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"We are called to proclaim God's grace by sharing the story of Jesus to bring light, hope and healing to the world"

Streaming live: Sunday Morning at 10:00 am MST

Download the Bulletin for 11/28/2021
bulletin.pdf
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Out of an abundance of care and concern for the health and well-being of the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church community, the council and I are outlining the implementation of best practices during the current outbreak of the Coronavirus strain known as COVID-19. It is important to note that these changes are only temporary and are being utilized in order to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

In Christ,
Pastor Christine

maintaining_a_healthy_church_environment.pdf
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q__a_covid.pdf
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St. Matthew's Core Values

WELCOME

Worship is the center of our common life. Worship moves us to service. That service is supported by fellowship and community. Worship + Service + Community. We invite you to take part in these with us.

We are a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, committed to hospitality, justice, inclusivity, mercy and joy in the name of Christ.

We serve the West Side of the Salt Lake Valley. Our congregation came into being in 1989 when St. Paul and Atonement Lutheran churches merged.

Online Giving

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St. Matthew’s has chosen a new provider, named Tithe.ly, to manage it’s online giving. Make one-time donations or set-up a giving schedule that meets your needs. Tithe.ly will do the work for you, making your giving easy and convenient.
Donations

Newsletters:

December Newsletter:
newsletter.pdf
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Comprehensive Ministry Review:
Comprehensive Ministry Review
File Size: 507 kb
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Council & Ministry 2019 Reports

2019_annual_report.pdf
File Size: 703 kb
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Events:

​Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming Events
*Advent 2 – December 5th – Rahab & Mary Visits        Elizabeth
*Advent 3 – December 12th – Ruth & The Magnificat
*Advent 4 – December 19th – No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant
*Candlelight Lessons & Carols Christmas Eve Service 7p

Worship Sundays & Live Streaming on Facebook 10:00 AM
Here is What to Expect

Please download the bulletin to your device or print out as we are not providing printed copies.

Don't forget that we are still wearing masks (they must be worn at all times, over the nose, mouth and chin) and social distance with your immediate family.

  • For those of you who will be unable to attend worship, we will be live streaming but please be patient as we work out the kinks. 

Advent Worship Services

​Our theme for the first three weeks in Advent this year is telling Mary’s story and the stories of three women from Jesus’ lineage. The fourth Sunday of Advent will be the “No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant” where everyone gets to participate! Join us in person (safety precautions are still in place) or via live streaming starting at 10 AM at www.stmatthewsut.org. 

Sunday School and Adult Forum

Sunday School for Pre-K through 5th grade and Confirmation classes will be held on December 5th, 12th, and 19th at 9 AM. There will NOT be Sunday School or Confirmation classes on December 26th or January 2nd. All classes will resume on Sunday, January 9th .

Adult Forum classes will continue to be held immediately following worship every Sunday in December and on January 2nd. In other words, spiritual formation for adults will not be taking a break during our year long program, “We Make the Road by Walking.” If you haven’t had a chance to join us before now, this is the time to start. We will be starting Part II, “Alive in the Adventure of Jesus.” The book is still available on Amazon in hardback, paperback and on Kindle.

Christmas 2021 Lessons & Carols a Candlelight Service

Join us for our annual Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Candlelight Service on December 24th at 7 PM. Safety precautions will be observed and while there will not be congregational singing, come and enjoy the beautiful music that will be provided. This service will also be live streamed and can be found on our website.
www.stmatthewsut.org. 

Reconciling in Christ News

St. Matthew’s Vision Statement
Our vision is a community deeply rooted in the love of God, energetically engaged in meaningful relationships with our neighbors near and far, committed to rich diversity, intentional inclusion, bold advocacy, and care for creation to connect people to God and transform lives.

St. Matthew’s Welcome Statement
As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church is an inclusive and welcoming community. We affirm that all people are created in God’s image and, as beloved children, are worthy of God’s love and grace. We welcome those of any race, ethnicity, creed, class, age, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. In creating a beloved community, we join together in a commitment to racial equity and to celebrate our uniqueness to live freely in God’s grace.

On November 21st St. Matthew’s congregation voted unanimously to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation. “What does this mean for us?” is a question many of us might be thinking. Becoming a RIC congregation will provide opportunities as we lean into our new Visioning Statement and Welcoming Statement. Reconciling Works tells us, “Many LBGTQ1A+ people have learned by experience that they are not truly welcome in church, even in churches that state, “All are welcome here!” A general statement of welcome is often heard as meaning, “everybody but me,” so it can take a special effort to communicate and authentic welcome to LBGTQ1A+ people. The RIC program seeks to make known settings where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions are truly welcomed.” 


There is so much to learn and to do that it might seem overwhelming, but have no fear, together we can take it one step at a time. Education is a good place to start. As Allies, we need to learn about pronouns and helpful ways to use them. Another good place to learn about the LBGTQ1A+ community is to become familiar with terminology that is welcoming and hospitable. Expressing and cultivating hospitable curiosity is something we can learn and do on this continuing journey of radical welcome. Here is a link for allies to become familiar with terminology.

https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/allys-guideto-terminology_1.pdf.
To learn more about pronouns and terminology check out
https://www.reconcilingworks.org/pronouns-matter-helpful-suggestions/. 
Those of us on the Outreach & Advocacy Ministry want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Once again a high shout out to those of you who have helped us to be able to keep our Little Pantry stocked and our warm clothing bin full for Crossroads.
We are always in need of protein in a can (chili, spam, soups, etc.,) and cereal. Personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and soap bars are also in need. Just as important are warm gloves, hats, and socks. Holiday wishes from all of us to all of you.

All Creation Sings a New Hymnal

The ELCA has a new hymnal to add to the life of the church. I cannot think of a better time than now for it to come out and be available to our congregations. The pew edition is available now at a discounted price of $12.50 from our publishing house, Augsburg Fortress and it can be ordered at: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/search?ss=all+creation+sings&c=0

There are a couple of new liturgies and several “new” songs such as Ten Thousand Reasons (Bless the Lord, O My Soul), Kneeling in the Dust to Form Us, For Such a Time as This and more. There is a section of scriptural images of God as well as new communal prayers and laments. As we move into this new season, especially emergence from the pandemic and its affects, this hymnal is a great resource for lament, renewal and restoration of hope for us at St. Matthew’s

Rally Day Sunday Parade 2020
Sept. 20, 2020

Sunday Worship 10:00 am
Christian Education 9:00 a.m.
(except for the summer break, when we simply worship)

2654 West Builders Drive (5200 S. and 2700 W.)
Taylorsville, UT 84129

Phone:  801-965-8484
office@stmatthewsut.org

Some of what goes on here....

Bible Study on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
9:45 a.m. - 10:30 we staple, fold and stuff bulletins
Scouts on Wednesdays
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Food-bank (open when the office is open)
Samoan Christian Worship at 1 -2:30 p.m. on Sundays
Small Change to Change the World + The World Hunger Appeal


Our Bishop is the Rev. James Gonia
The Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA
www.rmselca.org | 800-525-0462 | The theme for the synod this year is Deeply Rooted, Bearing Fruit.

We are part of the Utah Conference of ELCA congregations and we work closely with our Episcopal sisters and brothers.

Our national church is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, www.elca.org   We are proud to be part of a church that is ecumenical, open and welcoming.

Building on the Spirit's
​work among us
Naming what we get to do together as Christ’s Church here in the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod is what our strategic planning process is all about. In 2016 your Synod Council approved our first three year plan, with four major areas of emphasis and numerous goals and objectives related to each. In the Strategic Plan 2.0 Summary, you’ll see a sampling of the ministry and witness we have accomplished together during this period of time. It’s exciting to see how the Spirit has been at work among us!

Building Usage Policy:

building_usage_policy.pdf
File Size: 187 kb
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​Spread the Word

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Check into Facebook every time you are here at St. Matthew’s.  Tell folks what you are doing, post pictures and tag your friends.
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Do you have an Instagram account?  If so – take pictures to show your friends and family where you are and what you are doing at St. Matthew’s.

Opportunities To Serve

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Altar Guild – contact Mary Wimmer for the next training date and to be added to the schedule.
Choir or Special Music – the choir sings several times a year and practices for 20-30 minutes following worship most Sundays. For more information contact Leandra Ludlam. Counters – contact Karla Stoker to be trained and added to the schedule.
Facilities & Grounds – upkeep of the facilities requires many hands & a variety of talents. Contact Erich Thaemert.
Faith Formation – Sunday School Teachers needed for the upcoming year. We use the Spark Lectionary   Series. Contact Samantha Johnson for more information.
Fellowship – get together with a few others and sign-up to provide a simple meal or treats on Sunday   morning following worship. Sign-up sheet is located in the Narthex area.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – do you knit or crochet. Contact Henny Johnson for more information.
Outreach Ministry – needs help with the Food Pantry, meals for Family Promise, special collections for   organizations that St. Matthew’s supports. Contact Jenny Cox.
Worship Ministry – Worship Assistants, Lectors, Ushers, Greeters, Cantors, Acolytes – contact Mary Kay  Arnold to be trained and then added to the schedule. 
St. Matthew's is now operating on solar power.
Click on the picture above to see the System Details.