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APRIL EVENTS
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.
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 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.
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)
Church Campus Clean-up April 27 8:00am – 12pm.
Bring your garden tools and help beautify our church campus!
Come for a single job, come for a single hour, or plan to spend the morning. All are welcome! Questions? Please contact Mike Collar at 214-202-0415m or mike.collar@smecp.org.
Quarterly Pledge Statements
Pledge statements for the 1st quarter of 2019 are now available in the narthex. If you submitted a pledge card for 2019 you will receive a statement. If you have any questions, please contact church office @303-841-0121 or office@smecp.org.
9 Days left in St. Matthew’s Annual Lenten Blood Drive
There is still time - Schedule your appointment today!
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!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dive in for FUN!
Shipwrecked VBS sets sail June 17-21, 2019 for Preschool thru 5th grade.
We will venture onto a deserted island where kids strive and thrive. Your kids will be anchored in the truth that Jesus carries them through all of life’s storms. Join us from 5:00 – 8:00pm. Sea vouchers are $25 per child, $20 each additional sailor. Bring your friends and neighbors – the more sailors, the merrier on the high seas! If you have questions about VBS please contact Kimberley Hubbs at youthgroup@smecp.org.
Register Now: https://forms.gle/RQ5zPifTUwqVhUn29
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. 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
We are now enrolled in this program! (KS site was having issues due to large volume last week and we were not able to sign up)
Please note that when you search for St. Matthew's be sure to select "St. Matthew's, Parker" and not Grand Junction. - Thank you!
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.
For the period of 03/24/19 thru 03/31/19 parishioner’s cards were reloaded for $1,725.00, combined with prior reloads of $4,445.00 for a total of $6,170.00, so St. Matthew’s received a rebate check for $308.50.
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 14, 2019
Old Testament
Isaiah 50:4-9a
The Lord God has given me
the tongue of a teacher,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens--
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious,
I did not turn backward.
I gave my back to those who struck me,
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
It is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
The Response
Psalm 31:9-16 BCP 623
In te, Domine, speravi
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
I have said, "You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."
The Epistle
Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Gospel
Luke 23:1-49
The assembly of the elders of the people rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." Then Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He answered, "You say so." Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no basis for an accusation against this man." But they were insistent and said, "He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place."
When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.
Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him."
Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!" (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us'; and to the hills, 'Cover us.' For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent." And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
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