ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR WEEK OF MARCH 14TH

Church School classes meet today.   Next Sunday, March 21st, will be an “Activity Sunday” with palm cross making for those children present.

Parents may use the Parish House Nursery for children up to three every Sunday during 10 AM services, and up to five on Sundays with no Church School

Easter Flower Memorials
If you would like to have departed loved ones remembered with a flower memorial on Easter Day, please return the enclosed donation envelopes, with names as they should be listed, to the Parish Office by Friday, March 26th.

Men’s Fellowship
Lenten Men’s Fellowship is being held every Saturday morning in Lent, from 7:30 to 8:45 AM, in the Fellowship Room.

Lenten Retreat – March 26th-27th
Prepare for the walk through Holy Week with an overnight retreat at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY.  Spend time in conversation, meditation and prayer with fellow St. Matthew’s parishioners around the writings of Thomas Merton, arguably one of the most influential spiritual authors of the twentieth century. A $110 fee covers meals, lodging and a Merton book.  For more information or to register, please contact Susan Wyper: swyper@stmatthewsbedford.org. 

Theology of Holy Week
On Sunday March 28th, the Rev. Danny Lennox will lead a single session entitled “The Theology of Holy Week. This offering will examine the theological aspects of Holy Week. The hope will be to provide a theological foundation for understanding the most significant week in the Christian tradition. All are welcome. No prior knowledge required. The session will follow the 10 AM Palm Sunday service. We will meet in the Conference Room.

Lenten Book Study
This Lent we will be reading “Free of Charge,” by Professor Miroslav Volf of Yale University. Volf’s book was commissioned by Archbishop Rowan Williams in 2006 to be the official Lenten study for the Anglican Communion. The book examines “giving and forgiving in a culture stripped of grace.” The book is a wonderful read and highly regarded. Copies are available from the Rev. Danny Lennox. On Sunday, March 28th we will come together for a light refreshments and conversation at 5 PM in the Vestry Room to discuss the book.  All are welcome to participate!

Invites are out for this year's annual Bedford Spring Antiques Show Preview Party on Friday, April 9th, 6 PM! We will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary this year and honoring our past chairs at a special dinner following the Preview Party. There will be an amazing live auction with Cutler Whitman at the dinner. The dinner is limited seating and selling fast so please send in your response cards soon. There are extra invitations available in the Parish House. Hope to see you all on April 9th!

 St. Matthew’s mission: To know Christ and to make Him known.