Vol. 7 - No. 41 | November 8, 2018
St. Matthew Lutheran Church & School e-News
Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
This weekend we celebrate Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. The theme of our worship will be " Arriving on Time " based on Daniel 12:1.

Worship Services this week:

Saturday - 5:30pm
Classic Worship

Sunday - 8:00 & Classic Worship with Holy Communion
Sunday - 10:45 Contemporary Creative Worship with Holy Communion
HeartWork  Daniel 12:1
At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
BIBLE/DEVOTIONAL READINGS – For the week starting November 11 , Bible readings are provided to assist you in daily reading and prayer. Click on the Bible passage to read the Scripture lesson at BibleGateway.com.
Sunday
The signs of the end of the age

Monday
The resurrection of the dead

Tuesday
A call to perseverance

Wednesday
David spares Saul’s life
Thursday
Faith and wisdom

Friday
A living hope

Saturday
A life centered on the Lord

Sunday
Jesus, the King of truth
St. Matthew Lutheran - There's an App for that!
Along with our new and improved website (which you can see here ), we have a new mobile app! Go to the Google Play store (for android devices) or the App Store (on Apple devices) and search for "St. Matthew Lutheran."
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS

November 16 - 7:00pm Youth event at Brunswick in Lake Zurich

November 18 - Noon Annual Meeting of the Voters Assembly

November 21 - 7:00pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship w/communion

November 22 - 10:00am Thanksgiving Worship w/communion

November 22 - 11:00am 13th Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner

  Sharing The Joy Ministry,   HOLIDAY Gifting Tree
Please consider helping the Sharing The Joy Ministry fill the needs of children in the Lake County area by gifting bedding items. Sharing The Joy is working with Love Inc Southwest with their Bed Ministry program. This program supplies sheets, pillows, blankets, and beds to children in the Southwest Lake County area. 
The gifting tags on the tree will have an item on the back of the tag. The items needed are sheets, blankets, and pillows. 
Please stop by the information table in the Narthex for more information about this great program. 
      13th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Members of St. Matthew and our surrounding communities are cordially invited to attend:             
         St. Matthew’s 13th Annual
          Thanksgiving Day Dinner
          on Thursday, November 22
               11:00am - 4:00pm 
Guests are invited to attend our Thanksgiving Day Worship Service beginning at 10:00am. Appetizers will be served in Krueger Hall at 11:00am, followed by the serving of our traditional Thanksgiving Day Dinner around noon. Come enjoy a day of football watching, super sale ad reading and great fellowship. RSVP: smlcs@stmatts.net
From the Cemetery Sextons:  Please be reminded that November 30th is the last day for fall decorations. Your cooperation is most appreciated.
UPCOMING EVENTS

December 1 - 8:00am, Decoration of the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas
December 5 - 7:00pm - Advent Service w/dinner @ 5:30pm
December 7 - 7:00pm - It's a Wonderful Life radio drama performance.
December 8 - 9:00am-11:00am Santa Breakfast
December 8 - 2:00pm It's a Wonderful Life radio drama performance.
December 9 - 9:00am, Cookie Walk
December 14 - 7:00pm, Youth Ugly Sweater Party
December 15 - 4:00pm, Charlie Brown Christmas
December 16 - 10:45am, Sunday School Christmas Program

The New Church Year begins with the Season of Advent on the weekend of December 1 & 2, 2018. The Advent Devotional books "The Coming King" are on the Church Office Counter.
CHRISTMAS PARTY INVITATIONS

CONGREGATION INVITED  - The Ladies’ Aid of St. Matthew invites the congregation to attend their Christmas Luncheon on Thursday, December 6th at 11:30am at Kemper Lakes. Cost is $27.00 per person. If you would like to attend or have any questions please call Janet Schockmel at 847-949-1736.
 
ALL LADIES - Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 9 for a Christmas Luncheon at Oregano’s at noon. I would like ALL ladies to mark this Sunday afternoon on your calendars for an  afternoon of fun and fellowship during the busy holiday season.  A sign-up sheet is posted on the church office counter. Please RSVP by November 25.  Nancy Blonski - LWML
December 8 & 9
This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
Performances will be Friday, December 8 at 7:00pm and Saturday, December 9 at 2:00pm in the St. Matthew Historic Chapel . This is a FREE event, open to all (free-will offering will be taken).
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

Plan to join the Chicago Area Mission Partnership and fellow volunteers from Redeemer Austin in service to the people of
Port Arthur, TX -- January 5-13, 2019.
 Many veterans/widows/financially challenged live near the community Port Arthur—an area devastated by Harvey flooding, yet received drastically less attention and resources than the metropolitan areas.
Work sites near our host, Trinity Church Port Arthur. Please pray about your commitment and watch for more info.
If you have additional questions concerning this Mission Trip, please contact John Kelly at jkelly@ottosenbritz.com.
WILLING WORKERS

LECTORS - Would you like to read the Old Testament & Epistle Readings in a worship service? Contact the Church Office to sign up for this important worship ministry!

USHERS NEEDED - We are in the process of creating our 2019/2020 Usher Groups and Schedule. Please consider being an usher in one of our services. There is a sign-up sheet on the church office counter.

COFFEE HOUR  - There is a sign up sheet for coffee hour volunteers for 2019 on the church office counter.
 
BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
SUNDAY
CSI BIBLE STUDY - CSI Sunday morning bible study meets on Sunday mornings 9:20am in the north end of Krueger Hall. This week's lesson is Worship in the Tabernacle. To prepare, read Exodus 40.
SUNDAY SCHOOL - Sunday School meets on Sunday mornings at 9:20am.   Parents! The CSI:St. Matthew Adult Bible study covers the same topic! You can grow in your faith along with your child and have great family discussions together through the week about the lesson. Please meet in the Sunday School Wing that is located in the lower level school classrooms.
ADULT DISCIPLESHIP CLASS - THE NEXT ADULT DISCIPLESHIP CLASS will begin meeting Sunday Mornings December 9 & 16 , then in the new year January 6 – March 3 during the Education Hour, 9:20-10:20 a.m. in the Upper Level Conference Room. This is an eleven (11) session, one-hour Informational class for those desiring to study the Basic Teachings of the Bible from the Lutheran Perspective. The study is designed for those individuals seeking membership in our congregation , and is also strongly encouraged as a review for all current members of St. Matthew.
THE YOUTH CONFIRMATION MINISTRY - THE YOUTH CONFIRMATION MINISTRY of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, will resume January 6.
MONDAY
LCC BIBLE STUDY WITH TIM HETZNER -  Who is Jesus According to Jesus  meets on Mondays at 9:30am & 7:00pm in Luther Hall.
TUESDAY
TUESDAY EVENING LADIES BIBLE STUDY - Tuesdays at 7:00pm in Luther Hall. The topic is: Spiritual Gifts-A Bible Study.    All women are invited to join us. ** WILL NOT MEET ON 11/20.
THURSDAY
THURSDAY MORNING LADIES’  -  meets on Thursday mornings from 8:30-10:00 a.m. in Luther Hall. NOTE: 11/15, or 11/22. 
Study will be held 11/29 and 12/6. (New Topic - Join us!). December 13 will be our holiday gathering at Pilar Norenberg's home. We will then break until the new year, beginning January 3, 2019.
SATURDAY
MEN'S BIBLE STUDY - Saturdays at 9:00am in Luther Hall . We are starting a new study called Explore God , where we will discuss topics like: "Does Life Have Purpose?"; "Is There a God?"; "Why Does God Allow Suffering?"; "Is Christianity Too Narrow?"; "Is Jesus Really God?"; "Is the Bible Reliable?"; and "Can I Know God Personally?"
TECHNOLOGY HELP NEEDED
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP
Do you love technology? We are looking for help in our Sunday Contemporary service. Our video software - ProPresenter - is not difficult to use, but it takes dedicated hands that would not be occupied else where (like preaching or leading worship).
If this is something you are interested in, contact Pastor Blonski!
VIDEO RECORDING AND EDITING - Do you have a passion for making videos? We are looking for people to record our sermons and devotional moments and edit them for broadcast on Facebook and Youtube and elsewhere. If you are interested, contact Pastor Blonski by email here or call him in the church office at 847/438-7709.
ST. MATTHEW MINISTRY NEWS
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. Thanks for helping those in need. November food item: Tuna.
The holidays are the busiest time of the year for COOL. The food pantry is looking for holiday helpers to work in the food pantry. Volunteers are needed to help pack food boxes and do some light clean up. Volunteers can work whatever schedule works for them. Volunteers are needed now until December 21st. Please contact Rick Steward at 847/662-1230 for more information.
 
SHARING THE JOY — Are you or somebody you know in need of meals? Sharing the Joy ministry of St. Matthew would like to help. Please contact the church office to set up meal deliveries.
UPCOMING TRIPS
JOURNEYS OF PAUL IN GREECE - October 5-15, 2019  
You are invited to join Rev. Timothy & Debra Kinne and Rev. Dr. Greg & Yvette Seltz on a land and sea tour of Greece as we follow the Journeys of Paul. For this 11 Day Tour we will take in places like Philippi, Thessalonika, Delphi, Corinth, Ephesus, Patmos, Santorini and Athens.   

2020 EUROPEAN TRIP & OBERAMMERGAU is an 11 Day Classic Classic European Tour (September 20-30, 2020) which will include Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, Nurnberg, Rothenburg, Heidleberg, a Rhine River Cruise, the Neuschwanstein Castle and culminating in Oberammergau for the 2020 production of the Passion Play.
The Passion Play is produced by the citizens of the Village of Oberammergau every ten years in thanksgiving to the Lord for keeping the Black Plague away from them ever since 1634. See Pastor Kinne for more information or to sign up for the trip. PastorKinne@StMattsOnline.com or 224-360-2629.
DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES
Taking Faith Home is available each week in the service folder. It is also sent via email each Friday afternoon.

Monday Bible Study Leader Tim Hetzner also offers a daily devotional via email here .
 
In My Father’s Footsteps is provided by Pastor Blonski and is a bi-weekly devotion available via email here .
A new devotional book written by Pastor Blonski is available! Music from the Manger is a book of 37 stories that tell how some of the beloved Christmas carols and hymns came to be, and how other music was inspired to re-tell the old, old, story of God’s love for us in the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ. There will be copies available in the church office starting the weekend after Thanksgiving. You can order a copy through Amazon here . There is also a Kindle version you can download immediately here .
NEWS FROM THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

This week our Emerging Skills and Interests were: The History of Thanksgiving. The Letter of the Week was "K".
The theme for Show & Share was items beginning with the letter “K”. 
In our Religious Studies, we learned about Hannah's Prayer.
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held at the beginning of the upcoming week, followed by Thanksgiving Break. School will resume of Monday, November 26.
Happy Thanksgiving to all our families and friends of St. Matthew Early Childhood Center.
See what we’ve been learning about on the school’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stmattslutheranpreschool/

Important Dates:
November 19 & 20 Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School or Extended Care)
November 21-23 Thanksgiving Holidays (No School or Extended Care)
December 8 – Breakfast with Santa 9:00 am - 11:00 am
December 15 – A Charlie Brown Christmas Event – 4:00 pm
December 21 – Christmas Chapel / Birthday Party for Jesus 10:00 am
December 21 – Early Dismissal – 11:00 am (No Extended Care)
Chapel Offerings
The chapel offerings collect each week will be for 'Rebecca's Garden of Hope.' This is a recognized service organization for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod that reaches out to children with tutoring and mentoring services as they share the love of Jesus.