St. Matthew’s United Church eBulletin April 7, 2019

 News

  • What's coming up
  • Treasurer needed
  • Maundy Thursday Potluck Seder and Communion Apr. 18
  • Condolences to …
  • Thinking about …
  • Congratulations to …
  • Thanks to …
  • Appeal for victims of cyclone in Africa
  • Going down the Lenten Road
  • How you can help the Out of the Cold Shelter
  • In the Community
  • St. Matthew's activities

 

What's coming up at St. Matthew's

Thu. Apr. 11       Bible study at noon, in the sanctuary         

Sun. Apr. 14       Sixth Sunday of Lent

Thu. Apr. 18       Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper and all-ages Seder/Communion, 5:30 pm

 Easter Weekend

Fri. Apr. 19      - 7:30 pm, Choral service, quiet and contemplative, with art and drama

Sun. Apr. 21    - 7 am, Sunrise Service on the South Lawn, light breakfast to follow

                         - 10:30 am, Communion with Brass Ensemble AND Singalong Hallelujah Chorus

 Ecumenical Holy Week Services

Morning Services                   7:30 am, light breakfast following

Everyone is welcome to ecumenical services during Holy Week hosted by different South End churches. All services begin at 7:30 am followed by a continental breakfast at 8 am.

Mon. Apr. 15               All Saints Cathedral, 1330 Cathedral Lane

Tue. Apr. 16                First Baptist Church, 1300 Oxford St.

Wed. Apr. 17               St. Mary's Basilica, 5221 Spring Garden Rd.

 

Treasurer needed

St. Matthew's needs someone to take over the duties of treasurer – either on a trial, or interim basis until year-end (June 30, 2019), or for a longer term. Because of health concerns, treasurer Marg Arklie must relinquish this volunteer position after 10 years of dedicated service. Dora McGrath and members of the Board of Stewards have been maintaining records since Marg's illness, but this is far from ideal.

Being treasurer requires a few hours each week and computer skills to use a simple and basic accounting software program. The treasurer should be comfortable with numbers, but the task is not so complicated as to require a certified accountant – just someone who pays attention to detail. Ken Moors and Greg Bent are happy to field questions about the position and requirements, and a job description is available.

If you are interested, or know someone who might consider this rewarding and valuable volunteer contribution to a downtown church ministry, please contact Greg Bent at fgbadv<@> gmail.com or the church office, stmatts <@> ns.sympatico.ca.

 

Maundy Thursday Potluck Seder and Communion Apr. 18

Come to our sanctuary at 5:30 pm to enjoy food and good conversation around our table. Just bring something to share, whether home-made or produced by your favorite grocer. Potluck Church is a great way to get to know one another better in an informal atmosphere.

The Maundy Thursday Seder Meal and Potluck is an all-ages event that concludes Lent and propels us into the Easter season.

 Condolences to …

  • The family of Dr. Allan Myrden, mourning his death on Fri. Apr. 5. Allan had been living at Parkland and died peacefully in hospital, surrounded by his family. A burial service will be held on Sat. Apr. 13. Please keep his daughter, Judy, and his family in your thoughts.
  • Dale MacLennan, mourning the loss of her sister, Donna Salter, after a prolonged illness. A celebration of Donna's life is planned for spring.

 Thinking about …

Marg Arklie, who is once again in intensive care with a mysterious malady. Marg is responsive and not in pain, but does not encourage visits. She is grateful for the prayers and thoughts of the congregation, however.

 Congratulations to …

Nicholas Higgs of New Glasgow, who is soon graduating from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Nick has been a lifelong student of Wayne Rogers, and a frequent guest at St. Matthew's where he has performed in both services and concerts. Nick has done exceptionally well at the University of Toronto under the tutelage of Lorna MacDonald, and he now plans postgraduate study in opera. Wayne attended Nick's graduation recital (and the musical Come From Away) on the weekend.

 Thanks to …

Matthew Fraser, student organist, for leading the worship service and the choir on Sunday while Wayne attended Nick Higgs' convocation concert in Toronto.

 

Appeal for victims of cyclone in Africa

Rev. Margaret Sagar calls our attention to the United Church's appeal for emergency relief in the areas of Mozambique and Zimbabwe hard hit by the recent cyclone. The United Church partners – the Christian Council of Mozambique and the Christian Council of Zimbabwe – are working on the ground to provide aid to those who are homeless, injured, hungry, and displaced. Contributions can be made at the United Church website, which has a special appeal button at  https://www.united-church.ca/

 Going down the Lenten Road

Lenten Watch: For those who would like to set aside 1 hour each week of Lent to pray with Scripture. Begin the Lenten Watch by taking off your shoes, lighting a candle, observing silence for at least one minute, and opening with a prayer for grace. Then pray with Scripture (one per week), and close with the extinguishing of the candle.

Luke 4:1-13                 The Road to the Wilderness where the Holy Spirit leads us into emptiness

Acts 9:1-19                 The Road to Damascus, where life is given a new direction

Luke 15:11-32             The Road Home, where the prodigal son discovers wisdom

Luke 10:25-37             The Road to Jericho, where the Good Samaritan cares for one in need

Luke 10:38-42             The Road to Bethany that leads to the home of Martha and Mary

Luke 9:51-62; 19:28-40           The Road to Jerusalem and following Jesus

 

How you can help the Out of the Cold Shelter

The Out of the Cold Shelter is open nightly until April 30 in the Sunday school area of St. Matthew's. The Shelter offers 15 beds for those who need a place to stay, and provides hot meals, sandwiches, and some necessities to guests and others who drop by.

 Here's how you can help

Financial Support to St. Matthew's – St. Matthew`s provides space, heat, lights, washroom facilities, etc. for guests. Your donations help cover the operating costs that allow the shelter to stay open all winter long.

Requested items – OTCS recently appealed for deodorant -- $5 gift cards – bus tickets – waterproof gloves – socks – underwear – face wash and soap – shaving cream and razors – face cloths and hand towels – reusable bags and backpacks – and gently used and clean sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, winter coats, and waterproof boots.

OTCS lists current requirements on its website outofthecoldhalifax.org and on its Facebook page. Donations can be dropped off on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the lower level of the church between 8:30 am and 5 pm. OTCS is a peanut-free zone and cannot accept donations of mouthwash, aftershave, or hand sanitizer.

In the Community

United Church Music Matters 2019 – April 26-28, presented by Music United, at St. Andrew's United Church, Coburg Road. The learning event on Fri. Apr. 26 and Sat. Apr. 27 includes eight interactive workshops with topics for Voice, Music in Worship, a three-part stream of Hymn Composition & Copyright, Working with Children, Spirituality, Anthem Reading sessions (participants receive a package of anthems they can keep), and more. Worship and the AGM are held Sun. Apr. 28, open for all participants – join the choir during worship and include your voice in the AGM. Online registration is $120 for the event or $70 per day (Friday includes supper; Saturday includes lunch).  Cost at the door is $140.

Register at https://musicmatters2019.eventbrite.ca

 Ogo-Oluwi Sobukola flute fundraising concert – Tue. Apr. 30 at 7:30 pm at St. Matthew's. Ogo-Oluwa Emmanuel Sobukola, 23, is a young Nigerian flute student who attends Dalhousie University where he studies with Symphony Nova Scotia flutist Patricia Creighton. His financial position is precarious, so St. Matthew's is offering him a recital opportunity with a freewill offering for him to help cover basic expenses like tuition, housing, and food. More details will be available soon, but mark your calendar and plan to come support this dedicated, talented, and deserving young musician. 

 Bereavement Support – Contact the Hospice Society of Greater Halifax at 902-446-0929.

 

St. Matthew’s Activities

REGULAR EVENTS

Sunday Free Breakfast  – Sundays 8:30 am (If you are interested in joining a Breakfast Team, please email Carol Smillie at carolsmillie@hfx.eastlink.ca)

Thursday Noon Bible Study in the Sanctuary (enter by the main doors on Barrington Street)

Choir Practices – AcabellA handbells Thursday 6:15 pm; Sanctuary choir Thursday at 7:30 pm

Lunch Bunch community choir – Fridays at noon

St. Matthew’s Book Club  – TBA

Potluck Church  Thu. Apr. 18 (Seder)

 

Ushering – Click this link to open the sign-up page

https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17186169

 

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

Caritas Service – Second Sunday at 2:30 pm for Victoria Hall Residence for Senior Women, now at the Caritas Building, Mount St. Vincent

Melville Heights Service – Second Sunday at 2 pm at Melville Heights retirement lodge

 

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2018/19

Congregational Meeting      June 2

Session, Stewards, Board    May 26

Executive                                 Apr. 28

Worship and Music               May 5

 

Administrative Stuff

Church office: stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca or  (902) 423-9209

Pastoral care: Rev. Betsy Hogan, (902) 423-9209, stmatts.betsy@ns.sympatico.ca

Sunday Worship: 10:30 am

Minister of Music: Wayne Rogers, (902) 429-1680, humber@ns.sympatico.ca

Student Organist: Matthew Fraser

On the web: www.stmatts.ns.ca

 

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