1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

“ Good News” Monthly newsletter
July 2015
Sara Wolbrecht and Jason Bendickson
Join Us on July 5th
Worship at 9:00 & 10:30, BBQ at 11:30 a.m.
Calendar
5
50th Anniversary
Worship & Celebration
11-18 Honduras Mission Trip
16-19 Family Camp
26
Pack to the Future
Deadline
26
Summer Evening
Celebration
27-31 Camp MATT
Worship Schedule
Sundays
9:00, 10:30 a.m.
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Office Closed July 3
Our on-going 50th Anniversary Celebration continues July 5 with Pastor
Sara Wolbrecht bringing the message and Jason Bendickson joining the
band.
Sara was Pastoral Care Team Leader from July
2007 until July 2014. She did her internship at
Saint Matthew in the 2005-2006 academic year
at Pastor Kevin’s suggestion that she and Jason
(who began working at Saint Matthew in 2004)
had a chance to be on staff together and see
what it was like to be in ministry together
full-time. When Pastor Bill resigned in May
2007, it opened the door for Sara to be called as
Saint Matthew’s fourth pastor on staff.
Jason and Sara went with Pastor Kevin to
St. Thomas Anglican/Baptist Church in
Sheffield, England for Visitors’ Week in
June 2007, about a month before Sara’s
ordination. They both described that trip as
life-changing. Sara will speak about her
experiences of the Holy Spirit including working with the Healing
Room ministry at Saint Matthew.
There is a church-wide barbeque planned for after worship at
11:30 a.m., with games for the kids and lots of fun for everyone.
Remember that we have only two Sunday morning worship services
at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. from July 5th onward.
Page 2
Senior Team Leader
I Believe I’m a Churchman
This reflection began as I was working with Dr. Dick Siebert on our remembrance of Dr. Don Wagner in
May. One of the words that he and I both used to describe Pastor Wagner was as the consummate
churchman. Pastor Wagner loved and ably served the institutional church – both the LCA and the ELCA.
He cared deeply about maintaining Saint Matthew’s status with the Synod and National Church as well as
he personally served in many capacities in the Synod’s leadership. His honorary doctorate from his Alma
Mater, Carthage College, was one of the high points in his career.
I consider myself a churchman as well. Though I have certainly expressed it differently. I worked for eight
years as the Executive Director of a pan-Lutheran youth ministry called Lutheran Youth Alive that saw God
call over 200 young people directly from our youth work to become Lutheran pastors (including Pastor
David Dykes and myself). I spoke for Youth Specialities, Young Life, Campus Life, Teen Challenge,
Lutheran Youth Encounter, New Creation Ministries (Canada), the Lutheran Church of Canada, the ALC
Youth Gatherings and the LCA Convos. Some were Lutheran, many more were multi-denominational, but
everything I have done has been to serve my Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.
I am certainly not institutionally bound. I consider myself a Christ-follower
first and a Lutheran Christian second, though for me they have never been
mutually exclusive. But I also love Roman Catholics, charismatics, Bible
churches (I got my doctorate at one of their seminaries), Quakers, Anglicans,
Baptists, and even Presbyterians and Methodists (those last two are
tongue-in-cheek).
In fact, I would go so far as to say that I don’t know anyone who loves the
Body of Christ and the local church more than I do; and these are the two
forms of church that I see clearly in the New Testament. In a world that is rapidly becoming more
pluralistic and post-Christian, I think Christ-follower is the most important title any of us can have. There’s
no one more committed to that than I am, and for that reason I will gladly call myself a “churchman.”
Serving Jesus and you, Pastor Kevin
Summer Sunday Worship
July 26 and August 30 at 6:00 p.m.
In addition to our two morning worship services at 9:00 and 10:30 a.m., we will
have an opportunity to share a meal and worship in the evening on the last
Sundays of July and August. This will be a more contemporary worship
including testimonies and communion. It will be a high energy time of
fellowship and fun!
Come for dinner at 6:00 p.m. and worship from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. Bring your
friends and family. There is no need to sign up.
Page 3
Children Ministries
Camp MATT
July 27-31
Camp MATT is a high energy day camp offered for one week in the Summer. This year our theme is: “Be
all that you can be in the Lord’s Army.” We are super excited with this theme and have so many fun ideas
planned! Come and hear as some of our recruits and the Camp MATT Sergeant learn what it takes to be in
the Lord’s Army. We will have special group competitions and brand new games for everyone. New classes
this year include: everything army, sculptures galore, boot
camp, pallet knife painting and jewelry mania. So grab
those marching shoes and get ready to have some fun!
Camp MATT is open to all preschool through 8th graders.
The cost for Preschool and Kindergarten children is $70
and meets from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The cost for 1st through
8th graders is $160 and they meet from 9:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. There is a discounted price for multiple children.
Registration is online and is open now, it closes on July 6
or before if classes fill. Register on our website
(www.saintmatthew.org)—on the front page, click on the
green box labeled “Register Online”.
Summer SPARK Sunday Has Begun
Summer SPARK has begun and meets on most Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the classrooms. It is open to all
current 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: www.saintmatthew.org.
Mark Your Calendars
July 6: Camp MATT Registration ends
July 27-31: Camp MATT
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
ethanp@saintmatthew.org
Online registration at www.saintmatthew.org (click on the green “Register Online” box on the front page).
Page 4
Teen Ministries
Summer IGNITE & FORGE
IGNITE (middle school) & FORGE (high school) are combining for fun during the summer months.
Summer gatherings meet at the Teen Center every other
Thursday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on the following dates: July 2,
July 16, July 30 and August 13. Expect wet and messy games
(bring a towel and a change of clothes). We invite incoming 5th
graders to join the fun.
Kick it. Come join us for a game of football or soccer, no
cleats, please. Bring your own lunch. July 12 & August 16 from
12:00-3:00 p.m. at Foothill Middle School.
Summer FORGE
Summer High School
Get ready to have a blast with your friends from FORGE on July 9
and 23 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. We are having a pool party, games,
food, and a whole bunch of laughs. The July 9 pool party is at the
McNulty’s house and the July 23 pool party is at Monaldo’s. See
the Parentlink for addresses or contact Alex or Yolanda (contact
information is in box below). Incoming freshman are welcome to
join in the excitement and fun!
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.
For more information about our teen ministry contact Alex Hardt, Teen Ministry Leader, 932-1955 x116
email alexh@saintmatthew.org or Yolanda Sanregret, Teen Ministry Associate, 932-1955x101 email
yolandas@saintmatthew.org
Page 5
Care Ministry
Making the Word Become Flesh in the Lives of Others
by Rev. Dee King
One of the many things that is so right about the way God created us, is the way that our needs and gifts fit
so perfectly together. When one is in need, another has the experience and wisdom to come alongside and
help them. Some of the best advice I’ve ever been given is this…“Whatever life hands you, find a way to
make it a gift.” Some experiences are so hard that it seems the only way to make it a gift is to get through
it, and offer encouragement to those who face the same or a similar situation later.
I would like for us to work together to develop a comprehensive care program. The breadth and depth of
experience represented in this congregation covers almost any trial imaginable. There have been some
needs lately that aren’t covered by our current ministries. Most of those needs have been met by calling
individuals to step in and offer help. I’m sure many of you have strengths and gifts that are not widely
known. This is your chance to make yourself available to help.
Current ministries that can always use more help are:
Hospital Care Team – We come alongside people who have a
medical issue. We coordinate resources for the time during
and after hospitalization, visits at the hospital, and continue
to track progress through rehab or home recovery until the
situation resolves.
Home Visitor Team – These are people who each visit one or
more homebound people on a regular basis. There are
always people who could use a smiling face and a friendly
chat to keep them tied into the community that they miss.
Tender Loving Care (TLC) - We offer meals and rides for short-term needs like a new baby, surgery, an
illness, etc. If there is any reason why a meal or a ride would be of help to you, this team has got
your back!
Grief Share is a program offered for those who are working their way through grief from the death of a
loved one. It is a 13 week course based on videos and small group sharing. This program is offered
occasionally on a rotating basis with Hillside Covenant and Community Presbyterian Church.
There are so many other needs, and you may have experience that could help.
Have you ever struggled with unemployment and found yourself needing encouragement and maybe
advice? You could offer that same help to a brother or sister facing the same situation.
Have you found yourself suddenly in a divorce situation and needing an anchor to get you through? If
you have come out the other side, you may be the rock another person needs to keep them steady.
Do you have a healthy body that might be of help to those no longer able to do yard and home care that
needs to be done?
Someone caring full time for a loved one may need your loving presence for a couple hours of respite
care.
Someone who has lost transportation may need your willingness to bring them to worship.
If you can think of any other way you’d like to help, please let me know! Email me at
deek@saintmatthew.org or call 932-1955 ext. 107.
Page 6
Connecting Ministries
Church-Wide Family Barbeque
50th Anniversary Celebration
July 5 at 11:30 a.m.
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 looking for volunteers to help with the fun. Please contact Kim Machek at
kimm@saintmatthew.org or Shannon Perez at shannonp@saintmatthew.org.
Girls Nite Out: Bunco
Games, Fellowship, Food
July 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Join us at the home of
Maria Sneen (4371
Kearsarge Ct., Concord)
for a fun game of Bunco,
fellowship and food. No
need to know how to play.
Sign up online or at the
Welcome Center.
Church-Wide Photo Directory
Make Up Days
Historic 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 at 932-1955 x115 or email
kimm@saintmatthew.org.
Couples Retreat in Aptos
November 6-8
Life Passages
Come for a weekend of fun, fellowship, and conversation for couples of all life stages. Explore a variety of
topics including family, finance, romance, and more. There will be plenty of opportunity for mixers, music,
outdoor activities, or simply relaxing with your spouse. Register online beginning July 1. Details and cost
will be posted on the site as well.
For more information about our Connecting Ministry, contact Kim Machek, Connecting Team Leader,
932-1955 x115 or email kimm@saintmatthew.org or Shannon Perez, Missional Communities
Coordinator, 932-1955 x108 email shannonp@saintmatthew.org
Page 7
Connecting Ministries
Pack to the Future
school supplies for kids in need
Help us once again provide children in low income families and shelters with basic school supplies to help
them get a good start in school this Fall. Many of the backpacks will be distributed to Love-a-Child and
ex–foster kids at Mi Casa attending DVC. You can donate a fully loaded backpack or just furnish some of
the items.
Basic Supply List
Backpack
Pens
2” binder notebook
Colored pencils
Binder paper/dividers
Skinny markers, crayons
Spiral notebook
Small scissors
Pencils
Glue stick
Calculators
Highlighters
Thumb drives
Rulers
Optional: instant coffee, cocoa, toiletries, gift card for fast
food or bus pass.
Items are due at the Welcome Center
by Sunday, July 26
We also welcome monetary contributions toward this project. A completed backpack is approx. $40. Please
note “Pack to the Future” in the memo section of your check. Checks can be placed in the offering or
mailed to the church office. If you have questions or would like to help, contact kimm@saintmatthew.org.
Summer Small Groups
Connecting Women Newsletter
Pick up the new small group brochure at the
Welcome Center or go online to find a small
group that is a match for you.
We recently emailed our Women’s Connecting
e-newsletter to the women of Saint Matthew. If
you did not receive one and would like to be
added to the list, please email
shannonp@saintmatthew.org or sign up online at
www.saintmatthew.org and click on the gray box
in the lower left-hand corner of the opening page.
If you have any suggestions for small groups,
please contact
Kim
Machek
at
kimm@saintmatthew.org.
New Worship Times: 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.
Following months of prayerful discernment and conversations, we have decided to go from three worship
services on Sunday morning to two beginning July 5.
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, which will create a very
full service. We are asking everyone who is able to attend later in
the morning to do so, at least for the coming season.
Next GOOD NEWS Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2015
Focus will be on August 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: gailp@saintmatthew.org. Items submitted are subject to editing or exclusion.
Hewlett-Packard Company
Congratulations Class of 2015!
High School
Zach Bornholtz, De La Salle High School, going to San Diego State University, major in Health Sciences
Nick Carmichael, De La Salle High School, going to Texas Christian University
Austin Dalton, Northgate High School, going to Feather River Junior College, major in Business
Cody DeVaney, Alliance High School
Zac Machek, Northgate High School, going to University of Arizona
Kevin Mahlman, Clayton Valley Charter High School, going to California State University, Sacramento,
majoring in Biology
Ashley Miley, Northgate High School, going to University of Arizona, major in Criminal Justice
Lauryn Mitchell, Northgate High School, going to Santa Barbara City College, major in business, minor in
marketing
Dante Monaldo, De La Salle High School, going to Seattle University, major in Computer Science
Blake Phillips, Northgate High School, going to Cal State Maritime, major in International Business and
Logistics
Lacey Reisinger, Northgate High School, going to California State University, Stanislaus, major in
Kinesiology
Aleksei Stark, Northgate High School
Gus Tetzloff, Northgate High School, going to Diablo
Valley College
Ingrid Ulrichsen, Northgate High School, going to
Agder FHS, Norway
Ariana Whitmarsh, Ygnacio Valley High School, going to
University of the Pacific, major in Speech Pathology
College
Christian Bergren-Aragon, Emerson College,
BS Journalism, minor in Entrepreneurial Studies
Brian Blackiston, University of Oregon, BS in Business Administration—Sports Marketing
Andrew Briere, University of California, Santa Cruz, BS Human Biology, minor in Bioinfomatics
Carly Cannata, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater
Cassandra Lewandowski, South Dakota State University, Bachelors in Nursing
Kira Lewis, Mills College, Masters of Arts, major in Infant Mental Health
Christina Niccolai, California State University, Fresno, BS in Criminology/Forensic Behavioral Sciences
Laura Prange, University of the Pacific, BS in Mechanical Engineering
Mitchell Sanregret, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, BS in Statistics
Joshua Sieber, University of Wisconsin, BS in Engineering
Jilian Urhausen, California State University, Long Beach, BS in Nursing
Graduate School
Gail Lynam Dutcher, Fielding Graduate University, Doctorate in Education