Week Link March 7 - March 14, 2010

Intercessions and Thanksgivings

THE ROSE ON THE ALTAR is in celebration of the birth of Anna Elizabeth Alexander, daughter of A.K. and Scott Alexander, granddaughter of Sue and John Rickman.

WE PRAY FOR THE SICK AND THOSE RECOVERING: Judy Allder, Hal Baird, Judy Cahill, Pat Clark, Rennie D’Amato, Janet Ducharme, Tucker Gordon, Eli Halbrich, Susan and Colin Hoggs, Cindy Kight, Pamela Martin, Kirk McBride, Charlotte McCutcheon, Linda McLaughlin, Dianne Morningstar, Shields Pittman, Leslie Rose, Zelda Sharpe, Cecil Tilley, Dick Turner,and Ted Wachtmeister.

WE PRAY FOR THOSE UNABLE TO JOIN US PHYSICALLY FOR WORSHIP: John Andrako, Doris Dunbar, Helen Dunnington Mary Jane Hyman, Margaret Martin, Jack Stebbins, Winston and Dot Waring, Eunice Wells and Alice Wilson.

WE PRAY FOR OUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS IN THE ARMED SERVICES: Scott Alexander, Will Alley, Mike Cluver, Jr., Lori Cronin, Spencer Foster, Christopher Hayes, Comer Jackson, Eric Johnson, Justin Luckey, Jesse L. Martin, Jamie Moseley, Roy Edward Murray Jr., Adam Noorigian, Kevin Pugh, Luke Scruby, David S. Smith, Paula Smith, Neil Thomson, David Peterson.

WE PRAY FOR ST. MATTHEW’S FAMILIES EXPECTING BABIES: Jeff and January Britt, Madison and Kristin Burr, Jerry and Lisa Page Carter, and Adele and Chris Caputo.

Announcements

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME On Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time begins in the United States. Don’t forget to change your clocks.

ECW STEERING COMMITTEE will meet on Tuesday, March 9, at 12:00 in the Library.

2010 LENTEN SERIES – This year’s series is entitled “Follow Me”, which comes from Matthew 4:19 and Jesus’ call to his first disciples. Each of the five Wednesday evenings of our series we will hear from a ministry leader who has made following Jesus his/her fulltime vocation.

March 10 Dr. Charles Beckett
The Center of Christian Understanding of Islam March 17            Buddy Childress, Needle’s Eye Ministry
March 24            William Alley, Chaplain, US Army

Please come join us for Holy Eucharist at 5:45 pm, covered dish supper at 6:15 pm and program from 7 to 8 pm. Children’s program and nursery provided.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO GIVE UP FOR LENT? How about donating a canned good for the Richmond Food Bank every Wednesday night at the potluck dinners? Parish Life will have a box for cans in the Parish Hall.

WEB SITE DEVOTIONS NOW PRINTABLE: The daily devotion by Rev. Chuck Alley on the Web site now includes a version for printing and sharing. Just go to the bottom of the devotion and click on “Download and Print This Devotion.” We are presently in the Book of Daniel.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR PARENTS are reminded to make sure your child has memorized their Bible verse for this week. In order to earn Bible Bucks verses must be memorized. Children will meet for choir this afternoon from 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

HANDBELL CHOIR REHEARSAL Handbell Ringers are reminded of the rehearsal scheduled for next Sunday, March 14 at 3:00 p.m. in the Handbell Room. All those who have committed to ringing need to be there. Those who have not signed up, but would like to come try bells, are also welcome.

^{EASTER FLOWERS} If you would like to give Easter flowers or plants in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for a blessing received, please fill out the insert or call Marlene Shue, at 282-8201. Place the insert in the offering plate along with your check for $12 (made out to St. Matthew’s Altar Guild). The absolute deadline is March 21, 2010. The flowers that adorn the church will be given to shut ins.

IT'S FINALLY HERE! TIME TO REGISTER FOR SHRINE MONT! Our annual parish retreat is coming up fast, April 30 and May 1 & 2 at the diocesan retreat center Shrine Mont. Join us for great teaching, great food and great fellowship. Cost is very reasonable for a weekend of lodging and all meals included. Stop by the registration table in the parish hall for more information and to register. Partial payments will be taken for the next month. If you pre-registered last fall, thank you for your information. It was a great help in planning our retreat. However, you must register again and pay in full before the retreat. Scholarship funds are available to assure everyone can attend who wants to come. Our new fundraising coffee mugs are here! For more information on the retreat, contact Norm Hyde, Shrine Mont Chairman, at 241-4634.

QUARTERLY STEWARDSHIP TIME & TALENT BRUNCH – Please come to brunch Sunday morning, March 21 immediately following the 10:30 service. Do you have questions about St. Matthew’s, the diocese of Virginia or the Episcopal Church? Our Rector will be available for a period of questions and answers. Display tables will also be set up for you to gather information on various ministries some of your fellow parishioners are involved in. See how you can enrich your life and deepen your relationship with God. Finally, there is always food! Quiche, salads and deserts will be available for everyone. There will also be pizza available for the children. Contact Shirley Hopkins at 804-364-6549 with any questions.

EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT’S HAITI FUND: Contributions to the Haiti Fund will provide critical assistance such as food, water and medicine, as well as long-term recovery and rehabilitation aid, in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake. http://www.er-d.org/ P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. Phone 1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129.

WORLD VISION: World Vision has worked in Haiti for decades, and has over 370 staff on the ground, working to rush emergency supplies to survivors of this catastrophe. Your gift now will help distribute relief supplies – including food, clean water, blankets, and tents to children and families impacted by the earthquake and aftershocks in Haiti http://www.worldvision.org P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716Phone: 1-888-511-6548

THE ANGLICAN RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (ARDF) is assessing the situation and working with our partners to respond with assistance to the victims. You can help Haiti now. Please give generously. Checks can be sent to:  The Anglican Relief and Development Fund, PO Box 3830, Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3830, with the word “Haiti” in the memo line.

THANKS SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED THE SHRINE MONT FUND by purchasing Brunswick Stew! We have additional stew available for sale after the 10:30 service today! Cost is $8, and for just one dollar more you can take home a St. Matthew's tote bag! Every $150 we collect through fundraising allows us to offer a full scholarship to Shrine Mont to a parishioner, or to pay for an adult supervisor of our children during the retreat. Now's the time to register! There are only 100 beds available, and they're going fast! Stop by the Shrine Mont table in the parish hall, or contact Norm Hyde at 241-4634 for more information.