eNews
SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2021
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Regarding COVID Protocol Changes
Last Monday, based on government changes made a few days prior, the Elders of St. Matthew decided that effective June 13, there will be a mask-optional, not social distance seating section provided in worship for those that have been fully vaccinated (see article below). That section will be on the left side (as you face the front).
Then on Thursday, the governor announced additional changes for June and July, the details of which will be forthcoming.
With all that in mind, we offer these two pieces of pastoral counsel: First, please be patient in this fluid situation as the Elders seek to transition to post-COVID worship in a way that is safe and cares for all. Second, there are precious people of God on both sides of the mask and vaccination issues. Let’s love one another and not let this divide us.
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Masks In Worship
Recently the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) changed their mask guidance and our state changed its face mask order. In view of that and after much prayer and discussion, the Elders of St. Matthew decided the following:
- Provided there are no governmental changes regarding masks, effective June 13th, a mask-optional section will be provided in worship services for those that have been fully vaccinated. This date gives time for those who have recently become eligible for vaccination to complete the process. The Board of Elders recommends that people become vaccinated as they become eligible.
- The mask optional sections need not be social distanced [in seating].
- Out of an abundance of Christian love and sacrifice, volunteers assisting in worship services will continue to wear masks. Gloves are no longer necessary effective immediately.
God-willing, there will be additional steps of post-pandemic normalcy in worship in the weeks and months to come.
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Worship and Bible Study Schedule
Walled Lake Campus
- 8:15am Blended Worship in Main Worship Center
- 11am Prayer & Praise Worship in Gym
Wixom Campus
- 9am Sunday New Vintage Worship
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Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/799892892 - Meeting ID 799-892-892
- Facebook
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Telephone: 1-877-853-5257 ID: 799-892-892 followed by "#"
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Recordings available on YouTube, Facebook, and Website
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Current Topic: Gospel of Luke (Read online HERE)
- Format: Pastor led via Zoom with lecture and group discussion
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Zoom Link: Click HERE or use Meeting ID 896 5949 4535 with passcode 149356
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Recordings of previous weeks: On YouTube
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This Week's Study Guide (click HERE for previous Study Guides)
- May 23, 2021
Communion Schedule
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New Vintage and Prayer & Praise: Second Sunday of the month - June 13
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Blended: Third Sunday of the month - June 20
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Next Drive In Communion - First Wednesday of the month, Walled Lake Campus - Wednesday, June 2 at 7pm in the Walled Lake Campus parking lot. Bring your cell phone. Follow instructions upon arrival.
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Upcoming Schedule
at the Walled Lake Campus unless otherwise indicated
- June 1 - School Graduation
- June 2 at 7pm - Drive In Communion
- June 3 7-9pm Ministry Team Leader Meeting
- June 9 - Last Half Day of School
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June 22, 5:30-8pm - Summer Family Night #1
- June 27 Outdoor worship and church picnic CANCELLED
- Week of June 28 - gym floor refinished
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July 13, 5:30-8pm - Summer Family Night #2
- July 17 Blood Drive at Wixom
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August 17, 5:30-8pm - Summer Family Night #3
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NEW - Important Special Congregational Assemblies, June 6 and 27 - There will be special Congregational Assembly zoom meeting on June 6 1pm to present a Non-Called Teacher Proposal to the Congregational Assembly, including “reading” the proposed change to the Constitution and Bylaws. (It is acknowledged that June 6 is graduation for many high schools. If you have questions or comments, please contact the school office.) Then there will be another special Congregational Assembly zoom meeting at 1pm on June 27 to act on the proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws. Here are the proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws: Constitution Article VI . And here are the added SBM responsibilities in Bylaw I.D.2.a 3.F and 3.G HERE
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NEW - Join St. Matthew Team World Vision with Thomas Czinder - Find out more on June 2 at 7pm - In April as a church we walked the Matthew 25 Challenge and had our hearts break for what breaks God's heart. Through these challenges, whether it was skipping a meal, sleeping on the floor, or wearing the same clothes for two days, God opened up the hearts of the people at St. Matthew to sponsor 110 children in Zambia--bringing fullness of life and hope to so many!
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Now we’d like to invite you to consider joining the St. Matthew Team World Vision team as we continue to impact children around the world! Join Thomas Czinder and World Vision staff member Kelly Natelborg for a 15-minute Zoom call on Wednesday, June 2nd at 7pm to learn more about how you can train for the Detroit Free Press Marathon or Half Marathon this October to bring clean water to some of the world’s most vulnerable.
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If you saw the word “marathon” and are tempted to think this isn’t for you, think again! This is not a runner thing, this is an “I want to change the world thing”. Click to join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86817203005 or head over to st-matthew.org/WorldVision to join the team!
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NEW - Church Picnic Cancelled - Because of pandemic related issues, the Walled Lake campus will not be offering a church picnic or outdoor worship service on June 27. The regular pandemic worship schedule will continue on that day.
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Memorial Service for Linda Willmann - There will be a Memorial Service for Linda Willmann at 7pm on Friday, June 4 at the Walled Lake campus main worship center.
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VBS 2021 - FAQs - Click HERE!
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Backyard VBS! Online VBS with take home supply kits available! Invite friends and neighbors!
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Summer Family Nights Tuesdays, 5:30-8:30pm
- June 22
- July 13
- August 17
- Volunteer sign up is NOW OPEN for Backyard VBS and Summer Family Nights! Please prayerfully consider where you might be able serve!
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For details on Backyard VBS and Summer Family Nights click HERE!
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St. Paul Community Lutheran Church, Pontiac - Along with other area churches, St. Matthew has been a long-time ministry supporter of St. Paul Community Lutheran Church in Pontiac in its mission to share God's Word and love with people in the diverse Pontiac community. Pastor Chris Jung has served St. Paul as pastor since January of 2020, and he has provided us with some ways that our St. Matthew family can help with his efforts. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this very important mission. Read more about projects they need help with HERE or donate directly to the St. Paul Food Pantry through their Amazon Wish List.
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Clay Donnell leads our St. Matthew Missions Team, and has faithfully served as our liaison to St. Paul. Please contact him if he can provide any guidance or details on the projects or service opportunities with St. Paul. His cell number is 810-560-1485 and he is always happy to assist our own St. Matthew community in helping St. Paul's mission in the Pontiac area. We praise and thank God for Clay and his heart to serve!
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Positions Available! See the Employment Opportunities section below or visit st-matthew.org/employment for position openings at St. Matthew.
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Building Safety School has started and our buildings still remain closed for walk-in visitors during the week. IMPORTANT: Anyone wishing to meet with a staff member should contact that staff member directly or the church office to schedule a time to enter and meet. Proper entrance protocols will be adhered to at that time (including temperature taken, exposure evaluated, etc.). Thank you for your patience as we work very hard to keep everyone safe!
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NEW! School Kids Care Positions St. Matthew Lutheran School is looking for the following positions for the 2021/2022 School Year. Prerequisites are that you love Jesus and working with a small group of children! For more information, please contact Mrs. Palka at sue.palka@st-matthew.org or 248-624-7677.
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Morning Kids Care Director - Hours are 6:45-8am every school day.
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After School Kids Care Director - Hours are 3:30-6pm every school day.
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After School Kids Care Assistant - Hours are 3:30-5:30pm every school day.
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International Friends Survival Class Teacher Joann Wiliford has been a blessing to the International Ministry for many years and we are super thankful to her for stepping into the Interim Survival Classes Teacher position under some very challenging circumstances this past year. We are now able to offer this position as a hire. So if you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this position and the amazing ministry that God does, please contact Rebecca Masters (rebecca.masters@st-matthew.org). For a Ministry Description and Application, click HERE or visit the Welcome Center.
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Administrative Assistant at the Walled Lake campus. We are currently accepting applications for a part time Administrative Assistant for the Walled Lake campus. Primary duties include the Welcome Desk, and working with the Minister to Children and Families and Minister to Youth. A full ministry position description and application are available HERE or at the Welcome Center of either campus. Applications are due to the church office by Friday, June 4. Please contact john.welte@st-matthew.org with any questions.
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Nursery Coordinator for the Walled Lake campus. We are currently accepting applications for a part time Nursery Coordinator beginning in August. Primary responsibilities include overseeing the nursery at the Walled Campus for International Ministry, Sunday morning, and special events. A full ministry description and application are available HERE or at the Welcome Center at either campus. Contact john.welte@st-matthew.org with any questions.
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Wixom Office Manager - The Wixom Office Manager position is open for application. Please read the job description HERE. Prayerfully consider the position and share with friends and family.
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Wixom Worship Leader and Technology Coordinator The Executive Board approved the hiring of a full-time Wixom Worship position. The ministry description has been updated and re-titled as “Wixom Worship Leader and Technology Coordinator". The ministry description and employment application are available HERE or at the Welcome Centers at both the Walled Lake and Wixom campuses. Please submit applications to the church office churchoffice@st-matthew.org or to the office at either campus.
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Hearts & Hands Infant and Preschool Child Care Givers Applications are currently accepted for Infant and Preschool Caregivers. Part-time, Monday thru Friday afternoon. If interested, please contact Ronda Coe at 248.624.9525 or Ronda.Coe@st-matthew.org.
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General Communications: hello@st-matthew.org / leave message at 248-624-7676
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Read Previous eNews: Click HERE
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Facebook Devotions: Click HERE
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Prayer Requests: prayer@st-matthew.org
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Giving: st-matthew.org/give or mail your check
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Updates to Contact Info: updates@st-matthew.org
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School
A Severe Case of Puppy Love!
by Sue Palka
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.”
John 10:27-30
I answered my daughter’s FaceTime call a few weeks ago and was greeted with the opening statement: “I’ve got something to show you and don’t try to change my mind because I’ve already paid for it. Read more HERE
Important Links:
Registration is now open
for the 2021/2022 School Year!
248-624-7677
admissions@st-matthew.org
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Hearts & Hands
Employment Opportunities!
We are in need of Infant and Preschool Child Caregivers.
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International Ministry
Employment Opportunity
We are currently accepting applications for a Survival Class Teacher for our International Friends ministry. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this position and the amazing ministry that God does, please contact Rebecca Masters (rebecca.masters@st-matthew.org).
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Children's & Family
Ministry
dawn.rupe@st-matthew.org
VBS 2021
Host a neighborhood VBS!
Have VBS time with your kids!
Sign up for a take-home kit.
Find a volunteer opportunity.
We are here to support you as you share God's love.
5:30-8:30pm
Tuesday, June 22
Tuesday, July 13
Tuesday, August 17
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Middle School
Youth Ministry
See full details at
Middle School
Wild Wednesday
May 26, 7-8:30pm
Walled Lake Campus Gym
Confirmation Parent Information
Please contact John Welte at john.welte@st-matthew.org.
Wanted: Email Addresses
Email john.welte@st-matthew.org to have 6th-8th graders added or deleted from the weekly update.
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High School
Youth Ministry
See full details at
High School
Sunday Night Gathering
May 23, 7-8:30pm
Walled Lake Campus Gym
High School
Ohio Summer Mission Trip
July 18-24
College Age
Summer Mission Trip
August 1-7
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Other Ministry Events and Updates
Click links for details on our website
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Month of May: We are working on Step 5: We Admitted to ourselves, to God, and to someone else we trust, the exact Nature of our wrongs.
- Contact: Ryan Main at MenofGod@st-matthew.org
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Details: www.st-matthew.org/men
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Thanks:
- Improved health for Kaleb
Ministry:
- For ongoing protection of the ministry, staff and participants from COVID-19
- Guidance in filling vacant staff positions
- For persecuted Christians in Russian Federation
Homebound Member of the Week:
Mission:
- For the work of St. Paul, Pontiac
Government, Country and World:
- For those who work in the auto industry
- For peace in the Middle East
Sick or Hospitalized:
- Braedon Breeding
- Marge Bettinger
- Randy Tyler
- Nicole (Zehel) Gardner
- Marsha Bauer
- Ed, Glory, Lauren, Bev, Sean, Emily and unborn baby
- Doris, mother-in-law of Marilyn. Chrzanowski
- Friend of Todd Breen
- Andrew
- Those with COVID
Other:
Grief:
- For a family that has recently lost their mother.
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Attendance
Sunday, May 16, 2021
8:15am Blended: 78
9am New Vintage: 78
11am Prayer & Praise: 73
1pm Confirmation: 44
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Financial Stewardship
Walled Lake and Wixom Campuses
July 1, 2020 through May 17, 2021
Actual year to date Offerings $1,697,603
Budget year to date Offerings $1,564,717
Year to date variance $132,886
Thank you for your support of ministry through online giving or mailing your checks.
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Lutheran High Northwest and Lutheran High Westland Registration Now Open! Looking for an outstanding Christian high school option for your son or daughter or know someone who is? Lutheran High Northwest and Lutheran High Westland are now accepting applications for new students for Fall 2021! For more information, or to apply click below:
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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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