August 2026
Photo credit: Heather Lerch
Worship With Us
9:30 AMSummer Worship
One combined service through Labor Day, September 6. Our fall schedule — with two services and Sunday School — resumes September 13.
Ministry Transitions
Welcome Back,
Pastor Peggy & Kim
"I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:19
St. Matthew is in a season of transition, and God's steady hand is in all of it. Council has affirmed Rev. Margaret "Peggy" Marks as our part-time Vice Pastor, and Kim Bohley has returned to us as Interim Secretary. Dave Rulon has moved to part-time as our Sexton, with a cleaning firm now helping care for our building on Fridays.
Full message from Pastor Peggy on page 2 →
All are welcome at Saint Matthew.
Come as you are — whether you've worshiped your whole life or are just exploring faith, there's a place for you here.
The MessengerAugust 2026 · Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
Photo credit: Heather Lerch
A Message from Our Vice Pastor
Summer Musings
By Rev. Margaret M. Marks · "Pastor Peggy"
Grace and peace to you! The prophet Isaiah shares some great words for us during this time of transition…
"I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." — Isaiah 43:19
We are on a familiar journey together — again! And with God's constant loving presence and guidance, we can do this. A time of transition is also called a liminal space: a spiritual place of transition where we have left one place but not yet arrived at the next. The Bible portrays a liminal space as a threshold between the "no longer" and the "not yet." This is a sacred place and an uncomfortable place of transition. I would say that is a perfect description of St. Matthew right now. So many changes for us and God's presence in all of them:
1
Council affirmed my appointment as your part-time Vice Pastor — same as an Interim — for 20–25 hours a week. Some things will change as a result of being part-time, but some things will stay the same. We will begin our two services Sunday, September 13th. My main areas of emphasis include worship planning/sermon prep and pastoral care. Please keep me in the loop! As a volunteer, I will co-chair the CLF Ministry Team with Heather Lerch. It has been without a chair for two years. Education is my love, and Children's Christian Education my passion. I will keep in touch with all ministry teams as we go forward. If my office door is open — stop in to chat — I look forward to it.
2
Kim Bohley has agreed to be our Interim Secretary until we call a new pastor. Thank you so much, Kim, and welcome back. We will have fun. Her job is 20 hours a week — thus part-time, whereas Mary was full-time and Kim's responsibilities will be clearly laid out by Mutual Ministry.
3
Dave Rulon is now part-time and we have hired a cleaning firm which will clean our building on Fridays for a cost of $460.00 a month. Thank you, Dave, for all your years of faithfully cleaning our building. Did you know that we have ten bathrooms to clean?
So, we have gone from full-time to part-time. I am so grateful for how everyone is so graciously stepping up to help fill the gaps. In September's Messenger, you can read about the new security steps Council has taken to secure our building — we have Moorestown Police here every Sunday just to check in — and an article about the Transition Process. Enough for now!
With joy, Pastor Peggy
Vice Pastor
Rev. Margaret M. Marks
Interim Secretary
Kim Bohley · 856.235.2055 x1
Minister of Music
Dr. Sarah England Baab
music@stmatthew-lutheran.org
The Messenger
August 2026 · Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
The Messenger
August 2026 · Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee
Sharing Our Stories
By Pat Covington & Barbara Duffy · DEI Committee
The DEI Committee, Pat Covington and Barbara Duffy, would like to continue the storytelling by members of the congregation during coffee time in the Shockey Lounge.
"We are all products of our upbringing and may be more diverse than we realize."
Carmen von Wrangell was the first to speak about her early life in the Dominican Republic, why she came to the U.S. and the influences of her family on her life. We are all products of our upbringing and may be more diverse than we realize.
Barbara will be speaking about her life growing up on a farm in northwestern Ohio, the fourth generation living in that same location. In some ways, Carmen and Barbara are alike in that both families had to adjust to a new culture; Carmen's from the Caribbean and Barbara's from Germany.
What a wonderful opportunity to enrich our lives by learning about one another's individual traditions and influences. Hopefully, it will lead us to understand one another better and become more knowledgeable about our different ways of thinking.
Consider offering your stories and help us learn more about you. The storytelling will resume in August. Please join us.
~Pat and Barbara
From the Office
A Minute in the Office
Howdy All,
Since Pastor Peggy chose her welcome back theme song, "Back in the Saddle Again," it's only fitting that I do the same with, "Who Says You Can't Go Home," by Bon Jovi. I thank you all for welcoming me back to St. Matthew. During these past five years, there have been a couple of changes in the workplace.
- Remote/hybrid work due to Covid-19 permanently broke the traditional 5-day in office model. Our new church office hours will be Monday–Thursday 9am–2pm; closed Fridays.
- The AI Revolution (Artificial Intelligence) was non-existent five years ago. Its concept is approaching a widely integrated tool for businesses, and yes, even churches. Please note, that this is the first Messenger produced by using AI tools…with more to come.
Blessings,
Kim Bohley
The Messenger
August 2026 · Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
News & Notices
Announcements & Events
Come Grow With Us
We're still growing our new Gardening Ministry, a partnership with the Center for Conscious Living, which is responsible for maintaining the garden beds. We're focusing on the front gardens, edge plantings along the building, Garden of Remembrance, and the Pollinator Garden. The Ministry is co-chaired by Kim Villani and Janine Blunt. Their contact information is on the large bulletin board.
We will need your help!
To help care for our property, we need volunteers to commit to one hour at a time throughout the year. Currently, a group meets on Tuesday and Friday mornings. During the summer, meeting times may vary depending on the weather. If you are unavailable on Tuesday or Friday mornings but would still like to help, please contact Kim Villani 609.410.1372. Work can also be done at other times.
Note: Recent plantings were donated by Moorestown Hardware, 300 Mill St., Moorestown.
FCC Planning for 2026–2027
FCC planning is underway for the year ahead — here's what's on the calendar so far.
Lunch Around the World
Bi-monthly outings beginning in September, opposite month from OWL events.
Ice Cream Social
After church, following the second service — Feast of Saint Matthew Sunday.
Oktoberfest
We are looking into planning an Oktoberfest dinner at a local restaurant in October.
Upcoming Events — August
DEI Member Storytelling Resumes
Coffee time, Shockey Lounge — Barbara Duffy shares her Ohio farm upbringing.
Youth "Brain Freeze" Outing
Sunday, following service.
Youth Tie-Dye Event
Tuesday, in the parking lot —
bring your own item.
Additional details will be presented in the weekly emails and announcements during church. If you are interested in helping with any of these events, please reach out to Karen Widin, FCC Chair.
Sunday, September 13 · 9:30 a.m.
First Day of Sunday School
Our amazing teachers are excited to welcome all children ages 3 and up. Join us in Fellowship Hall, 9:30–10:15 a.m.
The Messenger
August 2026 · Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
Save the Date
Looking Ahead to September
Ministry Night · 7:00 p.m.
Summer Worship Schedule Ends
10:30 a.m. Worship · 11:30 a.m. Fellowship
God's Work, Our Hands & First Day of Sunday School
Return to two Sunday services. 8:30 a.m. Worship (spoken) · 10:30 a.m. Worship
9:30–10:15 a.m. Sunday School (Fellowship Hall, ages 3+) · 11:30 a.m. Fellowship
Messenger Submission Deadline
Ice Cream Social · 11:30 a.m.
Following the second service / Feast of Saint Matthew Sunday.
Lunch Around the World
Bi-monthly lunch outings launching in September, held on alternate months from OWL events.
August Birthdays
Rev. Peggy MarksAug 1
Rachel CooperAug 1
Ursula EvansAug 2
Ryan SenaAug 2
Jana FrableAug 3
Karla PetersonAug 5
Catherine RauscherAug 5
David BaroneAug 6
Luke EmeryAug 6
Adriana UhligAug 7
Marian DudaAug 8
William ByrneAug 11
Kylee MillerAug 11
Julie OakleyAug 11
John ParkinAug 11
Diane SchoellAug 11
Linda KastnerAug 15
Carol CathcartAug 16
Michael MilsteadAug 16
Edward HammondAug 16
Jean SchoenbergerAug 20
Jennifer BuyserAug 22
Robert DePersiaAug 22
Beth EilersAug 22
Lauren Every-ClaytonAug 22
Pamela BowenAug 24
JoAnn LawrenceAug 24
Kimberly VillaniAug 24
David RulonAug 26
Frank SchwarzAug 28
Wesley CovingtonAug 30
Ruth FausakAug 31
About the ELCA
According to the ELCA's new website (launched March 12, 2026):
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.7 million members in more than 8,400 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians, and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
