“ Good News” Monthly newsletter
June 2015
50th Anniversary Celebration Worship
Pastor Mike McCoy Preaches on June 7
by Pastor Kevin Murphy
Calendar
3-13 Sheffield trip for staff
7
50th worship with Mike
McCoy
7
Graduate Sunday
7
Summer SPARK begins
14 50th worship with Points
of Light
21-27 High School mission trip
28 Summer Evening
Celebration
As part of our five-month long 50th Anniversary Celebration, we are
spending a few mornings featuring our strategic partnerships. There is
hardly a relationship we value more than our relationship with other
Valley congregations – also known as Church Without Shoes.
Pastor Mike McCoy has been the head of the Church Without Shoes
from the beginning (formalized in 2006). “Thankful for One Church in
Many Congregations” will be the theme of Pastor Mike’s message
based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.
Church Without Shoes cooperates in many ministries and agencies that
serve the Ygnacio Valley. They provide weekly and monthly prayer
times for pastors, and quarterly prayer and worship times for everyone.
There is an annual Senior Pastors’ Retreat each fall, and we have an
annual Pastor Swap Sunday on the first Sunday in Lent. For the past
eleven years, we have shared Maundy Thursday Worship together.
Worship Schedule
Sundays
8:15, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Pastor Mike (and his Worship Leader, Dave Foster) are great friends of
Saint Matthew. We are thankful that he will be sharing God’s Word
with us and be giving our first “Strategic Partner” sermon.
(continued on page 3)
Page 2
Senior Team Leader
New Worship Times Begin in July
by Pastor Kevin Murphy
Following months of prayerful discernment and conversations, we have decided to go from three worship
services on Sunday morning to two. Worship attendance is down about 15% the past four years, and our
Worship Center is less than one-fourth full at both 8:15 and 11:00 a.m.
The greatest difficulty in determining worship times is the impact it has on:
1) Children Ministry; 2) Middle School Ministry; and 3) adult small groups.
This means that both worship services need to be positioned as close to
mid-morning as possible. An 8:30 a.m. worship would be too early for
Children Ministry, and 10:00 or 10:30 a.m. would be too late. So we have
decided to have our two worship times going forward be at 9:00 and
10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings, beginning on July 5. We know that 3/5 of
the congregation will prefer the earlier time. We are asking everyone who is
able to attend later in the morning to do so, at least for the coming season.
Larger congregations are always tempted to do “more.” Saint Matthew is in a season in its life-cycle where
we need to make sure we do things “better.” We have always been willing to put a great deal of time,
energy and resources into our Sunday morning worship. This will still be true.
Some of the benefits we are expecting include:
 Time between services for people to see and fellowship with each other.
Currently our early and later attendees never see each other on Sunday
morning.
 A greater potential to recruit people into Worship and Music Ministries
with a shorter morning schedule (our band, choirs and special musicians
have endured mornings that lasted from 7:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for
years!).
 The energy and spirit that is felt in the mid-morning worship service can
be spread over two worship services.
 Those teens and adults who serve in SPARK and IGNITE ministries will
be more encouraged to participate in worship with an earlier late service.
A few unanswered questions remain:
 It is our intention to begin a mid-week worship service (16 weeks September through December and 18
weeks January through April) which would take place at 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday nights and be
preceded with a dinner (which could be shared with SPARK and IGNITE mid-week). This worship
would include contemporary worship, unique teaching series, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
This would serve everyone who is gone for the weekend or has Sunday morning conflicts.
 Our plan currently is for our SPARK and IGNITE students to begin their time in worship (at 9:00 a.m.)
and be excused during the song prior to the sermon. This would eliminate all the work the ministries put
into openings and allow our kids to be in worship with us for a portion of worship each week. Our hope
is to include more children and teens in music, drama and serving in the opening portions of our Sunday
morning worship.
Page 3
Worship ministry
Worship Survey Results
by Pastor Kevin Murphy
A worship survey was sent to three groups in May: 1) those who attend 8:15 worship; 2) those with children
in the Sunday morning SPARK and IGNITE program; and 3) those currently involved in leading Sunday
morning ministries. We received 150 responses to these surveys.
The easiest decision to make is always the one which says, “Leave things as they are.” Most people are at
Saint Matthew because they like things as they are presently structured.
The majority of the responses essentially said, “We are fine with whatever changes you decide to make, we
trust your leadership” and “going to two services makes sense given the attendance at 8:15 and 11:00 a.m.”
Those who prefer and participate in the 8:15 a.m.
worship service are the most impacted. Many of
them clearly said they wanted it left alone or changed
to no later than 8:30 a.m.
Many people said, “thanks for asking us what we
think.” Although these types of surveys are not a
vote, we understand that people appreciate an
opportunity to express their preferences.
It is our prayer that the decision to go as close to mid-morning as possible with our two worship services
will serve the vast majority of the Saint Matthew family, and that everyone values this community of faith
enough to make accommodations for the changes in worship times.
(50th Anniversary Worship, continued from page 1)
Graduate Sunday — June 7
We feature those who are graduating from high school, university and graduate programs on the first
Sunday of June. We recognize that these graduations are significant milestones in the lives of these students
as well as our community of faith. The Saint Matthew Foundation will present this year’s scholarships that
morning as well.
Points of Light in Worship — June 14
Our second strategic partnership Sunday is June 14, when our friends from Points of Light in Oakland join
us for worship. We have been supporting this unique and Spirit-filled ministry which works at street-level
in Oakland with young people and their families for the past seven years. They will share the message,
telling us stories of transformation and challenge from what God is doing in helping them to reach the city
of Oakland for God. It will be a morning of joy and celebration you will not want to miss!
Page 4
Connecting Ministries
Church-Wide Barbeque
July 5 at 11:30 a.m.
Pastor Sara Wolbrecht is our guest preacher, and Jason Bendickson will be assisting
July 5 in worship. Our morning worship times are at 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. Following
the second service, we invite everyone to a church-wide barbeque, complete with a
bouncy house and other activities for the kids. Please come as our guest!
We are also looking for volunteers to help with the fun. Please contact Kim Machek
at [email protected].
Church-Wide Photo Directory Make Up Days
Historical 50th Anniversary Edition
Friday, July 10 from 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you were unable to have your photos taken in May, please contact Kim Machek for a make-up
appointment. If you would like to be in this special directory and your schedule still does not fit, please
contact Kim to make other arrangements ([email protected] or 932-1955, ext. 115).
Summer Small Groups
Watch for new Small Groups brochure in the coming weeks.
If you have any suggestions for small groups for the summer,
please contact Kim Machek at [email protected].
Sunday Evening Celebrations
June 28
July 26
August 30
Join us at 6:00 p.m. for dinner, followed
by contemporary worship, faith stories
and communion from 7:00-8:15 p.m.
Girls Night Out: Bunco
games, fellowship, food
July 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Join us at the home of Maria
Sneen (Concord) for a fun
game of Bunco. No need to
know how to play. Watch for
sign-ups.
Page 5
Children Ministry
Camp MATT Registration Begins June 15
Camp
MATT
Camp MATT is a high energy day camp offered for one week in the Summer
(July 27-31). Open to all preschool through 8th graders, it offers music,
drama, snack, lunch, group games, team building, Bible stories, service
projects and specialty classes like drums, guitar, science, cooking, dance, art,
sports and more! Registration will begin June 15 and closes on July 6 or
before if classes fill. Register on our website beginning June 15—on the front
page, click on the green box labeled “Register Online”.
Summer SPARK Sunday
Summer SPARK will begin on Sunday, June 7 at 9:30-10:40 am. in the classrooms. It is open to all
preschool through 5th graders. Summer SPARK Sunday includes small group relationship building,
age-appropriate Bible stories, group games, service projects, monthly birthday celebrations, worship and
fun! If you are not registered currently for SPARK Sunday, please register online.
Homeless Sleep-Over Experience
Impactful Yet Fun!
Early in May on a Friday night, 40 kids and teens gathered for a night
of fun and deep, impactful awareness building activities. Sleeping
outside on the cold concrete, kids got a taste of what our homeless
brothers and sisters endure each and every day. During the event, we
went on a scavenger hunt through the neighborhood collecting several
boxes of canned food items. All of the food collected was then
donated to Trinity Center. Of course we had some fun too—sock
wars, Huma Hungry Hippo and lots of whipped cream too.
Mark Your Calendars
June 7 Summer SPARK Sunday begins
June 15-July 6 Camp MATT
Registration (online)
Need to Contact Us?
Angie Kavert
Children Ministry Team Leader
(925) 932-1955 x121
angiek@saintmatthew,org
Ethan Purkey
Children Ministry Associate
(925) 932-1955 x 120
[email protected]
Online registration at www.saintmatthew.org (click on the green “Register Online” box on the front page).
Page 6
Teen Ministries
Summer IGNITE & FORGE
IGNITE (middle school) & FORGE (high school) are
combining for some fun during the summer months.
Expect wet and messy games (bring a towel and a
change of clothes). We invite incoming 5th Graders to
join the fun.
IGNITE/FORGE summer gatherings will meet every
other Thursday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on the following
dates:
June 18, July 2, July 16, July 30 and August 13.
Kick it with FORGE & IGNITE
Come join us on Sundays, July 12 and August 16 for a game of
football or soccer. Bring your own lunch. No cleats, please.
When — July 12 & Aug. 16 from 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Where — meet at Foothill Middle School
IGNITE Weekly Gatherings
IGNITE Wednesday and IGNITE Sunday
We are off for the summer months; enjoy your break and good luck with the end of
the school year.
Our weekly gatherings for the 2015-16 school year will start up again right after
Labor Day.
Parentlink: Stay connected weekly by signing up for weekly emails. Sign on to our website,
www.saintmatthew.org and in the left-hand column, fill in your email in the box and then follow the
instructions.
For more information about our teen ministry contact Alex Hardt, Teen Ministry Leader, 932-1955 x116
email [email protected] or Yolanda Sanregret, Teen Ministry Associate, 932-1955x101 email
[email protected]
Page 7
Teen Ministries
Summer FORGE
Summer High School
Get ready to have a blast with your high school friends from
FORGE. During the summer we are going to meet for a pool party,
games, food, and a whole bunch of laughs. Watch for more
information about times and locations. Incoming freshman are
welcome to join in the excitement and fun!
When: June 25, July 9 and July 23
No FORGE on June 4, June 11, and August 6
Summer Challenge
Are you ready to Go further…deeper...? This summer we are holding a competition between the HS Guys,
HS Girls, MS Guys, and MS Girls that will encourage students and their families to go deeper with God,
with each other, and make a difference in our community. Look for more details to come…the winning
team will get a prize!
Camp MATT
July 27-31
Camp MATT is an incredible day camp experience open to all kids ages pre-school through 8th grade. High
School student volunteers are needed to help with set up and to lead activities. This experience is as much
fun for the High School students as it proves to be each year for the campers. Get involved, come help us
out. Contact Angie for more information at [email protected].
Hume Lake Camp
August 2-8
All registration materials and final
payments should have been turned in
by now. If your student is interested in
going, call Alex to get on the waiting
list.
Small Groups
FORGE small groups are off for the
summer months. Hurray for the
summer and congratulations to our
graduates!
Page 8
50th Anniversary
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church Historical Timeline
What a blessing we have had so far in learning some of the history of Saint Matthew through the eyes of the
previous senior pastors and former Council President! For those who would like to know more, here is a
timeline put together for our 40th Anniversary, along with updates on the last 10 years.
August 1, 1964
November 15, 1964
April 18, 1965
May 23, 1965
August 1, 1965
October 30, 1966
May 28, 1967
May 2, 1971
April 6, 1974
July 14, 1974
1977
April 4, 1982
January 16, 1983
October 1985
January 1, 1987
February 8, 1987
January 24, 1988
August 15, 1988
January 28, 1990
October 21, 1990
December 2, 1990
December 14, 1991
February 23, 1992
January 16, 1994
December 11, 1994
Pastor Ken and Priscilla Stenman were sent to Walnut Creek by the Board of American
Missions of the Lutheran Church in America.
First worship service held in Walnut
Walnut Acres Worship
Acres Elementary School with 160 people
Charter Sunday (Easter)
Organization Sunday: The congregation
was organized with 90 adults and 86
children on the Charter Membership Roll.
Twenty five persons were baptized in a
special baptismal service at 9:15 a.m.
Dr. Carl W. Segerhammar preached at the
10:30 a.m. service.
Pastor Stenman accepts call to become
Pastor of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
The Blessing of a Church-Site and Groundbreaking
The first building was dedicated with Dr. Carl W. Segerhammar preaching
Purchase of a portable realty office remodeled to become “Koinonia”
The Stenmans were commissioned as missionaries to Stockholm
Pastor Don and Lois Wagner began their ministry at Saint Matthew
Metanoia (youth group) organized by Steve and Linda Gregoriev
Groundbreaking service for the multi-purpose building to later be named “Stenman Center”
Dedication of Stenman Center
Saturday evening service added
Pastor Jack and Ruth Niemi began their ministry at Saint Matthew
Pastor Jack Niemi was installed as Senior Pastor
Pastor Don Wagner elected Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Bill and Joan Griffin began their ministry with the youth of Saint Matthew
Saint Matthew Foundation was esFarewell Pastor Jack
tablished
Duane Woida’s Ordination and Installation
Groundbreaking services for the new
Worship Center, Fellowship Hall
and Music Center
First service in new Worship Center
Celebration and Dedication of new
Worship Center
Michael Jeffrey installed
Organ Dedication service
Page 9
December 1998
December 1998
August 1999
June 19, 1999
1999
2002
July 2002
2003
April 2004
December 2004
November 20, 2005
March, 2006
June, 2006
April 5, 2007
July 22, 2007
July 29, 2007
August 2007
September26, 2007
Oct 7, 2007
December 2007
March 12, 2008
June 2008
July 20, 2008
Dec. 8, 2008
Sept 20, 2009
50th anniversary
Pastor R. Kevin Murphy Installed as Senior Pastor
Pastor David Ketterling Installed
Pastor David Dykes Installed
Rowena Henry’s Rite of Consecration and Installation
Small Group ministry begins
“Mission Partner” concept replaces the idea of “membership”
Pastor Raquel Tally Installed
Mission Beyond Saint Matthew Task Force formed
Columbarium dedicated
Jeff Thiemann’s Ordination and Installation
40th Anniversary Celebration with every former senior pastor in attendance
Diablo Valley pastors initiate “Pastor Swap” - pastors preach in each other’s congregations
Pastor Kevin Murphy visits St. Thomas’ Parish in Sheffield, England
Valley churches worship together for the first time on Maundy Thursday
Wagner Center Decommissioning Service
Sara Wolbrecht Installation
Saint Matthew enters into partnership with Hope Lutheran Church in Rossmoor
Demolition of original Saint Matthew building
Groundbreaking ceremony for
new Teen Center, Admin
Building, Classroom Building,
Gardenside Room and bathrooms
Prayer Stone Dedication
Ceremony: rocks with loved ones
names placed in new foundation
forms of all buildings prior to
cement being poured
Scriptures and prayers written on
wall joists and under-flooring of
Prayer Stone Dedication
new buildings
Birthing Center in Tanzania
started construction by a team of Saint Matthew builders
Ralph Supper Ordination and Installation
New buildings used for first time – Classrooms, Gardenside Room, Teen Center
Installation of Pastor Jack Niemi to Hope Lutheran in Rossmoor creates move in partnership
toward Hope’s independence
Oct 11, 2009
Church cancelled for OUTFLOW
Sept 26, 2010
Saint Matthew’s 45th Anniversary Celebration Picnic
June 21, 2011
Opening of Healing Prayers for church and community
Dec. 5-8, 2011
3DM Conference launched: Saint Matthew becomes a training
center for the “Sheffield Movement” through its American
Expression 3DM Ministries.
Sept. 15, 2013
Pastor Andy Smith installed as Executive Pastor
April, 2015
Saint Matthew begins six month celebration of 50th anniversary
Page 10
Bulletin Board
Middle School Search Team Update
by Alex Hardt, High School Team Leader
The Middle School Search Team has been carefully discerning who the next
person will be called to the position of Middle School Team Leader. We have
sifted through the applicants and are coming close to our top candidates to
recommend to Pastor Andy and Pastor Kevin for the final interview. God is
moving through the committee and the spirit is alive! We know that God is
drawing us closer to the person he has chosen for the position.
We would appreciate your prayers for us as we go through this journey together.
The Search Committee consists of Ryan Sigler, Bill Stark, Andy Smith, Diana
Corkran, Vanessa Lamoureux, Alex Hardt and Kelly McCarger.
Tender Loving Care (TLC) Ministry
by Karen Ball
How often do we wish for and need a little bit of TLC? Sometimes we need some extra love as we
experience the exhaustion, readjustment and joy a new baby brings to a family. Sometimes it’s when we
are caring for a family member who is ill or hospitalized. Maybe you are ill or have had surgery and would
really appreciate a hot nutritious meal delivered to you and your family. Sometimes we need a bit of help
getting to a doctor’s appointment or with some shopping or something else.
That’s what the TLC ministry is all about — helping those who could use a bit of help or support. All it
takes is a call or email to TLC at [email protected] or call Rev. Dee at 932-1955 ext 107 or Karen
Ball at [email protected], 945-7287 and you will be matched with a volunteer who will be able to help
you with a meal, a ride or whatever will make a difficult or exhausting time a bit easier.
If you are interested in serving in this ministry you can contact either of the above for more information.
Honduras Mission Trip This Summer
July 11-18
by Mike Sigler
We are excited to return to Honduras this year for a mission trip with
Children’s Rescue Mission run by Miguel Giron (pictured to the left with
his mother). Trip dates are July 11-18 and we have ten people going so far.
Each year the trip seems to grow and there are new developments that
surprise us.
If you would like to join us, please contact Mike Sigler at
[email protected].
Page 11
Community News
We Extend Christian Sympathy to
The family and friends of Bob Pate, born into eternal life
on May 8, 2015.
The family and friends of Verl Clausen, born into eternal
life on May 14, 2015.
The family and friends of Miriam Mellen, born into
eternal life on May 15, 2015.
The family and friends of Frieda Behrman, born into
eternal life on May 17, 2015.
50th Anniversary Capital Campaign
We have big plans for the $150,000 we’d like to give away
and use for our facility. Money will go toward building a
Mission Center for Children’s Rescue Mission in Honduras,
a van for Young Life in Krasnodar, our kitchen renovation,
landscape plan and re-sealing the parking lot. So far we
have collected $56,977.
Contact Information
Church Office: 932-1955
Pastoral Staff:
Dr. R. Kevin Murphy, ext. 118
Senior Team Leader
Dr. Andy Smith, ext. 114
Executive Team Leader
Rev. Dee King, ext. 107
Care Ministry Team Leader
Jenna Kim, Intern Pastor
Other Staff:
Tom Aragon, AV/Sound Associate
TJ Burke, ext. 117
Designated Worship Arts Team Leader
Kathy Frattini, ext. 112
Operations Team Leader
Alex Hardt, ext. 116
High School Team Leader
Paula Hayase, ext. 113
Database Associate
Angie Kavert, ext. 121
Children Ministry Team Leader
Kim Machek, ext. 115
Designated Connecting Team Leader
Gail Penny, ext. 106
Communications Associate
Shannon Perez, ext. 108
Worship and Teen Associate
Ethan Purkey, ext. 120
Children Ministry Associate
Yolanda Sanregret, ext. 101
Teen Ministry Associate
Marv Schick, ext. 111, Financial Team Leader
Karen Waterhouse, ext. 100
Office Assistant, Memorial Coordinator
Rev. Bill Barrett, Pastor Emeritus
Church Council
President: Jerry Hanson
Vice President: Becky Ingram
Chief Financial Officer: Rob Anderson
Secretary: Sherri Cobaugh
John Hanken, Michele Lewandowski,
Tony Mercado, Cheryl Sigler, Tim Delony,
Anne-Leith Matlock, Dave McCargar
Saint Matthew Family Campout
July 16-19 at the Gold Country Campground Resort
Join other Saint Matthew families in the Gold Country. Enjoy the pool, spray park, playground, miniature
golf course, volleyball court, basketball court, arcade, horseshoe pit, bocce court and more. Most of the
weekend is free time. Group activities include: Friday
night family movie night, Saturday campfire sing and
potluck and Sunday morning worship.
To top it off, you don’t even have to camp if you don’t
want to! Lodge rooms are available for $90/night. Tent
camping is $40/night, and RV camping is $50/night. Go
to www.goldcountrycampground.com for more
information on the campground. To reserve your spot,
sign up at the Welcome Center or call Tom Aragon at
216-2830.
Next GOOD NEWS Deadline: Thursday, June 11, 2015
Focus will be on July events.
The Good News is published monthly by Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598,
phone: 925-932-1955, FAX: 925-932-7580, web site: www.saintmatthew.org, editor Gail Penny. Items may be
submitted for publication by emailing: [email protected]. Items submitted are subject to editing or exclusion.
Saint M atthew Lutheran Church
399 Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek CA 94598-3411
(925) 932-1955—Fax (925) 932-7580
www.saintmatthew.org