St. Matthew’s Church, Episcopal

Parish Notes –September 1, 2010

www.stmattsepiscopal.org

 

May God bless you as we continue through the summer season of Pentecost.  Historic St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is known for great liturgical music and progressive preaching in an inviting, traditional setting.  Since 1867 souls have given thanks through prayer, fellowship and sharing.  Summer worship service begins at 9am.  The Nursery is staffed on Sundays. 

 

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 (support St. Matthew’s click on the e-giving icon).  The website has our weekly notes, a current copy of The Matthean, and important dates listed.  Just click on Publications.

 

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

Jeremiah 29

                   

 “Pray your child’s name with love in your heart.  Say your child’s name with love in your voice.”

 

  From the Rector-   Jesus was a carpenter’s son. In his day that meant Jesus was a carpenter too. The skills of the building trades were handed down from generation to generation.  Jesus worked with his hands as well as with His heart and soul. St. Paul was a tentmaker and several of the disciples were fishermen.  St. Matthew worked in the tax bureau and Priscilla was a businesswoman and early Christian faith leader.

   All this is to say that God always has and always will work wonders through the lives of working people.  The ability to offer your labor for the common good of your household, your community, your own well being or for the overall good of the world is one of God’s greatest endowments to humankind. Whether your labors are with a washing machine, a laptop computer, a shovel or a surgical instrument I ask you this week to invite God to bless your work, to inspire your labors. Ah, but then come Labor Day, a day off from work – a great day won in honor of working people, be sure to kick back and give a nod of thanks for the work others have devoted to enhance your life. Somebody built your home – Somebody grew your veggies-Somebody designed your car- Somebody provided your water supply, your education, your health care and of course, your backyard grill!  Faith and Labor are a healthy combination when operating steadily in a person’s life. We are not designed to exist as separate units apart from one another. We are designed, each of us with something to offer the web of life.

   Yes, Jesus was a carpenter and a person of perfect faith.  May God bless the tools of your life and labor, and may God encourage your faith this week as we head into September.

                                         Yours in Christ,

                                The Rev. William E. Exner+   Rector

 

Joy and Blessings to the Benthien family this weekend as Josh and Kate celebrate their marriage at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Maine.

 

+Sunday worship is at 9 am on September 5th.

+St. Matt’s Senior Choir begins Fall season rehearsals Wednesday night Sept. 8, from 7-8:30 pm.  All adults are invited to sing with the Senior Choir.  It’s a good time with nice people and great music.

+St. Matthew’s Vestry meets Thursday Sept. 9 at 7 pm. 

 

A few items: 

+  An elder member in downtown Manchester needs rides to Sunday Worship on August 22, August 29, Sept 12, Sept 26 & Oct 3. Please contact Deb Haines to coordinate chaines831@aol.com

 

+ If you would like to be considered to become a Handy Helper for locally deployed families (mowing a lawn, picking up some groceries, etc.) please submit your name to Natalie Sennett cnjs@comcast.net or 497-4042.   The next Locally Deployed Family dinner will be August 19 5pm at St. Matthew’s.

 

September 12, the beginning of our new Program Year, is fast approaching.  Look forward to:

  • Return to 8am & 10am Worship
  • Sunday School Registration during coffee hour 11:15am
  • Shop Talk for Youth at Whipplewill Woodcrafters 11:30am – 1pm
  • Sunday School Teacher Orientation 3-5pm

 

Jr. Choir will begin rehearsals September 26 after worship 11:15-11:45am

 

Network Food Pantry Brown Bag Sunday Food Drive- Sept. 26- Bring a bagful of food to worship with you that day.  The Food Pantry is depleted this time of year and needs a boost from those who can share.  Pasta, sauce, toilet paper, rice, soups, cereals, tooth paste, soap, detergent, juices are most welcome. Thanks!

 

Invitation to walk a 7-circuit Cretan Labyrinth

 

St Matthew's parishioners are welcome anytime throughout the summer to walk the labyrinth at your convenience in the meadow at Joan & Jeff Stevens at 50 Stinson Road Goffstown. Park on the lawn to the right  of the driveway entering to the right of the split rail fence. Call 660-9164 or email joan.alayne.stevens@gmail.com if you need more information. It takes 10 minutes to walk in and out of the labyrinth with time for contemplation in the center. The path in is the path out. See attachments for more information. There is complete privacy from the house. The meadow is peaceful and boasts songbirds and wildflowers.

 

In our prayers for comfort and support

“I will refresh you” Jesus Christ

 

 

Get Well & God Bless:  Barbie, Sara, Lynn, Jen, Leo, Anna, Grady, Chris, John, James, Bill, Grady, Sally, Mary, Gabriel, Tom, Kasey, the Desrochers Family,  Andrew,  Kevin, Florence, Sam, Heather, Judy, Bob, Pete, Jen, Lydia, Laura, Nancy, Mel, Debbie, Glenn, Randy, Liam, Jude, Alice, Arlene, Moira, and Rick & Peggy.

 

Prayers of Thanks

 

Birthdays known to us: Doug Penney, Deborah McCarter-Spaulding, Ed Shank, Sue Brower, and Dan Minnich.

 

Anniversaries known to us: Paul & Suzanne Turgeon, Jay & Judy Sheppard, Doug & Celia Warren, Phil & Judy Pancoast, Chris & Kelly Castano, Rick & Deb Dietsch

 

Be It Resolved:  A General Convention Resolution asks Episcopalians to volunteer 40 hours a year to a local public school.  Imagine the support we could lend our local public schools by simply asking, “How can I help?”…  Just ask a local principal or teacher or coach.

 

Would you like to help out an Episcopal Parish in Massachusetts?  Grace Church in Everett, MA is holding a Red Sox ticket raffle.  The winner receives 2 tickets to the September 22 game at 7pm (seats in Sec. 23, Row 9, Seat 7 &8).  $5 per raffle ticket.  Contact Janis Galvin by email janispersonal@verizon.net or phone 617-816-9756 for more info.

 

Desrochers Family Update: You have all been so helpful in the past, but due to summer vacation, some of the care calendar needs have gone unmet.  This is a very difficult and busy time for the Desrochers family – Emily begins another round of chemotherapy.  If we all sign up for one thing this month, we should hit all the needs!

To help us share information about her treatment and progress, the Desrochers have created a website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emilydesrochers

 

Please visit often for updates - you can also view photos and leave messages in our guestbook.

Thank you for your continued care and support as we help Emily through this.

 

A Care Calendar has been set up for the Desrochers Family.  If you would like to help out with a meal or errand please visit the website:

===================================
The HELPER logon is used by family and friends that would like to sign-up to help a loved one.
To access Desrochers Family's personal CareCalendar site,
visit
http://www.carecalendar.org/logon/33275 and enter the following
information in the appropriate spaces:

     CALENDAR ID      :   33275
     SECURITY CODE :   5475
===========================================================

Remember to make enough for 2-3 days.  Please try to click on the calendar dates to see what others are planning to bring, so that we can avoid having too much of one type of item. 

 

We have dropped the "meal delivery days."  You can now come whenever you'd like, as long as you respect the wishes of the family with regards to the "no knocking, doorbell ringing, or calling" rule (between the hours of 12 and 3).  Jill has asked for some childcare helpers this week.  AM and PM shifts are available. 

 

Thank you for all of the wonderful things you are doing to help the Desrochers!  She feels truly loved!

 

Kimberlie Berrigan kmberrigan@comcast.net or Katie Leduc Whipplewill@comcast.net  Meals may also be left in the freezer at church.

Thank you and God Bless!

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

 

Announcing the Villa Augustina 9th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament

Friday, October 1, 2010

JOIN US!

For a fun-filled day of golf and charity as we enjoy the crisp, New England fall weather at Stonebridge Country Club in Goffstown, one of the top golf courses in all of NH!  All proceeds will benefit the Villa Augustina School. The shot gun start will begin at 9:30 a.m. The event will include light breakfast, lunch, 18 holes, golf carts, silent & live auctions, and much more!

To register please visit www.villaaugustina.org,  or contact the school at (603) 497-2361 or via email llevesque@villaaugustina.org.

 

Weekly Offerings:

Play Group – plays every Wednesday 10-11am

Food Pantry– Wednesday 6-8pm and Saturdays 10am-noon

Community Clothing Center – Tuesday 11am-2pm, Wednesday 6-8pm & Saturdays 10am-noon

 

SHINE.  Sr. Citizens are welcome Wednesdays in the Parish House from 10:30-11:45 for activity, exercise and snacks.

 

Parish Nurse –hours are 10-noon Wednesdays for anyone who would like their blood pressure checked or have general health questions.

Bible Chat –Wednesdays from noon-1pm.  (Summer vacation beginning June 23 – Sept. 8)

 

Helpful Links:

Episcopal Café – www.episcopalcafe.com

St. Matthew’s web page:  www.stmattsepiscopal.org

For Teens – www.reachout.com

Link to Resources – call 211 or www.211nh.org  Call for information about health and human services and organizations in your community

The 2010 Seniors Count Resource Guide for the Manchester Area www.seniorscountnh.org or call

644-2240.

Service Link: www.nh.gov/servicelink/ or call 1-866-634-9412. The closest office is in Manchester at Easter Seals. They help connect seniors and their care givers to services they need. They even provide caregiver support programs and help people get on Medicaid.

 

“I no longer call you servants, now I call you friends”  Jesus Christ

 

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. 

 

OUTREACH

 

· Fuel assistance – contact 647-4470 or 1-800-322-1073 or www.snhs.org

·  The Sr. Citizen SHINE Wednesdays at 10:30-11:45am

· Weekly Bible Chat Wednesdays at noon

·  Parish Nurse, Wednesday Mornings during SHINE

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

·  Women’s Crisis Center, Manchester 668-2299

· Apply for food stamps by phone 1-800-852-3345 ext. 4238

· The Network Food Pantry hours are Wed 6pm - 8pm & Sat 10amnoon

· Community Clothing Center at 9 North Mast – Same hours as Network Food Pantry

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

 

The Network Food Pantry needs a boost in food offerings. There has been a large increase in local need.  Feel free to drop food off anytime at the Parish House door.  Here is a list of items that really help:  pasta, sauce, TP, soups , tuna, baby food, diapers, canned veggies and fruits, rice, M+C, juices, cereals, soap, toothpaste, detergent, tea, coffee.  Someone will always benefit from your generosity.

 

You can also help the Network Food Pantry at St. Matt’s by donating your weekly coupon fliers from the Sunday newspapers.  Please donate the following:  Smart Source, Red Plum and P&G.  Place the coupons in the basket by the main church door.

 

“Christ is the Worlds True Light”

 

St. Matt’s needs your help – STEWARDSHIP

 

St. Matt’s could use a seasonal summer boost in donations and offerings.  Things get tight in the late summer.  Thanks for any help you might give to the glory of God.

 

“Lord help us to be grateful for your whole creation, that we may honor thee with our substance and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.”  (BCP pg. 329)

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.  (Note:  If you specify a regular ongoing offering for a particular time frame, please consider renewing it when the time runs out.  Thanks!)

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

 

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

 

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

 

Recycling:  Don’t forget to bring in your print cartridges to be recycled. Just bring them in or drop off at the office.

 

+  Support for Your Business:  Do you own your own business?  Are you self employed?  Are you an active, supportive part of St. Matthew’s programs or worshipping community?  If so, you are welcome to send your business card/contact information to St. Matt’s office for inclusion on our Parish Business web page.  Our goal is to help people in the parish be aware of the various talents and services available by way of others associated with the parish.

 

 

 

Please Note:  The listing is a work in progress.  It’s purpose is to support active members of St. Matthew’s and to give a friendly “shout out” to local businesses who constantly go beyond the call of duty to work with us.

 

 

Self – Employed Small Business owners who are active, supportive members

of St. Matthew’s

 

Computer Assistance – Doug Doster  497-5372  He keeps St. Matthew’s humming along.

 

Food, Spirits & Live Blues – The Village Trestle 25 Main Street, Goffstown 497-8230  Steve and Lorraine Pascucci, owners. Adult fun, good folks.

 

French & Rising Funeral Home – 497-4711  Tim and Gail Kenney, owners.  Long time members and good friends.  Excellent and compassionate.

 

Jewelry – Jonathan’s Jeweler’s  460 Rt. 101, Bedford  471-2828  Jonathan Crary  NH Jeweler of the Year and long time friend.

 

Landscaping/Yard Work – John Erlman  384-3450  Solid, friendly and knowledgeable – one of the good guys.

 

Market America – Leighann Shriver leighannshriver@yahoo.com.  Attentive to your needs, faithful to her duties.

 

Martial Arts, Tai Chi –MLK Self Defense Academy 323 South Willow St., Manchester 625-4655 or www.mlksda.com  Joe & Denise Sherwood  From Tiny Tigers to Black Belts – a warm, supportive atmosphere.

 

Massage – Pat Soule 785-5306  Long time practitioner, gentle and effective.

 

Organization & Cleaning for Home – Finely Organized  497-8203 or finelyorganized@msn.com  Angie Battey  Reliable and delightful.

 

Painting Interior/Exterior – American Beauty Painting  533-1117 Ted Harlow  A true artist and hard worker.

 

Pampered ChefKaryn Battey 497-3365  The very best!

 

PhotographyGeorge Welch 545-5335 or www.georgewelchphotography.com  He’s our man!  Weddings, celebrations, beauty.

 

Piano & Voice Lessons, Beginners to Adults welcome! – Judy Pancoast 264-9618  Experience, warmth and a love for kids!

 

Print Shop & T-shirts – Great service, Good People – Brown Graphix, Main Street Goffstown  497-2374.

 

Transitions Lifestyle System – A low glycemic, body fat burning, muscle saving, eat as much as you want of the right foods kind of food plan.  Denise Sherwood, Certified Transitions Lifestyle Coach.  603-493-3713.  Denise@SherwoodAssoc.net

 

Website designJoe Sherwood email him at Joe@SherwoodWebDesigns.com

 

Wood crafts and Furniture – WhippleWill Woodsmith  497-3291 Jean Leduc  Skill with a smile.

 

Friends of St. Matthew’s We Recommend

 

Ace Goffstown Hardware, 5 Depot Street Goffstown

Building/Home Inspections and Engineered Energy Consults - Criterium-Turner Engineers  497-3137 or www.EngineerNH.com

Catering, Breakfast – The Happy Tomato Café 4 Main Street, Goffstown 497-4072 or www.happytomatocafe.com

Crispin’s House After School Program at Mountain View Middle School  www.crispinshouse.org

Dr. Erika Duffy – Alternative healing arts, compassionate life skills resources 497-3389

Electrician – Norton Phelps 973-1469 or email to nortonphelps@comcast.net

Electrician – Ian Cote 623-3535

Fine Dining – Patrick’s Country Restaurant 9 High Street, Goffstown  497-4800

Florists – Apotheca Flower Shoppe & Tea Chest  Goffstown 497-4940  www.apothecaflowershoppe.com

Goffstown Public Library – resources and welcome for all ages

Groceries – Sully’s right across from St. Matthew’s

Snow Removal – Brian Untiet  497-2776

 

 

 

Give Thanks To God Always

IN GOD’S PRESENCE IS JOY.

IN GOD’S SERVICE IS PERFECT FREEDOM.