St. Matthew’s 2007 Stewardship Campaign

     Our goal this year is to have 85 pledges totaling $212,000.00.  As of Sunday, December 3 we have received 39 pledges totaling $114,782.00.

Third Quarter Statements

     2006 pledge quarterly statements can be picked up in the parish hall at the coupon table today.

Annual Cookie & Ornament Exchange and Potluck

     The ladies ECW annual cookie and ornament exchange will be next Sunday, December 10th.  This year we will have the exchange after the second service in the parish hall and it will be a potluck.  Please call Lucy Lord if you have any questions (303-805-1079).

Safeguarding God’s Children Class

     Fr. Michael is offering the class, “Safeguarding God’s Children” at St. Matthew’s on Tuesday, December 5^th at 6pm in the Parish Hall.  This class is required for any one who will be doing any type of childcare at St. Matthew’s.  Please call Susan (303-841-0121) to RSVP.

The Parker Task Force is Looking for a Few Good Men and Women

     St. Matthew’s Men’s Group (along with wives and daughters) have volunteered their services to collect food outside the Parker Safeway, Saturday, December 9^th from 8:00 until 4:00. As of November 15^th volunteer spaces for this important, yet fun outreach opportunity are still available at 8:00 A.M to 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know fellow parishioners as well as help our community of Parker. A sign up list will be posted on the Outreach Bulletin Board located on the west wall of the Parish Hall. For additional information please contact Outreach Committee Member and Parish Ministry Coordinator Susie Chapin at 303-841-1789. Thanks for your support!

Volunteers Needed for Snow Removal

     We need your help keeping our church safe for visitors.  Please sign up for a week (Monday-Sunday) of snow removal at the church on the list in the Parish Hall.  All necessary equipment is in the shed.  Note: We have a great snow blower.  Prior to your week you will receive an email with all the instructions you’ll need.  If you have any questions, please contact Steve Smith (303-841-4491 or sw.smith@juno.com) or Richard Selph (303-840-0041 or rcselpsh@msn.com).

2006 Giving Tree

   Our Christmas Outreach "Giving Tree" is still going. Please visit the Giving Tree in the Parish Hall between the services. This year we are supporting two charities.

     First, you will find ornaments on the tree for items needed the women and children at the Women's Crisis Center. Just choose the items (ornaments) you'd like to purchase and them to the Outreach Table so that we can track of the items to expect. Please purchase your items and bring them to church as soon as practical.

     Second, you will find ornaments on the tree for monetary donations to Holy Hammers, Habitat for Humanity. Consider giving a monetary gift in honor of a friend, family member or client. We'll give you a Christmas card to personalize and send to let them know of the gift in their honor.

‘Tis the Season…

     This year, at St. Matthew’s, we decided not to “schedule” the Christmas Eve evening and Christmas Day services for acolytes, Chalice Ministers and Intercessors, so that those families spending Christmas away from St. Matthew’s need not worry about filling those vacancies. Therefore, we are asking those trained parishioners that plan on attending any of the following services please consider serving in these ministries. Evening Services for Christmas Eve will be at 4:30, 7:00 and 10:30. Christmas morning service is scheduled for 10:00 A.M.  A sign up schedule will located in the Parish Hall under the Ministry Schedule section of the bulletin board. If you have any questions please contact Father Michael at 303-841-4419 or Parish Ministry Coordinator, Susie Chapin at 303-841-1789.  Thank you for support of these special Christmas Services!

Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsal Schedule

Friday, Dec 1^st:5:00-6:15pm

Saturday, Dec 9^th:8:45-10:00am

Friday, Dec. 15^th:5:00-6:15pm

     Anyone who wants to have a speaking part MUST be at the first rehearsal and the dress rehearsal must be at all 3. If you have questions, please email Jo Ellen at: joellenrr@comcast.net. will perform at 4:30 on Christmas Eve. Children must arrive at 3:30. We will be working on the hymns for it during Sunday school and Children’s Choir.

Christmas Eve 4:30 Prelude

     Young musicians are invited to provide the prelude to the Christmas Eve 4:30 Eucharist and Pageant. This was an enjoyable part of last year’s celebration. you have a Christmas selection that you would like to play, please contact Tom Strickland to let him know. to him on a Sunday, or e-mail ThomasCStrickland@msn.com or telephone 720-870-5503.

Food for Thought

     If you, or a family member, or a friend needed an organ or tissue transplant, would you agree to the surgery? If you would agree to receive an organ, would you also agree to give an organ?

     Over 85,000 people nationwide currently wait for a life -saving organ transplant and hundreds of thousands are in need of life -enhancing tissue transplants. For many, the chance to live a full life won't come unless all of us consider organ and tissue donation.

As you leave church today, discuss organ donation with family and friends. Let them know that you understand the need for organs and tissues among those who rely on transplantation to live. For us, the only cost is giving, for the recipient, the gift is life. For more information, call the Donor Awareness Council at 1-888-388-8605 or visit www.Donor-Awareness.org.

Christmas Flowers

     Help to beautify our church for the Christmas holidays with

poinsettia plants. Please sign up in the Parish Hall and note if you would like your donation to be in remembrance, thanksgiving, or celebration.  We suggest a $15 donation. Place your form and the check in the offertory plate or drop it at the parish office.  Be sure to note on your check that it is for Christmas flowers .It is so nice to see our church so beautiful for Christmas. Thank you for your donations. Any questions ask Barb McNish or call her at 303-805-2414.

Advent Organ Concert

     Our organist, Tom Strickland, will present a brief lunchtime concert of music for Advent on Tuesday, December 5. program is at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1820 Broadway, in downtown Denver. Trinity is home to a four-manual historic organ built in 1888. concert is free and begins at 12:15.

THE LIGHTING OF

THE FIRST CANDLE OF ADVENT

Leader:  This is the First Sunday of Advent. Advent means “coming.” Today’s Bible readings call us to watch for the coming of Christ.  Zechariah, a prophet of the Old Testament, says the great day of the Lord is near, and for us to watch for the coming Messiah. St. Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, says for us to watch and pray, so that we will be blameless when the day of the Lord Jesus Christ comes.  Jesus says, as recorded by St. Luke, "You will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and glory.  Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!"

               All these readings tell us about watching for a new day of truth and light, which is the age of Jesus Christ. We are to watch and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ in anticipation of the great joy he will bring to fill our homes and churches as we make plans for the celebration of his birth.

 *** The First Candle of Advent is lit. ***

Leader:  Let us pray. All powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good, so that Jesus, our Emmanuel, may find an eager welcome from us when he comes in glory at the end of time.  Amen.

Congregation:  Come, Lord Jesus!