St. Matt`s Bulletin Announcements for 8-23-15

Welcome to Worship at St. Matthew’s
August 23, 2015
Blessed by the freedom to worship
God openly, we come before him in
praise and thanksgiving. May this time in
God’s presence strengthen our faith, that
we might leave eager to serve and glorify
God. Welcome!
Guest Organist: Please welcome Christian
Rich on the Organ and Piano bench today while
John Paradowski is away. Mr. Christian Rich
recently retired from Sacred Heart School of
Theology in Hale Corners where he served as
Director of Liturgy and Music, and Assistant
Professor of Pastoral Studies for over 35 years.
Thank you, Christian, for being with us today.
Child for Baptism (10:15 a.m.) Emma Elaine
Ziemer, child of Sarah and Andy Ziemer, Wauwatosa, was born September 16,
2014. Sponsors are Scott & Kristen Cunningham and Amanda Ziemer. Emma
has a big brother, Owen, who is three years old.
Communion: All baptized Christians who celebrate the real presence of Christ
in the bread and wine are invited to the Lord’s Table at the 8:30 service. Glutenfree wafers are available if you ask your communion server. Those who desire
juice instead of regular wine, please tell this to the communion assistant. Due to
the weight of the communion trays, you may be asked to take your glass of wine
from the tray as it is presented to you.
God’s Work. Our Hands.
On the weekend of September 12 and 13, 2015, St.
Matthew’s members will join our brothers and sisters
throughout the ELCA to work visibly in our communities,
answering the call to do God’s Work with Our Hands.
Check the panel elsewhere in this week’s bulletin
announcements for further details.
There is also a display and sign-up sheets in the
Commons. Stop by and take a look! Sign up to work
alongsiide your fellow St. Matthew’s volunteers.
What’s happening in the Library?
Take a look at the library today and see
what’s new. Part of our extensive collection
has been reorganized - come take a look!
Also, there are some comfortable chairs in
the room now, inviting you to bring in food
and coffee to sit, browse and read, or make
yourself a cup of coffee with the new Keurig
coffee maker. Pr. Chris and a small group
are continuing to consider ways to transform
the library into a comfortable reading room –
open for reading, lounging and conversation.
If you are interested in helping this space
continue to support people for years to
come, tell Pastor Chris or the church office
staff how you would like to help. Volunteers
are always needed to check books in on
Sunday morning or during the week.
You should know that the library is always
open for you and you can check out books
just as you did before.
You can also continue to donate library
books as you have before, through the signup book at the Welcome Center. There will
be a small committee who will continue to
choose those books and add them to our
collection, and your donation will be listed in
the Sunday bulletin.
Summer Worship Hours continue
through September 6. The summer
worhsip services are at 7:30, 8:30 and
10:15 a.m.
Beginning on Rally Day, September
13, worship times will change to our
regular times, with the first two services
remaining the same: 7:30, 8:30 and
11:00 a.m. This time between 8:30 and
11:00 services is our Education Hour
when Sunday School and Adult forum
meet, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
The Week of August 23-29
Monday:
6:30, Mon. Morning Men’s
Bible Study
10:15, Staff Meeting
11:00, Program Staff Meeting
1:00, Caregivers Support
6:30, Procopis group
6:30, Social Ministry Meeting
Tuesday:
7:15, Lutheran A Cappella Choir
Rehearsal
Wednesday:
10:45, Cross meal servers leave
St. Matthew’s
6:00, Women’s Ministry Planning
7:00, 7th & 8th Grade Confirmation Info Meeting (for families new to the Confirmation
program)
Thursday:
6:00, Stewardship Comm. Meeting
6:15, Bells Angels
6:30, Sunday School Teachers Mtg.
Friday:
Office closes at 2:00
Mum’s the Word Annual Chrysanthemum
Sale Sept 13th.
On September 13th the Interfaith Older
Adults Programs Greater Tosa office will
be selling potted chrysanthemums after
our services. The flowers are in 8-inch
pots and sell for $6.00 each or two plants
(or more) for $5.50each. These beautiful
plants are great for Altar Flowers, Memorials, fall gardens or as a gift. Proceeds support Greater Tosa Interfaith Neighborhood
Outreach Program which is a ministry linking older neighbors with a caring community and which our congregation supports.
If you have any questions, call the Greater
Tosa Interfaith office at 453-5750.
St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Bulletin Announcements - August 23, 2015
Save the Date—Join us for a Cross
Partnership Event!
Sunday August 30th —A Cross Cruise
Community Picnic, 12:00 - 3:30 p.m.
At the end of this month, take a Cruise with our
partners at Cross — docking at 16th Street to
cool Caribbean sounds and warm hospitality!
There will be great food, fun games, and music.
Bring your families and help us as we build
partner relationships.
St. Matthew’s will be serving at a dessert
station, and we need 10-12 volunteers to staff it
during the picnic. Sign up on the bulletin panel
or e-mail Pastor Matt ([email protected]) if
you’re able to volunteer!
There are health screenings and demos,
information about community organizations
such as MLK Center, Milwaukee playgrounds
and parks, Job new and info from Milw.
Community Business Collaborative and more.
For kids, there will be face painting, games and
prizes and information about Bridges Tutoring
and Youth Ministries.
If you would like to attend the event, sign up on
the sign-up panel.
Senior Choir starts September 3
from 7:30 to 9:00
The Adult choir starts rehearsing this season
on September 3. All vocal parts are welcome!
The adult choir sings just about every Sunday
and is a great opportunity to share your talents
with the congregation and be part of the festive
Christmas Pageant. For more information
contact Dave Mohr, 414-774-1775.
God’s Work. Our Hands.
on Sunday, September 13 College students or military
personnel part of your family?
As part of God’s Work. Our
Hands. on Sunday, September
13, we would like to send letters
of care and encouragement to St.
Matt’s college students and those
serving in the military. If you
have family members in either
category, would you send their
addresses to us? Please email
([email protected]) or
call (414-774-0441) the office
with the information.
Sunday School Teacher Meeting
Set for August 27th
There will be a meeting for all
Sunday School teachers and
shepherds on Thursday, August 27th
at 6:30 PM. Curriculum materials
and schedules will be distributed,
and we will talk about important
details for the year. If you are a
current teacher or shepherd, we
hope to see you then. If you are
interested in helping with Sunday
School this fall, please talk to
Gretchen Haugse.
A Note about Sunday
Bulletin Distribution: In
order to make good use of
resources, fewer copies of
the bulletin announcements
section of your Sunday bulletin
have been printed.
These Bulletin Announcements
Inserts are available at the
Welcome Center, from an
usher, or downstairs across
from the church office. OR
receive a sneak-peak email
of these announcements and
other panels on Friday morning
of each week! Please sign up
on the bottom of the Events
Sign-Up panel in today’s
bulletin and you will begin
receiving the announcements
as well as other notices on
Fridays.
----------------------------------------Summer Office Hours: Please be
aware of our summer office hours,
when the office closes earlier on
Fridays.
Monday - Thursday, 8:30-12:00, 1:00-4:30
Friday, 8:30 - 2:00
As always, call ahead for special
needs.
Come sing with the Summer Choir
Sunday, August 23, 9:30 a.m.
This Sunday, interested singers will gather in the Choir Room at 9:30
a.m. to prepare a song for the 10:15 a.m. service. You are invited!
The piece of music to be used is a new arrangement of “Take My Life
that I May Be” - could you believe with a Calypso beat? It’s catchy and
fun. We’ll have a flute instrumentalist, Amy Hartman, to accompany us.
If you’re someone interested in choir, it’s a nice way to see what
choir is like, for just one rehearsal. If you’re too busy to join choir,
how about singing for only one Sunday? Maybe you’re a bell ringer
or an instrumentalist: here’s a chance to share your music talents in
a different way! You don’t need a soloist’s voice - only a choir voice,
blending in with other singers. Youth welcome - make it a family
activity!
Come to the Choir Room, which is located on the second floor of the
education wing (south side of bldg.) on Sunday, August 23, at 9:30 a.m.
Youth and adults welcome! The choir is directed by David Mohr, St.
Matthew’s adult choir director.
God’s Work. Our Hands
Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, 2015
Please join us and members of 10,000 other ELCA congregations
throughout the nation on Saturday, September 12 or Sunday, September
13 to make our world a little better. Sign up in the Commons on Sunday
mornings for Interfaith for the Elderly home projects or HERE for other
types of projects.
Yes! I will:
Write letters of advocacy to combat childhood hunger (9/13 between
services)
Write letters of care to college students, prisoners, homebound
members, military (9/13 between services)
Shop for groceries, filling Red Bags for our city partner churches (may be
done 9/13 between services or at another time and delivered to church on
9/13)
Clean up the Menomonee River banks on Saturday, 9/12
Clean up the Menomonee River banks on Sunday, 9/13
Sing to residents at Hart Park Square at 3:30 PM on Sunday, 9/13
Bake cookies for the residents at Hart Park Square to be delivered on 9/13
Commit Random Acts of Kindness anytime on 9/12 or 9/13
Assemble Repairers of the Breach sandwiches on 9/6 between services
Ride in the Outreach for Hope Bike Ride on 9/12
Name(s)______________________________________________________________
Email________________________
Phone________________________________
Do you need t-shirts?__________ Size(s)__________________________________
New Items for Newborns Needed for Ronald McDonald House
The first day of Sunday School
this year is also “God’s Work. Our
Hands.” Sunday. First through Fifth
Graders will participate in this congregational initiative by assembling newborn welcome packages for Ronald
McDonald House.
We will be collecting items for the
bags during the month of August, and
we could use your help in making
sure the welcome bags contain useful
items. All items must be new, and
they can be brought to the collection
area in front of the Church Office. We
would welcome anything from this list:
• Newborn Blankets
•B
aby Lotion and Diaper Cream
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby Wipes (fragrance free)
• Hand Sanitizer (travel size)
• Newborn Hats/Socks
Sunday School Starts
September 13th
Sunday School for 3-Year-Olds through
8th grade begins on Sunday, September
13th during the education hour from
9:45 – 10:45. There will be a special
celebration for Sunday School children
at the 8:30 service on that day.
Letters will be sent to preschool and
Kindergarten classes the first week of
September with class assignments. If
your child attended Sunday School
last year, or if you are a member or a
prospective member, your child will be
automatically registered for Sunday
School. If your child did not attend St.
Matt’s Sunday School last year, you can
give the church office a call to make
sure your child is signed up. All are
welcome, whether members or not.
Give your children the gift of a growing
faith.
Getting our Friday emails?
Each Friday the church office staff sends
out a preview of the Sunday bulletin announcements by PDF format. Currently
we have a list of 400 who receive this
information. If you’d like to receive this
weekly email, please send us an email at
<[email protected]> Be ‘in the
know’ on a weekly basis about what’s going on at your church!
St. Matthew’s Lutheran 2015 Special Funds
Report
Results as of 8/16/2015 are
Dollars needed to complete mortgage
$714,687
Hunger baskets, year-to-date, for Hunger
$8,844
2015 Benevolence through July 31
$255,000
A Note about Sunday Bulletin
Distribution: In order to make good
use of resources, fewer copies of
the bulletin announcements section
of your Sunday bulletin have been
printed.
These Bulletin Announcements
Inserts are available at the Welcome
Center, from an usher, or downstairs
across from the church office. OR
receive a sneak-peek email of these
announcements and other panels
on Friday morning of each week!
Please sign up on the bottom of the
Events Sign-Up panel in today’s
bulletin and you will begin receiving
the announcements as well as other
notices on Fridays.
Campus Ministry Paper Drive—Share
the “Astrobright Light” of Christ!
Our friends at Marquette’s Lutheran
Campus Ministry don’t receive any
budget from the university for printing
and publicity—and are currently paying
for all of their copies and paper at a
high cost from professional printers.
To help them get the word out about
the awesome Lutheran Community
at Marquette, we’re holding a Paper
Drive in August and September to help
them spread the word among lots of
bland bulletin boards! While you’re
out picking up school supplies, pick up
a ream of paper (Astrobrights or any
color, even white will do!) and drop it off
at church!
St. Matt’s First Fridays Book
Club reveals Reading List for
2015-2016 year
The St. Matthew’s book group,
which usually meets on the first
Friday of each month beginning in
October, has shared their reading
list. It is available at church or on
our website.
The first couple of books you may
wish to begin now:
For October 2’s discussion the
book is: Cutting for Stone: A
Novel: by Abraham Verghese
(667 pages)
For November 6’s meeting the
book is: Ghost Boy: The Miraculous
Escape of a Misdiagnosed
Boy Trapped Inside His Own
Body by Martin Pistorious (288
pages)
Lutheran College Fair
Your search for the right college is an intense
process, and we are ready to help by introducing
you to the 41 Lutheran college and universities
around the country and Canada. The Lutheran
College Fairs are free to the public, and there
is no need to pre-register. All are welcome.
The college fair closest to Milwaukee is being
held in Hartland on Sunday, August 23rd at
Lake Country Lutheran High School. There is
a Financial Aid Seminar at 6:30 p.m., a Panel
Discussion at 7:00 p.m. and the fair at 7:30
p.m. Check out lutherancolleges.org for further
information.
2016 Youth Mission Trip – Where Will We
Go? What Will We Do?
Come to the information meeting on Sunday,
September 27th at 12:15 to learn the answers
to these and other questions. The trip will take
place next summer from June 19th – 26th and is
open to all high school youth. Plan on attending
this meeting to learn all the details!
9th Grade Confirmation
Begins September 2nd:
Confirmation for 9th graders begins this fall on
Wednesday, September 2nd and continues
each Wednesday from 7:00 – 8:15 through
November 11th. In these nine short sessions,
we will explore, through various activities and
discussions, what it means to live out your
faith.
The first session on September 2nd will
begin with a short meeting for parents and
9th graders from 7:00 – 7:20 to go over the
detailed schedule and expectations. The 9th
graders will be confirmed at a special worship
service on Sunday, November 15th at 1:30
in the afternoon. If you have any questions,
please contact Gretchen Haugse.
Healing Service Schedule: All are welc
at monthly healing se
Healing services are of
monthly at St. Matthew
at a variety of times to
all the opportunity to co
forward for healing pray
themselves or others.
can share your concern
the pastor/leader at the
and then he/she along
the healing ministries w
on hands and give a sp
prayer for your concern
Your concern can be g
if you don’t wish to sha
specifically. Here are th
upcoming dates:
The St. Matthew’s
Meal Outreach Ministry
Guest House: Many thanks to Ruth and Steve
Mielke and Tracy Johnson for serving dinner on
August 9. Three or four 3 or 4 volunteers are welcome
each month to prepare and serve dinner for 100 men
at the Guest House, a homeless shelter. Meet at the
church at 5:00 pm to carpool and finish by 7:00 pm.
Seeking volunteers for September 13 and October
11. Please contact Carl Johnson (johnsoncr@
cdmsmith.com) or 414-771-1023.
Repairers of the Breach: We supply 100 bag lunches
for the homeless twice a month. We pack the lunches
at church on the 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings at 9:45
a.m. Volunteers are needed to provide beverages,
fruit, chips and sweets and/or pack the lunches.
Contact Tom Geib (414-321-3391).
Serenity Inn: Thank you to the Land family for
serving at Serenity on August 9th. Volunteers
prepare and serve 6-8 residents the second Sunday
of each month. Volunteers carpool meeting at
church at 5:15 returning at 7:15. If you can help on
September 13, please contact the new coordinator,
Cherie Swenson, at 262-309-3690 or by email
[email protected] Cross Lutheran Lunch Program We serve 300400 people on the fourth Wednesday of each month
at Cross Lutheran Church, 1821 N. 16th Street. We
carpool from St. Matthew’s at 10:45 a.m. and serve
beginning at about 11:30 and returning to St. Matt’s at
about 1:00. Next Meal: Wednesday, August 26. Pick
up a card in worship on the Sunday prior to the meal
to donate food.
Just One More: Volunteers assemble packaged
meals to be picked up by area churches and programs
on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Food packing takes
place at Redeemer Lutheran on 19th & Wisconsin
Avenue. Call Larry Jurss at 414-257-3595 for details.
Carpooling available from St. Matt’s.
Outreach for Hope Annual
Bike Ride: Pedal to Push Down
Poverty - Saturday, Sept. 12 Your participation is needed!
By visiting the website www.
ofhbikeride.com you can register
to take part in the 8th annual
Outreach for Hope Family Bike Ride
for the various rides, volunteer,
or donate to support 19 various
ministry sites in Southeastern
Wisconsin supported by the Greater
Milwaukee Synod. For every online
donation to riders’ web pages, an
anonymous donor will contribute
another $10 to Outreach for Hope.
The more sponsors for more riders,
the more support for Outreach for
Hope ministries.
Registration is easy and enables
you to participate in a great day
of exercise, food (catered picnic
lunch), and fun. Sept.12th is the
date and St. Bruno Parish in
Dousman is the location. Please
prayerfully consider supporting this
amazing event . . . the needs are
many. . . the rewards are greater
than you can imagine! The day
offers a Family Trail Ride - 20, 30
or 50 mile road - or an opportunity
to volunteer. There is something
for everyone! Please sign up
online so that the organizers
can be prepared for your
participation. www.ofhbikeride.
co
Ongoing Collection for Guest House: We
have updated the list of ongoing needs for
the Guest House. Please consider picking
up one or two of these items when you’re
shopping and drop them off in the box
outside the church office. Thanks for your
support of this important ministry.
Spray deodorant
Shampoo
Body Wash
Foot Powder
Cologne or aftershave
Laundry Bags
Men’s watches
Men’s wallets
------ - - - - - Flower Book Sign-Ups Needed Your
Sign-Ups
- - - - - - are
- - - needed for the altar flower/
library book/CD sign-up notebook! Want to
honor a loved one or show someone you
care? Designate altar flowers for them,
or a library book. Sign up in the Binder at
the Information Center. For a donation of
$30.00, you may designate altar flowers,
or for $15.00 a library book or a compact
disc for an occasion of your choosing, and
this occasion will be listed in the Sunday
bulletin. The Library Committee will select
the book and a bookplate will be placed in
the front of the book. The church office staff
orders the flowers from A New Leaf Floral
each week or, during the summer months,
local flowers are provided by volunteers.
Proceeds of the flower designation
donations go toward Sustainability projects
supported through the Care for Creation
team. It is best if you pay for your donations
on the designated Sunday or before. Place
a check in the offering plate and mark
its purpose of payment, or drop off your
payment in the office during the week.
Thanks.
Upcoming Dates at St. Matthew’s
September 2
10 a.m. Wednesday morning
Bible Study begins
7 p.m. 7th & 8th Gr. Confirmation
Big Group with parents & students
7 p.m. 9th Gr. Confirmation begins
7 p.m. New Creation Choir begins
September 3
6:15 Bells Angels rehearsals
7:30, Senior Choir Rehearsals begin
Sunday, Sept. 6
7:30, 8:30 and 10:15 a.m. Worship
Services with Holy Communion
Monday, Sept. 7
Labor Day - Church office closed
Tues. September 8
Youth Bell Choirs begin rehearsals
6:00, Godsbells
7:00 Righteous Ringers
Friday, Sept. 117th & 8th grade Confirmation Retreat
overnight (at St. Matthew’s)
September 13
RALLY DAY - Worship services at
7:30, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School Begins, 9:45 a.m.
“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Day of
Service
The calendar is always available on our website at
www.stmattslutheran.org
Healing Service Schedule: All are welcome at monthly
healing services Healing services are offered monthly at
St. Matthew’s at a variety of times to give all the opportunity
to come forward for healing prayer for themselves or others.
You can share your concern with the pastor/leader at the
altar, and then he/she along with the healing ministries will lay
on hands and give a special prayer for your concern. Your
concern can be general if you don’t wish to share specifically.
Sunday, September 13 - Healing Service after the 11:00 service
Sunday, October 18 - 8:30 (non-communion) & 11:00
(communion) - St. Luke the Physician/Evangelist Sunday
Needed: Transportation
for an 11-year-old boy
for swim team, three
evenings per week from
West Suburban YMCA
(124th & North) to either
Hoyt pool or Whitman
Middle School. Monday
and Wednesday 5:00 pick
up and over to Hoyt by
5:30. Thursday: 4:15 pick
up and over to Whitman
by 4:45.
Please call Patti Granger
at 414-312-0938 for
further information about
this job with compensation
for your time.
Serenity Inns’ Annual
Volunteer Thank you
Cookout:
On Saturday, Sept. 12,
you are invited to a cookout at Serenity Inns (2825
W. Brown St.) beginning at 3 p.m. The men
of Serenity Inns want to
say ‘Thank you’ to all the
volunteers who make
it possible for them to
choose recovery for their
lives. There will be good
food and fellowship and
a small program to honor
a couple of men from
the Serenity Inns family.
RSVP to Ellen Blathers at
414-873-5474 or siellen@
att.net by Sept. 3.
Tosa Interfaith Helps
community’s Seniors
Getting our Frithe Tosa area have ne
day emails?
to the doctor, for groce
Each Friday the
companion visits, for p
church office
for doing light houseke
staff sends out
cleaning or grass cuttin
a preview of the
consider giving a few h
Sunday bulletin
to help the elderly in o
announcements
Once you sign up you
by PDF format.
Currently we have flexibility on how much
you do and when you
a list of 400 who
once a month, maybe
receive this inforonly a couple of times
mation. If you’d
choice is yours – and i
like to receive
this weekly email, opportunity to meet int
please send us an - Pr. Margaret You cou
email at <office@ Greater Tosa Interfaith
414-453-5750.
stmattslutheran.
org> Be ‘in the
know’ on a weekly
basis about what’s
going on at your church!
Ongoing Collection for Guest House: We
updated the list of ongoing needs for the G
House. Please consider picking up one or
these items when you’re shopping and drop
in the box outside the church office. Thank
support of this important ministry.
Spray deodorant Shampoo
Body Wash
Foot Powder
Cologne or aftershave Laundry Bags
Men’s watches
Men’s wallets
Mt. Meru Coffee is now available in K-cups
only). Thank you, St. Matthew’s for your co
support of our partnership with our brothers
ters in Tanzania. Please stop at the coffee t
the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Tog
are making a difference. Questions may be
to Bruce Johnson at 414-366-5053.
Volunteer at our partner church, Cross Lutheran Church
1821 N. 16th Street, Milwaukee
Looking for a way to make a difference
in the life of a young person?
Wondering how you might use your
hands (and mind and soul and heart) to
do God’s work?
Our partners at Cross Lutheran are looking
for 6-8 regular tutors and 4 substitute tutors
for the upcoming school year!
Regular tutors commit to being present on
either Tuesday or Thursday nights during
the school year. Meeting from 6-8:00 at
Cross, tutors and students share a meal
together, then have 1-on-1 tutoring time.
You will work with the same student/s and
build not only greater learning skills, but a
mentoring relationship as well.
Dr. Betty and the people of Cross provide
guidance and support on what to cover - so
no special teaching skills are needed, just a
desire to work with the students and basic
reading/writing skills. We have had high
school students act as tutors in the past,
and they are welcome and encouraged to
serve as tutors as well!
If you are interested and can make this
commitment, speak with Pastor Matt today
and receive more information!
Save the Date for Anti-Racism Workshop “Understanding and Analyzing
Systemic Racism” to take place October
1-3 at Emmaus Lutheran Church, Racine.
Several people from our congregation
has expressed interested in attending. A
carpool can be arranged.
Ways to continue helping
- P
ray for our partners, especially for
Pastor Michelle, Linda, and Easter
as they serve their community of
faith through a staffing transition.
- T
ake a meal card (or two!) and
prepare a salad, dessert, or jello for
Cross Meals
- W
e are always in need of volunteers
to help serve the noon meal each
4th Wednesday. Talk to Tom Geib
for more information on serving the
Wednesday meal!
- R
emember to shop for our partners
and fill a red shopping bag with
pantry items when you buy your own
groceries!
There is a new list of most-needed
items near the red bags outside the
church office.
New ways to volunteer:
Talk to Pr. Matt or contact the church
office staff if interested
• Help on Wednesday afternoons with
the food pantry
• Build relationships with the Tuesday
adult groups and share in fellowship
• If you have medical skills, volunteer
with the Bread of Healing Clinic
Tosa Interfaith Helps Our community’s
Seniors Older adults in the Tosa area
have needs such as rides to the doctor, for
grocery shopping, for companion visits, for
phone visits, and for doing light housekeeping such as cleaning or grass cutting. Can
you consider giving a few hours per month
to help the elderly in our community? Once
you sign up you have complete flexibility on
how much or how little you do and when you
do it. Maybe once a month, maybe weekly,
maybe only a couple of times a year. The
choice is yours – and it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet interesting people. - Pr. Margaret You could also call the Greater Tosa
Interfaith office directly at 414-453-5750.
Flower Book Sign-Ups Needed
Your Sign-Ups are needed for the altar flower/
library book/CD sign-up notebook! Want to honor a
loved one or show someone you care? Designate
altar flowers for them, or a library book. Sign
up in the Binder at the Information Center. For
a donation of $30.00, you may designate altar
flowers, or for $15.00 a library book or a compact
disc for an occasion of your choosing, and this
occasion will be listed in the Sunday bulletin. The
Library Committee will select the book and a
bookplate will be placed in the front of the book.
The church office staff orders the flowers from A
New Leaf Floral each week or, during the summer
months, local flowers are provided by volunteers.
Proceeds of the flower designation donations go
toward Sustainability projects supported through
the Care for Creation team. It is best if you pay
for your donations on the designated Sunday or
before. Place a check in the offering plate and
mark its purpose of payment, or drop off your
payment in the office during the week. Thanks.
Marketing Coordinator Position
Magellan Promotions, a promotional
product marketing company owned
by St. Matthew’s member Michael
Wolaver, is looking for a full time
marketing coordinator. We are
looking for a professional with 1-3
years of marketing experience
to get involved in a series of
marketing functions to help grow
our promotional product business.
In addition the position will also
help market Transfer Times, a
new business that we recently
purchased. To learn more, go to
magellanpromotions.com/team/
careers/.
Flower Book Sign-Ups Needed
Your Sign-Ups are needed for the
altar flower/library book/CD sign-up
notebook! Want to honor a loved one or
show someone you care? Designate
altar flowers for them, or a library book.
Sign up in the Binder at the Information
Center. For a donation of $30.00, you
may designate altar flowers, or for
$15.00 a library book or a compact disc
for an occasion of your choosing, and
this occasion will be listed in the Sunday
bulletin. The Library Committee will
select the book and a bookplate will
be placed in the front of the book. The
church office staff orders the flowers
from A New Leaf Floral each week. It
is best if you pay for your donations on
the designated Sunday or before. Place
a check in the offering plate and mark
its purpose of payment, or drop off your
payment in the office during the week.
Thanks.
Caregivers Group meets 2nd and
4th Monday afternoons - Sharing
joys and challenges The caregivers
group will meet on the following
dates at 1 p.m. in the Upper Room.
The group is facilitated by Sharon
Thiel, and you are welcome to
attend. Date of next meeting: August
24.
Are you interested in the January El
Salvador Trip?
Our annual visit to El Salvador is
being planned for early next January.
This trip, which focuses on our
partnership relationship with the
Salvadoran Lutheran church, is open
to adults and high school graduates.
It is an experience that leaves lasting
impressions and expands our concept
of the family of God.
If you are interested in being part of
next year’s trip, or if you would like to
learn more about it, talk to Gretchen
Haugse or Pastor Chris, or sign up
on the sign-up panel to show your
interest.
Ministry Scheduler Pro
Sunday morning volunteers are
scheduled utilizing Ministry Scheduler
Pro (MSP), an on-line scheduling
program. If you are a Sunday morning
volunteer and need the log-in information
please contact Sue Swing; sueswing@
sbcglobal.net. Please submit your sub
requests by Wednesday morning for the
upcoming Sunday, whenever possible.
Thank you for your service!
Chocolate and Coffee for Sale today!
LWR Fair Trade Chocolate available at St.
Matthew’s: “Divine Chocolate” - Chocolate
made with Fair Trade certified Cocoa beans
grown by a farmer owned cooperative in
Ghana, is available for purchase the 2nd
& 4th Sundays of each month at the Mt.
Meru Coffee/LWR Chocolate Project table,
in several delicious flavors. Not only do
these farmers receive Fair Trade premiums
for their cocoa beans, they are part-owners
of the Divine Chocolate brand processing
co. Bars come in two sizes. This
opportunity is brought to us by Rosie Haas,
our LWR Divine Chocolate ambassador.
Large Bars are $3.50 each and small
bars are $1.50 each.
Also, Bruce Johnson, our Mt. Meru Coffee
Ambassador offers delicious Mt. Meru
coffee for sale each 2nd & 4th Sunday. This
product which is purchased at a fair price
from the local farmers who live in the area
of Tanzania where we have a partnership
relationship. Stop by and see! K-cups for
single cup coffee brewing (like Keurigs) are
also available.
Men: A great way to begin your week The Monday Morning Men’s Bible Study
meets each Monday morning at 6:30 a.m.
to study, to discuss, to share. All men are
welcome. For more information, call Mark
Petersen, 476-7299 or Bill Brown, 7744017.
Pop Top Collection: After a hiatus from
collecting soda pop can pull tabs, we will
resume the collection at this time. These
pop tabs are given to the Ronald McDonald
House toward the good work they do in
housing out-of-town families of patients at
Children’s Hospital. The collection spot will
be at the entrance of the Education wing,
near the other recycling and Reformation
pick-up area.
Ongoing Collection for Guest
House: We have updated the list of
ongoing needs for the Guest House.
Consider picking up one or two of
these items when you’re shopping
and drop them off in the box outside
the church office. Thanks for your
support!
Spray deodorant Shampoo
Body Wash
Foot Powder
Cologne/aftershave Laundry bags
Men’s watches
Men’s wallets
**************
Current urgent needs:
Men’s deodorant
New Men’s Tshirts, size 2XL
New Men’s Tshirts, size 3XL
Disposable razors (!)
Why Green Burial: World
Faith Practices and
Sustainable Options SAVE the DATE
September 20 at 2 p.m. at
the Urban Ecology Center,
Washington Park sponsored
by the Interfaith Conference of
Greater Milwaukee. Details as
the date approaches.
Nursery Attendant Position Now Available:
St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church is seeking to
hire a Sunday morning nursery attendant to
watch children who are in the Nursery. This will
be a 4-hour per week position that is shared by
2 or more people. Applicants must be at least
18 years old to apply. A job description for this
position can be obtained from the church office.
If you are interested in being considered for the
position, please call the church office or speak
with Sue Swing, our Volunteer Coordinator, or
Pastor Chris Manke.
A Quilt Ministry Blitz will be held on Saturday, September 19th from 9:00-1:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Our special guest for the morning will be Linda Muth,
of All Peoples Church in Milwaukee. She is part of the
ELCA Partnership supporting the church’s efforts in El
Salvador. Linda will be sharing a short presentation on
the work of the women and girls in El Salvador. Also,
St. Matt’s own Gretchen Haugse will be in attendance
to share her knowledge. Following the presentation,
the group will begin to assemble quilts and blankets to
see how many we can get done within the time frame.
Beginners as well as seasoned quilters are welcome.
Bring your own lunch and beverage – a veggie salad
will be available to share with the group. Are you unable to make September meeting? Our next meeting
will be Saturday, November 21st. Questions, contact
Bev Etzelmueller at #262-250-3969.
Shopping Bags needed at Tosa Community Food Pantry
It’s been a busy summer at the Tosa Community Food Pantry and it isn’t over yet. Changes
to Wisconsin’s Food Share [Food Stamps] are resulting in more visits to the pantry. This has
depleted our supply of large paper shopping bags for distributing food. If any one has bags
they could donate to the pantry, please bring them to St. Bernard Church, 7474 Harwood
Avenue, during church office hours, Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 am- 4:00 pm & Fri. 8:30 am-1:00 pm.
you care? Designate altar flowers for them, or
Sign up in the Binder at the Information Center
of $30.00, you may designate altar flowers, or f
library book or a compact disc for an occasion
and this occasion will be listed in the Sunday b
Library Committee will select the book and a
bookplate will be placed in the front of the book
The church office staff orders the flowers from
A New Leaf Floral each week or, during the
summer months, local flowers are provided by
volunteers. Proceeds of the flower designation
donations go toward Sustainability projects
supported through the Care for Creation team.
It is best if you pay for your donations on the
designated Sunday or before. Place a check
in the offering plate and mark its purpose of
payment, or drop off your payment in the office
during the week. Thanks.
Cross Lutheran Church monthly luncheon:
It’s become clear that disposable dishes
are the best way to donate food for the meal at
Cross on the 4th Wednesday of each month. A
hard as the servers try to get the pans washed
and returned to church, it is easy to miss one or
two or leave something at Cross. An alternative
to disposable is to take a container from the
boxes outside the office (without someone’s
name on it), which are dishes used previously
but not picked up.
A note about your valuable items: A reminder
and guests that each week as you come to chu
items should be kept with you and not left in coa
an unlocked space.
Pop Top Collection: After a hiatus from collect
can pull tabs, we will resume the collection at th
pop tabs are given to the Ronald McDonald Ho
good work they do in housing out-of-town famili
Children’s Hospital. The collection spot will be a
of the Education wing, near the other recycling
Youth Choir Programs
Come Join us to Sing and Ring
St. Matthew’s has a number of outstanding opportunities for our Children & Youth to be part of
the music ministry and share their gifts with our
church family.
For grades 3-6 Jeff Reeves and John Paradowski direct the New Creation
Choir singing God’s praises. Having children lead us in worship is very
important and we always welcome this group helping us praise our Lord.
They rehearse Wednesday evenings at 7:00 to 8:00, starting September 2.
For 4th through 6th grade Godsbells is offered
as a great way to meet new friends, serve your
church, and have fun learning about music and
how to ring chimes and handbells. All are always
welcome. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:00 to 6:45,
starting September 8. All are welcome and a musical
background is not necessary! Please see or call Jeff if
you are interested in having your child be part of this
group. 414-774-0441
Then for the older youth [7th through 12th
grades] the Righteous Ringers handbell
group is open for all interested youth. Contact
Jeff Reeves for information. This group meets
on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 7:45, starting
September 8. They learn handbell music
to play in worship and have a great time
rehearsing and making music.
Also for 7th through 12th grades the New Generation Choir is a great
opportunity to sing the praises of our Lord with each other. A variety of
musical styles are sung and we help in worship once a month. This group
meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:45, starting September 23.
We look forward to seeing many of you join in all the activity of serving our
Lord and giving thanks through God’s gift of music.
As you listen to today’s sermon and reflect upon today’s “I AM”
metaphor, use the following questions to guide your thoughts and
reflections. Use these questions at brunch with your family, as a
way to jot down a few important thoughts as you listen, or as a way
of connecting with the sermon in worship.
How is this week’s metaphor like God? How or what about Jesus’ character is like
the image we hear of in scripture? What other bible passages would reflect
today’s I AM metaphor?
How is today’s metaphor not like God? In every metaphor, there are places where
the idea doesn’t quite connect. What aspects of the “I AM” image do not align
with your understanding of God or Christ Jesus?
What parts of the story help to make sense of the context? What do you think
motivates Jesus to use this metaphor to speak to his disciples? Why is it
important to speak and think about God using this image or metaphor? What
aspects of our faith life and practice (sacraments, prayers, hymns, etc.) connect
well with this week’s I AM?
What does this image of God mean to you? Think of a time when you’ve
experienced God or God’s love that would connect with today’s I am image.
What might God be calling you to do or change as a result of the message we
hear in God’s Word?
St. Matthew’s Summer Worship Series
The “I Am” Sayings in the Bible
If I told you I feel like a million dollars, you’d
know I felt really great about myself. If I told
you I bought a car that’s a real lemon, what do
you think I’d be telling you? Word pictures use
common, everyday things to describe feelings
and other concepts that you can’t see with your
physical eyes — things that you must use your
imagination to understand.
Our Summer Worship Series is focused on the
word pictures in the
Bible through the “I
AM” sayings. The
bible abounds in “I
AM” statements.
Isaiah contains 35.
Ezekiel contains
70 of these great
assertions, more
than any other single book. Jeremiah contains
21. All told, the 17 prophetical books contain
a total of about 154 of God’s great “I ams.” We
will begin our journey looking at sayings from
Revelation and Exodus, and concentrate on the
sayings in John’s Gospel.
It is in the Gospel of John that the most
beautiful and personally meaningful “I AM”
statements are found.
• I am the bread of life
• I am the light of the world
• Before Abraham was, I am
• I am the door/gate
• I am the good shepherd
• I am the resurrection and the life
• I am the way, the truth, and the life
• I am the true vine
At that time, in that place, in that cultural
context, when John recorded these comments,
they would have had a much more obvious
meaning to, and impact on their hearers than
may be immediately obvious for us. Yet, even
two thousand years later, these statements
remain powerful, and provocative.
What does it say? What is the imagery of each
“I am”, i.e.: why
“bread of life”?
What does
bread have to do
with life? What
other language,
imagery or
metaphor might
Jesus use if He
wanted to convey the essence of each statement
to an audience in your workplace, today?
What does it mean? What is the context of each
conversation? Who is the primary audience?
Why might Jesus be making that particular
comment in that context to those hearers?
What does it mean to me? What difference
should each of these statements make in your
personal/inner life? In your work life? In your
family life? In your community life?
For each “I am,” we will explore together for a
better understand the context and main point
of each one in worship.
St. Matthew’s Weekly Sign-Up Panel
August 23, 2015
If you are interested in any of the following activities/events, please check
the appropriate box and place this sheet in the offering plate, or turn it in
to the church office. This is your opportunity to be involved in some of St.
Matthew’s ministries.
I am a college-aged youth or adult interested in going to El Salvador in January to
strengthen our partnership there.
I’m interested in tutoring at Cross Lutheran Church, and I’d like more information
about it.
I can help at the Dessert Station at Cross Lutheran Church’s “Caribbean Cruise” on
August 30.
I’d like to attend the Cross “Caribbean Cruise” community picnic on Sunday,
August 30.
I would like more
information about
serving at Serenity
Inn occasionally. It is
scheduled each second
Sunday evening.
(Serenity volunteers
serve only dates you
choose)
I’d like to help with the
“Just One More” meal
ministry on Friday
mornings. The food
distributing takes place
at Redeemer Lutheran
Church on Wisconsin
Ave. in Milwaukee.
I have a question about
___________________
I’d like to bike on the Saturday, September 12 Bike Ride for Outreach for Hope,
along with others from our synod. I’d like to ride with others from St. Matthew’s.
I would like more information on the Caregivers Support Group that meets twice
a month on Mondays.
I’m not sure if my child is signed up for Sunday School. Please contact me for
clarification, or for registration for Sunday School.
Name_______________________________ Phone Number_________________
Email Address ____________________________________________________
Please add my email
address to the list
of people receiving
the Friday “Bulletin
Update,” a preview of
the announcements in the
upcoming Sunday’s bulletin.
Vision Statement: Guided by God’s Spirit and Grace, we are a community of
disciples growing in faith, hope and love in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (What
we want to become)
Mission Statement: Called to fulfill the Great Commission, St. Matthew’s
welcomes all to faith in Jesus Christ, nurtures our faith journey, equips us to serve
others, and sends us into the world to make a difference in Jesus’ name. (What
we are going to do)
Values: We want to be people who grow in our Spiritual fruitfulness, which is
shown through the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,
Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control. (Who we want to be)
Ministers
The People of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church
Lead Pastor
The Rev. Christopher J.P. Manke
Associate Pastor
The Rev. Matthew Kruse
Visitation Pastor
The Rev. Margaret Schoewe
Music Minister/Organist/New Generation & Adult Handbell Choirs
John R. Paradowski
Director of Older Adult Ministries
Jane Sandstrom
Director of Youth Ministries & Children’s Education Coordinator
Gretchen Haugse
Volunteer Ministries/Small Groups/Adult Education
Sue Swing
Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Donna Gardner Manke
Pastors’ Assistant / Sunday School Support
Emily Wanezek
Technology Coordinator
Brian Smith
Senior Choir Director
David Mohr
Youth Handbell Choirs
Jeffrey Reeves
New Creation Choir
Jeffrey Reeves and John Paradowski; Heide Hughes, accompanist
Praise Kids! Directors (Jr. K-2 grades)
Jeff Reeves and Amy Dankwardt
Finance Secretary
Holly Jurss
Office Assistant
Jill Due
Communications Secretary
Sonja Mohr
Janitor
John Swenson
Pastor Emeritus
The Rev. Gary Erickson