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Sunday Worship
Summer Schedule
8:30 & 10:15 a.m.
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Fall Schedule
Resumes Sept. 12:
7:30, 8:30
and
11:00 a.m.
Education Hour:
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Information Here
Daily Devotions
[here]
Photos [here]
Healing Prayer Ministry
Sunday, Sept. 19,
11:00 a.m. service
Sunday, Oct. 17,
9:45 a.m. (Ed. Hour)
Sunday, Nov. 21,
9:45 a.m. (Ed. Hour)
Sunday, Dec. 19,
9:45 a.m. (Ed. Hour)
[more]
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday:
8:30-12:00; 1:00-4:30
Fridays:
8:30 - 2:00
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Office phone:
414-774-0441
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Education Opportunities for Youth and Children
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?
Is there a child in your life with whom you’d like to share our faith?
The Little Lutheran is a publication of Augsburg Fortress designed for children six or younger. It has the right size and shape for little hands. It has just the right content for young hearts and minds. It contains songs and stories that teach children about Jesus as their savior and friend. The Little Lutheran will arrive 10 times a year. Special subscription rates apply if we can send in for six subscriptions at one time: our rate is then $12.95 per subscription, about $1.00 per issue. If you are interested in purchasing a subscription to The Little Lutheran please call the church office. The deadline for calling is September 21. Once we have at least six people interested, we’ll send in our subscription info and ask for you to send your payment to the church office. If you’d like more information about the magazine, check out their website: www.thelittlelutheran.org.
Did I see a Hanes label on my VBS t-shirt?
The story behind the search for Fair Trade VBS t-shirts
We made an effort this year, and raised funds, to obtain the VBS t-shirts through fair trade means. We quickly realized that this would not be a simple undertaking. First, there is not a universally agreed upon definition of fair trade. Some manufacturers use the term without applying any fair trade practices. Second, it is difficult to get mass produced items (i.e. t-shirts) from artisans in economically challenged parts of the world. There just isn’t the man/woman power available to produce items in bulk numbers. As a result, we decided to approach our investigation into t-shirt manufacturers with the following fair trade criteria in mind:
• Safe and healthy workplace in compliance with local laws.
• No use of child labor (those under the age of 14).
• No use of forced or compulsory labor.
• Use of safe and appropriate disciplinary practices.
• Discriminatory practices based on an employee’s ability to carry out duties of a particular job, rather than on the basis of personal characteristics or beliefs.
• Hours and overtime- a requirement of no more than 50-hour work weeks on a regularly scheduled basis, except for appropriate compensated overtime in compliance with local laws.
• A commitment to the betterment of wage and benefit levels that address the basic needs of workers and their families.
(Adapted from Broder Bros., Co Social Accountability Policy Statement)
With the stated guidelines in mind, Gildan was our original choice of companies to manufacture the t-shirts. We learned that Gildan’s facilities are located in Haiti and were greatly affected by the January 2010 earthquake. Due to a production back log, Gildan was not able to fulfill our order. Hanes was our second option. Hanes is a Broder Bros., Co and follows their Social Accountability Policies. Hanes’ manufacturing facilities are also located in Haiti, but there was not any delay in completing our request. While we were satisfied with Hanes ability to meet our needs with a fair trade minded approach, we were also encouraged to see that an American company was helping to support the economy of a country in the process of rebuilding from natural disaster. The end result…each child who attended VBS took home a precious piece of memorabilia from their week at St. Matthew’s VBS, with much care given in choosing the best source for our purchase of 400 t-shirts.
- Emily Wanezek
Vacation Bible School 2010 -
Baobab Blast!
Vacation Bible School 2010 was an adventure through the African Savannah with God as the guide. The event was loaded with rockin’ music, energy-packed games, and amazing Bible stories.
Questions!? Call St. Matthew’s office: 414-774-0441
Vacation Bible School photo album online [here]
Photos: Confirmation Camp June 13-18
Confirmation students participated in the 2010 Confirmation Camp at the Pine Lake, Sunday-Friday, June 13-18.
A link to the Pine Lake Camp website is [here].
Photos of the 2010 Confirmation Camp are online [here].
Photos of the 2009 Confirmation Camp are online [here].
First Communion, Sunday, Feb. 7
First Communion for 5th graders took place Sunday, Feb. 7 during an afternoon service. The First Communion Retreat to prepare for their special day was held on Sunday, Jan. 24. We rejoice with our 5th graders as they receive this sacrament.
We welcome the following young people and their families as they celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time. We pray that the gift of Holy Communion will be a blessing to you throughout your lives.
Jazmine Albrecht |
Abby Gifford |
Emma Murphy |
Libby Sukowatey John Swenson, Jr. Mitchell Swing Johanna Taylor Nicholas Tennessen Erik Tillman Jack Urban Maeve Williams Brianna Winters Julia Wulff Victoria Yentz |
Photos of the First Communion service Feb. 7 are online [here].
Confirmation Ministry
7th and 8th grade confirmation classes have ended for the school year. Students are expected to attend
Wednesday evening Lenten services, and, if applicable, work on their mentor packets. Our 9th graders made their Affirmation of Faith (Confirmation) on Nov. 8 [more].
Confirmation class service event at Hunger Task Force
Eighth graders sorted food at the Hunger Task Force on Jan. 20. 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].
Photos 9th grade Confirmation Class special event [here]
Youth Forum information and photos online [here]
Congratulations, Confirmands!
We rejoice with the twenty-five 9th graders and their families who made an Affirmation of their Baptism (Confirmation) on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Pastor Gary, Gretchen Haugse and Pastor Margaret worked with the group. Please keep these young people and their families in your prayers, as they continue on their faith journeys and move toward more roles in the church family and our community.
Brandon Albrecht |
Caitlyn Cavanaugh |
Margaret Geertsen |
Nathan Miller Meghan Murphy Ellen Pickering Sam Schulz Tyler Seif |
Rachel Tillman Claire Urban Caitlin Van Lith Emily Winters Derek Wulff |
Photos of special pre-Confirmation event
A special pre-confirmation event was held for 9th graders and families on “The Faith that Connects Us” Saturday, Nov. 7 with Marilyn Miller, a race relations expert. Photos below are from that event. Included is a photo of the Confirmation Class at rehearsal. Photos are in the Photo Album [here].
Sr. High Youth Forum has begun! Meet with us Sundays, 9:45 a.m. Our goal in forum is to look at the world around us and discuss what the Gospel calls us to do in that world, and we would love to add your voice to the conversation! We look forward to seeing familiar faces and welcoming our new freshmen to the group. Come and join us for highs and lows, interesting conversation, and, occasionally, food! See photos below. Photos are in the Photo Album 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.
St. Matthew's Groups and Ministries
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