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201520152015

Striving to Grow our Faith and Devotion to God at

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

Church Address 3668 Ridge Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 office@kellerschurch.org

Phone 215-795-2965 / 215-795-0960 (fax)

Website www.kellerschurch.org

Staff: Pastor Robert E. Mitman pastor@kellerschurch.org Director of Music & Youth Susan D. Lear music@kellerschurch.org Ministry Assistant Linda English Nice ministryassistant@kellerschurch.org

Administrative Assistant Holly Thorrington office@kellerschurch.org Nursery Attendant Patty Murphey

Summer worship begins on June 7 with one service at

9:00am; Graduate Recognition will be held.

Summer Music Volunteers

Summer Music Volunteers are needed to provide vocal or instrumental anthems for worship during the months of June, July and August. Sign up on the bulletin board outside the church office, or individuals may contact Susan Lear.

Nepal Area Earthquake On April 25 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit sections of Kathmandu and surrounding areas. Your gifts are needed now. Every gift designated to the “Nepal Area Earthquake” through Lutheran Disaster Response will be used entirely—100 percent— to help those impacted by the quake to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Contributions up to $3000 will be matched with tithe of bequest funds. Please make checks payable to St. Matthew’s and note “Nepal Relief.”

2 Light from the Ridge

From the Lightkeeper

A short time ago someone told me that they had seen an inactive member of the congregation. They immediately recognized each other and the first person said, “I’ve missed seeing you. How are you and your family doing?”

After a brief explanation the second person said, “I’m not sure why I’m not coming to church. I feel so much better when I do.”

The first person replied, “Well, I’ll be there when you come, so why don’t you sit with me?”

And that’s where it ended. Or maybe began.

Not sure of all the individual reasons why people are not participating in worship, but it is a nationwide mainline denominational phenomenon. Attendance figures have been dipping in most Protestant denominations, with the exception of the megachurches. Among 157 congregations in the Southeastern PA Synod, we rank number 11 in average Sunday worship attendance, but in my experience over the years I wouldn’t call our attendance “good.”

“Experts” tell us that people are making choices other than worship, that congregations are not welcoming or open to assimilating new people, that the church has lost its will for mission, that people feel judged, that people don’t want to be lectured, that the church doesn’t walk the talk, and that the God of the church isn’t the God people are looking for. (see also Thom & Joani Schultz, Why Nobody Wants to God to Church Anymore) Someone has even suggested that the family has become its own church, and parenthood its own religion.

The church has been changing, for sure. The persistent (if perennial) question is how does the church address the inevitable cultural change of every generation. How does the church participate in and bring meaning to the lives of people in 2015?

If you’d like some provocative summer reading, I would suggest Thom & Joani Schultz’s Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore. It would make for an interesting summertime conversation under a shade tree if anyone is interested. Let me know.

All for the love of Christ

3 Light from the Ridge

Congregation Council

Council President

Gary Monesmith 215-297-0311 cc.president@kellerschurch.org

Council Secretary

Judy Smolenski 215-257-3340

Financial Secretary

Sharon Myers 215-257-7922

Bookkeeper

Paul Gruver 215-723-7571

Treasurer

Joyce Koenig 215-795-2508

Activities

Becki Wieder 610-346-6640

Christian Education

Lisa Rice 215-257-7646

Church Building

Mark Oristaglio 215-249-0295

Evangelism Andrew Spicer 215-766-7671

Finance Bob Podraza 215-795-2092

Property & Grounds

Dave Fermier 215-534-0885

Social Ministry

Alice Anne Babinetz 215-230-5446

Stewardship

Tom Hebel 215-249-9246

Worship & Music

Debra Yates 610-847-8670

Welcome back to The Building Corner! Here’s the latest news on the Christian Education (CE) Building improvement project: Architectural firm Raphael Architects presented the concept

design and budget to the St. Matthew’s Building Team on May 19. The team was very impressed, and excitement is starting to build. Next, this concept design will be presented to the Church Council at their June meeting. It should be emphasized that any architectural drawings and budgets are still “just a concept” and no final decisions have been made.

Gary Monesmith had a preliminary meeting with the Bedminster Township zoning officer regarding the building process and got a favorable reception.

The Building Team discussed and all agreed that the congregation should consider securing a new mortgage with some urgency to take advantage of the historically low mortgage rates. Mortgage rates will only continue to rise in the months it will take to complete the concept design, review, and approval process.

The Campaign's pledge total is stuck at $468,418 with a goal of $500,000. The final phase of the campaign is now happening. Kirby Smith Associates will place phone calls to those members who have not responded to date. The next step will be turning those pledges into faith gifts.

We always welcome your ideas and visions for our future! Please feel free to contact Brooke Rush at 215-257-7235 or email at brooke@dbrbuilders.com. Or share an idea with any Building Team member identified by a campaign logo button on his or her shirt.

Memorials

In Memory of Verna Friling Given by John & Marie Heil; Anton & Patti Goepfert; JoAnn Renninger In Memory of Lester Gruver Given by William & Ethel Buzdygon (to Capital Campaign); John & Sandy Eckert; Sterling & Carolyn Eckert; Kenneth & Pauline Gahman; Pennridge Class of 1957; The nieces & nephews of Lester Gruver In Memory of Richard Hinkle Given by Harry & Sylvia Langman In Memory of Eleanor Roberts to the Capital Campaign Given by Grace M. Grim, Mark & Diane Malecki, Jacob & Anna Mae Rathjens In Memory of Donald & Eleanor Roberts to the Capital Campaign Given by Gordon & Diane Bryan

4 Light from the Ridge

July 27—31, 2015

9:00am – Noon

ages 4 through grade 6

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

3668 Ridge Road

Perkasie, PA 18944

215-795-2965

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Lear at

music@kellerschurch.org

Please return the bottom portion of this form to the music room or send by mail. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Camper’s Name _______________________________________________________

Birth Date ___________________ Grade Completed _________________________

Parent’s Names _______________________________________________________

Email ______________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

Cell Phone _________________________ Home Phone _______________________

Number where you can be reached during camp hours __________________________

Emergency Contact and Phone Number _____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Allergies and Special Needs _____________________________________________

Person(s) authorized to pick up child _______________________________________

JaMM (Jesus and Musical Me) Summer Camp Register now! Activities of the week will include: songs, Bible stories, choir chimes, handbells, and other musical instruments, snacks, arts & crafts, games and more. Please fill out the registration form below and return the form to the music room or mail it to the church office.

5 Light from the Ridge

Capital Support Opportunities Ocean City, NJ Shore Home for Rent One of our member families is offering their shore home for rental and contributing proceeds to St. Matthew’s Capital Campaign. Rental times available are June 1-5 ($550), August 31-September 2 ($550), September 8-30 ($150 per night) The house sleeps 8-9 with air conditioning, laundry, gas grill, and patio. Brochures are available at the entrances of the church. Contact information is available on the brochure or you may phone 215-262-7080.

Activities at St. Matthew’s Iron Pigs tickets are all sold. See Donna Lebiedzinski to pick yours up and we'll see you at the ball game on June 6.

Sign up sheets are up for Dinners for 8 (or 6 or more) 2015! If you sign up to host, please get in touch with your group ASAP after groupings are distributed. We've had some people who signed up but never got to go to a dinner & we want to avoid that if at all possible. This is a great opportunity to get to know your church family in a whole new way!

Mark your calendars for the Church Picnic, Sunday August 16 following 9am worship. We'll have a picnic brunch.

Also mark your calendars for our Fall Festival, Saturday October 10. We'll start at 3pm with outdoor activities for the whole family then move inside @ 5:30pm for a potluck dinner.

We're also looking at some other smaller activities so keep an eye out for details.

Pennridge FISH Current Needs for Summer Kids Lunch Program: canned fruit, applesauce, jello, granola bars, mini snack packs, fruit snacks, mac and cheese, peanut butter & jelly, spaghettios, cheese and peanut butter crackers, canned tuna & chicken, bags of apples or oranges.

A Warm Thank You We want to thank everybody for the many cards and prayers offered on our behalf during the days of Lester's hospital stay and as we are grieving his death. We are also thankful for the many visits and support of Pastor Mitman and Linda Nice. Janet Gruver, Donna Buzdygon and our families My sincere thanks for the lovely flower bouquet given to me. After over a week they were still lovely and fresh looking. Thanks again Kellers Church for remembering me. Ella K. Crouthamuel-Roth Thank you to Danelle Lauchner and her mother for the awesome job they did for the Mother’s Market. It took a lot of work. Bernice Gilbert

6 Light from the Ridge

June Responsibilities Ushers: Joe & Patti Goepfert, Nicole Leight, Joan Price Counters: Mark Oristaglio, Tom Hebel; alternate: Dave Fermier Altar Guild: Janet Gruver, Robin Rush, Lois Buckman 6/7 Holy Communion Assistants: server Bev Kern; wafers Beth Howard; wine Marilynne Bagosy, Mike VanValkenburgh, Michelle Fluck, Brooke Rush Lector: Bud Eichlin Liturgist: Gary Monesmith Acolyte: Alexia Kirk 6/14 Lector: Andrew Spicer Liturgist: Leesa Wimmer Acolyte: Brett Miller 6/21 Holy Communion Assistants: Bob Podraza, Erin Fadako, Patti Keeler Lector: Nicole Hardy Liturgist: Brett Wimmer Acolyte: Alex Podraza 6/28 Lector: Tom Hebel Liturgist: Linda Nice Acolyte: Marshall Fowler

Head Start Celebration

7 Light from the Ridge

~ June 2015 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

7p-8p Tai Chi 7p-8p Walking Club

2

7p-9p Council Meeting 7p-8p Boy Scout Troop #7 in FH

3 9a-10a Women's Breakfast @ Dublin Diner

4

5 6 6:35p-9:05p Iron Pigs Night

7 Second Sunday after Pentecost Graduate Recognition Holy Communion 9a-10a Summer Worship 11a-1p End-of-Year/Senior Recognition Picnic at the Beers

8 7p-8p Tai Chi 7p-8p Walking Club

9 6p-9p Boy Scouts Roundtable

10

11 12

13 9:30a-10:30a WELCA Meeting (library)

14 Flag Day Third Sunday after Pentecost Children's Church 9a-10a Receive New Members 9a-10a Summer Worship 2-4p 90th Birthday Party 2:30p-3:30p LCT Worship 6p-7p Youth Gathering Meeting (Parlor)

15 Newsletter deadline 7p-8p Tai Chi 7p-8p Walking Club 7p-8p Social Ministry Committee Meeting

16 10a-11a Staff Meeting 7p-8p Building Team Meeting

17 9a-2p WELCA Workday

18

19 4:30p-5:30p Rehearsal

20 2p-3p Wedding of Daniel Myers & Julie Rice

21 Father's Day Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Communion by intinction 9a-10a Summer Worship

22 7p-8p Tai Chi 7p-8p Walking Club

23

24 John the Baptist

25 26

27

28 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Children's Church 9a-10a Summer Worship

29 Peter and Paul, Apostles 7p-8p Tai Chi 7p-8p Walking Club

30

Notes:

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

3668 Ridge Road

Perkasie, PA 18944

Change Service Requested TIME VALUE MAIL PLEASE DO NOT DELAY

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Quakertown, PA

18951

PERMIT NO. 162

St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3668 Ridge Road, Perkasie, PA 18944

215-795-2965 / 215-795-0960 (Fax)

www.kellerschurch.org

June

2015

June