1956 – 54 Years of Ministry to Our Lord – 2010
Valley Interfaith Promise (VIP) Host Congregation
The Reverend William E. "Bill" Flippin, Jr., Pastor
4026
Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907-2210
Map
Directions
Voice:
706-561-3406 FAX: 706-561-3408
E-Mail: Office@StMatthewColumbusGA.org
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Please click here to view our Statement of Beliefs, Values, Mission, and Vision.
Notice: During the period from August 1st through September 19th there will be only one Worship Service, which will be held at 9:30 AM. We will resume our two Worship Service schedule (8:30 AM and 10:30 AM) on September 26th.
A
Message from Pastor Bill – July 2010
The
Reverend William E. "Bill" Flippin, Jr., Pastor
Freedom in Bondedness
There is a paradox at the heart of the Christian faith—that we are most free when we are tied to Christ and surrendered to the Spirit.
Americans love to celebrate Independence Day, to flaunt their freedom before the whole world. Thomas Jefferson's bold assertion that each individual has an "inalienable right" to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" still sounds sweet to our freedom-loving ears. Despite the imperfections and foibles of our political system, we still enjoy tremendous economic freedom, political freedom, religious freedom, personal freedom and communal freedom. But we must be careful that we don't define the freedoms we enjoy so much solely as "freedom from"—forgetting that the real test of freedom's value is how we use our "freedom to."
.Click here to continue reading Pastor Bill's Message.
Outreach Ministry
The Experience Café, an emerging ministry at Columbus State University in affiliation with our church, is now on the Internet.
Please click here to visit the web site.
Saint
Matthew Church Announcements
Click here to
view the monthly Calendar of Events.
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July 15: |
12 Noon: New deadline for church newsletter items. Submit news items to the Church Office. |
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Click here to view new office hours. |
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The Celebration Café
The Celebration Café will be closed during the summer and will re-open Wednesday, the 8th of September.
However, we will have a series of picnic dinner throughout the summer.
The first picnic will be held Wednesday, June 16th beginning at 5:30 PM. We will have grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, ice tea, lemonade, and cookies. Please bring your favorite desserts to share!
ELCA–Southeastern Synod News
A Message from Bishop Gordy
During my first official week as bishop, I heard a story on NPR about extreme jobs. These are jobs that take an enormous amount of time, commitment and energy to pull off. They are jobs that require near-constant travel and frequent decisions that affect others in the organization and, often, beyond. That about describes the last four weeks of my life. Click here to continue reading the Bishop's Message.
Click here to view the ELCA-Southeastern Synod web site.
2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
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Click here for information about the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Click here to read a message from Bishop Hanson to Rostered Leaders Click here to review other activities at the Churchwide Assembly |
50th Anniversary Celebration
Saint
Matthew charter members attending the 50th anniversary celebration
Front
row: Rev. Dr. Richard Hollinger, DeLouris Hollinger, and
CSM Frank Plass
Back
row: Alberta Loney, Betty Davidson, Mary French, and
Julianne Plass
We started the official anniversary functions off with a Fish Fry on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, after an early morning breakfast, the Memorial Garden was dedicated and members of the congregation got a chance to view historical photo albums and pictures from our archives. Later in the evening we had a tasty diner at The Estate plus terrific musical entertainment by the Front Porch Pickers and a variety of musical talent gathered by Pat Bonaker, our Musical Director. Craig DuPriest was the Master of Ceremonies. The 50th Anniversary Celebration concluded with a reception following the Sunday morning worship service.
A special note of thanks to all of our former pastors, interim pastors, and supply pastors who attended and participated in the anniversary activities.
The behind the scenes hard work of the 50th Anniversary Committee truly made this weekend a memorial event for all of those who could attend. In alphabetical order, the committee members are: Pat Bonaker, Betty Bouchard, Betty Davidson, Charlotte DuPriest, Joyce Garver-Messenger, Cecilia Hogencamp, Edie Klein (Chairperson), Karen Knudsen, Alberta Loney, Connie Sieg, Christine Slusher, and Jean Wing. Thank you ladies!
Click here to view photos leading up to the celebration weekend—painting, planting, and photos of the Memorial Bell, Walkway, and Garden plus photos of the events noted above. Photos by Ron Klein.
Parish Nurse Program
In a joint undertaking with Saint Francis Hospital, our church started a Parish Nurse Program in September 2002.
As part of the Parish Nurse Program, informative health notes will be published in the News Network Newsletter and in the Announcements Section of the Worship Bulletin. Blood pressure testing will be available between the Sunday worship services. From time-to-time, we will to hold guest speaker presentations on various health topics following our Wonderful Wednesday Celebration Café meal.
Additionally, the Parish Nurse Program has acquired from the CONTACT organization a copy of their Service Programs resource data on computer disk. Click here for more information.
Pardon Us!
Our web site is a work in progress.
Saint Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church is continually in the process of building and updating our web site.
You will see a number of additions and changes as the work on individual pages is completed.
The menu items listed in the left-hand window are not set in concrete and changes can be made as a result of your suggestions.
For example, here are a few of the topics that have already been added or are being considered: a biographical sketch and photo of our pastor, nursery information, directional map to the church, a council information page, description of group activities such as the Altar Guild, Women of St. Matthew, choir, scouts, and Bible study classes.
The intent is to provide summary information about all St. Matthew activities and not overlook any one or any group. You can help with your ideas and suggestions by clicking Feedback or by contacting the Webmaster.