Praying the Psalms of Lent Joining Jesus on His Mission Mark 8:34 In Light of Easter (cont d. on next page)

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ST MATTHEW CONNEC I ONS IN THIS ISSUE: LENT AND EASTER SERIES EASTER ACTIVITIES/DID YOU KNOW?

and 130) typically associated with Lent. Each session in this series includes Bible readings, prayers and ques4ons related to ways the psalms call us to forgive.

Spring 2018 STUDENT MINISTRY UPDATES VBS - SAVE THE DATE Joining Jesus on His Mission EASTER/HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE UPCOMING EVENTS: 3/1 - Praise & Play Thursdays begin, 10AM 3/20 - Blood Drive, 3-8PM

1 ST MATTHEW CONNEC I ONS IN THIS ISSUE: LENT AND EASTER SERIES EASTER ACTIVITIES/DID YOU KNOW? CP VOTER S MEETING DAN HOPKINS - MAN ON A MISSION Praying the Psalms of Lent This Lenten mid- week worship series follows the themes of the peniten4al Psalms of Scripture (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102 and 130) typically associated with Lent. Each session in this series includes Bible readings, prayers and ques4ons related to ways the psalms call us to forgive. Types of forgiveness touched on include vindica4ng, joyful, healing, renewing, restoring and abundant forgiveness. Spring 2018 STUDENT MINISTRY UPDATES VBS - SAVE THE DATE Joining Jesus on His Mission EASTER/HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE UPCOMING EVENTS: 3/1 - Praise & Play Thursdays begin, 10AM 3/20 - Blood Drive, 3-8PM 3/24 - Euchre Night, 6:30PM 3/25 - Palm Sunday, Voter s Meeting, 12:45PM 3/29 - Maundy Thursday 3/30 - Good Friday Prayer Vigil 4/1 - Easter Sunday 4/14 - Spring Clean-up, 8AM 4/30 - Faith Conversations, 7PM 5/6 - Confirmation Sunday 7/ VBS: Shipwrecked Jesus calls us to follow Him. ( If anyone would come aqer me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34). That means if we are to be a followers of Jesus, we are to walk as He walked. Jesus proclaims He is the Way - for He shows us the way to live. Walking the way of Jesus means paying par4cular aten4on to how He prayed, how He treated both His closest friends and strangers, how He related to Father God and the Holy Spirit. Let's discover life as a disciple, joining Jesus on His mission. We heed Jesus invita4on and follow Him in prayer and a life of looking to the Lord, for guidance, help and salva4on. In Light of Easter At our marriage retreat, the speaker gave an illustra4on how one litle piece of informa4on can change our total perspec4ve. The story was about a jam packed bus red- eye from New York to Florida, adding the last 4 passengers just before the 40 hour non stop trek. While all of the other passengers are setling down for the arduous ride, a father of 3 young children is looking vacantly out the window, oblivious to his children s ac4ons. The 3 kids are unruly and obnoxiously making noise and running up and down the aisle. Finally one of the other passengers asked the Father to control his kids. Oh, I m so sorry to you and all of the passengers. We just came from the hospital, my wife - the children mother, just died and we are in shock from the reality. Of course everyone s mood changed from irrita4on to sympathy. (cont d. on next page) Followers of Jesus, Wherever we Are

Good Friday Prayer Vigil A unique opportunity for quiet prayer and reflec4on during Holy Week in a candlelit p r a y e r r o o m h e r e a t c h u r c h Good Friday aqer the Tenebrae service un4l

A security volunteer is in the building throughout the vigil, and the parking lot will be illuminated. Use this link to choose your 4me slot, htp://bit.ly/ 2Gv5rRb.

2 Good Friday Prayer Vigil A unique opportunity for quiet prayer and reflec4on during Holy Week in a candlelit p r a y e r r o o m h e r e a t c h u r c h Good Friday aqer the Tenebrae service un4l noon Saturday in half hour segments. Prayer helps will be available along with snacks and beverages. A security volunteer is in the building throughout the vigil, and the parking lot will be illuminated. Use this link to choose your 4me slot, htp://bit.ly/ 2Gv5rRb. If you need assistance, info@stmathewgr.com with your preferred 4me. Awesome Easter Brunch Easter brunch will be served from 9-10:30 AM. It will take a lot of hands to make this Easter Brunch run smoothly. Can you cook on Sunday AM, help prep cook on Saturday AM or be on the clean up crew? Sign up at htp://bit.ly/2ebx9x6 to serve and/or donate food. Consider making this year s Brunch part of your Easter tradi4on! Contact Karl Koenig with any ques4ons. "Eggs"cellent Easter! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Kiddos, join us Easter Sunday morning at 10 a.m. as we celebrate Jesus' victory over death and the empty tomb. There will be an eggsplosion of eggs outside and a special message for you. He is Risen! Alleluia! In Light of Easter (Cont d.) The reality of death being defeated by life, darkness by light, sin overcome by grace is a game changer for all of us. The risen Christ calls us to live by faith in the great promises of God. Yes, sin is real and its effects are real, but there is a bigger issue going on. Christ is alive and leads us to lead life, our families and our community with the confident truth, Christ is Alive! Christ is alive in me! In light of Easter. Now what? Our Easter Sermon series celebrates His victory and HIs leading us. [ DID YOU KNOW? ] Spring Cleaning in the Sun Spring is right around the corner and we will soon be gelng ready to spruce up the church grounds and spread mulch on Saturday, April 14, 8- Noon. In the mean4me, if you are interested in helping with weeding and maintaining a flower bed over the summer months, please contact the church office. There are 7 designated areas available. It is a simple and loving way to care for the church on YOUR 4me. What was L_st is Found! If you think you leq or lost something at church, stop by the Lost & Found by the church office, you may find it there! Celebrate with Flowers You can celebrate a loved one or an occasion by signing up on the Flower Chart in the office wing hallway (by Josh s office). For $25, flowers will be purchased and placed on the Altar the Sunday you choose with a note in the bulle4n of the occasion. You will be contacted ahead of 4me for details on your flower choice. Flowers can be taken home aqer late service. What s Happening at Church? A real- 4me church calendar is available on our website so you can stay on top of it all! Pop on our webpage, click on Communica4ons and view the calendar any4me. Bookmark it to save it as a favorite for quick access. Reserving Space at Church Reserva4on forms can be picked up in the church office or submited through our online form, under the Communica4ons tab on our webpage. Have a Prayer Request? Did you know you can now submit prayer requests to our prayer team any4me of the day on our website? Visit click on Worship then Prayer Requests. Going Through a Difficult Time? Stephen Ministry Care Givers are available for anyone who would like emo4onal support as you journey through a difficult 4me. Contact PaTy Harrington, , for more informa4on.

Comstock Corner: St. Ma]hew Voter s Mee^ng Sunday, March 25, 12:45 PM Official No^ce - The St.

The mee^ng will be held Sunday, March 25 at 12:45 PM. Some things to consider: Preview the mo^on - The mo4on is posted on our website under About Us > Comstock Park.

Church membership - If you are unsure if you are a vo4ng member or are interested in becoming a member at St MaThew, please contact Pastor or the church office.

To request an absentee ballot, please contact the Board of D i r e c t o r s v i a e m a i l a t boardofdirectors@stmathewgr.com or supply the church office with a writen request.

Comstock Park. (A limited number of copies are available at the Welcome Center.) Calling All Euchre Players!

3 Comstock Corner: St. Ma]hew Voter s Mee^ng Sunday, March 25, 12:45 PM Official No^ce - The St. MaThew Board of Directors is convening a Voter s Mee4ng to vote on the asset/dona4on transac4on of Family of Christ congrega4on in Comstock Park to St. MaThew. The mee^ng will be held Sunday, March 25 at 12:45 PM. Some things to consider: Preview the mo^on - The mo4on is posted on our website under About Us > Comstock Park. (Printed copies are available on the Welcome Center counter). Per our Cons4tu4on, voters are communicant members, 18 years or older. Church membership - If you are unsure if you are a vo4ng member or are interested in becoming a member at St MaThew, please contact Pastor or the church office. Absentee ballots - The Board is allowing absentee vo4ng for people unable to atend the mee4ng. To request an absentee ballot, please contact the Board of D i r e c t o r s v i a e m a i l a t boardofdirectors@stmathewgr.com or supply the church office with a writen request. Be informed - Informa4on that will help you understand the ra4onale for this considera4on, the financial implica4on and the staffing plan and impact is available on our website under About Us > Comstock Park. (A limited number of copies are available at the Welcome Center.) Calling All Euchre Players! Saturday, March 24, 6:30 PM Join us for another great euchre party to be held in the fellowship room on Saturday, Mar 24 at 6:30 PM. Come with a friend or spouse, or go alone. We will rotate teammates and tables every round. Bring an appe4zer or dessert, and we have approval for BYOB alcohol beverages. Please RSVP to Mike Tyska (miketyska@grar.com or ). Hospitality Corner Allergies & Health concerns: We keep snacks for children with allergies. However, we welcome input and dona4ons from parents about suitable snacks for your children who may have nut or gluten allergies. We are also keeping individual juice servings on hand for those who might be experiencing unexpected issues with their sugar/insulin levels. If you or a family member must monitor sugar/ insulin, please talk with someone from Fellowship so we can show you where these juices are located in the event of an emergency. Flavored coffee: Many people have enjoyed the addi4on of flavored coffee on Sunday mornings. Please feel free to donate a package of your favorite flavored coffee to share. Cookie Dona^ons: Thanks to all who have been willing to donate cookies. If you are not currently dona4ng cookies but would be willing to do so, please talk with a fellowship person on Sunday. Home made cookies are delicious but we welcome store bought cookies [who can say "No" to an Oreo?], donut holes, grapes, orange slices, or cheese cubes are among the different items that families donate. Volunteers: We would love to include more members into our group. Fellowship serves most oqen and visibly on Sunday mornings but we also assist the soup suppers, funeral luncheons, & pot lucks. Sunday morning scheduling is based on YOUR schedule and trades are easily made when needed. Special events are based on YOUR interest and availability. Fellowship allows you to meet people you might not ordinarily meet and serve the church, too. Small Groups It is our desire at St. MaThew that people would experience the heart of the Father. Everyone needs to know that they are known, loved, and served in life. Small groups are the context in which we know, love and serve those around us as Jesus modeled because small groups are the heart- beat of our church. If you want to get connected, please contact Josh BriTon by phone (989) or jbriton@stmathewgr.com.

Let the Redeemed of the Lord tell their story (Psalm 107:2) Dan Hopkins - Man on a Mission Where does your mind go when you hear the words "mission trip?

Maybe you think, "I know I'm supposed to help but it's too far out of my comfort zone.

He didn't really know anything about building stuff and he hated to fly. For these reasons, I think God decided to break Dan in slowly.

It was perfect because he was able to drive down, so no plane needed, and this first trip was all about mucking out houses. No building skills required!

God lit a small spark in Dan's heart, but it s4ll needed some fanning. AQer the second trip to Hai4, Dan was thinking he was done with mission trips.

He was discussing the group's plans for another trip with his daughter Kelley, but he didn't men4on to her his doubts about going again. AQer she leq his house, he got a phone call.

4 Let the Redeemed of the Lord tell their story (Psalm 107:2) Dan Hopkins - Man on a Mission Where does your mind go when you hear the words "mission trip?" Do you think "Ooh, that sounds like a great adventure"? Or are you more of an "I'd love to but I just don't think I have the skills that would be needed"? Maybe you think, "I know I'm supposed to help but it's too far out of my comfort zone." I had the opportunity to speak with Dan Hopkins about how he began his mission work and you might be surprised at what I learned! Dan had never planned to go on a mission trip. He didn't really know anything about building stuff and he hated to fly. For these reasons, I think God decided to break Dan in slowly. In 2006, when hurricane Katrina hit he went with a group of people down to New Orleans. It was perfect because he was able to drive down, so no plane needed, and this first trip was all about mucking out houses. No building skills required! While down there, he met some great people who he's s4ll in contact with today. That trip led to more mission trips to New Orleans, one medical mission trip to Mexico and then on to Hai4. God lit a small spark in Dan's heart, but it s4ll needed some fanning. AQer the second trip to Hai4, Dan was thinking he was done with mission trips. He was feeling inadequate for the work being done because, as I said before, he's not a builder. He was discussing the group's plans for another trip with his daughter Kelley, but he didn't men4on to her his doubts about going again. AQer she leq his house, he got a phone call. It was from Kelley and she said, "Dad I want to go on the trip with you." As you can imagine, Dan went for the third 4me and was hooked! God helped him realize that mission trips are about building rela4onships with people and helping them where you can. It's not about what you can or can't do but about spreading the gospel by showing people the love of Jesus through your ac4ons! Dan's favorite projects to work on are helping build the churches. Culturally, in Hai4, the size of your god is judged by the size and grandeur of your church. If you're worshipping under a tree, it's assumed that your god is not very powerful. When you can help the locals construct a church building, then they are given the power to really spread the Gospel to their own people. That's ul4mately what we are called to do - spread the Gospel whether it's across town or across an ocean! Dan feels very blessed to have been given the resources to be able to go on mission trips, help financially when he could and have the opportunity to build las4ng rela4onships with great people from other parts of the world. Thanks Dan for sharing your experiences with us! I pray this edi4on helps ignite a small spark in the heart of someone reading this. God's always got a plan. Maybe your small spark would someday become a wildfire for Jesus!

Head to Heart - Jr. High Happenings Spring NewsleTer means Confirma4on is right around the corner! Here are important dates to get on your calendar.

We love to have an audience for this event! Confirma^on Sunday May 6 - We will celebrate with our new confirmands during late service.

5 Head to Heart - Jr. High Happenings Spring NewsleTer means Confirma4on is right around the corner! Here are important dates to get on your calendar. Faith Conversa^ons Monday, April 30, 7-8 PM Our fourteen Confirmands will be put before Pastor Rob's rapid fire ques4oning and get to show off all they've learned the last three years. We love to have an audience for this event! Confirma^on Sunday May 6 - We will celebrate with our new confirmands during late service. God's Plan For A Man June This is our Father/Son Retreat for 5th & 6th grade boys and their dads. The purpose is for dads and sons to spend some quality 4me together while discussing what it means to become a man, specifically God's plan for a man! This overnight retreat will be held on Jun Put the date on your calendar and look for more details to come! Are you plugged in to RightNow Media? RightNow Media offers three types of libraries that you can customize. In a way, it's like Ne{lix for Bible resources because you can add videos to your "Queue". RightNow Media allows the user to view biblical content from a variety of speakers like MaT Chandler, David PlaT, Tim Keller, Dave Ramsey plus great paren4ng videos, videos for kids and much more. Contact the church office at info@stmathewgr.com to request your free username and password. A Note From Karl and the High School Ministry Team Hey St. MaThew Fam! Connec4ng rela4onally has been the name of the game. We believe that all people (including students) should be comfortable sharing socially, then emo4onally, and finally spiritually. To become comfortable with other people, we believe building rela4onships is key. To accomplish that we have been mee4ng consistently on Sunday Mornings and Sunday Nights. Our Sunday Mornings have con4nued to focus on answering our 3 Big Ques4ons when reading the Bible (What happened? What do you feel God is saying to you? What are you doing about it?) while we also spend some 4me connec4ng with each other. Youth Nights have been up and running on Sunday Night (6:30pm- 8pm at the church), and it s been exci4ng to see growth and momentum. We re just entering into a series that focuses on the validity of the Bible, and how/why we believe what we believe. If you want to be kept in the loop of all that HS Student Ministry is doing, follow us on our Facebook page, e- mail Kkoenig@stmaThewgr.com and ask to be added to the e- mail distribu4on list, and/or sign- up for text alerts by to A HUGE THANK YOU to all of the parents of HS Students that atended the Parent Mee4ng in February! Keep an eye out for our Summer Opportuni4es coming soon! Finally, If you see Georgia Fritz, Dan Bembow, Rob Klarr, or Cheri Ly4kainen please share a thank you for all they re doing to serve our students. It s an honor and a privilege to work with such great individuals that love Jesus and are choosing to serve our High School students. I m looking forward to gelng to know you all beter, and CAN T WAIT to see all that God has in store. Peace & God Bless, - Karl Koenig & The HS Student Ministry Team

Praise and Play, Thursdays in March! Thursdays, March 1-22 We've had such a great 4me together at Praise and Play this year. We've learned about thanking God and the power of prayer.

Jesus loves us so much and because of that love, we want to love others too. Wear comfy clothes and get ready to jump, dance, and sing Thursdays in March!

6 Praise and Play, Thursdays in March! Thursdays, March 1-22 We've had such a great 4me together at Praise and Play this year. We've learned about thanking God and the power of prayer. We'll be jamming together again Thursday mornings in March (3/1, 3/8, 3/15, and 3/22) from 10:00 AM. - 11:15. This 4me it's all about LOVE! Jesus loves us so much and because of that love, we want to love others too. Wear comfy clothes and get ready to jump, dance, and sing Thursdays in March! We'll even be doing a special shaving cream lesson on God loving the whole world. Can't wait to see you (and get messy too). Flock Senior Ministry Update We made watches to remember "There is always 4me to pray". Despite our snowy winter, flu bug, and snow birds leaving for warmer climates, our Flock group has remained ac4ve and eager to par4cipate in our winter mee4ngs and ac4vi4es. The Naughty or Nice Christmas Ornament party was its usual raucous event. The dinner, catered by Tom Powell, was delicious! The ornament exchange was once again a big hit and a lot of fun. Fancy flamingoes, pigs in tutus, other strange animals, and yes even a few really beau4ful ornaments passed through a few hands before being accepted by their new owners. Twenty five members and two guests atended this annual event. In January some of the Flock atended the play Seussical the Musical performed by the Home School Performing Arts group. Maddy Mar4n, a St MaThew member was Gertrude in the play. It s always great for our Senior adults to atend the High School performances our St MaThew teens are involved in. It s important for our youth to be encouraged and supported by our older members. February s event was a Jeopardy Tournament. We began the evening with a catered Spaghel dinner with Tom s homemade Italian sausage and Salad, Rolls & Garlic bread. Thanks to Carol Young for the wonderful Chocolate Cherry Cake for dessert! Our thanks also to Craig & Gayle Minkus for bringing their Wii Jeopardy game. It was a bit tricky at first in learning to use the remote to ac4vate their response but once the 3 leaders got the hang of it we were off and giving team answers. I think this will become a winter4me event for the Flock. It was a lot of fun and very spirited! April is the month for the Flock sponsored ALL CONGREGATION Cradles of Grace Baby Shower. In May the Flock will again enjoy a Cheap Date Movie & Pizza Supper. Always a tough decision to pick the movie Chick Flick or Ac4on movie. One thing for sure is the popcorn and pizza we all agree on! We end our season in early June with a Potluck Picnic held at a member s cotage. We just hang out playing yard games and enjoying the food and each other s company before going off on summer vaca4ons or cotages. If you are interested in coming to our monthly mee4ngs or events, just Carol Poet (tcpoet60@gmail.com) or call her at for more informa4on. If you are new to St MaThew, recently reached the 55+ age, re4red, empty- nester, or single we encourage you to join this Senior Adult Ministry group. It s a great way to meet people and enjoy fellowship with your peer group. Friday Morning Women s Bible Study Join the ladies Friday mornings at 9 AM for some warm fellowship and discussion. Their next study will be Reading Ephesians with John StoT.

SAVE THE DATE FOR VBS! July 16-19, 6-8:30 PM We cannot wait for our VBS this year, "Shipwrecked...Rescued by Jesus" July 16-19th from 6 to 8:30 PM.

Start praying now about ways to serve and kiddos you can invite. Nancy and Lori will have more informa4on for you in the near future. Ahoy!

We see that February offerings have been more in line with our Plan, which we hope will con4nue. Expenses are running below income through January.

7 SAVE THE DATE FOR VBS! July 16-19, 6-8:30 PM We cannot wait for our VBS this year, "Shipwrecked...Rescued by Jesus" July 16-19th from 6 to 8:30 PM. We'll be venturing onto an unchartered island and anchoring kids in the truth that Jesus carries them through life's storms. We would love all hands on deck for this Christ- centered upliqing week. Start praying now about ways to serve and kiddos you can invite. Nancy and Lori will have more informa4on for you in the near future. Ahoy! Financial Snapshot A Note from Chris^e Beyer, Treasurer While atendance was very strong in January, offerings for this fiscal year are down 1% versus Plan but up 5% versus Prior Year. We see that February offerings have been more in line with our Plan, which we hope will con4nue. Expenses are running below income through January. The chart above also shows a separate bar called Prior Years Surplus Expense. For several years in a row, we have been blessed to have surplus giving over our expenses. Part of this surplus has been chosen by the Board to use on much needed improvements to our building, such as new sanctuary carpet and office space improvements (new windows, carpet, and a new copier). Therefore, this surplus spend is not being funded from our current year income, but instead from the prior years surplus. CEF and You Make a Difference When you invest with the Church Extension Fund (CEF), you invest in another LCMS organiza4on's ability to spread the Word of Jesus Christ. CEF offers your investment dollars as low- cost loans to congrega4ons and schools for building needs so that the preaching of the Word con4nues. Today, CEF is offering very atrac4ve rates on all of its investments for individuals and organiza4ons. Call or visit cef.org for informa4on.

Lent/Easter/Holy Week Schedule S T M A T T H E W L U T H E R A N C H U R C H February 28

Service 7 PM Soup Supper 6 PM, Mid-Week Service 7 PM Soup Supper 6 PM, Mid-Week Service 7

Thursday Service - 7 PM Good Friday Tenebrae 7 PM & Prayer Vigil 8 PM Easter Sunday

Matthew Lutheran Church Spring 2018 5125 Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-942-

8 Lent/Easter/Holy Week Schedule S T M A T T H E W L U T H E R A N C H U R C H February 28 March 7 March 14 March 21 March 25 March 29 March 30 April 1 Soup Supper 6 PM, Mid-Week Service 7 PM Soup Supper 6 PM, Mid-Week Service 7 PM Soup Supper 6 PM, Mid-Week Service 7 PM Soup Supper 6 PM, Mid-Week Service 7 PM Palm Sunday - 8:30 AM & 10:45 AM Maundy Thursday Service - 7 PM Good Friday Tenebrae 7 PM & Prayer Vigil 8 PM Easter Sunday Services - 8:30 AM & 10:45 AM Easter Brunch 9-10:30 AM Eggs celent Easter - 10:00-10:30 St Matthew Lutheran Church Spring Cascade Rd SE Grand Rapids, MI Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 39 Return Service Requested SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, February 2015 I confess that February isn t my favorite month. As I look out my office window late in the afternoon, the light is fading, and the branches of the locust