Small Groups - Winter 2025
Small Groups are short-term programs that the community can come together in Fellowship.
If you are interested in a small group or have questions, please contact one of the group facilitators or the church office at admin@stmatthewsvf.org or 610-688-7055.
PEP (People Enjoying People)
February 1st (rain date February 8th) – Join us for a tour of Longwood Gardens! We will meet at the church at 10:30 AM and will tour the new Conservatory and have lunch in the café. We would be returning to the church by 3 PM. Cost is $10 plus lunch.
If interested, contact Karen Palomo at bacpalomo@aol.com or Eleanor Carroll at el.carroll@verizon.net.
March 8th at 6:30 PM – Join us for “Name That Tune”. Remember that game show! Well, we want to spend some time together to see how familiar we are with songs throughout the decades. Join us for the fun!
If interested, contact Janice Conner at jconner12@comcast.net.
April 5th - French Night – ooh la la Join us for another trip around the world as we host an evening of French food, a French movie and perhaps there will even be dancing . . . cancan anyone?
If interested, contact Jennifer Vastardis at jennifer.w.vastardis@gmail.com.
SUNDAY MORNING STUDY GROUPS
On Sunday mornings at 10:45 am, Pastor John leads our Adult Sunday School which functions as a small group. Participants explore various books of the Bible and studies on spirituality and Christian discipleship. Recent topics include:
The Gospel of Matthew
Everywhere is Jerusalem
Wrestling with Doubt
The group meets in the church activities room and also offers a Zoom link for those who need to participate remotely. Please contact Pastor John for more information.
Facilitators: John Bletsch: pastorjohn@stmatthewsvf.org
Facilitator: Jennifer Vastardis: jennifer.w.vastardis@gmail.com
A Men’s Bible Study, led by Bill Lloyd, is offered after worship in the Church Library. We share Joys & Concerns for our families and discuss one or two chapters of the Bible each week.
These familiar stories come from both the Old and New Testament and provide wonderful lessons that we can share with our children, grandchildren as well as our St. Matthew’s family of Godchildren in our daily lives. Wherever you are in your life’s journey, . . . this Men’s Bible Study will provide opportunities to bear rich fruit in the hearts and lives of Christian children and teens as you help introduce or go deeper in relating these stores of Bible History as they grow in their faith. Please email Bill Lloyd at to be included on the weekly email list to find out about our upcoming Scripture passages or just stop by Sunday morning.
Study will begin January 5th.
Facilitator: Bill Lloyd: wjlloydjr@gmail.com
DAYTIME STUDY GROUPS
The Walk: Five Essential Practices of the Christian Life
In The Walk, Adam Hamilton focuses on five essential spiritual practices that are rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God and taught throughout the New Testament. Each of these practices is intended as part of our daily walk with Christ while also being an essential part of growing together in the church.
In each chapter, Hamilton explores one of these practices, its New Testament foundation, and what it looks like to pursue this practice daily in our personal life and together in the life of the church. Deepen your walk with Christ as we explore the five essential practices of worship, study, serving, giving, and bearing witness to our faith. Participants will gather in the Activities Room to discuss what they learned and for the final 30 minutes, Pastor John will join us to answer any questions we may have from our reading and discussion.
Class dates: 1/27 – 3/10 at 1:30 PM. Please email Jennifer Vastardis if interested in participating.
Facilitators: John Bletsch: pastorjohn@stmatthewsvf.org & Jennifer Vastardis jennifer.w.vastardis@gmail.com
Confronting the Controversies - A seven-session group study of “tough issues” based on Adam Hamilton’s sermons on these topics. The seven sessions are:
(1) The Separation of Church and State
(2) Creation and Evolution in the Public Schools
(3) The Death Penalty
(4) Euthanasia
(5) Prayer in Public Schools
(6) Abortion
(7) Homosexuality
Participants will gather in the Activities Room to discuss what they learned and for the final 30 minutes, Pastor John will join us to answer any questions we may have from our reading and discussion.
Class dates: 3/17 – 4/28 at 1:30 PM. Email Jennifer Vastardis if interested in participating.
Facilitators: John Bletsch: pastorjohn@stmatthewsvf.org
Facilitator: Jennifer Vastardis: jennifer.w.vastardis@gmail.com