St. Matthew’s Cook-off Challenge

Get ready, get set, COOK! The annual Chili Cook-off is Saturday January 21 - 5:30pm. Enter your Chili and/or your best Mac & Cheese dish! Other entrees welcome as well. Beat the winter blues with a night of food, friends & frivolity. Sign up in the narthex or see Becki Wieder (267-424-5364 / RSWieder@gmail.com)

Souper Bowl Sunday

Join the LYF in collecting funds to benefit those who are without a bowl of soup to eat. On Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, youth group members will be at each church entrance with a soup pot to collect money for our local FISH program. Each person is encouraged to give generously toward this organization which supplies food for local needy people. Each family is also asked to donate one non-perishable food item for “FISH". These items may be placed in the "FISH Food" baskets at each entrance of the church.

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: Interim Pastor The Rev. Donna M. Wright pastor@kellerschurch.org 267-897-0670 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

New Flower & Bulletin charts are

available in the narthex.

$35 for flowers

$30 for bulletins

End of Year Reports are now due.

January 2017January 2017January 2017

Striving to Grow our Faith and Devotion to God at

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

2 Light from the Ridge

From Pastor Donna

With the new year comes new resolutions and new goals. Same for me, as I continue as your pastor. My pastoral goals for 2017:

Continue offering meaningful worship Enhance the ministries of St. Matthew’s Help St. Matthew’s get ready for its next pastor Strategize with congregational leaders appropriate responses to MAP survey results Support the building project

Thank you for your partnership in ministry in 2016. May 2017 be a year of special blessing for us all!

Welcome back to The Building Corner!

The Building Project is still in the permit holding pattern. They have reviewed our application and asked for additional information which Bryce Mininger and our design team are working on. We hope there will be an approved permit under the Christmas tree this year.

Our interior selections sub-committee has been hard at work making the finish material selections and is doing a great job. We are still on track to have our ground breaking ceremonies first thing in the spring.

Thank you for your continued support of “One Church, One Building”. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Brooke Rush at 215-913-4671 or email brooke@dbrbuilders.com.

LYF Lock-In with Rock ‘n Glow Bowling

LYF “Abbreviated” Lock-In with Rock ’n Glow Bowling Friday, January 13 from 7pm to 1:30am. (Eat dinner before arriving.) The group will travel from church to Earl Bowl for Rock 'n Glow bowling. Cost is $12 for bowling. Bring a snack or drink to share and your favorite game. Sign up on the youth bulletin board – indicate on the sign-up sheet next to your name if your parents will be picking you up at the bowling alley or if you need a ride home at 1:30am.

WELCA NEWS

St. Matthew's WELCA thanks everyone who purchased "snowman soup". At our December meeting, Kathleen Herstine presented devotions about the Wise Men, and we packed gift bags for the shut-ins. We decided to change the date of our meetings. We will now meet on the first Saturday of the month. Please join us on January 7th at 9:30 for a devotional time, a service activity, and fellowship. WELCA is collecting items for Lutheran World relief personal care kits. Items needed are one dark colored bath towel, two bath-sized bars of soap, one toothbrush, one sturdy comb, and one metal nail clippers. Please place donations in the WELCA box in the round room. Pennridge FISH is looking for volunteers to help in the clothing room. Please contact Pennridge FISH if you are interested (215-257-7616).

3 Light from the Ridge

Memorials

In Memory of Bill Buzdygon Given by Barbara Hess & Family (Elevator Fund); Joyce Koenig; Jim & Laurel Hange and Family; Jerry & Linda Baker; Linda Detweiler Gerhart & Family; Ken & Janet Beer; Scott & Susan Lear; Edwin & Wanda Wolf; Carol Herstine; Thelma Wieand; Pr. Donna Wright; James & Judith Detweiler; Bruce & Sandra Hemmerle; Paul & Robin Paynkewicz; Catherine Althouse; Daniel & Mary Ann Hauber; Wayne & Sharon Myers (all to Capital Campaign) In Memory of Pauline & Fred Burdick Given by Linda Burdick (Behner Fund)

Notes from The Transition Team

Transition Work Timeline January 8

th – Leadership Transition Event (11:30 - potluck)

January 29th – Part 1– Mission Goals Transition Event – during Sunday School

February 5th – Part 2– Mission Goals Transition Event – during Sunday School

February 7th – Select Call Committee Members – Council Mtg

February 19th – Install Call Committee – Congregational Mtg

February 26th – Review MSP* - Call Committee, Council, and Transition Team

March 5th – MSP* to be reviewed by Congregation

March 7th – Approve MSP* - Council Mtg

March 8th – Send MSP*/Supporting Documents to Synod

March 16th – Synod prayerfully reviews our MSP and begins the matching process – SEPA Synod

committee of deans mtg *Ministry Site Profile – our job posting **Schedule subject to change due to weather – events may be postponed and rescheduled** Thank you Thank you to all of you that participated in our MAP Survey. Look forward to finding out the results the end of January. Please join us - Personal Space Camp and Effective Leadership for the Congregation - January 8

th 11:30 – 1:45

after second service with a pot luck lunch. Games, Fun and Food!!! We will discuss the expectations of both our future pastor and our congregation. You will also get to meet other pastors from our Synod and hear their perspective as well as ask questions. Mission Goals Transition Events January 29

th and February 5

th 9:00 – 10:00 – During Sunday

School – We will go over the MAP survey and discuss our goals and mission for our future with Games, Fun and Goodies. Team members are: Cindy Detweiler, Michelle Fluck, Susan Ganisewski, Paul Gruver, Jim Lauchmen, Kathleen Herstine, Kevin Rice, Brian Robinson, Sue Robinson, Kelly Smola, and Pastor Donna Wright.

A prayer for St. Matthew's folks to pray for this month Heavenly Father as we enter this new time in our church life together we ask your blessings on our congregation. Grant us clear minds and full hearts as we learn about building a relationship with a new pastor. Help us to embrace change as we look to grow and fulfill your ministry here at St. Matthew’s. In Jesus name we pray. Amen (This month’s prayer was written by Kevin Rice.)

4 Light from the Ridge

January Responsibilities Ushers: 7:45 Joyce Koenig, April Potter; 10:15 Skip & Debra Yates, Anton Goepfert, Perry Detweiler Counters: Teresa Hearn, Cindy Murphy; alternate: Becki Wieder Altar Guild: Patti Goepfert, Bev Kern, Cathy Hall-Currey 1/1 9:00am Holy Communion Assistants: server Mary Fowler; wafers Sharon Conrey; wine Patti Keeler, Kelly Smola, Tim Swanson, Michelle Fluck Liturgist: Barbara Hess Lector: Kelly Smola 1/8 Liturgist: 7:45 Carol Miller; 10:15 Sue Robinson Lector: 7:45 Mark Oristaglio; 10:15 Susan Ganiszewski Acolyte: 7:45 Susannah Gruver; 10:15 Rebecca Yardley Greeter: 7:45 Scott Buzdygon; 10:15 Becki Wieder 1/15 Holy Communion Assistants: 7:45 Mary Fowler; 10:15 Becki Wieder, Kaitlin Wenger, Brooke Rush Liturgist: Julie Myers (both services) Lector: 7:45 Casey Barnes; 10:15 Marilynne Bagosy Acolyte:7:45 Maya Valletta; 10:15 Autumn Hunter Greeter: 7:45 Donna Buzdygon; 10:15 Cindy Detweiler 1/22 Liturgist: Marilynne Bagosy (both services) Lector: 7:45 Donna Buzdygon; 10:15 Cindy Detweiler Acolyte: 7:45 Elijah Gruver; 10:15 Gilberto Green Greeter: 7:45 Joyce Koenig; 10:15 Margie Vargo 1/29 Liturgist: Brett Wimmer (both services) Lector: 7:45 Lisa Rice; 10:15 Brett Wimmer Acolyte: 7:45 Susannah Gruver; 10:15 Amber Mauger Greeter: 7:45 Carol Herstine; 10:15 Denise Smith

Thank You

Thank you to WELCA for the Christmas goody bag and to Kathleen & Leroy Herstine for delivering it. Thanks to the Confirmands for the cookies and to Linda Nice for the visit. Richard and Lydia Labs Thank you for the get well and sympathy cards, flowers, meals, phone calls and visits to Bill Buzdygon over the last few months. Also, we are thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers, the volunteers who helped in the kitchen and who prepared cakes for the funeral luncheon, and the donations to the Capital Campaign Fund in his memory. We appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness very much during this sad and difficult time for our family. Ethel Buzdygon and family Thank you all for your prayers, support, and love on the recent death of my mom, Marie Schoessow. It was a gift to spend time with my sister and daughter in Florida, sharing memories, etc. We will be having private services when I return to Florida after Easter. Your faithful support brings me great comfort. Love, Pastor Donna

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

Debra Yates 610-847-8670

Activities

Becki Wieder 610-346-6640

Christian Education

Lisa Rice 215-257-7646

Church Building

Bob Grasmeder 215-453-9278

Evangelism Denise Smith 215-795-2303

Finance Bob Podraza 215-795-2092

Property & Grounds

Bruce Seachrist 215-536-2394

Social Ministry

Teresa Hearn 215-205-5206

Stewardship

Cindy Murphy 215-766-3834

Worship & Music

Susan Robinson 610-847-2405

5 Light from the Ridge

~ January 2017 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 New Year's Day

Holy Communion THE NAME OF JESUS 9a One Worship Service

2

3 7p Council Meeting 7p Boy Scout Troop #7 in FH

4 9a Women's Breakfast @ Dublin Diner 7p Activities Meeting

5 6p Friends of Lake Nockamixon in fellowship hall 6:30p Confirmation Class

6

7 9a-3p Boy Scouts Pine Run Derby 9:30a WELCA Meeting

8 7:45 & 10:15 Worship 8:30a Koinonia Cafe 9a Sunday School and Coffee & Conversation 9:50a Council Picture 10:15a Council Installation 11:15a Transition Event following worship

9 10a Staff Meeting 7p Tai Chi

10

11 7p Transition Team Meeting

12

13 7p-1:30a LYF Lock-in

14

15 7:45 & 10:15 Worship Holy Communion by intinction 8:30a Koinonia Cafe 9a Sunday School and Coffee & Conversation Newsletter deadline Snow date for Transition Event

16 Martin Luther King 10a Staff Meeting 7p Tai Chi

17 7p Building Team Meeting

18 9a WELCA Workday Knotting Quilts

19 6:30p Confirmation Class 7p Palisades Community Chorus practice in sanctuary

20 Inauguration Day

21 5:30p St. Matthew's Cook-off Challenge

22 7:45 & 10:15 Worship Children's Church 8:30a Koinonia Cafe 9a Sunday School and Coffee & Conversation 3p Palisades Community Chorus Concert in sanctuary

23 10a Staff Meeting 7p Tai Chi 7pm Social Ministry Committee Meeting in parlor

24

25 7p Transition Team Meeting

26

27

28 9a Upper Bucks Stewardship Conference

29 7:45 & 10:15 Worship 8:30a Koinonia Cafe 9a Sunday School and Coffee & Conversation- Transition Event part 1

30 10a Staff Meeting 7p Tai Chi

31

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

January

2017

Jan