Pastor Rev. Dr. Karl F. Fry

February 2012 Newsletter

Thanks to all those who supported the cookie walk. Thank you to Debbie Bahr for organizing this and to all who donated their time and baked goods. We raised $672.

Thanks to Nancy Konery and John Parmer for playing our music during the service on Christmas Eve and for those who read and were involved in our services over the Christmas season.

Thanks to all those who donated their time and energy to take down the Christmas decorations at the church.

Thanks to Christine and Jeff Krupp for putting together the annual financial contribution statements.

Thanks to all those who serve on the Servants of the Church Roster. If you are interested in serving in any capacity, please see Pastor.

The Evangelism Committee met and has put together a tentative list of upcoming events. Disciples of St. Matthew are encouraged to invite friends and family to these fun events.

April 1 – Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt
April 21st – Mystery Dinner Theater – “And So They Had None.”
June 2 – Friendship Tea
July – Outdoor service at Mill Hollow with Picnic
August 5 – Friendship Sunday with brunch after service
September 9 – Outdoor Service and Potluck at St. Matthews to kick off Sunday School
November – Thanks for Giving Cookie Tray Delivery with invite to Church/Sunday School to nursing homes, etc.
December – Possible Christmas caroling at a nursing home and participating in Salvation Army Tree at St. Matthew along with collecting hats, scarves and mittens for the “Coats for Kids” collection for Vermilion School Children.

The Evangelism group is also looking into donating time and preparing meals at a homeless shelter – TBD.

Healing Service – We had good feedback from many people, so this service will continue on the 3rd Sunday of each month.

The Family Ministry Group will be meeting after the service today.

February 5 – Boy and Girl Scouts Day – Scouts are encouraged, if they would like, to attend church in their uniforms and be recognized.

February 19 – Church Council Meeting after the service.

February 22 – Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 PM with the
Imposition of Ashes. The Theme for the service is “The Greatest of These is Love”.

The Lenten Services themes this year follows Luther’s Small Catechism: This I Believe (The Apostles Creed), Our Father Who is in Heaven (The Lord’s Prayer), Holy Baptism, We Are Forgiven (The Office of the Keys), Sacrament of the Altar, On the Night When He was Betrayed, It is Finished, Don’t Seek the Living Among the Dead.

Please look out for the date soon when Pastor will be leading us in a Mission-Fest Workshop titled “What is our Mission”. Included with this will be a prayer vigil.

New Acolytes (Gabriel Holmes, Josh Gallo and Tabitha Krupp) will be helping the older acolytes during the service. They will be taking the offering as we want to encourage all young people to take part in the worship service.

Pastor Karl, Marcia & Nathan visited John Alspach at the Veterans Home in Sandusky, as we do at least once a month. Please remember to keep him in your prayers.

If you did not get a copy of Pastor’s Epiphany letter please let him know.

Pastor is taking a service at Kingston Assisted Living of Vermilion on the 4th Wednesday of each month.

Men’s Bible Study – Thursdays at 10:00 AM. We are studying the book of Daniel.

GoodSearch.com – Please continue to do your internet searches through this site. We receive a check annually based on how many searches are done. We raised $36.77 last year. Make sure to select “St Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church (Vermilion OH)” as the group you want to support.

Thrivent Choice Program – We are part of this program and have now received $520. For Thrivent Members, please check if you can be part of this. Go to Thrivent.com and look up “Choice Dollars or call 1-800-847-4836 and ask about “Thrivent Choice”. This can be set up as a recurring gift as well.

Prayer Shawl/Blanket Ministry – If anyone is in need or knows someone in need of a shawl/blanket (male or female), please see Debbie Bahr or Christine Krupp.

Snow Plowing - Thanks to those who have given a snowflake card/donation. If you haven’t, please prayerfully consider making a donation. Thank you to Jim Dickey for arranging this for us and for finding a gentleman to do the snow plowing.

Please continue to pray for those who are ill or home-bound: Ardie Meilander (Texas), Kathy Schroeder, Jean and John Alspach, Joan and Jon Fahrney, Luke See, Alice Weichman, (Marblehead) and Kim Montgomery’s sister, Debbie Kendren (Florida), Pat and Warren, Mildred Novotny and Sushila Mangla. The Lord Jesus gave us this wonderful gift of PRAYER. Let’s use it now!

Please invite your friends and family to all of our services, fellowship and community outreach events.