Anthony loved music and learned to playguitar during the summer before his senioryear in high school. As the prom got near,he was faced with a dilemma. He and hisgirlfriend were planning to attend their highschool prom, but his buddies had decided toskip the prom and head to the anti-promgathering at a nearby theme park. His bud-dies were planning to be out all of Saturdaynight and wanted Anthony to be part oftheir final fling. Months before, Anthonyhad committed to playing his guitar atchurch for a special service. He was theonly guitarist and was needed. None of hisfriends, including his girlfriend, knewabout him playing guitar in church.Anthony wanted to please everyone, butdidn’t see how.Rejection is never easy, yet we follow Onewho was rejected in his hometown. Heended up dying on the cross – the ultimaterejection. His crucifixion was not a sign ofthe people’s love for him, but insteadbecame a sign of his love for us.Christians follow one who was rejected andnailed to a cross. Some things over theyears have not changed – including certainpeople’s acceptance of God’s Word andfaith. Not all want to hear a word of hope,healing, and love. Not all are ready.Jesus gave his disciples incredible powersto heal and bear witness to him. He warnedthem about the rejection by some, but urgedthem to continue to bear witness. Filledwith the authority of Jesus, they were ableto do incredible good. PrayerMighty One, give me courage to be a wit-ness to your gracious love. Amen.

ConnectionsSt. Mat thew Lutheran Church – Connec t i ng Fa i th W i th L i fe !

CALENDAR of EVENTSSAT., JULY 7

FOOD PANTRY WEEKEND10am-12pm Concord Room

Reserved/Al-Anon Mtg. 5:00 pm Worship

SUN., JULY 8

FOOD PANTRYWEEKEND

9:30 am Single Summer Service10:45 am Coffee Fellowship12:00 pm Service-Learning Trip

Final Meeting

MON., JULY 9 8:30 am Morning Prayer

Group 9:00 am Pastors’ Text Study 7:00 pm Girl Scouts

TUES., JULY 10 9:00 am STM Quilters in

the Fellowship Hall 5:45 pm Council Meeting 7:00 pm Boy Scouts

WED., JULY 11 6:00 pm Bible Study

FRI., JULY 13 11:30 am “Let’s Do Lunch”

Ladies Luncheon atThe Apple Dumplin’

SAT., JULY 1410am-12pm Concord Room

Reserved/Al-Anon Mtg. 5:00 pm WorshipPastor Maggie and Middle School Kidsleave for the Service Learning Trip in WV.

They will return July 20thSUN., JULY 15

9:30 am Single Summer Service10:45 am Coffee Fellowship10:45 am Augsburg Room Reserved/

Baptism Celebration

STMFOOD PANTRY

WEEKEND

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STAFF OF ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCHPHONE: 367-1189 www.stmatthewurbana.org

Pastor Robert J. RasmusAssociate Pastor Maggie FalenschekOffice Manager Gayla PellumNursery Ruby Splittstoesser & Emma LacefieldParish Nurses Aziza Awate, Kathie Pound, and Beth Riddle

Connections Deadline: Submit announcements in writing to the church office or by e-mailto gayla.stm@stmatthewurbana.org no later than 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. Thank you!

Please note: Names on the list for prayers will be posted for one month unless otherwise requested.Please contact the church office with any updates or extensions. Thank you.

Specialist Sean Splittstoesser,grandson of Ruby & Dan Splittstoesser

Brody Welshofer, friend of Danielle DeckDonna Gehrt, aunt of Jill DalyChris Galvin, friend of Morgan JohnsonVickie Fitzsimmons,

sister-in-law of Shirley ShawVirginia, Meghan & Chris,

friends of Chris BedfordJohn Sheehan,

grandfather of Walker WestfieldJanette Green, friend of Peg WarrinerGloria & family, aunt of Jill DalyNathan Koplinski & 3rd Battalion India Company,

son of Beth KoplinskiPat & Diane VanMatre,

friends of Judy & Leonard Wilson****************Doris, friend of Liz Schwartz****************

John Gantz Isabella GonzalezRita Vanier Danielle DeckBruce Carroll Hervin BuhrGerald Smith Garris GrahamRod Warfield Dan SplittstoesserCherylin StiversPr. Bill & Kathryn HarumLana Maske Jeanette BurnettDon Saupe Lana WegengJoyce DeVore****************Remember our shut-ins:Elaine Ebeling Leona Saathoff

Prayer Requests

Stephen MinistryMark and I had been married 26 years. We lovedbeing parents but we were anticipating the empty nestand spending more time together. Then our lives wereturned upside down when Mark was diagnosed withStage IV pancreatic cancer. He was only 53. I found myself trying to provide emotional support to Mark and our sons during theworst experience any of us had ever endured. I wanted and needed to keep myselftogether to focus on caring for Mark, but I was emotionally drained–full of sadnessand terrified of what the future held. However, I knew I couldn’t do this alone. I talked to my pastor about it and less than two weeks after Mark was diagnosed,my Stephen Minister came for the first of her weekly visits. Our pastor was won-derful, and we had an amazing amount of support from many other people, but thetime I spent with my Stephen Minister was the only time in the week when I couldtruly focus on my own needs. She was there just for me. My Stephen Minister let me know that, while she was very concerned for Mark, herrole was to be my support–to listen and help me process what I was feeling andgoing through, without giving advice or telling me what to do. Her weekly visitsbecame an anchor in my life–something I could rely on when everything else wasso uncertain. She was a steady reminder of God’s presence, helping me know I wasnever alone.Although Mark and I chose to talk publicly about his condition, my StephenMinistry relationship was completely confidential. I knew I could share anythingwith her, and that’s where it would stay. Mark’s illness progressed rapidly. My needs changed as I went from being a wife tobeing a caregiver to being a grieving widow and dealing with everything that theloss of a spouse entails. Through it all, my Stephen Minister’s love and support con-tinued. She was there for me at every stage of my journey. It was never easy, but myStephen Minister helped me through the most difficult moments of my life. Theconfidential support of my Stephen Minister was so important in helping mecope–and then begin to heal. (From stephenministry.org)If you are in need of a Stephen Minister please contact Pastor Bob, Pastor Maggieor Mike Krumwiede.

Welcome!St. Matthew Lutheran Church

is a fellowship of Christian believers called to: grow in Christ, share the Gospel, serve God’s people.Do come again to St. Matthew Lutheran Church

where you are always welcome.

Worship ServicesSaturday, 5:00pmA relaxed and informal worship held in our Christ Chapel.Sunday, 9:30 am (May 27 through September 2, 2018)Spirited traditional worship that focuses on participation through the liturgy,the great hymns of the Church.

ALTAR FLOWERSThe flowers on the altar this weekend are in celebration of the wonderful members ofSt. Matthew Lutheran Church. We are a great church family!Help make our altar beautiful! Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, someone’s life orjust because. The sign up sheet is located on the bulletin board in the narthex. Thereare many open dates still available this year.

FOOD PANTRY WEEKEND IS THIS WEEKEND!SUPPORTING THE STM FOOD PANTRY The first full weekend of every month is designated as FoodPantry Weekend. We ask the members of our congregation tobring in items for our food pantry. A basket for your donationsis placed in the narthex Saturday evening and Sunday morning.The following are things that we are running low in the pantry: instant mashedpotatoes; instant rice; complete pancake mix; canned peas, carrots, pork andbeans, peaches, pears, tuna; tomato soup; cream of mushroom soup;spaghetti sauce; cornbread mix; and salad dressing.

Our food pantry provides a week's worth of meals to families withinthe community on a regular basis. You can pick up a full list of theitems you can choose to donate in the narthex following our week-end services. We so appreciate all that you do for our food pantryeach month. Thank you!

You are welcome to place items in the food box at any time throughout themonth also. Thanks again for continued help. If you have any questions aboutthe Food Pantry or would like to become a volunteer to help make deliveriescall the Church office at 217-367-1189 or Doris Gebauer at 369-6772.

STM

STMFood Pantry

WEDNESDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDYWednesday Adult Bible study continues through the summer, look-ing at the Epistles of 1st and 2nd Peter, Jude and more. Join us inthe Augsburg Room at 6:00.

THE NEW PHONE DIRECTORIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE!Pick up a copy of the 2018-2019 St. Matthew phone directory! TheWHITE books will be available in the narthex. Please contact the officewhenever you have any changes to your information. We will shareyour updates with everyone in the Insight newsletter. We especially needto know if you move or will gone for any length of time so that we canmail your newsletter to the correct address. The post office charges usand the mailman collects cash from the office for our returned mail.

STM QUILTERS THIS WEEK!We are working on a new quilt. It will be finished in the early fall. Weplan to hold a raffle so we can replenish our Quilting fund. If youwould like to help with this project we meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdaysof each month from 9–12:00 in Fellowship Hall. We would love to have anyone whois on summer vacation join us. If you can’t meet in the daytime and know how toquilt we would be happy to send fabric with you so you can work from home.Everyone is welcome. For more information please contact Peg Warriner (369-5433).

“LET’S DO LUNCH” LADIES LUNCHEON THIS WEEK!Join us on the second Friday of each month at 11:30 am at adifferent restaurant each month. No age limit, no jobs to do,no colored hats to wear, nothing to study, strictly social &fun. Come when you can whatever months you can. The nextlunch will be held Friday, July 13th at The Apple Dumplin’ onHigh Cross Road in Urbana. The sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in thenarthex. If you forget to sign up... come anyway! Women of all ages are welcome!

MEN’S COFFEEOur Men’s Coffee group meets twice a month. All available STM men areinvited to gather for a cup of coffee & conversation on the first and thirdTuesday of every month. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, July 17th at10:00am in the Harvest Market on South Neil St. in Champaign. Men ofall ages are welcome & encouraged to join our discussions.

OUR 2018 SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVEWe're once again collecting school supplies this summer for areagrade schools. Needs include number-two pencils, colored pencils,crayons, markers, dry-erase markers, Pink Pearl erasers, Fiskarsscissors, rulers, glue sticks, solid-color two-pocket folders, wide-ruled single-subject notebooks, loose-leaf notebook paper, Kleenex,sandwich- and gallon-sized Ziploc bags, and headphones. Donations can be placed inthe social ministry corner of the narthex.

SUMMER MUSICIt's that time of year again when any and all of you are invited toshare your gifts of music during our 9:30am Single Summer Sundayworship services. Sing a solo, play your trombone, get a small orlarge group together, and let Nancy Schneider(nancyschneider@hotmail.com) know you're interested.

ALL WOMEN ARE INVITEDAll women are invited to join in a summer choir! We willpractice on the Wednesday before singing on the Sunday. Thesummer schedule is listed below. Contact Nancy Schneider atnancyschneider@hotmail.com or Mark Woodcock atmarkw2@illinois.edu if you have any questions.

Practice – Wednesday, July 18 - TBA Sing – Sunday, July 22Practice – Wednesday, August 1 - TBA Sing – Sunday, August 5Practice – Wednesday, August 8 - TBA Sing – Sunday, August 12Practice – Wednesday, August 15 - TBA Sing – Sunday, August 19

JOIN US FOR A GOOD OLE FASHION HYMN SING! On Sunday, July 22nd from 7-9pm the area ELCA churchesare hosting Hops and Hymns at Rafters Draft and Dough,1906 W. Bradley, Champaign. All are welcome to come. Wewill provide music and song leaders, and Rafters will behappy to sell you food and drinks. If you have any questions,please contact Caitlyn at gracelife@gracelutherancu.org

SUMMER IS ALIVE IN THE STM GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCEThe flowers are beautiful and blooming in abundance. It is alovely quiet place to sit and take in the peaceful surroundingsor watch the activity on the Sola Gratia Farm. Niches cost$1200– includes niche space for two, two urns and engrav-ing. Memorial pavers may be ordered to celebrate a speciallife. These are in two sizes, cost $150 or $200 and come inthree different colors. Applications for both are available in the church office.

34TH ANNUAL WISCONSIN BIKE MS TOURThose two old grizzled St. Matt’s pedalers, JohnWarriner and Matt Wallig, when not building hous-es for Habitat for Humanity or pulling weeds atSola Gratia, will be riding in the 34th annualWisconsin Bike MS Tour, August 4 & 5 this year. They and the other 1400+ bicyclerwill be raising money for the National MS Society in the battle against this awfuldebilitating neurologic disease. It’s ambitious but we bikers achieved that goal lastyear. So won’t you please support us with a pledge or donation? For those of youwho wish to donate, please see the URL below, send John or Matt a check made outto the National MS Society (“Bike MS WI Chapter” I the memo line) or drop adonation off at the church office. our support is very much appreciated!”

SUMMERTIME CHANGES TO OUR PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRYThe Prayer Shawl Ministry group knits shawls that are given tothose who are experiencing difficult times in their lives, or tocommemorate the gift of love, friendship & caring. Our groupwill not meet during the summer months. Knitters and/or cro-cheters are encouraged to continue making shawls at home. Wewill be giving beautiful shawls to those in need, but we will need our fellowSTM members help. If you know of someone who would be comforted by aprayer shawl, please contact Joan Peterson (384-7415), Mary Anderson (896-2061), Pastor Maggie or the church office (367-1189). See you September 21st!

RELIT – SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!School's out for the summer. . . and so it ReLit! Our Religion andLiterature reading group will meet again on September 21. Put iton your calendar, and save up your suggestions for next year'sbook list. We'll be meeting on the 3rd Friday of each month at7pm for discussion and treats. If you would like to be on our contact list, sendyour name and email address to nancyschneider@hotmail.com.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY – “WE ARE ON SUMMER BREAK!”Our Women’s Bible Study group will not meet in June, July orAugust. You are welcome to pick up a copy of the Gathermag-azine Bible studies on the table across from the office to readduring the summer months.We look forward to getting togetherin the fall. Plan to join us on September 27th for fellowship & coffee. Hope tosee you then! Thanks ladies, Mary Anderson, Bible Study coordinator

Write the names of the ministries you are involved in at St. Matthew as well as other organizations you work with inthe community on individual leaves.

Hang your leaves on our tree and we’ll discover together just how far we reach into our community and world!