The Church Council is hosting two forums on Sunday morning between services on November 12 & 19 in Fellowship Hall. If you would like to find out more about what our plans are for 2018 and the budget to complete those plans, come to one of the forums. This is the place to get your questions answered.

It is with a heavy heart that we report that Lanning Bryant, Partner in Mission, passed away on Friday, November 3. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 18 at noon, followed by a luncheon reception. We extend Christian sympathy to his wife Carolyn, their family and friends.

Our youth today are under a lot of stress, especially as they wait to hear of their college acceptances. One young woman came to Healing Prayers for just this reason. The stress had caused her to feel separated from God. After prayers, she had a huge smile on her face and a return to her closeness with the Lord. A man with arthritis and pain in his shoulder prevented him from being able to lift his arm straight up. After prayers for his healing, he was asked to try, and up his arm went! We all have needs - bring them to Jesus and let Him heal you. Our team is available to pray with you on Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Christmas is fast approaching and the Saint Matthew Choir is getting together to prepare for the celebration! We have great music selected and a great team of people leading the way. Rehearsals are Thursday nights from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. No experience required, jsut come as you are and be ready to sing loud and proud. Join us!

Your pledges are important to being able to continue the mission of Saint Matthew. You should have received a stewardship packet in the mail including a letter, pledge card, and return envelope. If you did not receive these, extras are available at the Welcome Center. Please fill out a pledge card and return it by November 19. Help us to fulfill our goal of receiving 200 pledge cards this year. So far, we have received 31 pledge cards.

Each Thanksgiving Eve, we gather in worship to give thanks to the One who gave it all to us. This year's message is "We are a Grateful Family" and will be given by our Worship Leader, TJ Burke. After worship, join us for pie in Fellowship Hall. We ask that each family bring one pie of any flavor to share. Homemade pies will be eaten that evening and store-bought pies will be taken to Thanksgiving for Everyone to share with the needy people they serve on Thanksgiving Day.

If you would like you or your child baptized, we have specific Sundays throughout the year in which we baptized people. The next Baptism Sunday is December 10. There is a required meeting for all participants on Sunday, November 26 at 11:30 a.m. Please contact Jack in the office to register for the meeting.

Paul's sincere words of gratitude to his dear friend Philemon express exactly my appreciation for all of you and your prayers for me and my daughter this past week. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. After spending four days at my daughter's side this past week, my heart is refreshed and encouraged by your love. My daughter Aimee is healing. Our God is faithful. Lynne and I feel so blessed to be a part of this wonderful church family.

Just after the wildfires devastated our neighbors in northern California, we committed to help immediately and in the long-term as it will take years to rebuild the area. An immediate appeal was given for money for New Life Church in Petaluma who opened their doors to the displaced families and then turned into a resource center. We have collected $6,590 in that appeal, with another $5,000 in matching funds given by a generous family in this congregation, making a total of $11,590. Thank you to everyone!

The Weekly Good News is published by Saint Matthew Lutheran Church. Items may be submitted for publication by emailing Gail (click on the link below). Submissions are subject to editing or exclusion.

 

Phone: 925-932-1955 x106

 

Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
399 Wiget Lane
Walnut Creek, California 94598
925-932-1955
Website: www.saintmatthew.org