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

Transcription

1 The Messenger September 2015 St. Matthew Lutheran Ithaca, OH Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far Join Us for Rally Day Join us on Sunday, September 13, as we kick off the Sunday School year! Our theme is Rebuilding. Come to hear more about how God used a foreign king and the heart of Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem! Worship begins at 9 a.m., and will include favorite hymns and special music. Breakfast will follow!! Sunday School classes will begin on September 20. Adults and confirmed members will meet upstairs and the children will meet downstairs. All age groups will explore our weekly sermon themes by studying The Story through the end of November. Invite a friend to join you!! September 13 is also God s Work / Our Hands Day We will participate this year by collecting plush blankets, books for ages toddler-teen; and stuffed toys! We will take these items along with us to Grace Resurrection Community Center to pass out to kids wherever there might be a need. Please bring your donation with you on September 13!! Confirmation classes are forming and will begin this fall. If you know a 7 th grader (or older) who is interested in joining, please contact Pastor John or Secretary Shannon. Pick up a postcard at church for more information!!

2 From the Pastor The church mouse has it right again! Today s youth are tomorrows church and we need to do all we can to help them along on their Christian journey. We have been learning as we go through The Story the importance of raising up our young people in the ways of the Lord. I am so pleased that we are doing this at St. Matthew. On Rally Day our Sunday School will start up again and our great teachers will once again be working with our youth and children to help them choose life with the Lord. Thanks to all the faithful unpaid servants who make this possible. Pastor Travis will be working with the youth of both churches to provide additional ways for youth 6 th grade and above to learn about God, have great fellowship, and learn the value and personal fulfillment found in serving others. You will find more details about what is coming up this fall in his article. Choir will be starting up again and I look forward to hearing that joyful sound lifting us up to worship God. I remember the first time I heard the choir sing and how impressed I was with the quality of their singing. God gives us gifts to use for His glory and I would say that our folks in the choir are using the gift that God gave them well. I want to say how much I enjoy serving you here at St. Matthew. You have all been very warm and welcoming. I think you have a wonderful church and a great church family. I am continuing to connect to the ELCA/Southern Ohio Synod and I am continuing to learn more about your rich Lutheran traditions. I think St. Matthew is a light-house, beaming hope and the love of Christ to its surrounding communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to help our light shine even brighter. Pastor John 2

3 OUR MONTHLY WELCA MEETING will be held at the home of Earlene Morris on September 9 at 7 p.m. Our September through November bible study is written by Liv Larson Andrews, pastor of Salem Lutheran of Spokane, Washington and is about speed and slowness, and how the Kingdom of God moves slowly, yet we are asked to move with ever greater speed. Session one of the bible study is entitled Sabbath Keeping. ONE Ministry Castine Food Bank item of the month: Crackers Serving Neighbors near and far Because you cared in personal care kits, 715 bars of soap, 96 school kits, and 20 quilts have been assembled, boxed, labeled and are ready for shipment to help those in need. Thank you to Sherry Marten for another fabulous year as our Super Shopper and to everyone for your generous support. Pastor Travis Qualls told us on Sunday, August 16 that we should go and do as a people, as a church, as a community that is most certainly true here! Vacation Bible School was held this year at Gordon United Methodist Church! The average attendance for the week was 16 students, age 3 through grade 4! The offering for the week was just over $98 and went to help with Malaria! We were very blessed by so many volunteers that gave of their time and talents to share the love of Jesus with these little ones! We are also thankful for those who gave of their time, talents and/or prayers who could not be with us this year! We could not make this such a memorable week for the children without everyone s support! We are pleased with the cooperation between our two faith communities! Thank you all for making VBS a blessing! Our new Landscaping around the church building looked absolutely gorgeous this spring and summer! If anyone would like to add an appropriate memento, stone, rock, or plant that would compliment the garden and also cut down on weed control, please feel free to do so. 3

4 As parents rejoice and students lament, the school year has begun. I can remember growing up and being full of emotions at this time of year. On one hand, I wasn t ready to be back to the grind of waking up early and sitting through eight hours of classes each day; but on the other hand I was really ready to kick off another great school year and see all of my friends. I pray that each and every one of our families has a wonderful year and finds themselves easily adapting to the new schedules that this year has to offer. Our youth group will be resuming on Sunday, September 13 th at 6:30 PM at Gordon UMC. This group is open to anyone who is entering 6 th grade through 12 th. Complete with music, games, food, and of course Jesus, we invite you to come and enjoy all the fun each week. In addition, we will be attending this year s Illumination at the Darke County Fairgrounds on September 19 th. The performers this year are Crowder, Mandisa, Among the Thirsty, Unpsoken, Manafest, and We are Leo. For tickets or for information please contact Pastor Travis. Upcoming Events: September 13 Youth Group Resumes 6:30 to 8:00 PM September 19 Illumination September 20 Paint the Park we will meet at 11:15 on Sunday after worship and will be painting the equipment at the Gordon Community Park. Please bring old clothes and friends. Lunch will be provided September 23 National See You at the Pole Day (Where students gather at their flagpoles at 7 a.m., praying for their school, friends, families, churches, and communities) September 27 Youth Group 6:30 to 8:00PM October 4 Hayride and Square Dance with Covington Presbyterian we will leave at 3:20pm and return around 7:30 October 11 Youth Group 6:30 to 8:00PM October 17 Fearfest at Kings Island tentative date. 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: Sidewalk Project Approximately $2400 is still needed to make up for what we paid for our new sidewalks. Media Project Our new audio system is up and running and totally paid for with your donations!!. We are working out a few adjustment issues, so please be patient during worship. We are still looking into expanding our media with other gadgets and gizmos to make our worship experience even better. Please continue to donate to this fund. Restroom Project As long as our handicapped restroom is still a possibility, we would like to continue to allow this fund to grow. 4

5 The Herr family left the following items in the Parsonage and asked that we sell them with the money going to benefit our youth. If you are interested in any of the items, please see Shannon or Rhonda and we can give you a closer look! There will be envelopes in the back of the church for each item (beginning August 30) for two weeks. If you are interested, place your bid in the envelope with the corresponding picture. If your bid is chosen, we will contact you the week of September 7 to schedule a time when you can pick up your item(s). 5

6 September Birthdays 5th Jessica Pahl 12th Gloria Scheiding 13th Gene Thompson 19th Don Schneider 20th Nate Pahl Ted Scheiding 22nd Tom Knick 25th Judy Molitor July/August Prayer Concerns Denette Kinnison Karr, Anna & Abi Stump Roger Archer Don Poteet Ida Brown Carla Foster Jerry Brandon Dorothy Hunt Al & Carolyn Humble Justin Troutwine Dick Bartocci Annette North Susi George Brad Lowry Jeremy Freeman Tad & Becky Fitzpatrick Tony & Amy Fitzpatrick Sam & Michelle Powers Pastor John Gilmore Frances Gilmore Sandy Thompson Jane Brown Clint Fitzpatrick Kalle Steele The Proffit family Martin Schauer The Herr family Pam Yeomans Jacob Phillips Virginia Phillips Neva Birt Leah (Holt) Tatum Dave Barker Luke Schweiterman Sandy Thompson Linda Kinninger Mary Short Marsha Eldridge Deanna & Rick Jones Winnie Netzley Willodean Bruckner Prayers of sympathy and healing for the families of: Larry Hartzell Janet Ritz Joyce Gilmore Ralph Bogan Ester Heltzel Jo Ann Arnette Mary Filbrun Michelle Walker Ellen Mast Jerri Smith Jeston Jake Wiest To reach us for the prayer chain, please call Rhonda Kress at or Notes of thanks Thanks for the prayers and support while me and my family were on vacation, especially to those who mowed the lawn in our absence! Pete Herr I would like to thank everyone who remembered me during my first go around with back surgery with cards, phone calls, s, text messages, and yummy food. I am asking for continued prayers as I go into the next surgery, for healing and that I will be able to continue with all the things I like to do in my life. Thank you Jane Brown Thanks for the prayers and concerns regarding my daughter s illness. Donna Miller Thanks so much for the prayer quilt. We really appreciate it. Justin Troutwine and family The members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church would like to thank everyone who made a Memorial donation in honor of Helen Garner. We are grateful to God for your friendship and for your prayer quilt. We will cherish it. Susie George and the family of Esther M. Heltzel Dear Quilters, I received a prayer quilt from Becky Fitzpatrick for Sam and Michele powers. I want to thank you for making and praying for this quilt. It is beautiful. It will be cherished by both of us. God bless you all, Sincerely Sam & Michele Powers Dear St. Matthew Thank you so much for continued support for our residents here at Wernle. We would not be successful with our mission without generous donors like you. Many Blessings, Marie Asher, Wernle Youth and Family Treatment Center 6

7 September 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT th Pentecost Communion pm WELCA Lector: Ron Fasick Acolyte: Josie McCullough Bread: Shannon McCullough 13 16th Pentecost Rally / GWOH Day 6:30pm Youth Group at GUMC Lector: Jessica Pahl Acolyte: Alysson Pahl 20 17th Pentecost 11:15am Youth paint the Gordon Park Lector: Rhonda Kress Acolyte: Karr STump Labor Day 14 7 pm - Council Meeting 21 October Newsletter entries due am - Youth See you at the pole day 1st Day of Fall Illumination Festival at Darke County Fairgrounds. 7 p.m. Concert th Pentecost 6:30pm Youth Group at GUMC Lector: Anita Schneider Acolyte: Mickie Ary September Greeters: Dick Bartocci and Judy Wilson

8 Church Address 6825 St. Route 722 Ithaca, OH Office Phone/Fax: Interim Pastor: John Gilmore Phone: Parsonage 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 10:15 am Adult / Children Sunday School St. Matthew Lutheran Church Ithaca 7820 State Route 722 Arcanum, Ohio Dated Material 8