The Messenger · September 2026
Summer schedule ends Sept 6 — one service at 9:30 a.m.
A warm Fall welcome back to everyone! We hope this summer brought you rest, adventure, or at least a change of pace — and that you're eager to return to our Fall routines. Our full Sunday rhythm returns on September 13, in one joy-filled morning:
The Messenger
Grace and peace to you! I love this passage from Isaiah so much, you'll hear me repeating it often during our time of change and 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
A warm Fall welcome back to everyone — I so hope you had a change of pace this summer, being on vacation or just a shift in activities, and are eager to get back to our Fall routines. So here's what to look forward to on Sunday, September 13, 2026:
Two Services: We go back to two services, 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., with Fellowship Time following at 11:30 a.m.
Blessing of the Backpackers: It's that time of year again! Children should bring their backpacks.
Installation of Council Members: This will take place at the end of the 8:30 a.m. service and the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. service.
Choir Rehearsal Returns: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. New voices are always welcomed! Contact Sarah England Baab, our Minister of Music, if interested.
Sunday School for our children begins that day at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Our theme this year is Snowball Mountain Challenge.
Adult Forum: Join me in the Library at 9:15 a.m. to do some brainstorming about possible topics for the Fall season. I'm so eager to hear about your summer adventures and the books you've read.
With much joy, Pastor Peggy
Give electronically or scan the QR code.
stmatthew-lutheran.org/donate
The MessengerBeginning September 13, we will be making a gentle shift in how we prepare and use our worship materials each Sunday. Instead of printing a full bulletin every week, we are going to move to a reusable, seasonal worship booklet that contains the liturgical setting and those elements of the service that do not change from week to week. In addition, each Sunday, you will receive an insert with everything that does change weekly: announcements, readings, hymn numbers, and prayers specific to the day. You are welcome to take the insert home with you, but we are asking that the seasonal booklet be returned each week.
This change comes at a time when we are being thoughtful about how we use our physical and human resources. Weekly bulletins require a lot of paper, toner, and staff time, as well as wear and tear on a very temperamental copy machine. With our office staff now part-time, this adjustment helps us free up hours for other important administrative work while also reducing waste and printing costs. It is a simple step that supports both good environmental and fiscal stewardship and the practical needs of our congregation.
If you have comments, questions, or concerns about this change, please reach out to David Harp or any member of the Worship Committee. They are ready to talk about anything you would like to share. We kindly ask that you do not contact the Church Office about this transition, so our staff can stay focused on their essential responsibilities.
How does this impact you?
Very simply, we are asking that you please return your seasonal worship booklet at the end of the service. That's it. Just place it in one of the boxes on the Usher Table (under the TV Monitor) or the Sign-Up Table on the other side of the narthex. This small action helps us reuse the booklets all season long and keep our printing needs to a minimum. Our 8:30 a.m. worshipers have been doing this faithfully for two years, and it has worked beautifully — we are confident that those who attend the 10:30 a.m. service will find it just as easy.
We will offer friendly reminders during worship for the first few weeks, and our ushers will help guide the flow so it feels natural, and the inserts will continue to give you everything you need to stay connected throughout the week.
Thank You for Helping Us Take This Thoughtful Step Forward
It is a small change with a meaningful impact, and we are grateful for your support as we continue to grow in faith, care, and community together.
Scan to view schedules, or visit stmatthew-lutheran.org/worship-assistants.
As we return to church from vacation, we'd like to remind you that the expenses of the church continue — we cannot take a vacation from paying our bills. Please mail your check to the church or give online. As always, thank you for your spirit of generosity.
The Messenger
Dear St. Matthew Community,
Frequently, Spring is viewed as the season of new beginnings and renewal. While this is true, as Fall approaches this year, we have the opportunity to shape new beginnings at St. Matthew.
It is time to share our opinions and insights that will be presented to the Synod as part of the call process. The MSP (Ministry Site Profile) is being led by Council appointee Tom Coceano. This is our opportunity to let potential Pastors know about our church community: what we want for our future, expectations of a Pastor, and our congregation.
Council wants and needs to hear from everyone: members who watch online, new members, members that have grown up here, members of diverse backgrounds, those that attend mainly on holidays, the newly confirmed, grandparents and all in between. Without all of these perspectives, we will not have a complete picture to present to the Synod or potential Pastors.
Tom will provide opportunities to share both online and in-person. Please make the most of these opportunities and help us gather as much information as possible. The best chance we have for a successful search and match is for all to pray for each other and the process. Kindly, remain committed to reflective contemplation and share communication with open hearts.
If you ever have any questions about the process, you can always reach out to me, Tom, or any member of our Congregation Council. This Fall will be the start of beautiful new beginnings for our church community, thanks to all of you.
The MessengerThe power of the pen has proven to be a unique legacy for most authors of all genres. Exploring the word "DIVERSITY," one can incorporate the meaning in our everyday lives as Lutherans through sharing experiences — as the songsmith wrote, "All Are Welcome," hymnal #641. Maya Angelou had the amazing ability to saturate our souls, introducing, recognizing and confirming emotions of truth, and accepting a sense of power to bring positive awareness to us as individuals and community. Listed are just a few of her famous quotations that can be integrated into our building blocks of diversity. Take a moment to allow her words, coupled with our mission, to stand firmly and sing proudly, "All Are Welcome." Please join us as we continue to explore "we are all products of our upbringing and may be more diverse than we realize."
Just remember, "all are welcome, all are welcome in this place."
"Nothing can dim the light that shines within."
Maya Angelou"We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated."
"I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it."
"Nothing can dim the light that shines within."
"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it."
"People will forget what you said and did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
Dear St. Matthew, thank you for selecting me for a scholarship — from the bottom of my heart, it is an honor. I will be attending West Chester University, in Allegheny Hall. I will continue to have God and many others' support to guide my journey. Thank you!
Pastor Peggy, Ruth Fausak and I went to the Methodist Church to see The Little Mermaid, performed by the Moorestown Theatre Company. Ariel was played by Aurelia Harp, and the cook by Kristin Harp — a delightful performance. Dave Harp has also performed in a few of the plays, along with Olivia and Alessandra Lestini, and Harrison Kutalek does behind-the-scenes IT work for the performances. All of those mentioned are members of our own St. Matthew!
OWLS Will Celebrate 50+ Years on October 1st. Come at noontime on Thursday, October 1st, in the Library to remember the Christian fellowship of the Fifty-Plus OWLS since its beginning in November 1974. Bring your own favorite sandwich or salad, and the Program Committee will provide a birthday cake and share fascinating facts about our beginnings as a group.
The Messenger
The Property Committee has been hard at work for the past several months. We are continuing the painting of the south side of the entrance around the windows of the office and Library, together with repainting the curb yellow at the entrance.
We have cut up the fallen tree in the grove, together with downing a dead double tree adjacent to the north rear parking lot — just in front of the outside altar.
The Play Group has hired a professional painter and has painted three of the classrooms a light color. The Play Group, at some point, will paint colorful designs on the walls, to make it more pleasing for young students.
Dave Rulon is now a part-time employee. To supplement his duties, the church has hired an outside cleaning service. That service is responsible for all ten bathrooms, the Library, Shockey Lounge, Office (3 rooms), the Choir room and the Choir Director's office. They have been on the job for over a month and are doing an excellent job.
We are in the process of repairing the fountain. The old pump died and we are in the process of installing a new pump.
Last month the Property Committee shampooed the rugs in the following locations: Office, Library and Shockey Lounge.
We are in the process, a slow one, of replacing entrance keys with key cards. It is a slow process, but we will continue it through the Fall. This gives us the ability to keep the building more secure, and to monitor who enters and leaves the building at any given time.
Earlier this year, your Congregation Council suspended the use of the large stove in our kitchen. We felt, at that time, the expense was too great for the several times we used the stove. In my Annual Report to the Congregation in June, I reported the Council's decision. Several members of the congregation expressed concern and approached Council at the July meeting. Valid discussion was held, and your Congregation Council reversed their decision. The stove will be fully operational by September.
Kim Villani is the newest member to our group. Her responsibility is the beautification of the church property. She has taken this job by storm and is
doing a wonderful job. She deserves a round of applause.
Each year, usually around the beginning of May, the Moorestown Fire Marshal visits St. Matthew to perform our annual inspection. Most generally, the Marshal finds a few violations, and your Property Committee resolves those issues within several weeks. However, this past inspection left the Committee with a violation far more serious than ever before. The violation requires St. Matthew to install "fire doors" at the following locations: (1) the double doors leading from the gym to the narthex; (2) the single door leading from the gym to the back door hallway; (3) the single door leading from the gym to the second floor (superintendent's office); (4) the door from the stairs of the superintendent's office to the storage room. We are reviewing quotes and expect an outside contractor to install the required fire doors sometime this Fall.
The MessengerGreetings all! A wonderful group of folks met to brainstorm ideas for FCC — ideas that we will be implementing for years. Get your calendars out. First, two events coming up in September:
Meet bimonthly on the first Thursday: 10/1, 12/3, 2/4, 4/1, 6/3.
Meets on the alternate months from OWLS — watch for information for November, January, March and May (day of the week will vary).
Bring food for after service on Sunday. Interested in volunteering? Reach out to Karen Widin.
A weekly informal gathering held via Zoom. Conversations both serious and lighthearted last an hour, Thursday mornings 10:30–11:30 a.m.
A Christian ministry offering confidential, one-to-one, Christ-centered support to people experiencing difficult life crises like grief, divorce, job loss, or illness.
Provided as needed.
As always, our events are successful because our members both volunteer to help and attend to have fun. If you are interested in leading or helping with any of these activities, please reach out to Karen Widin.
Sunday, October 11 after the late service. You are invited to join us as we continue our work.
The MessengerSo, now the exciting part. It is always helpful to get a new perspective when planning. I can't thank Shelly and Ethan Geehr, Barb Duffy, Peggy Marks, Kim Villani and Heather Lerch enough for all their time and talents — plus their sense of humor. On August 16 we met for over an hour and brainstormed a long list of activities we could do at Saint Matthew. The list is overflowing with exciting ideas. We quickly selected seven new activities to plan for this year, and are also working on activities for future years, giving us enough time to do the leg work that more intricate projects require.
Watch for details in February for a March 2027 outing.
Planned for Spring 2027, with fewer bees this time.
Will be on March 21.
Date TBD.
Pastor Peggy hopes to start a group who makes homemade crafts to deliver to our shut-ins or nursing homes.
Start practicing your chili and corn bread recipes! Plans are to hold this on February 6, 2027 (the weekend before the Super Bowl).
Irish singer — plans are for early spring. TBD
TBD.
Sharing meals from around the world. To be held in the Fellowship Hall. TBD.
TBD.
Moorestown Library offers "Book Group in a Bag." Each bag contains 10 copies of a single book title, printed discussion questions and author information. The loan period is 8 weeks, 0 renewals allowed, and cost is free. More information to follow.
The MessengerAfter a late summer break, the Monday Morning Bible Study will resume on the Monday after Labor Day — September 14.
The virtual Monday Morning Bible Study gathers from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. each week to study the Lectionary Scripture texts for the following Sunday, so we can come to worship with our hearts and minds better prepared to hear and receive the Word of God, to engage in worship with readied spirits, and to receive the Sacrament with thanksgiving.
Facilitated by Pastor Richard Herman, a retired local Presbyterian pastor and friend of St. Matthew's, the meetings also include prayer for those present and for other people and concerns, as well as time for fellowship and mutual encouragement — with lots of laughter sprinkled in.
This is an open group that welcomes anyone interested in participating. Please contact JoAnn Lawrence to register your interest with your email address, so you can receive the Zoom link and the scriptural texts for the next study through a weekly email that goes out to all involved.
Based on Psalm 121
Lord—You are the Watcher.
You watch over me,
like a parent over a child:
to protect,
to enjoy,
to encourage me,
so when I look over my shoulder,
I see you watching.
You smile and wave Your love and approval.
I can keep going.
Lord—You are the Watcher.
Nothing escapes Your notice.
You see it coming.
If it's too much for me,
You act to intercept it.
If it comes upon me,
I know that You have brought it.
I know that You have allowed it.
Why? For my good,
for Your good purposes
in and through me.
Lord—You are the Watcher.
You do not get tired or bored.
The intensity of Your alertness and
the flame of Your loving care
do not flag—they are constant.
There is never a time when You turn away
or close Your watchful eyes—
You watch over me and my life,
my comings and goings,
my ups and downs,
my pain and laughter,
my joy and sorrow,
all of it,
"both now and forevermore."
Lord—You are the Watcher.
Written by Rev. Dr. Richard Herman, who leads the Monday Morning Bible Study on Zoom, resuming Monday, September 14, 9:30 a.m. For info, contact JoAnn Lawrence.
1I lift up my eyes to the mountains –
where does my help come from?
2My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot slip –
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5The Lord watches over you –
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7The Lord will keep you from all harm –
he will watch over your life;
8the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and for evermore.
The Messenger
Our Scouts are also finding time to serve their community. Troop members are contributing to Mitchell's Eagle Scout service project, helping to build courtyard tables for T. E. Harrington Middle School in Mount Laurel. Mitchell's project is a wonderful example of Scouts identifying a need in their community, developing a plan, and leading others in service — a fitting culmination of the leadership and service that are at the heart of the journey toward Eagle Scout.
And the troop isn't slowing down as summer comes to an end. In September, the Scouts plan to lace up their hiking boots and explore Seven Tubs Recreation Area, known for its series of natural pools and rocky formations carved by glacial activity thousands of years ago.
We are grateful for the continued support of our church family as our Scouts learn, lead, serve, challenge themselves, and grow through the Scouting program. It's been quite a summer — and there are many more adventures ahead!
Lisa Ireland, Committee Chair, Troop 4042 · lireland@Troop42MTL.com
The MessengerThe MessengerAccording 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.
