Saint Matthew e-News | March 13th
A Neighborhood Church Making A World of Difference
"Come into God's Presence with Thanksgiving"
Sunday Sermon

Join us at 9am on Sunday on YouTube for a virtual worship service, while we continue our Lenten Series "Soul Work through the Psalms" by lifting up the importance of thanksgiving in response to God's glory and God's faithfulness.

At this time, we anticipate services will resume on March 29, 2020 and we will communicate decisions on resuming corporate worship based on current recommendations in the days ahead.

Announcement from Pastor Tim Philips
dated March 11, 2020

Dear Saint Matthew Family:
 
The staff and leadership of our congregation has spent a considerable amount of time in prayer and conversation over the past few days about the best course of action for our community with regard to public worship in the face of efforts to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect the most vulnerable people in our community.
 
Yesterday, we received updated guidelines from Contra Costa Health Services (the county) recommending that we "cancel or postpone large gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, celebrations, conventions, religious services and community events where 50 or more people are within arm’s length of each other," for the next two weeks. This is part of a strategy called "Social Distancing" which is a data-driven approach to slow the spread of the disease and protect the most vulnerable.
 
We have wrestled mightily with what to do and today, we have decided that the best course of action is to follow the county's recommendation (and the recommendations of medical professionals from within our congregation) and to cancel our public worship services for the next two weeks.
 
This decision is based on love, not fear. It is based upon the clear biblical mandate to protect and honor the most fragile in our midst (See 1 Corinthians 13). It is a way for us to model love to our community as a "neighborhood church seeking to make a world of difference."
 
The staff is working on providing some kind of digital content that allows us to connect in a virtual worship setting. We will push out information on this as it is developed.
 
I recognize that not all of those who are a part of our community of faith will agree with or be pleased by this news. We are in strange and uncharted territory here, so I ask for your grace and understanding and your trust that we have the community's best interest at heart.
 
We are not issuing an edict to all of our small groups and the community groups that meet on campus to cancel your meetings. We ask each group to make decisions based on the well-being of the most vulnerable and to follow the guidelines put forth by the county (which include things to do and things to avoid if you decide to meet). You can find those recommendations here. For updated information, please visit the Contra Costa County Health Services website.
 
Please be assured that the ministry of our congregation continues in all of its other facets. The staff is still working, plans are being made for all aspects of our life in the weeks ahead. We hope, pray, and encourage that your support of the ministry will remain strong as well.
 
In the love of Jesus,
 
Pastor Tim Philips
Announcement from Teen & Children's Ministry

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Due to the decision to cancel worship services for the next two weeks, we have made the decision to follow suit and cancel children and teen programs for the next two weeks as well. This includes SPARK, IGNITE, and FORGE midweek and Sunday meetings.

Sincerely,

Saint Matthew Teen & Children's Ministry
Saint Matthew Electronic Giving

Ministry is still happening when we do not meet, and your ongoing gifts and financial support are critically important during this time. You can mail your gifts to the church office or this may be a time to consider giving electronically.

There are a number of ways to electronically give regularly to Saint Matthew:

  • Set up Simply Giving. Simply Giving is a way to authorize a regular contribution (you choose the amount and regularity) that Saint Matthew will “pull” from your bank account. Here is a link to the form for Simply Giving.
  • Set up a recurring “Bill Pay” from your checking account. Use your bank’s bill pay feature to have them send your contribution to Saint Matthew. Your bank will mail the check to Saint Matthew at 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598. (Hint: Your bank will ask you for Saint Matthew’s account number – just use your name for the account number.)
  • Set up a recurring contribution with your credit card. Go to the Saint Matthew website (http://saintmatthew.org/give) or the Saint Matthew app, choose GIVE, and follow the prompts.
  • Text the amount you would like to donate to 925-854-4402 and follow the prompts. 
Children's Ministry Team Leader Position

This full-time leader will direct all aspects of the children’s ministry (birth through 5th grade), including cultivation of and training for staff and volunteers serving in this ministry at Saint Matthew. He/she will initiate, expand, refine, and implement programs that provide opportunities for Saint Matthew’s children and their friends to grow in their faith journey with Christ.

To view the full job description, click here.
To apply, email us your resume.
Weekly Wednesday Worship

Due to the decision to cancel worship services, we will be canceling our Wednesday Holden Prayer Services for the next two weeks.

We encourage you to be creative in your Lenten devotional practices. Let us know what you are doing!
Communion Assistants

The 10:30 service is in need of Communion Assistants. There are currently only eight people who are available for this service. You can volunteer once a month or as often as you like. Training on serving is available. If you are interested or want to know more, please contact Sherry Whitmarsh or at 925-899-4731.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
Sundays at 9:00am
Through April 5th in the Music Room

We will still be holding Sunday Morning Bible Study over the next few weeks! Start your Sunday morning at Saint Matthew with a Lenten Bible Study: Romans 8 led by the Rev. Dr. Mary Naegeli 

Please stop by the Music Room on Sunday morning at 9am!
Walk-ins welcome every week!
Family Fellowship
on Sunday Mornings in March

Due to the decision to cancel worship services, we will not be holding Family Fellowship for the next two weeks.
First Communion

Our First Communion instruction will be postponed while we are not holding regular worship services, for more information, please contact Tanya.
Winter Nights Family Shelter 

Saint Matthew Lutheran Church will again be participating in the Winter Nights Family Shelter program provided by Contra Costa County churches. SMLC will be helping Walnut Creek United Methodist Church while they host seven families between March 23 and April 6. We have been asked to prepare and serve meals for the nights of March 25 – 29th.

Volunteers will be solicited the next several weeks to prepare, serve, and get to know the Winter Night client family members. Please contact Craig Cole at 510-520-8373 for more information.   
Kids' Easter Extravaganza Volunteers Needed

This year, we are planning another awesome Easter activity at Saint Matthew for young families. This year, families will walk with Jesus on his Easter journey, going to various classrooms doing art projects and gathering goodies as they go.

We can't do it without your help! We need:
  • Volunteers to come in throughout the month of March to help prep the different crafts and setting up the stations we'll be utilizing for the Easter Extravaganza.
  • Volunteers the week of Easter to help Tanya prep and set up all of the classrooms.
  • Volunteers on Easter (April 12) to help kids with crafts and help guide families to their next stop on their Easter walk.
  • Volunteers to help Tanya clean up the rooms on Monday April 13.

To help in March with crafts and classroom prep, please contact Tanya.
To help on Easter, please sign up here.
Project: Peace
Day of Service

The Project Peace staff and board have decided to cancel the Day of Service on March 21st, based on the recommendation of the Alameda County Public Health Department, school districts they partner with, and local congregations that are canceling events with more than 20 people.  

Those who have already registered should have received an email with a link to register for the May 30th Day of Service. 
Save the Date for Camp Matt!

Our Summer Day Camp for kiddos Preschool-5th grade will take place June 22nd-26th!
Stay in Touch with Saint Matthew

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Saint Matthew | Save the Dates!

March 31 - Healing Prayers (7:30-8:30pm)
April 5 - Palm Sunday (Worship at 9 & 10:30am)
April 7 - Healing Prayers (7:30-8:30pm)
April 8-9 - No IGNITE or FORGE (off for Spring Break)
April 9 - Maundy Thursday
April 10 - Good Friday
April 11 - Holy Saturday
April 12 - Easter Sunday/Baptism Sunday (Worship at 9 & 10:30am)
June 22-26 - Camp Matt (daycamp for Preschool-5th grade)
Upcoming Birthdays

3/20 Denny Maple
3/20 Karen Upshaw
3/21 Suzie Carlson
3/21 Chris Marquart
3/21 Benno Patsch
3/21 Scott Stephens
3/21 Paul Warren
3/22 John Girty
3/22 Bev Score
3/22 Chris Walsh
3/24 Linda Anderson Campbell
3/24 Karen Carlson
3/25 Tim Christoffersen
3/26 Laury Olson
Upcoming Anniversaries

3/23 Norm & Carolyn Simitz
3/24 Scott & Mary Gross Stephens
3/25 Marv & Carolyn Schick
The Weekly Good News is published by Saint Matthew Lutheran Church. Items may be submitted for publication by emailing Amanda Hall . All submissions are subject to editing and/or exclusion. | Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church
399 Wiget Ln, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 | 925.932.1955 | www.saintmatthew.org