On Sunday, November 6, 2005, Saint Matthew's celebrated its first 50 years of history with a hoe-down celebration at our new undeveloped 30-acre site on Germann Road. Attended by about 475 parishioners, the event, complete with a large white party tent, celebrated a Bilingual Eucharist Service with both the 11:00 a.m. band and church choir providing the music, served a catered lunch and offered games for the youth and a walking tour of the site led by Father John Hall. In his sermon, Father John reminded us of our very important past and energized us to help lead Saint Matthew's into the future on this new site. Many people worked numerous hours to organize this grand event. For example, a history table celebrating our first 50 years, as parish scrap- bookers came together to organize our past, and the altar used for our Easter Sunrise Service was retrofitted in order to be used at the new site. Many thanks go to everyone that helped make this wonderful event possible. A special offering was made by Dennis Adamson who handmade four offering plates in commemoration of the New Site Celebration. These offering plates are now being used during our Sunday services in the church.

November 6, 2005, will be remembered as the day we began our second 50 years in Chandler. Our vision to move to the new site in order to grow in numbers was strengthened during this moving celebration. By growing, we will continue to share the Good News with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

SPANISH SPEAKING MINISTRY