Residents of Stoddard, Wis., always have something to look forward to when driving down Main Street, and it’s not just the ice cream shop or a donut from Kwik Trip. Each week, the sign in front of St. Matthew is updated with a clever new saying that catches the attention of passersby in the community.

The sayings have been posted by member Karen Fischer since 1994 when the church first acquired the sign; she has been doing it officially for half her life. Her daughter Jennifer has been helping for more than ten years. Week after week, regardless of weather, they are out in front of the church reaching the community with messages about Christ and faith.

Fischer says, “My favorites are the ones that bring a chuckle to people and the ones that inspire and touch their hearts.” She shares that one week the sign read, “If God never gives up on people, neither should we.” Just as she was about to change it for the week, a woman stopped her car, took a picture, and said she wanted to share that message with her dying mother.

Some signs made an even longer lasting impact: “One gentleman told me that he drove by our church sign for years, always looking forward to seeing what new message was up that week,” shares Silas Schmitzer, pastor at St. Matthew. “After many years of just driving by, he finally decided to stop in and worship one Sunday. Now he comes for more than just the message on the sign; he worships with us regularly as a member of our church family.”

Fischer usually picks sayings that are timely, seasonal for the church year, or relevant to the community. For example, when there was road construction in front of the church, she posted, “Traveling down a rough road in your life? Look back and thank God. Look ahead and trust God.”

Schmitzer says, “Karen and Jennifer are great examples of people who saw the gifts that God had given them and found a way to put them to work for building up God’s kingdom. Those gifts are bearing fruit in ways only God could have imagined.”

Fischer is just happy for the opportunity to serve. “The sign is a way I can speak to thousands of people without standing in front of them. I would dread that!” she says. “If you enjoy what you do, it reflects on the work you do and can inspire others to do the same in their unique way. Let God’s love be reflected on all you do. You may be the only Bible some people read.”