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St. Matthew's Lutheran Church |
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Programs at St. Matthew's
Acolyte Training is held 2 to 3 times during the year, height requirements must be met. Baptism and Marriages should be arranged well in advance to provide ample time for scheduling, counseling (especially in the case of weddings) and assuring the availability of dates. Church membership is a requirement for Rites and Sacraments. The 2nd, 4th, & 5th Sundays of the month are reserved for baptisms, at the 11:00 a.m. (10:00 a.m. summer) service. Bible Studies meet:
Choirs- Develop an appreciation of music and the liturgy, encourage worship participation and increase spiritural sensitivity through music.
Confirmation is a pastoral and educational ministry of the church which helps the baptized child through Word and Sacrament to identify more deeply with the Christian community and participate more fully in it's mission. During the school year, classes are held each Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 for youth in grades 7, 8, & 9. Each program begins with a special presentation or fellowship activity followed by dinner and a one-hour class. There is an annual retreat for all grades and a confirmation banquet and congregational luncheon honoring confirmands. Regular participation in worship, Sunday Church School, and congregational activites provides the experience of Christian community essential for living the faith. First Communion Instruction, led by Pastor Bohannon, is for children in Grade 5 or above. After indicating their desire to understand and partake of communion, the students are given a booklet entitled, "God's Table of Grace", which they study in class. Pastor Bohannon meets with the children for several evenings for formal instruction and discussion. The parents of the children attend the final session. The children receive First Communion on Maundy Thursday. Lector Training is held 2 - 3 times a year, any confirmed member may participate. Parish Events are organized several times a year, such as Advent, before Lent (Fastnacht celebration), and summer. These are for all ages and usually include a pot luck meal or picnic and a program summer retreat. Parish Retreat Registration Form Pastoral Care - Pastors are always available for home and hospital visits, counseling, private confession and membership instruction. Retreats - Sr. High Youth, Women, Confirmation, 7th & 8th Grade Synodical (Shekinah), 9th - 12th Grade Synodical (Chrysalis). Parish Retreat usually held in July for all members. Summer Music Institute is in session two weeks each summer. The program is for children who have completed Kindergarten and older. While developing music skills, the children prepare a musical presentation including scenery, sets, and Bible study which accompanies the production that is presented to the congregation during Sunday morning worship. Sunday Church School meets every Sunday, September through the middle of June, ages 3 years through 90 years! It is designed to help children, youth and adults know and interpret the Bible, understand the church's teachings, strengthen ties of Christian fellowship in the family of God, explore current issues, and develop attitudes and skills in living the Christian faith. Key areas of learning for each age group are Bible doctrine; faith and life; health and wholeness (identify as a whole person); home community, and world. All materials are age-appropriate, progressive structured learnings. St. Matthew's Day School - Seeks to provide a quality experience for its children by encouraging and simulating them in the development of their individual abilities in order that they might be open to and come to know the joy of learning. School year: Sept. - May. Registration begins in March for the following Sept. and continues through the school year. Vacation Church School is in session one week each summer. The program is for 3 yr. olds through 9th grade (9:00 to 12:00 noon). Activites include Bible Study, stories, games, crafts, music, snack and group worship. |
