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

Transcription

1 The Messenger 2017 St. Matthew Lutheran Ithaca, OH Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far From July 9 through September 3, we will enjoy a sermon series on Spiritual Transformation. We want to be different, but we don't want to change. Our attempts at spiritual formation and growth are consistently sabotaged by our surface efforts that never quite get to the root of the problem. We think we know what we're supposed to do, but we're not quite sure who we're supposed to be on the other side of transformation. This series is an approach to spiritual transformation that focuses less on measuring how much time we are spending on spiritual inputs--such as Bible study and prayer--and more on measuring who we are becoming in Christ. July 9 Me to You Ruth 1:11-18 July 16 Seen to Unseen 2 Kings 6:8-23 July 23 Slave to Child Luke 15:11-24 July a.m. VBS Celebration Service at Grace UMC (None at SMLC) August 6 Ask to Listen Mark 4:21-25 August 13 Sheep to Shepherd John 21:15-19 August 20 Me to We 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 August 27 Now What Hebrews 5:12-27 September 3 Learning to Fly 2 Peter 1:3-10

2 From the Pastor Summertime is the time of year that we get to relax a little bit and maybe visit with friends and family that we don t often get to. From family reunions and family vacations, to picnics and some rest and relaxation at the beach, the lake, or the pool, summertime for a lot of us is a muchneeded break that gives a brief moment to re-energize before the second half of the year. I believe that this time is very important for all of us, as it provides us with a time of rest that is deserved and necessary for our spiritual, emotional, and physical health. In our current culture, where the demands of life, work, sports, and other activities can cause us to burn the candle at both ends, having a healthy Sabbath practice can be a challenge. In fact, many of us are so caught up in life that we are unable to or choose to not take a Sabbath at all. Jesus regularly talked about and demonstrated the need for rest. He respected the Sabbath and would draw away from the crowd with just His closest friends and family when He knew His body and soul needed time to rejuvenate. My prayer for our church during this summer break, is that we all are able to take that much-needed rest and that we set time to reconnect with our loved ones, so that we are prepared for the ministry that God has in store for us in the months ahead. Genesis 2:3 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Peace and Blessings, Travis 2

3 Youth MEETINGS Our youth are scheduled to meet twice this summer and those dates are rapidly approaching. If you are looking to get involved in all the awesome things our youth are doing I encourage you to come out on either July 2nd or August 6th at 6:30 pm. It will be a great opportunity to get your feet wet before we start back this fall. Volunteers are always appreciated. Pray and ask of God is calling you to help in this ministry. Peace, Jesse Dayton Dragons Game July 19 Tickets are $12 per person and seating is in section 115. There is a signup sheet available in the fellowship area. Please sign up if you are interested in going. A Night Out The joint churches will be meeting up on July 13 to have dinner at Rob s Restaurant in Brookville, then across the street to the Brookville Community Theater to see the musical Oklahoma Group seating has already been purchased, but if you d still like to go. You can call and purchase directly from the theater. Vacation Bible School Volunteers are needed, please see Pastor Travis!! Joint Service at Grace UMC, Ithaca Join us at Grace UMC, Ithaca on July 30 at 10:00 a.m. for a joint VBS celebration worship service where we will worship with the kids and celebrate what they learned during the week. There will be a petting zoo presentation for the kids at 11, then a meal for all!! There will be NO WORSHIP AT ST. MATTHEW ON THIS DAY!! Grace UMC, Ithaca will be hosting Jungle Safari VBS this year on Monday, July from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for children preschool 5th grade. On Sunday, July 30, we will have a joint VBS service at Grace at 10 a.m. NO SERVICE AT ST. MATTHEW!! 3

4 On June 17, a few from each church gathered at the Arcanum Ball Park to pass out free home-made ice cream to the ball players, coaches, umpires and families! A great time was had by all and many thanks were given by those receiving this gift! Thank you to all who helped with this ministry in any way! We are already planning for next year!! A special thanks to Kathy Brown for coordinating the event!! VBS Needs Food donations for July 30 meal (sign up sheet available soon) Helpers for games and science Fabric paint, markers Green, brown or black construction paper Cardboard from gift wrap, paper towel or toilet paper. Monetary donations for decorations. Please see Shannon with your donations Backpack blessing On Sunday, August 27, kids are invited to bring their backpack to worship for a special back pack blessing. 4

5 During the months of July through September, we collect items for the Lutheran World Relief School kits. As always, if you cannot get out and shop for yourself, but would like to donate, our super shopper, Sherry Marten will be glad to take your donations and purchase items for you. Please remember that we are serving at the GRCC Soup Kitchen on July 19. Donna Miller is our coordinator for this. Please see Donna if you can help in any way. 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. ONE Ministry Castine Food Bank item of the month: July Peanut Butter August Chili Ingredients During the months of July, August, and September we collect items for LWR School kits. There is a collection box in the back of the sanctuary for your donations. NEEDED FOR EACH SCHOOL KIT: 4-70-sheet 8 X 10 1/2 notebooks 30-centimeter ruler pair blunt safety scissors (with embedded steel blades) pencil sharpener 5 - unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers box of 24 crayons 5 - black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink) 2½ eraser Men s Boxer Briefs (all sizes Small - 3XL) No show Men s socks (both white & black no tube socks) Art supplies including: 2 hot glue guns and glue sticks, acrylic paint (6 sets of basic colors), 25 poster board in a variety of colors, 25 liquid glue, 25 liquid glue sticks, 20 craft paint brushes (assorted sizes), 100 water based markers, 10 sketching/drawing pads, 25 sketching pencils, 20 erasers, 20 pads/packages Construction paper (various colors), 25 pencils, 25 packs of colored pencils and 5 decks of basic playing cards. 5

6 7th 8th 9th 11th 12th 16th 19th 31st July Birthdays Bob Brown Neva Birt Dwight Ressler Rhonda Kress Alysson Pahl Duane Ehlers Cory Miller Judy Wilson Mark Mills Pastor Jesse Teal July Anniversaries 26th Frank & Judy Molitor Please send changes in address and/or phone number to Shannon at June Prayer Concerns Sue Wolf Bethany Brown Cassondra Nicholson Elsie Young Megan Daggett Rich & Diane Richard Willa Dickey 4th 12th 20th 28th Joel Kress Helen Thompson Sandy Thompson Gloria Scheiding Ken Bailey Ralph Stutz Dorothy Hunt Jody Burns August Birthdays Anna Stump Charlotte Delong Abigail Stump Kerigan Covert Sandy Thompson Carrie Steele August Anniversaries 3rd Terry & Neva Birt 14th Greg & Carrie Steele 16th Chris & Kristie Stump Prayers of sympathy and healing for the families of: Esther Thompson Wilma Oda Ron Bruner Alice Richard Shawn Davis To reach us for the prayer chain, please call Rhonda Kress at or Thanks for all the thoughts and cards for our anniversary Janet & Duane Ehlers Thank you for your recent gift of $100. Your partnership means more than you know. Because of you we are able to bring healing and hope to our youth. Thank you for making a difference. Peace Pastor Cliff, Wernle Thanks to everyone for the cards and s for Gloria. It is appreciated Ted Scheiding BABY BLESSINGS Congratulations to Megan and Andy Daggett who welcomed Ava Elaine on May 30. She was 9 lbs, 5 oz s and 21.5 inches. Happy family members are: Big Brother, Tommy; Grandma and Grandpa, Rhonda & Joel Kress; Great Grandma, Jane Brown; and Great-Great-Grandma, Earlene Morris. 6

7 July Greeter: Mark Mills July Bread Baker: Jessica Pahl 2 9 am worship with Holy Communion Lector: Bob Brown 6:30 p.m. Youth meeting at Gordon 9 9 am Worship Lector: Karr Stump Acolyte: Anna Stump Acolyte: Josie McCullough 13 Church Outing in Brookville, OH Dinner at Rob s, and Brookville Community Theater to see Oklahoma. 15 Men s Brotherhood at Huston s 16 9 am Worship with Pastor Jeff Wick from Southern Ohio Synod attending Lector: Rhonda Kress 19 9:30 am Soup kitchen at GRCC 7 p.m. Dayton Dragons game 23 9 am worship Lector: Anita Schneider Acolyte: Carter Qualls Acolyte: Hailey Pahl VBS at Grace UMC, Ithaca 6:30-8: A.M. JOINT WORSHIP AT GRACE NO WORSHIP AT ST. MATTHEW August Greeters: Sherry Marten & Anita Schneider August Bread Baker: Sherry Marten 6 9 am worship with Holy Communion Lector: Mickie Ary Acolyte: Alysson Pahl 6:30 p.m. Youth meeting at Gordon 13 9 am worship Lector: Julia McCullough Acolyte: Karr Stump 19 Men s Brotherhood at Huston s 20 9 am worship Lector: Jessica Pahl Acolyte: Carter Qualls 24 Lutheran Day at the Darke County Fair 27 9 am worship with Backpack Blessing Lector: Donna Miller Acolyte: Anna Stump 28 September Newsletter entries due 30 5 P.M. GRCC Food Bank Volunteers will be needed to represent St. Matthew on Lutheran Day at the Darke County Fair on August 24 (time to be determined) Please let Shannon know if you are interested 7

8 Church Address 6825 St. Route 722 Ithaca, OH Pastor: Travis Qualls Phone: Office Address: 7820 State Route 722, Arcanum Office Phone/Fax: Youth Minister: 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 Coffee break and Sunday school are suspended for summer months St. Matthew Lutheran Church Ithaca 7820 State Route 722 Arcanum, Ohio Dated Material 8