eNews and Messenger
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2020
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St. Matthew Family and Friends,
There is still a lot going on around here! Read on!
- 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.
- Upcoming Meetings
- Open Forum - Wednesday, May 27, 7pm - Zoom telephone/online meeting. Watch for links, ID, and password to come.
- Congregational Assembly - Sunday, May 31, 1pm - via Zoom. Watch for details, coming soon. The agenda includes:
- Proposed bylaw change (click HERE),
- Elections - Nominations:
- President: Dean Schenk; Gaylen McDonald
- Treasurer: Ken Palka
- Foundation Board: Karen Storck; Jenny Bacon; Lachelle Laney; Andrew Whitaker
- Executive Board (At Large): Carrie Herzog; Alex Kuisell; Laurie Schwandt
- Action on the proposed 2020-21 budget
- Approval of the previous minutes, and any items from members.
- Neighbors' Café Update: The Bridge Ministry has decided to suspend, for a short period of time, any efforts relating to Neighbors Café and focus on the immediate needs in our community created by Covid 19. Please read details HERE.
- Rise Up and Pray! Meals Delivered This week, meals were sent to various departments at all 14 hospitals, thanks to the generosity of Thrivent Financial and our congregational and school families! In fact, we are even able to send an additional 250 meals next week as well! When this endeavor is completed, over 850 workers will have received a meal as an expression of appreciation and Godly encouragement. See pictures and read details HERE.
- Printed eNews Available - We have printed out some copies of the eNews and placed them in the plastic bin outside of Walled Lake campus main entrance. If you know of someone who needs a printed copy, please pick one up. There are also Portals of Prayer booklets still in that bin as well, available to take.
- Reminders! If you scroll down to the bottom of this email, you can see some highlights and reminders from recent emails. We are trying to keep the most current information at the top, but you can look at the bottom for past, still current and important info.
We receive many emails and notes in the church office throughout the week.
Our staff is so grateful for you. Your encouraging words keep us going. Your care for others is humbling. Your concerns are taken to heart. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your encouragement, for your care and concerns, and for your God-filled love. Please continue to look for ways to love one another and lift each other up in prayer as His Church, friends.
As I read your emails, I really do pray for you and your family, for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being. I pray that you feel God's hand working in the midst of this mess, and that you feel His comfort, love and peace. Thank you for your patience as we do our best to respond during a very busy and interesting season in ministry!
Blessings,
Gail Adams
Office & Communications Manager
gail.adams@st-matthew.org
P.S. RightNow Media has some great, up to date material, applicable to the needs of our current situation. If you haven't signed up, please do! I have added the "Anxious for Nothing" by Max Lucado to my personal queue. It could be a blessing to many of us during this time. If you don't have a free RightNow Media account (our gift to you!)
Sign up HERE
or, if you're already signed up, see the Anxious for Nothing study
HERE
.
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- NEW! Sermon Series: Life at Home
- 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
- **Please make sure to press the # key after entering the Webinar ID to connect with worship.**
- 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.
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School
Rise Up and Pray
Meal Delivery
This week we delivered meals to local hospitals. Click
HERE
to read details and see pictures.
May 14
School Newsletter
Registration for 2020/2021 School Year is open.
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
.
Please keep our students, including our graduating 8th graders, and their families, in your prayers!
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Hearts & Hands
Special Delivery to
Essential Workers
The Hearts & Hands families delivered handmade cards and candy to the Wixom Police, Fire Station, and EMS workers, thanking them for their dedication to keeping us safe. Thanks, Essential Workers!
Ideas for Families!
Ronda is providing lots of great ideas for families to do while staying home on the private Hearts & Hands Facebook Group. Check out this great Kids Gallery Wall idea
HERE
!
Please keep staff and families in prayer!
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International Ministry
Bible Studies Continues
Bible Studies continue with a group of International ladies who are anxious to learn! The studies are uploaded to YouTube for those unable to attend on Zoom. Pray for the continued spread of God's word! God is planting seeds through us. Join in praying that our love will reflect God's love for all of His people!
Please keep these families in prayer as they face unique challenges.
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Children's Ministry
dawn.rupe@st-matthew.org
School Wednesday Devotion
Have you ever been afraid?
On Wednesday, Mrs. Rupe did an awesome devotion for school families and on Facebook. Please take a couple minutes to watch the devotion
HERE
.
Daily Devotions
These devotions are great for adults as well as kids!
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Middle School
Youth Ministry
Middle School Bible Class
“Reckless Love”
on RightNow Media
as part of Wild Wednesday.
This week watch episode 2 “Ice Climbing with Greg Boyd”.
Sign up for a free RightNow Media account
HERE
.
May 20
Wednesday Zoom Game Night
7:15pm
Join us for some crazy games with prizes, a chance to talk, and of course devotions.
Meeting ID: 859 0971 0072
Password: 391035
May 17 Confirmation
Has been postponed.
Those who have completed the requirements can speak with Mr. Welte regarding early communion.
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High School
Youth Ministry
High School Bible Class
“Reckless Love”
on RightNow Media
as part of SNG.
This week watch episode 2 “Ice Climbing with Greg Boyd”.
Sign up for a free RightNow Media account
HERE
.
May 17
Sunday Night Zoom Gathering 7pm
Short devotion, games, prizes, and a chance to catch up with each other.
Meeting ID:
828 6103 7958
Password:
677789
High School Ohio Mission Trip July 19-25
Mission Trip is still planned, but may have to change or postpone due to the current pandemic.
Contact John for applications, due May 17. We have space for up to 12 participants. Adult chaperones also needed.
Click
HERE
for application and
HERE
for questions.
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Other Ministry Events and Updates
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Celebrate Recovery
at St. Matthew now has open share groups available. They are gender specific groups. For more information, email us at
CR@st-matthew.org
NEW - Memorial Weekend Prayer Vigil by Michigan District LCMS
- May 22-25 Join us over Memorial Weekend as we give thanks and pray. Our prayers will petition God’s ongoing guidance and strength during the uncertain times we are currently experiencing. Find out more and sign up
HERE
.
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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 Ethiopia
Homebound Member of the Week:
Arnold & Mona Schonsheck
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 those whose have been laid off or lost income; For the protection of essential workers, first responders, health care workers, mail and grocery workers; For the protection of those whose businesses have reopened
Sick or Hospitalized:
Bill Wheeler; Larry Rourke; a member; Denny, father of Mike Yanosy; Doug; Pauline
Other:
For high school students who are taking AP tests online; For patience, endurance and trust in God during this prolonged “stay home”
Grief
: For the family and friends of Amber, friend of the Schlotta family
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Attendance
Estimated number of people,
based on households watching live.
Recordings watched are even greater.
Sunday, May 10: 800-900 people
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Financial Stewardship
Thank you for your support of ministry!
Your generosity continues, even during these difficult times, and we are so thankful and blessed!
Walled Lake and Wixom Campuses
July 1, 2019 through May 13, 2020
Actual year to date Offerings $1,668,922
Budget year to date Offerings $1,735,400
Year to date ($66,478)
Please consider online giving:
or mail your check to the church.
Thanks to all of our NEW online givers! Your gifts are so appreciated!
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- 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 animated videos, listen to podcasts, and start seeing how the pieces of the Bible all fit together. Don't be fooled by the animation. The videos provide great insight to adults, teens, and children, using visuals to reinforce the message.
- 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.
- ZOOM is a great tool for your Bible Studies, Groups, and Family gatherings. Our worship is protected from some of the security breaches you may have heard about. Please see this article HERE to help protect yourself from security concerns.
- 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.
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Reminders
Did you miss it?
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If you missed our previous eNews, here are a few reminders:
- Phone-In Difficulties? We have heard that some people are experiencing difficulty when trying to phone in and listen to worship. Please, as prompted by the message, make sure to press the # key after entering the Webinar ID. If you are still having difficulties, please call the church office, leave a message, and we will try to assist. Please check in on your loved ones and make sure they are connecting!
- Updated Zoom Worship link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/799892892 . Please use this link for worship. The webinar ID remains the same for joining and phone in.
- Zoom 5.0 upgrade. Zoom is making changes and updates! Everyone will need to upgrade their Zoom app to version 5.0 before May 30. Please take a moment to upgrade. The link is HERE.
- 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!
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St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Walled Lake & Wixom
2040 S. Commerce Road, Walled Lake, MI 48390
48380 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI 48393
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