Ministries |
We Are Called To Serve
In Galatians 5:13, we are told to "serve one another in love." Every believer is called to "minister." To minister means to serve. Whether we are ordained or not, we are "ministers." The Word of God is clear; we are to serve in reponse to God's grace to us.
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Bereavement
Provides comfort, care and follow up for those in the church family who have lost loved ones. If necessary arrangements for outside counseling are arranged. Ministry is headed by member of the ministerial staff.
Boy Scouts
The purpose of the St. Matthew Church Boy Scouts (Troop 4749) is to provide an educational program for boys and young adults to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop personal fitness. Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem.
Church School
The St. Matthew Church School diligently seeks to teach all of the students the Word of God and to be faithful and obedient to it. It is composed not only of children and youth, but also a large adult class. Students have a stronger Christian foundation from the instruction they receive from a well trained and committed Church School faculty under the leadership of the Church School Superintendent of the church.
Clothing Ministry
The St. Matthew clothing ministry provides new and gentle used clothing to the community free of charge every 4th Saturday of the month. The hours are 9am to 12pm.
Dance Ministry
The St. Matthew Praise Dancers respond to the Psalmist call to "praise God with dance." The Praise Dancers are divided into both adult and youth groups.
Flower Club
Auxiliary provides flowers to beautify the sanctuary, church grounds, for special occasions, to the infirmed and when members of the church have lost loved ones.
Food Pantry Ministry"Manna from Heaven"
Volunteers who assist in distribution of food to families of congregation and community.
Generation I (Seniors Ministry)
Ministry to seniors in the congregation. Meets on the Third Wednesday at 1PM for lunch and a program of interest and relevance to seniors.
Girl Scouts
The St. Matthew Church Girl Scout engages girls in discovering self, connecting with others, and taking action to make the world a better place. The Girl Scout program is girl-driven reflecting the ever-changing needs and interests of today's girls. Girl discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together.
Harriet Tubman Missionary Society
The work of the Missionary Society of St. Matthew Church is directed in several areas which seek to minister to the needs of both congregation and community. They include:
HIV/AIDS Ministry
Ministry includes both education and prevention to inform church and community of the scourge of HIV/AIDS, remove ignorance and fear and teach what can be done to treat and prevent the increase and spread of disease.
Lillian's Closet
Minister to parents and new born of church and community that provides a basket to parents of new born as well as clothes and other needs of new born. Volunteers needed to staff Closet during hours it is open.
Holiday Outreach
Minister to needy families of congregation and community during holidays. Volunteers assist in putting baskets together and seeing that needy families receive them.
Scholarship
Arranges fundraiser and procedures for selection of students to receive scholarships from Harriet Tubman Missionary Society.
Helping Hands
Volunteers who provide Christian care-giving and support for members in congregation who are in short term crisis or need at home.
Foreign Missions
Provides assistance to the work of the A.M.E. Church in other parts of the world, particularly Africa and the West Indies.
Hospitality Ministry
Welcomes and registers visitors to St. Matthew Church for Sunday Worship, other services, and assist in arrangements for socials and fellowship for special occasions and Family and Friends Day.
Juvenile Detention Center Ministry
Provides worship and counseling to detainees at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center on Sunday mornings. Volunteers assist in worship including singing. Follow through with juvenile detainees needed.
Lay Organization
Ministry of the church composed of non-ordained members which teachers and trains the congregation, to use to the maximum their abilities and skills to assist in the ministry and mission of the church, and promote harmony and peace and pride within the congregation.
Men's Ministry
Men's Ministry is the active pursuit of men in order to connect them to God, His Word, and other men for the purpose of winning, growing, and training God's man in Christ. God has called men to be the spiritual leaders in their families, and we want to reach, equip and strengthen men to be "Mighty Men of God."
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry of St. Matthew Church leads the congregation in the worship and praise of God. It consists of six (5) choirs and a praise team. Members should love and be consecrated to glorifying God and committed to consistent attendance of rehearsals and worship. No one may sing in more than two choirs (not including Combined Choir).
Senior Choir - traditionally called the number one choir of the church. Sings diversity of music, anthems, gospel, contemporary, etc
Gospel Chorus - primarily sings gospel selections, but not limited to
Inspirational Choir - emphasis on contemporary gospel music
Male Chorus - affectionately called the "Son of Thunder", sing gospel music
Youth Choir - made up of youth of the church, music geared to youth
Combined Choir - for special occasions composed of members of all of the choirs
Praise Team - Prepares and leads the congregation into the worship and praise of God.
NJ Orators
The main focus is to help young people develop their public speaking skills. The emphasis is on strong oratorical and verbal skills, as well as an appreciation of African-American literature.
No D's Ministry"No Debts, No Deficits, No Delinquencies"
Mission is to assist and enable us to be free of debt, save and manage money God's way. It is our prayer that by studying the Word, training, and testimonials, we will be blessed to know how God would have us manage our finances and live a DEBT FREE LIFE in Jesus Name!
Oakwood Avenue School (Mentors)
Volunteers who help facilitate the church's partnership with Oakwood Avenue School to assist students and their families with academics through tutoring, uniforms, school supplies, school events and other means to help students improve academically, socially, etc.
Prayer Minister (P.A.T.H.)"Pray and Trust Him"
PATH prayer warriors who lift up daily those who are on the sick and shut in list of the church and who place special prayer request in the "prayer box" located in the lobby of the church. They also daily lift up St. Matthew and the ministerial staff in prayer.
Rites of Passage
Rites of Passage is one of the means by which the men and women of St. Matthew Church are responding to the pressing needs of our community by helping adolescents grow into responsible young adulthood.
Sanctuary Ministry
Assist by preparing the sanctuary for the seasons of the Christian calendar year (Advent, Lent, Pentecost, etc.) and other special occasions during the year such as church anniversary or other church wide events.
Security Ministry
This ministry serves the church by providing the congregation a safe and secure place to worship.
Stewardesses
Prepares the Lord's Table and altar for communion and accomodates the pulpit for services. Also assist with flowers at funerals and services of celebration held at the church. (Must be nominated by pastor and confirmed by Quarterly Conference.)
Transportation Ministry
Volunteers who drive the church vans to pick up those who need transportation to and from worship and special events and occasions.
Ushers Ministry
Serve as doorkeepers and assist in the seating of congregants, providing direction and maintaining order during worship services and other events.
- Senior Usher Board
- Male Usher Board
- Junior Usher Board
Young Adult Ministry
Members of the congregation between the ages of 19 and 35 who seek to minister to the spiritual, social, career, and community needs of young adults; and to undertake projects in and outside the church to present and draw young adults to Christ.
Youth Ministry
St. Matthew Church is very committed to the growth and development of the children and youth in this congregation, seeking to help direct them to grow to become Disciples of Christ. Our youth ministry is continually evolving as the needs of our children and youth change. The Generation for Christ Youth Church is comprised of all youth organizations in St. Matthew Church. Adult volunteers and youth leaders serve under the leadership of the Director of Youth Ministries of the church.
Women's Ministry
The Women's Ministry of St. Matthew Church continues to grow each year. Its goals is to bring all the women of the church into a stronger, deeper and more intimate relationship with God and develop "a bind that ties" among the women of the church.
Christian Education
The idea of Christian Education is deeply rooted in the traditions and history of African Methodism. The Department of Christian Education is charged with responsibility of "Developing standards, preparing programs, offering classes, teaching Christian education, publishing material, training people for pastoral ministry and other church vocations" in accordance with the tradition and doctrine of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Commission on Community Empowerment
Seeks to promote God's kingdom in the Oranges by attending and participating in community meetings and events and empowering the community by establishing values and standards to improve its quality of life.
Education Commission
Promotes the importance of education in the congregation. Will determine the criteria, procedures and all matters relating to scholarships given by the church. Will also present activities to promote and enhance education in the congregation.
Employment Commission
Assist members of church family and community in finding and enchancing employment. Also provides counseling to all persons employed through referrals from this commission.
Commission on Stewardship and Finance
Provides leadership and will continuously seek to encourage and assist members of the congregation to practice good stewardship and organize investment clubs within the congregation.
Health Commission
Provides health ministry for the church including health education, first aid, health fairs and physical fitness.
Housing
Comes under NIDA (Neighborhood Improvement Development Association) the communitry development organization of St. Matthew Church.
Legal Affairs Commission
Assist members of the congregation with issues and matters that require legal representation or an attorney's attention. Must be an attorney to be a member of this commission.
Media and Technology Commission
Provide all media and technology services to the church and see that the church stays up to date with current technology services. Volunteers are also responsible for providing and monitoring the sound system for all services, meetings or events at the church. Members of the Media Ministry serve under the leadership of the Director of Media and Communications of the church.
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