Come to our Safe Halloween Event!

What? Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat  ​
When?  October 31, 2020
Where?  St. Matthew Lutheran Church
2418 Aurelius Rd., Holt
What time?  6 PM – 8PM

What else do I need to know???
Drive your vehicle to the Aurelius Rd. entrance.
(Willoughby Rd. will be used as an exit only.)
Parking lot attendants will direct you where to pick up your candy bags.
Wear your costumes, roll down your windows, wear your masks, and have fun!

​Note:  Per State health officials, “You need to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth, but costume masks don’t count.”

“Fear not, for I am with you..."

Our Worship Services at 10:30 am are back in person as well as live-streamed!

You will be required to wear a mask to enter the building due to Michigan Executive order 2020-147, effective July 13, 2020.   
Pastor Poellet

The computer we use to project the slides on the wall is built and installed.  Hymnals are not being used at this time, but you are welcome to bring your own.  You will find bulletins on a table once you enter the church as well as a basket to place your offerings.
During the service there will be microphones picking up the sounds of the congregation for things like the singing of hymns.  So if you don't want to have people listening in on your comments, you may want to keep the volume of your voice down.  The camera is set up along the wall of the media room, or the wall to your right if you are facing the altar.  We ask that as much as possible, you refrain from repeatedly walking past the camera during the service.  Jade will be doing signing during the service, so if you're walking in front of the camera that will block the view of those watching her.

There will be no ushers serving at this time.  During communion, the pastor and the elders will call family groups up to receive the body and blood of Christ.  Until you are called up by the pastor and the elders you may stand in line if you wish.  This will speed things up if you don't have to get up out of your seat and walk to the aisle first.  You should be able to see when your time is close to arriving so get in line then.  Please try to keep a six foot distance between you and other family groups while waiting in line.  The plan is to have individual families commune together at the railings.  For now, we ask that you do not kneel or lean upon the rails, unless necessary, so they don't need to be cleaned as often.  The common cup will still be available for communing.  If you are uncomfortable with that you certainly do not have to take it.  The individual cups will be available.  Wafers will still be given to you by the elder who will be wearing gloves. 
For seating, you will be using every other row, going from front to back.  There will be some color of bright plastic tape marking the rows you are not to use.  In the rows you are seated in, we are asking that family groups remain at least 6 feet away from other family groups in their row.  We are also now designating a singing section and a non singing section to our sanctuary for those who do not feel safe being near people singing during the church service.  When you enter the sanctuary, those who wish to not sing during the service will sit in the farthest section from the entrance.  This is also the closest section to the baptismal font. We will move chairs around depending on how many wish to not participate in singing during the service. 

We will not be "passing the peace" or greeting one another at the beginning of the service.  Pastor will be greeting people at the back of the church after the service is over, but will not be shaking hands.  Please try to keep a six foot distance between you and other family groups while entering or exiting the church. 

The doors from the narthex to the church have normally been closed during the service.  They will now be left open so people don't need to touch them while entering or exiting. 

A FYI.  Since we run a childcare program that uses the gym and the bathrooms in the narthex, the government is requiring us to list the names of everyone who is in our building during our Sunday morning Bible study and church services.  The elder on duty has been tasked with making a list of everyone that attends, by name.  They are using a checklist for that so you don't have to do anything.  I simply thought that you should be aware of this.  As a further note, you should be aware that if you are in the building during the hours of operation of the Childcare program (7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday) you should be filling out a COVID 19 form, available in the church or school offices.  It's a simple form that asks you to answer several questions in addition to listing your name and temperature.  
If you will be attending the Sunday morning Bible study, we plan to have family groups sitting at their own tables.  This will allow the six foot distancing to occur with reasonable effort.  At this time there will be no coffee or treats available here.  If you can't stay awake during my Bible study without them, you'll have to bring you own!  
These changes and rules may be too rigid for some people and too lax for others.  However, ultimately, the Church is not based upon rules, laws, guidelines, executive orders or emergency declarations.  It is based upon the love and mercy of God, without which all of us would already be dead and suffering in hell.  He calls us to live lives of mercy and grace.  He does not call His children to live by the letter of the law.  The Triune God is the only Expert who knows the real truth, and He has already numbered each of our days.  There is nothing we can do to lengthen them once our day arrives. 
I'm sure I'm missing something.  As the weeks go by we will get better at this if we work together in humility and repentance.
​
God be with you.
​-Pastor Poellet-

Please join us for service on Sunday at 10:30am through either of these links. We look forward to worshiping with you. 
https://www.facebook.com/SMLHolt/   or
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWurXn5K6bbgYbJ4Y1LkRFA?view_as=subscriber
​
Worship is interpreted into American Sign Language almost every Sunday at 10:30 AM
From the Michigan District
In June, 2020, a number of Detroit Lutheran pastors, District officials, and laity
spent a day together looking at how the Church is challenged by the racial divides
in our country and what we need in Christ for healing. What these Black Lutheran
pastors shared was at times both hard to listen to but also encouraging as we
recognized that, no matter what skin color we are blessed to be born with, we are
one in Christ.
An idea was conceived—to coordinate a sermon series on Racial Healing in the
Church and for the Community. After that meeting, the District staff noted that
the Lectionary readings from September 20 through November 1 (All Saints’
Day) seemed to work alongside the topic of Racial Healing. Seven pastors were
asked to write sermons based on the readings, and one family life educator created children’s messages, videos, and family discussion guides.
Pastor Poellet is utilizing not only the sermons during these seven weeks, but also the Bible study One Nation Under God—Healing Racial Divides in America written by Rev. Keith Haney.
One other outcome of the June meeting was the creation of the document “Unity
in Christ Affirmations.” These statements, approved by the Michigan District Board
of Directors, very succinctly state what we think or believe about racism. This
document can be found at michigandistrict.org/unityaffirmations.
Our prayer is that all the congregations in the Michigan District, LCMS would
prayerfully consider utilizing this series that intentionally addresses the racial
tension in our nation and how God’s chosen saints in Christ Jesus can think,
speak, pray, and act.
 

MINISTRY OFFICE HOURS


Regular Sunday Worship Schedule

10:30-11:30 am -Live stream along with worship interpreted into American Sign Language 
​
HERE: May the faithful find SALVATION, and the careless be AWAKENED
HERE: May the doubting find FAITH, and the anxious be ENCOURAGED
HERE:​ May the tempted find HELP, and the sorrowful COMFORT
​HERE: ​May the weary find REST, and the strong be RENEWED
Location
We are located at 2418 N. Aurelius Rd. Holt, Michigan 48842 just south of Willoughby Rd.
Phones
St. Matthew Lutheran Church : (517)-694-0978
Holt Lutheran School : (517)-694-3182
Martin Luther High School : (517)-525-0116
SonShine Early Childcare Center:  (517)-694-3182

Email
SML : smlchurchoffice@gmail.com
​HLS : principal@hlsmi.org
​MLHS : mmlha.office@gmail.com
​SECC:  sonshine.ecc@gmail.org
​
OUR MISSION: To know Jesus and to let Him be known, by reflecting God's love, teaching our children and serving the community.