Celebrating the Resurrection, Spring, and Upcoming Transitions
April promises to be an especially meaningful and joy-filled month in the ongoing life of St. Matthew. As we enter into the holiest days of the church year while walking together through the solemn beauty of Holy Week and rejoicing in the hope of Easter, we also look forward with great excitement to the arrival of our new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lisa Barnes (Pastor Lisa), who will begin her tenure at St. Matthew on May 1.
In this exciting time of transition with warmer weather and growing days, we give thanks to God for the many members of our congregation who have faithfully shouldered the responsibilities of ministry over the past fifteen months, offering their time, gifts, and steadfast commitment to ensuring that worship, activities, and events continued without missing a beat. Most of all, we praise God that we remain a congregation that matters—alive in faith, active in service, and strengthened for the good work God continues to call us to do together. Ongoing support by all of us will continue to be essential as we help Pastor Lisa in adjusting to her new congregation and setting.
Please be sure to join St. Matthew at worship on April 12 and April 26. During worship on those two Sundays, we will recognize and thank Pastor Wayne Muthler and Authorized Lay Worship Tina Baucher as they lead us in worship for their final services. We are immensely grateful for their many contributions over the past fifteen months. We are also grateful to former lay worship leader Wendy Davis, who is now serving as a Synodically Authorized Minister at another congregation in our Synod.
April Opportunities for Worship
Thursday, April 2, 7 p.m. – Worship – Maundy Thursday (led by ALWL Tina Baucher)
Friday, April 3, 7 p.m. – Worship – Tenebrae Service (led by ALWL Tina Baucher)
Sunday, April 5, 9 a.m. – Worship – The Resurrection of Our Lord / Easter (led by ALWL Tina Baucher)
Sunday, April 12, 9 a.m. – Worship – Second Sunday of Easter (led by Pastor Wayne Muthler)
Sunday, April 19, 9 a.m. – Worship – Third Sunday of Easter (led by ALWL Tina Baucher)
Sunday, April 26, 9 a.m. – Worship – Fourth Sunday of Easter (led by ALWL Tina Baucher)
Worship services are live streamed on the congregation’s Facebook page.
If it is difficult for you to make it to Sunday worship and you’d like to have the office email you the weekly bulletin, please send us a message and we’ll add you to the list.
Music Ministry
With Easter arriving early this year, our journey through Holy Week comes quickly, reminding us that even in seasons of uncertainty, the promise of resurrection remains constant. Whether you are reading this during or just after Holy Week, the message is the same-hope is alive, and new life is before us.
Thank you to all of our choir members and instrumentalists who have helped bring depth and meaning to this sacred season through their music ministry.
We invite you to a piano and organ concert on April 19th at 3:00 PM, featuring Carl Ruck and Alan. The concert will feature arrangements of hymns and classics with opportunities for audience participation.
Looking ahead, the Jubilate Choir is now in rehearsal for a combined concert with the Catawissa Military Band on May 17th at 3:00 PM. This program will commemorate the 250th anniversary of our country, offering music that is both patriotic and reflective, recognizing the challenges of our current moment while calling us toward peace. Both concerts are free and open to the community. We hope you will join us for these afternoons of music, reflection, and connection. As a Christian community led by the Holy Spirit, our choirs joyfully:
~celebrate God’s gift of music,
-lead the congregation in worship, and
~serve God’s people through song,
all to the glory of God.
Yours in Christ,
Alan
Stewardship Needs at this Time of Transition
As we are set to begin a new chapter in the life of our congregation with the upcoming arrival of Pastor Lisa, who officially joins St. Matthew on May 1, this is a fitting time for us to address the importance stewardship our congregation might require moving forward. With the return of a fulltime pastor to the church’s payroll, expenses will rise after fifteen months of not having to cover a salary or benefits. Financial realities though require us to remind everyone of the importance of continuing to support the church financially, even during these very challenging economic times. Every financial gift, no matter how small, and every weekly or monthly offering will be more essential than ever, especially as the church continues to address the present and future repair and maintenance needs – both anticipated and unanticipated – of our beloved church building.
Along with financial stewardship comes another equally important type of stewardship which will be crucial in the church’s future: relationships. Starting with COVID and then after the retirement of Pastor Zeiders, our congregation has seen a steady decline in attendance on Sundays over the past several years. While this was common during the pandemic and is fairly expected (as we have been told often) during a pastoral vacancy, it is an important observation as we look toward the future. Our congregation has not been immune from the challenges in retaining or recruiting members that are impacting nearly all other churches today. While we are excited about our new pastor and the energy, leadership, and hope she brings, we cannot expect her to wave a magic wand and solve any financial or membership challenges on her own. Instead, it will require the support and help of each member of our congregation to be successful.
Please help us invite others we haven’t seen in a while back to worship. Let them know they are missed, and invite at least one person – maybe a family member, friend, work colleague, or neighbor – to worship in the future. Your personal touch, your voice, and your welcome are among the most powerful tools we have at our disposal, and we call upon them now with hope and appreciation. St. Matthew has so much going for it: a spirit of fellowship, worship grounded in Word and Sacrament, ministries that serve our local and global neighbors in numerous ways, and a deep sense of care and love for one other. With God’s help and guidance, let’s work together to maintain and grow as the vibrant, hopeful, and faithful community of faith that God calls us to be.
Special Mother’s Day Event Being Planned
A special Mother’s Day event is being planned for Sunday, May 10 immediately following worship. More details are forthcoming but if you’re interested in helping out or plan to attend, please check out the main bulletin board in the Gathering Area for more details and to sign up. Thank you to those planning to recognize and thank our deserving mothers!
2026 Pet Lenten Project
During the Lenten season, St. Matthew will be collecting pet food and care items to benefit the Animal Resource Center (ARC) in Danville, K9 Hero Haven in Danville, and Pets for Vets in Benton. Beginning on February 18, baskets for donated items will be displayed in the gathering area and monetary donations can be placed in the offering plates, mailed, or dropped off at the church office. (Please write “Pet Project” somewhere on your check or donation.) Items needed include wet and dry cat and dog foods, soft treats, Milk Bone biscuits, towels, clumping litter, and heavy duty trash bags. Thank you for considering the needs of our area furry friends!
Youth Activities Offered by the USS
Registration for Camp Mount Luther is currently open and applications for prospective camp staff are now being accepted. Please visit the camp’s web site (campmountluther.org) for more details or to register. Also, our Synod is offer a number of events for youth and young adults in the upcoming months. Learn more about them and register by visiting the Upper Susquehanna Synod’s web site (uss-elca.org).
Ongoing Ministries at St. Matthew
Supporting the Blessing Box
Donations for the Community Blessing Box are welcomed anytime and can be placed in the designated containers in the Gathering Area. Particularly useful items include heat and eat items, snack crackers, single servings of cereal, and similar nonperishable items, along with personal hygiene products. Thank you for your consistent donations, especially as winter approaches. The Blessing Box
Help Support the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard This February
The Bloomsburg Food Cupboard continues to provide groceries for 275 to 300 area families each week. Throughout April, St. Matthew is collecting spaghetti sauce in cans or plastic bottles (no glass, please) for the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. Want to make a monetary donation instead of donating food? Checks can be made out to Bloomsburg Food Cupboard or donations can be made online at their web site bloomsburgfoodcupboard.org). Thank you for your faithful support, which is needed more now than ever!
Bloomsburg Teen Center Ministry Food Donations
St. Matthew continues to stock homemade frozen meals and snacks for delivery each month to the Bloomsburg Teen Center.
To contribute, simply store your food in a well-sealed freezer container, label it with the contents and date, and place it in the freezer leading to the kitchen in the church basement. Things like soups, lasagnas, meatballs, chili, rice or pasta dishes, casseroles, mac and cheese, or any other easily reheatable treats will be a hit with the teens. Thank you for your outstanding support of this newer ministry!
Bundles of Blessings Quarterly Diaper Collection
Diapers and baby wipes are given out on the third Saturday of every month from 9 to 11 a.m. at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church at 101 East Fifth Street in Bloomsburg. St. Matthew collects diapers quarterly (including in December) for their distribution.
Thank you for 12 years of faithful donations!
The Visitation Team
Do you or someone you know need special prayers, a friendly phone call, or a visit? Have you or a loved one entered a care facility? Would you like a visit from our visitation pastor, Pastor Pam? Please let the visitation team know and they will work to arrange whatever care you might need. Contact the church office (570-784-4515), Katy Miller (570-441-2850), or Barbara Welliver-Bramer (570-458-5254). Prayer is powerful and a friendly voice, a warm smile, or a heartfelt personal note can be a great comfort to someone in their time of need.
St. Matthew’s Visitation Team
Visitation Team Reminder
Do you or someone you know need special prayers, a friendly phone call, or a visit? Have you or a loved one entered a care facility? Would you like a visit from our visitation pastor, Pastor Pam? Please let us know and we will arrange whatever care you are in need of. Contact the church office (570-784-4515), Katy Miller (570-441-2850), or Barbara Welliver-Bramer (570-458-5254). Prayer is powerful and a friendly voice, a warm smile, or a heartfelt personal note can go a long way in comforting someone.
¨ Did you know that over $1,100 a month is given electronically by members of St. Matthew?
Automated giving provides convenience for you and cash-flow consistency for St. Matthew. Getting started is easy. Additional information is available from the church office.
¨ THRIVENT MEMBERS: Please remember that you must redirect your Thrivent Choice Dollars each year. If you do not redirect your Choice Dollars yearly, Thrivent will choose a charity to receive your Choice Dollars. Please consider redirecting your Choice Dollars to St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Bloomsburg. If you have any questions please contact Randy Ruckle or Elaine Stauffer. Many thanks to St Matt Thrivent members who direct their choice dollars giving to our mutual benefit!
¨ Follow St. Matthew on Facebook! Watch for online updates, info, and reminders.
St Matthew offers Equal Exchange fairly-traded products at wholesale prices throughout the year.
Fairly-traded means that everyone in the supply chain is compensated fairly and is able to work in a healthy environment. Equal Exchange trades only with farmer cooperatives who vote and together decide how to use their premiums in their communities. Premiums support environmental initiatives like beekeeping, protecting the pollinators their crops depend on. EE is committed to fully traceable supply chains to counter the child and forced labor problems in West Africa.
Thank you for supporting small-scale farmers, their communities and the environment with your purchases of fairly-traded chocolate, nuts, coffee, fruit, tea, cocoa, and olive oil.
…and what does the Divine require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6 :8
Thank you for supporting small-scale farmers, their communities and the environment with your purchases of fairly-traded chocolate, nuts, coffee, fruit, tea, cocoa, and olive oil.
Full-flavored, fairly-traded, organic, wholesale prices for you; the gift of life for the growers/ producers as members in the Equal Exchange Co-op.
Plus, Organic Virgin Olive Oil and Dates from Palestine.
Available on the cart on Sundays and whenever the church office is open.
Baking supplies! Chocolate chips (55%), baking cocoa, almonds, pecans and cashews.
Fairly-traded, organic, wholesale prices for you; the gift of life for the growers/ producers as members in the Equal
Exchange coop. Available on the Fair Trade Project cart on Sundays and whenever the church office is open.
New on the Fair Trade Cart—Mind, Body & Soul Coffee (whole bean).
Blend of medium and Vienna roasts—smooth & creamy with chocolate notes.
Community Blessing Box Offerings
Jesus said, Go and do likewise Luke 10:37
Community Blessing Box Offerings
As you consider offerings to the Community Blessing Box, here are some items we’ve found to be in great demand:
Food items
· Individual size heat ‘n eats in flip-top cans
· Snack crackers (Lance, Keebler, etc.)
· Pop Tarts
· Individual size cereals, apple sauce/fruit
· Canned/packaged chicken/ham/tuna salad, spam, beef jerky
· Spaghetti sauce (paired with boxed pasta)
Personal care items
· (small) Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant
· (small)(bottles) Laundry soap, fabric softener/dryer sheets
· Tablets & pens
· Toilet paper
· Socks
· Wash cloths
Special thanks to Kathy Stewart for managing this vital ministry.
Food for Thought: (we picked up some tips from another newsletter—to help you help others)
So, I spent some time at a Food Bank today, and spoke to the people getting food. Here are some things I learned from those in need.
* Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of.
* Oil is a luxury but needed for rice a roni which they also get a lot of.
* Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift.
* Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care.
* Sugar and flour are treats.
* Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
* Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated.
* Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that.
* Everyone loves Stove Top stuffing.
In all the years I have donated food at the holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted, but have never asked. I am glad I did.