St. Matthews Messenger 1 July 2017

St. Matthews Lutheran Church St Matthews Messenger 416 E. Dover Road Princeton, IL 61356-9551 (815)879-6491 Change Service Requested

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Princeton, IL Permit No. 449

JULY 2017 NORTHERN ILLINOIS SYNOD ASSEMBLY, highlights and photos are on page 2

www.StMatthewsPrinceton.org Office email: StMatthewsPrinceton@gmail.com

Pr Scott Schmidt: Pastor.StMatthewsPrinceton@gmail.com Join us on Facebook

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be Monday, August 7 from 8:00 am—3:00 pm with registration at 7:45 am at Hampshire Colony Church. See page 7 for more details.

JAY BRAIDA GOLF OUTING will be Saturday, July 8 at Chapel Hill Golf Course. This year’s recipient is Shane Hultine. St. Matthews will be supplying desserts for approximately 200 people. See page 4 for more details.

The Nursing Project – Tanzania —St Matthews challenge continues through July for this project in conjunction with our Northern Illinois Synod. See page 10 for more details.

St. Matthews Messenger 2 July 2017

ST. MATTHEWS VOTING MEMBERS: Wendell Nelson, Lay Male Voting Member Pam Nelson, Lay Female Voting Member Miles Rose, Young Adult Voting Member Pr. Scott Schmidt, Clergy Voting Member

50 years of ordination Seven pastors were

honored for 50 years of serving Christ’s Church

among them was Rev. Leo Patterson.

534 people were at our

Synod Assembly.

ELCA Glocal Musicians-Educators led music, singing and worship choir in which Miles Rose also sang.

Worship is a central part of our

Synod Assembly.

Bishop Jeff Clements of our Northern Illinois

Synod spoke on the importance that we work

to REVITALIZE (Renew, Rethink, Reform) how we

function as a church.

St. Matthews Messenger 3 July 2017

LOMC is a 640-acre, year-round retreat and camping center in the heart of the Rock River Valley of Northwestern Illinois. It is a ministry of the ELCA congregations in Illinois and eastern Missouri. LOMC

works cooperatively with congregations to provide staff and resources for camping programs in Illinois and the St. Louis area. Youth and adults find

LOMC an attractive setting for retreats and conferences.

The purpose of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (LOMC) is to be the Church in outdoor settings, nurturing Christian faith and providing experiences connecting the Word of God with the World of God.

There are many camps available for this summer. Check out the brochure by Pastor’s office. Find out more about LOMC go to lomc.org or see the Summer

Brochure outside of Pastor’s office.

CONSIDERING GOING TO A CHRISTIAN CAMP THIS SUMMER? St. Matthews would like to be a partner with you. We are blessed with campership money to encourage youth to attend a place like Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center (LOMC), Lutherdale or a similar camp. Contact the office for information.

An Note f rom Pastor Scot t Schmidt Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. Romans 10:10

artin Luther is quoted as having said, “The Church is a Mouth House.” In worship first and foremost we all praise God with our

mouths. Second, we proclaim the Gospel with our mouths by reading scripture, responding in the liturgy, confessing the creeds, singing, and off course the preacher shares the Good News in a sermon.

So, as your pastor, our being “A Mouth House” is much more than what I say with my voice on a Sunday. It includes all who are in worship. It should also include voices from Christ’s Larger Church.

When Andy Dye was our Congregation President, he said something like this to me, “Pastor, take no offense, but it’s good sometimes for us to hear a sermon from another preacher.” I told Andy that I agreed 100 percent.

In July, God’s “Mouth House” (called St. Matthews) will hear from a variety of voices. On July 2, my sermon will be on how we welcome others, including visiting “prophets” and then how we are to share a “cup of cold water” with others. Our Worship Team will lead us in lifting our voices in praise to God. Then, I will be on vacation July 8 through 16.

July 9, Pastor Leo Patterson (whose health is restored) will return to lead us in worship and share a sermon. The voice of horns by our Brass Choir will praise God.

July 16, Pastor Charles Steinke, returns to our “Mouth House” to lead worship and preach. Using the voice of a tuba, Andy Dye will share our Lord’s gift of music.

July 23, I will lead worship and Russ Senti from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center will share the sermon. Plus, Pastor David Barnes (Hampshire Colony Congregation Church) will share a brief Temple Talk on his service experience at our Lutheran World Relief headquarters. Ariel Rose will praise God with a solo.

July 30, I return to the pulpit. (I do enjoy and feel called to preach.) Jim Eble and Gary Crockett will sing a duet to God’s glory. We also will install the Council appointed members of our St. Matthews, Building and Facilities Study Committee to begin working towards “Goal A” in our Long-Range and Strategic Plan.

As we remember the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this year, Luther might be pleased how our place of worship is a “Mouth House” for God.

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Scott Schmidt

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be at Hampshire Colony Church this year on Monday, August 7 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm with registration at 7:45 am. VBS will be a one day event and the theme is “The Heat Is On”. We will have information about registration and other needs as it becomes available to us. Here is a link to “The Heat Is On” Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/s/692969294242932/

St. Matthews Messenger 4 July 2017

Project Respond Drive

July is always a busy time of year for me. We always have our Project Respond Aid drive ending this month

and there is always plenty of paperwork to prepare for the 40 foot shipping

container.

Another Child Foundation provides humanitarian aid to our Romania

partner, Fundatia Buckner to improve the living conditions and well-being

of the children and families we assist. Through these support drives we

demonstrate the love that God has put onto our hearts to transform the

hearts of those less fortunate. Each year ACF sends a large shipping

container of humanitarian aid items to Romania to support the ongoing

work. Typical items which are sent each year are: new shoes, winter boots,

socks, school supplies, blankets/quilts, winter coats, back-packs and

clothing. This year St. Matthew’s played a large role in supplying school kits for our kids.

Last year Another Child Foundation collected over 15,000 items from 39 different churches and organizations

to send to Romania. “It is awesome to see support come from all parts of the country supporting our children

and families in Romania”, says ACF Executive Director- Tim Oloffson. Over the past few years ACF has

received support from Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio and New York. This year ACF anticipates

over 50 churches and organizations from 6 states to once again participate in the collection of this vital

humanitarian aid.

Tim Oloffson- Executive Director

ST MATTHEWS SAINTLY SPAGHETTI SUPPER

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept 23, 2017

4-7 pm serving times

New this year our St. Matthews quilters will be making a quilt for us to raffle off the day of the supper. Also, we will have a silent auction. Anyone wishing to donate something for the auction (i.e. gift certificates, gift baskets, handmade items, etc.) FYI all items for the silent auction will be donated by members we are not soliciting businesses. Please contact the committee: Pam Clementz, Terry Rapp, Kathy Waca or Barb Miller.

Reaching, Teaching, Transforming

St. Matthews Messenger 5 July 2017

4

16 E

. Dov

er

Roa

d

Prin

ceto

n, I

L 6

135

6

815

.87

9.6

49

1

Web

pag

e:

ww

w.S

tmat

thew

sPri

nce

ton

.org

E

mai

l: S

tMat

thew

sPri

nce

ton

@g

mai

l.co

m

M

on

Tu

e W

ed

Th

u

Fri

S

at

1

2

9 a

m W

orsh

ip S

erv

ice

10:1

5 C

offe

e F

ellow

ship

3

PAS

TO

R’S

DA

Y O

FF

4

OF

FICE

CLO

SE

D

IN

DE

PEN

DE

NCE

D

AY

B

ible

Stu

dy

resu

mes

Sept

5

5

6

12 p

m B

ureau

Cou

nty

Past

ors

Lun

cheon

@

Tri

nity

Man

lius

4 p

m E

xecu

tive

Com

mit

tee

7

7 p

m P

rinc

eton

, IL

Boa

rd G

ames

Gro

up

at S

t. M

atth

ews

8 P

AS

TO

R

SC

HM

ID

T O

N

VC

AT

IO

N

JU

LY

8-1

6

Jay

Bra

ida

Gol

f O

utin

g

5:3

0 p

m

Sof

tbal

l vs

. S

t. L

ouis

/

9

9 a

m W

orsh

ip S

erv

ice

10:1

5 C

offe

e F

ellow

ship

10

11

Bib

le S

tudy

resu

mes

Sept

5

1 pm

Qui

lters

6

pm

Con

greg

atio

n Cou

ncil

12

13

10:3

0 a

m P

rinc

eton

M

inis

teri

al A

ssoc

14

7 p

m P

rinc

eton

, IL

Boa

rd G

ames

Gro

up

at S

t. M

atth

ews

15

5 p

m Y

outh

&

Fam

ily

Peor

ia

Chie

fs G

ame

16

9 a

m W

orsh

ip S

erv

ice

10:1

5 C

offe

e F

ellow

ship

17

PAS

TO

R’S

DA

Y O

FF

18

Bib

le S

tudy

resu

mes

Sept

5

7 p

m S

oftb

all vs

. B

ureau

Tow

nship

19

1 pm

Fin

ance

Com

mit

tee

20

12:3

0 pm

Wor

ship &

Mus

ic

1 pm

Wor

ship &

Mus

ic

2 pm

Gre

enfield

Wor

ship

6-8

pm A

n Ev

ening with

N

ursin

g Pr

ojec

t, St.

Paul

Dix

on

21

5 p

m F

ord/S

tile

s R

ehear

sal

7 p

m P

rinc

eton

, IL

Boa

rd G

ames

Gro

up

22

For

d/S

tile

s W

eddin

g at

S

t M

atth

ews

7 p

m S

oftb

all

vs. M

ethod

ist

23

9 a

m W

orsh

ip S

erv

ice

10:1

5 C

offe

e F

ellow

ship

24

PA

ST

OR

’S D

AY

OF

F

25

Bib

le S

tudy

resu

mes

Sept

5

1 pm

Qui

lters

26

10 a

m L

ibert

y V

illa

ge

Wor

ship

27

28

7 p

m P

rinc

eton

, IL

Boa

rd G

ames

Gro

up

at S

t. M

atth

ews

29

8:3

0 p

m

Sof

tbal

l vs

. B

ureau

T

owns

hip

30

9 a

m W

orsh

ip S

erv

ice

10:1

5 C

offe

e F

ellow

ship

31

PAS

TO

R’S

DA

Y O

FF

1 Bib

le S

tudy

resu

mes

Sept

5

6 p

m E

xecu

tive

Com

mit

tee

2

5:3

0 p

m

Ste

war

dsh

ip

Com

mit

tee

3 4

7

pm

Pri

ncet

on, IL

Boa

rd G

ames

Gro

up

at S

t. M

atth

ews

5

Work

cam

p a

t B

ull

ock

Cre

ek

, M

I J

uly

23

-29

PA

ST

OR

SC

HM

IDT

ON

VA

CA

TIO

N J

UL

Y 8

-16

PA

ST

OR

VA

CA

TIO

N

TH

RO

UG

H J

UL

Y 1

6

Pr.

Sco

tt S

chm

idt i

s on

cal

l for

P

r. G

ene

Vin

cent

& 1

st L

uthe

ran

Ohi

o

July

21-

30

St. Matthews Messenger 6 July 2017

JULY 2017 WORSHIP LEADERS “…from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love” Ephesians 4:16.

JULY 2 JULY 9 JULY 16 JULY 23 JULY 30

ACOLYTE Kolbey

Clementz Audrey Nelson Allison Morton Mariah Hobson Zach Wendling

ALTAR GUILD Pam Clementz & Shirley May

- - - -

CANTOR Worship Team Teri

Schlindwein Tara Ford Miles Rose Diana Dye

COFFEE HOST Charlie &

Kathy Waca Sandy &

Tommy Rose OPEN OPEN Pam Clementz

COFFEE SPONSOR

Charlie & Kathy Waca

Harlan & Alice Ehmen Sue Garvin Pat Hultine Jim Eble

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS Andy Dye Sandy Rose

Diane Christianson Gary Morton

Gail & Betty Peterson

Sue Garvin

FLOWERS OPEN Lois Pinter Pat Hultine Jason &

Megan Ford Gary & Diane

Bruce

GREETERS Chip & Marilyn

Huckins Bob & Lynda

Fenwick Shirley May &

Lois Pinter Mavis Lins

Ann Sapp & Fran Orloff

READERS Joelle Crockett Gary Crockett Miles Rose Gail Peterson Betty Peterson

SOUND SYSTEM

Jeff Martin Tommy Rose Charlie Waca Pam Clementz Brian

Huffstodt

USHERS

Charlie & Kathy Waca

Brad Snethen Jim Eble

Dan Druley Jim Miller

Dick Volker

Tom & Diane Christianson

Pam Clementz Jeff Martin

Jack Gross Gary Morton

Steve Nelson Nate Edlefson

MOWING See Schedule on Bulletin

Board

July 2-8 Brady & Brad

Snethen

July 9-15 Brian

Huffstodt

July 16-22 Kenny May

July 23-29 Charlie Waca

July 30-Aug 5 Brady & Brad

Snethen

TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

Is taking a break for the summer. Classes will resume Tuesday, September 5.

EQUAL EXCHANGE COFFEE & CHOCOLATE

Is available in the Sharer Room. Prices are

marked on package.

St. Matthews Messenger 7 July 2017

Youth and Family Ministry Corner

With summer in full bloom, the Youth and Family Ministry department at St. Matthews is growing and focusing. We are in the midst of forming a Youth and Family committee that will both support and encourage youth and family events, curriculum, and education at St. Matthews. In January, as a church we agreed that the youth were an important part of our faith family. The formation of the committee shows the youth are important, just like the property, worship, or other committee bearing aspect of St. Matthews. Thank you for helping us plan and grow our future as a worshiping body.

Now for the fun stuff… The Youth and Family have recently been teaming up with other groups and churches in town. Our most recent expedition was with a group of teens and adults from the Methodist church in which we were locked in a room and had 60 minutes to solve puzzles, find clues, and escape. Although Emily’s team cheated by skipping two of the puzzles, everyone that went had a great time.

Looking forward, July 16 is a baseball night with the Peoria Chiefs, sign up in the Narthex or outside pastor’s office so we know who to expect. Tickets will be $12 at most (less if we get more people). We will be departing from St. Matthews at 4:30pm and there are fireworks after the game. If you need a ride, talk to Mike Herro.

Lastly, please keep the youth and adults who are attending Workcamp in your prayers. We have planned and worked for the past few months to make our trip to Bullock Creek, MI possible.

Lutheran World Relief

Here we are in the month of July already. That means school supplies will soon be out in the stores. This has been the time that we at St. Matthews have really put forth our efforts to fill school kits for Lutheran World Relief. Last year we filled 131 kits. We have put out the back packs to be filled with the school supplies. Pick up a list from the envelope on the coat rack listing the supplies. If you hit a great sale on any of the items buy in quantity and put in the LWR box. We will match things up and fill more kits.

Again don’t forget to be making Personal Care Kits and filling the soap tub with soap. The Quilters are also hard at work making quilts to be sent.

Thank you for all your willing donations. Know that you make many lives happier and I’m sure God smiles down on our efforts.

Princeton Church League Softball

1 - St. Matthews 2 - Bureau Township 3 - Methodist 4 - Bunker Hill 5 - St. Louis/Covenant 6 - People’s Church 7 - Princeton Bible

1 - St. Matthews

A special thank you to everyone for prayers, cards, and food when I had my knee surgery. And thank you to Pastor Scott for always being there. St. Matthews has such great people. We are blessed! Thank you. Sincerely, Diane Bruce

Thank you for your donation of food for our Lunch In The Park. We had a successful day thanks to the donations we received. Blessing to you, Julie Pinter, WUNT Radio

DATE GAME RESULTS

MAY 13 ST MATTS 17 BUNKER HILL 12

MAY 27 ST MATTS 17 BUREAU TOWNSHIP 9

JUNE 3 ST MATTS 4 METHODIST 1

JUNE 10 ST MATTS 10 ST LOUIS 6

JUNE 17 ST MATTS 12 PRINCETON BIBLE 2

JUNE 24 ST MATTS 14 PEOPLE’S CHURCH 4

GAMES TO BE PLAYED

DATE 5:30 PM

SATURDAY 7:00 PM

SATURDAY 8:30 PM

SATURDAY

JULY 1 NO GAMES

JULY 8 1 - 5 4 - 6 3 - 7

JULY 15 4 - 7 6 - 2 5 - 3

JULY 18 (TUESDAY)

7 - 6 1 - 2 -

JULY 22 5 - 7 3 - 1 2 - 4

JULY 29 3 - 4 6 - 5 2 - 1

We have several people going who have never been to a camp before so it will prove both challenging and growing for them. If you would like to send a letter of encouragement or care package full of candy, you can send them to

℅ Brandon Stover Bullock Creek High School

1420 Badour Road Midland, MI 48640

We will be there July 23-29 so be sure to send it early. Thanks again for all your support and we look forward to telling you all about our trip in August/September.

St. Matthews Messenger 8 July 2017

OUR TABLE St Matthews served Monday June 19th, and served 92. Thank you to all who helped. God bless you all.

ST MATTHEWS PRAYER PENNY

JAR

Pennies placed in the jar from July through October 2017

will go to Princeton Ministerial Association

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REQUESTED PRAYER:

From St. Matthews: Jim Dye, Alberta Clayton, Georgia Fay, Irene Hildebrand, Inga Albee, Matt Compton, Steve Lange, Peter Lange, Shirley Schmidt, Norma Lorenzen, Diane Eble, Judy Dyke, Doris King, Josie Edlefson, Shirley Coates, Virgil Gross, Shirley Carter , Shane Hultine, Abigail Dye, Beth Puebla.

Friends and Family* Dana Freese (daughter of Jack ie Woolley), Mary Christianson (mother of Tom Christianson), Beth Woolley (cousin of Jack ie W oolley & Lynda Fenwick), Riese Baker (great granddaughter of Fenwick’s), Debra Dahl (daughter of Shirley May), Sally King (Shirley Schmidt’s cousin), Danny Lins (son of Mavis Lins), Sue Thompson (friend Pam Clementz), John McCarthy (friend of Shawn & Pam Haslam), Sharlotte Smith (friend of Pam Clementz), Jane Argo (friend of Fran Orloff).

THOSE IN MOURNING:

Family & friends of Don Smith (friend of Chuck & Lori Hultine) upon his passing.

Family & friends of Christine Castner Hanson (cousin of Dave Castner & Linda Berry) upon her passing.

Family & friends of Dale Nelson (son of Bill & Judy Nelson) upon his passing.

Family & friends of Roger Wedekind (from the cleaning service we use at St. Matthews) upon his passing.

SPECIAL JOYS:

Baptism of Calvin Robert Novy son of Josh & Deanna (Henning) Novy and grandson of Gerald & Janet Henning

PRAYER CHAIN: If you would like to share a prayer request for our Prayer Chain, request cards and a drop box are outside Pastor’s office or email a request to StMattsPrayers1@gmail.com

DON’T FORGET OUR SHUT-INS AND HOMEBOUND

LIBERTY VILLAGE IL VA HOME-

LASALLE

Irene Hildebrand Virgil “Buzzie” Gross

Alberta Clayton

Norma Lorenzen AT HOME

Jean Yates Inga Albee @ Stacy Headley’s home

Judy Dyke Arlene Richards @ In-Home Care

Fran Ahrens

COUNTRY COMFORT

GREENFIELD Diane Eble

Pat Hultine Eddie Gross

Marian Wolf COLONIAL HALL

Betty Goers Shirley Coates

SPRING VALLEY NURSING HOME

Georgia Fay

If Pr Scott Schmidt is away from the office, and you are in need of pastoral care, please contact: the office (815-879-6491) or after hours Council President Sandy Rose (815-303-1983) or Dick Volker (815-875-1330)who will contact the pastor on call for St Matthews.

A reminder— If you or a family member enter the hospital and would like a visit from Pastor Scott Schmidt, please call: Church Office (815-879-6491) or

Pastor Scott’s cell (1-779-537-4811).

July 2 Worship Team

July 9 Brass Choir

July 16 Andy Dye

July 23 Ariel Rose

July 30 Jim Eble & Gary Crockett

SUMMER SPECIAL MUSIC

St. Matthews Messenger 9 July 2017

St. Matthews Family,

What would it be like if we had no music? Pretty boring, I would say. Music is such a big part of our lives. We can sing to music, dance to it, hum to it, listen to it and play it.

St Matthews has some amazingly talented musicians. I love hearing the choir, bells and

praise band. I know God is enjoying listening to it all.

During the summer months the choir and bells take a break. It’s a time for individuals to share their musical abilities with us. What a joy it is to hear all different ages sharing these gifts God gave them. Psalm 95:1 “O come , let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation”

St Matthews Congregation President,

Sandy Rose

CONGREGATION GIVING FINANCIAL REPORT through May 2017

YTD Budget: $97,835 YTD Giving: $94,894; YTD Expenses:$93,511 YTD Expenses under Budget $(4,324);YTD Giving over Expenses by $1,383

CONGREGATION PRESIDENT

CONGREGATION COUNCIL Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Evangelism: Andy Dye is still looking for one person for his team. Two notes were sent to visitors. Worship & Music: none Stewardship: Tanzania Nursing Project Temple Talk will be June 18. Finance: none Memorial Pam Horras has one person for her team and has others who have not committed at the time of the meeting.

Property: Dave Castner cleaned out the gutters at the church. Timber Falls came and trimmed a tree at the Parish House and cleaned out the gutters. Fellowship: New way of serving coffee on Sundays seems to be working. We have sponsors and just need a few hosts to sign up.

Executive Committee Meetings: July 6 @ 4 pm Council Meeting: July 11 @ 6 pm Minutes are pending approval at next Congregation Council meeting.

SUMMER COFFEE FELLOWSHIP continues to meet in the Fellowship Hall. We are looking for hosts to make coffee, but we are using Sullivan’s to furnish a standing order of treats so you don’t have to bring anything. We are also looking for people to sponsor the treats for $30. The sign up sheet will have a spot for host and another spot for sponsor.

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK

Sunday, July 9

Jeannine May will be

available for blood pressure checks in the Eckdahl Room.

St. Matthews Messenger 10 July 2017

An evening with Mark & Linda Jacobson, Director of the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center, Arusha, Tanzania.

July 20, 6-8 pm at

St. Paul Lutheran Church,

Dixon, Illinois

Now imagine this….

The Arusha Lutheran Medical Center opened in 2014.

They train nurses who take their new nursing skills to the people of Tanzania, saving lives daily.

The school will have to close soon if it can’t find a new facility.

The Northern Illinois Synod has committed to raising $100,000 to save the school.

Go to thenursingproject@nisynod.

or on Facebook at

The Nursing Project-Tanzania for more information