A Message from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

Bishop Hanson talks about the November 4, elections, not taking sides, but reminding Lutherans of our call to responsible citizenship, among other things. Read his statement here.

Get Your Shoeboxes Ready!

After worship on Sunday, November 16, you're invited to participate in a very special Christmas gift-wrapping event!

The youth of Saint Matthew would like for you to join them in sharing the joy of Christmas with children in other parts of the world through Operation Christmas Child.

What is Operation Christmas Child? Here's a video that will tell you all about it:



And here's a video that will tell you how to pack your Christmas shoebox:



On Sunday night, our youth went to Walmart in order to put together sample shoeboxes. We bought plastic storage boxes about the size of shoeboxes, meaning that the recipients of the Operation Christmas Child gifts will be able to use the container for other purposes.

For more information on Operation Christmas Child, go here.

A Special Message from Pastor Mark

Dear Saint Matthew Friend:

"I wish I knew more about my faith"

I hear statements like this from Christians all the time.

They also say things like, "I wish that my children [or grandchildren] [or nieces and nephews] had a closer relationship with God."

At Saint Matthew, we try to address these very real concerns. We provide a variety of learning opportunities not just to fill people's heads with information, but to help them to live each day with confidence and hope and joy!

One of the missions of Christ's Church is to make disciples. That isn't just about evangelism, sharing the Good News with those outside of the fellowship of the church. It's also about growing in our own faith. That growth is something that mostly happens in our Monday through Saturday worlds, where followers of Jesus Christ face their daily ups and downs with faith, prayer, service, and immersion in the Bible.

But, if you're serious about your own growth as a Christian or the growth of the faith of the important children in your life, then we have some great opportunities to help you with that at Saint Matthew.

For example...

Sunday School kicks off its 2008-2009 program year tomorrow morning. There are classes for every age group. Adults start at 9:00/ Everybody else at 9:15. (If parents want to wait to show up for the adult class in the Luther Room until after their kids are in their classes, that's fine.)

Searching for the Truth, a six session class in which we compare our Christian faith to the beliefs of other world religions, begins on Monday, September 22. Each session will run from 7:00 to 8:30pm. (No class on September 29.) I've just been doing some work on this class and I'm getting really excited about it!To register, contact the church office at 385-2272.

Catechism is Saint Matthew's three-year program to prepare sixth, seventh, and eighth graders for their lives as adult Christians. The great thing is that we have several high school students who have decided that they want to be part of the class as well. If you have a young person in your life who would like to be part of this exploration of Christian belief, they can be registered by calling the church office at 385-2272. The first class for the 2008-2009 year happens on October 18, from 9:00am to 2:30pm. (Breakfast and lunch provided by parents on a voluntary basis.) We actually have a ton of fun in Catechism. Our focus this year will be on The Small Catechism by Martin Luther.

Watch for more opportunities for help with becoming more joyful and assured in your relationship with Jesus Christ!

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Mark

To Help You Prepare for Worship on Sunday

See here.

Last Sunday's Sermon...

is here.

More Mission Trip Pictures #6

To find out what Bailey, Jesse, and Pastor Mark are doing here, scroll down and read the post about Mel Trotter Ministries.

More Mission Trip Pictures #5

Jesse, taking a break from his endless sorting, shows how truly dangerous static cling can be.


Why is Garth Brooks sneering from Kylen's T-shirt? Doesn't he like the color of paint she's using?

More Mission Trip Pictures #4

Jacob and Fran (top and bottom pictures) joined Sam and John, along with folks from other congregations, in cleaning the Potter's House School in inner city Grand Rapids. The school began as a prayer, a dream, and a dare of faith with almost no cash. The school has continued to grow and bring the hope of Christ to a community that needs it more than most.

Our youth and adults were inspired by Potter's House.

They also worked very hard...including cleaning the entire building with paper towels!

More Mission Trip Pictures #3

Becky strikes a pose with her crew. They put in a full week at Mel Trotter Ministries.


Ask Hannah about her definition of tedium. It's bound to include as an example planting grass...one single blade at a time!

More Mission Trip Pictures #2

At the thrift store of Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, a number of Saint Matthew mission trip campers joined their work crews in sorting through donated shoes, articles of clothing, sporting goods, toys, books, and other items. Literally thousands of shoes, each needing to be paired together with rubber bands and classified, were poured out of boxes where campers did the tedious work on the loading dock.

Mel Trotter Ministries, named for the man who in the early part of the century led it, helps people addicted to alcohol and drugs to get a new start in life. It's done in complete reliance on Jesus Christ. You can learn more about Mel Trotter Ministries in the book, Man with a Mission: Mel Trotter and His Legacy for the Rescue Mission Movement.

More Mission Trip Pictures

Stephen on the job.

Kylen and fellow crew members showing off the muscles they developed from their service.

Mission Trip Picture #1

In June, eight youth and four adults from Saint Matthew participated in the Group Work Camps Foundation's 'Week of Hope' mission trip in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's one of a number of such mission trip camps run by Group each year. Our particular camp brought together sixty campers from four congregations from three states.

The daily routine included opening worship, work at various agencies, schools, and homes, daily devotions, and evening worship. Participants also had a lot of fun.

Pictured above is the Saint Matthew group. Each day, they were put with people from the other churches in work groups of which they were a part all week long.

[Click on the image to enlarge it...if you dare.]

Picture #1 from Saint Matthew's Vacation Bible School

Power Lab, Saint Matthew's Vacation Bible School for 2008, took place from August 4 through 8. A fantastic group of adult and youth volunteers made sure that the 21 children who came to Power Lab had a great experience and learned for certain through Jesus Christ, God gives us all powerful love. AHA!




[If you don't know what the AHA is about, ask one of the participants in this year's VBS.]

Jesus' Love is Powerful!

Clay and Ryan demonstrate that Jesus' love is powerful during this year's Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Saint Matthew, held, August 4 through 8.

More Pics from This Year's VBS

Lutheran Disaster Relief Needs Donations for Hurricane Gustav Recovery

[From the Southern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, comes the following press release.]

LDR [Lutheran Disaster Relief] Ohio is coordinating resources to assist over 2 million people who were evacuated when Hurricane Gustav struck the Gulf Shore states on September 1, 2008.

Funds are needed to transport the Disaster Response Shower Trailer to the Gulfport, Mississippi area. Additionally, donations of building supplies, furniture, and appliances are being accepted to fill the Disaster Response semi-truck. Funds are needed to cover transportation costs.

In the coming weeks, volunteers will be needed to start home repairs and rebuilds. Information for volunteer reception centers will be made available as the centers are established. Monetary donations will be used to assist families with special needs that are not addressed by government services.

To donate items for the semi-truck and for other information, please contact Mary Woodward, LDR Ohio Disaster Coordinator, at 740-732-6700. To make monetary donations, please forward donations to LDR Ohio, 810 Main St., Caldwell, Ohio 43724 or to donate online go to the Lutheran Disaster Response Hurricane Response website.

'Searching for the Truth': How Christianity Compares to World Religions

That's the name of a six-session class for adults and any interested high schoolers that will take place on Monday nights this fall. 'Searching for the Truth' starts meeting on September 22, from 7:00 to 8:30pm.

Over the course of the six sessions, participants will look at how the teaching of Christianity compares to the teachings of other world religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism, as well as groups like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses.

If you'd like to participate, contact the church office at 385-2272.

Power Lab is Coming!

Saint Matthew's 2008 Vacation Bible School happens this coming week, from August 4 through August 8.

We thank all whose volunteered time and energy are making this great week possible.

Please pray that Vacation Bible School will be a time of spiritual renewal and growth for everyone who participates, students and volunteers.

May everybody get to discover Jesus' miraculous power!

2009 Mission Trip Location, Dates Set!

Great news!

The Saint Matthew youth group got its first choices for its participation in the 2009 Week of Hope mission trip. Because we've taken advantage of early registration this year, the group got a reduced rate AND will be work camping in Nashville, Tennessee from June 14 to June 19.

Work campers had a great experience on this year's trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Please begin to pray now that all of our youth will have a tremendous experience of spiritual growth, commitment to service in Jesus' Name, and fun on the 2009 mission trip.

To learn more about the Group Workcamps Foundation's Week of Hope, which is what the mission trip program is called, go here.

(Group Workcamps, by the way, is a spinoff of Group Publishing, the company formed years ago by a Lutheran couple looking for educationally sound, attractive ways to teach Biblical truth to teens. As the years have gone on, their methods have been applied to people of all ages. Group Publishing are the creators of this year's Vacation Bible School curriculum at Saint Matthew, Power Lab.)

Sermon...

for the funeral of Mary Jane Stofcheck is here. The service was wonderful, including great music, a solo by Sarah Starner, and, most importantly, Holy Communion. May God comfort all who mourn.

Last Sunday's Sermon...

is here.

To Help You Get Ready for Tomorrow's Worship

See here.

Pics from First Communion

Four Saint Matthew youth received Holy Communion for the first time this past Easter, March 23. The Gwinn family provided these pictures.


Shown above (l to r): Pastor Daniels, Brady Taulbee, Kirsten Risch, Isaac Gwinn, and Megan Gwinn.


Shown above: Brady Taulbee, Megan Gwinn, Kirsten Risch, and Isaac Gwinn.

[Click in the images to enlarge.]

Please pray for...

Ed Anderson, Gloria Arnold, Zachery Joel Baron, Dorothy Beougher, Jenny Brown, Violet Carpenter, Ellie Crow, Pat Dearing, Pam Dotson, Pastor Paul Elhard, Irene Emrick, Jennifer Fawbush, Myrna Gabriel, Ralph Griffith, Greg Huston, Barbara Hutton, Phyllis Koska, Vera Lindsey, Joanne Magle, Dee McLain, Craig Mehr, Dale & Elaine Meyers, Bonnie Moore, Betty Mowery, Dorothy Mowery, Helen & Dick Mowrey, Mike Schneider, Helen Sigler, Marvin Smart, Craig Smyers, Carolyn Stallman, Sarah Starner, Priscilla Stevens, Mary Jane Stofcheck, Sonny Taylor, John Thornton, Emma Jean Turner, and Wib Wallace.

Last Sunday's sermon...

is here.

A Look at This Coming Sunday's Bible Lessons

Here

Power Lab Vacation Bible School Coming to Saint Matthew!

Power Lab is the name of this year's Vacation Bible School at Saint Matthew.

Power Lab is an exciting mixture of songs, crafts, games, and activities all aimed to help participants discover Jesus' miraculous power.

It happens from 6:00 to 8:30pm on August 4 through 8 in Saint Matthew's building facilities.

Registration materials can be found in this coming Sunday's bulletin. The registration deadline is July 27. Just put your child's registration in the Sunday offering plate.

Students from outside of Saint Matthew are also invited. Any children going into anything between Kindergarten and fifth grade is invited to attend.

There will be a meeting after the church luncheon on July 13 for all interested in helping with Vacation Bible School. Materials will be introduced to all who are helping at that time. Another meeting, after worship on July 27, will allow all volunteers to "tune up" for Power Lab. Then, after worship on August 3, we'll need as many people to help with decorating as possible.

On August 10, the children who participate in Power Lab will sing several songs from the week...and the songs are really cool!

For more information, contact Jean Libben at 380-3681.

Please Pray...

for Betty Mowery, who was taken to the hospital on Monday. She is undergoing testing to determine what her health issues may be.

This past Sunday's prayer list for healing included the following names: Ed Anderson, Gloria Arnold, Zachery Joel Baron, Dorothy Beougher, Jenny Brown, Violet Carpenter, Pat Dearing, Pam Dotson, Pastor Paul Elhard, Jennifer Fawbush, Myrna Gabriel, Ralph Griffith, Laura Hopstetter, Greg Huston, Barbara Hutton, Amanda Johnson, Bob Johnson, Phyllis Koska, Vera Lindsey, Joanne Magle, Dee McLain, Craig Mehr, Dale and Elaine Meyers, Judy Mohr, Betty Mowery, Helen and Dick Mowrey, Mike Schneider, Betsy Shoults, Helen Sigler, Marvin Smart, Carolyn Stallman, Sarah Starner, Priscilla Stevens, Mary Jane Stofcheck, Sonny Taylor, Emma Jean Turner, and Wib Wallace. Please keep them in your prayers.

To help you prepare for worship this Sunday...

see here.

It's Summertime...Plenty of Lutheran Camping Opportunities

The summer months bring plenty of camping opportunities for Lutheran young people of ALL AGES in Ohio.

If you, your young people, or your family are interested in taking advantage of these opportunities offered by Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio (LOMO), you should check out the LOMO web site, where you'll find all the information you need on camping opportunities, costs, and locations.

What Happened at the Synod Assembly?

from Pastor Mark Daniels
The Southern Ohio Synod Assembly happened May 29-31 on the campus of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. It brought together lay voting members and pastors from more than 230 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations that are here in the southern part of the state.

Here is the official release from the synod on the actions taken during the assembly.

Here is the press release from the ELCA on the re-election of Callon Holloway as the synodical bishop.

Highlights of the event for me were presentations and a sermon by Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the ELCA, and Patrick Kiefert, a professor of systematic theology at our seminary in the Twin Cities. They spoke of the importance of churches as communities that form Christian disciples. We can no longer count on the culture to form Christian disciples. We must go back to the basics of disciplemaking as chronicled in the New Testament.

Central to this is dwelling in God's Word and asking two central questions:

• What is God doing right now in the midst of us?
• What does God want us to do?

Christian faith is not nostalgia for Jesus' first time on earth.

It's not hunkering down and waiting for Jesus' return.

It's not pining for the glory days in our churches.

It's living in a vital relationship with God and our fellow believers right now. It's about being instruments of God's grace today!

We will be receiving DVDs of both Hanson's and Kiefert's presentations soon and I hope to show them to as many Saint Matthew people as possible.

Thanks to Christa Myers and Dave Libben for being our congregation's voting members at the assembly.

To help you prepare for worship on Sunday...

see here.

Volunteers Needed During Summer Sunday School Hour

Beginning Sunday, June 8, we'll be showing DVDs or videos during the 9:15 Sunday School hour. The idea is to give our teachers a summer break while maintaining some continuity for our children AND allowing their parents the opportunity to attend adult Sunday School class, which meets from 9am to 10am every Sunday morning. Coloring sheets will also be available for the kids.

But to make it all happen, we need adult and high school volunteers just to operate the TV and player and oversee the children.

IF YOU'RE WILLING TO HELP OUT, SIGN UP ON THE SHEET YOU'LL FIND IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL STARTING THIS COMING SUNDAY.

This Past Sunday's Sermon...

is here.

A Look at This Sunday's Bible Lessons...

is here.

From This Evening's 'Getting to Know You' Dinner

The second 'Getting to Know You Dinner' happened earlier this evening. In these dinners, small numbers of Saint Matthew households are invited for dinner in the Saint Matthew Fellowship Hall for a time of informal conversation. It's mostly designed to help the Daniels family get to know the Saint Matthew family and vice versa.

People were asked to share some of their dreams for Saint Matthew's future. As always, the answers were illuminating.

Five people said that they'd like to see a series of discrete retractable screens installed in the sanctuary. On them, the worship service could be projected each week, reducing the paper-shuffling. This seemed especially desirable because of the new music that's being introduced, which received several positive comments.

Several people indicated that their dream for Saint Matthew included having active youth programs, one of my own personal priorities.

Improvements in the sound system was mentioned as a dream. The property trustees are already working on this issue. Watch for reports on this in the coming months.

Several folks said they'd like to see sports teams and maybe a basketball hoop in the church parking lot.

Some also mentioned the hope that the congregation will become more active in reaching out to others, inviting people to worship and to follow Christ with us.

A strong desire was expressed by several folks to use the Educational Unit more often for ministry and outreach. This is something I've been praying about and I ask you to do it as well.

Pleasure was expressed that emails to the congregation help keep people informed. that more contemporary music is augmenting the wonderful traditional hymns, and that there seems to be a positive, hopeful atmosphere at Saint Matthew.

The dinner, prepared by Fran Funk and Becky Webb was dee-lish and nu-trish. Yummy!

The next Getting to Know You Dinner happens on June 24. Letters of invitation will go out to about fifteen households this week and invitees will be asked to RSVP with the church office. The goal is for every Saint Matthew member to be invited to participate within twelve months.

[Click on the images above to enlarge. Thanks to Philip for these telephone pictures.]

Luther and the Reformation...

background shared with this evening's Roots of Our Faith class.

This Past Sunday's Sermon...

is here.

Picture from Today

Tony always charms 'em! (Snapped by Phil Daniels)
[You can click on the image to enlarge it.]

Last Sunday's Sermon

What Does the Holy Spirit Do for Us?

A Look at This Sunday's Bible Lessons...

here.

Pentecost Reminder

Next Sunday is Pentecost. Everyone is asked wear red, the color of Pentecost, as we celebrate the birthday of Christ’s Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit!

To Help Prepare for Worship This Sunday...

you may want to go here.

Youth Group Meets on May 18

There will be no youth gathering on May 11. However, we ask mission trip participants to pick up their registration packets this week or after worship on Sunday. THEY MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO PASTOR MARK on MONDAY AT 4:00pm. He'll be receiving them in the Fellowship Hall at that time. Thank you!

YOUTH GROUP WILL meet next Sunday, May 18, at 6:00pm. We'll be making the mission cross.

Young People: Get Snapped on May 11

ALL THE YOUTH, that's junior and senior high age young people, even those not involved in youth group, are asked to gather after worship briefly to get their picture. We want to include a picture of you on the cross that will go to the June mission trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Each church will bring a cross and exchange it for another church's cross, taking them back to their own congregations.

Now, about getting involved with youth group...please consider it. There will be lots of great things happening in the coming year!

Please Remember the Following in Your Prayers

These are the sick and hospitalized on our prayer list from this past Sunday:

Ed Anderson, Gloria Arnold, Zachery Joel Baron, Dorothy Beougher, Jenny Brown, Violet Carpenter, George Crow, Pat Dearing, Pam Dotson, Pastor Paul Elhard, Jennifer Fawbush, Myrna Gabriel, Ralph Griffith, Greg Huston, Barbara Hutton, Amanda Johnson, Bob Johnson, Phyllis Koska, Joanne Magle, Dee McLain, Craig Mehr, Dale and Elaine Meyers, Judy Mohr, Betty Mowery, Helen and Dick Mowrey, Pat Porter, Matthew Rauber, Sue Rauber, Mike Schneider, Betsy Shoults, Helen Sigler, Marvin Smart, Carolyn Stallman, Sarah Starner, Priscilla Stevens, Mary Jane Stofcheck, Sonny Taylor, Emma Turner, and Wib Wallace.

Join Us for 'Roots of Our Faith'

What do we believe as Lutheran Christians?

What are the Lutheran Confessions?

Where did our beliefs come from?

How do our beliefs relate to those of other Christians?

These and other important questions will be tackled in a six-session class called Roots of Our Faith. The class will be taught by Pastor Mark and use a readable booklet authored by Church historian James Nestingen.

Roots of Our Faith is great for those considering joining Saint Matthew, as well as those wanting to get a refresher (or even a go-deeper) on our beliefs as Lutheran Christians.

Roots of Our Faith will take place on Monday nights from 7:00 to 8:30pm, starting in May 19.

To register for Roots of Our Faith, call the church office at 385-2272.

YOU are invited!

Today's Sermon...

is here.

You Can Still Sign Up for the Pentecost Prayer Vigil

This coming Friday and Saturday bring us to the Pentecost Prayer Vigil. It will happen in the Saint Matthew sanctuary. Our agenda is simple:

• to pray for Saint Matthew and its ministry to the community;
• to ask God to renew our faith and to make us bold in sharing that faith with others; and
• to pray that God will open us to Jesus' Lordship over every part of our lives.

There will be prayer helps available. Sign up sheets are in the Fellowship Hall.

Our 'Small Catechism' Moments

On Sunday mornings during our parish announcements, as we prepare for worship each Sunday, we’re having 'A Moment with the Small Catechism.'

Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism, with its explanations of the chief parts of Christian belief, in 1529. He had become concerned by the fact that so many in the Church, pastors and laypeople, really didn't know what they confessed as Christians, their beliefs shrouded in ignorance and superstitions.

Beginning with the Ten Commandments, then proceeding through the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Luther wrote a little book in question-and-answer form designed to be used by parents at the dinner table with their children. Also included were Morning and Evening Prayers and Blessings at Meals.

In the intervening centuries, of course, Lutherans have tended not to pay attention to the Small Catechism after they are confirmed. That's too bad, because the Catechism can be a tremendous touchstone of our relationship with Christ, a reminder of the basics, and a comfort and a challenge to us as we grow in faith.

In addition, the Small Catechism, along with such documents as the Large Catechism, the Augsburg Confession, the Apology [or Explanation] to the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, and the Formula of Concord, is one of the basic confessional wrirtings of Lutheran Christianity.

Each Sunday morning, we'll take some time to read a question and answer from the Small Catechism.

Please Pray

Funeral services for Donald Mowery were held in the Saint Matthew sanctuary on Friday. We pray God’s comfort and the hope of Jesus’ resurrection for all who mourn. Yesterday, Don’s widow, Betty, was admitted to Hocking Valley Hospital. Please keep her in your prayers. Pray too, for the comfort of Don's and Betty's son, Mark.

Big Issues Being Addressed in ELCA

Here is the sermon I gave at last Sunday's gathering of congregations of the Scioto Conference, Southern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Last Sunday Morning's Sermon...

is here.

Today's Sermon...

is here.

Please Sign Up for the Prayer Vigil

Saint Matthew will be having a Prayer Vigil from 6:00pm, Friday, May 9, to 7:00am, Saturday, May 10 in the sanctuary of Saint Matthew. You're asked to sign up for one-half hour prayer times. Our agenda is simple: to pray for Saint Matthew and its ministry to the community; to ask God to renew our faith and to be bold in sharing that faith with others; and to pray that God will open us to Jesus' Lordship over every part of our lives. Please plan on signing up for a half-hour shift. Sign-up sheets will be in the Fellowship Hall.

The vigil will be taking place on the weekend before we celebrate Pentecost. At the Church's first Pentecost, which happened fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead and then days after He ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit came to the disciples who had been praying together.

As Saint Matthew looks ahead to a time of spiritual growth, we need the power of God's Holy Spirit. So, please plan on being part of the Prayer Vigil, as we seek God's power to do what can't be done without Him.

Two verses will be the theme of our Prayer Vigil. The first is John 15:5, part of Jesus' great farewell discourse, where He says:

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.

The second is First Peter 2:9, in which the apostle Peter describes His followers:

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In the second passage, Peter defines our purpose as a church; in the first, Jesus points out that we can only fulfill that purpose when we rely totally on Him. Our Prayer Vigil will be Saint Matthew's declaration of total dependence on God and our earnest seeking of His presence and power in everything we say, do, and are.

Please plan on participating in the Prayer Vigil!

Youth Mission Trip Dates and Site Set

The dates and location for the youth group mission trip this summer have been set. We will be going to Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 15 to 20. Eight Saint Matthew young people and five adults are registered.

Next year, hopefully, all of our young people can go! Please pray for our group as it prepares, asking God to deepen our faith through this experience. Pray too, please, that God will keep the group safe.

The Week of Hope mission trip in which the young people will participate is part of the Group Workcamps Foundation's annual Week of Hope program.

Youth: Reminder

Youth group meets this coming Sunday, April 6, from 6:00 to 7:30pm. We'll meet in the church fellowship hall.

Last Sunday's Sermon...

is here.

What Do I Say to My Non-Churchgoing Friends?

A few thoughts.

The Easter Sermon...

is here.

'Witnesses for Christ' Gets Off to Great Start!

Twenty-four people gathered last night in Saint Matthew's Fellowship Hall for the first session of 'Witnesses for Christ.' The group will meet for four more Monday nights with the purpose of receiving the tools needed to become more confident in sharing their faith in Christ with others.

'Witnesses for Christ' was originally developed by Lutheran pastor Ed Markquart and helps Lutherans to see that witnessing is all about sharing our Best Friend, Jesus Christ, with our friends.

The goal is to "change the temperature" at Saint Matthew by offering 'Witnesses for Christ' several times in 2008 and thereafter, offering it annually, so that at any given time anywhere from 30 to 50% of our adult membership will have received this vital training.

Watch for the next offering of 'Witnesses for Christ/'

This Week's Prayer List

Ed Anderson, Gloria Arnold, Zachery Joel Baron, Dorothy Beougher, Jenny Brown, Violet Carpenter, George Crow, Pat Dearing, Pam Dotson, Pastor Paul Elhard, Irene Emrick, Myrna Gabriel, Ralph Griffith, Greg Huston, Bob Johnson, Phyllis Koska, Joanne Magle, Dee McLain, Craig Mehr, Dale and Elaine Meyers, Donald and Betty Mowery, Dick and Helen Mowrey, Pat Porter, Jared Rutter, Matthew Rauber, Betsy Shoults, Helen Sigler, Marvin Smart, Craig Smyers, Carolyn Stallman, Sarah Starner, Priscilla Stevens, Mary Jane Stofcheck, Sonny Taylor, and Wib Wallace. Grant protection to those serving their country in dangerous places, especially we pray for Michael Scaparotti.

This Week's Prayer List

Ed Anderson, Gloria Arnold, Zachery Joel Baron, Dorothy Beougher, Jenny Brown, Violet Carpenter, George Crow, Pat Dearing, Pam Dotson, Pastor Paul Elhard, Irene Emrick, Myrna Gabriel, Ralph Griffith, Greg Huston, Bob Johnson, Olivia Kerns, Phyllis Koska, Joanne Magle, Dee McLain, Craig Mehr, Dale and Elaine Meyers, Donald and Betty Mowery, Dick and Helen Mowrey, Pat Porter, Matthew Rauber, Betsy Shoults, Helen Sigler, Craig Smyers, Carolyn Stallman, Sarah Starner, Priscilla Stevens, Mary Jane Stofcheck, Sonny Taylor, and Wib Wallace. Grant protection to those serving their country in dangerous places, especially we pray for Michael Scaparotti.

Did You See This? (#2)

This appeared in the Logan-Hocking School District's publication, Schools in Session. Congratulations, Jacob.

[Click on the clipping to enlarge it.]

Today's Sermon...

is here.

A Note on Palm Sunday Procession

At this Sunday's Palm Sunday worship, we will process from the Fellowship Hall to the sanctuary and not outside. The forecast for Sunday calls for fairly frosty temperatures.

So, when you arrive for worship on Sunday, pick up your palm leaves from the greeters--that's the Libben Family this week, then go to the Fellowship Hall to await the beginning of the service.

Our Gospel lesson will be Matthew 21:1-11 this year.

Scioto Conference Gathering Happens April 13

The Scioto Conference of the Southern Ohio Synod (ELCA) is a group of about thirty congregations in our area. The Conference has gatherings several times each year for the purpose of considering ministry opportunities and challenges and to transact a minimum of business. There will also be worship with Holy Communion.

Our next Scioto Conference Gathering will take place on Sunday, April 13, from 1:00 to 5:30pm (later, if you choose to stay for the Barbecue Dinner that starts at 5:30), in the new facilities of Faith Lutheran Church in Jackson, Ohio.

Topics to be covered are a presentation on domestic violence and information on April's Synod Assembly at Wittenberg University in Springfield. This will be an extremely important synod assembly this year, as we will be electing a bishop. Bishop Cal Holloway is eligible for re-election, but there will likely be other pastors whose names are put in nomination. Pastor John Tickner of the Southern Ohio Synod staff, will be on hand to discuss the process.

If you will be able to attend, please contact the church office. We need to get a congregational RSVP in by April 5, so that organizers can plan the meal.

One and Only Pass at This Sunday's Bible Lessons (March 16, 2008)

Can be found here.

Did You See This? (#1)

This advertisement for Saint Matthew's Holy Week activities appeared in yesterday's Logan Daily News.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Come and Get Your Sign!

As you know, at the February Church Council meeting, a decision was made to order yard signs promoting Saint Matthew's Easter worship services. The signs have arrived and they're ready for you to put up in your yard.

Imagine the impact when all of Saint Matthew's households put up these two-sided signs inviting the community to celebrate Jesus' resurrection with us!

If you'd like, you can pick up your sign (and those of Saint Matthew friends and family members) from the church all this week or on Sunday. THEN, I ask you to put them up in your yards immediately. Keep them up until Easter. After Easter, store them in your garage or somewhere else and use them again for the two weeks before Easter next year.

We have Good News to share and we have a wonderful congregation to which we can invite our non-churchgoing neighbors and friends. These signs can help us to be even more intentional about reaching out to others with the life-changing Good News of Jesus!

Saint Matthew's Sanctuary

-snapped by Phil Daniels
[Click on the image to enlarge it.]

Please send your pictures of Saint Matthew people, activities, or facilities for use on the church web site now under construction.

This Week's Prayer List

Please pray for healing for the following people: Ed Anderson, Gloria Arnold, Zachery Joel Baron, Dorothy Beougher, Jenny Brown, Violet Carpenter, George Crow, Pat Dearing, Pam Dotson, Pastor Paul Elhard, Irene Emrick, Myrna Gabriel, Ralph Griffith, Greg Huston, Bob Johnson, Phyllis Koska, Joanne Magle, Dee McLain, Craig Mehr, Dale and Elaine Meyers, Donald and Betty Mowery, Dick and Helen Mowrey, Pat Porter, Matthew Rauber, Betsy Shoults, Helen Sigler, Ruth Smith, Craig Smyers, Carolyn Stallman, Sarah Starner, Priscilla Stevens, Mary Jane Stofcheck, Sonny Taylor, and Wib Wallace.

Pray also for the protection of those serving their country in dangerous places, especially ray for Michael Scaparotti.

This Past Sunday's Sermon...

is here.

Youth Group Gathers on Sunday Night

The next gathering of Saint Matthew's youth group happens this coming Sunday, March 16, from 6:00 to 7:30 in the church fellowship hall. On Sunday, the inanimate object you need to bring will be announced. But why not bring a friend? (A friend will presumably be an animate object.)

Meeting with Youth and Parents Rescheduled for March 16

The meeting with youth (sixth through twelfth grades) and parents regarding this summer's mission trip will take place after worship this coming Sunday, March 16. We need to nail down who is going, what dates we're going, and where we're going. (We'll need to make first and second choices on dates and locations because some sites fill up faster than others.) Information will be made available for you to consider at that time.

For more information, see here.

To see a video about the Week of Hope mission trips, go here.