• 1983    240th Anniversary was celebrated on April 10, 1983. Church service celebration was at 10:30 a.m. with Bishop Howard McCarney as speaker. Special music, displays and church school program highlighted the long years of worship, witness and ministry of the congregation.  The music department added one handbell choir with anticipation of two more handbell choirs being formed.  St. Matthew, in cooperation with other churches under the direction of Hanover Area Council of Churches, began participating in the PAL (Provide-A-Lunch) program on April 28, 1983.  In August of 1983, we said farewell to the Xinh Nguyen refugee family. They relocated to Lansdowne, PA. It was a major step as they became self-reliant and our part in their resettlement came to a conclusion.
• 1985    In the fall, a big step was taken by the congregation involving the introduction and use of the Lutheran Book of Worship. Changing to a new hymnal is traumatic for many, but after months of discussions it was decided to change to LBW. The congregation adjusted very well to the new hymnal. Robert Unger resigned as treasurer and Phil Sterner assumed the role. Chester Smith was appointed as assistant treasurer. Sister Bernice Pantel retired after 12 years of service.
• 1986    In December, Pastor Arthur L. Ruths retired. Pastor Eric Wogan accepted the position of Senior Pastor. In February, Debbie Frey resigned from her position as Youth Ministry and Evangelism. Lynne Kiick filled the position of Director of Christian Education. Tom Zimmerman on behalf of the Youth Committee outlined the need for us to purchase a van for church use.
• 1987    Rev. John W. Mocko was called as Associate Pastor. St. Matthew became a part of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Senior high youth went to the first ELCA National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas. The Welcome Place was formed to provide an opportunity for fellowship between Sunday Church School and worship.
• 1988    Pastor Mocko’s ministry among us was short, and we called Pastor Robert N. Maddox, Jr. to be Associate Pastor. We received our new Maas – Rowe Carillon. The 198-bell carillon plays hymns every day and is a beautiful witness to the community.
• 1989    Our stained glass windows were refurbished. The St. Matthew congregation gave financial support to secure 44 acres at the corner of Fairview and Sunset Drive in south Hanover for a Lutheran Retirement Center. In October 1989, we welcomed Mary Wolf as our Director of Youth Ministry and Christian Fellowship. She brought good preparation and steady leadership to these two areas of our church life.
• 1990   Barbara Wentz, our Parish Secretary/Office Manager retired after nearly 13 years of faithful service. Janice Croasum is our new Parish Secretary/Office Manager. Pastor Lester Karschner was recognized on his 50^th anniversary of ordination. Scott Fredericks celebrated 10 years with St. Matthew as Minister of Music.
• 1991-1992  Church Council formed an Archives and History Committee. Pastor Frederick Weiser volunteered his services to translate scores of German documents.
• 1993    Pastor David Rispoli was called as Associate Pastor in June.  This was the year of our 250th Anniversary. We had anniversary activities throughout the year. Stephen Ministry was added to our ministry. Lynne Kiick retired as Director of Christian Education. Four Sunday Church School staff were recognized for 15 years of leadership.
• 1994  Maureen Chandler joined our ministry team as Director of Christian Education. It was a joy to have her on our staff. We now have over 200 people involved in Music Ministry ages 3 to 85. Pastor Wogen developed a Saturday night contemporary service. Myrtle Manchey was honored for her 20 years of faithful service as our Church Librarian.
• 1995    Pastor Wogan’s 25th Anniversary of Ordination celebration was a highlight of the year. The Pigeon Hills properties, which were acquired through a bequest, were sold.
• 1996    The congregation voted to hire an architect to develop a master plan. In March, Margie Lee arrived to fill the position of Associate Minister of Music. Our Parish Secretary, Janice Croasum retired. Beth Mitchell joined us in July.
• 1997    We called Pastor James F. Young as Associate Pastor to replace Pastor Rispole who left to accept a new call. St. Matthew provided many needs to the Bosnian refuge resettlement family, helping to find jobs, a home and many needs for housekeeping, clothing and prayers for the family.
• 1998    Construction began on the Our Faith, Our Future building project. Groundbreaking occurred on June 14, 1998. Our worship services and other programs were temporarily shifted until work was completed. A celebration of Pastor Maddox’s 25th Anniversary of Ordination provided a fitting recognition for the faithful steady ministry this servant of God brought to our congregation.
• 1999    Pastor James F. Young submitted his letter indicating he had accepted a call to St. Thomas, PA. At a special congregational meeting the congregation voted to remove the Bechtel house and the Annex house to create more parking spaces. The year 1999 saw the long-awaited conclusion of the Our Faith, Our Future building program.
• 2000    On January 16, 2000, we dedicated our newly renovated and expanded facilities. Pastor Wogan announced his resignation effective April 13, 2000, to go to St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, Sarasota, Florida. Pastor Maddox, Pastor Kenneth Senft and Pastor Frederick Weiser served as interim pastors along with the help of many members of the congregation while the Call Committee was searching for a senior pastor.
• 2001    Extended a call to Pastor David Cox. St. Matthew played an important role in the founding of Lutheran Counseling Services of Hanover which opened its office at St. Mark Lutheran Church on September 12, 2000.  Scott Fredericks was honored with a celebration in recognition of 20 years of Music Ministry at St. Matthew.
• 2002    Voted to refurbish and reconstruct the traceries of the Tiffany Resurrection window given by Mrs. Moul. The window was removed and taken for repair. Karen Buckwalter joined our music staff as Associate Minister of Music.
• 2003    Rev. Dr. David E. Cox resigned to join his wife who accepted a call in the state of Washington. Rev. Robert Maddox was named Interim Senior Pastor. Three visitation pastors joined the staff: Pastor Jack Hoffman, Pastor E. Edward Keyser and Pastor Ken Senft.  Phil Sterner resigned his position of treasurer and Ray Williams became the treasurer.  Janice Davis accepted the call to the position of Director of Christian Education and Youth at St. Matthew. Faye Snyder received her ordination.
• 2004    Rev. Dr. Daniel M. Yeiser was called as our Senior Pastor.
• 2005   One of the most touching events of 2005 was Scott Frederick’s 25^th Anniversary as our Minister of Music. In June, Kathy Haber was hired as Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor. In December, Jane Lawrence was hired as a full-time Staff Secretary. Ray Williams resigned his role of treasurer for St. Matthew.  Kevin Shenk became treasurer.
• 2006    Matthew Pensinger was called as Associate Pastor. We established a mid week service to also include a meal and time for fellowship, titled S.A.W. for Supper, Activities and Worship. Pastor Maddox retired after 18 years of faithful service.  Pastor Ken Senft left his position of visitation pastor.
• 2007    We purchased and introduced the new hymnal (Evangelical Lutheran Worship).  In March, Kathy Haber left her role of Administrative Assistant. In July, Michelle Reichart was hired as Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor. Kevin Shenk resigned as treasurer and Alan Cashman assumed the role.
• 2008   The honorary title of “Pastor Emeritus” to Rev. Dr. Arthur L. Ruths who faithfully served as senior pastor from 1967-1987.  Three employees departed, Carol Warner, Church Secretary; Christy Yeiser, Lay Pastoral Assistant; and Arnie Martin, Building Administrator. Doris Deitzel is now caring for needy in our community as the Lay Pastoral Assistant and Scott Shorb is now Building Administrator.  In December, our new Family Choir shared in the worship service.
• 2009  We have two new employees, Stacy Brodbeck as a Staff Secretary and Jim Cress as our new Building Administrator after the departure of Scott Shorb. One joyous event of the year was the “Kissing of the Goats” which raised over $1,000 for the Heifer Project.  As a result of achieving the goal, Pastor Yeiser, Pastor Pensinger and Jan Davis kissed baby goats! This past year we initiated two new Evangelism events: The first was a Prayer Vigil on Tuesday of Holy Week with prayer stations in the Fellowship Hall. The second new event in 2009 was “Bring a Friend” Sunday which took place on Reformation Sunday.
• 2010    The Lounge was renovated and a playground was added in the rear of the Administration building.  Scott Fredericks celebrated his 30^th Anniversary as Minister of Music at St. Matthew. St. Matthew continues to sponsor two missionaries. In June, Jean Martin retired as Archivist after serving since 1992.
• 2011    The congregation began a $1.3 million organ renovation.  In February, Michelle Reichart, Administrative Assistant, resigned to return to the funeral business.  Stacy Brodbeck and Jane Lawrence became co-Administrative Assistants.
• 2012    In January, Al Lundquist and Kevin Shenk became co-treasurers, replacing Alan Cashman.  Rev. Kathryn A. Schroeder was voted in as Associate Pastor of St. Matthew. Pastor Faye Snyder became Visitation Pastor for St. Matthew. Council unanimously voted to proceed with repair of the Rose Window and the North and West elevators of the church. Pastor Jack Hoffman resigned as a Visitation Pastor for St. Matthew.
• 2013    Pastor Kate Schroeder initiated a program known as “Ruth’s Harvest” to provide meals on weekends to needy children in Hanover area schools. Karen Buckwalter, Associate Minister of Music, made a piano CD “How Sweet the Sound” with profits going to the Organ Fund.
• 2014   Karen Buckwalter and her husband retired to Florida. She will be greatly missed. We now have Wi-Fi in our buildings. Members helped complete a Habitat for Humanity Home. We held our first Christmas Cookie Walk with proceeds going to support future mission trips and missionaries.
• 2015  Pastor Yeiser encouraged us to participate in the Bible reading challenge and to pray, read and worship together. In January, Al Lundquist and Terry Badman became co-Treasurers. We recognized Scott Fredericks for his 35^th anniversary year at St. Matthew. A community garden was placed in the space beside the porte-co-chere. St. Matthew members will tend the garden and the vegetables that are grown will be given to Hanover Area Council of Churches and other local food pantries. Three other gardens were planted throughout Hanover.
• 2016    Our updated Constitution was ratified and approved. In January, Terry Badman became Treasurer with Al Lundquist resigning as co-Treasurer. Jan Davis led guided tours of our stained glass windows during Dutch Days.
• 2017    We celebrated the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. We also honored Pastor Emeritus Arthur L. Ruths on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of his Ordination to the ministry. The church library was named in his honor, the “Pastor Emeritus Arthur L. Ruths Library.” The organ project was completed and also, a landscaping project around the Administration/Education building and the church building was completed. In January, Terry Badman and David Kurtz became co-Treasurers.
• 2018    This year we celebrated our 275th Anniversary as a continuously worshiping community of faith since 1743. We recognized Pastor Yeiser’s 35th and Pastor Snyder’s 15th Ordination anniversaries and Jan Davis was recognized on her 30^th Anniversary of consecration as an Associate in Ministry. We bade farewell to Pastor Yeiser as he resigned after 14 years of service. As the interim senior pastor, we called Pastor Rob Moore from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Carlisle, PA. Monte Maxwell offered a colorful and heartfelt organ concert, the first since the organ renovation project. Pastor Kate Schroeder decided to take a call near her daughter in Michigan. Pastor M. David Kiel is our Interim Associate Pastor. A new slate roof was installed on the church replacing the 100-year-old roof.  Women of the ELCA continue their ongoing project of collecting materials to make Personal Care Kits and Mission Quilts for LWR.
• 2020    A special service was held on January 5, and the congregation voted in Pastor Kathryn Vitalis Hoffman as the Lead Pastor of St. Matthew. Pastor Kathy began her ministry at St. Matthew on March 6. On March 13, after word from our Bishop, St. Matthew closed our doors due to a world-wide pandemic of Covid-19. We worshipped online until Pentecost weekend when we began worshipping in cars from the parking lot. The service was broadcast live over the radio. Most events were cancelled due to the pandemic as most of the world wore medical masks and social distancing became the norm to try to end the pandemic. Scott Fredericks was given a scaled back celebration on his 40^th Anniversary at St. Matthew in November due to the pandemic.  No meal was held but he was honored at all 3 church services.  It was with great sadness we accepted the resignation letter of Pastor E. Edward Keyser, March 1, 2020.  He will be greatly missed as one of our Visitation Pastors.
• 2021    During 2021, Covid-19 was still persistent but we maintained weekly worship through the whole year. Our drive-in service survived the winter of 2020-21. The volunteers who made that service possible parked cars and handed out bulletins through rain, snow, freezing temperatures and wind! Adapting to this virus meant that we moved meetings to larger spaces for proper distancing, continued Zoom classes, and began visiting hospitals and care facilities depending on their protocols.  Jan Davis, our Minister of Christian Education, and our Interim Associate Pastor M. David Kiel departed St. Matthew. On August 15, our congregation called Taylor Berdahl to be Associate Pastor. Pastor Taylor was Ordained in her home congregation of Christ Lutheran Church in Georgetown, Texas. Pastor Kathy Vitalis Hoffman and Pastor Taylor Berdahl were installed on November 21, 2021. Tim Peck was hired part-time as the Youth Leader. Stacy Parsons was hired part-time as Children’s Ministry Leader.
• 2022  Bob Curlen replaced Karyn George as treasurer. St. Matthew accepted the resignation letter of Linda Kasic and thanked her with a reception for her 19 years of service as sexton of St. Matthew.  Linda will be greatly missed. Steve Bell resigned as sexton after 5 years of service. Wayne Redding was hired as full-time Building and Grounds Person.

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