St. Matt's News


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Sunday Worship

7:30, 8:30,
& 11:00 a.m.

Education Hour:
9:45-10:45 a.m.

Office phone:
414-774-0441

 

 

Education Opportunities for Youth and Children

 

First Communion for 5th Graders, Sunday, Feb. 5
 On Sunday, Feb. 5. 1:30 p.m. there will be a special service for children receiving their First Communion. Fifth graders are invited to attend; if you have older children who wish to participate, they are welcome to do so.

Questions may be directed to Pastor Chris.

Flyer with information [here]

 

7th and 8th grade Confirmation classes continue on Wednesdays
Confirmation classes continue on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Questions may be directed to Pastor Chris.

The schedule for the first few weeks are as follows:

 

W.O.W. dinner returns
 Dinner Available to our youth beginning at 5:30 p.m. on these Wednesdays:

 

Congratulations to our Confirmands 2011!
A Confimration Service was held in the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011. We congratulate the young people who made their Affirmation of Baptism at that Service. Photos of the Confirmands are below. (Click image to enlarge)

Pictured are the 2011 Confirmands:

Front Row (L-R): Pastor Gary Erickson, Jonah Agapoon, Aaron Winters, Anthony Piel, Megan Bjorgo, Claire Geertsen, Alexandra Schmidt, Monika Swing, Krissy Hoefgen, Pastor Margaret Schoewe
Middle Row (L-R): Grace Templemann, Joe Bechtel, Jack Lange, John Mielke, Cassidy Burk, Carson Schier, Elizabeth Greene, Caroline Johnson, Matthew Ralfs, Katie Hoefgen
Back Row (L-R): Pastor Chris Manke, Nathan Wedel, Aaron Rockenbach, Alec Kirtly, Kyle Piwek, Nick Koranda, Cheyanne Dalapiazza, Katie Piel, Lydia Wehrley, Gretchen Haugse

 Pictured are the Confirmation Class leaders: Pastor Gary Erickson, Pastor Margaret Schoewe, Gretchen Haugse and Pastor Chris Manke.

 

Photos of Confirmation Class service project Oct. 26, 2011
Students collected canned food items from the neighborhood. The food was given to our Partner congregation, Reformation Lutheran. (Click image to enlarge)

 

Vacation Bible School, Aug. 1-5, 2011
St. Matthew’s Vacation Bible School attracted about 350 children, grades 4K - 5th grade. Each morning the children gathered in Fellowship Hall for a big group time of skit, prayers, lesson, and singing. Each day there were also games and snacks. First thru 5th graders rotated during the week through five sites, each with a different lesson. JK & SK classes stayed with the same teacher during the week with a variety of activities.

This year's Vacation Bible School was loaded with exciting drama, rockin’ music, energy-packed games, fun crafts, and amazing Bible stories. With the theme, "Good News Clues," the children investigated with fun and mystery the love of Jesus. They searched for clues to explore the meaning of living as part of God's family.

Photos of the 2011 VBS are online [here]

 

Confirmation Camp, June 12-17, 2011
Confirmation Camp is for the 7th graders who have just finished their first year of confirmation. They spend the week at Pine lake Camp in Wild Rose where they experience the beauty of God's Creation and spend time discussing faith together.

Photos of the 2011 Confirmation Camp are online [here].

 

First Communion celebrated Feb. 6, 2011
The following 5th graders celebrated their First Communion at a special service on Sunday, Feb. 6. We rejoice with them and their families and ask for God’s blessing to be upon them each time they participate in Holy Communion during worship.

 

Confirmation, Nov. 14, 2010
We rejoice with the following ninth graders and their families affirmied their baptism on Sunday, Nov. 14, at an afternoon service especially for them.

9th graders met for 8 or 9 confirmation sessions that focused on applying and processing the biblical and theological foundations that were considered by the confirmands in 7th and 8th grade. The 9th grade sessions were led by Pastor Gary, Gretchen Haugse, Pastor Margaret and Doug Krekling; 7th and 8th grade confirmation is led by Pastor Chris.

Photos of the Confirmation Class 2010 are below [click here].

 

Photos: Confirmation 2010
Please keep these young people and their families in your prayers as they continue to develop and express their faith in community with all of us. (Click image to enlarge.)

 

Ten things children should know about prayer
1) Prayer is communication. It can be spoken or silent. It can be a song or a story. It can be a picture or a dance.
2) Prayer can be done as often as you like. Every week. Every day. Every hour.
3) Prayer can be done however you want. There’s no right or wrong way to pray.
4) Prayer can be shared, but doesn’t have to be. It can be done alone or with a favorite toy. It can be done with friends, family or pets.
5) Prayer can be done anywhere. It can be done in your room or at the kitchen table. It can be done out in your yard, at the park or even at the zoo.
6) Prayer can be done in any mood. You can be happy, sad, angry, scared or confused when you pray.
7) Prayer can be for yourself or someone else. If you know someone who could use a little help - add them to your prayers.
8) Prayer doesn’t need a certain structure, length or spe­cific words. Whatever words you use, long or short, however your prayer comes out is fine.
9) Prayer doesn’t need a special occasion. There are cer­tain prayers appropriate to special occasions, but you don’t need to wait for a special time to pray.
10) Prayer doesn’t have to be a request. It can also be used to give thanks for what you have already received. “Thank you” is a perfect prayer.

- by Susan Taylor Brown, from Seeds for the Parish , resource publication for the ELCA congregation. Susan Taylor Brown is the author of Can I Pray With My Eyes Open?

 

Vacation Bible School 2010 - Baobab Blast!

Vacation Bible School photo album online [here]

Photo album: 2010 Confirmation Camp online [here]

Photos of the 2009 Confirmation Camp online [here]

Confirmation class service event at Hunger Task Force 2010
Eighth graders sorted food at the Hunger Task Force on Jan. 20, 2010. Confirmation students worked at the Hunger Task Force for a three hour shift as part of the service component of their Confirmation class. Photos of the service event are [here].

Youth Forum information and photos online [here]

Special activities for youth and children

Good Friday for children....meant to draw little ones closer to the Easter story. Photos of the 2009 Good Friday children's program are in the photo album [here].

Lenten activities
There is always a time and a place for the children to experience Lent. We gather parents and children together to grow in faith.

Family Camp weekend
Whether promoted for members who are into camping or encouraging families to participate in our Bible Camp events, we seek to help draw folks together for a time of fellowship and sharing. [more]

Variety shows and drama
Events are sought to provide families with numerous faith experiences. They change from year to year, but the Christian expression of faith is the goal and purpose.