HOW I CAN HELP.
Give Diapers for the Annual Lutherans for Life Diaper Drive!
Join Thousands of Lutherans from around the nation in the annual Baby Diaper Drive. The LWML of St. Matthew will collect diapers on behalf of LFL, and then donate them to PREGNANCY CHOICES of Lansing. From Mother's Day and continuing through Father's Day, June 17th, please bring disposable diapers and diaper wipes in and place them in the crib which is located just past the narthex. All sizes of diapers are needed, but especially larger sizes.
Be a Volunteer for the International Friendship Center
Goals for a Healthy Church
It’s always time for looking forward. Too often, though, we look to the past and think about how blessed we are to have made it this far, or through another year. This is really looking back and behind to what was. Yet, with every new day comes opportunity to be forward-looking for growth, both personally for you, and corporately for your church. Rather than thinking, and talking about former blessings, why not adopt goals to be a new blessing, starting with myself. St. Paul would have us remember this: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (Philippians 3:13–16, ESV)Leaders and laity together, yet individually, let’s commit to:
1. Reading through the Bible again. Church leaders and laity are more effective when they take every opportunity to hear from God in worship; the proclamation of His Word, receiving the gift of His Sacraments, learning how to engage in personal devotions, attending guided bible studies, reading books regarding the life and livelihood of the Church, and holding each other accountable to reading the Word. Several Bible reading plans are available from our hymnal and from other sources that will be provided upon request.
2. Praying every day with a prayer partner like your spouse and family, or a friend. Healthy churches are filled with praying people, and praying people are led by praying pastors, staff, and lay leaders who teach them how to pray. Prayers are ACTS of worship: Acknowledgement of my personal rebellion against God’s perfect will, Confession of my personal sin in repentant faith, Touching the pierced hands and feet of the Savior in my heart of hearts, believing that the blood that flowed from those wounds were shed to cleanse me of all unrighteousness and sin, Staying mindful of my high calling as a servant of the Almighty God to give as He has given to me. Church leaders and laity praying for themselves and each other are doing ACTS that build up the body of Christ.
3. Learning to recognize those God-appointed opportunities to share the faith. Faith is a gift given by God. It only becomes ours when it is engendered in the human heart (cf. John 1:12-13). So according to St. Paul, leaders especially, have a responsibility to pray and watch for God-given opportunities to share the faith (Col. 4:2-6).
4. Being open to honest evaluation of the church’s health. Let us ask God to, “Show us how we might better use your gifts to us to reach non-believers and grow Your Kingdom reign?” (cf. Romans 12:3-8) Laity should especially pray that the Word of the Lord would spread rapidly through the ministry of their church (2 Thess. 3:1).
5. Intentionally encouraging each other. Seeking personal glorification or fostering rivalries are simply ungodly manifestations of the flesh, (cf. Galatians 5:19-21). Being a servant and church leader in any year means investing yourself in somebody else – including somebody who might lead the congregation to new and more effective God-guided ventures than what you have formerly known (cf. Galatians 5:25-26).
6. Holding ourselves accountable for these commitments. Healthy churches begin with God-called leaders walking with Him, loving His Word, sharing His Word, and investing themselves in new believers. In many ways, healthy churches in all times will be about doing old things well – about staying involved in His Word and worship, in prayer and the sharing of his Word. It is also about seeking new things, new areas of ministry that God may be opening the doors of opportunity for us to show ourselves to be His disciples in both word and deed.
May every year for St. Matthew Lutheran, Holt Lutheran School, and SonShine Early Childcare Center, be a year that brings honor and glory to the Lord more than ever! To God be all praise, honor, and glory!
1. Reading through the Bible again. Church leaders and laity are more effective when they take every opportunity to hear from God in worship; the proclamation of His Word, receiving the gift of His Sacraments, learning how to engage in personal devotions, attending guided bible studies, reading books regarding the life and livelihood of the Church, and holding each other accountable to reading the Word. Several Bible reading plans are available from our hymnal and from other sources that will be provided upon request.
2. Praying every day with a prayer partner like your spouse and family, or a friend. Healthy churches are filled with praying people, and praying people are led by praying pastors, staff, and lay leaders who teach them how to pray. Prayers are ACTS of worship: Acknowledgement of my personal rebellion against God’s perfect will, Confession of my personal sin in repentant faith, Touching the pierced hands and feet of the Savior in my heart of hearts, believing that the blood that flowed from those wounds were shed to cleanse me of all unrighteousness and sin, Staying mindful of my high calling as a servant of the Almighty God to give as He has given to me. Church leaders and laity praying for themselves and each other are doing ACTS that build up the body of Christ.
3. Learning to recognize those God-appointed opportunities to share the faith. Faith is a gift given by God. It only becomes ours when it is engendered in the human heart (cf. John 1:12-13). So according to St. Paul, leaders especially, have a responsibility to pray and watch for God-given opportunities to share the faith (Col. 4:2-6).
4. Being open to honest evaluation of the church’s health. Let us ask God to, “Show us how we might better use your gifts to us to reach non-believers and grow Your Kingdom reign?” (cf. Romans 12:3-8) Laity should especially pray that the Word of the Lord would spread rapidly through the ministry of their church (2 Thess. 3:1).
5. Intentionally encouraging each other. Seeking personal glorification or fostering rivalries are simply ungodly manifestations of the flesh, (cf. Galatians 5:19-21). Being a servant and church leader in any year means investing yourself in somebody else – including somebody who might lead the congregation to new and more effective God-guided ventures than what you have formerly known (cf. Galatians 5:25-26).
6. Holding ourselves accountable for these commitments. Healthy churches begin with God-called leaders walking with Him, loving His Word, sharing His Word, and investing themselves in new believers. In many ways, healthy churches in all times will be about doing old things well – about staying involved in His Word and worship, in prayer and the sharing of his Word. It is also about seeking new things, new areas of ministry that God may be opening the doors of opportunity for us to show ourselves to be His disciples in both word and deed.
May every year for St. Matthew Lutheran, Holt Lutheran School, and SonShine Early Childcare Center, be a year that brings honor and glory to the Lord more than ever! To God be all praise, honor, and glory!
Be an SML & HLS BENEFICIARY
- General Mills Box Tops for Education
- Aunt Millie's bread "school spirit" labels
- Meijer's Rewards #638692
- Goodsearch.com
Be an ALTAR FLOWER Sponsor
If you enjoy seeing the beautiful flowers on the altar each week, please take a look at the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall, or contact the church secretary. Each arrangement is $25 and you may take them home after the service.
Be a Worship/Servant STEWARD
ACOLYTES: Contact Chelsea Speers
ALTAR GUILD: Contact Rie Summers
MUSIC: Contact Gretchen Maharg
USHERS: Contact Church Office 694-0978
EVANGELISM: Contact Jan Poellet
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Contact Jan Poellet
LWML: Contact Diane Soule
PROJECTOR: Contact Eric LeHaine
GREETERS: Contact Rich Greiner
SUNDAY COFFEE: Contact Cindy Meirndorf
SOUND BOARD: Contact Tom Summers
ALTAR GUILD: Contact Rie Summers
MUSIC: Contact Gretchen Maharg
USHERS: Contact Church Office 694-0978
EVANGELISM: Contact Jan Poellet
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Contact Jan Poellet
LWML: Contact Diane Soule
PROJECTOR: Contact Eric LeHaine
GREETERS: Contact Rich Greiner
SUNDAY COFFEE: Contact Cindy Meirndorf
SOUND BOARD: Contact Tom Summers
Be a MLHS Special GIFT-GIVER
Specially marked envelopes are in the rack on the wall outside the media room for gifts to Martin Luther High School. Gifts may be given in memory or honor of someone special to your hear, or "just because" you strongly support Lutheran education at the high school level.
Be a VOLUNTEER for HLS/SECC
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to read to our HLS/SECC (Holt Lutheran School/SonShine Early Childcare Center) students. It is not too late for more members to sign up to read, teachers have other interesting tasks you may be interested in assisting with, ask me about them. Members are reading in several classrooms, checking papers, helping with special projects, cleaning, volunteering for lunch, helping setting up for special events, assisting with youth group, being musicians, making needed repairs, and the list goes on.
Where can you help?
Where is your talent?
Volunteer. YOU ARE NEEDED!
Vicky
Where can you help?
Where is your talent?
Volunteer. YOU ARE NEEDED!
Vicky
Specific Volunteer Opportunities Contact Vicky Harris @719-1738 if you: -Will work in the lunch room one day a week from 10:30a-12:30p (you choose the day); -Would wash the sheets & bibs for the Infant/Toddler room each weekend, or at least 1-2 times/month. Call Vicky for details.