February 2015
What’s Inside?
 Life Stage Ministry: pg. 2, 3
 SMLC Financials: pg. 5
 Mardi Gras & LENT: pg. 6 & 7
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St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Newsletter
1700 Edmonds Ave NE Renton, Washington 98056
425.226.2420 www.smlc.cc [email protected]
Pastor’s Cup– Pastor Maynard Atik
“When I came to you, brothers and sisters….I decided to know nothing among you
except Jesus Christ, and him crucified….so that your faith might rest not on human
wisdom but on the power of God.” (1Cor. 2:1ff)
This is the overall goal and purpose of the Call Committee to find the pastor who knows
nothing except Christ and him crucified. The Call Committee has been prayerfully selected
for this task and is charged with the responsibility of discerning all aspects of St. Matthew’s
needs and each candidate’s talents and gifts. They have met and created Skype interviews
for the candidates. The questions have been formed to ask about one’s experience in the
past as it will be the best indicator of future actions. The questions were directed toward finding a pastor who is
looking to serve and a congregation like St. Matthew’s, who is committed to proclaim Christ as it serves the Renton community.
In order for the Call Committee to be as best prepared for the interview process, a practice interview was scheduled with an experienced interim pastor.
By the time you receive this newsletter the Call Committee has completed their in-person interviews with two candidates, with whom they feel very positive, regarding both of the candidates. When the interviewing and discernment is complete, the Call Committee will then present one candidate to the congregation for election.
The pastor who becomes the Call Committee’s “candidate of choice” will be presented to the congregation at a
convenient time before a special congregation meeting to vote. Please note, the candidate will not be preaching, as
continue to page 5
REACH Center of Hope
St Matthew’s is currently home to 3 families, all women with children! For January, February and March we are
partnering with the REACH Center of Hope which serves local homeless women and children. The women and
children spend the day at the Day Center, where they are able to access support and services to help them get back on their feet. Local area churches have been providing overnight housing for the families.
St. Matthew’s is excited to be a part of this wonderful outreach program. The families
stay at St Matthew’s from 7 pm until 8am every night of the week. All of the volunteers
for this program are trained and screened by REACH.
There are 3 volunteer shifts; Evening host from 7-9 pm, Overnight Host from 9pm-6am
and Morning Host from 6-8am. Please consider volunteering your time for this program. For further information on REACH center of Hope please visit
www.reachrenton.org. You will find REACH Center of Hope information under the
“Programs and Partnerships” tab. Please feel free to contact Myrriah Hayden with any questions that you have!
[email protected] or 425-277-5758
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Life Stage Ministry
To create partnership between ministry of St. Matthew’s
and the faith formation that takes place in the home,
community and the world.
Life Stage Children
Mark your calendar!
Registration materials will be available May 1st
St. Matthew’s Vacation Bible School 2015
July 13-17 9am-noon
Tales on Tuesdays at Luther’s Table
Ms. Nicole will read stories and lead a craft project beginning at 10:12am on the first and third Tuesday
of the month, so the 3rd and 17th for February. Activities are planned for children age 2-5, but all are
welcome.
Elementary Retreat at Camp Lutherwood
Friday, March 13– Saturday, March 14
Grades 2-6
The retreat theme is WTL; the way, truth, and
life. We will sing, laugh, play, and see what
camp is all about through a 24 hour blast of all
things “campy” that will have you begging for
more!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Sunday, February 8
To register or for more information:
Contact Ms. Nicole! 425-226-2420
[email protected]
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Life Stage Children-continued
A family fun event on Saturday, February 7 from 10am-noon. From bread baking and craft making, to question answering and storytelling, this promises to be a fun faith exploration for children and their parents. Come
discover what communion is all about! Please sign up at the welcome counter or RSVP with Ms. Nicole.
Life Stage Youth
Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center
Interested in summer camp at Lutherwood? Ms. Nicole has program
brochures available. All information and registration is available online
at http://www.camplutherwood.org/summer-camp/ Early bird discounts
are available if you register by April 15.
*Offered to grades 1st-12th.
Confirmation 2015
February:

Class meets on Saturday, February 7, 10am-12pm

LENT classes begin Wednesday, February 25 and continue until March 25 each week
from 6pm-7pm. Students will eat dinner and have class at the same time.
St. Matthew’s February Youth Calendar
2/8: SMACK, 6-7:30pm in the fellowship hall
2/15: Thunderbirds hockey game, 4:30-8:30pm, $10. Talk to Todd to sign up.
2/22: Service night at Mary's Place emergency family shelter, 4:30-8pm. Talk to Todd to sign up.
Coming in March!
Middle School GO! Night: Friday 3/6 - Saturday 3/7. Watch for details to come on this all night event for middle
schoolers.
30 Hour Famine: Friday 3/20 - Saturday 3/21. Watch for details to come on this opportunity to raise money,
serve, and learn more about hunger issues around the world.
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February
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As Valentine’s Day approaches, bright red and
pink cards, candy, flowers, and hearts are everywhere. This February focus on GOD’S LOVE.
Send a valentine to God by devoting time to him
with the simple, 5-steps of FAITH5 (Faith Acts In
The Home). Share this routine with the people
you love the most or just keep it between you and
God. Begin with “highs and lows” the best and
worst moments of your day, read the love themed
verse of scripture found on the other side of this
sheet, pray and end with a blessing, perhaps
tracing a cross on the forehead and saying something like “I love you, but God loves you even
more.”
To Fall in love with God is the
greatest romance.
To seek him the greatest adventure.
-Augustine of Hippo
Mark 12:30-31
Romans 12:9
Romans 13:10
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
1 Corinthians 13:13
Ephesians 4:2
1 Peter 4:8
1 John 4:7-8
1 John 4:18-19
John 15:13
Colossians 3:14
Proverbs 10:12
Proverbs 17:17
1 John 3:16-18
1 John 4:8
John 3:16
Psalm 18:1
Matthew 6:24
Matthew 22:37-39
1 Corinthians 13:8
Isaiah 49:15
Song of Solomon 8:7
Psalm 37:4
Romans 5:5
1 John 4:16
Ephesians 5:1
Romans 8:28
1 John 3:1
© Faith Inkubators, All Rights Reserved, www.faithink.com
2015 Flower Chart
Honor or remember someone who has been a gift to you. Each week (with the exception of Lent) flowers are placed on the altar in memory or in honor of a loved one.
You may sign up on the 2015 flower chart located across from the nursery.
Cost is $30. You can take the flowers home after the 11:00 service or pick up by noon
on Monday. If the flowers remain at the altar and not picked up, they will be donated to
people unable to attend worship.
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St. Matthew’s Financial Update
St. Matthew’s Financial Update
December 2014
Income
Expenses
Planned $62,821
Planned $55,306
Actual $50,601
Actual $49,887
YTD (Year to Date)
Income
Expenses
Planned $654,673
Planned $650,285
Actual
Actual
$577,036
$610,387
With Simply Giving®, your donations are
made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account or credit
card. You determine the frequency of
your automatic donation – weekly,
“A simple choice; a
semi-monthly, or monthly – the
generous
response”
option is yours! It’s reliable and safe!
If you would like to participate in the
Simply Giving program, you may enroll on line at www.smlc.cc
and click on the Giving Tab or contact Libby in the church office. [email protected] or 425-226-2420
Pastor Maynard Atik– continued from page 1
we will be hosting him/her. Please also note, that this is not a time for a public question and answer time. It is a
“meet and greet” time. After a formal introduction, with the candidate possibly giving a brief devotion, the Call
Committee will be bringing the candidate around the room to “meet and greet” the members. The purpose is to
be informal, hospitable and friendly. The time for interviews is over.
I know this is the time for all to be “checking out” this candidate. Remember, that the candidate is also “checking
out” St. Matthew’s as well. This “meet and greet” occasion will probably being done during the season of Lent,
where we, with the Apostle Paul, know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. Lent and Easter seasons are
momentous for the Church. They are especially momentous for us at St. Matthew’s, especially with the anticipation of your new pastor!
Blessings to you all!
Maynard Atik, interim pastor
Panera Bread Donation, A Thank You
Four evenings each week, St. Matthew’s has a dedicated group of volunteers that pick up food items from the
Renton Panera bakery. After the items are picked up, the volunteers repackage the food and take them to various
locations within the City of Renton. Griffin Home, Friends of Youth is one of the locations that receive these
items. Griffin Home is a residential treatment program that offers a caring, therapeutic environment where troubled adolescent boys can build new hope for the future.
Below is a special thank you to St. Matthew’s from Griffin home:
“Thank you for your continued support of Griffin Home and our boys. We appreciate your dedication
and look forward to continuing to work with you.”
Rachelle Henson, Food Service Manager
Griffin Home
**If you would like to volunteer to pick up items from Panera bread on
designated evenings, please contact Don Jacobson or the church office.
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Mardi Gras
Tuesday, February 17, 6pm
Mardi Gras is on the night before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of
Lent. It is traditionally the last celebration or party until Easter. Beginning at 6pm,
we will have chicken dinner, along with our 7th annual bundt cake bake-off at
6:30pm. Kids will enjoy face painting in the Narthex. Then at 7pm we will gather
in the Sanctuary to be entertained by Ingrid Nelson, a world travelling story
teller. Her stories will delight us with her twisted fairytales.
Side by Side: A Caring Ministry
We're a trained team of caring people who walk along side those who are
in crisis due to health, family, job, and LIFE. St. Matthew’s Lutheran embraces everyone's story and strives to connect with people in the midst of
their struggles and joys.
Side by Side is a ministry that connects trained volunteers with those who
are looking to share and find support during difficult times. A side by side
volunteer is carefully matched with someone who needs and wants a listening ear.
If you are interested in becoming a Side by Side volunteer, or if you would like to meet with a Side By Side Volunteer, please contact the Side By Side Coordinator, Joan Stewart, [email protected] or 425-226-2420.
ARISE & St. Matthew’s AMIGOS Of April
In the past, Amigos of April has been a long standing outreach ministry of St. Matthews that provided temporary overnight shelter and hot meals during the month of April for approximately 25 single adult men from the
local area who are currently homeless and in need of assistance.
A new look:
REACH has combined the feeding program of ARISE (Amigos of April), Center of Hope and the Community
Supper. Instead of St Matthew’s providing dinner at 9:00 at night, we will provide snacks. The Amigos will eat at
the Salvation Army, along with Center of Hope and Community Supper guests at 5:30. St. Matthews will still
participate by housing them during the month of April. We will continue to provide breakfast. Community supper will prepare the meals Monday through Friday, servers are still needed. If families or small ministries want to
cook; Saturday and Sundays are open for cooking meals for 80 to 100 people at the Salvation Army. Sack lunches will be prepared daily. They need donations of food and putting together lunches.
Specific need for supplies and personal items (socks, shoes, warm clothing, blankets and toiletries) are coordinated through ministries within St Matthew’s. In this way, church volunteers help the men to connect to our church
community and spread awareness of homelessness within our congregation.
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Wednesday, February 18
Join us for Ash Wednesday Worship Service at noon and 7pm.
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Volunteer Driver Opportunity
St. Matthew’s is partnering with Lifelong to deliver meals to those in need in the Renton area. Without volunteer
drivers, Lifelong clients would not receive nourishing meals needed to stay healthy and fight their illness.
If you are able to provide several hours, once a month to deliver meals, contact Libby Lucier in the church office.
[email protected] 425-226-2420
 Pick up site: Cross and Crown Lutheran Church (located in the Cascade area on the other Renton hill)
 Pick up times: 4pm-6pm
 Delivery times: 4pm-7pm
*For information about Lifelong visit: lifelong.org
Visit lifelong.org for more information.
A list of February birthdays can be
found at the welcome counter.
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Non-Profit Org.
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church
1700 Edmonds Ave NE
Renton WA 98056
U.S. Postage Paid
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Renton, WA 98055
Permit No. 108
Visit our website at www.smlc.cc
Staff Directory
Pastor
Facilities Manager
Maynard Atik– interim pastor
[email protected]
425-226-2420 x115
Dan Willcocks
425.226.2420
Life Stage Ministry
Director of Worship Arts
Karla Cruz
[email protected]
425.226.2420 x108
Susan Kriesel, Senior Choir Director
Welcome Minister &
Wedding Coordinator
Joan Stewart
[email protected]
425.226.2420 x120
Administrative Support/
Communications Coordinator
Libby Lucier
[email protected]
425.226.2420 x110
Todd Hobart
Youth Coordinator
[email protected]
425.226.2420 x130
***
Nicole VanderMeulen
Children’s Coordinator
[email protected]
425.226.2420 x 103
Bookkeeper
Susan Richmond
425.226.2420 x117
Marriage and Family Therapy
Jean Eakins, LMFT
Lutheran Counseling Network
425.271.9711 x2
Don’t miss out this year…
You’re invited to celebrate Mardi Gras!
February 17
Details on page 6
February 18
Noon and 7pm
Worship Service