a congregation of the evangelical lutheran church in...
TRANSCRIPT
Pg.
2. Pastor’s Message
3. Lenten Prayer Partner
4. Youth & Family; Evangelism
5. Worship & Music; Fellowship & Parish Life
6. Women of the ELCA; Bea Thomas
7. Social Concerns; Hand-Up Sunday
8. Bridge of Peace
9. Spiritual Life
10. Property; Troop 42
11. Stewardship; Facilities Planning
12. Simply Giving Form
13. ELCA Global Links
14. Worship Assistants
15. Calendar
16. Congregation Corner
The Messenger
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church A congregation of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
February 2015 Vol. 4 Issue 2
A publication for your information.
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church 318 Chester Avenue Moorestown, NJ 08057 856.235.2055
Email: [email protected] Website: www.stmatthew-lutheran.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Mission Statement: Saint Matthew Lutheran Church is a community of disciples
reaching out through Christ in loving worship, witness and service.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
8:30 & 11am Worship Services 9:45am Sunday School Adult Forum: “How to Live Generously...with Thrivent;” with Bob Sunbury, Thrivent Consultant
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
8:30 & 11am Worship Services 9:45am Sunday School Adult Forum: “Eucharistic Ministry Training” with Pastor Wengert
Transfiguration of Our Lord
8:30 & 11am Worship Services 9:45am Sunday School Adult Forum: “Welcome Wagon Ministry” with Ed Hammond & Bob Lee
First Sunday in Lent
8:30 & 11am Worship Services 9:45am Sunday School Adult Forum: “Invitiation to Lent” with David Harp, Cantor and Ingrid Wengert, Pastor
Articles for next newsletter due Feb. 15, 2015
This is Christ’s church. There is a place for you here. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God's grace.
Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person —
questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God's work in Christ's name for the life of the world.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
SUNDAYS IN FEBRUARY
Family Fastnacht Celebration
Feb. 17, 6:30pm
Donations benefit Youth Gathering Participants
Ash Wednesday
Communion Services Feb. 18, 12:15 & 7:30pm
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“The Most Profound Jewish Covenants: Rainbow, Father, Tablet, Pole and
Heart”
Tuesday Evenings 7:30pm
Shockey Lounge 2/24, 3/3, 3/10,
3/17, 3/25
We Need Help Visiting People Who Are Homebound Two Different Opportunities: Visiting with Flowers, Visiting with Holy Communion Being homebound in the suburbs, especially, makes life very difficult. One cannot freely drive, grocery shop, visit, nor run daily errands that we take for granted most of our lives. In addition, you are confronted for the first time since youth with being quite dependent on others, and you face isolation, including from your faith community. Since more people have become homebound within Saint Matthew over the past year – we need help to continue to be present with people who are homebound.
Visiting with Flowers Some Sundays, the flowers that adorn our worship are available to be taken to people who are homebound. When this occurs, you would simply be contacted by somebody on an Altar Guild Team after 11am worship, and invited to take the flowers to somebody who is homebound or convalescing. Please sign up on the bulletin board – or email me – if you are interested in periodically taking flowers to those who cannot come to church anymore.
Visiting with Holy Communion: Eucharistic Ministers What, you might ask, exactly is a Eucharistic Minister?! A literal translation is “thanksgiving servant.” More practically, Eucharistic Ministers (EMs) are lay people who leave from worship twice per month, taking Holy Communion to a parishioner who cannot come to church. The visit is ideally 15 – 30 minutes, beginning with conversation and ending with Holy Communion, and it happens on a Sunday. Training for this will be held on Sunday, 2/8, in Adult Forum. If you are interested in learning more about it, or know that you feel called to this, please attend! —Pastor Ingrid Wengert
PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Pastoral Acts Baptism: 1/11/15 Lily Isabel Abbruzzi
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LENTEN PRAYER PARTNER
2014-15 Council Officers
President:
Dick Graybill
VP & Mutual Ministry:
Chair: Kris Burns
Secretary:
Lorraine Horton
Treasurer:
Tom Cassel
Council Members
Evangelism:
Pete Boal
Fellowship & Parish Life:
Brandie Plasket
Property:
Steve Cathcart
Social Concerns:
Bob Ganskopp
Spiritual Life:
Pete Boal
Stewardship:
Jack Horton
Worship & Music:
Peter Jensen
Youth & Family:
Katy Giberson
Youth Rep.:
Taylor Nieto
Alternate Youth Rep.:
Kylee Miller
Evangelism: Pam Bowen
Facilities Planning
Task Force: Jim Merrill
Memorial: Bill Acheson
Property: Brian Schultz
During Lent, you will once again have the opportunity to be a prayer partner:
Reflections from a person who participated last year:
Dear Pastor,
The idea of having a prayer partner was awful intimidating, mainly because the simple act of praying by myself is often humiliating. As a pastor, you pray all the time in front of everyone, so it seemed easy for you to suggest that everyone get on board with a partner. Sort of like the Acapulco diver telling everyone to follow him off the cliff.
However, emboldened by a recent near-death experience, I took up your challenge, figuring the encounter wouldn't kill me, and could produce a favorable advantage even if it did.
Now, the first pleasant surprise was your thoughtfulness in pairing the partners. Mine was someone I was well acquainted with and always enjoyed being around. At any rate, it was a comfortable beginning – at least on my side.
We agreed to arrange a weekly meeting. This was also a snap, as our schedules often meshed, such as before or after activities we participated in or services we regularly attended. Originally, I anticipated a complicated rendezvous that would include a tall Pike, but our decision to meet at Saint Matthew was actually a comfort-level plus, more serene than a jolt of caffeine.
Surprisingly, we soon learned that prayer played second fiddle in this duet. We spent most of the 12 minutes or so in random conversation – basically just warmly sharing what was new. In the final minute, we'd each take a turn giving thanks for the week's blessings and ask help for any of each other's concerns.
It turned out to be a pretty simple thing to do. The experience was honestly very enriching and very painless. The best part was becoming more familiar with someone in the congregation and getting to think of that person more of as a friend.
In fact, when I get to Acapulco, I'm going to send him a postcard. —A Lenten Prayer Partner
What: Weekly praying with a person over joys & concerns – ideally in person, at church on Sundays
How: Sign up – on bulletin board or email the pastor – and be matched to another parishioner. You will be contacted with the name of your prayer partner by the 1st Sunday in Lent & receive weekly emails from Pastor as encouragement/instruction.
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Christus Academy
As you know, the Sunday School is supporting two missions outside the walls of SMLC: Christus Academy and Lutheran Disaster Response. Here’s a bit of news regarding Christus Academy, supplied by Linda Holscher, who is on the staff at Christus and spoke to our Adult Forum on Jan. 4.
Christus Academy is in its 7th year of educating students. To date, we have graduated 11 students; three students in college; one is on a full scholarship to a college in Puerto Rico. We have twp male students in trade schools and one girl in culinary art school. After mid-terms Rutgers’s Law students will be teaching Constitutional Law to our students for six weeks, along with their regular studies. Our students collected food for New Visions and planned the service just before Christmas break.
We thank the Sunday School at SMLC for their donation last year
to the school. We are grateful that you have decided to support
Christus Academy again this year.
—Linda Holscher, Christus Academy Staff Member
YOUTH & FAMILY
Fastnacht Family Celebration
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:30pm Donations benefit Youth Gathering Participants
EVANGELISM
Welcome Wagon Ministry
Based on feedback from new members at Saint Matthew, welcoming of strangers is a strength of our congregation that attracts new people.
In the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Matthew 25:35, welcoming and inviting strangers pleases Jesus. Each of us is encouraged to reach out to those new to our community.
Please come to hear more about this caring mission during the Feb. 15th Adult Forum. Your brother in Christ, Bob Lee
Martin Luther On the Christian Life
Friday, January 30, 7-9PM First Presbyterian Church Moorestown, NJ
Speaker: Dr. Carl Trueman Professor of Church History
at Westminister Theological Seminary
Free Admission Register online fpcmoorestown.org 856.235.1688
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WORSHIP & MUSIC
Communion Service at SMLC February 18, 12:15 & 7:30pm
Lenten Vespers Wednesdays, 7:30-8:00pm 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25
“Tree of Life” Many world religions use the image of the tree of life when depicting their central beliefs and values. For Christians, that tree of life is the cross. Each week a biblical passage and a hymn cast some light on the cross of Christ as our tree of life.
FELLOWSHIP & PARISH LIFE
FELLOWSHIP
&
PARISH LIFE
Calling All Knitters,
Crocheters
& Quilters Tues., Feb. 3 & 17 9:30am In Fellowship Hall
St. Matt Readers Mon., Feb. 26, 7:30pm in Library
“The Orphan Train” by Christine Baker Kline
OWLS (Older Wiser Lutheran Seniors)
Thursday, Feb. 5, Noon Valentine Luncheon at Carlucci’s Please see the menu and sign up sheet on bulletin board. $25pp due by 1/29/15. For more info, see Bob Ganskopp.
12th Annual Wine and Cheese Tasting
Saturday, Feb. 7, 7-9pm Enjoy sampling wines and cheeses from around the world. Soft drinks will also be served. Please join us for an evening of sampling, mingling, fun and fellowship. Donation: $10 pp (Adults only) For more info, contact Cara Lowy [email protected].
Media-Movie-
Munchies Friday, Feb, 7pm
“The Butler”
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WELCA Annual Mini-Retreat Saturday, Feb. 7, 9am-12:30pm
SMLC Fellowship Hall
Breakfast will be followed by a program led by The Rev. Linda Wood. There will be a free-will offering to benefit “She Has a Name;” a ministry in Camden for women. Please sign up in foyer. For more info, call or email Mae Trebing, 609.239.4942, [email protected].
Church Women United World Day of Prayer March 6, 9am (Continental Breakfast) First UMC, Moorestown
Looking ahead! It will be at First United Methodist Church on Camden Ave Moorestown, NJ. We join women from around the world celebrating our faith. We start at 9am with a continental breakfast with worship to follow. All are welcome. For more info, call or email Mae Trebing 609-239-4942 [email protected]
WOMEN OF THE ELCA
REMEMBERING BEA THOMAS
Word was received in the church office that Beatrice (Bea) Thomas died on December 30 in New Hampshire at the age of 102. Bea was an active member of Saint Matthew Church for more than fifty years. She transferred from Bethany Lutheran in Palmyra in the fall of 1951, a year and a half after this congregation was formally organized.
Even with her busy schedule as a teacher, athlete, coach, wife, and mother of two children (who were confirmed at Saint Matthew Church), she was an active part of the early programs and activities here. These included singing in the Adult Choir, organizing and directing (known as the “directress”) the Junior Choir (which practiced on Friday evenings at 7:00!), serving on the Church Council and teaching Sunday school. She also participated in the Altar Guild and apparently told her team what to do and how to do it, much as she did with her girls field hockey, swimming and lacrosse teams.
As coach of those Moorestown sports teams she had a total of 472 wins and was known
throughout the state as an outstanding coach and an amazing woman. She continued to coach until the age of 92 even though she had long retired from teaching.
About 10 years ago she moved to a care facility in New Hampshire near her son Peter, a practicing dentist. Her daughter Christine, a physical education teacher, is deceased as is her husband Al, who was a swimming coach and teacher in the Moorestown schools. Her son Peter described her as having a “larger than life personality” and we at Saint Matthew Church who knew and loved her would agree with that. She could tell us what she thought, even though we might not like it, but her winning smile and great sense of humor made her fun to be with. We can find comfort in knowing she now rests in peace with her loving husband and daughter, perhaps coaching one of those “heavenly teams” and singing in the choirs of angels. —Rozella Bower
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Lunch Bunch ~ Feb. 12, 7pm in Teen Den A ministry that provides a full lunch, once a month, to the homeless patrons of the New Visions Center in Camden, NJ
Drop-off your cookies, cakes, or brownies; place them on a disposable plate and mark it for “Lunch Bunch.”
What Is Bridge of Hope, South Jersey?
It is a church-based approach to ending homelessness. The mission of Bridge of Hope is to call and equip compassionate people from many Christian faith traditions to exemplify Christ’s love to the homeless women and children. Bridge of Hope South Jersey is an affiliate of National Bridge of Hope with trained church-based mentoring groups and a social worker to help homeless and at risk single mothers to attain: Permanent housing Financial stability through employment Life changing friendships Increased self-esteem and growth in areas of holistic living
The Bridge of Hope model is a 3-way partnership of
1. Single mother Attains financial stability through employment and budgeting Works toward personal goals Builds friendships with mentors
2. Social Worker Enhances strength of family to build positive future Teaches budgeting and life skills Trains and supports mentors Allocates rental assistance for rapid re-housing
3. Church-based mentoring groups Builds friendships with mother and children Provides practical assistance and emotional support Models positive parenting and nurtures spiritual growth
Value Statement: Follow Jesus as our example in embodying love and holding out hope to homeless families.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
Hand-Up Sunday Feb. 8
The Live Civilly/Moorestown Ministerium Food Pantry is in need of:
Canned pasta Canned fruit Canned chicken, ham Rice Complete Pancake Mix Syrup Pasta sauce (canned) Peanut Butter (small) Jelly (small) Snacks
For Monetary Donations:
Make check payable to St. Matthew Church
with “Food Pantry” in the memo
For youth volunteers contact:
Kahra Buss
856.313.9853
For adult volunteers contact:
Brian & Cara Lowy [email protected]
Bridge of Hope South Jersey
Dancercise Fitathon March 8, 1-3pm Mt. Laurel Community Center For more info, contact Eloise Williams [email protected] 856.235.4959
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Youth Group Supper Casseroles, Salads, Beverages & Dessert 30 – 40 youth & adults meet at Bridge of
Peace every Tuesday, beginning with supper. SMLC provides a full course supper the
3rd Tuesday of each month Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board Leave donations in Teen Den refrigerator
(or nearby it) by Sun., Feb. 15, 11am.
Other items to donate anytime: Sturdy paper plates, plastic utensils, cups, napkins, apple juice, lemonade, water and condiments i.e. salad dressing, ketchup, mustard etc. These items can be placed in the teen den or in the foyer near the mailboxes clearly marked “BOP Youth Supper.”
—Lisa Merrill, BOP Communicator
Sausage in Spanish Rice Casserole
2 pounds sausage (regular or sweet) 1 ¼ cups uncooked long-grain rice 1 cup chopped onion 2 ½ cups water 1 cup chopped celery ½ cup chili sauce 1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Brown sausage, breaking up with fork. Drain off fat. Add onion and celery. Cook until crisp-tender. Mix in tomatoes, rice, water and chili sauce. Simmer covered for 10 minutes. Place into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Cover and Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until rice is done. Uncover. Sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven to melt cheese.
Makes 12 servings
BRIDGE OF PEACE
Food Pantry
at
Bridge of Peace Please place donations under mailboxes in our foyer. The Peace Center Food Pantry at BOP helps to feed their neighborhood and beyond. This month the food pantry needs the following items:
Cereal
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Dry Milk
Parmalat
Evaporated Milk
Soups & Stews (w/meat)
Spam
Tuna
Ham
Chicken (canned)
NOTE: Please check expiration dates.
For Monetary Donations:
Make check payable to St. Matthew Church
with “Camden Food Pantry”
in the memo Drivers Needed: Please sign up on the bulletin board, if you are able to deliver food on the first Sunday of the month, after the 11am service. There are helpers to load your car from SMLC and helpers to unload when you reach Bridge of Peace.
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Convalescing: Roberta Barber
Mary Cross
Marian Duda
Barry Grahn
Joyce Hagen
Phil Hall
Doris Holmes
Helen Hopkins
Herb Hopkins Sandy Meany Karen Terpak
Homebound/Other:
Nancy Beth Abele
Grace Barone
Nancé Carlson
Evelyn Frintner
Dot Jensen
Betty Kelley
Lynn Krudewig
Shane Gibson
Neil Gilmour
Bette Higginbotham
Mike Hoffman
Lois Lukasik
John Parkin
Bud Radey
Alexis Schoenhofer
Walter Trebing
Charles von Wrangell
Serving in Military: David Boehmler
Beth Eilers
Karl Frerking
Carson Griffis
Danny Merrill
Janal Thomas
Partners in Ministry:
Bridge of Peace
www.bridgeofpeace.com
Christus Academy
www.christusacademy.org Lutheran Disaster
Stephen Ministry ~ Thank You
The following letter was received by one of our Stephen Ministers:
I would like to thank Saint Matthew Church for bringing Stephen Ministry into our congregation.
It has been almost one year since I first met my caregiver and cannot believe that it has been that long. I really went in with the attitude, “OK, I’ll try it and probably won’t last more than a few weeks” since I was hesitant to open up with someone who, to me, was a “stranger”. However, very quickly, I learned differently. I began to look forward to our weekly meetings. I know I am never judged and that everything that I share is kept with confidentiality, which is very important to me. I haven’t been able to be in church in a while, but I am kept up to date with all the happenings which I missed being part of. I feel like I am a real part of the congregation while being at home – what a great feeling!
I applaud all those who have trained for this ministry. Everyone has worked hard, and I strongly recommend this to anyone who needs a Christian listener, friend, or, like mine now, almost a “family member” to share some difficult times in their lives with. I now thank God for bringing this person into my life. —A grateful care receiver
Bible Studies All are Welcome!
Monday, 10:30am in Lounge with Wayne Becker Tuesday, 7:30pm Lenten Bible Study in Lounge “The Most Profound Jewish Covenants: Rainbow, Father, Tablet, Pole and Heart” with Pastor Ingrid Wengert 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/25
SPIRITUAL LIFE
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ELCA response to Ebola outbreak totals $275,000 CHICAGO (ELCA) – Since the
outbreak of the Ebola virus in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has provided $275,000 to support the work of Lutheran companion churches in both African countries.
The funds were disbursed through Lutheran Disaster Response International to ELCA companion churches and partners responding to the immediate needs of people impacted by the disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 8,500 people have died due to Ebola in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
“There are some signs the situation in Liberia and Sierra Leone is getting better, (but) Ebola is more than just a health crisis. Ebola also has a devastating impact on the livelihoods in Liberia and Sierra Leone,” said Vitaly Vorona, ELCA program director for Lutheran Disaster Response International. “Women and children are particularly vulnerable.”
TROOP 42
PROPERTY
The Property Committee did not meet on December 23 or 30 (considered vacation with pay). In January, we took down all of the Christmas decorations inside and outside the church. All of the candle poles were cleaned to remove the wax from Christmas Eve.
The heating system for the Education Wing is now functioning properly based on a modification done by Hutchinson.
As part of the Direct Install program sponsored by the state, all lights in the narthex have now been replaced with CFL bulbs. A new LED exit sign was also installed. The 9 fluorescent light fixtures in the library were converted to more energy efficient bulbs by replacing the ballast. Similarly, 10 fluorescent fixtures in the church office were converted to more energy efficient bulbs.
The Shockey Lounge air conditioner will be replaced as part of this program. The cost of all of these modifications was less than $4,000. Previous quotes were in excess of $10,000 for the air conditioner alone. Funds were used from the ongoing Capital Appeal for this program. —Brian Schultz
Troop 42 made it's annual voyage to the banks of the Chesapeake Bay and did a little Cabin Camping at Rodney Scout Reservation. The scouts used their cold weather skills to cook. Wood and charcoal tend to burn a little faster when it's cold or that's how it
seems. The dutch ovens were pulled out and they made pizza's from scratch and they turned out unbelievable. The scouts also learned a new skill on the trip - how to navigate without a compass or map. By using the sun and landmarks, the scouts were able to navigate around the camp. They did a great job with their new skill.
I would like to congratulate Johnny Barton. He is the latest scout from Troop 42 to obtain Eagle. Eagle is the highest award that a scout can obtain. The scout has to earn merit badges, show leadership and complete an Eagle Project. Johnny's Eagle project was to create a archeological dig site at Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is planning on using this to show children how fossils are found. CONGRATULATIONS Johnny on your rank of Eagle.
If you always wanted to sleep under the stars in a tent or learn how to tie a square knot, or cook in a dutch oven, please check us out. We meet Tuesday nights in the Teen Den, 7:00 - 8:30 PM. If you have any questions, please contact the troop at [email protected]. —Pete Mirabella, Scoutmaster
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It is a exciting time for us as the Facilities Planning Task Force has completed their major objective to provide a comprehensive plan for making St. Matthew accessible by the definition of The American Disability Act. It is even more exciting that we included ideas for upgrading our aging facility that will make it pleasing to be in and more useful to our ministries and our outside groups who use our facility.
At our Semi-Annual Meeting on Jan. 25th we will be outlining our recommendations for the congregation which can also be viewed on the church website. We hope that the congregation reviews and makes the effort to understand our recommendations.
Stay tune to the foyer monitor to preview the drawings and recommendations.
—Jim Merrill, Chair
STEWARDSHIP
A NEW IDEA – SIMPLY GIVING
It’s Sunday morning and you only have 3 minutes to leave the house to get to the church on time. You suddenly remember, you haven’t written your weekly pledge check. HOW ANNOYING!!! Your stress level is rising. If this represents you, perhaps you would like to consider a stress relieving alternative to this scenario. Eliminate check writing by signing up
for a church sponsored program called “Simply Giving.”
Some members of our congregation already use “Simply Giving.” While speaking to one of them, Alice Eilers mentioned how easy it was and also pointed out that it was good for the congregation in that it makes the flow of income more even.
For those who feel good about putting something in the offering plate during worship, and wish to continue to do so: this spring, we will begin to have “Simply Giving” cards that are in the pew racks. Simply place one of these cards in the plate as a way to participate. The card says that you give via Simply Giving and will be returned to the pew racks each week.
How to get started? Easy! Fill out the Simply Giving form (on the next pg.) and return it to the church office.
—Jack Horton, Stewardship Chair
Happy Birthday!
February
2 Carla Elberson 2 Jonah Borris 3 Emily Van Fossen 3 Steven Lohr 3 Brendan McDevitt 3 Donna Clark 3 Gavin Cooper 3 Kelli Destremps 4 Nancy Abele 4 Paula Jacobs 4 Michelle Gibson 5 David Arruda 7 Mary Beckett 8 Bella Abele 8 Edward Magauran 9 Holly Keifer 9 Michael Meany 9 Megan Meany 9 Courtney Aguiar 10 Heather Stapleton 10 Mike Beckett 10 Marvin McKinney 11 Nick Lysun 12 Otti Czossek 13 Peg Daubert 14 Andrew Cross 14 Jacalyn Diepold 14 Christopher Williams 15 Nick Sena 16 Emily Rauscher 16 Adrielle Slaugh 16 Jackson Moore 16 Darlene Schroeder 18 Dolores Strauss 18 Denise Boal 19 Brian Schultz 20 Ray Kuhn 20 Pam Horner 20 Joy Wadleigh 20 Olivia Maver 20 Krissy Saura 21 Matthew Miller 21 Sabine Gilson 21 Ashley Moore 21 Austin Spakosky 22 Brandon Grosfeld 22 Grace Arcaro 24 Tyler Lowy 24 Alice Eilers 24 Andrew Jacobs 24 Lukas Every-Clayton 25 Alexa Masserini 26 Becky Zellner 26 Jennifer Magauran 27 Lydia Winzler 27 Dante Mazzola 28 Stephen Niedzwiecki 28 Sierra Schofield
FACILITIES PLANNING
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Cuba: ELCA leaders welcome renewing relations Lauding the decision by the Obama administration to reinstate diplomatic ties with Cuba, the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, execu-tive director for ELCA Global Mission, said the move may lead to the reunification of families and follows more than 25 years of encouragement by the ELCA to normalize relations between the two countries. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/7714.
Central America: Severe drought causes hardships Nearly 2.5 million people are suffering through the region’s worst dry spell in 30 years. Lutheran Disaster Response is working with The Lutheran World Federation to help those affected. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/ELCALutheranDisasterResponse/282.
Holy Land: Palestinian Authority pays hospital A payment by the Palestinian Authority has relieved some of the financial stress on Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. The hospital is a program of The Lutheran World Federation and pro-vides crucial health care to Palestinians. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/NewsBlog/69.
Burundi: Malaria care provides a safer pregnancy Aline Ndayizeye is having a healthier pregnancy thanks to your contributions to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. With help of a com-munity worker, a position supported by the campaign, she has been treated for malaria. See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/blogs/ELCAMalariaCampaign/287.
Kenya: A live – and lively – nativity scene A white Christmas in Nairobi isn’t a possibility for ELCA mission-aries Michael Fonner and Leslie Weed-Fonner, but a lively nativi-ty scene is guaranteed. The only question is – who will get to ride the camels? See www.ELCA.org/Living-Lutheran/Stories/2014/12/141210-Who-gets-to-ride-the-camels.
A journey of wonder and discovery Patricia Cuyatti's journey of faith began in Peru at age 7 with va-cation Bible school, and now she has an impact on churches throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Share this inspiring story with your congregation. For a colorful Word document to display on a bulletin board or use in a newsletter or PowerPoint presentation, visit www.ELCA.org/resources/globalchurch.
Help build up Christ's global church in 2015! You can make a difference by responding to requests from our global companions for more Missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission, scholarships for International Leaders-Women, and Global Ministries of evangelism and education. For more in-formation, including up to five free brochures, contact [email protected], call 800-638-3522, ext. 2657, or order up to 200 free brochures at http://resources.ELCA.org/Products-ELCA_Global_Church_Sponsorship_brochure_1.html.
ELCA GLOBAL LINKS
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Pastor: Rev. Ingrid Wengert [email protected]; 856.235.2055 Ext. 2
Parish Coordinator: William Lawrence, AiM [email protected]; 856.235.2055 Ext. 4
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper: Kim Bohley [email protected]; 856.235.2055 Ext. 1
Cantor: David D. Harp [email protected]
Leader of Music with Children & Youth: Heather Caporaso; [email protected]
Sexton: Dave Rulon; 856.235.2055 Ext. 1
Nursery Attendant: Shirley Schmidt
CHURCH STAFF
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 4.2 million members in 10,000
congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our Hands,”
the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in
the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer, Martin Luther.
Address Changes:
Nancy Dickel Spring Arbor of Leesburg, VA Memory Cottage 237 Fairview St Leesburg, VA 20176 Tom Miller Email: [email protected] Bobbie Purzycki (formerly Murakami) Email: [email protected]
Thank You! Dear St. Matthew Family, Thank you for all of the comforting words and prayers that you sent to Bud. They are much appreciated. :-) —Fondly, Trish Radey
In Memoriam
We extend our sympathy to Higginbotham Family at the death of Bette, who died Tuesday, Jan. 20. The funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 24 at The Bradley Funeral Home.
CONGREGATION CORNER
THANK YOU, DALLAS!
After about fifteen years of meeting at dawn, the Tuesday morning Men's Bible Study has wrapped up its ministry. There were many lively discussions conducted at the wee hour of 6:30am. The group was shepherded the entire time by the Rev. Dallas Dorward. Every week he faithfully prepared a detailed lesson plan on the upcoming week's read-ings. Then at 0 dark thirty on Tuesday morning he would guide us through the ins and outs of the readings - enlightening us with as many references to "the original Greek” as we could absorb. He was a great teacher and leader, and we thank God for lending him to us for all those years. We shared many memorable moments together. On behalf of the congregation: Thank you Dallas, and the congregation thanks God for you and your many gifts.
—Bill Lawrence and Ingrid Wengert