eNews and Messenger
SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020
St. Matthew Family and Friends,

Our hope and prayer is that, during this time of difficult disconnect, we can help you feel just a little more connected to your church family. God has wired us for connection. We pray that knowing a little of what's happening around St. Matthew will help you feel a bit of the connection that you might be missing. Be blessed, friends!

  • Sunday Worship - We continue Zoom worship this Sunday with our series "Life at Home". Miss Dawn will be providing the Children's Message and we will be blessed with some beautiful musical offerings! We hope you can join us online starting at 9:20am for 10 minutes of fellowship chat before service. Click HERE for the worship link.
  • We know people are looking forward to gathering together again for worship. Pray for our leadership and staff as we work on all of the plans to make that happen at a time that is right for St. Matthew, with safety measures in place, with staffing and volunteers ready, and with the ability to continue online and telephone worship for those unable or not ready to return. In the meantime, we are working on projects behind the scenes and around our buildings (many necessary projects and many very exciting projects - stay tuned!) as we prepare to welcome you back. In the meantime HERE are some pictures taken of our campuses for you to enjoy.

  • Yay God! - Drive-In Communion on Wednesday - Praise God for a blessed Drive-In Communion Service on Wednesday evening! We had 124 vehicles logged into Zoom for Pastor Michael's brief devotional service. Our Elders, Ushers and other Volunteers helped traffic flow, handed out flyers, Portals of Prayer, and Children's bags, distributed well over 200 communion baggies, and made the service run smoothly. Thank you to everyone who came and especially to all of our Staff and Volunteers for making this happen. God smiled on the weather and we pray it was a blessing to all who attended. See pictures HERE.

  • Excitement at the Reopening of Hearts & Hands! We are very thankful that our Child Development Center has reopened, and that we are able to provide care for children once again. The week started with excitement, with a sizable honey bee nest on the fence at the Wixom Campus. A bee keeper was called and he was able to move the queens and bees to a safe location. He was able to teach the children and staff all about the bees! God had some interesting educational plans this week! See pictures HERE.

  • Portals of Prayer Available - The new Portals of Prayer are available in the plastic bin outside the Main Sanctuary Entrance of the Walled Lake Campus. You may pick one up at any time. Hard copies of the eNews are also placed in there every Sunday. Stop by and see the beautiful flowers in our entry gardens!

  • Flood Buckets and Hygiene Kits - Collection Extended! We have had a tremendous response to the call for flood buckets and hygiene kits. LERT has been able to address the immediate need in the Midland area, but kits are still being collected and will be used. This effort has extended into our community, and we have been contacted that others are still organizing and putting kits together. Please email gail.adams@st-matthew.org if you are still planning to donate. The bin is still outside the main entrance of the Walled Lake Campus. See the original email HERE for details.

  • Thrivent Flooding Assistance Efforts is another way you can help - "As the Christian community comes together to pray for, and reach out to, the victims of the flooding, Thrivent is mobilizing its financial resources and members to help those in need. Thrivent members and others interested in learning ways to help with the recovery efforts are encouraged to visit www.thriventfinancial.com/member-network/great-lakes/impact-info/ Thank you for your support. Your commitment to living generously is appreciated."

There is so much I pray for these days.

Please share God's love with everyone around you.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)

Blessings,
Gail Adams
Office & Communications Manager
gail.adams@st-matthew.org

P.S. So much is happening behind the scenes around our buildings and we can't wait to share more info - stay tuned! We have had projects in the works for over a year that are finally coming to completion. God's timing and your continued support have made it possible to keep working on these projects! Thank you for your support and your patience!
Worship & Devotions
  • Worship - Sundays at 9:30am Online - Chat begins at 9:20!
  • Live Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/799892892
  • Phone in Live:
  • 1-877-853-5257
  • Webinar ID: 799-892-892 (followed by the "#" key)
  • Facebook Live - we always try to send the stream to FB Live, but Zoom is always more reliable. You do not need a Facebook account to watch live streams.
  • Recordings will be placed on our YouTube channel.
  • Sermon Series: Life at Home

Ministries
School

Graduation for
8th Grade and Kindergarten
Graduation for 8th Grade and Kindergarten will take place on June 15 via Zoom.
We are hoping to plan an in person event at a later date.

End of School Year
Teachers are starting to be allowed in the building to clean out classrooms. Students will be picking up their belongings next week.

Registration for 2020/2021 School Year
Registration is open for next school year!
Tuition assistance is available.
Read more in the School News HERE .

A great way to stay updated on all the great things happening is to Like our Facebook page .
Hearts & Hands

Exciting Reopening Week!
It was an exciting first week back at Hearts & Hands with unexpected bee swarms and a bee keeper lesson!

See more photos HERE .

We also planted seeds that will grow into a harvest of produce!

Praise God for these opportunities to learn and grow as children of God in His amazing world!
International Ministry

Classes Have Ended But
Ministry Continues
Even though classes have officially ended, some of the ladies in our International Friends classes have expressed the desire to continue meeting. There will be gatherings over Zoom and in person, as allowed, over the summer.
Some ladies who have returned back to Japan also wish to continue meeting.

Praise God that we are able to continue providing support and showing God's love through various means, including Zoom and other technology! Please pray that the seeds of God's love are planted in the hearts of these families.

Pray for the International Ministry as they discern what ministry will look like in the fall.
Children's Ministry
dawn.rupe@st-matthew.org

Devotions
These devotions are great for adults as well as kids!

From the June 4 Devotion:
Diamonds in the Making:
Carbon is a soft natural material, but it is also the raw material from which diamonds—the hardest substance on earth—are made. How does that happen? Diamonds are formed 75 to 120 miles below the earth’s surface. When carbon buried deep in the earth is put under extreme pressure, and when the temperature is at least 192 degrees Fahrenheit, the carbon changes into diamonds. Scientists discovered that there have been only three times during Earth’s history when diamonds were made...
Middle School
Youth Ministry

Calling all Future Sixth Graders you are invited to join us for all Middle School Events.  

Middle School Bible Class
“Reckless Love”
on RightNow Media.
This week watch “Skate Boarding with Bob Goff”.
Sign up for a free RightNow Media account HERE .

June 17 at 6pm
Bike Ride and
Diary Queen Run
Meet at On the Dunes on Haggerty Road ride the new MI Air Bike Path ending at DQ in Wixom. Cost of ice cream is your responsibility.  Helmets are recommended.  
-------------------------

PLEASE NOTE:
In accordance with current local, state and federal guidelines St. Matthew is beginning an intentional approach to start planning Youth Group and College Age Activities that allow us to meet together outside but still keep social distancing.  If you should have any questions please contact John Welte at john.welte@st-matthew.org .
High School
Youth Ministry

Calling all Future Freshman you are welcome to join us for both Middle and High School events (except for Mission Trip) as you begin the transition into High School.

High School Bible Class
“Reckless Love”
on RightNow Media.
This week watch “Skate Boarding with Bob Goff”.
Sign up for a free RightNow Media account HERE .

June 15,10am-Noon
High School Kayaking the Huron River
Meet at the drop in point off Glengary Road just North of the Proud Lake State Park headquarters (not Heavener’s). You will need to provide your own Kayak and life jacket. If you need to borrow a kayak contact John as he might be able to borrow a couple that can be used. 

High School Ohio Mission Trip July 19-25
is planned but may have to change or postpone due to the current pandemic. We have two spaces that are open and are first come first serve. Need an application or know an adult we should ask to help chaperone please email John at john.welte@st-matthew.org.
Click HERE for application and HERE for questions.
Other Ministry Events and Updates
College Age Kayaking the Huron River June 19, 10am-12pm We will meet at the drop in point off Glengary Road just North of the Proud Lake State Park headquarters (not Heavener’s).  You will need to provide your own Kayak and life jacket. Need to borrow a Kayak contact John as he might be able to borrow a couple that can be used.  

Celebrate Recovery at St. Matthew now has open share groups available online . They are gender specific groups. For more information, email us at CR@st-matthew.org
Prayers - Week of June 7
Thanks : For improved health for Randy
Ministry : For our new Wixom campus Pastor Austin Wellhousen to find a home; For the protection of St. Matthew staff who are working hard to maintain essential ministry; For persecuted Christians in Bhutan
Homebound Member of the Week: Marge Warden
Government, Country and World: God’s protection and will to be done in the corona virus situation; For our government leaders to make wise decisions; For the end of racism, violence and police brutality wherever it exists; For graduates at all levels whose school year ended unlike anything they imagined
Sick or Hospitalized: Dylan Findley; William Schulz; Mike Jeneary; Tim Kummer; Charlene McDonald
a member; Father of Anup Kurien; Eric, cousin of Jan Herrmann; Nephew of Wendy Scheiwe; Don
Other : For the challenge of setting up exchange students during this pandemic
Grief : For the family and friends of Lexi Simon

Email Prayer Requests to prayers@st-matthew.org
Attendance
Estimated number of people,
based on households watching live.
Recordings watched are even greater.

Sunday, May 31: 700-800 people estimated
Drive-In Communion: 124 log-ins, 228 distributed
Financial Stewardship
Thank you for your support of ministry!
Your generosity continues, even during these difficult times, and we are so thankful and blessed!

Due to staff vacations, financials are unavailable for this week. Praise God for the ability to take time off!

Please consider online giving:
or mail your check to the church.
Thanks to all of our NEW online givers! Your gifts are so appreciated!
Connect with Us
Resources
  • RightNowMedia is a great resource for video Bible Studies! Sign up FREE through our website www.st-matthew.org/RightNowMedia . There are some great new Bible studies being added.
  • The Bible Project is a great free resource to learn about God's Word! Take a look at the website HERE to see the short videos, listen to podcasts, and start seeing how the pieces of the Bible all fit together.
  • Lutheran Hour Ministries has daily radio broadcasts, podcasts, devotions, and many other resources! See everything at www.lhm.org
  • Portals of Prayer Digital Versions are available for personal purchase from the CPH website HERE. Portals of Prayer are also available in the plastic bin outside the main entrance of the Walled Lake Campus, if you would like to pick one up.
Reminders
Did you miss it?
If you missed our previous eNews, here are a few reminders:

  • Installation and Ordination Update for Austin We praise God and rejoice that seminarian Austin Wellhousen was assigned the Divine Call as our Wixom campus Associate Pastor. Austin and wife Claire are expecting their first child. Austin has classes through the end of June. They will move to Michigan in July. His ordination and installation at St. Matthew’s Wixom campus is now scheduled for Saturday, July 11 at 1pm.
  • Volunteers Needed for Midland Flood Relief Messiah Lutheran in Midland Michigan is organizing assistance for those impacted by the recent flooding. They are looking for volunteers to help with demolition and cleanup efforts (and other assistance). Currently they are sending volunteers to help at 2 homes every day. If you are interested in helping please email flood@MessiahBC.org or visit their website, https://messiah.website/ . Groups and teams are encouraged to sign up together, if you need assistance coordinating please contact Nate Bacon at n_bacon_1@yahoo.com .
  • Communications Requests As we continue to modify our Communications tools to serve our St. Matthew community better (eNews, website, etc.), please connect with the appropriate Ministry Leader to request to have information communicated out. They will then ensure that information is directed to the appropriate channels for communication. The Messenger on the website is no longer an effective communication tool. Please contact Ministry Leaders directly to discuss your needs. Thank you for your patience as we create a more effective process for Communications Requests, and the tools to make it happen.
  • Phone Calls! The church staff is continuing to check in on our members. Thank you for taking time to chat with us or respond to emails. We are going through our records and making phone calls. Thank you Denise denise.fannon@st-matthew.org and Natalie natalie.yanosy@st-matthew.org for caring for our people! Send them a note if you'd like to receive a call. We love hearing from you! If you are needing to get in touch with another member, or one of our Homebound members, they can help you do that as well. Please continue to care for one another, friends!
www.st-matthew.org
St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Walled Lake & Wixom
2040 S. Commerce Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390
48380 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI 48393