Take a Break Labor Day is approaching and it’s a great time spend the day resting

and relaxing. Most of us will enjoy the day with family and friends away

from work. It is important that we rest our bodies and minds, preparing

for the labors ahead. However, there is a rest that is even more

necessary. It is a spiritual rest. Christ wants us to take our life’s burdens

and give them over to him. Matthew 11:29 says, “Take my yoke upon

you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you

will find rest for your souls.”

Even God rested from his labors when he created the world. Genesis

2:2-3 “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been

doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God

blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it, he rested

from all the work of creating that he had done.”

So, if God labored at creating the entire world and

rested, can we? Certainly! Sufficient rest from our

physical labors, mental strains, and spiritual

struggles are necessary for a well-balanced life.

Will you find rest this Labor Day?

With the blessings of rest!

Rev. Bill

Spiritual Life Committee is putting together an all-church scripture

memorization program. More details will follow. In the meantime, here’s the

first verse...

Memorization Verse for September: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,

correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God

may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Inside this Issue:

Pastor’s Message Pg 1

Worship

Participant List Pg 2

Choir/Praise Band Pg 2

Prayer List Pg 3

Birthdays &

Anniversaries Pg 3

Christian Ed Pg 4-6

DCC Pg 7

Caring Ministries Pg 8

Calendar Pg 9

September 2016 Newsletter

A message from our Pastor...

5289 McKinley Parkway Hamburg, NY 14075 716-649-1532 Email: stmattucc@verizon.net Website: stmattsucc.org

In celebration of a new church year...

Rally Day! Sunday,

September 11th

Church Picn ic

(more details on next page)

P A G E 2

Sunday Morning Participants

Lay Readers

9/4 TBD

9/11 Ken Kruszka

9/18 Linda Velasquez

9/25 Bill Hamm

Childcare

9/11 Vanessa Rich,

Joyce Corlett, Blake Shrout

9/18 Howard Rich, Pam

Kaznica, Nicole Rich

9/25 Beth Stormer,

Hamm’s

Come Celebrate

We begin a new church year of Sunday school classes and church programs.

Sunday, September 11th is a special day starting with

Sunday School Rally & Registration at 10:00am, Worship at 10:30am,

followed by a church picnic!

Please sign up for the potluck picnic. Hot Dogs and beverages will be provided.

Regular Sunday school classes begin on September 18, 9:15-10:15am (see pgs 4-6)

Ushers: Team 3

Dave Kaznica - Leader

Dan Barrett

Steve Jankowski

Bob Majewski

Bob Velazquez

Acolytes

9/11 Sabrina Hoffritz

9/18 Casey Nistor

9/25 Emily Rich

Altar Guild

Robin Federmann

Someone recently told me about a discussion on National Public Radio about how

singing in a choir can make you a happier person. You can read it on

http://www.npr.org/2013/06/03/188355968/imperfect-harmony-how-chorale-

singing-changes-lives. During this discussion, the participants said things like this:

“As long as you can sing in tune, and most people can, you can find incredible joy in music.”

“It creates this shimmer, not just a sound, but a physical shimmer that you feel when you sing it,

and you don’t want it to end.”

“She decided to audition … even though, she says, she doesn’t have a great voice.”

“Singing (with others)…makes my life better, and it works even though I’m not particularly great at it.”

So if you’d like a great experience praising the Lord with a wonderful group of people, come on down!

We’ll start the St. Matthew’s music season with an informal get-together on Thursday, September 8 at

6 PM in the church hall. We’ll provide a light dinner, and then we’ll have our first choir practice at 7:00 PM.

We’ll be practicing for Rally Day, which is Sunday, September 11. The Praise Band might or might not

practice at their usual 6:15 PM time that week because of the social part of the evening, but we do want

them to come for the dinner and fellowship! (Please let me know whether you’re coming for the dinner, so

we can get enough food.)

We are hoping to welcome all of last year’s choir and praise band members back! And new members, come

to the get-together on September 8th at 6 PM, or if you can’t do that, come to the church on a Thursday at

7 PM (6:15 for Praise Band) to start singing with us!

Hope to see lots of you this year! ~Norm Wahl

Rally Da

y! Church

Picnic

http://www.npr.org/2013/06/03/188355968/imperfect-harmony-how-chorale-singing-changes-liveshttp://www.npr.org/2013/06/03/188355968/imperfect-harmony-how-chorale-singing-changes-lives

Gary Rich Karen Kaitanowski Family of Greg Zymowski (father of Emily Kemp’s fiancé, Chris) Baby Leon & parents, Hannah & Logan (Robyn Federmann’s niece) Tom Lapertosa (LaDonna Painter’s father-in-law)

Those in the Military & Veterans

Stephen Ministers & their Care Receivers

Those who are Homebound: Sy & Peggy LaVett

Those Residing in Assisted Living: Maxine Helm Lois McMoil Jan Poppendeck Miriam Sheffield

Congratulations, Bill & Hope Nizamoff!

September 25, 1966

Happy Anniversary, Bob & Tracy Majewski!

September 28, 2003

Dear Rev. Bill and our church family,

Thank you for your love, prayers and support during Mom’s sickness and passing.

Your kindness and sympathy are much appreciated.

God bless you all.

The Simon family and Sy LaVett

Dave Kaznica 9/1

Stan Radon 9/3

Dick Jones 9/4

Kathee Simon 9/8

Dave Burger 9/10

Leah Falcone 9/10

Lyn Rich 9/14

Tom Koch 9/17

Starr Norton 9/18

Jay Lesch 9/20

Lola Donner 9/23

Kyle Kemp 9/22

Emily Kemp 9/23

Jaxson DiFrancisco 9/25

Chris Majewski 9/28

Rev. Dick Hemann 9/30

As most of you know I volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association. The Walk to End Alzheimer's is the biggest

fundraiser for the association and this year it will be held on September 17th at Delaware Park. I will be

putting a "virtual" team together (there is no walking involved), and I will be collecting any

donations Sunday, Aug. 21 and August 28. Team Name is: St. Matthews R US

Again, I would like to thank everyone who took yard signs and flyers to display in their yards or flyers for

their employers or business'.

Thank you again for your continued support.

LaDonna Painter

Fall Birthdays

P A G E 3

Men’s Bible Study

This group of men gets together Friday mornings for fellowship, study and prayer.

Fall Schedule: Begins on September 16, 7:30-8:15 AM.

P A G E 4

Thanks to all the ladies who participated in our Summer Bible Study!

The devotional, Finding Your Promise, by Jane Rubietta, was the focus of much

lively discussion and learning. We found that God's faithful promise to

Abraham, "I will bless you and... you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2) is a personal promise to us as well. We

were challenged to respond in obedience to God, like Abraham,"Here I am!"

Fall Schedule: September 21st, 7:00-8:30pm (1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month;

alternating Wednesdays with Adult Bible Study)

We will continue with the fall devotional, Finding Your Dream, by the same author, Jane

Rubietta. Based on the remarkable life of Joseph, Finding Your Dream explores the

faithfulness of the God who called Joseph and still calls us today. For all who long to

break from today's snares and yesterday's prisons, these ninety-two deeper daily

devotions (from September 1 to November30) through Genesis 30-50 are an invitation

from God to come, gain perspective, re-hydrate, and continue the journey. Walk with

Joseph to gain fresh faith and hope for your journey of faith.

If you have any questions, please speak with Judy Schaner (646-0368) or Lyn Rich (686-1868).

Women’s Bible Study

Starting in the fall, we will begin a new Bible study delving into the book of Jeremiah. This study will be led by

Rev. Bill with a focus on various scriptures pertaining to the life and ministry of Jeremiah, and how to apply

practical applications to our everyday life.

Fall Schedule: September 14th, 7:00-8:30pm (2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month; alternating

Wednesdays with Women’s Bible Study)

Adult Bible Study

Activity Group

Join us for a new year of activity beginning on Thursday, September 15, at

12 noon in the Fellowship Hall. This get-together will be hosted by Dick &

Shirley Jones. A representative from Erie County Senior Services will share

all the services available to us.

All are welcome to come every third Thursday of the month for food and

fellowship!

P A G E 5 Updates from Board of Christian Education (BCE)

By Tammy Kruszka, BCE President

God answers prayers! At our August meeting, we realized that God has blessed us with a small but

mighty group of students. Recognizing that we are a church family, God has shown us that we should all

learn together. This year’s Sunday School classes we will be trying a new format - all ages (K-12) will

gather in the Fellowship Hall for a Biblical message from Rev Bill and some music, and will include a

review of the monthly church-wide memory verse. After all hearing the same message, students will be

broken up into Elementary, Middle School, and High School groups (see next page for more class

details). Each will do an age-appropriate activity/discussion that compliments the lesson they've just

heard. We feel that by joining together, we can better instruct the students in the Biblical principals

that are important in our Christian education. We are committed to trying this new format through the

Christmas season and will review the success for the remainder of the year.

For child care during worship this year, we are returning to the more traditional child care time for

children ages 2 yrs thru 2nd grade, following the Rev. Bill’s children’s message. (Third grade and up will

stay with their family in the Sanctuary.) We are currently seeking volunteers to enjoy some time with

the littlest members of our congregation. We require 2 adults and 1 teen helper every Sunday. Please

see me to sign up for your Sunday. There are plenty of supplies provided for you to share with the

children as the Holy Spirit leads you. There are books, movies, coloring sheets, puzzles, games, toys -

plenty to do. You will not be teaching a lesson - just fun playtime!

YOUTH GROUPS are underway for both High School and Middle School age

groups. As of the writing of this article, they are planning on spending a fun

day together at Skyzone followed by a picnic lunch. Their leaders are

working on their plans for the year, and we look forward to watching God

work through these youth and their leaders.

BCE is busy planning for “New Beginnings” on Rally Day, September 11th. All are welcome to

attend. We are looking forward to a fun day of learning, worship, and fellowship.

Please be sure to pray for the educational programs here at St. Matthew’s. We are dedicated to

supporting the many ways of learning God's Word and sharing God's love with the rest of the

world. Thank you to all who support our programs.

Respectfully submitted,

Tammy Kruszka, President of BCE

St. Matthew’s UCC is getting ready for a New Beginning…

Starting with Rally Day, Sunday September 11, 2016, we are all so excited to have our church groups restart

with a “New Beginning” of Christ-driven programs.

There are so many different areas your talents are needed here at St. Matthew’s. Maybe you can join an

usher team, praise band or choir to name a few; but as the Director of

Christian Education, I want to discuss our Christian Ed program. We are

currently still looking for some teacher assistants & subs for Sunday

school classes. Please pray on this topic and seek out Rev. Bill or I on this

important matter.

Rally Day registration starts at 10:00 am on the 11th

Sunday School will begin September 18th for adults & youth from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

~ Adult class with continue to be held in the parlor & led by Dennis Phillips, Sub Don McMillen, Curriculum

will start off with the Book of Matthew, in a DVD format.

~ All Youth classes will start off in the Fellowship Hall each week at 9:15am led by Rev. Bill, who will be giving

the weekly topic of curriculum followed by the all-church memorization scripture. Our weekly message of

topic will be led by teachers. (Week #1 – Creation, Week #2 – Adam & Eve, Week #3 – Noah’s Ark & Week

#4 Abraham.) Our children will also be learning & singing praise songs each week during this time together.

~ The High School Class (9-12 graders) will be led by Joe Capasso & Holly Dobrick. When each class group

breaks off to their own class, the HS class ‘CROSSROADS’ will head off to their HS classroom for age-

appropriate discussion of the set curriculum topic.

~ The Middle School Class (6- 8 graders & non-confirmed HS students) will be led by Michelle Kemp & Joann

Ertel, who are switching off every 2 weeks. (We are still looking for 2 teacher assistants, to work with these

ladies.) This class will also break off to have age-appropriate discussions on the lesson.

~ (K – 5th graders), will be led by Margie Phillips. (We are still looking for 2 teacher assistants to work with

me.) Our weekly discussion of the lesson will be structured by the age of students attending class each week.

This new structure is an exciting way to enjoy fellowship with our Pastor and all the children/youth! The BCE

will revisit this new structure for January 2017, making sure it meets all the student’s needs.

Submitted by Margie Phillips – DCE

(716) 467-1085 Mailbox #19

P A G E 6

“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.”

(2 Corinthians 3:18)

P A G E 7

A GREAT WEEK AT DUNKIRK

by Gary Burdick

I can honestly say that the week of July 24-30 was one of our best weeks of Family Camp at

Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center. We had an increase of about thirty campers this

year so that we had a total of 152. Besides the increase in numbers, there were many

highlights such as the great job that Jacob Rich and Jeff Rich, Jr. did in being the MC's for

the Talent Show. Their humor and banter back and forth were just great again this year.

The Vesper Service led by the younger classes was precious, inspiring and meaningful. The

Rev. Paula Gustafson, who spent a summer on the staff at St. Matthew's when she was in

Seminary, did a great job in leading the Adult Group and one of the Vesper Services.

For many of our fifty plus people at camp who are connected to St. Matthew's, it is

being together with family and friends that is so special. The warm fellowship

around tables in the dining hall, the good food, and the singing of many "crazy"

songs make each meal a wonderful time together.

Evening programs of Bingo, Square Dancing, Talent Show, Night Swimming and Sing-a-Long/

Corn Roast were enjoyed by all.

I want to thank all of our St. Matthew's people who attended for being there and supporting

my family as leaders. This was my last year to be Co-directing with my two children. A

wonderful, capable and fine Christian woman named Krista Ulrich will be teaming up with

Christopher and Jessica next year. We would love to have all of you consider coming to camp

that last full week of July in 2017. It will be one of the best weeks of your life.

Square Dance & Movie Night a hit! Spiritual Life would like to thank everyone who came out to support our Square Dance & Movie Night! We

had an amazing turn-out and a beautiful night. The night kicked off with our annual Square Dance! Pastor

Burdick and his band had everyone dancing. We kept cool with refreshments and Popsicles, the perfect treat

for a hot summer night! Then the popcorn started popping for our viewing of "Miracles From Heaven". If

you were unable to stay for the film or would like to enjoy it again, the film is available in our church library.

Thank you again to everyone that joined us for Movie Night! Looking forward to next year!

Brandi Whytas, Spiritual Life

St. Matthew’s UCC 5289 McKinley Parkway Hamburg New York 14075 716-649-1532 stmattucc@verizon.net

Pastor:

The Rev. Dr. William B. Shrout, Jr. 1-336-596-1868 revdrbillshrout@yahoo.com In office: Mon. 9am-2pm & Wed. 9-11am Parsonage: 4388 Richwood Drive

Director of Music:

Norman D. Wahl 716-440-5176 normwahl@gmail.com

Director of Christian Education:

Margie Phillips 716-467-1085 bcestmatt@verizon.net In office: Wednesday 9-11am

Administrative Assistant:

Michelle Kemp Office: 649-1532 In office: Mon. & Wed. 9am-2pm, Thurs. 9-12, & Fri. 12:30-3:30pm

Custodians:

Pamela & David Kaznica 716-823-2568 716-913-7504 (c)

Church Council President:

Howard Rich 716-863-8636 hrich@rich.com

P A G E 8

Monthly Food Drive

On the first Sunday of the month, we welcome

you to bring in nonperishable food items for the

UPC Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry in Blasdell.

If you’d like to take a turn delivering the food

during the week, please sign up on the bulletin

board near the Fellowship Hall.

Caring for you ...

Stephen Ministers: Stephen Ministers provide confidential one-to-one Christian care to people experiencing a crisis or

going through a difficult time. They listen, empathize,

encourage, pray and provide emotional and spiritual support

on a weekly basis to hurting people. Questions? Contact Lyn

Rich or Cheryl Larson.

Caregivers: Do you or someone you know need a Caregiver service—a ride to a doctor’s appointment? a home

cooked meal? house or yard work? Call Karen Kaitanowski or

the church office. If you are interested in being a caregiver,

please fill out a form found on the bulletin board near the

Fellowship Hall or call Karen (649-7824).

Support Through Prayer

Circle Prayer - Join in the circle of prayer at 9am in the Parlor. (Sunday School classes follow at 9:15.)

Prayer Chain - Call Rev. Bill (336-596-1868), Dolly Errington (823-6210), Jane Duewiger (649-2085) or text Lyn Rich (863-

8636) to begin the chain of texts/phone calls to those

committed to pray when they receive the request. Text/call Lyn

if you’d like to be a link in the prayer chain.

While enjoying the summer, don’t forget Churches in Actions’ Undie Sunday!

Back-to-school sales are a great time to stock up on socks

and underwear for men, women and children for our

annual mission to supply the area’s shelters with these

important essential items. September will again be our

collection month, and we hope you will support those

needing our support!

Undies Sunday

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3

4 5 Labor Day

(office closed)

6

BCE 7:00 PM

7 AA 10:30 AM

Staff 9:00 AM

8 Welcome Back Get-together Praise Band &

Choir! 5:00 PM

Rehearsals to follow

9 10

12

Church Council

7:00 PM

13

Stephen Ministry 4:00 PM

14 AA 10:30 AM

15 Activity Group 12 Noon

Praise Band 6:15

Choir 7:00 PM

16 17

18 Sunday School 9:15 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

Youth Groups 1st Mtg 6 PM

19

20 21 AA 10:30 AM 22

Praise Band 6:15

Choir 7:00 PM

23 24

25

Sunday School 9:15 AM

WORSHIP 10:30 AM

26

Spiritual Life

6:30 PM

27

Stephen Ministry 4:00 PM

28 AA 10:30 AM 29

Praise Band 6:15

Choir 7:00 PM

30

September 2016

Outdoor Worship 9 AM

7:30 AM 10am

SS Rally & Registration

10:30 Worship

Church Picnic

Adult Bible Study 7pm

Adult Bible Study 7pm

Women’s Bib le S tud y

7 :00 PM

7:30 AM

7:30 AM

11

P A G E 9

St. Matthew’s United Church of Christ 5289 McKinley Parkway Hamburg, NY 14075

5289 McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg, NY 14075 Phone: 649-1532

Email: officestmattucc@verizon.net Website: stmattsucc.org

Our church building is fully accessible.

No matter where you are in your life’s journey, you are welcome here!

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