Welcome to Worship at St. Matthew’sDecember 4, 2016

Welcome to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church as we worship, learn and serve together. Welcome to worship during this season of Advent! We gather to anticipate the joy of God’s coming — at Bethlehem, in our hearts and at the end of days. Introduction to the Day: At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases, we turn toward the light of Christ’s coming. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s Table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.

One of the poinsettias at the altar is in honor of Mary Ann Abrahamson’s 89th birthday.Communion: All baptized Christians who celebrate the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine are invited to the Lord’s Table at all services. If you are seated in the chapel and wish to come forward for communion please leave the chapel and join the center aisle line at any time during distribution. Gluten-free wafers are available if you ask your communion server. Those who desire juice instead of regular wine, please tell this to the communion assistant. Due to the weight of the communion trays, you may be asked to take your glass of wine from the tray as it is presented to you.Why are some people wearing nametags? We wear nametags on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month in order for us to know more people on Sunday mornings. Hunger Baskets to be passed today: When the offering plates are passed later in the service, it is followed by a basket for a special collection. This second collection will be directed toward local and world hunger. Thank you for your faith-filled response to this opportunity.Nursery News Moriah Mucha will not be in the Nursery on December 4 & December 11th. Volunteers are scheduled for 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00.Next Sunday is Pageant Sunday! Come see the biennial production “The Nativity” at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Guests welcome!

Bulletin Layout Planning___1__ Welcome Panel -Stock___1__ Panel 2 - Staff

ADDITIONAL PANELS for THIS WEEK

___8__ Bulletin Panels___1__ ESUP ___1__ Christmas Prep___1__ Children’s Panel___1__

___1__ Children’s Panel??

BULLETIN EMAIL - ADDITIONSWelcome to worship and fellowship in the body of Christ.

Maybe now is the time to begin Simply Giving: St. Matthew’s Stewardship Committee partners with Thrivent Financial for electronic transfer of contributions from parishioners’ checking or savings accounts directly to St. Matthew’s bank account. There is an enrollment form in your Stewardship Packet. For more information, contact Holly in the church office, 414-774-0441 or hjurss@sbcglobal.net.

Gifts of Stock are WelcomeGifts of stock are always welcome at St. Matthew’s. Our brokerage account is with Robert W. Baird here in the Milwaukee area. The contact person is Curt Brewer, 262-523-5644. He can arrange to have your gift transferred directly from your account to St. Matthew’s brokerage account. Consult with your tax advisor to see if this has significant advantages for you. As always, feel free to contact Holly in the church office with questions.

St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran ChurchBulletin Announcements - December 4, 2016

St. Matthew’s Foundation is a non-profit organization which invests and disburses funds for the benefit of initiatives se-lected by St. Matthews church, specifically scholarships and partnerships/benevolences. Donations to the Foundation are often made in honor of or in memory of a family member or friend. Another way to cre-ate a lasting influence on St. Matthews is by designating the Foundation as a beneficiary in your estate/life insurance plan-ning. For example, a family with two children could indicate each child as a beneficiary at 49% and the Foundation at 2%. Please consider this the next time you need to select beneficiaries for a policy or fund. Following is the informa-tion needed to do this:St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lu-theran Church Foundation, Inc.Entity ID #: 6S17449

Give as you are blessed, especially in this season: the Giving Tree is up!Now is the time to grab an ornament and purchase a gift, gift card, or home supplies for our partners at Cross and Reformation, senior citizens served by Greater Tosa Interfaith, and refugees moving to Milwaukee through Lutheran Social Services. Please bring items back to St. Matthew’s (unwrapped) by December 14th.

Bible Study Update- The Wednesday Bible Study has sojourned through the prophets of Amos and Obadiah, and will meet Wednesdays at 10 a.m. through December 21st. We’ll be beginning the funny, wry, dramatic, and powerful story of the book of Jonah. Join us for a deeper plunge into the stories of the bible. Anyone is welcome to join us—bring a bible with you!

Thank you to those who contributed to the Cross lunch meal this past Wednesday. Approximately 250 people were served. What a great variety of salads, fruits, and desserts we had. Thank you for taking time from your schedule to remember those in our community who are “food-insecure.” And a shout-out to Tom Geib for his leadership of this ministry and his ongoing dedication to Cross’s monthly meal as well as the Repairers of the Breach bag lunches that are packed twice a month here.

We have Gorgeous Stained Glass Windows at St. Matthew’s: And now we have a beautiful new book featuring photographs taken by Pastor Chris Manke and descriptions written about them by St. Matthew’s first senior pastor, The Rev. William Niebling. They are available at the Welcome Center and in the church office for only $20. Special thanks to Linda Chadwick, who arranged the photos and descriptions and created the keepsake book.

Lutheran A Cappella Choir Concert at St. Matthew’s on Sunday, December 4The Lutheran A Cappella Choir of Milwaukee, under the direction of David Mohr, will be presenting their annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 4th at 3:00pm at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Celebrating their 80th Anniversary Season, the choir will perform works of the Advent and Christmas seasons. The featured work on the concert will be the majestic “Christmas Cantata” by K. Lee Scott, a work in 6 movementsaccompanied by organ, brass andpercussion. Other works will includeengaging arrangements of well-knownChristmas carols such as “Pat-a-pan,”“Sussex Carol,” “Once in Royal David’sCity,” and “I Saw Three Ships.” Theconcert will conclude with the audiencejoining the choir in a beautiful setting of“Silent Night.”Tickets are $15.00 for Adults and$12.00 for Seniors and Students, andmay be purchased at the door. Comeand experience the joy, the wonderand the splendor of the Advent andChristmas seasons in this concert sureto lift the spirits of all who attend!

A Note about Sunday Bulletin Distribution: In order to make good use of resources, fewer copies of the bulletin announcements section of your Sunday bulletin have been printed. These Bulletin Announcements Inserts are available at the Welcome Center, from an usher, or downstairs across from the church office. OR receive a sneak-peak email of these announcements and other panels on Friday morning of each week! Please sign up on the bottom of the Events Sign-Up panel in today’s

Simply Giving: St. Matthew’s Stewardship Committee partners with Thrivent Financial for electronic transfer of contributions from parishioners’ checking or savings accounts directly to St. Matthew’s bank account. For more information or to request enrollment documents, contact Jennifer in the church office at jenkramer414@gmail.com.

Week of December 5-10Monday: 10:15, Staff Meeting11:00, Program Staff Meeting 1:00, Fallen Angels 2:30, Friendship Force Board Mtg. 7:00, Finance CommitteeTuesday: 9:30, EmBELLishments 7:00, Righteous Ringers 7:00, Yoga ClassWednesday:10:00, Bible Study with Pr. Matt 5:30, WOW - Dinner b4 Confirmation 5:45, Pageant Rehearsal 6:00, New Generation Choir 7:00, New Creation Choir 7:00, 7th/8th gr. Conf. Big GroupThursday: 8:30, JOMM using main kitchen 9:30, A CaBELLa Ringers 4:00, Praise Kids 6:15, Bells Angels 7:30, Senior Choir RehearsalFriday: 9:30, St. Matt’s MamasSaturday:Morning: Pageant Dress Rehearsal 9:00, Diocese of Meru- Synod Comm.

Deborah Circle will meet on Tuesday, December 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Upper Room for a Salad Christmas lunch.

Shoe Recycling is Back!Reduce - Reuse - RecycleThe call for old shoes you’ve been waiting for is finally here! The city of Milwaukee has implemented a shoe recycling program, which allows for more types of shoes to be recycled. Bring any type of shoe, except high heels, to the blue collection barrel located in front of the church office. The shoes should be tied together or bound with a rubber band (available at the collection barrel). Thank you in advance for your participation in this worthwhile project. Any questions? Want to learn more? Contact Jen Kramer at jenkqk@yahoo.com

Adult Learning on Sunday Mornings 9:45-10:45 a.m. Meets in the Upper RoomChildcare Available in the Nursery

TODAY! December 4 - Stephen MinistryStephen Ministry is a highly effective caring ministry already used in thousands of congregations. Through Stephen Ministry, congregation members receive training to provide emotional and spiritual care to people experiencing grief, divorce, illness, job loss, hospitalization and other life difficulties. Come to this interactive presentation that will explain how Stephen Ministry works and the difference it makes in people’s lives. We’ll also explore the needs for care in our congregation and learn how we can begin Stephen Ministry right here at St. Matthew’s. Sue Swing

December 11 & December 18What’s In a Sermon & How Do We Get There?Join us for this interactive discussion on the steps the pastors take to prepare and deliver a sermon.

Cough drops needed for Repairers of the Breach Homeless Outreach Center: If you wish to donate some, bring them to the food collection area, but mark the bag for “ROTB.” Thanks for meeting this seasonal need to make ROTB clients more comfortable while dealing with cold symptoms.

Mt. Meru Coffee is now available in K-cups (regular only). Thank you, St. Matthew’s for your continuing support of our partnership with our brothers and sisters in Tanzania. Please stop at the coffee table on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Together we are making a difference. Questions may be directed to Bruce Johnson at 414-366-5053.

Reformation Bookstore Orders are In! If you ordered books from the Reformation Bookstore, they can be picked up in the church library.

Christmas Musicians needed for Christmas Eve worshipWe are looking for instrumentalists to enhance our Christmas Celebration this year at the 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. services. We would like to invite you to play your instrument with us this year. You may or may not have played for Christmas in the past; if you have, you know what an uplifting service it is and how it enhances the congregation’s celebration of the Christmas. The group accompanies the congregation in the singing of Christmas hymns.Rehearsal: Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00 pm.Please let John Paradowski know if you are able to play for Christmas and come see him to pick up a packet of music.

Celebrate an evening of Advent Music with Chant ClaireSaturday December 17, 2016, 7 p.m.Winter Concert at the Irish Cultural & Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee. Chant Claire, the choral group in which Pastors Matt and Delaney and Julia Burke sing, will perform its Christmas concert of sacred and seasonal choral music. Expect an evening that blends classic choral pieces with a few recognizable Christmas and Advent-themed selections and audience participation. The ICHC is an amazing space for music with a massive organ. A dessert reception follows the concert. Tickets are a free-will donation, with preferred seating available.

It’s That Time of Year!

Pick up an Advent Calendar and participate in Turn Around Advent - It’s Not Too LateHow many of you grew up with Advent Calendars? Those countdowns toward Christmas with 24 different doors to open, and a surprise or chocolate to find? It’s a great memory for many of us growing up! This Advent, the Social Ministry team invites you to pick up a FREE ELCA World Hunger Advent Calendar, and begin a new family tradition: Turn Around Advent. As you open a door each day, start a running collection of items to be donated. Personal care items for our partners at Cross and the Guest House; Canned goods for the Food ministries, pocket change for global hunger. Each day, place a new item in your box, and as we come toward Christmas, drop them off in the receptacles at St. Matthew’s—increase your daily spirit of giving and help those in need!

Upcoming Events

COFFEE and CHOCOLATE -

Mt. Meru Coffee - Mmmmm...Bruce Johnson, our Mt. Meru Coffee Ambassador offers delicious Mt. Meru coffee for sale each 2nd & 4th Sunday. This product which is purchased at a fair price from the local farmers who live in the area of Tanzania where we have a partnership relationship. Stop by and see! K-cups for single cup coffee brewing (like Keurigs) are also available. And remember that your purchasing dollars do even more good in 2016, as there are four matching gifts pledges in effect, making each $10 purchase worth an additional $4 in scholarship money to the students in Tanzania that St. Matthew’s is sponsoring.. Mmmm. it tastes good, and feels good, too!

LWR Fair Trade Chocolate available at St. Matthew’s: “Divine Chocolate” - Chocolate made with Fair Trade certified Cocoa beans grown by a farmer owned cooperative in Ghana, is available for purchase the 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month at the Mt. Meru Coffee/LWR Chocolate Project table, in several delicious flavors. Not only do these farmers receive Fair Trade premiums for their cocoa beans, they are part-owners of the Divine Chocolate brand processing

Ongoing Collection for Guest House: We have updated the list of ongoing needs for the Guest House. Please consider picking up one or two of these items when you’re shopping and drop them off in the box outside the church office. Thanks for your support of this important ministry.

Spray deodorant ShampooBody Wash Foot PowderCologne or aftershaveLaundry Bags Men’s watchesMen’s wallets

St. Matthew’s Older Adults MinistrySAINTS Advent Potluck planned for Dec. 14, 11:30 a.m.Our SAINTS older adult ministry will once again gather on December 14 for our annual Advent Potluck. You are invited to bring either an appetizer or dessert. If you prefer, instead of bringing a dish to share, you may contribute a cash amount to help cover “fill ins” such as meat and punch. The sign up sheet will be at our usual area near the library (on the back side of the welcome center). Please indicate what you will share - appetizer, dessert, or cash. This year instead of a full program, more time will be allowed for fellowship and munching.Sandy Cristan, of our congregation, will lead us in a special time of prayer.Place: Fellowship HallTime: 11:30 a.m. (following Bible Study)Date: Wednesday, December 14Guests are always welcome

St. Matt’s First Fridays Book Club meets next on January 6:The St. Matthew’s book group usually meets on the first Friday of each month. The booklist is available at church or on our website.The next meeting is Friday, January 6 at 7 p.m. at St. Matthew’s.Jan. 6, 2017: The Jesus Cow: A Novel

by Michael Perry (283 pages)

Feb. 3, 2017: Nothing Gold Can Stay: Stories: by Ron Rash (256 pages)

City Tins are Here!If you ordered through the Welcome Center or the office, you can pick up your order at the table in the Commons this Sunday. If you ordered from someone going on the mission trip, you will receive your tins from the person who took your order. If you did not pre-order a City Tin but would like one, we do have a few extra Milwaukee Restaurant and Milwaukee Bar tins available at the Church office. Please contact Emily Wanezek or Gretchen Haugse if you have any questions. Thanks for supporting St. Matthew’s mission trips!

Creative Spirit - Tuesday, December 20, 6:00-8:00 pmDo you need time to finish a project? Would you like to get to know more women at church in a relaxed and comfortable environment? Would you like to devote some time to creating something just for fun? Join us on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 for an evening of crafting and creating! Bring your own project; scrapbook, laptop with photos to download/organize, fiber arts etc... anything you just aren’t finding time for at home. We provide the space for you to work while you “craft” relationships with other women at St. Matthew’s. Come when you can! Bring a friend! All are welcome!

Mt. Meru Coffee - Mmmmm.....Bruce Johnson, our Mt. Meru Cof-fee Ambassador, offers delicious Mt. Meru Coffee for sale each 2nd & 4th Sunday. This product is purchased at a fair price from the local farmers who live in the area of Tanzania where we have a partnership relationship. Stop by and see! K-cups for single cup coffee brewing (like Keurigs) are also available. And remember that your purchasing dollars do even more good in 2016, as there are four matching gifts pledges in effect, making each $10 purchase worth an additional $4 to scholarships for Tanzania children St. Matthew’s is sponsoring. Mmmm, it tastes good, and feels good, too!

A note about your valuable items: A reminder to our members and guests that each week as you come to church, any valu-able items should be kept with you and not left in coat pockets or in an unlocked space.

Youth7th & 8th Grade Confirmation meets weekly - Contact Pastor Chris if you have questions or concerns.Wednesday, December 7 - Big GroupWednesday, December 14 - Big groupWednesday, December 21 & 28 No Class - Christmas Break

Next Monthly Mission Trip Meeting is December 4thThe next monthly meeting of the 2017 Youth Mission Trip to New York will be Sunday, December 4th at 12:15 in Fellowship Hall. All youth planning on going on the trip should plan to attend. Please bring $5 for lunch.

We recommend that you don’t leave valuable items in your coat pockets or on the coatracks. There have been circumstances when the wrong coat may have been taken, or where coat pockets are emptied during church services. As you do in other places, keep your valuables with you, or don’t bring them. We also recommend that you lock your car in the parking lot, and if there are valuables in it, keep them out of sight.

We recommend that you don’t leave valuable items in your coat pockets or on the coatracks. There have been circumstances when the wrong coat may have been taken, or where coat pockets are emptied during church services. As you do in other places, keep your valuables with you, or don’t bring them. We also recommend that you lock your car in the parking lot, and if there are valuables in it, keep them out of sight.

Chocolate and Coffee for Sale - Buy now for Christmas - December 11 and 18: LWR Fair Trade Chocolate available at St. Matthew’s: “Divine Chocolate” - Chocolate made with Fair Trade certified Cocoa beans grown by a farmer owned cooperative in Ghana, is available for purchase the December 11 and 18 at the Mt. Meru Coffee/LWR Chocolate Project table, in several delicious flavors. Not only do these farmers receive Fair Trade premiums for their cocoa beans, they are part-owners of the Divine Chocolate brand processing co. Bars come in two sizes. This opportunity is brought to us by Rosie Haas, our LWR Divine Chocolate ambassador. Large Bars are $3.50 each and small bars are $1.50 each.Delicious Fair Trade Mt. Meru Coffee: Bruce Johnson, our Mt. Meru Coffee Ambassador offers delicious Mt. Meru coffee for sale December 11 and 18. This product which is purchased at a fair price from the local farmers who live in the area of Tanzania where we have a partnership relationship. Remember that your purchase has even more power this year due to several ‘matching gift’ pledges. Stop by and see all the flavors that are now available. K-cups for single cup coffee brewing (like Keurigs) are also available. Do you enjoy St. Matthew’s Coffee Hour coffee? It’s Mt. Meru, of course!

St. Matthew’s Website Users: Did you receive the website survey in your email this week? If you haven’t completed a survey for us yet, please do so. We plan to make some website updates and improvements, and are looking for users to tell us what’s needed. Thanks! Here’s a link to the survey: http://tinyurl.com/jgtyfpu

Flower Book Sign-Ups Needed - Your Sign-Ups are needed for the altar flower/library book/DVD sign-up notebook! Want to honor a loved one or show someone you care? Designate altar flowers for them, or a library book. Sign up in the Binder at the Information Center. For a donation of $30.00, you may designate altar flowers, or for $15.00 a library book or a DVD for an occasion of your choosing, and

Undie Sunday is December 11th to benefit Guest House Milwaukee and the Benedict Center’s Sisters ProgramThere is still one week left to bring in donations for Undie Sunday! We have received many pairs of underwear, bras, socks, and women’s pajamas. If you are still hoping to donate, there is greater need for women’s items among the donations we’ve received so far.Guest House offers alcohol and drug abuse education, employment, and other counseling programs to homeless men, all to help them become productive citizens. Benedict Center’s Sisters Project provides mental health, alcohol and drug education, employment, food, parenting and anger management programs to women trapped in prostitution on Milwaukee’s near north side. Both of these programs are in critical need for life’s basic clothing – new underwear.

Men’s briefs, size S, M, L, 2X, 3XMen’s disposable razorsMen’s socks, size 6 – 12Cough dropsWomen’s panties size 4 to 24Women’s bras size 34A to 42CWomen’s socksWomen’s pajamas, all sizes incl. XL, 2X

The Undie Sunday drive ends on December 11th. Bring donations to the collection box area outside the church office.

St. Matthew’s Lutheran 2016 Special Funds ReportResults as of 11/6/2016

Dollars needed to complete mortgage $319,916Hunger baskets, year-to-date, for Hunger $10,2732016 Benevolence through October 31 $313,957 including Kingdom Account Distributions

Social Ministry

Chocolate and Coffee for Sale: LWR Fair Trade Chocolate available at St. Matthew’s: “Divine Chocolate” - Chocolate made with Fair Trade certified Cocoa beans grown by a farmer owned cooperative in Ghana, is available for purchase the 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month at the Mt. Meru Coffee/LWR Chocolate Project table, in several delicious flavors. Not only do these farmers receive Fair Trade premiums for their cocoa beans, they are part-owners of the Divine Chocolate brand processing co. Bars come in two sizes. This opportunity is brought to us by Rosie Haas, our LWR Divine Chocolate ambassador. Large Bars are $3.50 each and small bars are $1.50 each. Mt. Meru Coffee - Mmmmm...Also, Bruce Johnson, our Mt. Meru Coffee Ambassador offers delicious Mt. Meru coffee for sale each 2nd & 4th Sunday. This product which is purchased at a fair price from the local farmers who live in the area of Tanzania where we have a partnership relationship. Stop by and see! K-cups for single cup coffee brewing (like Keurigs) are also available. And remember that your purchasing dollars do even more good in 2016, as there are four matching gifts pledges in effect, making each $10 purchase worth an additional $4 to scholarships for Tanzania children St. Matthew’s is sponsoring.

St. Matthew’s Simple Gifts Catalog Available for Holiday GivingWant to give gifts of meaning? Pick up our partnerships giving catalog from the Welcome Center, and give a gift that makes the world a little brighter for those who have very little. The catalog offers financial gifts ranging from $5 to $250 that can be given in honor of friends and family. Items support all four of our ministry partners: Reformation and Cross Lutheran Churches in Milwaukee, Casa Esperanza in El Salvador, and Sing-isi Lutheran Church in Tanzania. To make a purchase, just fill in the order form in the catalog, indicating the item number, and turn it into the office with your check made out to St. Matthew’s. Gift cards for your purchases are available at the welcome center. Thank you for remembering our partners in your holiday giving!

Have you filled a red bag lately? Food and grocery donations have been down lately, most likely due to people’s busy schedules. If you check the commons display, grab a red bag, and fill it with suggested grocery items for our partner food pantries. Bring it back to church next Sunday. Thank you for your generous donations that are very much needed by many families in Milwaukee.

Healing Service Schedule: All are welcome at monthly healing services Healing services are offered monthly at St. Matthew’s at a variety of times to give all the opportunity to come forward for healing prayer for themselves or others. You can share your concern with the pastor/leader at the altar, and then he/she along with the healing ministries will lay on hands and give a special prayer for your concern. Your concern can be general if you don’t wish to share specifically. Sunday, December 18 During the 11:00 serviceSunday, January 8, 2017; 9:45, during Educ. Hour

Good Neighbors Needed: Older adults in your neighborhood are looking for a little help. They might need a ride, help with shopping or someone to change a light bulb. Maybe they need someone to ease their loneliness. Basically they need the kinds of things that neighbors do for one another. We are also looking for folks to help bake, sort and deliver cookies to our elders during the week before Christmas. If you are looking for meaingful ways to help others and improve the quality of life for our neighborhood seniors, call Greater Tosa Interfaith and find out how satisfying it is to be a volunteer. Contact Amy Dedow at Greater Tosa Interfaith, 414-453-5750.

Caregivers Group meets 2nd and 4th Monday afternoons - Sharing joys and challenges The caregivers group will meet on the following dates at 1 p.m. in the Upper Room. The group is facilitated by Sharon Thiel, and you are welcome to attend. Next Dates: November 14 and 28

Simply Giving: St. Matthew’s Stewardship Committee partners with Thrivent Financial for electronic transfer of contributions from parishioners’ checking or savings accounts directly to St. Matthew’s bank account. For more information or to request enrollment documents, contact Jen in the church office, 414-774-0441 or jenkramer414@gmail.com.

Disciples of Christ (DOC) is for children in 4th & 5th grades. We gather for fellowship time, which consists of having lunch (pizza), playing games (ex. Capture the Flag), and a short devotion with songs. Friends in 4th & 5th grades are welcome to join us. Cost is $4. Please call the church office to RSVP, 414-774-0441, but come even if you can’t RSVP.Sunday, November 20th, 12:15-2:00 p.m.

Our partners at Cross Lutheran invite you to participate in many ways in the coming year! As you think about how you might serve next year, here are some easy ways to connect with the people and partners at Cross!—Serve and Cook Wednesday mealsSt. Matthew’s serves about 250-300 guests at the weekly Wednesday lunch Cross serves on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Pick up a card and bring a salad, fruit, or dessert the Sunday before, and meet at church if you can serve on Wednesdays (around 10:30ish). Contact the church office, Larry Jurss, or Tom Geib if you are interested in helping. —Prepare and Cook a Tutoring MealEach Tuesday and Thursday, Cross hosts neighborhood kids and tutors from partner churches from 6:00—8:00. St. Matthew’s has committed to providing a meal for about 20 people on the 4th Tuesday of each month (and other times if people are willing). Kathy Weinberg-Kinsey helps coordinate these meals, and can be con-tacted for more information.—Shop for non-perishablesGrab a “Red Bag” and shop for the Cross Food Pantry. Non-perishables, especially Mac-n-Cheese and flavored Rice Sides are welcome; also personal care and medical items are also welcome for the Bread of Healing Clinic.—Attend Mardi Gras!This year’s Cross Mardi Gras will be held on Friday, Feb. 17th! Save the date and watch for more information! St. Matthew’s will be subsidizing tickets again this year—enjoy a fun night of food, dancing, and other exciting fellowship!

Pop Top Collection: After a hiatus from collecting soda pop can pull tabs, we will resume the collection at this time. These pop tabs are given to the Ronald McDonald House toward the good work they do in housing out-of-town families of patients at Children’s Hospital. The collection spot will be at the entrance of the Education wing, near the other recycling and Reformation pick-up area.

The St. Matthew’s Meal Outreach Ministry

Just One More: Volunteers assemble packaged meals to be picked up by area churches and programs each weekday morning at 9:00 a.m. Food packing takes place at their new location: 6442 River Parkway, Wauwatosa. The JOMM office phone is 414-292-5112; speak with Ray Lueck. OR go online to the JOMM website: jomministry.org and click on “volunteer” - you can sign up right there!Guest House: Many thanks to Molly Crego and Damon Leto for an awesome at serving dinner at the Guest House on November 13. Three or four volunteers are welcome each month to prepare and serve dinner for 85 men at the Guest House, a homeless shelter. Meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. to carpool and finish by 7:00 p.m. Seeking volunteers for December 11 and January 8. Please contact Carl Johnson (johnsoncr@cdmsmith.com) or 414-771-1023.Repairers of the Breach: We supply 100 bag lunches for the homeless twice a month. We pack the lunches at church on the 2nd and 4th Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. Volunteers are needed to provide beverages, fruit, chips and sweets and/or pack the lunches. Contact Tom Geib (414-321-3391).Serenity Inn: Volunteers prepare and serve 6-8 residents the second Sunday of each month. Volunteers carpool meeting at church at 5:15 returning at 7:15. Currently looking for volunteers for December 11 and January 8. If you can help, please contact the coordinator, Cherie Swenson, at 262-309-3690 or by email cpjswenson@icloud.comCross Lutheran Lunch Program We serve 300-400 people on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Cross Lutheran Church, 1821 N. 16th Street. We carpool from St. Matthew’s at 10:45 a.m. and serve beginning at about 11:30 and returning to St. Matt’s at about 1:00. Next Meal: Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Pick up a card in worship on the Sunday prior to

Sunday Morning Volunteers: St. Matthew’s uses Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) an on-line scheduling program to schedule our Sunday morning volunteers. We DO NOT schedule people for Christmas services but many volunteers will be needed. If you will be in town for Christmas and attending one of our worship services please consider helping out in one of the services. You do not need to have any experience! A sign up list is at the Welcome Center, in the Bulletin today and on-line.Current Volunteers! Please take a moment to update your availability for January-March, 2017. Here’s how to do that:

• In MSP, Log into your profile (you will need your password)• Click on My Profile• Go to Ministries & Scheduling• Add the dates you know you will not be available between January-March• Click Submit

If you need the log in information, have questions or would like to become part of the Sunday morning volunteer ministry please contact Sue Swing; sueswing@sbcglobal.net or 414-774-0441.

St. Matthew’s Weekly Sign-Up PanelDecember 4, 2016

If you are interested in any of the following activities/events, please check the appropriate box and place this sheet in the offering plate, or turn it in to the church office. This is your opportunity to be involved in some of St. Matthew’s ministries.

I plan to attend the Saints Advent Potluck on Wednesday, December 14 at 11:30 a.m. Number attending ______

I will bring: Appetizer ____ Dessert ____ Cash donation ____

I am in 7th grade or above or an adult and would like to join the Christmas Orchestra by playing my instrument for Christmas Eve at the following services: 7:00 and/or 10:00. (Circle choices) The rehearsal is Wednesday, 12/21 at 7 p.m. My instrument is _________________________

Just One More: Volunteers assemble packaged meals to be picked up by area churches and programs each weekday morning at 9:00 a.m. Food packing takes place at their new location: 6442 River Parkway, Wauwatosa. The JOMM office phone is 414-292-5112; speak with Ray Lueck. OR go online to the JOMM website: jomministry.org and click on “volunteer” - you can sign up right there!

Serenity Inn: Volunteers prepare and serve 6-8 residents the second Sunday of each month. Volunteers carpool meeting at church at 5:15 returning at 7:15. Currently looking for volunteers for December 11. If you can help, please contact the coordinator, Cherie Swenson, at 262-309-3690 or by email cpjswenson@icloud.com

Name___________________________________ Phone Number___________________

Email Address _________________________________________________________

For more information on any of these opportunities, please call or email the church office, 414-774-0441 or office@stmattslutheran.org.

Please add my email address to the list of people receiving the Friday “Bulletin Update,” a preview of the announcements in the upcoming Sunday’s bulletin.

I would like more information about serving at Serenity Inn occasionally. It is scheduled each second Sunday evening. (Serenity volunteers serve only dates you choose)

I’d like to help with the “Just One More” meal ministry on Friday mornings. The food distributing takes place at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee.

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Ministers ThePeopleofSt.Matthew’sEv.LutheranChurchLeadPastor TheRev.ChristopherJ.P.MankeAssociatePastor TheRev.MatthewSchlake-KruseAssociatePastor TheRev.AnnWilliamsMusicMinister/Organist/NewGeneration&AdultHandbellChoirs JohnR.ParadowskiDirectorofOlderAdultMinistries JaneSandstromDirectorofYouthMinistries&Children’sEducationCoordinator GretchenHaugseVolunteerMinistries/SmallGroups/AdultEducation SueSwingChildren’sMinistryCoordinator DonnaGardnerMankePastors’Assistant/SundaySchoolSupport EmilyWanezekTechnologyCoordinator BrianSmithLibraryCoordinator(Volunteer) LindaWunderlichSeniorChoirDirector DavidMohrYouthHandbellChoirs JeffreyReevesNewCreationChoir JeffreyReevesandJohnParadowski;HeideHughes,accompanistPraiseKids!Directors(Jr.K-2grades) JeffReevesandAmyDankwardtFinancialAdministrator JenniferKramerOfficeAssistant JillDueCommunicationsSecretary SonjaMohrJanitor [Open]Janitor RobertGardnerPastorEmeritus TheRev.GaryErickson

Vision Statement: Guided byGod’s Spirit andGrace, we are a community ofdisciplesgrowinginfaith,hopeandloveinourLordandSaviorJesusChrist.(What we want to become)

Mission Statement: Called to fulfill the Great Commission, St. Matthew’swelcomesalltofaithinJesusChrist,nurturesourfaithjourney,equipsustoserveothers,andsendsusintotheworldtomakeadifferenceinJesus’name.(What we are going to do)

Values: Wewant to be people who grow in our Spiritual fruitfulness, which isshown through the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,Goodness,Faithfulness,Gentleness,Self-control.(Who we want to be)