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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

11:00 a.m.

Sunday Service

RITE II

Christmas Eve Service

A heartfelt Thank You to our

bishop, Martin Field who served

as Celebrant for our combined

service on Christmas Eve. St.

Matthew’s was beautiful as

always from the hard work of the

Altar Guild and the combined

choir as well as our acolytes

contributed to the most lovely

service! Bishop Field was truly

an answer to prayers as Fr. Orin

was in Guyana attending

memorial services for his

Mother, Muriel Cummings.

Thank you Bishop!

Continued page 2

9349 E. 65th

Street, Raytown, Missouri 64133 Phone: 816.353.4592

Email: stmattsraytown@gmail.com

Photos courtesy of Tish Arroyo & Linda Gerding

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Christmas Eve Service

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REAP CHRISTMAS STORE

REAP completed distributing items from their Christmas Store on Wed. Dec. 11th and Thurs. Dec. 12th.

On December 9th Linda Gerding delivered from St. Matthew’s: 2 bags of groceries, one 40 gallon trash

bag full of donations and $61.00.

Again, this year, volunteers from St. Matthew’s helped to categorize and sort items, or be a “shopper’s

aide”. Each client came by appointment only and had to pre-register for eligibility. They were

accompanied by a shopping aide and were given a huge bag upon entering the store. They could choose

as many rolls of wrapping paper they needed and some Christmas bags. They could shop for each child

on their list (one family had 13 children including those fostered):

A major toy from a table (bigger and more expensive)

A minor toy from a table (less expensive)

A hat, scarf and gloves’ (for everyone in the family including Mom & Dad)

One large and 2 small stuffed animals for each child

A household bundle for the home (several new microwaves were available this year)

5 Books each for every family member

If there were children under 10 a large grocery bag filled with miscellaneous items was given to them

Their items were then placed in a pile while they checked out and went to get their cars for volunteers to

help them load up. This year REAP served 250 families and 500 children, at last count. Families are

helped with gifts even after the Christmas Store has officially closed.

Everyone is always very grateful and appreciative. Ann Verlinden and Judy Riggs, Christmas Store

coordinators, are always so grateful for all the volunteer help. Our community is so blessed to have

REAP, that allows St. Matthew’s the opportunity to help so many young children to have a nice

Christmas, along with so many parents too. THANK YOU St. Matthew’s Parish Family for your

generosity.

Blessings,

Linda Gerding

Front Decorations of Christmas Store Christmas tables stocked for shopping

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PASTORAL CARE, COMMUNITY OF CHAPLAINS

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

On the evening of Dec. 12th St. Matthew’s Community of Chaplains gathered to spread some

“good cheer” and sing a few Christmas carols to some parishioners who have been under the

weather. Poinsettias from the Pastoral Care Committee were also delivered.

To start off, Brenda and Jim Laney offered cookies, coffee and hot cider, as nourishment to get the

group going. The weather was pretty pleasant for December which made it an even more enjoyable

activity. Six homes were visited, poinsettias dropped off and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”

was sung as the last carol to some very surprised friends. A good time was had by all!

Snacks at Laney’s Linda Gerding, Brenda Laney, Jim Laney

Nicolas & Marci Turlin

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IF If only if would disappear,

I’d live in the now.

Be present---right here.

If only if did not exist,

I’d quit rewriting the past

With a twist.

If only if would go away,

I’d stop regretting things

I can’t unsay.

If only if would loosen it’s grip,

I would not make

That future trip.

If only if would just depart,

I’d live each day with an,

Open heart.

If only if would leave my ear,

I’d live my life

Free from fear.

If if and I had never met,

I’d be able to forgive

Then blessedly forget.

If only if would disappear,

I’d live in the now,

Be present---right here! By Janice Salois

EPIPHANY

Ahead of them went the star that they had seen-at its rising. When they saw that the

star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Matthew 2:9,10

Daughters of the King

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MANY THANKS to all those whose efforts went toward the celebration of a beautiful Christmas at St. Matthew’s. We are especially grateful to the Altar Guild members who did so much to prepare for and supervise the hanging of the greens and who were ever-present before, during and after the Christmas season services to be sure that all was ready and in order for worship. We are also grateful to all those who contributed toward the plants, flowers and greens for Advent and Christmas. Many commented on the loveliness of the sanctuary. Thank you! Those who contributed this year were:

George & Jeannie Miller Mike & Linda Gerding

Dave & Kay Chullino Barbara Wegener

Jane Matson Linda & Dave Batson

Jim & Sherry Minzey Dave & Frances Macey

Yael Abouhalkah Beci Bosley Judy Taylor

To the Vestry & Parish Family

We would like to express our

sincere thanks to all of you for the kind and generous

Christmas bonus.

We wish all of you good health

and blessings in 2020.

Jim & Sherry Minzey

Thank You We hope all had a very

Merry Christmas.

From myself and my family we

would like to express our heartfelt

thanks for the Christmas gift.

We wish you a blessed New Year.

Fr. Orin

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ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2020

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in

the Church Parish Hall, on Sunday, January 26.

All Parish officials and group leaders, please remember that

Annual Reports are due on January 8. If possible, send reports by email to the Church or to Sherry

Minzey’s email at the office.

Thanks!

A new 2020 Altar Flower and Sanctuary Candle Chart is in the Narthex. Please sign now for the dates you want. Each vase is $30.00. The Sanctuary candle contribution for a 7-day candle is $5.00. Envelopes will be available on the Narthex table for Easter & Christmas Memorial Flowers. If you have a special flower request

please contact Jane Matson.

Please use your new 2020 offering envelopes! It really helps when you enclose your contribution or pledge in the envelope as it enables the counters to do their work faster and with greater accuracy. Also, please do not use any 2019 envelopes for offerings or pledges as in some cases the numbers have

changed. Thank you so much! If you haven’t picked up your envelopes, they are on the table in the Narthex.

January 23rd

February

Messenger/Calendar

Deadline