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

 

 

Youth Ministry

 

Read about the 2012 Youth Mission Trip Dinner Auction [here]

 

Youth Drama Group meets Sunday, Feb. 19
The Youth Drama Group will meet Sunday, Feb. 19, 12:15 p.m. (immediately following the 11:00 a.m. service) to work on gospel skits for the spring. All middle and high school youth, who are interested in drama. Pease bring $5 for lunch.

 

Jr. and Sr. High Ski Trip to the Dells Feb. 25-26 - waterpark, too!
This year’s annual ski trip, Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 25-26, will take us to Wisconsin Dells area ski hills. Just like the ski trip to the Upper Peninsula, we’ll still enjoy the exhilaration of shimmering slopes and the briskness of wintry weather, but we’ll also experience slopes and descents of a different kind. Snow will be replaced by water at the end of the day as we unwind at a waterpark resort hotel.

We’ll leave St. Matthew’s early Saturday morning, stay overnight in the Dells, and return Sunday evening. All middle school and high school students are invited. Friends are also welcome. Cost of the trip this year is $180, which covers transportation, hotel, and 2 days of lift tickets.

Permission slips are available at the info center, church office, from Gretchen, and online (see below).

Ski Trip info and permission slip to view, downoad or print [here]

 

Scholarship funds available
College Students: Going to an ELCA College? $750 matching funds scholarships may be available for students attending ELCA Lutheran colleges. Please contact Holly in the church office for more information (414-774-0441, ext. 23).

The Gary and Susan Erickson Scholarship Fund established
In December of 2007 Sue Erickson died. Considerable gifts were given in her memory. As a teacher, she valued education and the goals and gifts of students. Gifts received in her memory as well as a gift from the late Bob and Betsy Froemming and others, Pastor Gary has established through the St. Matthew’s Foundation The Gary and Susan Erickson Scholarship Fund. At present the fund has $85,000 and will be managed by the Foundation. Five percent of the balance may be distributed annually by the Foundation beginning in January of 2012.

The scholarship is to be used for church related vocations and schools. Priority is given in this order for students from St. Matthew’s who are:

      • Attending an ELCA Seminary;
      • Enrolled in a church related music profession; or,
      • Attending an ELCA college with a matching congregational scholarship program.

It is intended to be a growing fund with the Foundation annually announcing the fund and receiving gifts and contributions toward the fund. Our thanks to Pastor Gary and the Foundation in establishing this fund and for their interest in higher education and support of ELCA schools.

Sr. High Youth Forum Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
All 9th–12th Graders are encouraged to attend youth forum on Sunday mornings during the education hour (9:45–10:45 a.m.). We meet in the youth room to talk about various topics of your choosing. This is a great way to get to know other high school students at St. Matthew’s. Often food is available!

 

Wanted: Your ideas for youth events
Do you have a great idea for a youth event? We’d love to hear it. Just talk to Gretchen (ghaugse@me.com, 414-774-0441).

 

Youth Events all year long!
All youth welcome to participate in one or all events. Watch the bulletin and Voice for a wide variety of activities planned for you. Details available on our website, or by contacting Gretchen Haugse, ghaugse@me.com or 414-774-0441.

Graduating Seniors recognized June 5, 2011
St. Matthew’s graduating class of 2011 was recognized Sunday, June 5 at the 11:00 a.m. service. This was a chance for us to acknowledge this great group of kids for their high school achievements, to celebrate their involvement in the life of St. Matthew’s, and to wish them luck with their plans for the future. There was a cake reception following the service.

Graduating seniors 2011 photos and bios [here]

 

Photos mission trip flapjack fundraiser, April 16, 2011
The Applebee’s Flapjack fundraiser for the mission trips was held Saturday, April 16 at the Applebee’s on State Street. Breakfast included pancakes, sausage, juice, milk, coffee, or soda. Proceeds will support the Re-New Orleans Mission Trip as well as college students who participate in the El Salvador trips.

Photos of the fundraiser are in an online photo ablum [here].

Photos youth ski trip - Feb. 25-27, 2011 - online [here]
A group of 25 youth and adult chaperones braved the cold to ski and snowboard in the beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula in February 2011.

 

Photos: Jr. High Cookie-Making Event Dec. 3
6th–8th graders enjoyed their annual Christmas event Friday, Dec. 3, making Christmas cookies to be served at the Cross Lutheran lunch in December. The group also played games with a holiday twist. Below are a few photos of the event. Photos by Pastor Chris Manke. (Click image to enlarge)

 

Photos of special 2010 Youth events

2010 Ski Trip photos online [here]

 

2010 Youth mission trip to North Carolina
Mission Trip information [here]. Photos from the Mission Trip are [here].

 

Photos mission trip dinner-auction, 2010
The yearly dinner auction is the biggest fundraiser for our annual mission trip, and we sincerely appreciate the enthusiastic support you give it! There was entertainment, too. Scarlett and Rhett even made an appearance!

Photos of the event are [here].

 

Youth Ministries

Regularly scheduled Ministries for Youth include:

Junior High Group (Grades 6-8)
Senior High Group (Grades 9-12)
Monthly activities, outings, retreats and trips are planned throughout the year. Adults can help out by attending events to provide mentorship and friendship. Dates and times vary so you can be involved at times convenient to your schedule.

 

Adeptus Brew City gaming club
An Opportunity for Gamers! We are a group dedicated to the Games Workshop Hobby. It’s about painting, modeling, collecting and gaming with metal and plastic miniatures. It’s about socialization and interaction with other people. It’s about having FUN! It’s for ages 5th grade and up, and adults are welcome! The Gaming Club will be meeting at St. Matthew’s May 25 and June 8 and 22 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. NO experience is needed.
Contact: Tim (414-475-0247)

 

Trips and activities

Growth and fellowship develop from various trips, outings and retreats, such as:

 

Youth Programming
In Youth Ministry we are called to honor and serve God by Living in harmony with God, with one another and the Youth that we serve. The Youth Ministry of St. Matthew's is empowered by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We look to Him for all our strength and guidance in all that we do, and gather and grow as a faith community in God's love and grace with all those involved in the area of Youth ministry, as well as the congregation and the community.

St. Matthew's has a renewed commitment to offer to all youth an environment in which they can experience the presence of God in their lives and in their relationships with peers and adults.

[click image below to visit the ELCA Youth Ministries site]