Dear Saints, Greetings in the name of our crucified, risen and ascended Lord and coming Savior Jesus Christ!

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1 St. Matthew s Staff Rev. Orin Cummings Rector Sherry Minzey Admin. Assistant Ron Stockton Music Director Jim Minzey Sexton Officers Bill Noone Senior Warden Jason Brooks Junior Warden David Macey Treasurer Linda Gerding Secretary Dave Chullino George Miller Clerk of the Works Service Times 8:00 a.m 11:00 a.m. Sunday Service RITE II Dear Saints, Greetings in the name of our crucified, risen and ascended Lord and coming Savior Jesus Christ! Time and again, the prophets declared, The time is surely coming. Their preaching might sound or read like law or judgment, and it is. However, it is also a word of GRACE since it warns and encourages preparation for God s coming judgment. Lent is a liturgical season of preparation. For centuries, Christians were encouraged to practice self-denial during this time. Beginning with feeling or showing heartfelt sorrow and regret for having done wrong, believers prepared for renewal. Lent is meaningless without Easter. Acknowledging that God has turned toward us and invites us to turn away from self-destructive ways, is key to our Lenten observance that culminates with Easter. While there are some who will seek to determine what the prophets preaching might mean for others, we take God s word to heart. We know that timing is completely up to God. It is futile trying to influence the outcome as beggars. Instead, we take seriously the word of the prophet as caution and invitation to put OUR house in order in the hope that God would show mercy. For me, Lent has always been a reminder of God s love for us. Jesus said that God does not desire that anyone should perish (John 3:16). This is so true as we see and experience at the foot of the cross. Therefore, as we begin our Lenten journey, we hear the prophets preaching not so much as law, but as good news God s willingness to show mercy. For God s aim with such warning is not to condemn, but to save (John 3:17). Continued on page E. 65 th Street, Raytown, Missouri Phone: stmattsraytown@gmail.com 1

2 Continued from page 1 God s promise to save has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. By His dying, Christ has destroyed the power of sin, death and the evil one, and has made believers His new creation. In baptism, the beggar has become a child of God grateful for a life of freedom in Christ. S/he lives to share the good news of salvation in word and deed. After all, that is what Easter people do. We win over others not with empty promises, but through forgiveness, unconditional love, and acts of kindness in the name of the life-giving, eternal-loving God Jesus Christ who lives in us. Herein is our joy! During Lent, I am looking forward with much anticipation to seeing you at either Wednesday evening services at BRT or on Friday evenings at Stations of the Cross. In Christ s service, Fr. Orin Linda Batson The Light of Christ DOK Chapter 2

3 COMMISSIONING NEW PARISH LEADERS On February 3, 2019 Fr. Cummings commissioned the following newly elected Vestry members and appointed leaders of St. Matthew s Episcopal Church: Bill Noone -Sr. Warden Jason Brooks- Jr. Warden/Properties Barbara Wagener- Vestry/Alt. Conv. Delegate Linda Gerding- Clerk of the Vestry Dave Macey-Treasurer Patti McGill Vestry/Stewardship John Corbin- Vestry Member Other Committee and Commission Chairs for 2019: Finance Chair-Bill Noone Convention Delegate-Carl Turlin Evangelism-Judy Taylor Worship/Acolytes Commission- Barbara Wegener Hospitality- Pat Whitmore Altar Guild- Kay Chullino Pastoral Care- Pat Whitmore Telecare-Linda Gerding Community of Chaplains- Linda Gerding, Carl Turlin, Marci Brown Turlin Ushers- Rick Roberts Service & Community Outreach-Linda Gerding Sunday School- Judy Taylor, Zella Forsythe Prayer Group; Flying Solo Group- Judy Taylor Episcopal Church Women- Nancy Anderson Knitting Ministry- Pat Whitmore Happy Crafters-Beth Cook Daughters of the King-Virginia Sembower Men of St. Matthew s-rick Roberts Clerks of the Works- George Miller & Dave Chullino L-R Bill Noone, Jason Brooks, Fr. Orin, Linda Gerding, Patti McGill, Barbara Wegener, Dave Macey. Not pictured: John Corbin (Picture courtesy: Kay Chullino) 3

4 SENIOR WARDEN-BILL NOONE Our new Sr. Warden (but not new to the Vestry, as he first served on Vestry in 1987) has a passion for bicycling. He had brought his bicycle to church and in this picture was getting it out and getting ready to change into cycling gear to hit the road. Bill doesn t just peddle around but rides several miles a week. Wind in your hair (?), Smile on our face, In a good place enjoy the ride Bill! Linda Gerding-reporting AIDS WALK SATURDAY APRIL 27 TH - 10:00 A.M. THEIS PARK 4

5 Dear Parish Family, RAYTOWN SUMMER LUNCH MINISTRY-2019 Again this year St. Matthew s has the opportunity to participate in The Raytown Summer Lunch Ministry. This program currently involves local congregations working together to share the love of Jesus by feeding hungry children in Raytown during summer vacation. When school ends for the summer, this program steps up and prepares a healthy sack lunch for children who are on the free or reduced lunch program. Last year it served nearly 550 children a day for 25 days, totaling about 16,000 lunches, delivered to an area where they live. Volunteering to help put lunches together, or deliver the lunches, can be 1 day a week or just 1 day during the month of July. If interested in volunteering you may contact Raytown Christian Church, or let Linda Gerding know and she can turn in your name and number. The Service & Outreach Commission would like to ask St. Matthew s Parish to help with supplies that are greatly needed, which include: 1. Napkins 2. Brown lunch bags 3. Ziplock bags (no store brands, name brands only: Glad, Ziplock, etc.) The deadline for supply delivery is May 1 st. If we begin collecting the above items now, we will have 9 Sundays to fill up the box in the cloakroom marked Summer Lunch Ministry. Thank you for your support. Linda Gerding, Service & Outreach Commission 5

6 Sunday (March 10) Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, invites all Episcopalians to join together in observance of Episcopal Relief & Development Sunday on March 10, As we follow in the footsteps of Jesus this Lent, we know that living out God s love for the world is our ultimate goal, said Presiding Bishop Curry. I invite all congregations to devote a Sunday in Lent to reflect on the life-giving work of Episcopal Relief & Development. As we consider Jesus life of healing and sacrifice during this Lenten season, Episcopal Relief & Development asks you to reflect on your faith and how you might take action. The traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving provides an opportunity to renew your commitment to people in need by supporting our work. Together, let s create a lasting change for people worldwide! Linda Gerding-Service & Outreach Dean Anderson Thank you to our St. Matthew s family for your prayers and expression of sympathy following the death of our father. We are grateful to everyone who assisted with the funeral and reception. Our appreciation to each of you who gave memorial contributions the Missouri Veteran s Home or St. Matthew s Church. JULY 21, 1923 JANUARY 28, 2019 Blessings, The Anderson Family 6

7 MARCH 6 TH AT 7:15 P.M. WEDNESDAYS AT BLUE RIDGE TRINTY 5:15 P.M. LENTEN DINNER WORSHIP AT 6:00 P.M. ST. MATTHEW S 6:00 P.M. MARCH 15, 22 & 29 APRIL 5 & 12 A DINNER WILL FOLLOW IN PARISH HALL. We are gearing up for summer Vacation Bible School to be held jointly with BRT again this year. We have selected the program ATHENS: Paul s Dangerous Journey to Share the Truth. We will be scheduling an organizational meeting in the next few weeks after we get a chance to review the materials. As in prior years, we will need everyone to pitch in to help decorate, feed, lead games, and teach the children. We also plan to ensure that our children with food sensitivities have snacks that are appropriate for their needs, so we will be requesting gluten free treats and other healthy snacks that we can offer as an alternative. We ll keep you posted! Judy Taylor and Zella Forsythe 7

8 PANCAKE SUPPER FAT TUESDAY MARCH 5 TH 5:00 PM To 7:30 PM ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES SAUSAGE COFFEE ORANGE JUICE $5 PER PERSON $3 FOR CHILDREN See USHERS For TICKETS St. Matthew s Episcopal Church 9349 E. 65 th St., Raytown, MO CARRY OUT AVAILABLE 8

9 SEMINAR AT ST. ANDREW S Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Brotherhood of St. Andrew and The Diocese of West Missouri are sponsoring a compelling and relevant Human Trafficking and Abuse Seminar, March 30, 2019, at St. Andrew s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace. The Diocese and Brotherhood consider the seminar information vitally important to our community. Consequently, it is being offered at no cost to attendees. Both men and women are invited; reservations are not required. The day s sessions will begin at 9:00 AM with a short presentation by the Brotherhood s National President, Jeffrey Butcher. Lunch will be on your own with time allotted to leave the church to eat. The event will end at 3:30 PM. We are fortunate to feature speakers with in-depth knowledge of their subjects. In Christ s Name, Mike McDonnell VP Social Justice Brotherhood of St. Andrew ST. MATTHEW S BISHOP S VISITATION SUNDAY, MARCH 31 ST TIME CHANGE! SUNDAY, MARCH 10 TH SERVICE TIME 10:00 A.M. RECEPTION TO FOLLOW IN PARISH HALL. MARCH 20 th APRIL Messenger/Calendar Deadline 9