Followers of Jesus...Wherever You AreGrowing in Christ with our Head, Heart, and Hands

WELCOMETHANKS FOR WORSHIPPING WITH US THIS MORNING!

What would change if you immersed yourself in the words spoken by Jesus for 40days? How would Jesus shape your life if you began to more intentionally put hiswords into practice? This fall, we at St Matthew will embark on a 40-day journeythrough the Gospels, hearing and doing the words of Jesus. We hope you’ll comealong with us!

November 3: ServingNovember 10: GivingNovember 17: GoingNovember 24: Celebration Service

We’re glad you’re here today! We pray that you will find St Matthew to be awelcoming and spiritually uplifting place for you and your family no matter whereyou are in your walk with Jesus.

Please complete a Connection Card with any appropriate information andinclude any prayer requests you may have on the back. Place it in the pan duringthe “Noisy Offering” - a special mission offering we take each week.

A supervised nursery is available for children ages 4 and under and as well as anursing room located outside the Sanctuary. Ushers are in the back and happy toassist you in any way.

+ GOD’S WORD FOR US TODAY +

NEW TESTAMENT 1 Peter 2:9-12(Our service brings glory to God.)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peoplebelonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called youout of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, butnow you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but nowyou have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangersin the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you ofdoing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the dayhe visits us.

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.People: Thanks be to God.

HOLY GOSPEL Mark 9:33-37(Greatness in God's Kingdom comes from being a servant.)

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them,“What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet becauseon the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down,Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must bethe very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him standamong them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomesone of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoeverwelcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.People: Praise to You, O Christ.

Thank you for worshipping with us!Join us on Facebook & Instagram

St Matthew Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids

A staffed nursery is available during our 8:30am and 10:45am services, aswell as Sunday School. A nursing room is located outside the sanctuary.

Visit StMatthewGR.com for more about these and other announcements.

NOTES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming Dates & NOTESToday is DAY 20 of the Red Letter Challenge!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates and thoughts on theRed Letter Challenge - @stmatthewgr

Sun, Nov 24. Red Letter Challenge Culmination and St Matthew’s 50th

Anniversary. Everyone is invited to celebrate the culmination of the Red LetterChallenge with a special worship service at 10 AM at Calvin UniversityAuditorium with a catered meal to follow. Tickets are required for the meal asspace is limited. Stop in the commons to get yours today!

Red Letter Challenge...Kiddo Edition: It's been great diving into the Red LetterChallenge during JAM and Sunday School and in our homes too! Two familieswho complete all forty days will go to Craig's Cruisers with the Wieneke andLe'Mon families at the end of the challenge. Let's be families who look for wayswe can "be, forgive, serve, give, and go" after literally following the words ofJesus and putting His words into practice.

Congregation Forum Today: Pastors David Maier and Galan Walther will be withus to explain the process of going through a congregational self study. You will beasked your thoughts, your hopes, and your dreams for the future of ourcongregation, but first we always want to remember Jesus thoughts, hopes anddreams for His church. This important overview will take place in the FellowshipRoom, 9:45-10:30 AM.

HEART

JAM - Jesus And Me: Every Sunday at both services, kid’s learn to live their faithas "Followers of Jesus" through daily points and Bible verses, awesome praisemusic, experiments, games, and a Bible story applied to their everyday lives.They’ll start out in worship with you and be released before the sermon. They’llreturn in time to pray with you. Parents are welcome to go with their children todrop them off and see what JAM is all about!

Praise and Play Thursdays: Praise and Play starts this Thursday from 10-11:15 AMfor all kiddos ages 5 and under and a caregiver. There will be singing, crafts,snacks, and tons of fun in the gym with some super cool toys and equipment. Ourtheme for November is kindness and we'll be learning Ephesians 4:32. Registerfor this free event through our website and please invite your friends andneighbors!

Mom's Coffee Break: Please join us Tuesday, November 5 from 10-11:00 AM for acasual gathering, time in God's Word and prayer, and a chance to chat and enjoyeach other's company. There will be coffee/tea and a light snack. Childcare isavailable. Please RSVP via our website.

Children's Christmas Musical is Sunday, December 15th. If your kids haven'treceived their packet and CD to listen to at home, please grab one today! Weneed everyone to listen and practice as much as they can at home. Can't wait topass out some "Super Listener Prizes" soon!

Marriage Retreat, January 31-Feb 2, 2020. Whether you've been married amonth, five years, 20 or 50, please join us for a weekend-long marriage retreat atthe Spring Lake Holiday Inn! Details and registration information are coming soon,but for now, please mark your calendars, make child care arrangements, etc. andplan to join in this fun retreat!

Annual Family Camping July 23-27, 2020 in Silver Lake. Enjoy the best of aWest Michigan Summer with church friends, old and new! We have a block ofcampsites that will be held until January 10. If you’d like to join us, please emailRachel Conrad at rsconrad5@hotmail.com for online booking instructions with thecampground to ensure you book with our group at the church discounted$48/night pricing.

HANDS

Noisy Offering: Each month, we take a special offering to bless and supportanother mission or ministry. This month supports the Christmas Party for childrenof Wellspring Lutheran Services New Directions program. New Directions is aresidential program for foster children who are severely developmentallydisabled. The children test into the program with IQ’s of 40 to 70 and come fromdysfunctional families as the court has seen reason to remove them from theirparents care. The Noisy Offering funds provide gifts for the children at theirChristmas party.

"FOOD for HOPE" Drive.Only 2 more weeks to bring your donation for the FOODfor HOPE Drive! ALL members of St Matthew are encouraged to donate to thisproject. A list of items to donate is located on the table in the Commons area.Donations will be delivered to Cascade Christian Church Access Food Bankbefore Thanksgiving.

Operation Santa Claus. We will need both shoppers and wrappers for thisproject. We will shop on Mon, Dec 2 at 8:30 AM at the Cascade Meijer and willneed 6 shoppers. We’ll also need 6 people to wrap on Wed, Dec 11 from 1-3 atCascade Christian Church. A final day of wrapping and sorting for delivery will beheld on Wed. Dec 18 at 8:30 at Cascade Christian Church. If you are able to help,please contact Nancy Nagel at 616-881-2531.

HEAD

Weekly Bible Study Opportunities:Sunday Adult Bible Class, 9:45-10:30 AM, Fellowship Room: No class this

week for the Congregation Forum. We’ll resume next Sunday with theRed Letter Challenge.

Men’s Bible Study –Men’s Wednesday morning study meets at 6:30 AM at Denny’sRestaurant on 28th St. Contact Michael Martin for info. We are discussingN.T. Wright’s study of Romans.

Women’s Bible Study –Women's Friday Morning Study this fall is reading Mere Christianity byC.S. Lewis. Nursery care is available and we will be meeting in room 105from 9-11 AM. If you have any questions please contact Denise at 616-914-6480.

Small groups: Would you like to join a short term small group and open the Biblewith other families like yours but don’t know where to get started? Contact PastorRob, rappold@stmatthewgr.com, for help plugging into a group.

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3

TODAY Traditional Worship Service 8:30 AMSunday School 9:45 AMCongregation Forum 9:45 AMContemporary Worship Service 10:45 AMSenior Youth Group 6:30 PM

Monday H2H Confirmation 7 PMTuesday Exercise Classes 9 AM

Mom’s Coffee Break 10 AMFlock Monthly Meeting 10 AMMen’s Bible Study 7 PMElders 7 PM

Wednesday Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AMChoir Rehearsal 6:45 PM

Thursday Praise and Play 10 AMWorship Team Rehearsal 7 PM

Friday Exercise Class 8:30 AMWomen’s Bible Study 9 AM

Celebrating a birthday this week: (11/3) Mikaela Berna, Julie Bemben, CarolYoung; (11/4) Bob Borgeld, Todd Wittlinger, Janice Schray, Jocelyn Prinz, JacobPrinz, Peter Rawie; (11/5) Cathy Tyska, David Price, Maddy Mill; (11/6) MaryOldenburg, Craig Kinney; (11/7) Sandy Fairchild, Madylin Grimaldi; (11/8) MattHassenrik, Will Conrad; (11/9) Zoey Kehr, Ava Vohs.

Celebrating an anniversary this week: (11/5) Bryan and Stephanie Sherman; (11/7)Dennis and Beverly Campbell, Brian and Rachel Conrad; (11/8) Dan and JenBenbow.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• From Gail Spencer, healing for Barb and Sherry.• From Bonnie Mroczek, healing for Karen from a broken hip.• From Marcia Bernhardt, for return of her strength and balance.• From Lisa Lemke, strength and growth for baby Charlotte.• From Rita Allen, health for Joe, Norma, and Cora.• From Carol Haskins, healing from lung cancer for Pastor Mack.• From Noah Vohs, continued healing for Abe.• From Mark and Julie Orth, safe travels for their family.• From Michelle Bottrall, praise for a clear cancer test for Theresa, and for

Vinnie, that he can obtain a Visa to join his wife here in the US.• From Jenny Janetzke, comfort for Randy, Barry and Doug as MS progresses.• From the Jahr family, safe travel for Ben and Rebecca while adopting a son.• For Marilyn who is battling cancer for a third time.• From Caroline Fischer, for a peaceful passing for her aunt.• From the Buechler family, for a family member having foot surgery.• From the Kleczynski family, prayers of thanks that Gerrit came home from

the hospital.• From The Burns family, for Lillian, that she would feel better soon.• From Davie Geiger, healing of his son-in-law’s broken leg.• From Michele Dryer, healing and safety for cousin Alesa and kids.• From the Price family, comfort for Carl as he enters hospice.• From the Vogt and Conrad families, healing for Pax following brain surgery

and chemo.• From Marlene Kelley, for her brother Richard who has been diagnosed with

stage 4 cancer.• From Maury Blish, for Eveline, that God would relieve her pain.

Carpenter’s Apprentice Prayer Team is a prayer chain for immediate prayerconcerns. If you would like to have a prayer concern passed along to membersof the chain, please text or call 616-340-3288, email skandi@att.net, or completea prayer request on our website.

OUR STAFF

Pastor Rob Appold, Senior Pastor | rappold@stmatthewgr.comJoan Koczenasz, Comptroller | jkoczenasz@stmatthewgr.com

Liz Le'Mon, Family Ministries Assistant | elemon@stmatthewgr.comRose Mill, Operations Coordinator | rosemill@stmatthewgr.com

Stephanie Sherman, Middle School Ministry Leader | ssherman@stmatthewgr.comPastor Matthew Starner, Worship & Communications | mstarner@stmatthewgr.com

Lori Wieneke, Director of Spiritual Formation | lwieneke@stmatthewgr.com

St Matthew Lutheran Church November 3, 2019

5125 Cascade Road SE . Grand Rapids, MI 49546616-942-9091 • info@stmatthewgr.com • StMatthewGR.com

SERMON NOTESRed Letter ChallengeWeek 4: SERVING

Rev. Dr. David Maier, President, LCMS Michigan District