Parish Notes

Historic St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is known for great liturgical music and progressive preaching in an inviting, traditional setting.  Since 1867 souls have welcomed Spring through outreach, prayer, education and fellowship.  Sunday worship is at 8 and 10AM  weekly. Sunday School is in session for all kids weekly beginning at 9:55AM. Coffee hour and fellowship time follows the 10AM service. The Nursery is always open on Sundays as is the Wednesday Morning Playgroup at 10:00AM.

Come and enjoy the weeks of celebration ahead.

 This Sunday, May 11^th is the Feast of Pentecost, the day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit imparted to us. Wear something Red – Get in the spirit.

Wednesday mornings from 9AM to noon the Community/Parish Nurse is available to all seeking a consult. Wednesdays from 10:30AM to noon the Sr. Citizen’s SHINE open house is happening for anyone seeking some light hearted social time. Weekly Wednesday Bible Chats take place from noon to 1PM and are open to all seeking a working knowledge of Scripture. This House of Prayer welcomes all people of faith on their spiritual journey. St. Matthew’s Church 7 North Mast Street, Goffstown, across from Sully’s. St Matt’s phone # 497-2003. Check us out on our website www.stmattsepiscopal.org .

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord… “Plans to give you hope and a future”

Jeremiah 29

+ A few items from the Rector:

+ Last Sunday’s Confirmation/ Reception Service and Coffee Hour with the Bishop were glorious! A full house, bright spirits, joyous families of Confirmands and Receptionees plus awesome music made for a great day!  

+  Mother’s Day is this Sunday May 11^th . Bring yours to worship on your arm or in your heart.

+  The Parish Outreach Committee will meet this Tuesday, May 13^th at 7PM in the parish house for an     organizational meeting for the Spring Fling on June 7^th .

+  Sign Up for Small Adult Dinner Groups by May 25^th . Sign sheet is at the back of the church.

+ Become a Charter Member of St Matthew’s Legacy Society – Charter Banquet is May 18^th at           7:00PM. Sign up at coffee hour or contact the Office(497-2003). (The first ten to sign up will receive a       free feast, otherwise, it is $15.00 per person.) Note: Everyone is invited to come and hear about ways to leave a little something to the future.

+  Great News! Kathleen Cullen will be ordained to the Priesthood on Wednesday, June 4^th at 6:30PM at St. Thomas’, Dover. Lets car pool. Fr. Exner will preach and Bishop Robinson will preside.

+ Occasional Volunteers are needed for the nursery: Anyone that is interested may call/e-mail Lisa        Jukes, 497-3588 ljukes@comcast.net or you may call/e-mail the church office 497-2003        office@stmattsepiscopal.org .

+  Parents Book Club meets 3^rd Tuesdays monthly in the Parish House, good company, great desserts!

+ Children and Parents – Sunday School continues at 9:55AM Sundays. We have a special 4^th     Sunday Service for 3years and under with parents On The Quilt In The Undercroft. The Alternative           Quilt Service is the 4^th Sunday of the month.

Family Squares for the Church Quilt

+  Muslin squares with instructions, for the Church Quilt are available in the undercroft. If you have any questions about the quilt or how to use the squares, please contact Margie Battey at 497-2107. 

+  Get ready for the Spring Yard/Bake Sale for our Outreach Mission, June 7^th, 8AM – 1PM.

Thanks Dear God for minds to think, hands to serve and hearts to love.

          Faithfully,

          Rev. Wm. E. Exner+

Parish Events

+       Sun. May 11^TH  - The Day of Pentecost/Mother’s Day

                      8:00 &10:00AM                    Holy Communion

                                  11:00AM                    Coffee Hour/Mother’s Day Brunch following Worship

+       Fri. May 9^th 7-9PM                            Guitar Night in the Undercroft

+       Tues. May 13^th 7PM                          Outreach Committee Meeting/Planning Spring Fling

+       Sat. May 17^th                                      Teen Garage Band Concert Night 9 N. Mast, 5 – 9PM                                                                   

+       Sun. May 18^th

                      10AM – 11:30                        Sunday School Celebration

                      7:00PM                                   Legacy Society Charter Banquet (sign up ASOP)         

+       Sun. May 25^th  - 11:15                       Drawing for Get Acquainted Dinner Group

“Christ is the Worlds True Light”

OUTREACH

· June 7^th is the Annual Outreach Yard/Bake Sale from 8 – 1PM

· The Food Pantry hours are Wednesdays 6pm - 8pm & Saturdays 10am - noon

· Parish Nurse is available Wednesdays 9 – noon (Will not be here Nov.21^st )

· St Matt’s Play Group/Undercroft 10AM – 11AM

· The Sr. Citizen SHINE hospitality program is every Wednesday 10:30 - noon

· Weekly Bible Chat are on Wednesdays Noon - 1pm

· ‘A Safe Place’ for women in need   1-800-854-3552,

·  Women’s Crisis Center, Manchester 668-2299

YOUTH

          Friday nights are Goffstown Sr. High Teen nights,

           7PM – 9PM.  Guitar club, movie night, game night and band night. At 9                                                   North Mast across from Sully’s.

+ Guitar Hero Competition coming soon.

STEWARDSHIP

+        GOOD NEWS – Treasurer Linda Clark reports that we are within $5,000.00 of our 2008 Operating Pledge Drive Goal. Thanks for your pledge. If you wish to pledge over the course of 2008 or make a gift please let Linda know at hfmoon@comcast.net to the ministry budget of St Matt’s.

+                               “The Earth is the Lord’s and all that dwells therein.” (1 Corinthinian)

Parish Office Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 – 11:30am.  The clergy are available by appointment, call 497-2003.  For more information please see our web page www.stmattsepiscopal.org St. Matthew’s wants to be a part of your spiritual path. Remember, the only error you can make on the road to meaning and joy is not going on the trip.

Does the Church Office have your current e-mail & contact Information???

 Drop us a line to keep us in the loop. Our e-mail is office@stmattsepiscopal.org .

Anniversary?       Birthday?        Thanksgiving?

Offerings for special occasions may be made by providing for worship in the following manner:

Candles                                   $20.00

                                  Sanctuary Lamp                    $20.00

                                  Weekly Wafers/Host            $10.00

                                  Flower Offering                     $30.00

Please make checks payable to St. Matthew’s Church and either put it in the Sunday Offering plate or mail it to the church office:  Office, 7 No. Mast St., Goffstown, NH 03045

Print Cartridges

Don’t forget to bring in your print cartridges to be recycled. Just put them in the drop box at the office or pick up a mailing envelope as you go into church.

E-Giving

St Matthew’s now has the ability to accept donations electronically through an application called E-Giving. It is a product offered through Morehouse Publishing (a church supply company we have done business with for many years.) Through this site, you can choose to make a single contribution for a current or future date or a regular, recurring contribution. You can have the contribution come directly from your bank account or charge to a credit card and you can choose what type of contribution you wish to make. A payment toward your pledge, a donation for flowers, a special gift, ect.

There is a link on St Matthew’s website (www.stmattsepiscopal.org ) that will take you directly to the St Matthew’s E-Giving window. The very first you visit, you will be asked to enroll as a member – set up a user name and password and, if you wish, accept the ACH authorization to create bank account transactions. Once you are a member, you only need to log in using your user name and password.

If you are interested in finding more about the application’s security, the policy can be found at the following link:   http://e-giving.org/security.htm

Give Thanks To God Always

IN GOD’S PRESENCE IS JOY.

IN GOD’S SERVICE IS PERFECT FREEDOM.

Granite State Organizing Project

GSOP is producing an Ad Book in celebration of its  “5^th” anniversary. St Matthew’s is a sponsoring member of GSOP along with many other parishes, civil groups and labor unions.

If you have a business you would like to advertise or would care to support through a one line ad, please see the attachments regarding GSOP/Ad Book.

Call Barbara Carbonneau at 497-3295 or e-mail glenlakenh@verizon.net by May 16^th .

Thank You

Barbara