Sunday, December 15, is Gaudete Sunday - the Third Sunday of Advent when we pause to rejoice! The word "Gaudete" means "Rejoice" in Latin, and it's a special moment in our Advent journey when we light the pink candle on our Advent wreath.

Everyone is invited to wear PINK to symbolize joy. So break out your rose-colored clothing and join us in celebrating the approaching birth of Christ! Our 9 AM worship service will be filled with music, anticipation, and the promise of God's love drawing near.

Why pink? It's a liturgical tradition that reminds us that even in the midst of our waiting and preparation, we have reason to be joyful. The somber purple and blue of Advent is momentarily brightened, pointing us toward the coming light of Christ.

Don't miss this beautiful celebration! And don't forget to wear pink! 

You are invited to join the Hands of Joy for their FINAL Christmas concert, Peace on Earth. After 40 years we are ready to scale back and do smaller celebrations. We have been blessed by this wonderful ministry started by Pastor Diana Williams at the behest of a deaf couple who first came to SMUMC in 1984. One need not have a hearing disability to enjoy the Christmas story in music and to see the picture of the words created in beautiful sign language. Come join us on Sunday, December 15 at 3 pm. Come prepare your heart once again for the coming of the Christ Child.

The St Matthew UMC food box program has been blessed with a one year food grant from "The Bishop's Storehouse". This will help fill gaps in our food box program due to cutbacks by Midwest food bank. The Bishop's Storehouse is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. St Matthew's association with the neighborhood LDS church, specifically the "Interfaith Day of Service" held in September for the last several years, has helped build connections with the LDS church and we are grateful for their assistance with our food box ministry.

On a different note, several of our food box volunteers have plans for the summer and will not be available to help with the food boxes. If you would like to volunteer for a few months during the summer we would welcome your help. It would be once or twice every other week. Our biggest need is helping receive the order from Waste Not on Friday's between 9-12 noon. The other need is helping to pack the food boxes on Thursday mornings between 8-10am. If you're interested please contact Virginia Hughes or Steve Childs for additional information.

Food insecurity in Arizona is at 11%, and with a population of about 7.3 million that means approximately 800,000 people who have to make a decision between paying for rent, gas, medical bills, or putting food on the table. St Matthew’s food box ministry is one of the important ways we can help make a difference in the lives of those who receive food here every two weeks.

~Thank you, from the Food Box Crew.

If you're looking for ideas of what non-perishable items we can use, we still need small jars of peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, and canned pasta sauce.

You are invited to join Pastor Joel as we explore Adam Hamilton’s Advent Study,  The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem. We will view a brief video each week of Rev. Hamilton  traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem in a fascinating look at the birth of Jesus.

Using historical information, archaeological data, and a personal look at some of the stories surrounding the birth, the most amazing moment in history will become more real and heart-felt as you walk along this road. To join in on this Journey, we meet on Thursdays at 9:30 AM in the Patio Rooms (C 6/7).

Just a reminder that we will meet on December 12 at 10:45 AM in the Patio Rooms to discuss our Christmas mystery: A Merry Little Murder Plot by Jenn McKinlay. Jenn is a resident of the Phoenix area. We return to our normal meeting time (the 4th Thursday of the month at 10:45 AM) for our January read which is The Martian by Andy Weir. On February the 27, we will discuss The Personal Librarian by Heather Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray. New member are always welcome!

~Lin Leivian

This ideology is very popular – like a racial utopic version of the Golden Rule – but it’s actually quite racist. “Colorblindness” doesn’t acknowledge the very real ways in which racism has existed and continues to exist, both in individuals and

systemically. By professing not to see race, you’re just ignoring racism, not solving it. Dr. Osagie Obasogie, a professor at the University of California’s Hasting College of Law and the author of Blinded by Sight: Seeing Race Through the Eyes of the Blind, found that even people who have never had sight still use visual representations of people – including a person’s perceived racial or ethnic identity – as a major marker for how they interact with them.

Structural Racism

is the overarching system of racial bias across institutions

and society. These systems give privileges to white people

resulting in disadvantages to people of color.

Example: Stereotypes of people of color as criminals in mainstream movies and media.

~Racial Justice Team

Rosemary James recently received a letter from our scholarship student Haruma Bifta. She is doing well. Thank you to everyone who has helped with her tuition, school fees and her living expenses. Her classes are taking so much of her focus, it helps that she doesn't have to worry about paying her bills. Thank you all, so much!!!

Hi mom,

So today, I went to school for the first time posted in the hospital, as it is. Classes start at 9:00am up to 5:30pm.

Things are not easy for the first time, but I'm getting along with my professors, And they are willing to help me to understand and masters things which I have to cover.

I really love the hospital, it's well advanced with tools and machines which are used there and also the number of patients is high and that's good for me to learn different cases of heart disease with hand on practicing

I'm very happy to join my masters at Jss University.

I will learn a lot, and I will sweat to get what I want

Thank you so much for your help and unwavering support, may God bless you abundantly

I love you. Have a good day

~International Missions Committee

A New Leaf's East Valley Men's Center is a safe haven for men facing homelessness as they re-integrate in the community.

EVMC accepts homeless men 18 years of age and older, providing up to 120 days in emergency shelter, during which time they work with case managers to find permanent housing options. Residents are required to pursue employment and to save a majority of their income.

We provide 96 sack lunches about 20 times per year. We make lunches on Sunday mornings after worship and deliver. Each lunch contains 2 ham sandwiches, chips, Rice Krispie treat, an apple and a bottled water. The cost per lunch is about $2.00.

We do have some donations from our volunteer team to defray cost. We have been doing this for over 10 years. Donations are greatly appreciated. Checks can be made to St. Matthew UMC and marked for EVM lunch program. Thank you so much for your support.

The men's Bible study meets at 6:45 am Thursdays in the patio rooms (C6-7). The group is studying the book of Acts. Coffee, juice and pastries are provided. Information: Greg Beihl, 480.839.1269