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Study and Fellowship Groups
Adult Education - Our Sunday morning Bible class for adults covers a range of topics. We meet in the parish hall at 9:00 am.
Children's Ministries - We long for the children in our church to grow up to know and love the Lord Jesus and to be his faithful followers throughout their lives. Shortly after the start of our 10:00 am service on Sunday mornings, children are invited to come to the front of the church for "A True Story from the Bible." After this, they go downstairs with their teachers for Children's Chapel, Sunday School or Nursery.
Daytime Bible Study - This is an opportunity to study a book of the Bible together. We meet on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 am at Margie's house.
Men's Breakfast - Calling all men! We meet at 8:30 am on the first Saturday of each month for breakfast. Please check the calendar for location.
Moms' Breakfast - All moms are welcome to join us at 8:30 am on the fourth Saturday of each month at Elmer's restaurant, 10001 NE Sandy Blvd. (Moms only please, no kids!) We pray for our children, the children of our parish, and for ourselves as parents.
Tabitha Guild - Join us for quilting, sewing, painting, knitting, embroidering and great fellowship. Items we make are donated to hospitals, hospices and outreach groups in the community. Please check the calendar for meeting times. And please bring a sack lunch if you come on a Tuesday!
Women's Bible Study - All women are welcome to join us each week for a time of Bible study, fellowship and prayer. We meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm at Rachel's house.
Women's Prayer Group - We meet on Tuesday evenings to pray for our children and our grandchildren and their families. We also pray for families in our parish and for ourselves, that we may walk closer with God. We meet on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm in members' homes.
Youth Ministries - Our Junior High and High School students meet in separate groups on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am. It is very important to us that we equip our young people to live for Christ as they grow up. In addition to Sunday mornings, we also enjoy getting together for a variety of social activities. These include everything from games evenings to sledding on Mount Hood. A number of our young people also spend a wonderful week together at Trout Creek Bible Camp every summer.
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Service Groups
Acolytes - Our acolytes assist the priest so he may celebrate Holy Communion and other rites of the Church with simple dignity. These tasks may include lighting and extinguishing candles, carrying the cross or torches during the procession and recession, as well as assisting with the offertory.
Choir - Our choir provides music during our services and at special events throughout the year. New singers are always welcome! We rehearse at Gateway Church (13300 NE San Rafael Street, Portland 97230) on Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm.
Greeters - Greeters make everyone who comes to worship at St. Matthew's feel welcome.
Lectors and Lay Administrators - Our lectors read the scripture lessons and lead the Prayers of the People. Lay administrators assist in administering the chalice during Communion.
Sacrists - The sacrists prepare the church for the administration of the sacraments. These tasks include the care and preparation of linens, vessels, candles, furniture and other items used in our worship services.
Ushers - Ushers make sure everyone is seated comfortably and invite the congregation to go forward and receive the bread and wine at Communion.
Vestry Commissions
What is a Vestry?
The name "vestry" comes from the room in the church building in which the vestments (clothing worn by people who conduct the worship service) were kept. Centuries ago in England, the room was used for meetings at which all members of the parish could discuss church affairs with their rector and wardens. Such meetings were called "vestry meetings." As time went on, the system developed of having the members of the parish represented, in such meetings, by a smaller group called the "select vestry." Those who made up this group were called the "select vestrymen." Still later, the word "select" was dropped, and the name vestrymen came to refer to that small group of laypersons who, as representatives of all the members of the parish, met periodically with the rector and wardens to discuss affairs of the parish. Strictly speaking, the term "vestry" refers to the total group including the rector, wardens and the other vestry members.
Commissions are chaired by members of the Vestry and include other lay volunteers in the parish who have an interest in the commission's area of concentration. All commissions report to the Vestry.
Education
The Education Commission is responsible for all forms of small group education and Bible study, from pre-school to adult.
Evangelism
The Evangelism Commission is concerned with enthusing our congregation with the task of making the Gospel known to others and providing opportunities for the good news to be heard.
Management
The Management Commission takes an overview of the running of the church and sets the agenda for vestry meetings.
Missions
The Missions Commission's task is to enthuse and educate the congregation about the purpose and experience of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth, and to encourage the church to support missionary work through prayer and giving.
Nurture
The Nurture Commission oversees fellowship activities that bring together and encourage the church family in our love for one another.
Outreach
The Outreach Commission oversees the practical ways in which our congregation demonstrates Christ's love in our community, nation and world.
Stewardship
The Stewardship Commission is responsible for nurturing the spiritual lives of the congregation as we live out our calling to be caretakers of God's creation and his many generous provisions for us.
What if we learned to be truly generous? Click to find out more.
Worship
The Worship Commission is concerned with what takes place during our Sunday morning services and works to make these services meaningful and valuable experiences.
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