Hanging Of The Greens The annual hanging of the greens is November

NON-PROFIT 27 at 9:00 am, and we need help! Come deck ORG. the halls. We will provide the donuts and decorations. All you U.S. POSTAGE need to bring are helping hands and good cheer! PAID BELLEVILLE, IL PERMIT#293 Christmas Giving Opportunities 1200 Moreland Drive Remember your Christmas charity has a large impact on people Belleville, Illinois 62223 in need locally and globally. Want to give? Here are some (618) 397-5994 Return Service Requested www.stmatthewumc.org opportunities: • Operation Christmas Child - Make a difference in a child’s life - pack a shoebox full of love. Pick a box up St Matthew Pastors Daylight Savings ends November 5! at the church and choose a box based on different James Slone Remember to set your clocks gender and age groups. Pack it with one “wow” toy (a soccer Senior Pastor ball & pump, stuffed animal, truck, doll, etc) and then add in Jon Carrell back one hour on Saturday Night. Associate Pastor other fun little toys, hygiene items and school supplies. Top it Larry Patton Thanksgiving Communion off with a $9.00 donation (yes, it did increase $2) for a shipping Pastor of Congregational Care label and bring it back to St. Matthew November 13 - 20. The The Lord’s Supper is quite literally a shoeboxes are sent to third world countries to children who Next Issue thanksgiving meal; the liturgical word would not get a Christmas present any other way. Submission Deadline: “eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” We will • Angel Tree - Express the love of Christ to children and families Friday, Nov 10, 2017 have a special Thanksgiving Lord’s Supper of prisoners. Give a gift on behalf of an absent imprisoned around tables in the Sanctuary on parent. Choose a child, donate a gift, and impact a life. For any Wednesday, November 22 at 6:30 pm. The regular family questions or to adopt a child and receive a tag, contact Tara meal will be served in the fellowship hall from 4:30-6:00 Renneke: (618) 792-6558. pm, but there will be no classes, rehearsals or any other • Christmas Community Meal - Help ensure there is a gift for activities on this evening. each child at the community meal! You can donate new toys and books for all age groups! All donations can be brought to Special Sundays Lori Andrews in the church office. St. Matthew will have an immersion baptism service at 10:30 • Redeemed Again - Adults in need throughout the holiday am on November 5. New Members will be received during season will be given gift certificates to St. Matthew thrift shop. the morning services on November 12. Help us keep the shelves stocked with new, quality merchandise by bringing in your donations all season long! Interim Youth Minister Matt Vollmar will serve as interim youth minister at St. Surviving The Holidays Matthew. He is looking for parents of youth and other adults Dealing with the loss of a loved one is hard at any time. It can be who are willing to help minister to teenagers. He will continue especially hard during the holidays. If you are struggling with to lead worship for the 9:17 service. Keep Matt, the youth and grief over the loss of someone you love, we invite you to attend his ministry team in your prayers. Brian Caringer, who has “Surviving The Holidays” on Wednesday, November 15 at been the youth minister, will continue working as our IT and 6:00 pm in the Bride’s Room. Facilitated by Liz McGlasson. sound specialist. Bus Driver Needed Charge Conference St. Matthew needs another Sunday morning bus driver. Maybe you St. Matthew’s 2017 Charge Conference, the meeting in which can serve in this ministry. You will drive about once every 7 weeks. the 2018 budget and church officers will be determined, will Contact Scott Ferguson for details. CDL required. be Thursday, November 9 at 6:30 pm in the Chapel. The Good News Club Thanksgiving Meal Reverend Dr. Rose Booker-Jones, Superintendent of the The annual Good News Club Thanksgiving Meal is on Tuesday, Mississippi River District, will preside. The officers of the November 14 at 5:15 pm. It is a free meal for all Good News church are voting members of the conference; everyone is Club kids and their immediate families. Usually about 300 welcome to attend. people attend. The meal will be prepared by Hank Oplinger. If Mark Lowry & Cana’s Voice you can help in the kitchen on Monday or Tuesday or with Mark Lowry with Cana’s Voice, is coming to St. Matthew on Tuesday set-up (4:00 Thursday, November 2 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20 in pm) or Tuesday clean-up advance and $24 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase (6:00 pm), please let in the church office or by calling 618-397-5994. Lindsay know. CPR Class Red Bird Mission 2017 Karen Schwoebel will hold a CPR class on Thursday, Work Camp Volunteers: (From left to right) November 16 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the Park Room. Darrell Brown, Christine The cost is $30 but, if you are a church staff member or Stroede, Cynthia Fields, Mike Shelton, Carole volunteer, it is free. RSVP to Karen at: 618-973-7725 if you Jones, Toby Sheppard, & plan to attend. Linda Simpson. St. Matthew Jubilee November 2017 Weekly Worship Ministry News Applying Bible Principles Children’s Ministry: Lindsay Vollmar - 618-660-7552 - [email protected] General Norman Schwarzkopf once recalled when he was the Assistant Commander for Personnel at the Pentagon. He had been in this Sunday COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL letter writing will be Sunday, November 5 during our Sunday assignment for two weeks when his superior left for an eight-week trip to the Orient. General Schwarzkopf expressed concern about his School opening at 9:15 am in the Children’s Worship Center. We invite all our kids to help us Morning: 8:00 am, 9:17 am, 10:45 am ability, even as a major general, to handle this new responsibility. His superior told him to follow "Rule 13." When Schwarzkopf asked write letters to our sponsored kids, draw them pictures, pray for them and pray for our what "Rule 13" was, his superior told him, "When given command, take charge." "But what if I don't know what to do?" asked Sunday School: 9:15 am & 10:45 am missionaries around the world. TUTORING AT ELLIS ELEMENTARY If you’re available on Tuesday and/or Thursday mornings Schwarzkopf. The reply was that he should follow "Rule 14 - Do what is right." Cornerstone Deaf Church: 6:00 pm from 8:00 – 8:50 am and have a heart for helping kids with English, math and/or reading, Sometimes Christians are in a similar predicament, especially concerning actions based on feelings. We do many things in the Christian please contact Lindsay Vollmar. life because they are "right," not because we necessarily want to do them or feel like doing them. Nowhere is this more true than Evening: 6:30 pm (Worship/Bible Study) WEDNESDAY NIGHT KIDS CLUB is a great time for our pre-school - 6th graders to dig deeper into God’s Word and to ignite their faith. The evening is full of music, Bible lessons, games, concerning our giving. Even when perhaps we do not feel like giving, mature Christians give because doing so is "right" and because God crafts, Bible memory and lots more. We meet from 5:30 – 7:30 pm and all kids are always has motivated our hearts to give. James Slone’s Morning Sermons: welcome to come at any time! Unfortunately, some people follow the life principle of giving only when they feel like it. The problem is that they seldom feel like it. HIS KIDS SING - MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Christmas movie night at Matt & Lindsay’s Oh, they might give to a special project now and then or respond to a special need that appeals to them. Otherwise, though, they usually house on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 4:30 – 7:30 pm. All 1st – 6th graders that are a part of the His fail to give unless they happen to feel like it. Nov 5 The Protestant Sacrament Kids Sing Choir are invited over for a Christmas movie, cookie decorating, pizza, lots of fun & a special telling of the Christmas story. It’s free, so parents feel free to get some last minute In some ways, such individuals who give only when they feel like it fit Abraham Lincoln's description of those who achieve financial Romans 10:14 shopping done or take a nap! success but little else in life. "Financial success," he once said, "is purely metallic. The person who gains it has four metallic attributes: KIDCHECK! For more information and a detailed “how to”, please pick up a parent’s letter in gold in his palm, silver on his tongue, brass in his face, and iron in his heart." any of our nurseries, in Kids Town or at the Welcome Center. All parents of kids 6th grade & Nov 12 Jon Carrell preaching under will need to have an account created.(www.go.kidcheck.com) "In contrast," writes Randy Alcorn, "the Macedonian believers 'urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service Scared Straight DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN? Get involved [giving] to the saints' (2 Cor. 8:4). When we catch a vision of God's grace, we will give according to our duty, yes, but far more, we will today in our Children’s Ministry and make a difference in the spiritual formation of our kids! Philippians 2:12 - 13 We’re looking for a few extra loving hands to help in our nurseries, Sunday School classes and give beyond our duty, voluntarily captivated by the grace of our ever-giving Lord.” © Kenneth L. Williams Children’s Churches on a rotating basis on Sunday mornings. Background check will be provided by the Children’s Ministry. Please contact Lindsay if you would consider using your Nov 19 Making Plans for gifts of loving children for His ministry! Endowment Giving Thanksgiving While in a Whale GOOD NEWS CLUB IS OFF TO A GREAT START! Club is a free after school program for all Kindergarten - 3rd graders that spreads the good news of Jesus through Bible stories, worship, APPRECIATED ASSETS: Do you have stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other assets that have appreciated in value? Did you know that if Jonah 2:9 memory verses, games, prayer time, snacks & lots of fun. If you are someone who wants to you gift them directly to your church that you will receive a significant charitable tax deduction AND avoid paying capital gains taxes? invest in the spiritual formation of our children, then this is the mission field for you. There are many different ways that you can serve in club, so please contact Lindsay Vollmar in the Example: You purchased 100 shares of ABC stock for $10 many years ago. It is now worth $100 per share. You gift it to the church and Nov 26 Wise Up, He’s Coming church office for more information. receive a charitable tax deduction for $10,000, saving you $2000 in income taxes (based on a 20% tax bracket.) AND, you avoid capital Matthew 24:45-46 gains tax---$9000 of capital gains X 20% tax rate = Additional $1800 in tax savings. So, don’t sell that stock—gift it directly to the Matthew church. Talk to your pastor about this opportunity of making a significant gift for ministry and save a bundle in taxes at the same time! If you have any questions you can contact Pastor Jon Carrell or Financial Administrator Dan Harry in the church office at 618-397-5994. Wednesday Senior Adults Ministry: Jeanie Lively - 618-979-7434 - [email protected] Prayer, Praise & Preaching Worship OUR NEW LIFE CLUB MEETING will be held Thursday, November 16, 2018 at noon in the Service 6:30 pm, Chapel. Nursery Vine Cafe. We will enjoy a Thanksgiving Pot Blessing. Members please refer to the club Perspective directory book for dishes to bring. Turkey, dressing, rolls and drinks will be prepared and available at all Worship Services served by Dan and Sharon Jokisch. Our program will be MAROON MAJIC from Belleville It took me years to realize the most critical and fault-finding folks I knew actually deserved my sympathy and not my scorn. ... their need West High School, directed by Jeanine Moeller. We will also be holding our PURSE-A- to frequently find fault was but an inefficient effort to overcome a poor and self-critical image. The temporary relief they felt through RAMA event at this meeting. There will be hundreds of gently used purses for purchase at a pointing out the short-comings of others was often short-lived. Of course, it also prevented them from seeing their own less than perfect Special Events Calendar fraction of their price. We will be introducing a new 8 day trip for 2018 at this meeting. Reservations for our meetings are not necessary but come early and bring a friend. picture of themselves. But getting to such truth can really make one free. What a relief and joy that realization brought to my own life. In Nov 2 Mark Lowry & Cana’s Voice We're having over 100 folks a meeting. Hope to see you there! time I found ways to show acceptance and compassion to aid these self-tortured folks to lessen their load of self-loathing...to overcome NEW LIFE CLUB CHOIR practice is at 5:30 pm every Wednesday in the Park Room. We will be their power over me. Acquiring such a new and better approach, especially when under attack, isn't easy. But if prayerfully achieved, Nov 5 Daylight Savings Ends singing Nov. 2 at St. Paul's Nursing Home and Grand Manor and in the 6:30 p.m. Wednesday those we once considered enemies and even avoided can become friends and allies. Wouldn't it be a great relief for every one to let go of Nov 7 Trustees Meeting Prayer, Praise and Preaching Service on November 15. such a burden? - Friar Tuck (Originally printed in the Avon Park Camp Meeting Newsletter). OUR GREETING CARD MAKING CLASS 101 has been very successful. We will be offering Nov 9 Charge Conference more craft classes in the future. CHRISTMAS IS COMING Certificates for traveling with the New Life Club are available and Nov 12 New Member Sunday can be personalized for any occasion and amount. Give the "gift of travel" to a senior in your News & Events life. They are easy to get and there are many opportunities for travel with us. Nov 14 GNC Thanksgiving Meal "BLESSING BONNETS” We are pleased that so many are receiving "Blessing Bonnets" that are Meet The Staff! Meet The Staff Continued hand knitted by our club members for those needing head covering due to medical treatments, Nov 15 Surviving The Holidays etc. They are free. Please feel free to stop by my office and get them. Lindsay Vollmar has been the Director of Lindsay says, “I love my job and feel blessed every single day that this is what I get to do. It's such a joy to get to be a part of and invest Nov 16 New Life Club Luncheon "Redeemed AGAIN,THE THRIFT SHOP OF ST. MATTHEW” is in fall and winter mode. We Children’s Ministry at St. Matthew for 8 years. She is have many customers who do their Christmas shopping with us. We are asking for gift type responsible for all children’s activities, classes and in the lives of my kids….There is no greater joy than to be sitting Nov 16 CPR Class items and Christmas decorations, paper, etc. with kids in a class and watch them light up when they truly SENIOR TRAVEL events from Children’s Church to VBS and everything Nov 18 Community Meal • The Best Of A Branson Christmas - November 3-7, 2017. in between. She also oversees other children related understand God's love or have seen Him work that week in their • St, Matthew Glory Of Christmas - And dinner at the Shrine - December 11, 2017. ministries such as the New Creation Puppets and the Early lives or hear their sweet prayers to Him or read His Word with such Nov 21 Finance Committee Meeting • *NEW* - It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas - Live on stage at the Peabody Opera House - Learning Center. In addition, she is part of the Core Staff at love.” St. Matthew is blessed to have this loving, caring, confetti and December 15, 2017. glitter obsessed disciple, who is always “at the ready” with a box of Nov 22 Thanksgiving Communion *NEW* - “Samson” at the Sight and Sound Theatre - Branson, MO. April 12 - 13, 2018. Beulah Camp, and she is the drama director for our two biggest • annual events: The Joy of Easter and The Glory of Christmas. goldfish crackers, as our Children’s Minister. Service MORE 2018 TRIPS ARE IN THE WORKS and will be announced on club meeting days throughout the year. Remember "any" senior may travel with us. They need not be a member of Lindsay began attending St. Matthew shortly after leaving the Nov 23 Thanksgiving - Office Closed St. Matthew. We have many such friends that travel with us month by month. We love meeting womb. She participated as a child in almost every activity she is Poinsettia Orders and traveling with "like minded" folks of all denominations and backgrounds. now in charge of. She began helping in children’s ministry in Nov 24 Office Closed COMPLETE TRIP DESCRIPTIONS are available at the Welcome Desk. You can also check the It is nearing time to order poinsettias that will decorate the church website at www.stmatthewumc.org for up to date trip information. Anytime a trip is full junior high. Not only is she an integral part of the church’s Sanctuary from the Glory of Christmas until the Christmas Eve Nov 25 Wesley Men’s Breakfast that you are interested in, please sign up on the Waiting List. We always get to most folks on it. children’s program, she is an integral part of the community’s services.They are $7.00 per plant. Watch for your order form in the children’s programs as well. She was recently awarded the Sunday bulletins. Building Bridges award from the Illinois Principal’s Association for her “outstanding effort in creating partnerships between Soup Labels For Red Bird This Month’s Student Ministry: Matt Vollmar - 806-4337 - [email protected] schools, principals, associations and organizations for the Community Meal YOUTH GROUP: meets Sunday from 5:00 - 7:00 in the Youth Room. The Campbell’s Soup label program for Red Bird Mission ends this is Saturday, Nov 18 betterment of all” through Good News Club and tutoring. She and WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH BAND: from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the Youth Room. her husband, Matt Vollmar, have been married for 13 years. month. Please make sure to turn in all your soup labels! The Box Tops at 11:00 am. WEDNESDAY NIGHT DISCIPLESHIP: from 6:30 - 7:30 pm in the Youth Room. program will continue and you can keep turning those in. Thank you.