Author: Lealta Smith

St. Matthew’s Reformed Church
4575 Maiden Hwy.
Maiden, NC 28650
“A Faithful and Welcoming Congregation”
Church Phone: 828-428-9651
Church Email: stmatthewsoffice4575@gmail.com
Church Website: www.stmatthewsmaiden.org/
Reverend William M. Sowers
Phone: 336-687-3815
Email: wmsowers@yahoo.com
Pianist/Choir Director, Leigan Hoffman
Cindy Shrum, Office Assistant
Lealta Smith, Editor - Email: smithlea@charter.net

Volume 51 Issue 10

The Grapevine

OCTOBER 2025

As we approach Reformation Sunday, our hearts and minds return to the powerful words of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change…
”These words stood as a mighty anchor for Martin Luther in a turbulent time. When faced with uncertainty, opposition, and the overwhelming challenges of reforming the Church, Luther found in this psalm a deep and abiding confidence in God’s steadfast presence. It inspired one of his most famous hymns, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
Psalm 46 reminds us that our hope and security are not found in our own strength or achievements, but in the unshakable faithfulness of God. The psalmist proclaims that even when “the mountains shake” and “the nations rage,” God remains in the midst of His people — calm, constant, and sovereign.
As a Reformed congregation, we affirm the same truth that strengthened Luther: God alone is our refuge. The Church is always called to stand firm upon God’s Word and to trust His Spirit to guide, renew, and reform us. Reformation is not just a historical event we remember; it’s a spiritual posture we continue to live — trusting that God is ever at work shaping us into a faithful, Christ-centered people.
In the midst of our own uncertainties — in our world, our communities, and even our personal lives — Psalm 46 speaks with renewed power: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is not a call to passivity, but to trust — to rest in the assurance that God reigns, that His purposes endure, and that His grace is sufficient for every age. As we celebrate Reformation Sunday, may we once again take refuge in the living God who is our fortress, our strength, and our help in every generation. To God Alone Be the Glory.
Grace and peace,
Rev. William M. Sowers
Re. William M. Sowers

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference.
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.
– Poet Unknown

Volume 51 Issue 10

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St. Matthew’s Reformed Church
Consistory Meeting Minutes—-September 11, 2025
In attendance: LaDonna Goodson, Sonya Leonard, Pat Barkley, Cindy Shrum, Jerry Minteer, Robert Bost, Robin Caskey, Walter Rice, Chris Carpenter, Jean Funderburk, Wanda Snider, Rev. William Sowers,
Guest—Candace Carpenter
*Call to order, devotions from Jeremiah Ch. 1 by President LaDonna Goodson.
Adjustment and approval of agenda: Added to the agenda under new business—-2026 Budget, decision about van CD, Neighbors in Need, Communion volunteers
Motion to accept amended agenda by Robin Caskey, second by Walter Rice. Approved
Financial Report: July report was emailed to Consistory members. Reports are a month behind, with there being challenges getting statements in time for 2nd Thursday meetings. Recommendation to include financial information in bulletin. Motion made by Chris Carpenter, second by Jerry Minteer. Approved
Consistory minutes: Motion to accept by Robert Bost, second by Pat Barkley. Approved
Pastor’s report: Various meetings and 28 visits during the month. Special thank you to Cindy Shrum and Leigan Hoffman for taking on extra work. Revival services were well attended and went well, including homecoming. The Book of James will be the subject of Fall Bible Study, beginning on September 23rd, for 8 weeks. Youth mission trip to Belle, West Virginia, June 21-27, 2026. This will be the 4th year of youth mission trips and Pastor Sowers would like to take them on a Disney World trip as a reward…possibly every 4 years, something for the youth of the church to look forward to, with rules of mission work participation, fundraisers, etc. in place. Much discussion about this trip took place, with the cost maximum at $900 per person. The youth fund has a healthy balance, with more fundraisers planned. Susan Stewart would serve as financial advisor for this. Motion made by Jean Funderburk, second by Pat Barkley for Pastor Sowers to move forward with planning this trip. Approved.
Also, a request to purchase a TV for the youth was approved. Motion was made by Cindy Shrum, second by Sonya Leonard. Visioning the future for St. Matthew’s is still a priority. Approval of Pastor’s report, motion by Pat Barkley, second by Jean Funderburk.
Committee reports
Finance: Counters needed for next year. Replacement member needed—Susan Goodson to be asked. Susan Stewart serving as temporary chairperson.
Property: Candace Carpenter, guest presenter. New HVAC installed, all units converted, except for fellowship hall, which is still electric. Lincoln county inspection completed and passed. Gas meter installed and final hookups are complete. Another invoice from Lawing’s upon completion. Propane tank pickup by Farrell Gas at $200. Pump out fee of $200, if needed,, and reimbursement for remaining propane. Chris Carpenter will mark septic tank location and supervise this work. Substantial roof leaks appeared after heavy rains. MBA Roofing provided short term repair cost of $828.45, which was shared with Kyle Pound (insurance claimant). His roof specialist will visit church and advise on next steps. Aerating, seeding and fertilizing at cost of $500 by Kyle Crafton. Final options and costs for Church sign were presented. Motion was made by Robin Caskey to accept option 3, Stucco, second by Sonya Leonard. Approved.
BOCE: Nominations for coming years are due to Consistory by October meeting.
Cemetery: Rate increase for niche engraving—$300
Personnel and Pastoral Relations: new contract signed by music director
***Motion made to accept all committee reports by Chris Carpenter. Second by Pat Barkley.
Old Business
Consistory Action items—-check with Jacquelyn Barger about tracking special funds..motion to renew van CD at 5th/3rd Bank($30, 305.40) by Robin Caskey, second by Pat Barkley. Approved. Consistory to form Vision Team….Walter Rice will continue search for minibus. Meeting with financial advisor no later than October….Libby Herman to serve as delegate to Western NC Assoc…..Special Project Fund to be discussed in October….Planning for JRVC is under control, taken care of by Cindy Shrum.
New Business:
Approved purchase of TV for Youth room (see Pastor’s report). Approved youth group trip (see Pastor’s report). Elders asked to remain after meeting to volunteer to serve Communion. Budget for 2026—-need explanations for significant increases, October meeting, review benevolence recipients, need summary page to cite increased duties for increased salaries. Finance recommends to break youth fund into HIS kids and Middle/Senior youth. Ending August balance in general $117,119. Motion to accept budget with recommendations by Wanda Snider, second by Robin Caskey.
Approved
October 5th, collect funds for Neighbors in Need. Good Samaritan fund guidelines need to be reviewed and clarified.
***Motion to adjourn by Robin Caskey, second by Pat Barkley.
Next meeting——October 9, 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Wanda Snider, Consistory Secretary
Action Items: Finance—review, track policy changes. Jacquelyn-track special projects funds
CDs—-5th/3rd Bank $30,305.40 (just renewed)
$85,448.84 1/13/26
$85,448.84 1/13/26
People’s
$66,196.51 10/12/25
BOCE—-“Setting Boundaries” training
Property—explore specifics about sidewalk to columbarium
Consistory—-Create vision team
Personnel—Pastor’s contract
Walter Rice—finding minibus
Wanda Snider,
Consistory Secretary

Cont’d on page 3

Volume 51 Issue 10

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The Grapevine

Cont’d from Page 2 - Consistory Minutes

Financial Information for September 2025
General Offering $ 20,559.00
Budget 18,009.52
Benevolence $ 1,330.00
Budget 1,132.68
Year to Date
General Offering $ 172,454.05
Budget 175,592.82
Benevolence $ 11,801.25
Budget 11,043.63
Special Offerings
Van Fund as of 09/28/25 $ 43,776.31

Special Reward Trip
for Our Youth
Summer 2026
The Consistory has approved a special reward trip for our youth in the summer of 2026! This is something I have hoped to do for some time, especially for those who will be going on their fourth mission trip. I am so proud of each of them, as I know you are too.
We are planning a trip to Walt Disney World from Sunday, July 19 (leaving after church) through Thursday, July 23, 2026. While this may seem far away, we wanted you to go ahead and mark your calendars.
This trip will be open to any St. Matthew’s Youth (grades 6–12) who:
Actively participate in youth activities,
Help with fundraisers, and
attend the 2026 mission trip to Belle, WV (June 21–27).
To help make this trip possible, we will hold an additional fundraiser.
We are thankful to share that Bob Timberlake has generously donated a print that we will be raffling off to support the youth.
If you have any questions about youth meetings or times feel free to reach out.
Rev. William M. Sowers

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Sunday School Record
Date	Attd. / 2025	Offg. / 2025	Attd. 2024	Offg. / 2024
9/07	Homecoming Sunday
9/14	Johns River		53	39.00
9/21	34	27.00	34	42.00
9/28	33	19.50	33	37.00

Lola Mae Hawn, Levi Barnes, Linda Hawn, Cameron
Goodson, Susan Stewart, Jacquelyn Barger, Wells
Carpenter, Karlee Cook, Keever Hawn, Annabel Barger, Sonya Leonard, Chris
Carpenter, Pam Shrum, Cindy Minteer, Jerry Minteer, Joan Campbell, Shirley McRee, Katie Barnes, Beverly Page, Jim Page, Chris Barger, Candace Carpenter, Burl Shrum, Pastor Sowers, and Cindy Shrum.

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VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
at Lincoln County
Christian Ministries
Clothes Closet
Needed all week but mostly on
Monday and Tuesday.
Soup Kitchen
Assistance neeed everyday it is open but most on
Monday and Wednesday.
Reception
Volunteers needed to greet
clients and answer the phone.
LINC Home Delivered Meals.
Please call the Betty Leonard at (704-732-2691) regarding
meal delivery locations and times drivers needed.

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Christian Ministry …
Our adopted food item for
the LCCM Christmas boxes are green beans and corn. Donations need to be at the church no later than
December 7th, 2025.

VOLUNTEERS FOR JULY 2025
Acolytes Meredith Lee, Emma Sims, Annabel Barger
Karlee Cook and Charlotte Sowers
Greeters
Closer/Security
Ushers
♦ Birthdays ♥ Wedding Anniversaries

Volume 51 Issue 10

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The Grapevine

NOVEMBER

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday
2 All Saints Sunday / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / 11:30 a.m. Youth Meeting / NOON Keever Reunion / 4:00 p.m. BOCE Meeting / Nursery: Katie Barnes & Annette Wray / Children’s Church Leader: Brittany Cook	3	4 / Bible Study / 1:00 p.m. / and / 6:30 p.m.
9 22nd Sunday after Pentecost / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School / 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / 11:30 a.m. Congregational Meeting / Nursery: Brittany Cook & Aubree McCrary / Children’s Church Leader: Autumn Arruza	10	11 Veteran’s Day / Bible Study / 1:00 p.m. / and / 6:30 p.m. / (Last Study day/night / For This Series.)
16 23rd Sunday after Pentecost / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School / 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / Last day to donate and/or return shoeboxes to the Shoebox Ministry / Nursery: Carla Goodson & Jessica Hawn / Children’s Church Leader: Katie Barnes	17	18
23 Thank Offering Sunday / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School / 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / NOON Fellowship reserved / 3:00 p.m. HIS Kids / Nursery: Sonya Leonard & Cindy Minteer / Children’s Church Leader:	24	25 / 10:30 a.m. / Young at Hearts Meeting / ♦ Mason Painter
30 First Sunday in Advent / 9:30 a.m. Sunday School / 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship / No Nursery and/or Children’s Church / Volunteers today. / ♦ Max D. Bumgarner, Jr.

Pastor Sower & family on vacation.
November 16th thru 23rd.

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2025

Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
♦ Birthdays / ♥ Wedding Anniversaries			1 All Saints Day / (Reset clocks back 1 hour.) / Daylight Savings time ends.
5 11:00 a.m. / Women’s Fellowship / 6:00 p.m. / Choir Practice / ♦ Tony Campbell	6	7 / ♦ Keever Hawn	8
12 / 6:00 p.m. / Choir Practice	13 / 6:30 p.m. / Consistory Meeting	14 / ♦ Phyllis Wilson / ♥ M/M Jim Wilson	15 / Fellowship hall / Reserved / ♦ Matt Painter
19 / 6:00 p.m. / Choir Practice	20	21 / ♥ M/M William Sowers	Operation Christmas / Child Shoebox workday / in Charlotte. / ♥ M/M Bruce Wray
26 / 6:00 p.m. / Choir Practice / ♦ Rick Hartzoge / Ruby Campbell	27 Thanksgiving Day	28 / ♦ Michael Fink	29 / Fellowship hall reserved

VOLUNTEERS
FOR
NOVEMBER
2025

Acolytes Meredith Lee, Emma Sims, Annabel Barger
Karlee Cook and Charlotte Sowers
Greeter Brittany Cook
Counters Frank & Wanda Snider
Closer/Security Matthew Hawn
Ushers Robin & Pam Caskey, Dale & Susan Goodson

Volume 51 Issue 10

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The Grapeine

Lincoln County Christian Ministry
October is our month to Collect food
for the Pantry/Soup Kitchen
Current Food Needs
Soup Rice Pasta
Pop-top cans of food
Other Needs
Toilet Paper Clothes Detergent Bar Soap
Grocery Bags Hairbrushes Combs
Shampoo Conditioner Razors
Deodorant Coats Hoodies
Soup Kitchen Needs
Canned Meat Clorox Cleaner Boxed Stuffing Dishwashing Liquid Kitchen Towels
Hand sanitizer large bottles
Foam 10” plates for a day (100 each)
12 oz Styrofoam cups for a day (100 each)
Plastic forks, spoons for a day (100 each)
Napkins for a day (100 each)
Plastic gloves for staff

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A few Bible books have only one chapter. Which of the following is not among them?
Obadiah
Philemon
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude

If you wish to purchase a Poinsettia during the Advent Season. The cost is $12.00 each. Order forms are available in the Sunday School hallway and vestibule. Orders need to be placed by November 23rd.
Completed forms and payment can be turned in to the church office and/or given to
Cindy Shrum.
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THANK YOU ! ! !
Many thanks
to everyone who
supported the Youth!
Funds raised came to a total
of $1,332.00.

ALTAR FLOWERS
Sundays available to serve as a Flower Sponsor are
NOVEMBER 9th & 16TH,
Contact Lealta Smith (428-8327) or email: smithlea@charter.net
if interested in serving.

VISION … To strengthen our ministry to youth, to provide fellowship opportunities, to grow in membership, to deepen in faith, and to expand the church’s outreach to the community.
VALUES …Strive to love and serve God, to love one another and keep relationships healthy, and to
welcome and befriend new-comers.
MISSION… To worship God, to provide training and support for discipleship growth, and to proclaim
the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed.
Approved 05/04/2008

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×

APRIL 2025
a
ap
april

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