eNews SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2020

Worship Schedule and Details

Sunday Zoom worship link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/799892892 If you have not done so yet, please RSVP HERE for Christmas Eve worship if you plan to attend. Your registration will help us to plan! RSVP is not needed for online worship, Christmas Day or New Year's Eve services. Our online Christmas Eve worship options, including our School Service, Family Service, and Traditional Service will be provided "on demand" on our YouTube channel HERE and website st-matthew.org/ChristmasOnline, not on Zoom. See details below. In-Person Christmas Day and New Year's Eve in-person worship will be livestreamed on Zoom (see below). Thank you for your patience as we move forward with new technology! Baptism this weekend: Storm Ivy Walters, daughter of William Richard Walters III and Bridget Marie Retelle This weekend we continue the season of Advent, as our Sunday services follow the candles of the Advent wreath, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Christ. Sunday in-person and online worship will continue as scheduled. There is no mid-week service this Wednesday, Dec. 23. For those attending in-person worship, please see in-person worship protocols below, and please note the mask requirement for worship and other church events. The Advent, Christmas, and New Year's Eve worship schedule is listed below. You may always access the most up to date Christmas information on our website at www.st-matthew.org/Christmas. No in person classes and group gatherings are being held at this time. Walled Lake Campus 8:15am Blended Worship in Main Worship Center (Communion) 11am Prayer & Praise Worship in Gym Wixom Campus 9am Sunday New Vintage Worship Sunday Online Worship 9:30am Sunday - Chat together starting at 9:20am! Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/799892892 - Meeting ID 799-892-892 Facebook Telephone: 1-877-853-5257 ID: 799-892-892 followed by "#" Recordings available on YouTube, Facebook, and Website Please share our worship link on social media and with family and friends! Communion Schedule New Vintage and Prayer & Praise: Second Sunday of the month - Jan. 10 Blended: Third Sunday of the month - Dec. 20 Next Drive In Communion - First Wednesday of the month, Walled Lake Campus Wednesday, January 6 at 7pm in the Walled Lake Campus parking lot. Bring your cell phone. Follow instructions upon arrival.

Christmas and Holiday Worship Schedule st-matthew.org/Christmas Come hear the Good News! This year we are offering both in person and online options for Christmas Eve worship, and we want to share God's message of love and salvation with you! Online Worship - st-matthew.org/ChristmasOnline Our online worship services will be on demand on YouTube, to be watched at a time that you plan with your family. If you are able, schedule a time with your family, friends, or small group, and watch as a community. Links will be available at st-matthew.org/ChristmasOnline and will be emailed as we approach Christmas Eve. We will offer the following online worship opportunities: School Christmas Service - ONLINE NOW and on our website HERE Family Christmas Eve Worship Traditional Christmas Eve Worship In-Person Worship - Christmas Eve, December 24 (Please RSVP!) We will have in-person Christmas Eve worship at both the Walled Lake and Wixom Campuses, with Traditional and Contemporary options, and we are asking for RSVP's HERE to assist us in planning. We will offer the following in-person worship opportunities on Christmas Eve: 1pm Contemporary Christmas Service in the Walled Lake Campus gym 4pm Contemporary Christmas Service at the Wixom Campus 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, 10pm Traditional Christmas Service in the Walled Lake Campus main worship center (10pm with communion) Out of concern for your health and safety, the amount of available seating, music, and singing will be limited. Please plan to enter, exit, and worship in a socially distanced manner. Also please note that masks will be required. In order to adequately prepare for the possible need for overflow seating, you are asked to RSVP for in-person Christmas Eve worship. Please RSVP HERE to let us know how many will be attending. We look forward to worshiping with you! Christmas Day and New Year's Eve - in-person and livestream We will offer the following in-person services at our Walled Lake Campus. RSVP is not needed for these services. We will also provide a Zoom livestream for those wanting to join online. 11am Christmas Day, December 25 - In-Person with Livestream available Livestream on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82457287875 , ID 824 5728 7875 Telephone: 1-877-853-5257, ID: 824 5728 7875 followed by "#" 7pm New Year's Eve, December 31 - In-Person with Livestream available Livestream on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82457287875 , ID 824 5728 7875 Telephone: 1-877-853-5257, ID: 824 5728 7875 followed by "#"

Ministry Highlights

Family Christmas Worship Online This year has given us some interesting opportunities in worship and as families. We are excited to give all of you at both campuses a chance to worship and participate as a whole family in your own home. This is a great opportunity if you never got the part you wanted in the Christmas program growing up! You can even watch it with family or friends that are farther away and worship "together." Have some paper and coloring supplies available for everyone, and join us as we travel to Bethlehem together. The video will be available to stream before Christmas. You will receive another email with the link when the video is available. You can check st-matthew.org/ChristmasOnline for all of our online worship opportunities. We can't wait to celebrate with you in your homes! - Ms. Dawn Rupe, Minister of Children and Families, dawn.rupe@st-matthew.org Caution Regarding Email and Texting Scams Please be aware that some members have been receiving "phishing" emails and texts from someone pretending to be "Rev. Paul M. Moldenhauer" or other staff members. These messages originate from email addresses and phone numbers not associated with St. Matthew in any way. These people have creative ways of finding out who is associated with St. Matthew and searching out their contact information. Please know that we will never send you a personal email or a text asking you for gift cards or money. Please protect yourself and do not respond to them. Mark these messages as "spam" or "phishing" and delete them. We appreciate you letting us know that you receive them so we can alert other members to use caution and be aware. If there is ever a question, do not hesitate to contact the church office. 2021 Offering Envelopes are now available! They will be available from Elders during worship and from office staff during regular weekday business hours, Monday through Friday 8am - 4pm. Please see an Elder during worship or come to the main entrance during the week, let us know your name, and we will get your envelopes for you. Thank you for your patience with the revised process. If you do not want your envelopes for the coming year, please let the church office know by calling 248-624-7676 or emailing denise.fannon@st-matthew.org. Christmas Dedications (replacing poinsettia orders) This year, instead of offering members the opportunity to purchase poinsettias with a dedication, we will offer a similar opportunity to provide a dedication in honor of, in memory of, or in celebration of loved ones or an occasion by making a donation of any amount to our Community Assistance (Alms) fund. (Our worship ministry has purchased the poinsettias to decorate our worship spaces for Christmas, so you will still enjoy the beauty of the flowers when you worship!) Please complete the form at st-matthew.org/ChristmasDedication, and plan to give the dollar amount of your choice in any of the usual ways that you may give to St. Matthew: online at www.st-matthew.org/give in the offering plate, or by dropping off your gift at the church.  Please indicate in the memo or label the envelope "CHRISTMAS DEDICATION". Please have your dedications to us by December 20th. Thank you for your Christmas Dedication and for supporting our Community Assistance ministry. Keep showing God's love to one another during this difficult time! Questions: Please contact the church office at 248-624-7676 or hello@st-matthew.org. St. Paul Pontiac Pantry Needs - The pandemic has created the opportunity to think differently in how we can meet the needs of people in our community. One of the regular missions that St. Matthew supports is St. Paul Pontiac, which has a pantry to help those in the Pontiac area. St. Paul has created and shared their pantry needs with us through an Amazon Wish List HERE, which will allow you to see what their current needs are, and purchase them directly. Please consider supporting St. Paul during this season! Contact the St. Paul church office if you have any questions - stpauloffice1133@gmail.com . Important Information Regarding Protocols To read the entire email regarding current protocols, please click HERE. Please note that masks are now required in worship and other church events. 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!

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING MASKS Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the Elders have decided to require the wearing of masks by anyone attending any church event like worship, a funeral, or private baptism. This went into effect on Thanksgiving Eve. It means that we will no longer have a designated area for non-mask wearers because all are required to wear a mask for the entire worship service.  One personal, pastoral comment: While masks have been a controversial and divisive subject for many, may it not be among us followers of Jesus. The goal behind the mask requirement is the safety of all. May God guide and protect us throughout this pandemic season!   -- Pastor Paul

Holiday Schedule and Upcoming Events www.st-matthew.org/Christmas

December 23-January 3 - School Christmas Break   December 23 - No Advent Service  December 24 - Christmas Eve Please RSVP HERE (online services will also be available on our YouTube channel HERE and website HERE) 1pm Contemporary Christmas Eve worship in Walled Lake gym   4 pm Wixom Contemporary Christmas Eve worship with Communion  3pm, 5pm, 7pm & 10pm pm Traditional Christmas Eve worship in Walled Lake main worship center (10pm with communion) Online options are available at st-matthew.org/ChristmasOnline December 25, 11am - Christmas Day Festival Worship Walled Lake with communion - Livestream will be available on Zoom December 25 - Church Office Closed December 27 - Regular Sunday worship December 31, 7pm - New Years Eve Worship with Communion at Walled Lake campus - Livestream will be available on Zoom December 31 and January 1 - Church Office Closed January 3 - Regular Sunday worship

“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

General Communications: hello@st-matthew.org / leave message at 248-624-7676 Read Previous eNews: Click HERE eNews Sign Up: st-matthew.org/signup Facebook Devotions: Click HERE Prayer Requests: prayer@st-matthew.org Giving: st-matthew.org/give or mail your check Updates to Contact Info: updates@st-matthew.org Share Photos for eNews consideration: photos@st-matthew.org

Ministries

School schooloffice@st-matthew.org Happy Birthday, Jesus! Please watch the School Christmas Service HERE! For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16 See more details in the School Newsletter HERE. Blog by Principal Sue Palka: Read HERE School Facebook Page Stay up to date on all the great things happening on our Facebook page. With God, all things are possible! Matthew 19:26 Pray for our staff, teachers, students, and families!

Hearts & Hands ronda.coe@st-matthew.org Employment Opportunities! We are in need of Infant and Preschool Child Caregivers. See the article below for details and email Ronda for more info! Praise God for opportunities to learn and grow as children of God in His amazing world!

International Ministry internationalfriends@st-matthew.org God is Working! Please check out this video to see what God has been doing in International Ministry for over 25 years!  CLICK HERE to see the impact this ministry makes on lives! If you are interested in checking us out, please contact Jan Roth (jan.roth@st-matthew.org) for any information about where to plug in.  Please continue to pray for our Team Members, Staff, and the International Friends and families we serve through this ministry.

Children's & Family Ministry childrensministry@st-matthew.org dawn.rupe@st-matthew.org Let's Get Together! Right now there are MANY opportunities to "get together" as much as we are able to celebrate the Savior's birth. Here are a few and there will be links and more information in an email. If you'd like to be on the email list for Children's (birth-Grade 5) and Family events and activities, please email Dawn Rupe at dawn.rupe@st-matthew.org. Zoom Christmas Parties Sunday, December 20 (Email Dawn for the link.) 12:30-1:00 p.m. Lego Christmas Build Party Have your legos ready! 1:30-2:15 p.m. Christmas Games Party 2:45-3:00 p.m. Christmas Story Time Party 3:35-4:15 p.m. 3rd-5th Grade BINGO Christmas Party - a BINGO card will be sent to you to fill out before we start! The 12 Days of Christmas! A bag filled with activities, treats, devotions and more fun that starts on Christmas Day. To request a bag, email Dawn BY 12/22 with the names and ages of your children. REMEMBER to email Dawn Rupe for the links! Merry Christmas! ALSO watch your email for the link to our Family Christmas Service!

Middle School Youth Ministry john.welte@st-matthew.org Confirmation Parent Information for the 2020-2021 School Year If you have a child entering Seventh Grade or Higher who has not started the confirmation process and would like to learn about our confirmation process please contact John Welte at john.welte@st-matthew.org. Middle School Zoom Christmas Party Sunday December 20, 4-5 PM Join us for Christmas games, a virtual white elephant gift exchange, and of course a chance to visit with friends.   Click HERE to join. Meeting ID: 884 2754 4733 Passcode: 365639

High School Youth Ministry john.welte@st-matthew.org. If you should have any questions please contact John Welte at john.welte@st-matthew.org. High School Zoom Christmas Party Sunday Dec. 20, 7-8 PM This will be a time of crazy games and competitions, talking with friends, and of course a virtual white elephant gift exchange with a twist. Click HERE to join. Meeting ID: 810 6486 0149 Passcode: 411000

Other Ministry Events and Updates MENS MINISTRY Wednesday Morning Bible Study on Zoom The Wednesday morning Men's Bible Study group is now meeting on Zoom from 8:00-9:00am each Wednesday and would like to invite any interested men to join them for a study on the Book of Ezekiel. Contact Lavern Kruse at lavern.kruse@gmail.com or text at 248-756-0848 if you have any questions or would like to join the group. WOMEN'S MINISTRY Monday Bible Study on Zoom The Women's Bible Study will be meeting Mondays on Zoom. Please contact Vicki Grocki to sign up: tbearpicnic@msn.com . UPDATE 12/9: SENIOR MINISTRY: Check out the Senior Ministry Winter Newsletter HERE UPDATE 12/9: The Senior Bible Class (Open to all "Young at Heart" Seniors) is currently meeting every Monday, by Zoom beginning at 10:00 for conversation until 10:30. The study time is from 10:30-11:30 by Zoom. In December we are using a video-based study on Advent. On January 11, we will begin studying the Book of Romans. This is a great opportunity for fellowship with other Seniors, and also be in God's Word, especially during this unusual time, when Covid is still looming around us. You can register by going to www.st-matthew.org/SeniorBibleClass or by texting or calling Lavern at 248-756-0848. 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 December 20 Thanks: For improved health for the Pastor of Living Water Lutheran Cherokee Church Ministry: For persecuted Christians in China Homebound Member of the Week: Joan Geary Mission: For the advancement of the movement of Jesus in hearts around the world Government, Country and World: God’s protection from the pandemic during the holidays Sick or Hospitalized: Dylan Findling Randy Tyler Natalie Kottman Joyce and Mike Schonsheck  Arnold Schonsheck Sister of Elaine Olson Gail, cousin of Nancy Troyanek Those with COVID Dave Email Prayer Requests to prayer@st-matthew.org

Attendance - December 13, 2020 8:15am Blended: 65 9am New Vintage: 46 11am Prayer & Praise: 76 9:30am Online: 400-500 7pm Wed. Advent in person: 40 100-200 online: Financial Stewardship Thank you for your support of ministry through online giving or mailing your checks. www.st-matthew.org/give Walled Lake and Wixom Campuses July 1, 2020 through December 14, 2020 Actual year to date Offerings     $824,831 Budget year to date Offerings     $763,426 Year to date variance            $61,405

Employment Opportunities

WIXOM WORSHIP AND MEDIA COORDINATOR St. Matthew is seeking a Worship and Media Coordinator. This is a full-time position with benefits. Responsibilities include leading contemporary worship at our Wixom campus and providing media and tech support for both our Wixom and Walled Lake campuses. Click the links for the ministry description HERE and employment application HERE or pick up copies at the Welcome Centers of either campus. Please pass this along to anyone who you know might be interested; or contact the church office 248-624-7676 if you have any names for us to consider. CUSTODIAL: 2 part-time cleaning staff positions. Contact WillieMae Thomas 248-688-4650 for information and to apply. Mornings 10-2p.m. Monday-Friday. Evenings after 4pm. Details are flexible based on individual. NURSERY: Part Time Nursery Coordination Position Available St. Matthew is hiring a part time Nursery Coordinator (20 hours per week for 31 weeks). Click links for a full ministry description and application. Info is also available from the Welcome Center at both campuses or by emailing john.welte@st-matthew.org . Nursery Workers Needed as we look forward to beginning the 2020-2021 International Ministry season we are in need of additional part time Nursery Workers. Click links for a full ministry description and application. Info is also available at both campus Welcome Centers or by emailing john.welte@st-matthew.org.  HEARTS & HANDS: Infant & Preschool Child Caregivers - Hearts and Hands - Wixom Campus St. Matthew - Hearts and Hands Christian Child Care Center is open and caring for children, Infant thru Preschool. 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.

Connect with Us

Church Email Church Website Church Facebook Church Newsletter - sign up Sermons Online RightNow Media Access Online Giving Update Contact Info Prayer Requests hello@st-matthew.org

School Email School Website School Facebook School Principal Blog Preschool Facebook schooloffice@st-matthew.org

Hearts & Hands Email Hearts & Hands Website ronda.coe@st-matthew.org nancy.cushman@st-matthew.org International Friends Email International Friends Website

Resources Advent Devotions - Please click HERE to sign up to receive Advent devotions by email or online. We do have printed booklets available to be picked up after worship or from the box outside the front door. You may click HERE to print your own booklet. RightNowMedia is a great resource for video Bible Studies! Sign up FREE through our website www.st-matthew.org/RightNowMedia . Lutheran Hour Ministries has daily radio broadcasts, podcasts, devotions, and many other resources! See everything at www.lhm.org Portals of Prayer are available in the bin outside the main entrance at the Walled Lake Campus. They are also available for personal purchase from the CPH website HERE.

IN-PERSON WORSHIP PROTOCOLS Click the link HERE to read protocols for in-person worship. In addition, a new mask requirement is in effect starting with Thanksgiving Eve worship.

Reminders Did you miss it? If you missed our previous eNews, here are a few reminders: Thanksgiving Feast 2020 Pandemic Style THANK YOU! While we knew we couldn’t host the typical Thanksgiving Feast we usually host, God still worked through our church to turn it into a big success! 27 boxes of food were prepared for 68 people. These are houses and people who would not have been helped without the wonderful donations and volunteers from St. Matthew! Any leftover food will be delivered to our partner church, St. Paul in Pontiac. Thanks again to everyone who donated or volunteered in any way! In the midst of a pandemic, our church still saw the need to be Jesus’ hands and feet to people in need. Thanks be to God for working through us. Christmas Community Assistance 2020 The final day for holiday assistance requests will be December 11. If you are in need or know of someone who is, please contact the church office at 248-624-7676 or churchoffice@st-matthew.org. St. Matthew is providing assistance to families this Christmas season, as we have in years past. However, we will be modifying our procedure for the 2020 year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Rather than shopping directly for families or setting up a Giving Tree, we are limiting donations to cash and checks for our Community Assistance fund, or gift cards to major grocery stores in $50 denominations or less (Meijer, Walmart, Target) so that our families can use them for whatever they need (food, jackets, toys, etc.). If you would like to contribute, please give online, mail your check, or place an envelope with your donation or gift cards in the offering plate or Sue Baglow’s black box. Please use the memo or label “Christmas Community Assistance”. If possible, please do so on Sunday during worship. If dropping off during the week, please come during regular business hours 8a-4p when someone can meet you at the door and receive your donation. Please ensure we receive your donation by December 6. In addition, our affiliate ministries such as Hospitality House’s Santa Shop and Wellspring Ministries are only accepting direct monetary donations. If you are led to give to them, please do so by following the links below: Hospitality House: https://www.hhfp.org/ Wellspring: https://wellspringlutheran.com/ Please note that St. Matthew is committed to serving community families. If you are in any need or know someone who is, please contact us at the church office 248-624-7676 or by email at churchoffice@st-matthew.org, and we will confidentially pass along the information and needs to our Community Assistance Team. 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. Photos?? Do you have photos from St. Matthew events to share with our congregation? Please email them to photos@st-matthew.org and we will consider sharing them in the eNews!

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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 www.st-matthew.org