Art Appreciation: One of the most famous depictions in art history of Pentecost was a painting titled Pentecost, or The Coming of the Holy Spirit, by the artist, Joseph Ignaz Mildorfer.  This painting currently hangs in the Hungarian National Gallery.

Art Appreciation: One of the most famous depictions in art history of Pentecost was a painting titled Pentecost, or The Coming of the Holy Spirit, by the artist, Joseph Ignaz Mildorfer.  This painting currently hangs in the Hungarian National Gallery.

Teaching Children to Pray

It is never too early to teach children to pray.

“Bible stories and prayer are the two greatest gifts we can give to children,” said the Rev. Leanne Hadley, minister to children and their families at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. “Prayer is that anchor that is going to hold them when life’s storms hit.”

Even the youngest “children have very real experiences with God in very simple ways,” she continued. “We help children knock on the door and God opens it.”…

[Interpreter Magazine, January-February 2013, Featured Stories, Digital only — Teaching children to pray]

Chuck Knows Church - PENTECOST:  Seen any symbols of fire around your sanctuary? Do you know what’s the second most important day of the Christian year? Chuck messes with candles again and explains Pentecost.

ATTENTION ALL GRADUATING STUDENTS!  You are invited to a special service on Sunday, June 2nd at 11:15 AM to recognize your accomplishments as we celebrate Graduation Sunday.  Please send the following information and a recent photo to cadams@stmatthewsumc.org or call the church office by Sunday, May 26th: name, school graduated from, plans for the fall, and statement about what St. Matthew’s has meant to you.  Congratulations!

ATTENTION ALL GRADUATING STUDENTS!  You are invited to a special service on Sunday, June 2nd at 11:15 AM to recognize your accomplishments as we celebrate Graduation Sunday.  Please send the following information and a recent photo to cadams@stmatthewsumc.org or call the church office by Sunday, May 26th: name, school graduated from, plans for the fall, and statement about what St. Matthew’s has meant to you.  Congratulations!

St. Matthew's UMC Pastors' Blog: Pastors' Message - May 17, 2013

stmatthewspastors:

May 17, 2013

Dear Friends,

Sunday is the birthday of the church! It’s Pentecost – the day God’s spirit came and ignited a group of bewildered disciples into an energetic movement centered around Jesus as the Lord of their life and Savior of the world. In Acts 2, Luke graphically describes the…

A favorite of the 9:45 Worship Team is the song Here for You by Chris Tomlin.  Learn the song early and then join us this Sunday at 9:45 AM.  Can’t physically make it to church?  No problem, listen live on Sunday mornings by going www.stmatthewsumc.org/worshipMinistries.php.

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St. Matthew’s Worship Audio - 5.12.2013:  Pastor Brian Johnson leads us in the final worship of the sermon series, Encountering the Divine Through Prayer, with the message: Going to the Place of Prayer. Acts 16:16-34; John 17:20-26. 

“When you’re down to Nothing…. God is up to Something.” [via spiritualinspiration]

“When you’re down to Nothing…. God is up to Something.”

[via spiritualinspiration]

The Friends of Naomi are spending their monthly lunch meeting at Monty’s Steakhouse in Springfield, VA on May 19th (this Sunday!).  If you are interested in joining this group for lunch, please RSVP immediately to Edna (703-743-1365) or Carol (703-764-1262).  The Friends of Naomi is a group open to all widows.  They meet once a month in various locations for lunch, usually on a Sunday afternoon.

The Friends of Naomi are spending their monthly lunch meeting at Monty’s Steakhouse in Springfield, VA on May 19th (this Sunday!).  If you are interested in joining this group for lunch, please RSVP immediately to Edna (703-743-1365) or Carol (703-764-1262).  The Friends of Naomi is a group open to all widows.  They meet once a month in various locations for lunch, usually on a Sunday afternoon.

St. Matthew’s works very hard to provide many basic needs for our un-housed neighbors.  And as important as that is, it is just as important to know them as fellow children of God with their own history filled with stories of success and struggle.

Stories from the Street - Mikey: Meet Mikey, a business owner who has found himself living on the streets.

[via SoulPancake]

VBS & KAMP Adult and Youth Volunteers Needed July 15-19: There are still a few openings for Vacation Bible School and KAMP volunteers. Specifically for VBS, we need a Snack Leader, a Recreation Leader, group shepherds,  and teen classroom assistants. For KAMP we need adult chaperons to join us each day as we go out to serve in the community. Please contact Carrie Schwab if you are interested in helping at cschwab@stmatthewsumc.org 

VBS & KAMP Adult and Youth Volunteers Needed July 15-19: There are still a few openings for Vacation Bible School and KAMP volunteers. Specifically for VBS, we need a Snack Leader, a Recreation Leader, group shepherds,  and teen classroom assistants. For KAMP we need adult chaperons to join us each day as we go out to serve in the community. Please contact Carrie Schwab if you are interested in helping at cschwab@stmatthewsumc.org 

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St. Matthew’s Worship Audio - 4.28.2013:  On this 5th Sunday of Easter, Pastor Denise Honeycutt leads us in worship with the message “Poplar, Pine, Periwinkle and Prayer.”  Psalm 19:1-6; John 16:12-15. 

THE TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC, MAY 18, 10:00-11:30 AM: Children, ages 0-5, and their parents are invited to bring a favorite stuffed animal to enjoy story time, songs, and make believe together!  Animals will visit various “shops” in our Teddy Bear Town, like the salon and the doctor… and every animal will win a special award for attending!  Bring a picnic snack/lunch and a blanket to the Social Hall.  Dessert will be provided.  Invite your neighbors and your friends!  Questions should be directed to Emily Yosmanovich at eyosmanovich@stmatthewsumc.org.

THE TEDDY BEARS’ PICNIC, MAY 18, 10:00-11:30 AM: Children, ages 0-5, and their parents are invited to bring a favorite stuffed animal to enjoy story time, songs, and make believe together!  Animals will visit various “shops” in our Teddy Bear Town, like the salon and the doctor… and every animal will win a special award for attending!  Bring a picnic snack/lunch and a blanket to the Social Hall.  Dessert will be provided.  Invite your neighbors and your friends!  Questions should be directed to Emily Yosmanovich at eyosmanovich@stmatthewsumc.org.

United Methodist Men:  We will hold our regular Breakfast Meeting on Saturday, May 18 at 9:02 AM in Room 302.  Rev. Gary Heaton, pastor of the Front Royal United Methodist Church and who also grew up at St. Matthews, will be our speaker.  If you would like to attend please RSVP to Darold Plate at 703-425-4470 or sdplate@verizon.net.    

United Methodist Men:  We will hold our regular Breakfast Meeting on Saturday, May 18 at 9:02 AM in Room 302.  Rev. Gary Heaton, pastor of the Front Royal United Methodist Church and who also grew up at St. Matthews, will be our speaker.  If you would like to attend please RSVP to Darold Plate at 703-425-4470 or sdplate@verizon.net.    

United Methodist Women (UMW) Sunday - May 5th (8:15, 9:45 & 11:15 AM):  Our speaker at all three services will be Anna Cole who spent much of her childhood in Appalachia as a child of United Methodist missionaries.  Anna is a very creative and gifted young woman who feels a call  into ministry and will begin seminary in August.  She has a real commitment to the United Methodist Church and the work of mission and care of women  and children.  After each service, the UMW will also be selling cards and breads to benefit a  mission project. 

United Methodist Women (UMW) Sunday - May 5th (8:15, 9:45 & 11:15 AM):  Our speaker at all three services will be Anna Cole who spent much of her childhood in Appalachia as a child of United Methodist missionaries.  Anna is a very creative and gifted young woman who feels a call  into ministry and will begin seminary in August.  She has a real commitment to the United Methodist Church and the work of mission and care of women  and children.  After each service, the UMW will also be selling cards and breads to benefit a  mission project.