The Word March 2022 - St Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church
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The Word March 2022
St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church Pastor Robin Fero
700 Pleasure Road, Lancaster PA 17601
(717) 394-9607 www.stmatthewelc.com
Confession of Sin and the Imposition of Ashes. The
Pastor’s Page ashes will be imposed by the pastor with a clean
Look What God is Doing! That cotton swab for each person.
has been our theme in the
days after Epiphany. Grace Unbounded is the title of the Augsburg
Fortress devotion booklet for Lent. There are plenty
We are about to enter our of booklets in the fellowship hall Welcome Center for
third season of Lent since the everyone to take and to share multiple copies with
global pandemic began. As I your neighbors. Our at-home members were each
write this fact, I realize that mailed a copy.
those words may have the po-
tential to be painful words. But one of the major God is working through each and every one of
themes in the Lenten season is that God sustains us you. Check out the other articles in this newsletter
in all seasons. This is our moment to give God thanks for details of how that is happening in this “little
for doing so. church with the big heart”.
In this Lenten journey, as we also step into an One moment that I would like to share with you,
environment of fewer COVID cases, and the potential from my lens as your pastor, that speaks to how God
for more social activity, I ask you to be mindful of works in our small congregation, is the worship
just what God has been up to in each and every service experiences we had on the weekend of
phase of the pandemic journey, and keep your eyes February 12-13. Attendance was particularly low on
open for where God is leading us. Sunday morning because of the cold and an
unexpected snow/ice storm on Saturday night. In
Our worship services continue to provide both services, I reminded the congregation that there
meaningful moments, “oases of grace”, in the midst were “two or three gathered” (at least…) and that we
of our changing world. As the St. Matthew Church could “make some noise” to God about the crisis in
Council, which serves as our COVID task force, works Ukraine. We prayed as a congregation, along with all
through safety changes in our worship and overall the saints, including those who are living and dead,
ministry life, I promise to keep you informed each who were not there in those services. When I was
step of the way. done praying, in both services, I saw it written on the
face of those gathered that they had truly “made
We are fast approaching our busiest worship life some noise” and they had fully participated in this
season of the year, Lent and Holy Week. conversation with God about such a large mess. I
saw it on their faces, that they had been heard by
This month, I want to highlight Ash Wednesday and God. That was a powerful moment for me.
the weeks of Lent. For the April newsletter, we will
know more about what Holy Week will look like, and I God lives and breathes through us in ways we may
will share updated details with you then. never realize. I encourage you to ask God to open
your eyes to these moments, and to share them as
Ash Wednesday is on March 2, and we will keep with they occur.
our tradition of providing two worship services, at
12Noon and at 7pm. This year, our services will be Blessings to you as you step into the Lenten journey.
spoken services, with no music. Included in the God is with you!
service will be our traditions of extended corporate -Pastor Fero
Amazon Smile
Are you an Amazon shopper? If so, you can help It is an honor and blessing to serve as your Council
support the ministries of St Matthew by designating President.
the church as your favorite charity. It doesn’t cost
you any extra! We are listed as St. Matthew - Neely Frye
Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lancaster, Pa.
Growing in God’s love…Living our Welcome
Statement
Our Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Team continues to
pray, dream and plan about ways our St. Matthew
congregation can live into our Welcome Statement.
We keep watching to see what God is doing!
(Hmmm…who around the church always reminds us
to keep watching? J)
What is AmazonSmile? Our longer and shorter Welcome Statements and the
RIC Partner logos are now placed in our various
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your information sources about St. Matthew, both written
favorite charitable organization every time you shop, and on line. We are thankful for Phyllis Wimer’s
at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available creative gifts that give our Facebook short statement
at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can a new look by overlaying it on seasonal photos of St.
be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS Matthew. Phyllis has also contacted the Lancaster
and Android phones. When you shop with papers to list our RIC Partnership there, and we are
AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, listed on the website gaychurch.org which is the
vast selection and convenient shopping experience largest welcoming and affirming church directory in
as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that the world…yes, in the world.) Thank you, Arlene Volk
AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible for sharing this website. Our longer statement will be
purchases to the charitable organization of your on the outdoor bulletin board by the Church Park
choice. soon as well. At this writing, we are awaiting the
arrival of the RIC logo insert for our outdoor sign and
we will be creating an RIC Welcome Bulletin Board at
Council Corner the entrance lobby of the church that will display our
longer Welcome Statement.
Hello St. Matthew Family, Pastor Fero is receiving inquiries at the church
related to our RIC Partnership. Pastor has
It is my great honor and pleasure to inform you that participated in a Zoom meeting with Pastor Angie
this year 2022 is St. Matthew Lutheran Church’s Hammer from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Penryn for
75th anniversary. This is a wonderful milestone in the a group called Lititz Chooses Love. The Zoom
life of our congregation, and a time for us to reflect meeting offered anyone associated with Lititz
on our time together and thank God for the many Chooses Love a safe place to ask two pastors
faithful believers and leaders of our congregation. questions about matters of sexuality and the Bible/
Christianity. A similar Zoom meeting is planned for
The church council met by zoom on February 8 the future. Thank you, Pastor for your open and
affirming gifts in these community meetings. Other
Treasurer Steve Feldmann filed his report and we churches have also asked about our RIC journey as
started out the year a little slow. We did not have two they hope to start their own discernment. People
Saturday services, one because of the New Years are viewing our online information and individuals
holiday and one due to the weather. This is true for have started contacting St. Matthew too.
both income and expense sides of the ledger; as a
result the congregation was slightly “ahead” for the The Fellowship Hall is our Welcome Center. The RIC
month. In the month of January we also incurred area has information in the new wire rack that is for
snow removal and HVAC expenses. folks in the congregation to take home and also to
share in the community. We will be happy to order
As COVID-19 cases continue to drop in Lancaster more copies of any of the materials as needed, and
County to a 6 month low, we are closely monitoring we keep watching for new information to add.
our protocols, and will inform you immediately with
any changes. Lancaster Pride is scheduled for June 18, 2022 from
12 noon to 6 pm at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
Lancaster Pride is a volunteer organized event with and the Church Council in hopes they, too, would
a large variety of booths representing organizations want to be a part of the Audit. I also invite all church
and vendors that support the LGBTQIA+ members who find this interesting to contact me for
community. a booklet. The more input we get, the better.
There is food and entertainment as well.
We will meet on March 20 after church if the
Registration is now open to reserve booths at Pride.
situation permits – as usual, all are welcome!
St. Matthew will be registering to have a booth and
we will be planning a display and volunteer -Arlene Volk
participation for Pride.
In March, our RIC Team will be creating a plan
outline for educational, outreach and service Book Club
opportunities. We hope to develop learning and
welcoming events that can begin now and grow as
Our selection for March is titled The Five People You
Covid cases decline. As the weather gets warmer,
Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. This novel explores
we can also consider planning outdoor events.
the unexpected connections
of our lives and the idea that
The RIC Team would also like to say “thank you” to
heaven is more than a place,
Peg Sampson for sharing her time and gifts with us
but perhaps an answer to
for the past two years. Peg will be stepping off the
the eternal question "Why
team and we are so grateful for her leadership
was I here?"
throughout St. Matthew’s discernment time.
The main character, Eddie,
The RIC Team is looking for new folks to become
meets five people who
involved as we plan and seek to grow in God’s love
revisit their connections to
in living our Statement of Welcome, Affirmation and
him on earth. They reveal
Full Participation. We meet once per month on a
the haunting secret alluded
Wednesday evening beginning at 6:30 pm. Please
to above, "Why was I here?"
see any member of our current team if you would
Some of these people Eddie
like to join us!
knew, while others may have
been strangers to him.
(RIC Team Members: Barb Emmerich, Steve
Feldmann, Sue Feldmann, Pastor Fero, Neely Frye,
Please join us on March 15 @ 1:30pm in what will
Arlene Volk and Phyllis Wimer)
likely be a lively discussion.
-Susan Feldmann
Finance Report
Children of all ages, here’s the report you’ve been
waiting for - Finances!
Oh, really? Well, read it anyway. Ever since Susan
and I joined St. Matthew 5 or 6 years ago, we have
heard very positive reports about St. Matthew’s
Evangelism financial condition. These are fully justified: this
“little church with the big heart” supports its
ministries generously.
The continuing requirement
for masking resulted in the
cancellation of our February There is one area of our financial condition that I
meeting. So, the Evangelism would like to highlight that needs some additional
Committee will hope to attention. One of our focused-interest funds is
begin in March planning a lagging in its balance, and it supports a greater-than
“Hospitality Audit” using the -average potential for high expenses. The Property
“Tools of the Trade” Improvement Fund recently helped to purchase a
provided in the booklet new heating unit for the Church Office/Music Room
distributed in November. area. Our property is now at an age where we can
Each member was asked to expect older systems to need significant repairs or
read the booklet and replacement in the coming years.
decide which Tools they
were most drawn to.
Booklets have also been
given to the RIC members
PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER these ways to help: sites.duke.edu. The subtitle is a question: “Are we
forgetting how important water is?”
• a special gift to this or any of our important
mission-critical areas of our church life. The article includes this paragraph: “70 to 75% of the
• Some disciples have designated a part of their earth’s surface is covered with water. Roughly 70% of
regular giving to our focused-interest funds that an adult’s body is made up of water, and about 85%
are important to them. of the adult brain is made up of water. Water is
• Others have also included their preferred fund essential to life, and all living things need water to
as part of their estate and financial planning to survive. So why do we as God’s children, sometimes
more strategically help with these ministries. take this gift…His gift of water for granted?”
Let Pastor Fero or me know if we can help you as you There are springs all over the mountain where our
consider how you can best financially help our camp is located in Clinton County, PA. When you
congregation live into its Christian calling. I am a drive the seven miles up the mountain on route 44
Certified Financial Planner® and have a fiduciary from Waterville to Haneyville a creek (Upper Pine
responsibility to hold all information or plans you Bottom Run) runs beside the road, occasionally
disclose in the strictest confidence. crossing under the road. If you pull over, when you
open the car door you hear the thundering of white
When I was a boy, my Pastor used an offertory water rushing down the mountain over rocks. It’s a
prayer that went something like this: beautiful sight to behold (see photo).
Lord, we give You but Your own; The cattle on a On that same mountain there are natural gas wells
thousand hills. on state land, in the Tiadaghton Forest. These wells
All that we have is Yours. are deep wells that require hydraulic fracturing
Use it, Lord (fracking) to break apart shale to get to the gas.
For the sake of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Most of the controversy surrounding “fracking”
- Steve Feldmann, CFP®, Treasurer involves the use of chemicals in the frack water,
however, fracking consumes a massive amount of
water. In the United States, the average can run
between 1.5 million and 9.7 million gallons of water
Seeing God in Nature: The Precious Gift of to frack a single well, according to the United States
Geological Survey (USGS). Most of the water is not
Water reused but instead is trucked to an injection well and
put deep into the earth. About 7 years ago I took
classes offered by Penn State at Lancaster’s Farm
Genesis: 1In the beginning God created the heavens and and Home Center to better understand why we need
the earth. 2Now the earth was formless and empty, to do shale drilling at all. I was told that the gas that
darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the was easy to get to has been depleted. I was also told
Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. - NIV that shale drilling is safe if done right. But, that
doesn’t change the fact that a huge amount of clean
I’ve often wanted to write about the gift of water but water is wasted in the process.
was unsure whether I could do justice to such an
important topic. I wondered whether anyone else I believe this is an example of taking the gift of water
had done it from the perspective of God’s gift and I for granted. I also believe that God wants us to take
found an excellent article entitled “Remembering care of His gifts. Life depends on water. I pray for
God’s Gift of Water” by Dwight Tucker Jr. at wisdom for all mankind as we make decisions that
affect the future of the earth
- Phyllis Wimer
Wednesday Bible Study
Our next study will be a 7 week program on the life
and ministry of Jesus Christ. Check the weekly
bulletin announcements for the start date. Each
week we will view a video of Adam Hamilton walking
in the steps of Jesus in the Holy Lands.
Join us in Fellowship Hall each Wednesday from
Noon to 1pm. Books will be provided; count on
gaining new insights!
The course covers:
Birthdays
• the relationship between Jesus and John the
Baptist Barb Emmerich 3/9 Buzz Rothweiler 3/14
• the Jordan River and the wilderness, where Je- Pat Smith 3/14 Ray Shaub 3/17
sus was baptized and tempted,
• Capernaum, where Jesus healed, Rick Regar 3/26 Judith Miller 3/30
• the mountains, from which Jesus proclaimed
the kingdom,
• the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus calmed the
storm, Worship Assistants
• Samaria, where Jesus associated with sinners
and outcasts, Altar Care for March - Lunda Shaub
• Jerusalem, where Jesus experienced his final
week culminating with his crucifixion and
resurrection. March 2 Ash Wednesday 12:00 Noon
• Assisting Minister: Sheila Charles
Check the weekly bulletin for details on when we • Reader: Sheila Charles
will begin.
-John Volk • Greeter: Norm Drescher
• Usher: Barb Elsen
Daylight Saving Time
March 2 Ash Wednesday 7pm
• Assisting Minister: Sheila Charles
Don't forget to Spring Forward on Saturday night
• Reader: Sheila Charles
March 12!
• Greeter: Brenda Stauffer
• Usher: Brenda Stauffer
March 5 – Saturday 5pm
• Assisting Minister: Sheila Charles
• Reader: Dan Mink
March 6 – Sunday 10am
• Assisting Minister: Barb Elsen
• Reader: Brenda Stauffer
• Greeter: Nancy Smith
• Usher: David Ostrander
Thank you • Counters: Barb Elsen & Brenda Stauffer
Dear St. Matthew friends, March12 – Saturday 5pm
At this time I want to express my deep gratitude • Assisting Minister: Brenda Stauffer
for the many kindnesses extended to me after my • Reader: Brenda Stauffer
fall. Just knowing that you were praying for me
gave much comfort during this ordeal. Also, the
cards, phone calls, and special food treats lifted my March 13 – Sunday 10am
spirits. • Assisting Minister: Steve Feldmann
• Reader: Linda McIntyre
It took many weeks for healing to take place, but • Greeter: Kay Gontner
thankfully I am now pain free. I have resumed my • Usher: Barb Elsen
regular activities. I will always remember what you
did for me. • Counters: Carol Rothweiler & Linda Tice
God bless you! Affectionately,
-Anna Neal
March 19 – Saturday 5pm
• Assisting Minister: Sheila Charles
• Reader: Mimi Ruth
Grace Unbounded Lenten
March 20 – Sunday 10am devotionals are available in the
• Assisting Minister: Barb Emmerich fellowship hall.
• Reader: Barb Elsen
• Greeter: Steve Feldmann Please take one for yourself
• Usher: Neely Frye and one for a friend.
• Counters: Brad Charles & Brenda Stauffer
March 26 – Saturday 5pm
• Assisting Minister: Brad Charles
• Reader: Sheila Charles
March 27 – Sunday 10am
• Assisting Minister: Brenda Stauffer
• Reader: Steve Feldmann
• Greeter: Carol Rothweiler
• Usher: Barb Elsen
• Counters: Barb Elsen & Linda Tice
Officers (2022) Staff
Neely Frye, President The Rev. Robin Fero, Pastor
• (717) 991-4880 • (717) 877-3386
Dan Mink, Vice President Susan Feldmann, Director of Music
• (717) 439-8158 Ann Hossler, Organist/Pianist
Phyllis Wimer, Secretary
• (717) 875-1500 Church Council
Barbara Elsen, Financial Secretary Steve Feldmann Dan Mink
• (717) 293-3289 & (717) 606-6418 Sheila Charles Phyllis Wimer
Steve Feldmann, Treasurer Neely Frye Bradley Charles
• (717) 472-6642 David Ostrander Pastor Fero
2022 Lent/ Easter Dates
March 2 - Ash Wednesday
(12Noon & 7pm)
April 9 & 10 - Palm Weekend
April 15 -Good Friday (12Noon & 7pm)
April 16 & 17 -Easter
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
Statement of Welcome, Affirmation
and Full Participation
Welcome to St Matthew, the little church with a big heart.
We are a Reconciling in Christ (Open and Affirming) congregation, so when we say
“all are welcome”, we really mean it.
We strive to live that out in our actions as well as our words. We publicly and humbly
commit to do what it takes to truly be a sanctuary filled with warmth, love,
understanding, safety, respect and care for all who enter here.
(Please see our Full Statement of Welcome, Affirmation and Full Participation
on our website: www.stmatthewelc.com. Copies of the Full Statement are also
available in the Education and Resources Stand in the Fellowship Hall.)
St. Matthew March 2022
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
12pm – BBBB St. Matthew 12pm – Ash Wednesday 5pm - WORSHIP
7pm – Red Rows Knitting Service
Guild* 7pm – Ash Wednesday
Service
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
10am - WORSHIP 12pm – BBBB St. Matthew 12pm – Bible Study 5pm - WORSHIP
7pm – Church Council “The Way”
6:30pm – RIC Team Mtg
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
10am - WORSHIP 12pm – BBBB St. Matthew 12pm – Bible Study 2pm – Quilting Workshop
1:30pm – Book Club @ “The Way” 5pm - WORSHIP
Fellowship Hall 7:00pm – Bell rehearsal
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
10am - WORSHIP 12pm – Community Meal 12pm – BBBB St. Matthew 12pm – Bible Study 5pm - WORSHIP
“The Way”
7:00pm – Bell rehearsal
27 28 29 30 31
10am - WORSHIP 12pm – BBBB St. Matthew 12pm – Bible Study
“The Way”
7:00pm – Bell rehearsal
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