Welcome Home Party for Matthew & Katharine

What a lovely evening for this family called Saint Matthew's!  We welcomed Matthew and Katharine to their new home with burgers, salads, swimming and laughter.  The Risica's once again opened their lovely home to us.

The children enjoyed swimming as the adults visited and chatted in that pretty yard.

Burgers cooked by Mike and friends accompanied by salads and sides provided by the congregation made for a delicious dinner.

Safe to say a good time was had by all and all are looking forward to many, many more!

VBS

It's finally coming together.  While the first date we chose did not work, the July 11-13 VBS is REALLY GONNA HAPPEN!  The Rocky Point Lighthouse will be open to children 4 to 9 years of age and have we got a great VBS planned!  Ofcourse, there will be some rockin' music and visits from the ever clueless Mr. Lightman.  We'll have games, projects and Bible Adventures and FOOD! We will end each session at noon on the Rocky Point Landing with songs and prayers as we SHINE GOD'S LIGHT!
To Register your child(ren) call 566-0333 or 583-6036 and talk to Grace.
See you on the Landing!

Welcome Matthew & Katharine

As is tradition in some places, the white smoke rose from behind Saint Matthew's church announcing not only the 49th Holy Smoke Bar-B-Q but the coming of our new Rector; Fr. Matthew Frey and his lovely wife, Katharine.
Matthew comes to us from San Antonio by way of Colorado and Pennsylvania.  He was baptised by fire immediately upon his arrival with prep and line work at the bar-b-q!
The congregation welcomed the Freys officially last Sunday with a traditional Pounding (gifts of household and pantry supplies weighing at least 1 pound) and a reception after the Sunday Service.
Matthew and Katharine, we are very glad you are here.  We look forward to a long and productive relationship in the service of our Lord and Savior.

"And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do,

to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord."

Change is a good thing, though often a difficult time for all involved. That being said, Saint Matthew’s has weathered a year of change with the gracious help of Father Bob Soper.
Fr. Bob stepped up as Interim Priest in June of last year. He was immediately plunged into VBS, Youth trips to the beach and the summer planning period for the new school year. Bob has worked so very hard to help us hold everything together as we awaited the call of our new priest, Fr. Matthew. He and wife Julia have gone above and beyond to keep and encourage the enthusiasm, love and work ethic that is so much a part of Saint Matthew’s church.
Last Sunday Fr. Bob and Julia were presented with a small token of our thanks and appreciation by the Vestry and School Board...and our wishes for many a happy and well deserved fishing trip.

God Bless you Bob and Thank You.

Next Week...A welcome to Fr. Matthew Frey and Catherine!

Now the Season

Well, it's been a while but everyone knows how busy things get as Christmas approaches.  The approach of Christmas...better known in Episcopal circles as ADVENT!

So the Advent wreath is up at church and so far, two candles have been lit.  Now it's time for the Greening of the church. No...not the ECO type of greening, though that's all well and good.  This is the time for wreaths and swags and the Chrismon Tree to enhance our surroundings.  This is the time for twinkiling lights added to the candle light to remind us of the one TRUE Light...who was and is and is to come.

The Daughters of the King, The altar Guild and the Middle School Youth Group will de decorating the church on Wednesday, the 7th.  Kids will meet at 6:00 in the Parish Hall for dinner and be joined by the adults in the church around 6:30.

This is also the time to place your orders for Poinsettias to offer Thanksgiving for those who were, and are, and are to come.

Please be sure to look for the Poinsettia order form in Sunday's bulletin.  Fill it out and place it in the Alms Basin with your check made out to Saint Matthew's and note "poinsettias" in the memo section.

Our Christmas Eve Service will begin at 6:30 on December 24th with Carols ...a joyful noise to the Lord.  The service will begin at 7:00 and the children of the Sunday School will portray the Nativity Scene as the Christmas Story is read once again.

Please join us in the celebration of the first coming of Our Lord, as we await His return.
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Big Fisherman

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 15th.  Everyone is invited to a Parish Fishing Outing to Lake La Joya.  Here is the info from Father Bob:
*Outing at La Joya Lake:   Saturday, October 15th.  Meet at the Church parking lot at 9:00 AM to form a caravan to go to La Joya Lake.  Bring lunch and drinks and a side dish for supper.  Meat will be provided (hamburgers and hot dogs).  Bring fishing gear, sun screen and appropriate clothing for sun protection.  We will disperse after supper.  If anyone wants to join me to spend Friday night at the lake, I will probably be spending the night at the lake.  Let me know about Friday and Saturday so we can plan enough meat and buns.  We will have some boats on the lake.The Youth Group will begin a study on Peter, the Big Fisherman while we are there.  Parents, siblings, friends and acquaintances are invited to join in the brief lesson time.

The Newest Member of Christendom

With a congregation of more than 85 people, Saint Matthew's welcomed Mason Robert Rankin into a life in Christ.  His Mom, Glo, Dad, Robert and most of the DeLa Garza family looked on as Fr. Bob gently sprinkled the Holy Water of life on his little head.  Mason Robert behaved like a real gentleman, without a murmer of protest.  He watched the proceedings with interest and seemed to realize the importance of the day.  Welcome Mason Robert into the household of God! The Peace of the Lord be always with you.