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.