS!!!
Join us for Vacation Bible School (VBS) this Summer, 
June 17-21, 2019
Look for more info on programming, schedule and registration in the coming weeks.

Want to join our VBS team?? Please email youthgroup@smecp.org if you are interested in being a part of this 
fun event for our children and youth.


ONGOING EVENTS

Centering Prayer 
Saturdays at 9:00am.
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 at:
donnadgardner@q.com or 303-841-8054.


First Communion Class
We are excited to have begun the First Communion Class on Sunday, March 24.  We welcome all second and third graders to join us at 9:15am on Sunday for a month of class that will focus on the liturgy, symbols and meaning of the Holy Eucharist.  On Sunday, June 9, these children will be recognized and celebrated at the 10:30 service.  

If your child is interested in participating, please complete this form.
If you have any questions, please contact Whitney Tomlin at: whitney.tomlin@dcsdk12.org.


Sunday School meets on Sundays at 9:15am in the Balcomb House. 
The children and youth at St. Matthew’s enjoy fun, exploratory learning during the Sunday school hour each week of the school year. Please reach out to Whitney Tomlin (303-880-5689) or Kimberley Hubbs (303-803-6872) if you are interested in working in our Sunday school program this year. This does not have to be a weekly commitment and all lessons and materials will be provided.


Adult Sunday School
The Adult Sunday School is looking at traditions at St. Matthew’s and the Episcopal Church as a way of helping people to get to know both, and to prepare for Reception or Confirmation this Spring in the Episcopal Church. Please join us and tell us about your traditions in the church where you grew up, or come ask questions about our church. We look forward to seeing you anytime! This is not a class where you have to be there every time, but the more often you’re there, the more you get out of it.

In Christ,

Michael+


Youth Group News

Youth Group Calendar of Events    
Apr.  7 Pantomime Rehearsal 2:45-5, YG Time 5-6
Apr. 12-14 Palm Sunday Pantomime & Lock-in Weekend
Apr. 21 NO YG Easter Sunday
Apr. 28 RM
May 5 RM 
May 12 NO YG Mother’s Day
May 19 Last RM 
May 26 NO YG Memorial Day Weekend
June 2-8 High School Mission Trip (Coastal Texas)
Jun. 9 Pentecost
June 17-21 VBS
July 21-16 MS/HS In-State Mission Trip (Vail Eagle Valley) 

Check out our new YG web page on the St. Matthew’s website! 

https://www.smecp.org/youth/

This year we will begin using the webpage as a source of up to date info about YG and its events. Information updates will be made weekly so check in for all the current YG scoop.

To learn more about the Youth Group please contact Kimberley Hubbs, Youth Director at: 303-803-6872, or  youthgroup@smecp.org.


Children’s Chapel 
Children’s Chapel is for all children preschool through 3rd grade. The children join the procession at the beginning of the 10:30am 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 ..., 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/mcnishcolo@aol.com, or church office at 303-841-0121/office@smecp.org.  Thank you for making our church beautiful!



Stewardship 2019 - God’s Family - Reaching Out
 
The stewardship letters and pledge cards for 2019 have been mailed. If you did not receive one, please contact the church office at 303-841-0121 or office@smecp.org to verify that we have your correct address, or to get added to our mailing list.  There will be extra pledge cards and envelopes in the narthex. 

Proposed Ministry Plan Goal: $249, 888.00

Pledge totals to date: 66 Pledges totaling $233,275.00. Thank you!


The Parker Task Force Collection for April: Salad Dressings
Items listed each month are from the PTF’s current needs list and may be dropped in basket in the narthex. Thank you for your donations!

*Egg cartons are no longer needed.

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 to the St. Francis Center. In addition to the items listed below, with cold temperatures the guests at the center will need warmer items like long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, coats,  long underwear, boots, hats, and gloves.

Clothing: Men’s New Underwear* (small, med. & large), Refillable Water Bottles, Ties, Men’s Tennis Shoes* (sizes 9-11), Men’s Jeans (all sizes), Men’s T-shirt* (All sizes), Shoe laces, Drug Store Reading Glasses*, Belts (all sizes), warm hats, Men’s work boots, New White Athletic socks, Men’s shoes. (*indicates in Great Demand)

Toiletries: Cologne and aftershave, Vaseline, Shaving Cream, Shampoo, (individual bottles), Sunscreen, Lotion, Bars of soap, Foot Powder, Hair gel, Deodorant (individual size), Feminine Hygiene Products, Peroxide and Rubbing Alcohol.     

Women's Clothing:  Only highly practical women's wear such as fleece, denim, outerwear, boots, tennis shoes, etc., will be accepted. No fashion or business wear.

Also, your continued donations of paper back books and magazines are greatly appreciated by the guests of the shelter. However, before donating, be sure to remove or “line through” any mailing addresses.

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
Starting on April 1 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.

Here’s How It Works:

·         No more reloadable gift cards (this will now be tied to the King Soopers loyalty card)

·         It will pay out every quarter (starting at the end of 2nd quarter in 2019) 

Thank you for being a part of the King Soopers Neighborhood Rewards Program. 

Please send any questions to kingsooperscommunityrewards@kingsoopers.com.


Holy Land Tour!
Reminder to all going:
Full payment for the tour is due April 29!  Sandy will be here at both services on April 14, Palm Sunday, in case there are any questions or last-minute interest!  Her phone number is 970-846-8559.
Price: $3350 (cash/check) plus insurance and gratuity for driver and guide. Includes: round-trip air from Denver; hotel on the Sea of Galilee and in Jerusalem; most meals; and gratuities for hotel and wait staff. Insurance is mandatory and is not included in above price.  Sandy Schwindy, a part-time St. Matthew’s parishioner, will be leading a group on a 10-day tour to the Holy Land July 29-August 7, 2019.  Major sites they will visit include Bethlehem, the Mount of Beatitudes and, of course, many sites in Jerusalem.


For the Complete Calendar of Events Go to: www.smecp.org

Follow Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMatthewsParker                              


Readings for Sunday, April 7, 2019

Old Testament

Isaiah 43:16-21
Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,

who brings out chariot and horse,
army and warrior;

they lie down, they cannot rise,
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

Do not remember the former things,
or consider the things of old.

I am about to do a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.

The wild animals will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;

for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself

so that they might declare my praise.

The Response

Psalm 126  BCP page 782

In convertendo

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations, *
"The Lord has done great things for them."

4 The Lord has done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.

6 Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.


The Epistle

Philippians 3:4b-14
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.

The Gospel

John 12:1-8
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

 

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