St. Matthew's United Methodist Church
Monday, February 08, 2010
Belonging to . . . Believing in . . . Becoming servants for . . .Jesus Christ!
   Just for You...2010 February Calendar2010 February LifeLine (newsletter) |
St. Matthew's United Methodist Church
30900 West Six Mile Road Livonia, Michigan 48152 734-422-6038
e-mail: pastor@stmatthewslivonia.com
Belonging to . . .
Believing in . . .
Becoming servants for . . .
Jesus Christ!
We are located on Six Mile
between Middlebelt and Merriman Roads
Join us! Visitors always welcome!
Loving God and Serving People If you are wondering where you can easily make a donation for the EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT IN HAITI, there are three ways:
1. A basket is in the Narthex with envelopes for donations this Sunday (which is tax deductable).
Please make checks payable to: ST. MATTHEW’S UMC.
If paying with cash, write your name and amount on the envelope to ensure proper credit.
2. Through the UMCOR website (United Methodist Committee on Relief) http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/.
UMCOR has a long-time relationship and presence in Haiti.
On the right side of the screen you will see “HOW TO HELP” Haiti Emergency “Give Now”.
3. Mail a check to St. Matthew’s, 30900 Six Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48152.
(Please make check payable to St. Matthew’s UMC & indicate in the memo line “Haiti Earthquake Fund”).
Sunday Mornings
Building a Community of Devoted Followers of Christ
9:30-10:20 am
Adult Sunday School (Bible Study) Join in anytime!
"Bible and More" meets in room 104
"Apply it to Life" meets in the Library
"Emmanuel" meets in room 107/108
"Nursery care" is provided in the Nursery
Our three adult Sunday school classes will meet as a large group to study “Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White.” by United Methodist Pastor, Adam Hamilton “You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak.–James 1:19.Adam Hamilton encourages thinking persons of faith to model for the rest of the country a richer, more thoughtful conversation on the political, moral, and religious issues that divide us. You may purchase a book for $18 or borrow one from the library. Join us in Room 107-108! Leaders: Jan Kirby and Kathy Lefler with support by other group members.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship
Children's Sunday School - "LIVE BIG"
Preschool ~ room 112
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades - room 111
3rd, 4th, 5th grades - room 106
Junior High - room 109/110
Nursery Care - Nursery
Community Sunday Worship ~ Every third Sunday of the month
Children join us in Worship and our Faith Band plays led by Mark Ingersoll
Following the Children's Message during the worship service,
children in grades preschool through 5th grade will be excused to Sunday school.
Junior High and Senior High students will remain in worship.
All Sunday worship services are recorded on CDs. You may pick one up in the lobby.
11:30 a.m.
Coffee & Fellowship
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
F.R.O.G.S. meet 1st & 3rd Sunday's only
Friends Reaching Out for God! Hey Middle Schoolers! If you are in grades 6, 7 or 8, join us every first and third Sunday’s of each month from 6:00-8:00pm! Email Sue Craik to join FROG’s. If you need an amazing green t-shirt, send in your shirt size to cec@stmatthewslivonia.com . See you this Sunday, February 7 at 6:00p.m
6:30 p.m.
Sr. High Youth Group meets every Sunday evening for Bible Study and activities ... room 109/110
Led by Youth Directors, Curtis & Rita Clarke yd@stmatthewslivonia.com
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YOUNG ADULT GROUP – (ages 18-30 yrs. old) ~ Contact Tim Ellis 734-812-1511 for gatherings ... Friends looking for Christian fellowship, service, and fun!
Check out our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=275055838734
What's going on ...
St. Matthew's will host a "HEARTS FOR HAITI" DINNER FUNDRAISER on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. Do something sweet with your honey and be a part of the relief effort for Haiti at the same time! You will be able to enjoy dinner and a movie! Dinner is at 6 p.m. with a movie at 7 p.m. Families are welcome as we'll have an appropriate movie and activities for the kids. RSVP is highly encouraged and you can purchase your tickets at the door. $10 per person and $16 per couple. RSVP to Rita Clarke either on Facebook, to yd@stmatthewslivonia.com or 313-570-4443 - please indicate how many adults and/or children. Donations and volunteers are always welcome!
Health Kits for Haiti ~ Please return health kits to church by Sunday, Feb. 14. Our goal is to send 100 health kits to Haiti. The kits, valued at about $12 per kit, contain everything from towels and washcloths to sterile bandages and bar soap. They will be distributed to those who have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the recent disaster.
For individuals or groups that want to contribute basic necessities, UMCOR requests that the following NEW items be placed in a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
(NOTE: Toothpaste is purchased in bulk to be added to health kits to ensure that the product does not expire before they are sent.)
Because the emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations and strict rules govern product entry into international countries, UMCOR requires that the kits contain only the requested items – nothing more.
BEGINNINGS, AN INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN FAITH FOR ADULTS
This video presentation and discussion will present the basics of Christian faith. Here are some of the questions we’ll discuss: “Why God?”, “Who is Jesus?”, “Why Am I Not Where I Want to be?” (about Sin), “What Happens When I Die?”, and “What is Conversion? How does Salvation work?”
Rev. Eckhardt will lead this class. We meet on Monday nights from 7:30 - 8:30pm - February 1 and 8 in room 107/108. Last session is Saturday, Feb. 13 from 10am-2pm. Please sign up; we need a minimum of 6 to hold a class.
WOMEN’S BOOK/BIBLE STUDY (the Queen of Sheba) meet Monday afternoons from 2:00 – 3:00pm in the library through March 22. Please join us for discussion of James Moore’s book “Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned, but I Have Several Excellent Excuses”. Sign up & indicate if you would like to order a book for $14.
Stephen's Ministry invites the congregation: “Healing Hearts Ministry healing and help for those suffering from POST-ABORTION and other TRAUMA" Tuesday, February 2 at 7pm in Fellowship Hall. ~ Abortion affects every life it touches including fathers, grandparents, siblings, and medical professionals. Our guest speaker, Michelle Spala, is a group facilitator for Healing Hearts Ministry in Plymouth. She will tell us about this Biblically-based ministry and how our Christian faith offers healing and hope. Everyone is invited. Visit website www.healinghearts.org for more information.
MATTHEW 25 - LOCAL MISSIONS THROUGH ST. MATTHEW'S ~ Thursday, February 4, at 7pm. Please come if you are interested in planning 4-6 local mission days in 2010. We want to plan Saturday events to help those nearby - like working at Gleaners, serving at a Soup Kitchen, home repairs locally, etc.
"THEY LIKE JESUS BUT NOT THE CHURCH" VIDEO PRESENTATION and discussion that will help our church be more effective in ministry to young adults. Saturday, February 6 from 9am-1 pm. ALL INVITED! Please bring $5 for lunch. Sign up. See Rev. Eckhardt with questions.
The Rebekah Circle is COLLECTING ITEMS FOR THE BALDWIN CENTER IN PONTIAC. Items needed are clothes (men's, women's, children's) toys, books, linens, baby items, canned food, etc. They need to be at church by February 9th. There will be a box in Fellowship Hall.
If you can help pack we will do so after the UMW Prayer & Self Denial program Feb 9th. We will have a pot luck luncheon following the packing so please bring a dish to pass. Questions call Evie Denton 248-676-9803.
SMALL GROUPS DURING LENT—BEGINS FEBRUARY 14 ~ “24 Hours that Changed the World” by Adam Hamilton is our all-church theme for the six weeks of Lent. In worship and small groups, we will learn about and share our understandings of the events leading up to Jesus’ death. “24 Hours that Changed the World” starts with the Last Supper of Jesus, takes us to the Garden of Gethsemane, to trial, and to the Cross. Rev. Adam Hamilton presents a short video of biblical scholarship on these events, filmed just last year in Jerusalem.
Everyone is encouraged to join a small group that will meet at church or in a home each week for 60-90 minutes of conversation about these events. You are encouraged to buy a booklet of 40 devotions for the 40 days of Lent based on these 24 Hours. The booklet costs $5 and will be available beginning on February 7.
A list of small group leaders and times will be available soon so you can choose a group. For more information, contact Sue Craik cec@stmatthewslivonia.com or 734-422-6038 or see Rev. Eckhardt.
Give a Valentine that Lasts a Lifetime … A MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND! Rekindle your relationship at a United Methodist Marriage Encounter on Valentines weekend, February 12-14, at the Comfort Inn opposite Metro Airport in Romulus, MI. See a descriptive brochure and registration form on the bulletin board in the hall, or call Registration Couple, Chuck & Dalice Yost (313-937-1051) or CYOST@twmi.rr.com. Also see www.encounter.org.
CONFIRMATION FOR 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS—BEGINS FEBRUARY 17
Parents and students are invited to meet from 6:30-8pm to begin our 8 weeks of lessons and experiences that prepare young people to claim the name Christian. We will meet in the Sanctuary at 6:30 and split up for separate student and parent meetings. Please contact Rev. Eckhardt or Kathy Lefler if you have questions 734-422-6038.
JOIN OUR GREETERS MINISTRY – The Membership Committee invites anyone who would like to be a greeter to attend a one hour “Greeter Orientation” on Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. They will provide coffee, juice and bagels, plus a brief and informative session about the importance of being a greeter. Please plan to attend. No assignment in the church is more one-on-one than the ministry of church greeters. Church greeters are the first people others meet when arriving at or visiting the church. Call Jan Kirby with questions, 734-422-2786.
MISSION FISH (Learn E-Bay and Support Missions) Saturday, February 20 at 10am, we will meet at church to share the wonders of E-Bay’s “Mission Fish”: selling your old unwanted stuff to generate cash for St. Matthew’s Missions! We will have some hand-out material and go through the process of listing on E-Bay. Digital photos will be taken of the stuff to post. If you’ve reviewed E-Bay, it is amazing what they sell—books, DVDs, CDs, video games, collectibles, cars, boats and bikes. With Mission Fish you can indicate some portion of the sale price go to Church’s Mission Committee. Please look around for things we can sell for the benefit of missions!
COMMUNION is available to anyone who is unable for various reasons to come to church on the first Sunday of the month. If you would like to receive communion at home please call the church office 734-422-6038. We will arrange for someone to bring communion to you. You will be contacted for a convenient day and time. If you are willing to take communion to our members, please call Jan Kirby 734-422-2786.
The NURSERY is in need of “baby rockers” from 10:15-11:35 EVERY Sunday during worship. We need two volunteers each week to wipe tears, read stories and care for our little ones. If you have volunteered in the past or have never had the pleasure, please sign up for a week(s) of your choice. Look for the sign up sheet on the board in the hall and by the nursery. New faces would be a welcome sight!:) Call Sue Craik at 734-422-6038 or email cec@stmatthewslivonia.com
St. Matthew’s OPEN VOLLEYBALL: All skill levels welcome!Sign up (or just show up) to play in Fellowship Hall on Wednesday’s at 7:00 pm. - ONGOING! It’s a better game with 6 on a team – It’s just for fun and a little exercise, PLEASE JOIN IN, bring a friend! No cost. Questions? Joe Black 734-591-0048.
If you would like to help with FUNERAL LUNCHEONS/DINNERS, please contact Mary Beltzman 734-513-9943 or any UMW Board member.
PLEASE SAVE TABS from pop cans and food cans which helps us fundraise! The Music Committee thanks you so much! Please keep them coming to the plastic box by the stoplight in the north entryway. The box is being emptied weekly. We will receive $.22 per pound. Wonder how many tabs in a pound? See the stoplight (church entrance to rear lot).
WANTED: CARING INDIVIDUALS ~ St. Matthew’s is in need of individuals who feel the calling to minister to fellow church members and friends through listening, support, prayer and encouragement. If you would like more information about how to become a Stephen Minister, see Lee Weber or call her at 734-422-8293
The Recipes and Remembrance Cook Books organized and published by the PM Circle are for sale at $13 each. Call Judy Harris 734-420-2736 for books if you would like one. They make great gifts!
CAREER WORKSHOP ~ Monday February 15 at 7pm – Room 107/108:
Finding a new job requires confidence, energy and connections. Workshops are designed to help people in employment transition build a network and use their resources to find that next good job. THE COMMUNITY IS WELCOME!
St. Matthew’s Career Team ~ Roger Nelson puckmaniac2k@yahoo.com, Mick Cruce mcruce@sbcglobal.net, Joe Black jblack117@aol.com, and Bob Eckhardt robert.eckhardt@earthlink.net are always available to work one-on-one with anyone looking for work.
There are many different kinds of needs; networking, communications, web support, resume support, encouragement. We spend some time brainstorming and some time working on resumes. Resources for networking, resumes and cover letter writing (among others) are available to loan from St. Matthew’s library!
BISHOP'S LEADERSHIP DAY ~ Saturday, March 6 from 9am - 3:30pm, at Hope UMC, Southfield. The Bishop's Day focuses on leadership skills and ideas to strengthen our congregation’s ministry - especially in areas of Stewardship and Evangelism. Please plan to come and learn on March 6. Workshops include: Funding (with Rev. Wayne Barett), Team building (Rev. Hal Weemhoff), Missions (Rev. Steve Sjogren), Rethink Church (Deanna Weaver). Rev. Eckhardt hopes to bring 8 - 10 from St. Matt's. See more info in the hall and sign up or see Rev. Eckhardt.
ST MATTHEW'S TALENT SHOW is scheduled for Saturday, May 8th. Music committee is looking for people interested in assisting with planning of this event, including ideas for acts and scripts. If you would like to join the planning group contact Janet Ellis @ 734-421-2673 or meet with us next Sunday, Feb 7th, at noon in the library. Everyone is invited to join us May 8th for a great evening of fun. Plan to participate and mark your calendars now!
The 2010 SILENT AUCTION sponsored by the P.M. Circle will be here before long. Plans are underway to make it the best auction ever. Some donations have already been received and are just waiting for bids. Bid dates will be April 25th and May 2nd with distribution of items on May 9th. If you know of someone that would like to make a donation to the auction please let any member of the P M Circle know or contact Peg Besecker 734 718-5040 (cell) 734 522-2826 (home).
SOUND SYSTEM UPDATE: Thanks to several volunteers we have a significant savings for the new sound system. With new speakers and sound board, we expect to notice clearer and more balanced vocal instrumental music. Some improvements are being postponed until next year as we continue to receive pledges and donations. If you have more questions, call John Delaney, 313-538-2456.
Given the economic situation in our region, Holy Cross, in cooperation with the City of Livonia, has started a Non-Food Pantry for residents of Livonia. The demand is great, so we are asking for help from other congregations. Government assistance covers only food items. Items needed include: toilet paper, dish soap, paper towel, floor cleaner, Kleenex, shampoo, bleach, toothpaste, laundry soap, bar soap, dryer sheets. Any help (one time or on going) will be greatly appreciated. We can receive donations between 9 and 4 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. Holy Cross is on 6 Mile (bet. Merriman & Middlebelt).
Questions, contact Rickey Amstutz at Holy Cross at rickey@holycrosslivonia.org 734.427.1414 (9-4 M, Th, F).
2010 ALTAR FLOWERS CALENDAR SIGN UP … Altar flowers may be purchased "In honor of" … "In memory of" … "Anniversary"… "Birthday" … or any other occasion. Cost: $20 Single Vase, $40 Two Vases. You may take the flowers home following the worship service. Please fill out the yellow request form on the bulletin board (next to the "Flower Calendar") and turn it in to the office or Secretary mailbox in the hall. You may also call the church office to reserve your date. Be sure to sign up on the Flower Calendar to reserve the date you are requesting. The amount will be placed on your statement as a tax deduction.
2010 CHRISTIAN SUMMER CAMP brochures are here! There are many camps to choose from. St. Matthew’s has camperships available for all campers. The Detroit Area Conference can also help with additional financial needs. We want all St. Matthews youth to be able to experience summer camp! Stop by the sign-up wall in the hall across from the church office and pick up a brochure today! Questions? Call Kelly Yee at 734-673-4897 or e-mail at kbey1298@hotmail.com
The METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY'S programs offer Residential Care: Provides an intensive residential treatment program for 70 boys ages 7 to 17. Each child receives individualized therapy targeting his special needs. Foster Care: Foster families receive on-going training and support. Adoption: Their adoption staff work to unite children who cannot return to their birth families with loving adoptive parents. Educational Empowerment: Summer School and After School Mentoring are offered for children who need help with reading, writing and math.
The need for monetary donations continue as abused and neglected children face increased needs for their services, especially during a time of high unemployment, record home foreclosures and financial stress. The recently introduced “Guardian Angel” program provides summer camp, sports equipment, and birthday and Christmas gifts. Please write “Guardian Angel” in the left-hand corner of your check if you would like your donation to go toward these services. Again, we thank you from the bottom of our heart for your on-going support. Envelopes can be found on the table in the Narthex.
St. Matthew’s SCRIP
BIRTHDAY’S, EATING OUT & GAS CARDS! ~ Busch’s/Hiller’s Gift Cards available.
Through the SCRIP program,each grocery gift card can be recharged at any register.
The church receives a percentage of the gift card amount and you receive the face value.
SCRIP profits support St. Matthew’s General Fund.
Questions? Gail Cruce at 734-462-1421 or Lynn Kerchen at 734-844-7336.
Place orders in Fellowship Hall on Sundays.
They make great gifts and a great way to say “thank you” to someone!
Loving God and Serving People
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