The Endowment Scholarship Committee encourages all 2024 high school graduating seniors to apply for the Saint Matthews Endowed Scholarships. Applications are in the multipurpose room at church, or contact Carolyne Burgman via email.

Scholarships are available to students who meet the following criteria: 

• Is an active member of Saint Matthews UMC currently participating in church programs and/or activities; 
• Can provide proof of acceptance to a four-year college, community college or trade school;
• Submits an application to the co-chairs by Sunday, June 9, 2024. 

For additional information, please contact one of the co-chairs: Dr. James Sibert or Mrs. Burgman. 

The Higher Education and Campus Ministry will honor all members in the 2024 high school, college and post-bachelor’s degree graduating classes during the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, June 30. To be recognized, please provide the information listed below and include a picture of yourself, preferably in your cap and gown. Forward the information to Angelea Freeman and Michelle Thompson by June 2, 2024. 

• Name
• School
• Parent(s)/Other
• Degree
• Honors
• Future Plans
• Activities (Church/School)

To prepare for the National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 2), guided prayers will be provided the week of April 24 in the Sunday Bulletin. On the National Day of Prayer, you are asked to pray the guided prayers wherever you are at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., then meet in the Sanctuary at 6 p.m. with hearts and minds united for corporate prayer and congregational singing.

Prayer boards with instructions will be distributed to church members after each service on April 21 and 28. 

Sponsored by: SMUMC Shepherding Ministry and Upper Room Bible Study 

April is Earth Month and Earth Day is Monday, April 22. The theme is celebrating “Planet vs. Plastics.”

Visit earthday.org for more information on actualizing a 60% reduction in the production of plastic by 2040. Join the Creation Care Ministry on Saturday, April 27, at 11 a.m. in Saint Matthews’ Bethea Chapel for “Plastics and Human Health.” The discussion will include the dangers of plastic use, which disrupts the delicate balance of life on Earth. The event is also being hosted by Beyond Plastics Greensboro.

Let’s celebrate Earth Month and fight every day to protect our planet!

Join us Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m., for the Saint Matthews Fellowship Choir “The Evolution of Praise 20th Anniversary Concert,” followed by a reception. The concert will take place in the Sanctuary and the reception will be in the Coley Hooker Jr. Fellowship Hall.

Admission is free. Please bring nonperishable food item(s) to support the SMUMC Food Pantry.

The Saint Matthews United Methodist Men’s Civic Prayer Breakfast will be Saturday, April 13, at 9 a.m. in the Coley Hooker Jr. Fellowship Hall. Allen Johnson, editor of the Greensboro News & Record, will be the featured speaker. SMUMC members and their guests are invited to attend.

Join us for a little “spring cleaning” in the Samaritan Garden on Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This activity will be in recognition of Earth Month. We hope to see you in the garden!

Saint Matthews UMC’s next Faith, Fellowship and Friends Sunday will be March 31 at the 10 a.m. worship service.

Congregants are encouraged to invite family, friends, co-workers and others in the community to join us for worship. Easter treats will be distributed as attendees exit the church.

— Acts 2:42

This year during Lent, you are encouraged to participate in the “40 Days, 40 Items” challenge. Each day from Wednesday, Feb. 14, to Thursday, March 28, place a nonperishable item in a box. After the 40th day, bring your box to Saint Matthews UMC for the Food Pantry.

The following items are needed: canned meats (tuna, spam, salmon, ham); canned entries (ravioli, beef stew, spaghetti and meatballs, chili, etc.); canned fruits (mixed variety, peaches, pears, etc.); canned vegetables (pork and beans, black eyed peas); saltine crackers; peanut butter and jelly; boxed or canned milk (whole milk or 2%milk); packaged pasta (macaroni, noodles, spaghetti); small bags of rice or pinto beans; cereals (oatmeal, grits, boxed cereals); and small bottles of condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo). 

Fresh items such as loaves of bread, fresh fruit, prepackaged sliced cheese are also needed, but please deliver them to the church as soon as they are purchased. 

Respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, are surging in North Carolina, and hospital admissions are spiking. If you have mild symptoms, do not wait! Get tested and treated now to prevent severe illness. Early treatment and preventive strategies like vaccines, hand washing, social distancing and wearing a mask keep our families, church and communities safe and healthy. Be Safe, Mask Up!

— Nurture Education and Congregational Care Ministry