Rev. Sterck's many sermon notes were compiled by his grandson David, and can be found on this site:
http://www.ntxability.org/sterck/
Rev. Sterck Breaks Tradition
Pastor Appointed for 24th Year
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church, is helping put an old Methodist tradition to rest.
That's the custom of a four-year limit on pastoral appointments.
One week ago today he was assigned for the 24th time as pastor of the same Fort Worth church.
But he has nothing against the once time-honored custom of limiting a pastor to four years at one church. He had his share of appointments . . . short-term ones . . . in smaller churches. And he still thinks it's a pretty good idea.
Matthews Memorial members go along with longer terms in office. Every year since Mr. Sterck has been at the South Side Church, the official board has voted to ask for his return at conference time.
His 24th assignment at the same church sets a record in the Central Texas Conference. Member are happy to have the same pastor.
And the busy pastor is delighted that his people want him.
A native of England, Mr. Sterck barely remembers his home island, vaguely recalls his trip across. After being raised in a Methodist orphanage in Pennsylvania, he came to Kelly Field in San Antonio during World War I to enter the forerunner of the Air Force. He couldn't pass the eye exam to become a pilot, so he went to work on the engines of the frail World War I planes.
When the war ended he had the same type job in Civil Service, working at Love Field. As an engineer he went up in new or newly-overhauled Army planes and made notes on defects and wrote down needed changes.
After receiving a call to preach, he attended SMU and Perkins School of Theology. He served churches in North Texas, Dallas and Irving before being transferred to the Central Texas Conference.
Matthews Memorial, which had about 500 members when Mr. Sterck came to Fort Worth, now has 2,300 members with a church plant valued at $1 million and an annual budget of $137,000.
The church stresses evangelism and missions.
In addition to his duties as pastor, Rev. Sterck has served as building chairman for Harris Hospital for the past 10 years. During that time the building projects that have been completed and are underway total about $10 million.
He is also building chairman of the Methodist Wesleyan Home in Georgetown, a new facility which is a $1 1/2 million project.
The minister has a hobby of woodworking and likes to rebuild and refinish old furniture. But weddings, funerals, visitation of the sick and committee and commission meetings are all votes against the pursuance of any hobby.
He enjoys spending the month of August each year at the family's "Swiss Robinson" cabin in New Mexico. Even then he doesn't get away from Methodists. The cabin borders on the Methodist camp for New Mexico Methodists.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterk live in their own home. "The church helped us to own our own home", the pastor said. "We are indebted to our congregation."
Rev. Sterck, who has been a minister for 37 years, says "you have to keep up with times and write new sermons when you preach at one church for 24 years."
"But a long tenure has its advantages. It gives you an opportunity to plan ahead. It has been a remarkable experience."
For the past 24 years he has not missed hearing a bishop read appointments that have sent him to Matthews Memorial.
Still, he hasn't missed the element of change, he said.
That's because of church building programs and because of the rapid turnover in congregations.
"With people on the move so much these days," he said, "I feel like I've had about four new congregations since I came here!"
Fort Worth Press
June 14, 1963
Organizer, Builder: Long-Time Methodist Minister Will Retire
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church for 24 years, announced Wednesday he will retire from active service at the close of the annual meeting of the Central Texas Methodist Conference scheduled here in June.
He has been in his present position longer than any other minister currently in the conference.
When he was appointed pastor in 1940, the church had 500 members, a budget of $10,500 and a staff which consisted of the minister and a building custodian.
The church at 2416 W. Berry now has 2,300 members, a budget of $137,000, a staff of 15 and property valued at $1,000,000.
Rev. Mr. Sterck is a board member and chairman of the building committees for Harris Hospital and for the Methodist Wesleyan Home for Senior Citizens at Georgetown.
He served as chairman of the world service commission in the Central Texas Methodist Conference for 12 years.
Texas Wesleyan College gave him the honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1963 and he is a life member of the Optimist Club and the Masonic Lodge.
Rev. Mr. Sterck was born at Hereford, England, was reared in an orphanage in Philadelphia, graduated from Southern Methodist University, served as a commissioned officer in World War I and married Miss Marie Trent of Dallas in 1927.
The Stercks have two children, Dr. David Trent Sterck and Mrs. Douglas Vaughan of Fort Worth, and two grandchildren.
Rev. Mr. Sterck helped organize the Kessler Park Methodist Church in Dallas, built the First Methodist Church in Irving and served as pastor of Methodist churches in Dallas, Renner, Anna and Allen.
The Stercks will continue to live at their residence in Fort Worth.
Wednesday Evening, January 15, 1964
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dr. Thomas Sterck To Be Buried Monday
Funeral services for Dr. Thomas Sterck, 76, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Matthews Memorial United Methodist Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery.
Dr. Sterck died Friday in a hospital.
A native of Hereford, England, Dr. Sterck was a veteran of World War I and a graduate of SMU and TWC. He was co-organizer of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas and retired in 1964 after serving the Matthews Memorial Church here 24 years.
He was a Mason and former chairman of the building committee for Harris Hospital.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. David T. Sterck; a daughter, Mrs. O. Douglas Vaughan, all of Fort Worth; three sisters, Miss Margaret Sterck of Wilmington, Del., Mrs. R. L. Baird of Charlottesville, Va., and Mrs. Emily Tell of San Francisco, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
NOTE: Matthews Memorial UMC is now known as University UMC.
http://www.ntxability.org/sterck/
Rev. Sterck Breaks Tradition
Pastor Appointed for 24th Year
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church, is helping put an old Methodist tradition to rest.
That's the custom of a four-year limit on pastoral appointments.
One week ago today he was assigned for the 24th time as pastor of the same Fort Worth church.
But he has nothing against the once time-honored custom of limiting a pastor to four years at one church. He had his share of appointments . . . short-term ones . . . in smaller churches. And he still thinks it's a pretty good idea.
Matthews Memorial members go along with longer terms in office. Every year since Mr. Sterck has been at the South Side Church, the official board has voted to ask for his return at conference time.
His 24th assignment at the same church sets a record in the Central Texas Conference. Member are happy to have the same pastor.
And the busy pastor is delighted that his people want him.
A native of England, Mr. Sterck barely remembers his home island, vaguely recalls his trip across. After being raised in a Methodist orphanage in Pennsylvania, he came to Kelly Field in San Antonio during World War I to enter the forerunner of the Air Force. He couldn't pass the eye exam to become a pilot, so he went to work on the engines of the frail World War I planes.
When the war ended he had the same type job in Civil Service, working at Love Field. As an engineer he went up in new or newly-overhauled Army planes and made notes on defects and wrote down needed changes.
After receiving a call to preach, he attended SMU and Perkins School of Theology. He served churches in North Texas, Dallas and Irving before being transferred to the Central Texas Conference.
Matthews Memorial, which had about 500 members when Mr. Sterck came to Fort Worth, now has 2,300 members with a church plant valued at $1 million and an annual budget of $137,000.
The church stresses evangelism and missions.
In addition to his duties as pastor, Rev. Sterck has served as building chairman for Harris Hospital for the past 10 years. During that time the building projects that have been completed and are underway total about $10 million.
He is also building chairman of the Methodist Wesleyan Home in Georgetown, a new facility which is a $1 1/2 million project.
The minister has a hobby of woodworking and likes to rebuild and refinish old furniture. But weddings, funerals, visitation of the sick and committee and commission meetings are all votes against the pursuance of any hobby.
He enjoys spending the month of August each year at the family's "Swiss Robinson" cabin in New Mexico. Even then he doesn't get away from Methodists. The cabin borders on the Methodist camp for New Mexico Methodists.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterk live in their own home. "The church helped us to own our own home", the pastor said. "We are indebted to our congregation."
Rev. Sterck, who has been a minister for 37 years, says "you have to keep up with times and write new sermons when you preach at one church for 24 years."
"But a long tenure has its advantages. It gives you an opportunity to plan ahead. It has been a remarkable experience."
For the past 24 years he has not missed hearing a bishop read appointments that have sent him to Matthews Memorial.
Still, he hasn't missed the element of change, he said.
That's because of church building programs and because of the rapid turnover in congregations.
"With people on the move so much these days," he said, "I feel like I've had about four new congregations since I came here!"
Fort Worth Press
June 14, 1963
Organizer, Builder: Long-Time Methodist Minister Will Retire
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church for 24 years, announced Wednesday he will retire from active service at the close of the annual meeting of the Central Texas Methodist Conference scheduled here in June.
He has been in his present position longer than any other minister currently in the conference.
When he was appointed pastor in 1940, the church had 500 members, a budget of $10,500 and a staff which consisted of the minister and a building custodian.
The church at 2416 W. Berry now has 2,300 members, a budget of $137,000, a staff of 15 and property valued at $1,000,000.
Rev. Mr. Sterck is a board member and chairman of the building committees for Harris Hospital and for the Methodist Wesleyan Home for Senior Citizens at Georgetown.
He served as chairman of the world service commission in the Central Texas Methodist Conference for 12 years.
Texas Wesleyan College gave him the honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1963 and he is a life member of the Optimist Club and the Masonic Lodge.
Rev. Mr. Sterck was born at Hereford, England, was reared in an orphanage in Philadelphia, graduated from Southern Methodist University, served as a commissioned officer in World War I and married Miss Marie Trent of Dallas in 1927.
The Stercks have two children, Dr. David Trent Sterck and Mrs. Douglas Vaughan of Fort Worth, and two grandchildren.
Rev. Mr. Sterck helped organize the Kessler Park Methodist Church in Dallas, built the First Methodist Church in Irving and served as pastor of Methodist churches in Dallas, Renner, Anna and Allen.
The Stercks will continue to live at their residence in Fort Worth.
Wednesday Evening, January 15, 1964
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dr. Thomas Sterck To Be Buried Monday
Funeral services for Dr. Thomas Sterck, 76, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Matthews Memorial United Methodist Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery.
Dr. Sterck died Friday in a hospital.
A native of Hereford, England, Dr. Sterck was a veteran of World War I and a graduate of SMU and TWC. He was co-organizer of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas and retired in 1964 after serving the Matthews Memorial Church here 24 years.
He was a Mason and former chairman of the building committee for Harris Hospital.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. David T. Sterck; a daughter, Mrs. O. Douglas Vaughan, all of Fort Worth; three sisters, Miss Margaret Sterck of Wilmington, Del., Mrs. R. L. Baird of Charlottesville, Va., and Mrs. Emily Tell of San Francisco, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
NOTE: Matthews Memorial UMC is now known as University UMC.
Rev. Sterck's many sermon notes were compiled by his grandson David, and can be found on this site:
http://www.ntxability.org/sterck/
Rev. Sterck Breaks Tradition
Pastor Appointed for 24th Year
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church, is helping put an old Methodist tradition to rest.
That's the custom of a four-year limit on pastoral appointments.
One week ago today he was assigned for the 24th time as pastor of the same Fort Worth church.
But he has nothing against the once time-honored custom of limiting a pastor to four years at one church. He had his share of appointments . . . short-term ones . . . in smaller churches. And he still thinks it's a pretty good idea.
Matthews Memorial members go along with longer terms in office. Every year since Mr. Sterck has been at the South Side Church, the official board has voted to ask for his return at conference time.
His 24th assignment at the same church sets a record in the Central Texas Conference. Member are happy to have the same pastor.
And the busy pastor is delighted that his people want him.
A native of England, Mr. Sterck barely remembers his home island, vaguely recalls his trip across. After being raised in a Methodist orphanage in Pennsylvania, he came to Kelly Field in San Antonio during World War I to enter the forerunner of the Air Force. He couldn't pass the eye exam to become a pilot, so he went to work on the engines of the frail World War I planes.
When the war ended he had the same type job in Civil Service, working at Love Field. As an engineer he went up in new or newly-overhauled Army planes and made notes on defects and wrote down needed changes.
After receiving a call to preach, he attended SMU and Perkins School of Theology. He served churches in North Texas, Dallas and Irving before being transferred to the Central Texas Conference.
Matthews Memorial, which had about 500 members when Mr. Sterck came to Fort Worth, now has 2,300 members with a church plant valued at $1 million and an annual budget of $137,000.
The church stresses evangelism and missions.
In addition to his duties as pastor, Rev. Sterck has served as building chairman for Harris Hospital for the past 10 years. During that time the building projects that have been completed and are underway total about $10 million.
He is also building chairman of the Methodist Wesleyan Home in Georgetown, a new facility which is a $1 1/2 million project.
The minister has a hobby of woodworking and likes to rebuild and refinish old furniture. But weddings, funerals, visitation of the sick and committee and commission meetings are all votes against the pursuance of any hobby.
He enjoys spending the month of August each year at the family's "Swiss Robinson" cabin in New Mexico. Even then he doesn't get away from Methodists. The cabin borders on the Methodist camp for New Mexico Methodists.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterk live in their own home. "The church helped us to own our own home", the pastor said. "We are indebted to our congregation."
Rev. Sterck, who has been a minister for 37 years, says "you have to keep up with times and write new sermons when you preach at one church for 24 years."
"But a long tenure has its advantages. It gives you an opportunity to plan ahead. It has been a remarkable experience."
For the past 24 years he has not missed hearing a bishop read appointments that have sent him to Matthews Memorial.
Still, he hasn't missed the element of change, he said.
That's because of church building programs and because of the rapid turnover in congregations.
"With people on the move so much these days," he said, "I feel like I've had about four new congregations since I came here!"
Fort Worth Press
June 14, 1963
Organizer, Builder: Long-Time Methodist Minister Will Retire
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church for 24 years, announced Wednesday he will retire from active service at the close of the annual meeting of the Central Texas Methodist Conference scheduled here in June.
He has been in his present position longer than any other minister currently in the conference.
When he was appointed pastor in 1940, the church had 500 members, a budget of $10,500 and a staff which consisted of the minister and a building custodian.
The church at 2416 W. Berry now has 2,300 members, a budget of $137,000, a staff of 15 and property valued at $1,000,000.
Rev. Mr. Sterck is a board member and chairman of the building committees for Harris Hospital and for the Methodist Wesleyan Home for Senior Citizens at Georgetown.
He served as chairman of the world service commission in the Central Texas Methodist Conference for 12 years.
Texas Wesleyan College gave him the honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1963 and he is a life member of the Optimist Club and the Masonic Lodge.
Rev. Mr. Sterck was born at Hereford, England, was reared in an orphanage in Philadelphia, graduated from Southern Methodist University, served as a commissioned officer in World War I and married Miss Marie Trent of Dallas in 1927.
The Stercks have two children, Dr. David Trent Sterck and Mrs. Douglas Vaughan of Fort Worth, and two grandchildren.
Rev. Mr. Sterck helped organize the Kessler Park Methodist Church in Dallas, built the First Methodist Church in Irving and served as pastor of Methodist churches in Dallas, Renner, Anna and Allen.
The Stercks will continue to live at their residence in Fort Worth.
Wednesday Evening, January 15, 1964
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dr. Thomas Sterck To Be Buried Monday
Funeral services for Dr. Thomas Sterck, 76, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Matthews Memorial United Methodist Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery.
Dr. Sterck died Friday in a hospital.
A native of Hereford, England, Dr. Sterck was a veteran of World War I and a graduate of SMU and TWC. He was co-organizer of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas and retired in 1964 after serving the Matthews Memorial Church here 24 years.
He was a Mason and former chairman of the building committee for Harris Hospital.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. David T. Sterck; a daughter, Mrs. O. Douglas Vaughan, all of Fort Worth; three sisters, Miss Margaret Sterck of Wilmington, Del., Mrs. R. L. Baird of Charlottesville, Va., and Mrs. Emily Tell of San Francisco, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
NOTE: Matthews Memorial UMC is now known as University UMC.
http://www.ntxability.org/sterck/
Rev. Sterck Breaks Tradition
Pastor Appointed for 24th Year
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church, is helping put an old Methodist tradition to rest.
That's the custom of a four-year limit on pastoral appointments.
One week ago today he was assigned for the 24th time as pastor of the same Fort Worth church.
But he has nothing against the once time-honored custom of limiting a pastor to four years at one church. He had his share of appointments . . . short-term ones . . . in smaller churches. And he still thinks it's a pretty good idea.
Matthews Memorial members go along with longer terms in office. Every year since Mr. Sterck has been at the South Side Church, the official board has voted to ask for his return at conference time.
His 24th assignment at the same church sets a record in the Central Texas Conference. Member are happy to have the same pastor.
And the busy pastor is delighted that his people want him.
A native of England, Mr. Sterck barely remembers his home island, vaguely recalls his trip across. After being raised in a Methodist orphanage in Pennsylvania, he came to Kelly Field in San Antonio during World War I to enter the forerunner of the Air Force. He couldn't pass the eye exam to become a pilot, so he went to work on the engines of the frail World War I planes.
When the war ended he had the same type job in Civil Service, working at Love Field. As an engineer he went up in new or newly-overhauled Army planes and made notes on defects and wrote down needed changes.
After receiving a call to preach, he attended SMU and Perkins School of Theology. He served churches in North Texas, Dallas and Irving before being transferred to the Central Texas Conference.
Matthews Memorial, which had about 500 members when Mr. Sterck came to Fort Worth, now has 2,300 members with a church plant valued at $1 million and an annual budget of $137,000.
The church stresses evangelism and missions.
In addition to his duties as pastor, Rev. Sterck has served as building chairman for Harris Hospital for the past 10 years. During that time the building projects that have been completed and are underway total about $10 million.
He is also building chairman of the Methodist Wesleyan Home in Georgetown, a new facility which is a $1 1/2 million project.
The minister has a hobby of woodworking and likes to rebuild and refinish old furniture. But weddings, funerals, visitation of the sick and committee and commission meetings are all votes against the pursuance of any hobby.
He enjoys spending the month of August each year at the family's "Swiss Robinson" cabin in New Mexico. Even then he doesn't get away from Methodists. The cabin borders on the Methodist camp for New Mexico Methodists.
Mr. and Mrs. Sterk live in their own home. "The church helped us to own our own home", the pastor said. "We are indebted to our congregation."
Rev. Sterck, who has been a minister for 37 years, says "you have to keep up with times and write new sermons when you preach at one church for 24 years."
"But a long tenure has its advantages. It gives you an opportunity to plan ahead. It has been a remarkable experience."
For the past 24 years he has not missed hearing a bishop read appointments that have sent him to Matthews Memorial.
Still, he hasn't missed the element of change, he said.
That's because of church building programs and because of the rapid turnover in congregations.
"With people on the move so much these days," he said, "I feel like I've had about four new congregations since I came here!"
Fort Worth Press
June 14, 1963
Organizer, Builder: Long-Time Methodist Minister Will Retire
Rev. Thomas Sterck, pastor of Matthews Memorial Methodist Church for 24 years, announced Wednesday he will retire from active service at the close of the annual meeting of the Central Texas Methodist Conference scheduled here in June.
He has been in his present position longer than any other minister currently in the conference.
When he was appointed pastor in 1940, the church had 500 members, a budget of $10,500 and a staff which consisted of the minister and a building custodian.
The church at 2416 W. Berry now has 2,300 members, a budget of $137,000, a staff of 15 and property valued at $1,000,000.
Rev. Mr. Sterck is a board member and chairman of the building committees for Harris Hospital and for the Methodist Wesleyan Home for Senior Citizens at Georgetown.
He served as chairman of the world service commission in the Central Texas Methodist Conference for 12 years.
Texas Wesleyan College gave him the honorary doctor of divinity degree in 1963 and he is a life member of the Optimist Club and the Masonic Lodge.
Rev. Mr. Sterck was born at Hereford, England, was reared in an orphanage in Philadelphia, graduated from Southern Methodist University, served as a commissioned officer in World War I and married Miss Marie Trent of Dallas in 1927.
The Stercks have two children, Dr. David Trent Sterck and Mrs. Douglas Vaughan of Fort Worth, and two grandchildren.
Rev. Mr. Sterck helped organize the Kessler Park Methodist Church in Dallas, built the First Methodist Church in Irving and served as pastor of Methodist churches in Dallas, Renner, Anna and Allen.
The Stercks will continue to live at their residence in Fort Worth.
Wednesday Evening, January 15, 1964
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dr. Thomas Sterck To Be Buried Monday
Funeral services for Dr. Thomas Sterck, 76, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Matthews Memorial United Methodist Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery.
Dr. Sterck died Friday in a hospital.
A native of Hereford, England, Dr. Sterck was a veteran of World War I and a graduate of SMU and TWC. He was co-organizer of Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Dallas and retired in 1964 after serving the Matthews Memorial Church here 24 years.
He was a Mason and former chairman of the building committee for Harris Hospital.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Dr. David T. Sterck; a daughter, Mrs. O. Douglas Vaughan, all of Fort Worth; three sisters, Miss Margaret Sterck of Wilmington, Del., Mrs. R. L. Baird of Charlottesville, Va., and Mrs. Emily Tell of San Francisco, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
NOTE: Matthews Memorial UMC is now known as University UMC.
