SEPTEMBER 2002

Social Ministry Comm., Tues., Sept. 3, 8 p.m.

Finance & Stewardship Comm., Thurs., Sept. 5,

8 p.m.

COUNCIL MTG., Sun., Sept. 8, 7:00 p.m.

Worship & Music Comm., Tues., Sept. 24,

8 p.m.

Christian Educ. Comm., Thurs., Sept. 26, 8 p.m.

Adult Wine & Cheese Party, Sat., Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. Party at the Langman's , see sign up poster to indicate your participation. Please bring a hors d'oeuvre or dessert to share.

Saturday, Sept. 21

If you are interested in joining St. Matthew's in our worship and work, please speak to Pr. Bohannon or Stevenson. Orientation is Friday evening, new members will be received on Sunday at the 11 a.m. service.

PARENTS: Please remember to give the church office your college student’s new address. Thank You.

SCS begins Sept. 8, 9:45 am. There are classes for children age 3 through 100! Teachers of adult offerings are finalizing their courses. There will be an information sheet posted in the narthex where you can see a brief sketch of the adult classes. Over the year we will present Bible studies, parenting classes, evangelism courses, etc., as well as building fellowship and community. Join Us!

John Turnquist & Keith Kuhn

This year, we will take a marvelous journey through the Old Testament. Unlike the heretic Marcion, we need to understand, to appreciate, and to embrace the O.T. – or else we cannot even begin to understand what God intended or what is our history and heritage in general. Without the O.T., we cannot walk arm-in-arm with the Apostle Paul or with the other giants of the early Church whose faith, insights, and courage built the New Testament – and, most important, we cannot see the consistency of God’s plan that came to fruition in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our guide will be Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, who is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School and who is one of those very rare folks who has the ability to translate comprehensive knowledge of a subject in a way that is at the same wonderfully meaningful and provocative, and delightfully entertaining. Her presentations likely will raise questions to which we together will find the answers, and we will take as many side trips as our interests require. Our goal is, at the conclusion of this journey, that each of us will have both the desire and wherewithal to explore more deeply the myriad of wonders encompassed between Genesis 1:1 and Malachi 4:6.

Bob Wilcox & Craig MacFarlane

Seven basic questions Christians should be able to answer

Five lies about our nation that are in conflict with our Christian foundation. Modern historian, politicians, scientists, and other key leaders continue to promote false ideas about the legacy and future of our nation.

Mary-Catherine Deadman

Anything having to do with parenting and Christian family life is fair game for this discussion group. The topics generally follow a course set forth in a chosen book, but the vitality and strength of the class come from the parents who participate. Parents of very young children learn from thoughtful parents who have "been there." Parents of older children get ideas and encouragement from those who are in the same season of parenting, or who still remember first-hand the challenges of adolescence. This year the class will begin discussing What REALLY Matters at Home; Eight Cricial Elements for Building Character in Your Family by John and Susan Yates. A recommendation from the cover: "From compassion to courage, from self-discipline to a teachable spirit, here’s a biblical plan for raising secure, loving children . . . and a book you need to read!" (Gary Smalley & John Trent)

Tuesday, September 10, 7:00 p.m. You’re invited to participate in the annual Get Acquainted Supper in the home of Sue Orndorff (3556 Eskew, phone 703/878-4248). At 7:00 PM we’ll gather to greet old friends and meet new friends. Please bring a dish to share and a copy of your recipe to exchange. There’s a sign-up sheet posted on the church bulletin board. Also become acquainted with this year’s program highlights and fellowship, study, and devotional

WOMEN’S EVENING STUDY GROUP - Join us for refreshments on Monday, September 16, at 7:30 PM. Pr. Stevenson will provide introductory, background information as we begin our study of New Testament women. Each month, beginning in October, we plan to discuss a chapter from The Magdalene Gospels: Meeting the Women Who Followed Jesus. This book offers a retelling of the stories of the women who knew Jesus as they gathered on the first Holy Saturday. Together they support and comfort each other, sharing how Jesus touched their lives, as they try to make sense of his daily life and his death.

WOMEN’S STEERING COMMITTEE - Join us Monday, September 23, at church, at 8:00 PM, to review current, church women’s programs and to anticipate future needs. Suggestions and new ideas are very useful in helping to shape the ministries by and for St. Matthew’s women. Questions? Concerns? Speak to Sue Orndorff .

Eleventh All Lutheran Women's Retreat, Oct. 25-27, 2002 at the Holiday Inn, Williamsburg, VA. Theme: "Biblical Women: Just like us! Wacky! Wild! Wonderful!

Classes begin September 9 & 10. Enrollment is ongoing through the school year (Sept. ‘02-May ‘03).

Open house is scheduled for parents and students on Thurs., Sept. 5 and Fri., Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.. Spaces are still available. For more information please call Mary-Catherine Deadman at 494-3090.

Each fall we invite your support of ongoing congregational ministries. Are you new to the area? Ready to get involved? Call 491-2898 for more information.

Tuesday, Sept. 3 volunteer from noon to 2:00 p.m. at the ACTS Thrift Store in Dumfries. Provide a lunch break for staff and other volunteers while sorting, straightening, and generally lending a hand. If you’d like to have lunch with us, meet at 11:00 a.m. at the Dumfries Cafe across the street from the store. We volunteer at the Thrift Store the first Tuesday of each month.

Friday, September 13 & 27, meet in the narthex at 9:00 a.m. to collate, sort, and bundle the church newsletter and other church mailings. Join us afterwards for coffee or a sandwich at the Bagel Bakery.

St. Matthew’s begins the 18^th year of providing emergency transportation to medical appointments for residents of Fellowship House, a retirement community in Tackett’s Mill. Do you have wheels you’re willing to share? To volunteer for September call Susan Kuhn, 703-491-2898.

It's time for the St. M's! Whether you have been around St. Matthew's since you could walk or you're new to the area, this is a great chance to start the new school year off with some fun! Our first adventure for the year will be an overnight at St. Matthew's and a trip to King's Dominion. We will meet at church at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 20 (sleeping bags and pillows a must!) and on Saturday we'll travel south for a fun day at the park. A sign up poster is in the narthex and permission slips were mailed with a letter sent to all 7^th and 8^th grade students and parents. Forms will also be available in Sunday Church School class. Parents please help us out. To plan trips we need to know early who is going so we can plan for drivers. The sign up deadline for this trip is Sunday, September 15. The advisors for the St. M's are Pastor Stevenson, Susan Kuhn and Dave and Kathy Lambert. If you have questions about this event please call Kathy Lambert at 703-490-4175.

Sept. 20 & 21: King’s Dominion Trip & Overnight

Oct. 27: Pizza Night!

Nov. 15-17: Confirmation Retreat,

Caroline Furnace

Dec. 27: Movie Theater & Frozen Custard

Jan. 25: Ski Trip

Feb. 23: Movie Night

Mar. 7-9: Shekinah, Metro DC Synodical

Youth Retreat

Mar. 22: Progressive Mystery Dinner

Apr. 27: Hemlock Overlook

Sept. 15: Regular Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sept. 21: Car Wash, 11a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Sept. 27 & 28: Overnight & Bowling,

9:00 p.m.-9 a.m.

Oct. 6: Bagel & Donut Sales

Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Oct. 20: Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Nov.3: Bagel & Donut Sales

Congregational Dinner., 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 17: Parent Night, 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Dec. 6-Dec. 8: Chrysalis (Synod wide retreat)

Dec. 22 Christmas Party, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Dec. 27: Alumni Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at the Steele’s

Jan. 19: Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Jan. 24 & 25: Ski Trip

Feb. 2: Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Feb. 16: Sr. High Progressive Dinner, 4:30 p.m.

Mar. 2: FASTNACHT (set up carnival 3/1)

Mar. 16: Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mar. 30: Congregational Dinner, 5:30 p.m.

Apr. 6: Bagel & Donut Sale

Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Apr. 18, Good Friday, Overnight, 9 p.m.-9 a.m.

May 4: Bagel & Donut Sale

Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

May 18: Regular Mtg., 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Congratulations to Chase Phillips coxin with the Waterstreet Rowing Club in Georgetown. They won3 gold medals, defeating 30 boats each round at the U.S. Rowing Association National Championship. Next they will compete in the International Championships in Canada.

Dear St. Matthew's congregation,

Thank you for your very special thoughts and prayers as I faced surgery this past week. Although I don't know my test results yet, I am very optimistic - whether the news is good or not so good, I know I'll have the strength to take the next steps. Kathy and Darryl have told me that I've been in your special prayers and I believe that is in large part why surgery went as well as it did. Thank you and God bless! Patti Nowak (Kathy & Darryl Lundgren's sister) [Since we have received this note Patti did find out that the tumor was cancer. She had an additional surgery to remove the tumor from her throat and is preparing for radiation therapy. Please continue to keep her in your prayers.]

Now is the time to sign up for the November weekend in Baltimore, Nov. 8-10. Call or email Ron or Barbara at (301) 868-0383 or mullerrm@erols.com to register. Dates for 2003 are: Feb. 21-23, Herndon, VA; Apr. 4-6, Portsmouth, VA; Apr. 25-28, Gaithersburg, MD; and Nov. 7-9, Baltimore Md.

If you are a caring, committed adult, there is a young person in need of your help today! Do you have a couple of hours a week to be a friend, confidante and support to a young person? If so, please consider becoming a volunteer mentor. Free training, background checks and support throughout your match with a youth will be provided. Our training is Saturday, Sept. 7, 2002 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. For more details or to register, please call Prince William Caregivers at 703-392-4127. We already have a waiting list of youth in need.

Moms in Touch is an interdenominational group that meets for one hour each week to pray for children and their schools. Each school has its own group and members set the time and place to meet. In our busy world it's hard to stop and set time aside for a cup of tea, much less another meeting but if you would like to become more faithful in your prayers for your children please consider joining our group. Many of our area schools have active groups and we would love to see new faces. Please call Kathy Lambert at 703-490-4175 if you would like more Information.

The men of Lutheran Church of the covenant would like to invite the men of St. Matthew's to join them on Saturday, Sept. 14, at their Men's Group Meeting. They meet in the fellowship hall of LCOC at 15003 Cloverdale Rd., Dale City beginning at 7:30 a.m. and concluding before 9:00 a.m. Their goal is to work together with other Lutheran men in our area, to develop and accomplish a service project in our community. If you are able to attend please email David Potter at potterd@earthlink.net or call at 703-494-5320.

To commemorate the events of September 11, 2001, Pastor Lyle Dukes and Co-Pastor Deborah Dukes and the Harvest Life Changes Church will host "The Healing of the Nation with Bishop T. D. Jakes" on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hylton Memorial Chapel in Woodbridge. For more info call 703-490-4040.