E-News - November 16, 2017

Vol. 6 - No. 47 | November 16, 2017

St. Matthew Lutheran Church & School e-News

The Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

This weekend we celebrate the Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. The theme of our worship will be " Not of Darkness - Children of Light " based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The Sacrament of the Altar will be celebrated at the Sunday services.

Heart Work

1 Thessalonians 5:5

For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

BIBLE/DEVOTIONAL READINGS – For the week of Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost the following Bible readings are provided to assist you in daily reading and prayer. You can also find this on the St. Matthew Facebook prayer page .

Sunday Matthew 25:14-30

Parable of the talents

Monday Luke 19:11-26

A king and his servants

Tuesday 1 Peter 4:7-13

Using our gifts

Wednesday Romans 12:3-18

We have different gifts

Thursday 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

The coming of the Lord

Friday Ephesians 4:11-24

Christ’s gifts to the church

Saturday Psalm 90

God is eternal

Sunday Matthew 25:31-46

The sheep and the goats

NOTE FROM THE CEMETERY SEXTONS - November 30th is the last day for fall decorations. Your cooperation is most appreciated.

STEPP'N TO BETHLEHEM - We are now making our way back home for the holidays! We have left Bethlehem and have now made it to the Atlantic Ocean. Contact Deb Andersen, St. Matthew's Parish Nurse, for more information.

A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING – A movie & craft event for children preschool – 4th grade, and their families, in Krueger Hall (note venue change) THIS Saturday, November 18 at 4:00pm. We’ll be watching the video, have a special craft project, and enjoy an authentic “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Dinner.” Sign up in the church or school office!

MILITARY OUTREACH USA, HOLIDAY GIFTING TREE

Please consider helping the Board of Evangelism & Parish Services fill the needs for Veterans Exiting Homelessness. There is a gifting tree set up in the Narthex that holds cards that have various “Move-In Essentials’ items on them. You can pick on item or more. All items need to be placed under the tree no later than Sunday, December 10.

Congregation Board Openings - At THIS SUNDAY'S Voters’ meeting, the Congregation will elect Officers and Board members for the coming year. Please consider volunteering to help on one of the Boards. The following positions are open for election:

Board of Deacons – 1 three year term and 1 one year term.
Board of Christian Education – 1 one year term.
Board of Stewardship and Finance – 1 one year term and 1 three year term
Board of Trustees – 6 three year term vacancies.

If you are interested in serving, or if you would like more information about serving the Congregation, please contact John Kelly, Chairman of the Nominating Committee or the following Board Chairs: Dean Stewart-Board of Deacons; Randall Anderson-Board of Christian Education; Tim Kolschowsky-Board of Stewardship and Finance; Brian Young-Board of Trustees.

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES AT ST. MATTHEW

Youth Director:

Purpose and Objective: To serve the church by developing , coordinating and administering an effective and comprehensive ministry to parish and community youth. focus is internal and external; that is, all community youth; not just parish youth. Full time position-expectation is roughly 40 hours per week with salary and benefits paid by St. Matthew.

Principal/Director of Early Childhood Education:

The candidate will oversee the current Early Childhood Education Program of Preschool (3 and 4) and Kindergarten. The candidate is responsible for all guidelines of the National Lutheran School Accreditation and State of Illinois Guidelines. The candidate will also be engaged in the development and planning of the comprehensive Early Childhood expansion including prekindergarten and two year old program.

Interested parties should contact Doug Duval @ 847-438-7709 or duval@stmatts.net

FACILITY REQUEST - Just a friendly note to ask all groups and organizations to please fill out a facility request for your activities. This information assists us in the set up, programming of the electronic doors and the safety of all involved.

CHRISTIAN OUTREACH OF LUTHERANS (COOL) - A food pantry for some of the neediest families in Lake County. Please bring a can of food/box of cereal with you when you worship and place them in Luther Hall. September food is canned fruit. Thanks for helping those in need.

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 18

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - movie & craft event for preschoolers - 4th graders and their families. 4:00pm in Krueger Hall (note venue change).

November 19

Regular meeting of the Voters' Assembly - 11:45 a.m. in Luther Hall.

November 22

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service - 7:00 p.m.

November 23

Thanksgiving Day Worship Service - 10:00 a.m.

November 23

Thanksgiving Dinner - 11:30 a.m. in Krueger Hall.

December 2 & 3

Guest Preacher - Rev. Dr. Greg Seltz, former speaker of the Lutheran Hour and now director of Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in Washington D.C.

BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY – Adult Bible study will NOT meet this Sunday. Join us in Krueger Hall for a New Member Welcome brunch!

TUESDAY EVENING LADIES BIBLE STUDY – Does not meet this Tuesday (Thanksgiving week). Contact Nancy Blonski at nblonski@truemen.org or call 847-847-1945.

THURSDAY MORNING LADIES BIBLE STUDY – Does not meet this Thursday, Thanksgiving.

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY – Saturdays at 9:00am in Luther Hall. Current study is the Book of Job . NOTE: We will not be meeting next Saturday - Thanksgiving Weekend.

LUTHERAN CHURCH CHARITIES BIBLE STUDY – Mondays at 9:30am and 7:00 pm in Luther Hall. Current study is Who is Jesus? - According to Jesus!

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES – Taking Faith Home is available each week in the service folder and as an attachment with the Weekly e-News. In My Father’s Footsteps is provided by Pastor Blonski and is a daily devotion available via email here . Monday Bible Study Leader Tim Hetzner also offers a daily devotional via email here .

YOUTH NEWS

SUNDAY YOUTH BIBLE STUDY – meets at 9:20 in the Youth Room (North end of Krueger Hall, below sanctuary) with Lindsey Bucciferro !

A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING – The youth will once again be hosting this event for children preschool – 4th grade in Luther Hall on Saturday, November 18 at 4:00pm. We’ll be watching the video, have a special craft project, and enjoy an authentic “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Dinner.” Youth helpers sign up on the Youth Board in Luther Hall.

CHRISTMAS IN CHICAGO – Saturday, December 16. Cost will be $30 per person. Sign up on the Youth Board in Luther Hall. There are only 12 spots left!

LUTHERAN DAY SCHOOL NEWS

DID YOU KNOW

St Matthew Lutheran Church School began in 1864

St Matthew was one of the first Preschools in the area, beginning in 1993

St Matthew started a full day Kindergarten program well before the public school system

St Matthew is fully accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Accreditation Board (NLSA)

St Matthew is FULLY RECOGNIZED by the State of Illinois

St Matthew teachers are State Licensed

St Matthew offers an Extended School Program to parents in the mornings and afternoons

St Matthew has “Smart Boards” in each classroom and students have access to iPads and a

Computer Lab

Tell your friends Enrollment for the 2017-2018 school year begins in January 2018

There is still time to donate non-perishable food items for the COOL Food Pantry Food

Drive. See the list for needed items and place your items in the purple collection box,

located in the school lobby, by November 20.

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program - Lake County believes every child

deserves a special gift at Christmastime and we all can help. Would you consider donating a

new toy to be given to a child in need? Place your new, unwrapped toy in the collection box,

located in the school lobby, by December 8. Visit the website https://great-lakes-

il.toysfortots.org to learn more.

Important Dates:

November 17 Preschool Field Trip to Fire Station

November 18 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Event; 4:00pm in Krueger Hall

November 21 Kindergarten Thanksgiving Lunch

November 22-24 Thanksgiving Holiday – No School/No Early or Extended Care

December 9 Breakfast with Santa; 9:00-11:00am

Click for the Church’s Facebook page .

Click here for the St. Matthew Early Childhood Facebook page.

Click here for the St. Matthew Lutheran School Facebook page.

Click here for the St. Matthew Lutheran Sunday School Facebook page.

Click for the St. Matthew Vacation Bible School Facebook page.

Click for Comfort Dog Ladel’s Facebook page.

Click for the Youth Group Facebook page and their Facebook group .

Click for the St. Matthew Lutheran Prayer Facebook Page.

St. Matthew’s YouTube Channel is here.