St. Matthew's Lutheran Church

St. Matthew's Lutheran Church St. Matthew’s is the only Lutheran church in Northern California that has a weekly bilingual service in English and German, at 11:00 am every Sunday.

We look forward to welcoming you!

This Sunday is Father’s Day — a day when many of us pause to give thanks for the fathers, grandfathers, mentors, and oth...
06/19/2026

This Sunday is Father’s Day — a day when many of us pause to give thanks for the fathers, grandfathers, mentors, and others who have shaped our lives.

I think especially of my own father. When I was younger, I could never have imagined becoming a pastor. It was my father who encouraged me to consider studying theology and ministry — a possibility I could not yet see for myself. I am deeply grateful for his encouragement and for the many ways he supported my journey.

Throughout my ministry, I have also wrestled with the language of calling God “Father.” For many people, this is a deeply comforting image of God’s love and care. For others, because of their own experiences, this language may be more complicated. I am reminded that God is always greater than any one image or word we use. Scripture gives us many ways to speak of God’s love and presence.

This Father’s Day, I invite you to remember and give thanks for those who have offered you guidance, love, and encouragement. Who has been a fatherly presence in your life?

You don’t have to have it all figured out to come to church.This summer at St. Matthew’s, we’re exploring what it means ...
06/05/2026

You don’t have to have it all figured out to come to church.

This summer at St. Matthew’s, we’re exploring what it means to be held by God’s grace—through new songs, prayer, and a sermon series on Paul’s Letter to the Romans led by Pastor Beate Chun.

Romans begins with this simple truth: before we act, we are already loved.

Join us this Sunday—we’d be glad to welcome you.

On June 1, 2028, Pastor Beate Chun and the congregation of St. Matthew’s were delighted to welcome Konrad ("Konnie") S. ...
06/05/2026

On June 1, 2028, Pastor Beate Chun and the congregation of St. Matthew’s were delighted to welcome Konrad ("Konnie") S. to San Francisco and our community.

Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, Konnie has just completed his final three years of high school in Pennsylvania. Before returning to Europe, he wanted to spend time exploring San Francisco and volunteering at St. Matthew’s.

Pictured here with Konnie is Juergen F., who has graciously volunteered to serve as his host during his stay in the Bay Area.

Although Konnie has only been with us for a short time, he has already been a joy to get to know. We are grateful for his presence among us and look forward to sharing this time together.

On May 28, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church was honored to welcome Mayor Daniel Lurie, Board of Supervisors President Rafae...
06/05/2026

On May 28, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church was honored to welcome Mayor Daniel Lurie, Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, and representatives of San Francisco Heritage for a press conference announcing a new initiative to strengthen and streamline historic preservation efforts in San Francisco.

St. Matthew's was selected as the site for this announcement because our church is currently being considered for historic landmark designation and stands to benefit from the proposed improvements to the city's preservation process.

As a congregation that has served the Mission District for more than a century, we are grateful for the growing recognition of the historic and cultural significance of places like St. Matthew's. We thank Mayor Lurie, Board President Mandelman, San Francisco Heritage, and all those working to preserve the buildings and stories that help define San Francisco's unique character.

We were pleased to host this important event and look forward to continuing our own journey toward landmark designation.

On May 28, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church was honored to welcome Mayor Daniel Lurie, Board of Supervisors President Rafae...
06/05/2026

On May 28, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church was honored to welcome Mayor Daniel Lurie, Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, and representatives of San Francisco Heritage for a press conference announcing a new initiative to strengthen and streamline historic preservation efforts in San Francisco.

St. Matthew's was selected as the site for this announcement because our church is currently being considered for historic landmark designation and stands to benefit from the proposed improvements to the city's preservation process.

As a congregation that has served the Mission District for more than a century, we are grateful for the growing recognition of the historic and cultural significance of places like St. Matthew's. We thank Mayor Lurie, Board President Mandelman, San Francisco Heritage, and all those working to preserve the buildings and stories that help define San Francisco's unique character.

We were pleased to host this important event and look forward to continuing our own journey toward landmark designation.

What if one evening of service could change not only someone else’s life—but yours too?Two months ago, a small team from...
05/06/2026

What if one evening of service could change not only someone else’s life—but yours too?
Two months ago, a small team from St. Matthew’s came together to cook and serve a meal for about 40 unhoused neighbors through the Interfaith Wintershelter Program . For those of us who participated (four pictured here, along with three others), the experience was deeply meaningful and stayed with us long after the evening ended.
Since then, we’ve been talking about how we can continue showing up and doing more of this kind of hands-on service in our community.
Now we’re opening that conversation to others.
Would you be interested in being part of it? Whether you’ve served before or are just curious, we’d love to connect. Please reach out to the St. Matthew’s Church office at [email protected]

Sometimes what we need most is not more pressure or more answers—but a place where we can exhale.A place where nothing n...
04/30/2026

Sometimes what we need most is not more pressure or more answers—
but a place where we can exhale.

A place where nothing needs to be performed.
Where we can simply show up as we are.

That’s what we’re preparing for this Sunday.

Miyoni the little sheep is ready to welcome the children.
The pastor has prepared a thoughtful, interactive, multigenerational worship service in German and English, and the organist has been rehearsing “Geh aus, mein Herz und suche Freud.”

We are ready for you.

Sunday, May 3
2:00 p.m.
All are welcome

Are you looking for a place where you can simply be—welcomed, at ease, and not expected to have it all together?A place ...
04/21/2026

Are you looking for a place where you can simply be—welcomed, at ease, and not expected to have it all together?

A place where connection comes a little more easily…
where there is space to breathe…
where joy and quiet can exist side by side?

And maybe—especially—
a place where children are not just tolerated, but truly delighted in…
where their laughter isn’t a distraction, but part of the worship…
where wiggly bodies, curious questions, and all their energy are received as a gift?

Whether you’re coming with kids, with friends, or on your own,
whether you’re full of faith or just beginning to wonder—
you are invited.

We’re creating that kind of space.

Join us for a family-friendly worship service
🗓 Sunday, May 3
🕑 2:00 p.m.

Come as you are.
There will be room for you here.

Butterflies created by the children during Easter Worship Service
04/11/2026

Butterflies created by the children during Easter Worship Service

Address

3281 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
94103

Opening Hours

10:30am - 1pm

Telephone

+14158636371

Website

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