St Matthew Lutheran Church

11/07/2020

Greetings!

This is the fourth week of our program Fulfilling God’s Purpose! This week’s theme is “Giving Joyfully and Cheerfully.”

Jesus said, “Freely you received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). Billy Graham said, “God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.” As nice as it is to receive gifts, it is even more meaningful to give them. Finding joy in our giving, we begin to understand why Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

God is love (John 4:8), and he shows his love for us by giving. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God never stops give to us. First God loved, then he gave, and he keeps on giving. Forgiveness, salvation, and, in fact, all we are and everything we have or ever will have are gifts from God.

As Jesus lived a giving lifestyle, we, through the working of the Holy Spirit, live a similar lifestyle. Through our giving, we worship him, express our thanks to him, and renew our commitment to him. When we give, we put our love for Jesus into action.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we know how much you have given to us. You have held nothing from us. Help us to respond to your great love for us with generous and giving hearts. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

Blessings on your journey as a steward!

10/31/2020

Greetings!

This is the third week of our program Fulfilling God’s Purpose! This week we focus on the theme “Living as Servants.”
The Gospel of John records a powerful lesson about servanthood taught by Jesus on the night of the final meal he ate with his disciples. All 12 disciples were gathered in an upper room with Jesus in their midst. Off to the side was a basin with water meant for the washing of feet. Washing feet was the job of the least servant who knelt down and washed the feet of the guests.
On that night, when the 12 were gathered with Jesus in their midst, Jesus took the basin, knelt down, and began washing the feet of each disciple. It was a very awkward moment. You see, they recognized the one with the basin. They knew he was the Son of God. Finally Peter, speaking up as if to voice the concern, the awkwardness, and the embarrassment of the whole group, said, "Lord, You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:14-15). Jesus told us he came not be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). In the same way, God wants us to serve others. We are his servants through whom he works as we become his hands, feet, and mouths.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, just as you came to serve, grant us compassion and humility to be servants. Open our eyes to opportunities to serve. Use us to support those who are in need. We pray that you will use our program, Fulfilling God’s Purpose!, to help us grow in grace and knowledge of our Savior for your glory and the good of your people. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

Blessings on your journey as a steward!

10/24/2020

Fulfilling God’s Purpose!

Greetings!

This weekend is the second week of our program Fulfilling God’s Purpose! This week we focus on the theme “Witnessing for Jesus.”

God’s plan for his people has always been that we take responsibility for sharing the Gospel. Paul tells us, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Knowing that God “wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4), we have a great privilege and responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors. With the Holy Spirit working in and through us, we can faithfully and boldly proclaim the Gospel to those around us.

Through Jesus, we know the Father. Through Jesus, the Father has come to us. Through Jesus, we have life everlasting in Heaven. This is the Good News that we as Witnesses for Jesus will want to share.

Prayer: Dear Lord, grant us passion and boldness to be the effective witnesses you want us to be. Place in us compassion for others. Help others see your love within us. We pray that you will bless our program Fulfilling God’s Purpose! In Your precious name we pray. Amen.

Blessings on your journey as a steward!

10/17/2020

Greetings!

Our program Fulfilling God’s Purpose! starts this week. Our theme for this week is “Building Relationships.”
Only through Christ can we live abundantly. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing. I have come that [you] might have life, and have it to the full” (John 15:5; 10:10). You see, God created us for a relationship with him, to be loved by him and to love him and others, to be served by him, and to serve him by serving those around us. That relationship was destroyed by our sin. Sin brings darkness to our souls; it brings regret; it brings guilt; it brings shame. It hurts us and gets in the way of our relationships with God and with one another. Our thinking becomes distorted; it’s self-centered rather than God-centered. Our actions are contrary to serving God and serving one another. We’re so filled with ourselves there is no room for God in our lives.
Into this world of darkness and regret, guilt and shame, God sent his son. He bridged the gap between sinful people and our holy God. He makes it possible for us to have a relationship with him … intimacy with him once and for all. Now we have it all. We have been created with a purpose: to have a relationship, to love him, and to serve him and enjoy fellowship with him.
We hope to see you in worship and Bible study this Sunday as focus on the theme “Building Relationships.”

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we pray that you will strengthen and nurture our relationship with you. Help us always to depend on your wisdom and strength rather than on our own. Use us as your instruments to share your love, grace, and mercy with others. In your precious name we pray. Amen.

Blessings on your journey as a steward!

07/04/2020

Did you watch Hamilton last night? Listen to this to hear what Alexander Hamilton thoughts were.

Author Kevin Cloud dives into Alexander Hamilton's views on God. Plus: hear some facts you likely never knew about Independence Day!

07/01/2020

A message from our Church Council

At our last church council meeting it was decided that going forward, the Wednesday evening worship service will be a “Mask Required” service. All those attending worship will be required to wear a mask during our Wednesday service. We are making this change out of care for all of our members.

Masks and hand sanitizer are provided on the table at the top of the stairs and distancing is to be kept while inside the building . We hope this will meet the needs of all.

The Sunday morning worship service is remaining as a “Mask Optional” service.
God be with you and bless you all

04/22/2020

Join Martin Luther in social distancing.
In April of 1521 Martin Luther appeared in Worms for an imperial diet which is a fancy term for council meeting. It is most often referred to as the Diet of Worms because the council meeting was in Worms.

It was at the Diet of Worms that Luther was given the choice to recant, or take back, the challenges that he issued in his 95 theses. When presented with the recant or face excommunication, it is said that Luther replied “Here I Stand, I can do no other. God help me, Amen."

Once Luther refused to take back his challenges, he was in fact, excommunicated from the Catholic church. Because the Catholic church was the state church, Luther became an enemy of the state and became an outlaw.

Luther's supporters orchestrated a kidnapping and Luther hid in the Wartburg Castle for 9 months. During his time in Social isolation, Luther translated the Bible into German. This is the first time that the bible was made available in the language of the people.

We don’t expect you to take on such a project while you are in self isolation but perhaps now would be a good time to celebrate the Diet of Worms and make a dirt cake for you and your family.

INGREDIENTS
• 1 (14.3 ounces) package Oreo cookies
• 2 (3.9 ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding
• 4 cups of milk
• 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
• ¼ cup butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 (8 ounces) container cool whip
• Gummy worms

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Crush the Oreo cookies using a food processor into fine crumbs. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl whisk together instant pudding mix with milk for about 2 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes.
3. In another bowl beat together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and add the powder sugar, increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy. With a rubber spatula fold the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate pudding, and fold in cool whip until well combined.
4. Layer in a bowl or square baking dish by alternating layers of crushed Oreos and pudding.

Permission given by Old Lutheran to repost.

04/10/2020

Good Friday--April 10, 2020
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Psalm 22
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; 10:16-25
John 18:1-19:42

03/29/2020

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Concert Choir 11/11/2018

03/27/2020

This Week's Bible Lessons
Sunday, March 29, 2020
5th Sunday of Lent
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 130
Romans 8:6-11
John 11:1-45