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

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Georgia Terry
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The Messenger June 2015 St. Matthew Lutheran Ithaca, OH Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far Sunday, June 14 10:00 a.m. Please join us at 10 a.m. and bring a covered side-dish or desert.

Members are David Castator, Teresa Castator and Doug Caudill. You might remember David from our picnic at Ivester Park back in 2008.

He was privileged to be part of a Gospel Quartet that traveled Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois spreading God's message with music.

1 The Messenger June 2015 St. Matthew Lutheran Ithaca, OH Worshiping God, Growing in Faith, Serving Neighbors--near and far Sunday, June 14 10:00 a.m. Please join us at 10 a.m. and bring a covered side-dish or desert. Drinks and meat will be provided. The praise band, Rising Faith will be providing our entertainment for the day. A free-will offering will be accepted for them. Members are David Castator, Teresa Castator and Doug Caudill. You might remember David from our picnic at Ivester Park back in For more than 32 years David Castator has helped spread God's word by way of music and song. He was privileged to be part of a Gospel Quartet that traveled Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois spreading God's message with music. During that time David also served God as a Music Director, Choir Director, Praise Band Musician and Worship Leader. He began to feel God has calling him to take a different direction with his music ministry. Because of that calling David now travels with a praise band called RISING FAITH, spreading God's word with music and voice. They offer a wide variety of music styles such as Traditional hymns, Traditional hymns in a contemporary style, Praise & Worship chorus', Contemporary style music as well as Original written music. Because of their wide background in music they bring the ability to tailor music to any style of worship.

From the Pastor Church Mice Well friends, I think the church mouse just might be on to something. A Bible that s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn t.

2 From the Pastor Church Mice Well friends, I think the church mouse just might be on to something. A Bible that s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn t. The Bible, God s word, our guide to true life and living in harmony with others, needs to be read regularly if it is to have benefit for our lives. So, is your Bible dusty from lack of use, or falling apart? I am impressed with how the folks at St Matthews have engaged with The Story. I think working through this book together and connecting it clearly to the Bible will help us in our journey to mature as Christians. However, we need to be careful we don t substitute knowing facts about the Bible for connecting the teachings of the Bible to our lives in meaningful ways. Our gracious Lord Jesus Christ calls us to more than just knowing the Bible, he calls us to do the Bible. He calls us to be his eyes, ears, and hands in the world doing the work he has gifted us to do. Jesus expects our reading of the Bible to change us, to make us more like him. Friends, I encourage all of you to have Bibles that are falling apart. If you read God s word faithfully it will change you, it will change circumstances, it will bring healing, and the God of peace will be with you. If you are starting to read your Bible for the first time, or if it has been a while, I encourage you to start with Philippians. This short letter from the Apostle Paul is chock full of practical ways to live the Christian life. This book of hope, written while Paul was in prison, can bring hope to your life as well. I hope you are enjoying our time together as much as I am. I have really enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you. I will be gone for the next two weeks at my daughter s wedding and Annual Conference. Keep reading The Story and know that I am keeping all of you in my prayers. Take Care, Pastor John 2

Congratulations, Graduates Class of 2015! Our church family congratulates our 2015 Graduates!

His goal is to become a firefighter. He hopes to take some classes at Edison State this fall. Morgan McKinney will graduate from Arcanum High School on May 31, 2015.

Grant Randall Brown graduated from Franklin Monroe and Edison college on May 23, 2015. Grant is the son of Randy & Rhonda Brown and grandson of Gray & Jane Brown.

Lexie Knick, grand-daughter of Tom and Joyce Knick, graduated with honors from Fairborn High School on May 22, 2015.

She has been a Top Scholar for 4 years and has been asked to give the "Farewell Speech" at commencement.

She plans to attend Wright State University in the fall and pursue a degree in Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Med.

3 Congratulations, Graduates Class of 2015! Our church family congratulates our 2015 Graduates!! Cory Miller graduated from Franklin Monroe High School, where he attended all 12 years. He is currently working part time and will begin a new job in June. His goal is to become a firefighter. He hopes to take some classes at Edison State this fall. Morgan McKinney will graduate from Arcanum High School on May 31, Morgan plans to attend Ball State University in the fall to study Nursing. She would like to be a nurse in a neonatal unit. An invitation to Morgan s open house is on page 4. Grant Randall Brown graduated from Franklin Monroe and Edison college on May 23, Grant is the son of Randy & Rhonda Brown and grandson of Gray & Jane Brown. Grant will continue his education at Ohio State University at the Lima Ohio Campus. Grant is the great-grandson of Earlene Morris and the nephew of Rhonda Kress. Lexie Knick, grand-daughter of Tom and Joyce Knick, graduated with honors from Fairborn High School on May 22, She has been a member of the National Honor Society, Skyhawk Swim Team, and many other clubs. She has been a Top Scholar for 4 years and has been asked to give the "Farewell Speech" at commencement. She served on the Ohio Attorney General Teen Advisory Board and as a Student Ambassador for Fairborn. She has received scholarships from Wright State and Fairborn Rotary. She plans to attend Wright State University in the fall and pursue a degree in Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Med. Colton Blake Farrel, grand-son of Ruth and the late Dennis Collins and son of Denise Farrel Jewett, is graduating from CTC Diesel Mechanic s and Arcanum High School on Friday May 15 (from CTC) and on Sunday May 31 (at Arcanum). Colton plans to attend Clark State furthering his education in Diesel Mechanics. Lynsie A. Farrel, grand-daughter of Ruth and the late Dennis Collins and daughter of Denise Farrell Jewett will graduate on August 2, 2015 with a Masters of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She will be eligible to take her certification test to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. 3

4 Open House for Morgan McKinney Please join us for an Open House in celebration of the graduation of Morgan! Sunday, June 7 from 1-5 pm 5135 Folkerth Rd., Greenville, Ohio Summer Council Meeting changes We have consolidated our council meetings for the summer. Council meetings for June and July will be combined into one meeting on Monday June 15. There will not be council meetings on June 1 or July 6. Vacation Bible School Gordon United Methodist will be the host to vacation bible school, which will be held July from 6-8 pm. Our theme will be David and Solomon and will be taken from our sermon series The Story. Regular Youth Group Meetings (on Sunday evenings at Gordon UMC) will begin again on September 13. Our closing will be Waterpark in the the Gordon park on August 1. Helpers are needed, please see Kristie Stump if you are available to help. During the summer months, we are working on a few events. Our first event will be helping prepare for the Ice Cream Social at Gordon UMC on June 17. You can help with either the first shift from 12 to 4 p.m. or the second shift from 4-7:30 p.m., or you can help at both!! Then on the night of the social, June 20, you can help serve and clean up. $15 scholarships will be given for anyone who helps (each shift on the 17th, or for at least 3 hours on the 20th a possible $45 scholarship available if you help at all events) The scholarship will be used toward our trip to Camp Wesley in Bellefontaine on July 2 July 4. We will leave Gordon UMC around 2 p.m. on the 2nd for a 2-day Christian Camp experience. This experience will be complete with a variety of camp games, challenges, team building exercises, fishing, swimming and plenty of worship and fellowship. The cost for each student is $50 which is all-inclusive. We will return on July 4, between 2 and 3 p.m. Registration forms and payment are due by June 14. We are also planning an All Day Lock in and a few more events, including a service project. If your teen is interested in joining us for any of these activities, please contact Pastor Travis at or travis@gordonumc.com 4

You are all encouraged to join us for Sunday School beginning May 31, where we will continue studying The Story. A study guide is available for $10.

5 KEEP READING THE STORY!! On May 31, June 7 and 14, (three weeks) we will take a break from our weekly sermon series as Pastor Gilmore is out of town the first two weeks, then we enjoy our Outdoor Picnic on the third week. You are all encouraged to join us for Sunday School beginning May 31, where we will continue studying The Story. A study guide is available for $10. See Rhonda Kress if you d like a copy The sermon series will resume with Chapter 8 on Sunday June 21. OUR MONTHLY WELCA MEETING will be held at the home of Earlene Morris on June 10 at 7 p.m. We will begin a three session summer lesson by Emma Crossen; about giving. During the months of April, May, and June, we collect new bars of soap (in it s original wrapping any size or brand) for Lutheran World Relief. There is a box at the back of the sanctuary for your donations. ONE Ministry Castine Food Bank item of the month: Flour We will also end our collection of monetary gifts for Wernle Home on Father s day, June 21. 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: Media Project Council has approved a quote from Banmea LLC, (Bill Kessler) to install a new audio system, complete with new wiring, speakers, amplifier, mixer, wireless and floor microphones. The approximate cost for the project is $5000. We already have almost half of it paid for by your donations. They have already begun installing the system. Sidewalk Project Approximately $2700 is still needed to make up for what we paid for our new sidewalks. 5

6 June Birthdays 7th Josie McCullough Wayne Lindemuth 11th Pete Herr 28th Linda Holt 29th Barb Shoemaker June Anniversaries 16th Matt & Suzanne Lammi 19th Don & Anita Schneider 27th Pete & Joene Herr Tom & Joyce Knick Kevin & Shannon McCullough May Prayer Concerns Neva Birt Becky Fitzpatrick Justin Troutwine Don Potete Pastor Hal Robarge Jerry Fleenor Kerry Ott Mary Beth Kayla Earlene Morris Jane Brown Judy Wilson Dan Brown Dan Peters Adele Strunks Cheyanna Gerry Brandon Lexie Williams Blessings Judy Mills Linda Warner Blakely Armstrong Devon Eley Ralph Whittaker Pastor Joene & Pete Frances Gilmore Anna Stump Edson Wiest Our farmers Steve Knick Jeannie Hartman Deanna Jones David Netzley Steve Resor Sandy Thompson Annette North Tom Knick cancer free Charlotte s daughter-in-law and unborn baby All of our graduates Linda Mills Holt retirement Prayers of sympathy and healing for the families of: Bea Zimmer Cindy Lang Norma Wilson Adonna Skeets Fitzpatrick Curtis Varner Mother and baby Hoskins Alice Street Julia Cummings Bonieda Ehlers Helen Garner Dorsa McCullough To reach us for the prayer chain, please call Rhonda Kress at or rhonda.j.kress@gmail.com Notes of thanks A BIG Thank you to all who attended my open house and for the many gifts. I really appreciated everything! Cory Miller The families of Pam Yeomans, Tad & Clint Fitzpatrick, Mickie Ary and Virginia Phillips extend our heartfelt thank you and appreciation to all for the love, support, cards, kind words, thoughts and prayers extended to our family during this unexpected event. Pam Yeomans & Mickie Ary 6

7 June 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Southern Ohio Synod Assembly 7 2nd Pentecost Communion Guest Pastor Todd Mills Lector: Mickie Ary Acolyte: Karr Stump Bread: Rhonda Kress pm WELCA rd Pentecost Outdoor Picnic at 10 am 15 7 pm - Council Meeting Lector: Julia McCullough 21 4th Pentecost The Story Chapter 8 22 July / August Newsletter entries due Lector: Donna Miller Acolyte: Josie McCullough th Pentecost The Story Chapter 9 Lector: Ron Fasick Acolyte: Alysson Pahl June Greeter: Rhonda Kress

Church Address 6825 St. Route 722 Ithaca, OH 45304 Office Phone/Fax: 937-884-7006 E-mail: skmccullough@earthlink.

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 Sunday School through the summer will study The Story 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