January Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far. Sermon Series

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1 The Messenger January 2017 St. Matthew Lutheran Ithaca, OH Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far Sermon Series Here is a preview of what January brings to our worship services!! We begin a new sermon series titled Wear n the Love on January 22. January 1 Lessons and Carol s Service Pastor Travis January 8 Children s Christmas Program (Holy Communion celebrated) January 15 Solid Foundation and Wernle Speaker Pastor Travis January 22 Wear n the Love The Dresser Pastor Travis January 29 Wear n the Love The Boots by the Dresser Pastor Chris Sunday School Program Rescheduled Join us Sunday, January 8 during worship for our annual Sunday School Christmas Program. The kids will be performing New Star Snacks (or a meal) will be served after the service. Our 2017 Council members will be installed on January 8. Please remember that everyone is welcome to our meetings. Meetings will typically be advertised in the bulletin. Our first meeting has yet to be determined. If you would like to know what s going on at our meetings, please see Secretary Rhonda for a copy of our minutes. A list of all council members, their phone numbers and addresses, is included in our 2017 WELCA booklet (available on the back table). Thanks to our out-going council members: Anita Schneider and Linda Holt for their service. It is very much appreciated.

From the Pastor Happy New Year! The holiday season of 2016 has come and gone and the deep freeze of another Ohio winter has set in as we begin 2017 with a full list of expectations and resolutions.

what we have set our sights on. However, for most of us, it only takes a couple days or weeks before life happens and we are drawn away from those resolutions for change that we had made.

2 From the Pastor Happy New Year! The holiday season of 2016 has come and gone and the deep freeze of another Ohio winter has set in as we begin 2017 with a full list of expectations and resolutions. We often tell ourselves things like this will be the year that I lose that extra 20 lbs or this will be the year I get out of debt, and we truly go into the new year expecting to focus and accomplish what we have set our sights on. However, for most of us, it only takes a couple days or weeks before life happens and we are drawn away from those resolutions for change that we had made. As I was pondering this phenomenon this week, I found this verse from Proverbs that helped shed some light on it for me. Proverbs 16: 1-3 says To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. 2 All a person s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. This Scripture tells us that the only way to ensure success with our goals is by committing to the Lord. When we give the Lord control over all our life and not just our Sunday life, He will be the support and guide that we need to accomplish anything our hearts desire. So, this year as you strive to achieve your goals for 2017, make sure you first focus on the will of God for your life and He will lead you to success! On January 22 nd, we will be beginning a new sermon series titled Wear n the Love. There are many definitions and uses of the term Love in our culture today. Many times however, the emotions and reactions that we have in different situations is not love at all, but rather some misplaced or misguided temporary infatuation or attachment to the way something or someone makes us feel. This has left a tainted view of the word Love in our world today. During this sermon series, we will take an in depth look at love, pushing away the falsehoods and reclaiming the truths that God has given us concerning love. I pray that you all join us this winter as we learn how we can love the way Christ has asked us to. Blessings, Pastor Travis 2

Monthly meetings will resume in a few months! Please remember that we are serving at the Grace Resurrection Center Soup Kitchen in Greenville on January 18.

3 Monthly meetings will resume in a few months! Please remember that we are serving at the Grace Resurrection Center Soup Kitchen in Greenville on January 18. Those who want to help should be there by 9:30 a.m. Men s Brotherhood meetings continue to be the 3rd Saturday of the month. We meet at Huston s Restaurant in Arcanum at 9 a.m. All men are welcome to join us. During the months of January through March, we collect items for the Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Each kit is to contain: One light-weight bath-sized towel (between 20 X 40 & 52 x 27, dark color recommended bath-size bar (4 to 5 oz.) of soap, any brand, in its original wrapping (2 per kit) One adult-size toothbrush in its original packaging One sturdy comb, remove packaging Metal nail clippers (file optional) Any donations you are able to make are greatly appreciated! ONE Ministry Castine Food Bank item of the month: Kool aid or fruit juice Adult Sunday School The Adult Sunday School Class will resume on January 8. We will begin a 5-week study on Revelation and End Times: Unraveling God's Message of Hope by Ben Witherington III. It's based on Witherington's own studies of the topic and history. These lessons will help us understand Bible teacheings about what happens before, during, and after Christ's return. Witherington is a New Testament scholar at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. (He was the presenter for our session on The Parables of Jesus: The Prodigal Son.) He is an ordained pastor in The United Methodist Church. Sessions include: The Character of Biblical Prophecy, The Return of the King, The Other World - Heaven and Hell, Raising the Dead, The Afterlife - The Rapture, The Millenuim, and The New Heaven and the New Earth Consider joining us at 10:30 in the sanctuary. We are an accepting, fun group and enjoy lively discussions! 3

Payments can be made by designating altar flowers on your offering envelope. If you would like something added to the bulletin about your flowers, please give Shannon a call.

Including heading down to a local nursing home to sing to the residents there. I look forward to all the things God has planned for the youth group as we continue to learn and grow in him.

4 The Altar Flower Signup Sheet for 2017 is posted and ready for your signature!! The cost is $28 for a centerpiece and $33 for a set of vases Please see the bulletin board in the back of the sanctuary (or see Mary Hofacker). Payments can be made by designating altar flowers on your offering envelope. If you would like something added to the bulletin about your flowers, please give Shannon a call. Attention youth (6th through 12th grade)! The youth group continues to thrive as we move into the new year. We had a great advent season and had an opportunity to do some great work during that time. Including heading down to a local nursing home to sing to the residents there. I look forward to all the things God has planned for the youth group as we continue to learn and grow in him. Upcoming Events December pm Help at GRCC Food Pantry Join us for our weekly meetings beginning January 8 from 6:30 8 at GUMC Quarter war for GRCC The winner of our quarter war was THE GIRLS!! Which Pastor will have to shave his beard? We ll soon see!! Thank you for donating to this fun project!! We raised about $132 for GRCC All are welcome to The Link every Wednesday Gordon UMC Meal is at 5:30 pm. Kids club and Adult Bible study from 6-7 The Link will begin after the Christmas break on January 4 4

Please consider a donation to one or more of the following projects.

Air Conditioning Replacement We paid $4,580 for this project. Funds from the project came from our general budget.

The general fund is in need of $1,781 to take care of this cost.

If you would like to help replenish the money taken from the general fund, please give toward the parking lot fund. The general fund is still in need of $1,211.

Nesbitt I started off the year by making resolutions that were probably severe.

5 Please consider a donation to one or more of the following projects. All you need to do is place your donation in an envelope and earmark it for one of the following: Communion Wine Just $5 will buy a bottle of wine. Air Conditioning Replacement We paid $4,580 for this project. Funds from the project came from our general budget. If you would like to help replenish the money taken from the general fund, please give toward the A/C fund. The general fund is in need of $1,781 to take care of this cost. Parking Lot Re-seal Although the parking lot has been finished and paid for, the funds from the project came from our general budget. If you would like to help replenish the money taken from the general fund, please give toward the parking lot fund. The general fund is still in need of $1,211. Restroom Project As long as our handicapped restroom is still a possibility, we would like to continue to allow this fund to grow. On New Year s Day by K. Nesbitt I started off the year by making resolutions that were probably severe. I said I d save my money, As this seemed so very wise I vowed I would improve my health I swore I d exercise I stated I would do my homework Every single day I d brush my teeth religiously to ward off tooth decay. I d eat my fruits and vegetables and keep my bedroom clean I d treat my sister kindly though she s often very mean My resolutions lasted me about a half a day I promised I would keep them but I broke them anyway. So now I m fat and penniless my homework s overdue. My sister s mad. My teeth are bad. My room is messy too. An yet I think I may have found the best of all solutions. And this year I ve resolved to not make ANY resolutions! 5

January Birthdays 1st Jase Edmonson 12th Thomas Daggett 16th Brendin Gillem 18th Keri Covert 19th Anita Schneider 23rd Carolyn Kinninger Pastor Travis Qualls 29th Dean Ehlers January Anniversaries

6 January Birthdays 1st Jase Edmonson 12th Thomas Daggett 16th Brendin Gillem 18th Keri Covert 19th Anita Schneider 23rd Carolyn Kinninger Pastor Travis Qualls 29th Dean Ehlers January Anniversaries None this month December Prayer Concerns Fred Clark Ninfa Guinigundo Jeff Wagenbach Vance Wetzel Devon Eley Lottie Hoke Jim Randolph Alice Mae Harleman Aiden Snyder Judy & Frank Molitor Mindy Ary Leon & Phyllis Fisher Linda Kinninger Rhonda Rismiller Dorothy Hunt Billy Guinigundo Jodie Pearce Travel mercies to all who are traveling this holiday season! May you all make it safely to your families, and safely back home. Prayers of sympathy and healing for the families of: Denette Kinnison Patty Nichols Garod Rismiller Lois & Gabrielle Ellis To reach us for the prayer chain, please call Rhonda Kress at or 2017 St. Matthew Directories are available at the church Please remember to update us as you have address or phone changes this coming year. Notes of thanks Thanks to council and my church family at St. Matthew. The Christmas gifts and bonus were very much appreciated Shannon McCullough and family Greetings from Lutheran World Relief We re so thankful for your partnership and for your energy and enthusiasm for this ministry. I m excited to share that your personal care and school kits have gone to Haiti this year. Thank you so much for your partnership in bringing hope to our neighbors around the world! Melanie W. Gibbons, Quilt & kit ministry manager A nice Warm Thank You to everyone who donated hats and gloves for our Head Start Mitten tree last month! We collected 62 pairs of mittens and 17 hats! 6

7 January 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 1st Sunday of Christmas No Youth Group Lectors: Anita Acolyte: Mickie Ary 8 Baptism of Our Lord Communion Children s Christmas Program Council Installation 6:30-8 Youth at GUMC Acolyte: Alysson Pahl Bread: Linda Kinninger 15 2nd Sunday after Epiphany Guest Pastor from Wernle 6:30-8 Youth at GUMC Lector: Sherry Marten Acolyte: Carter Qualls The GUMC 5:30 Meal 6-7 Bible Study The GUMC 5:30 Meal 6-7 Bible Study 5:30 pm Confirmation :30 am GRCC Soup kitchen The GUMC 5:30 pm Confirmation am Men s Brotherhood at Huston s 22 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 6:30-8 Youth at GUMC 23 Newsletter entries due The GUMC 5:30 pm Confirmation Lector: Julia McCullough Acolyte: Anna Stump th Sunday after Epiphany 6:30-8 Youth at GUMC Lector: Jessica Pahl Acolyte: Hailey Pahl January Greeters: Dick & Linda Kinninger

Church Address 6825 St. Route 722 Ithaca, OH 45304 Pastor: Travis Qualls Phone: 937-621-7897 Email: PastorTravis@smlc-ithaca.

8 Church Address 6825 St. Route 722 Ithaca, OH Pastor: Travis Qualls Phone: Office Address: 7820 State Route 722, Arcanum Office Phone/Fax: Director of Family Life: Jesse Teal Phone: Associate Pastor: Christopher Stump Phone: Wheelchair accessible + Elevator on premises + Holy Communion celebrated - 1st Sunday of every month- major church festivals We re on the web!! Facebook: St. Matthew Sunday Worship services: 9 am Traditional worship 10 am Coffee Break (food & fellowship) 10:30 am Sunday School for all ages St. Matthew Lutheran Church Ithaca 7820 State Route 722 Arcanum, Ohio Dated Material 8

January Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far

January Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far The Messenger January 2015 St. Matthew Lutheran Ithaca, OH Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far Our 2015 Council members were installed on December 7, 2014. Please remember