St. Matthew's News
Ash Wednesday Service Schedule
There will be two services offered on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22nd – 11am & 7pm. There will be no potluck dinner at 6pm that evening. The weekly Wednesday Lenten Study/Potlucks begin on Feb. 29th and continue through Apr. 4th.
February 19th Weekly News
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Weekly Messenger for Sunday, Feb. 19th 2012
Calendar Correction: There will be two services offered on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22nd – 11am & 7pm. There will be no potluck dinner at 6pm that evening. The weekly Wednesday Lenten Study/Potlucks begin on Feb. 29th and continue through Apr. 4th.
Congratulations: To Pvt. Eric Christo Schellentrager upon his graduation from U.S.M.C. Boot Camp in Parris Island, South Carolina.
Brookside Meal: February 19, 2012 is shaping up to be another successful St Matthew’s outreach project. The update from the Brookside Cluster Community Meal is that 140 people attended last week's meal. While everything appears covered, if you would like to be involved let Marian Hahn know and there may be a place to fill in. Thank you to those who have volunteered thus far. Reminder: the meal is located at Pearl Road United Methodist Church, 4200 Pearl Rd Old Brooklyn. The parking lot entrance is off of Memphis, behind a small strip center.
Cyber-Bible study! Consider becoming part of the online Bible Study group- try it for Lent! You will receive the lectionary for the following Sunday with a few thoughts to get you started. God's words will stay with you through the week. If you are one who 'intends' to read the Bible, but does not get around to it as much as you would like, this would be a great start!
You may: 1) Read and reflect on your own. No pressure to comment! 2) Ask questions or share thoughts (take a spiritual risk! After pushing 'send' the first time, it is easier!)
To join, send an email to: //mc/compose?to= This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " target="_blank"> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Put ‘join’ in the subject line. You will get an email from them asking if you are sure you want to join, and to click ‘reply’ and ‘send’ if you do.
Lenten Devotions and Meditations to download or receive via email:
*ERD download and print www.er-d.org/Lent/
*ERD sign up for daily email www.er-d.org/Lent2012/ click on ‘sign up’, and enter email address
*Lent Madness “Who Will Win the Golden Halo?” www.lentmadness.org Lent Madness pits 32 saints in a “holy smackdown” for the prize, and you decide who wins! Partnered with Forward Movements
*Walking to the Cross: A Lenten Devotional with a daily passage and a short prayer www.hopeandhealing.org/ContentPage.aspx?resource_id=404
*Praying Lent www.onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/
*Lenten Devotional www.theepiscopalcommunity.net/docs/Lenten Dev Master 2012.pdf
*Daily Blog http://crlclent2012blogspot.com/
*Lent & Beyond, An Anglican Prayer Blog http://anglicanprayer.wordpress.com/
*Other6 Prays Lent: Daily topics help you get in the habit of finding God in different ways this Lent
*Living Lent Daily 2012 features prayers, thoughts and more each day to inspire you throughout your Lenten journey http://www.loyolapress.com/living-lent-daily.htm
Community Meal at Trinity: The next scheduled date for Team 6 serving “A Place at the Table” is Sunday, February 26th at 11:30am. Contact Marlene Morgan, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info.
Friday, March 2: Church Women United will celebrate "World Day of Prayer" at St. Matthew's again this year. We will serve a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and then present the program "Let Justice Prevail." Please let Gretchen Tucker at 440-526-9769 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " target="_blank"> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it know how you can help by baking, greeting, serving, reading, or cleaning up.
February Calendar of Events:
19th – NCD Meeting, 12pm
Brookside Meal, 2pm – 6:30pm
20th – Vestry Meeting, 7pm
21st – Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 6pm
22nd – Ash Wednesday Services, 11am & 7pm
25th – Morgan Funeral, 11am
26th – Confirmation Class, 12pm – 2pm
Trinity Community Meal, 11:30am
29th – Lenten Study & Potluck, 6pm
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Organist/Choir Director Job Description
Position: Part-time Organist and Choir Director
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
Brecksville, Ohio
Position Purpose: The Organist and Choir Director leads the music for all worship services at St. Matthew’s by using the organ, piano, and choir to lift the congregation in music for praise to God.
Supervision: The Organist and Choir Director serves under the supervision of the Priest.
Responsibilities: Subject to review and adjustment in conjunction with the Vestry and Priest, the following constitute the major responsibilities of the position.
1. Select and provide organ, piano, and choir music at Sunday’s main service and all special celebrations: Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter.
2. Work as a team member with the Priest and the Worship Ministry on a quarterly basis in selecting service music.
3. Recruit, develop, and direct adult and youth choir, rehearsing one night per week. Invite and direct other instrumentalists as desired or needed.
4. Demonstrate proficiency on the piano and on a two manual Lauck tracker organ, built in 1988.
5. Blend traditional and contemporary Christian music to help create a welcoming and friendly worshipping community for children, youth, and adults using various Episcopal hymnody and other Christian resources.
6. Communicate well with congregation and use a variety of methods to introduce new forms of music.
7. Provide organ music for all weddings and funerals. These services are covered by honorariums determined by church policy.
8. Provide qualified substitutes for all absences.
9. Choose and purchase choral music within the approved budgetary parameters.
10. Maintain competency in church music through practice and continuing education.
11. Oversee the tuning and maintenance of the organ and pianos of the church and provide reports of needs to the Worship Ministry. Maintain music library.
13. Keep current on certification: “Safeguarding Our Children”.
14. Attend staff meetings as required.
Salary: The salary range is $8,000 - $10,000 per year, depending on experience. Vacation is two Sundays per year not including Christmas Eve, Easter, or Pentecost .
Contact: The Rev. Stephanie Pace at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 9549 Highland Drive, Brecksville, Ohio 44141, 440-526-9865, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
January 29th 2012 Weekly News
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Weekly Messenger
January Greetings from Rev Pace!
Hard to believe this first month of the year is nearly over. During this time after the Epiphany I have been preaching about God's call and our response to that call. Last Sunday our theme was "Fish Stories". I spoke about how our call as Christians is to share our "God moments" with others and that part of that sharing includes inviting our family, friends and acquaintances to "come and see" and to "come and experience".
In order to be good fishers of people we need to keep several things in mind. The first is attitude. You need to be positive and willing to share your joy about the great news of Jesus and the exciting things happening at St. Matthew's. In the coming month you will have opportunities not only to invite someone to church on Sunday but also to join us for our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper or our upcoming Wednesday evening Lenten program which will include a pot-luck supper and six week Bible study program. Shrove Tuesday is February 21, Ash Wednesday is February 22 and our Lenten pot-luck will continue every Wednesday until April 4. So please mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
Second, unlike fishing for fish, you do not need any fancy equipment when you are fishing for people. You do not need to memorize lots of facts about the church, theology or Scripture. Unchurched people are not asking hard biblical or theological questions – the primary need they have is to be loved and cared for - to know that God loves and accepts them - to know that other people love and accept them.
Many of you have told me that all of your friends belong to a church. Well, good fishermen and fisherwomen are willing to go where the fish are. So must we. Maybe it’s time to make some new friends – join a book club, take a walk in your neighborhood, go to an exercise class. Demographic studies have shown that approximately 35 - 38% of the people in Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Parma, Sagamore Hills and surrounding areas do not belong to a church.
I shared with you how several women at my gym have invited me to their churches. As we meet new people, we must do the same. This was also shown in our Scripture readings: Jonah gave a specific invitation for the Ninevites to repent and turn to the Lord when he preached: “Forty days more and Ninevah will be overthrown!” Jesus did the same when he invited Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to: “Follow me.” Our invitations need to be specific and positive: “Please come to church with me tomorrow. Our church is awesome – the people are terrific and fun.” Not, “would you come to church with me sometime in the future?” And then you need to be willing to offer to pick them up and bring them to church.
Going to a church where you don’t know anyone is scary. No doubt about it – when I am on vacation and decide to visit another church it is always with trepidation – and I am a priest! It is also uncomfortable to talk about our faith and start inviting others to church. But I promise you will become more comfortable the more you invite others to come and see, to come and experience the joy, the fellowship and community we have at St. Matthew's.
Friends, let's start fishing!
Blessings,
Stephanie+
Employment Opportunity: Part-time customer service representative position available at La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries at 10391 Brecksville Road in Brecksville. 20-25 hours per week. Please apply in person.
Brookside Meal: February 19, 2012 is our next Brookside Cluster Community Meal. The venue has changed to Pearl Road United Methodist Church, 4200 Pearl Rd Old Brooklyn. It is across the bridge from the Brookside Center which to date has slightly impacted the attendance. In an effort to avoid an overabundance, which is always great, but overwhelming, signing up is essential!! If you forget to sign up at church, feel free to email Marian @
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or St. Matthew's Episcopal Church @
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. Opportunities include: donating and cooking 5 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts (GFS has a great 5 pound bag), preparing the food, serving the guests and cleaning up. Please let Marian Hahn know if you have any questions and thank you for your participation.
MISSION OPPORTUNITY: In April of last year portions of Alabama, including Tuscaloosa, were struck by a major Tornado which did major damage in its path destroying most of everything that it touched. In the Tuscaloosa area the tornados path was approximately three quarters of a mile wide and six miles long. The damage in this area was devastating and many families are still without a home.
Habitat for Humanity is coordinating the rebuilding program and the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama is working with that group in encouraging and coordinating Episcopal groups from throughout the country to volunteer in the rebuilding effort.
Last August a mission group from St. Paul's (Akron) spent a week in Tuscaloosa and Donna and Dick Wilkison from our parish were included in that group. They can testify to the need for the work that was done and which will continue for several more years before enough adequate housing will be constructed.
There will be a combined St.Pauls/St. Matthews mission group returning to Tuscaloosa for the week of March 18. If you would like to join this mission group please contact Dick or Donna Wilkison for details.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 9549 Highland Drive, Brecksville, OH 44141,
440-526-9865, www.stmatthewsbrecksville.org
January 22nd 2012 Weekly News
St. Matthew’s Weekly E-Messenger for Sunday, January 22nd 2012:
MISSION OPPORTUNITY: In April of last year portions of Alabama, including Tuscaloosa, were struck by a major Tornado which did major damage in its path destroying most of everything that it touched. In the Tuscaloosa area the tornados path was approximately three quarters of a mile wide and six miles long. The damage in this area was devastating and many families are still without a home.
Habitat for Humanity is coordinating the rebuilding program and the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama is working with that group in encouraging and coordinating Episcopal groups from throughout the country to volunteer in the rebuilding effort.
Last August a mission group from St. Paul's (Akron) spent a week in Tuscaloosa and Donna and Dick Wilkison from our parish were included in that group. They can testify to the need for the work that was done and which will continue for several more years before enough adequate housing will be constructed.
There will be a combined St.Pauls/St. Matthews mission group returning to Tuscaloosa for the week of March 18. If you would like to join this mission group please contact Dick or Donna Wilkison for details.
USO Cookie Drive: Church Women United will be collecting cookies for active reservists including those being sent out for their basic training. Please bring 3 dozen cookies to the kitchen this Sunday, January 22. They may be store bought, but of course the home baked are their favorites. Please seal cookies in freezer bags. Youth and men are welcome to participate in this collection. Thanks from your representative, Gretchen Tucker.
Secret Angel: Program continues until May and will conclude with a banquet. Please contact Rita Mix at 216.533.1144, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your preference for a luncheon or dinner on May 19, 22 or 22. Her address until the end of April is 5016 Winged Foot Ave, Sarasota FL 34234.
Fourth Quarter Giving Statements: Are on the table in the Narthex.
January Calendar of Events:
22nd – 12pm-2pm Confirmation Class
29th – Ana Esper, El Salvador Discussion
after the 10am Service
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
January 15th 2012 Weekly News
St. Matthew’s Weekly E-Messenger for Sunday, January 15th 2012:
Community Meal: Each Sunday Trinity Cathedral serves a luncheon to needy individuals and families as part of its Hunger Ministry, known as A Place At The Table. St. Matthew's has a team of volunteers who serve the cafeteria style meal once every 6 weeks. No cooking is required, as food has already been prepared by other volunteer groups and Trinity staff. The time commitment is about 11:30 - 1:30 (time to attend church and still get downtown; you can carpool with one of us if needed). Please join the Benya, Hahn, Duane and Morgan families who currently are part of St. Matthew's serving team. We will be serving this Sunday, January 15th. Love for you to join us for this worthwhile ministry and the fellowship it brings! (Contact: Marlene Morgan, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " target="_blank"> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 440-526-7330)
Vestry Meeting Cancellation: The Vestry meeting scheduled for this Monday, January 15th has been canceled. The next meeting will be February 20th at 7pm.
Sunday School Perfect Attendance for December: Preschool – Nadia Lindemeyer, Nathaniel Lindemeyer, Anna Woodard, Owen Woodard, Daniel Modzelewski. Kingergarten/2nd grade – Tanner Esper, Rachel Esper, Brianna Rush. 3rd/4th grade – Ashley Letsky, Nickolas Lindemeyer, Colin Rush, Michael Saris, Lana Traum. 5th/6th grade – Ava Traum, Allison Hrovat, Nathan Rush.
January Calendar of Events:
Sunday – 11:15am NCD Meeting
Community Meal at Trinity
16th – 7pm Vestry Meeting has been cancelled
22nd – 12pm-2pm Confirmation Class
29th – Ana Esper, El Salvador Discussion
after the 10am Service
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Christmas Season Service Schedule
Christmas Season Services
December 24th: Children's Pageant/Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 pm
December 25th: No Services
January 1st: ONE Service at 9:00 am (No Sunday School or Nursery Care)
Have a Blessed Holiday Season!
December 18th Weekly News
St. Matthew’s Weekly E-Messenger for Sunday, December 18th 2011:
Children’s Ministry Announcements:
* Sunday School Perfect Attendance for November – Preschool, Nadia Lindemeyer, Nathaniel Lindemeyer, & Daniel Modzelewski. Kindergarten/1st/2nd grade, Tanner Esper, Rachel Esper & Brianna Rush. 3rd/4th grade, Colin Rush & Nicholas Lindemeyer. 5th/6th grade, Nathan Rush.
* Christmas pageant practice immediately following Sunday School this Sunday. Dress rehearsal/party on Thursday, December 22nd at 6:30 pm.
2012 Proposed Budget: Will be presented this Sunday, December 18th, after the 10 am Service.
Advent Workshop Ornaments: Please contact Suzette Reynolds if you would like paper to create more Christmas ornaments.
Christmas Flowers: To contribute flowers, complete the green form on the table in the Narthex. Please make your check payable to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church with a notation on the check that it is for Christmas Flowers. Submit the form in the offering plate, drop it off to the office, or mail it to the office. The deadline is December 18th.
UPDATE ON OUR 2012 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN. To date, we have received 65 pledges totaling $124,405.00. Please, if you haven’t already made your commitment for the coming year, do so as soon as possible. The 2012 budget is being presented to Vestry on Dec. 19th. Thanks!
Holiday Service Schedule:
December 24th – Children’s Pageant/Christmas Eve Service at 5:30pm
December 25th – NO services
January 1st – ONE service at 9:00am (no Sunday School or Nursery Care)
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Holiday Service Schedule
Holiday Service Schedule:
December 24th – Children’s Pageant/Christmas Eve Service at 5:30pm
December 25th – NO services
January 1st – ONE service at 9:00am (no Sunday School or Nursery Care)
December 4th 2011 Weekly News
St. Matthew’s Weekly E-Messenger for Sunday, December 4th 2011:
UPDATE ON OUR 2012 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN. To date, we have received 60 pledges totaling $117,925. Our goal is $180,000. This amount would enable us to address our many needs & move our Parish ministry forward to a full time Church. Please, if you haven’t already made your commitment for the coming year, do so as soon as possible. Members of the Finance Committee & Vestry will be meeting on December 4th to begin the process of preparing the 2012 budget. Last year we had 63 pledging Families. We presently have 93 families listed in the Church Directory. Your support & commitment is very much needed. If we could receive a pledge of $1,000 ($20.00 per week) from those who are able and have not done so, we could come close to our Goal.
Advent Workshop and Chili Dinner: Join us for a fun INTERGENERATIONAL event for all!!! December 4th after the 10am service. This is a time for all members of the parish to join together in fellowship, have some fun and food. We will have crafts to make and take home as well as some to decorate the Halls at St. Matthew's and send to shut-ins. PLEASE join us. Email Debbie Saris at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Mary Ann Semple at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We are asking for a minimum donation of $5 per family to help cover the cost of supplies. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Christmas Flowers: To contribute flowers for our Lord’s altar in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for a special blessing in your life, complete the green form on the table in the Narthex. Please make your check payable to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church with a notation on the check that it is for Christmas Flowers. Submit the form in the offering plate, drop it off to the office, or mail it to the office. The deadline is December 18th.
The NCD Team: Will be meeting this Sunday from approximately 12 - 1:00pm-- after the advent workshop and chili lunch.
The Greater Cleveland Church Women United: Is sponsoring a Christmas Tea at the Church of the Savior in Cleveland Heights at 11:30 am on Friday, December 9th. An inspirational program will follow the refreshments. Please let Gretchen Tucker know if you would like to go. We can carpool. Please bring finger sandwiches or bite size desserts to share.
A Christmas Concert: Performed by the Brecksville Community Chorus and Youth Chorus will be Sunday, December 11th, at 4:00 pm at the Brecksville United Methodist Church. Of special interest will be a solo by an accomplished bell ringer. Gretchen Tucker, a member of the chorus, adds that the concert is free and a reception with sandwiches and cookies will follow.
Holiday Service Schedule:
December 24th – Children’s Pageant/Christmas Eve Service at 5:30pm
December 25th – NO services
January 1st – ONE service at 9:00am (no Sunday School or Nursery Care)
