St. Matthews Messenger 1 July, 2016

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

Church Calendar

Worship Assistants

Note from Pastor

President’s Letter

Stewardship

Fellowship

Shepherding

Church Council

www.StMatthewsPrinceton.org

StMatthewsPrinceton@gmail.com Office email Pastor.StMatthewsPrinceton@gmail.com Pr Scott Schmidt

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July 2016

ST. MATTHEWS LUTHERAN CHURCH

ST MATTHEWS MESSENGE R

416 E . Dover Road Princeton, IL 61356 -9551 (815)879-6491 Change Service Requested

JAY BRAIDA MEMORIAL GOLF OPEN at Chapel Hill Golf Course will be July 9 beginning with golf registration at 10:30 am and golf starting at 12 pm. Dinner will be at 6 pm. Cost for dinner only is $15 for adults, 7 for children 4-10. This year’s recipient is Matt Compton. Silent auction will be held all day through dinner.

VISIONING TEAM DISCUSSION & LUNCHEON will be Sunday, July 17. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall after church and have a discussion for where we see St. Matthews in the future. After the discussion the Visioning Team will have a luncheon brought in for all to enjoy. This is for members of all ages. See page 7 for details

St. Matthews Messenger 2 July, 2016

Our Homestead theme this year is Glory Days. We need to start planning our float for this year. A meeting is planned for Monday July 11th @ 6:30. If you would like to help in any way please plan to join me for that meeting. Come with ideas for the float.

St. Matthews Messenger 3 July, 2016

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St. Matthews Messenger 4 July, 2016

JULY 2016 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.

Thank you for serving! PROCLAMATION TEAM-Dick Volker To proclaim the good news of Christ through word and deed

Ministry Groups: Worship & Music, Evangelism, Altar Guild, Puppet Ministry, Social Concerns/Outreach, Choir, Hand Bell Choir, Lay Readers.

JULY 3 JULY 17 JULY 24 JULY 31 JULY 10

ACOLYTE Nathan Allen Tara Ford Zachary Wendling Audrey Nelson Nathan Allen,

Asst Allison Morton

ALTAR GUILD George &

Dorothy Dall — — — —

CANTOR Worship Team

Barb Miller

Alice Ehmen Diana Dye

COFFEE FELLOWSHIP

Brad & Jill Snethen

Tom & Diane Christianson

OPEN OPEN OPEN

COMMUNION ASSISTANTS

Sandy Rose Diana Dye Mike Herro

Gail & Betty Peterson

Linda Hildebrand

Brian Huffstodt

FLOWERS Donna Braida Carl & Fran Orloff Pat Hultine Anita Winek Peggy Vladika

GREETERS Bob & Lynda

Fenwick Gary & Diane Bruce Anita Winek &

Pam Clementz Gail & Betty

Peterson Shirley May &

Lois Pinter

READERS Katie Dye Anna Morton Trish Schmidt

SOUND SYSTEM Brad Snethen Tom Christianson Brian Huffstodt Tom Rose Charlie Waca

USHERS

Tom & Diane Christianson

Brad Snethen Jim Eble

Pam Clementz Charlie & Kathy

Waca Jeff Martin

Jack Gross Gary Morton

Nate Edlefson

Brian Huffstodt

Brandon Stover Steve Nelson

Carolyn Butterfield

Dan Druley Jim Miller

Dick Volker

MOWERS Brian Huffstodt

July 3-9 Brian Huffstodt

July 11-23

Brad & Brady Snethen

July 24-30

Steve Nelson July 31-Aug

Charlie Waca July 10-16

St. Matthews Messenger 5 July, 2016

We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we

ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith . . . . 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4a

DISCIPLESHIP-Charlie Waca To grow relationships with Christ through study and discussion within our congregation and in partnership

with other congregations. Ministry Groups: Sunday School, Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, Adult Education, Senior High Youth Group,

Junior High Youth Group and Women’s Circles.

RESOURCE TEAM-Brian Huffstodt To use our time, talents and resources that God has given us in a faithful and loving manner.

Ministry Groups: Finance, Stewardship, Foundation, Memorial, Time & Talent/Volunteerism, Incorporating New Members, Property, Membership.

FELLOWSHIP TEAM–Mike Herro To foster and strengthen our relationships with one another.

Ministry Groups: Sports Teams, Potluck Dinner, Quilting Group, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Church Picnic, Sunday Morning Coffee Hour.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF - July has arrived and soon the school supplies will abound in the stores. That means its time to fill the backpacks provided, with school supplies. Martin Luther was an incredibly powerful advocate for the importance of education. He wrote, "if grammar and other rhetorical arts are not taught where will the physicians, jurists and preachers come from?" To the children who receive your school kits, these supplies mean the difference between getting an education or not. Where LWR provides these supplies families may be able to send their children to school. School kits contain essential supplies to help children and in some cases, adults continue learning despite the hardships they face. "Give instruction to the wise and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous and they will gain in learning." Proverbs, 9.9 Lists for the School Kits are on the table by Pastors office. Put just the items ask for in the backpacks provided at the church and put them in the LWR tubs. Thanks again and may God bless your generosity.

hank you! Thank you from the depths of my hearts! The above words from the Apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica express

what I feel as I think of the faithful at St. Matthews. Do you realize all that we have done, and done for our neighbors, and done to the Glory of God?

Let me tell you: One of the most obvious is the Covered Bridge Workcamp on June 19-25. We not only sent 15 from St. Matthews and First Lutheran (Ohio) on a local mission trip across town, but we at St. Matthews were the “spark plug” that ignited a community effort to bring 250 youth and adults from around the country to do repair work on 31 home of people in need in Bureau County. Watch for follow-up details in our quarterly stewardship letter. Thanks!

That’s not all, either. We are repeating even more wonderful outreach into the larger community. The Jay Braida Golf Open is July 9 with this year’s recipient being Matt Compton. We again are collecting items for Lutheran World Relief (LWR) school and health kits, along with making quilts to send to LWR. These items help people in the US and around God’s globe. We are also in the midst of planning our second St. Matthews Saintly Spaghetti Supper with the proceeds to support Freedom House.

These four ministry areas are just part of what we do in proclaiming and living the Good News of Jesus Christ. I again say thank you! Thanks be to God! In Jesus’ name, Pastor Scott Schmidt

St. Matthews Messenger 6 July, 2016

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REQUESTED PRAYER:

From St. Matthews: Jim Dye, Alberta Clayton, Georgia Fay, Irene Hildebrand, Inga Albee, Matt Compton, Steve Lange, Elaine Merkley, Peter Lange, Shirley Schmidt, Lee Dyer, Norma Lorenzen, Diane Eble, Judy Dyke, Doris King, Virgil “Buzzie” Gross, Chuck Hultine, Josie Edlefson, Bonnie Meyer, Nancy Hennings, Carl Orloff.

Friends and Family* Westin Gress (friend of Edlefson’s), Viola Lange (mother of Steve Lange), Dana Freese (daughter of Jackie Woolley), Mary Christianson (mother of Tom Christianson), Beth Woolley (cousin of Jackie Woolley & Lynda Fenwick), Riese Baker (great granddaughter of Fenwick’s), Debra Dahl (daughter of Shirley May), Ron Becker (Shirley Schmidt’s brother), Sally King (Shirley Schmidt’s cousin), Marge & Carl Cordasco (friend of Orloff’s), Sue Thompson (friend of Pam Clementz), Bob Carlson Leota’s husband), Sharon Peterson, Ellen DeWaele (friend of Jackie Woolley & Lynda & Bob Fenwick).

THOSE IN MOURNING: Family & friends of Gerald Seevers (stepfather of Chris Compton) upon his passing.

Family & friends of Helen Betz upon her passing.

Family & friends of Beth Hultine (mother of Chuck Hultine) upon her passing.

Family & friends of Bob Yates upon his passing.

SPECIAL JOYS:

CHURCHWIDE CONCERNS: Those involved in military conflict throughout the world, especially Josh Metzger (husband of Brittani) and Matthew Oldham (grandson of George and Dorothy Dall).

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

SHEPHERDING-Karen Miller To provide care, comfort, and companionship to St. Matthew’s family and the community and our world.

Ministry Groups: Visiting Homebound, Caring For Mourners, Prayer Ministry, Communion Carriers, Hospital Visitation, Follow-up On Visitors, Baptism Follow-ups, Funeral Dinners, Faith Chests.

DON’T FORGET OUR SHUT-INS AND HOMEBOUND

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).

LIBERTY VILLAGE COLONIAL HALL

Irene Hildebrand Virgil “Buzzie” Gross

Alberta Clayton

Norma Lorenzen AT HOME

Elaine Merkley Inga Albee @ Stacy Headley’s home

Judy Dyke Arlene Richards @ In-Home Care

GREENFIELD COUNTRY COMFORT

Shirley Coates Diane Eble

Marian Wolf Eddie Gross

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 Andy Dye (815-878-7666) or Council Vice President Sandy Rose (815-303-1983) who will contact the pastor on call for St Matthews.

ST MATTHEWS PRAYER PENNY JAR

Pennies placed in the jar from

through 2016 will go to Princeton

Buddy Bags

St. Matthews Messenger 7 July, 2016

CHURCH COUNCIL Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Discipleship: Our Table was changed to fourth Monday due to Workcamp. Date will be June 27th. Fellowship: CROP Walk is October 9th. Church Potluck/Rally Sunday set for September 18th. Shepherding: Will be sending out cards to all visitors to our Sunday worship.

Resource: Stewardship would like to begin electronic giving with VANCO through Thrivent Financial. Proclamation: Dick has recruited Teri Schlindwein as his liaison.

Pastor’s Report: Pastor presented his vacation schedule for the rest of 2016. Ask council if ok to proceed with a continuing education program. Vice President’s report: Working on Safe Church Policy. Will set a meeting date for early

July to begin working on the Homestead Festival float entry. President’s Report: Explorer Bible Study sent $90 and many thanks for use of building. Princeton Ministerial Association did not present a scholarship this year. August 7th service is normally a Worship Team Sunday but many ore out of town so Wendell Nelson has agreed to play for the service. Finance Committee will have an article for the July Newsletter explaining our new purchase protocol. Executive Committee, Tuesday July 5th at 7 pm. Council Meeting, Tuesday, July 12th at 7 pm. All minutes subject to approval at next council meeting.

St Matthews 2016 Church Council

Andy Dye President

Sandy Rose Vice President

Charlie Waca Discipleship

Mike Herro Fellowship

Dick Volker Proclamation

Brian Huffstodt Resource

Karen Miller Shepherding

Tina Reinhardt Treasurer

Barb Miller Secretary

Jill Snethen Financial Secretary

You are invited to a luncheon and a conversation about the

vision for St. Matthews Lutheran Church, to build a strong future in faith and service.

1. We will meet in our Fellowship Hall. We’ll begin with a devotional time to introduce our Biblical theme and to begin in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide us to do God’s will.

2. We then gather in small groups for you to your share ideas, dreams and input. In our “Holy Conversations”

we be will be using The Seven Faith Practices as our guide.

3. We then will break for a good old fashion Sunday lunch of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, baked beans, and buttered corn. There is no cost, as this is being funded through a bequest, but a free will offering will be received to be split between Buddy Bags and Our Table. We ask you to please RSVP by July 13. Sign-up sheets are in the narthex, or you can email or call the church office.

4. We will finish with an opportunity for you to see all the information collected, concluding around 1:15 pm.

5. This is the main event to gather this information for our Visioning Team to compile and study. If you can-not participate on July 17, will we offer other means for you to share your ideas, dreams and input.

This is for all ages. We want to hear your wisdom and ideas. So, please join us!

Sunday, July 17 at 10:15 am Hosted by your St. Matthews Visioning Team of Kiley Korey, Aileen Herro, Nate Edlefson, Gary Bruce, Betty Peterson, Anita Winek, & Pr. Scott Schmidt.

The Seven Faith Practices

St. Matthews Messenger 8 July, 2016

CONGREGATION GIVING FINANCIAL REPORT through May, 2016

YTD Budget: $95,025; YTD Giving: $92,618; YTD Expenses:$92,017 YTD Expenses under Budget $(3,008); YTD Giving over Expenses by $601

YOUTH NEWS AND EVENTS Join us this summer and fall as we grow together in Christ as a family at St. Matthews. Here you will find a list of events you should check out.

August 10– Youth Workcamp dinner for congregation. Please RSVP by August 7. August 13—Peoria Chiefs Game* August 31—Back to school family cook out Sunday’s beginning in September: High School Sunday School group Confirmation for Junior High September 25—Family day at the orchard* Do you have an event you want to see? Tell Brandon and we’ll work on making it happen.

*Events have some cost involved. If this is an issue please see Brandon Stover or Pastor Schmidt for assistance.

PERRY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Free blood pressure & blood sugar screening 2nd Tuesday of the month 7:30 am—9:00 am.

Perry Memorial lobby.

OUR TABLE OUR TABLE was Monday, June 27th

(changed date due to Workcamp 2016) We served a total of 105 people and staff.

Our next Our Table service will be Monday, August 15. We will be needing volunteers to help in the organizing of the dinner as Joelle will be unavailable that week.

Thank you for you support of this ministry. It is appreciated by those who attend.

TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY You are invited to join our group that meets every Tuesday morning @ 10 am.

It is a Bible Study on the next Sunday’s Gospel lesson.

Mission Trip Opportunity October 12 - 22

Are you or someone you know interested in going to Romania this October to put shoes and socks on orphans? The team is being put together right NOW and it is NOT TOO LATE! If you have done a mission trip in the past you know the transforming power these trips have for the people we serve and yourself. If you have not done a trip before maybe this is the trip?

It was 10 years ago in October that I experienced Romania and the children there for the first time. It was an awesome experience that I will never forget. Would you like to join me? Stop by my office and I can share some info with you. Thanks for all of the generous support you have showed Another Child over the years! Tim Oloffson- Executive Director

Reaching, Teaching, Transforming

St. Matthews Messenger 9 July, 2016

COMMITTEES/TEAMS These are the list of our group ministries and some of the people in each group (some only show chairperson) and the councilperson they are under.

DISCIPLESHIP: Charlie Waca

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sandy Rose, Sara Edlefson, Brandon Stover, Emily Stover, Pastor Scott Schmidt CONFIRMATION: Pastor Scott Schmidt, Brandon Stover VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Sandy Rose, Sara Edlefson ADULT EDUCATION: Pastor Scott Schmidt SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP: Brandon Stover, Pastor Scott Schmidt JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP: Brandon Stover, Pastor Scott Schmidt PUPPET MINISTRY: Charlie & Kathy Waca CIRCLE: Barb Miller, Sandy Rose (two main contacts)

SHEPHERDING: Karen Miller

VISITING HOMEBOUND: Gail & Betty Peterson, Kathy Waca, Pam Clementz, PRAYER MINISTRY: Linda Berry, Pastor Scott Schmidt FOLLOW-UP ON VISITORS: Karen Miller FUNERAL DINNERS: Kathy Waca, Terry Rapp, Diane Bruce & Barb Miller CARD MINISTRY: Linda Berry, Pam Castner

PROCLAMATION: Dick Volker

WORSHIP & MUSIC COMMITTEE: Emily Stover, Pastor Scott Schmidt, Barb Miller, Pam Clementz, Alice Ehmen, Leota Carlson, & Leanne Martin.

ALTAR GUILD: Pam Clementz & TBA

SPAGHETTI SUPPER: Pam Clementz, Kathy Waca, Terry Rapp & Barb Miller

RESOURCE: Brian Huffstodt

FINANCE: Jeff Martin, Pastor Scott Schmidt, Tina Reinhardt, Mike Herro, Amy Wendling STEWARDSHIP: Dave Castner, Tim Oloffson, Anita Winek, Nate Edlefson, Kiley Korey, Pastor Scott Schmidt FOUNDATION: Dave Castner, Gail Peterson, Charlie Waca, Bob Rapp, Amy Wendling PROPERTY: Jeff Martin, Brian Huffstodt, Charlie Waca, Dave Castner, Tom Christianson, Leota Carlson

FELLOWSHIP: Mike Herro

SPORTS TEAMS: Eric Waca, Charlie Waca, Brad Snethen, Andy Dye (three main contacts) POTLUCK DINNER/CHURH PICNIC: Mike Herro QUILTING GROUP: Pat Hultine, Marilyn Haslam (two main contacts) SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE HOUR: Mike Herro

Ministry Groups: Sunday School, Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, Adult Education, Senior High Youth Group, Junior High Youth Group, Puppet Ministry and Circles, Our Table, Buddy Bags.

Ministry Groups: Visiting Homebound, Caring for Mourners, Prayer Ministry, Communion Carriers, Hospital Visita-tion, Follow-up on Visitors, Baptism Follow-ups, Funeral Dinners, Card Ministry.

Ministry Groups: Worship & Music, Evangelism, Altar Guild, Social Concerns/Outreach, Choirs, Spaghetti Supper Lay Readers.

Ministry Groups: Finance, Stewardship, Foundation, Memorial, Time & Talent/Volunteerism, Incorporating New Members, Property, Membership.

Ministry Groups: Sports Teams, Potluck Dinners, Quilting Group, Church Picnic, Sunday Morning Coffee Hour, Fifth Sunday Pot Luck

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL IS COMING IN JULY!

WHERE: Hampshire Colony Church WHEN: JULY 24-28

TIME: 5:30—8:15 PM WHO: PRE-K THROUGH 5TH GRADE

We are cooperating with First Lutheran Princeton, First Christian, First Presbyterian & Hampshire Colony for a week of fun and learning for the children.

We are looking for volunteers; please contact Kate Webster at 815.992.9036 or katewebster56@hotmail.com if you can help. St Matthews is in charge of Monday supper & snacks so look for a sign up sheet.

St. Matthews Messenger 10 July, 2016

Finance Committee Update:

Recently (for the past few months), the Finance Committee has been meeting with Pastor, the Church Treasurer Tina Reinhardt, and some members of Church Council on a bi-weekly basis. The purpose of these meetings is to bring more people into the loop of the financial dealings within our church. The focus of these meetings has covered the following:

1. Re-visiting how things are being transacted,

2. Making sure our current methods adhere to acceptable practices that safeguard church assets,

3. Identifying possible efficiencies that can simplify or streamline our current methods,

4. Getting more church leaders involved in the Cash Flows of the church,

5. Making sure everything falls within the existing and newly re-written Church Constitution, By-laws, and

Continuing Resolutions.

Our first significant measure was to create a “Purchasing / Payment Approval” procedure using a “Green Sheet” Purchase / Payment Approval Authorization Form. In short, this procedure is designed to make sure we have the necessary approvals in place before committing Church dollars, and thereby authorizing the Treasurer to actually make the payment. In a little more detail, any time a Church Purchase needs to be made (by ANY party), the “Purchasing Party” needs to obtain one of these green sheets, fill it out to include who is making the purchase, what is being purchased, where it is being purchased from, why it needs to be purchased, what account (or fund) the purchase will be charged to, and in some cases, it needs to be initialed by the appropriate Church Council or Committee member. Once approved and the purchase is made, the green sheet and the purchase receipt should be attached and turned into the Church treasurer for payment or reimbursement. Some re-occurring items, like on-going utility bills, cleaning bills, coffee fellowship purchases, etc. can be covered by a “Blanket” Purchase Authorization for a year at a time.

So far, the system is working great, but don’t use that as an excuse to run out and try to spend some Church dollars!

The Finance Committee

NEW BISHOP ELECTED TO OUR NORTHERN ILLINOIS SYNOD

The Rev. H. Jeffrey Clements of Rockford, IL, was elected June 18 to a six-year term as bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election was held during the annual Synod Assembly, June 16-18 on the campus of Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.

Clements has served as Assistant to the Bishop of the Northern Illinois Synod, since 2002. Clements has previously served at First Lutheran Church, Prophetstown, 1990-2002; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Dixon, 1987-1990; St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Elizabeth, 1983-1987; and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, LaCrescent, MN, 1981-1982.

The bishop-elect earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Master of Divinity from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary.

For those of you who were here Pastor Clements preached at St. Matthews on March 16.

For a brief update on our Synod Assembly see the insert

with this newsletter.