Want to Become a Member of St. Matthew? Our 4 week New Member class begins on Sunday, January 15, 6:00-7:30 pm in room 305 of the Walled Lake campus. Child care is provided upon request. To register, go to www.st-matthew.org/membership or call the church office at 248-624-7676 .

NEW - Announcing Baby Wellhousen! - Elijah William Wellhousen was born on Christmas Day just before 3:00pm weighing 6 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long. Elijah and Claire (and Pastor Austin) are doing well. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Resuming January 8 at 6:30pm - "The Chosen", a dramatized series on the life of Christ and his disciples. Digging deeper into the backstories and context of the people and events of the gospels, The Chosen introduces you to people such as Simon Peter, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, Matthew, and of course, Jesus, in a way never seen before on film. Starting on Sunday, January 8, at 6:30PM, the Christian Citizenship Committee is going to sponsor showing the series on a weekly basis for approximately an hour to an hour-and-a-half each week. The weekly events will be in Room 304 at the Walled Lake campus. We will show Season 3. If you have not watched Seasons 1 and 2, it is suggested that you go online to watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen to watch them before watching Season 3.  A short discussion of the episode for that week will occur after the viewing.

NEW - Senior Ministry Event: Lunch and Games Day - Friday, January 13, 2023, 11:30am-3pm - Walled Lake Campus, Room 304. Last names beginning with: A-K bring dessert and L-Z bring side/salad. Bring a favorite game to play if desired. (Use East Parking Lot, Enter at the Hub.) Please pre-register: lkruse926@gmail.com or text/call Lavern at 248-756-0848.

NEW - Winterfest - Sunday, January 29, 11:30am-1:30pm - Wixom Campus - St. Matthew’s annual Winterfest will be held on Sunday, January 29 from 11:30-1:30 at the Wixom Campus. This annual event is a great way for St. Matthew and Hearts and Hands children to celebrate this Winter season! We will have a trail scavenger hunt, a bonfire with smores, hot dogs, hot cocoa, crafts, and games. If weather permits, please bring a sled as well for sledding and dress warm as this event will have activities outside. Another big thing about this year’s Winterfest is the return of the Chili Cook-off! Keep checking the e-news these coming weeks for more information on this event and the Chili Cook-off.

UPDATED - Two Dates Still Open! - Volunteers Needed for Coffee Hour at Walled Lake - We are looking for volunteers for the dates listed below. If these spots are not filled, coffee hour will be cancelled for that week. Please consider hosting one week. It's a wonderful chance to meet new faces and hang out with people you know! It is easy to do, approx 3 hours of your time! (Approx 8-11am) There is NO out of pocket expense to you! If interested, please contact Crystal Schwartz via text 248.820.0707 or email sweetboobooz@gmail.com All emails/texts will be returned in 24 hours. I will be happy to discuss everything with you then! Thank you! ~Crystal Dates needed:

UPDATED - Three Dates Still Open! - Volunteers Needed for Coffee Bar at Wixom Our Wixom campus is also looking for volunteers to help run our coffee bar on Sunday mornings for the following dates. If we do not find volunteers, we will not be able to have our coffee bar on these Sundays. We would love to have you help us out! Our coffee area is very much part of the fellowship time we have before and after service. Bev Brazelton does a great job of being welcoming and engaging while making coffee drinks. She would love to help train any new volunteers before you are able to serve. We would ask that volunteers be at church around 8:30 to help set-up on Sundays they are able to serve. If you are interested in being a part of our team, please email Anne.bolwerk@st-matthew.org for more information. 

Monthly Messenger - Look for the new version of The Messenger when you come to worship! This new version of the Messenger will be published monthly (next issue will be in February) and will provide an overview of ministry at St. Matthew. Our primary means of communicating details of ministry will continue to be the eNews. The Monthly Messenger will be a short, "at-a-glance" overview of items in the eNews. It will provide information for guests about St. Matthew and will give members reminders of some of the "Next Steps" and upcoming calendar items that are in the eNews. We hope this tool will help you stay connected with ministry at St. Matthew!

She began her story by vividly describing how crowded Disney World was during the Christmas season of the particular year that they visited, and how long it took to enter into each attraction. As her family tried to make it through the most magical place on earth, she kept emphasizing to her son, who was six-years-old at the time, how important it was for him to hold onto her hand and stay with her. Things were going along perfectly, until the moment arrived when he actually saw a life size Mickey Mouse greeting visitors in the distance. Overcome with enthusiasm and exuberant joy, her son dropped her hand and immediately raced through the crowd towards Mickey. Stunned by how quickly he disappeared, her reaction time could not catch up to his incredible pace, and he instantly vanished from her sight. Read more HERE.

IMMEDIATE NEED for a Monday Morning Child Care Worker, supporting International Classes - We are in need of one more child care worker on Monday mornings for 2 babies. If there is anyone you know who could take that one slot, please let us know ASAP! Contact John Welte at john.welte@st-matthew.org.

After School Kids Care Supervisor (Monday - Friday; 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.) If you are interested, or know of anyone who may be interested, please contact the school office at 248-624-7677 or email Susan.Palka@st-matthew.org for more information.

Part Time Nursery Coordinator - Responsible for the day-to-day operation of our weekday International Nursery / Child Care and Sunday morning Nursery. From scheduling, working in the nursery, working with staff to make sure policies and procedures are current, and addressing staffing needs. For a detailed ministry description and application please contact John.Welte@st-matthew.org

NEW - Michigan In Touch - Supplement is now available. Click HERE to read.

Lutheran High Westland Upcoming Events (click links for more info)

Lutheran High Northwest - The Crusaders of Lutheran Northwest wish you a blessed New Year! If your family is looking ahead to a high school decision, we hope you’ll join us for our OPEN HOUSE on Wednesday, January 11! Prospective families with students at all grade levels are invited to learn more about us during this informative evening. Guided tours will cover the full range of the high school experience at Lutheran Northwest: Acclaimed academics, awesome athletics, amazing fine arts, active student life & leadership and, above all, a caring, Christ-centered family. Meet our administrative team, members of our faculty, and current students! Tours begin every 10 minutes from 6:30-7:30. (Plan an hour for the entire experience.) Visit our website at www.lutherannorthwest.com/events to pre-register. Questions? Call our Admissions Office at 248-852-6677.

Another Way Pregnancy Center (Farmington Hills) is a great place to go for support, for women of any age who are pregnant, concerned, and searching for available options. And if you know of someone in that situation, please recommend AWPC to them! All services (including ultrasound) are confidential and free of charge. Call or text: 248.471-5858 / Or go to:  womanspregnancychoice.com