Welcome to Worship at St. Matthew’sDecember 11, 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. Welcome today to our presentation of “The Nativity.”We celebrate the Advent and Christmas seasons with you today. For over 40 years, “The Nativity,” which was presented in 1974, has shared the Christmas message of love coming into the world. Over these many years, casts of hundreds of Angels, Shepherds, Villagers, Kings, Soldiers and choir members have portrayed the Christmas Story to thousands of people. The pageant has undergone changes over the years as we

adapted to a new space, re-wrote or added parts here and there, and rotated music selections. But what remains unchanged is the story of God’s all-embracing love coming to us in a tiny baby born in a lowly stable – God’s entrance into the world that changes us forever.Nursery News Moriah Mucha will not be in the Nursery on December 11th. Volunteers are scheduled for 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00.One of the poinsettias on display today has been given by Pastor Ray W. Stubbe in loving memory of his maternal grandfather, Julius Mueller’s December 12th birthday.Two children’s DVDs have been purchased for the church library by Dave & Carol Anderson in honor of their grandchildren, Grace and Ava Yuergens.Remaining Worship Schedule for December: Sunday, December 18: Worship at 7:30, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 24: Worship at 4:00, 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. Sunday, December 25: Worship at 10 a.m.New Year’s Day Worship on Sunday, January 1: 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. (no 7:30 service)

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 11, 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.

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.

Attention 9th Graders and Families: Your Confirmation packets are now ready for pick-up in the Library Commons. Get yours today! It includes your certificate of confirmation, a photo (if ordered) and a copy of the bulletin, along with your offering envelopes.

Prayer Walk Group Meet on Monday mornings from 7:00-7:30 to walk together and lift up prayer concerns to God at the Hart Park track, near the Senior Center. A great way to start your day and your week! Join them on Mondays or contact Anne DeWitt for details: 414-840-8222

The wool mittens created by Doris Kloth will be available for sale again next week, Sunday, December 18th, just in time for Christmas gifting. The proceeds for the mittens are given to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), JOMM (Just One More Meal Ministry) and St. Matthew’s. Watch for the tables near the windows in the Commons next Sunday.

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

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.

A Donation has been made to the St. Matthew’s Library in honor of Joyce Heinrich and in memory of Don Heinrich by Mark & Elaine Heinrich of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Cross Lunch: There will be no lunch served at Cross Lutheran Church in December. The next Wednesday meal that we are responsible for is January 25, 2017. Cards with food needs will be handed out in worship on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Thank you for your strong support of this ministry. It is greatly appreciated!

One more Yoga Class before Christmas, on Tuesday, December 13. Then Yoga resumes in 2017 on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. Thanks to Kelly Kirtley for leading this.

Week of December 12-17Monday: 9:30, LaLeche League Meeting10:15, Staff Meeting11:00, Program Staff Meeting 1:00, Fallen Angels 1:00, Caregivers Support Group 7:00, Church Council MeetingTuesday: 9:30, EmBELLishments12:30, Deborah Circle 2:00, Luther Manor Christmas Serv. 7:00, Righteous Ringers 7:00, Mt. Meru Coffee Project 7:00, LAC Auditions 7:00, Yoga ClassWednesday:10:00, Bible Study with Pr. Matt11:30, Saints Advent Potluck 5:30, WOW - Dinner b4 Confirmation 6:00, New Generation Choir 7:00, New Creation Choir 7:00, 7th/8th gr. Conf. Big GroupThursday: 8:30, JOMM using main kitchen 9:00, Retired Pastors in Ministry 9:30, A CaBELLa Ringers11:45, Women’s Bible Study 4:00, Praise Kids 6:15, Bells Angels 7:30, Senior Choir Rehearsal

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

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. All three pastors are planning to participate.

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.

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.

Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering

Next Summer

Why Should You Attend?Listen to inspiring speakersCelebrate your faith in worship and praiseLearn in engaging workshopsView uplifting filmsEngage in servant eventsConnect with other women of faith

When: July 13-16, 2017Where: Minneapolis Convention Center

Register Now for the earlybird fee of $310.00Register after January 6, 2017 ... fee will be $350.00A Coach USA Bus has been chartered ($85 each)Limited Bus Seating, so ACT NOW!

For more information check the website athttp://www.welcatg.org/Contact Rosie Haas 414-259-1747 or Marilyn Day 414-388-4535

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!

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!

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 14 - Big groupWednesday, December 21 & 28 No Class - Christmas Break

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.

Chancery & Jose’s Blue Sombrero Gift Certificates Available in Church OfficeAre you looking for last minute gift ideas or stocking stuffers? Consider giving gift certificates to the Chancery or Jose’s Blue Sombrero (on Bluemound Road in Brookfield). Certificates are $5 a piece, and each certificate is good for $5 at the restaurant. Each certificate earns $1 for Youth Mission Trips, and it supports local businesses. This is a fundraiser that doesn’t cost you extra!

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!

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 - Collection of undergarments 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. Thanks for your generous support of this drive, the most successful one yet! Watch for the follow-up article with the totals for the collection.The Undie Sunday drive ends on December 11th. Bring donations to the collection box area outside the church office.

A Wisdom Event - Health Impact Assessment: Join us in Milwaukee as we present the findings of a ground-breaking Health Impact Assessment, titled “Excessive Revocations in Wisconsin: The Health Impacts of Locking People Up Without a New Conviction,” Tuesday, December 13 at 9 a.m. at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, 1015 N. 9th St., Milwaukee. After the presentation, we will go to the corne rof 10th & State Streets, in front of the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF), where people from Milwaukee are brought for “Revocation Holds.” There we will hold a press event.

St. Matthew’s Lutheran 2016 Special Funds ReportResults as of 11/30/2016

Dollars needed to complete mortgage $323,056Hunger baskets, year-to-date, for Hunger $10,8752016 Benevolence through November 30 $322,605 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!

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.

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: 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 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 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 the meal to donate food.

Sunday Morning Volunteers: Sunday Morning VolunteersSt. 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.

Celebrate the Joy with Christmas Worship

at St. Matthew’s

Come and celebrate Christmas at St. Matthew’s. Each service has its own feeling and expression of rejoicing in the birth of our Savior. There are 4 opportunities for Christmas worship:

Christmas Eve:4:00 p.m. Children and Family Service: This service includes the sights and sounds of Christmas (including the sounds of many children) with carols, readings, children’s choir and messages, a sermon and children’s participation.

7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Traditional Service A special liturgy, handbell music, children’s and youth choirs, a St. Matthew’s orchestra and communion. Fifteen minutes of prelude Christmas music begins at 6:45 p.m.

10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Traditional Candlelight Service Similar to the 7:00 communion service with music by the Senior Choir, Bells Angels, women’s quintet, and a St. Matthew’s orchestra. Prelude music begins at 9:45 p.m.

Christmas Day10:00 a.m. A quiet reflective service is offered on Christmas Day with the text being John 1:1... the order follows the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Book and communion is celebrated. Traditional hymns are sung throughout the service.

Happy New YearWorship Services on Sunday, January 1, 2017 will take place at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

St. Matthew’s Weekly Sign-Up PanelDecember 11, 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 _________________________

I would be able to transport items to Reformation Lutheran Church’s Neighborhood Store at 39th & Lisbon at a mutually agreeable time. (Please leave email address below and we will help you to set this up.)

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!

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.

I have a question about ___________________

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.

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)