St. Matthew’s United Church eBulletin Jan. 5, 2020 Epiphany
News
What's coming up at St. Matthew's (* see below for more information)
Thu. Jan. 9 Choir rehearsals resume
Sun. Jan. 12 Worship Service with communion, 10:30 am
- Quarterly meeting Sunday (Session, Stewards, Official Board)
Wed. Jan. 15 Potluck Church, 5:30 pm *
Sun. Jan. 19 Worship service, 10:30 am
Tue. Jan. 21 Book Club, 2 pm *
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Communion, Benevolent Fund Offering next Sunday
Our congregation will celebrate communion on Sunday Jan. 12. Communion Sundays also are an opportunity to make special donations to the Benevolent Fund, which sets aside a little money for the minister to respond to people in great need.
The Benevolent Fund is not part of the church budget, but rather a money-in-money-out fund. The minister only spends what we donate (about $800 per year), and money typically goes to people who come to the church for special assistance (e.g., to pay a power bill). Contributions are welcome; an envelope will be available in the bulletin, and donations are eligible for a tax receipt.
First Potluck Church of 2020: Wed. Jan. 15
Join us for fellowship, fun and a good meal at the first Potluck Church of 2020 on Wed. Jan. 15 at 5:30 pm in the sanctuary. There will be a bit of singing, talking, and listening. The theme, aside from food, is "Where would you like to be on holiday at this time?" Bring something to share and a good appetite.
Book Club meeting Jan. 21
The Book Club meets Tue. Jan. 21 at 2 pm at 1470 Summer Street. The book is The Boy on the Beach by Tima Kurdi. The author wrote: "My nephew, Alan Kurdi, was a young refugee. He washed up dead on a Turkish beach in 2015… with this story I will plant in your heart the hope for a better world." For more information contact Elaine Murray at edamur50@gmail.com
Thanks to …
Make New Year Resolutions for St. Matthew's
Choirs – contact Wayne Rogers
Sunday reading – contact Brenda Wallace (choir)
Sunday Breakfast – contact Carol Smillie (choir)
Ushering – Sign up online (see above)
Fellowship Time – contact Linda Campbell (see above)
Sunday School – contact Betsy Hogan
Stewards, Elders, other Administration – contact Laura Stiles-Clarke or Betsy Hogan
Keep in your prayers …
Canadian Church Calendars
2020 Church Calendars can be purchased ($6) from our Minister of Music, Wayne Rogers.
A prayer for the people, animals and land of Australia
—A prayer in response to the Australia wildfires by the Right Rev. Richard Bott
We pray for gentle rains,
and no wind;
we pray for cooling skies,
and water in abundance;
we pray for the burning land,
we pray for the four legged,
and the winged,
for the koala and the kangaroo,
and all of their neighbours;
we pray for the people who are trapped,
for the people who have lost their homes,
for the firefighters and the first responders,
for the exhausted and the tapped out,
we pray for Australia,
from east, to south, to west, to north,
and all the places in between.
In this world of changed and changing climate, God,
we ask that you would help us
to help those who are in immediate danger;
may we use what we have to help and to heal -
then call us to repent of all the ways
we continue to make this world
a place of death, rather than life.
Help us, O God... because we
don't seem to be able
to do it on our own.
In Christ's name,
on the wings of the Holy Spirit,
we pray. Amen.
In the Community
RCCO Halifax Centre concert – Sat. Feb. 22 at 7 pm at St. Matthew's. Jean-Willy Kunz, contemporary and jazz organist, in recital.
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Administrative Stuff
Church office: (902) 423-9209, stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca
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
Ushering – Click this link to open the sign-up page
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=17186169
EarthSpiritAction Resources for Thinking About God's Green Earth: www.stmatts.ns.ca/about/earth-spirit-action-eco-team
Meeting Schedule 2019-20
Congregational Meeting May 3, 2020 (budget)
Session, Stewards, Board Jan. 12, Mar. 8, Apr. 26
Worship and Music Feb. 2
Regular Activities
Sunday Free Breakfast – Sundays 8:30 am
Thursday Noon Bible Study – TBA
Choir Practices – Thursdays – Handbells 6:15 pm, Sanctuary choir 7:30 pm
Lunch Bunch community choir – Fridays at 12:15 pm
St. Matthew’s Book Club – Third Tuesday
Melville Heights Service – Third Sunday at 2 pm at Melville Heights retirement lodge
Potluck Church -- Wed. Jan. 15
Enjoy St. Matthew’s United Church weekly bulletin. Contact the office to add your email or to unsubscribe: stmatts@ns.sympatico.ca or (902) 423-9209