St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Taylorsville Utah
​(801) 965-8484
5200 So. 2700 W. Taylorsville, Utah  84129

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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"

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Join us online for Sunday Services.
Starts at 10:00 AM​

Download Bulletin here:

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
File Size: 83 kb
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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:

October Newsletter:
october_2022_newsletter.pdf
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Comprehensive Ministry Review:
Comprehensive Ministry Review
File Size: 507 kb
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Council & Ministry 2021 Reports

2021_st._matthews_annual_council_and_ministry_reports.pdf
File Size: 1294 kb
File Type: pdf
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Events:

​Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming Events

  • Blessing of the Animals – October 8th
  • Commitment Sunday – October 23rd
  • Reformation Sunday – October 30th – Color of the Day is Red!
  • All Saints Sunday & Confirmation – November 6th
  • Christ the King Sunday – November 20th
  • Greening of the Church – November 20th
  • 1st Sunday in Advent – November 27th 
Our Annual Diaper and Formula drive for Crossroads will start in September and run through October.

Once again, thank you for all you do, we are truly blessed. 

Worship Sundays & Live Streaming on Facebook 10:00 AM

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.

"It’s snowing", "I’m sick" or "I just can’t get moving on a Sunday morning".
Don’t worry you can still watch service.

St Matthew’s streams service live every Sunday at 10:00 am so join us online. If you can’t join service on Sunday that week, service is still on our web page www.stmatthewsut.org for five days.

So if you want to hear Pastor Christine’s sermon again or want to hear the gospel or Sam’s music during that week, just go to St Matthew’s web page and click on the link.

Submitted by Mike Stoker Communication Ministry

Sunday School and Adult Forum


Sunday School for Pre-K through 5th grade and Confirmation classes will be held 9 AM.

Adult Forum classes will continue to be held immediately following worship every Sunday. 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.

Church Clean-Up Day

Join us on Saturday, October 8th from 10 AM to 2 PM to do some yard and building clean up.

It’s time to go through cupboards, rake leaves, dust off the cobwebs and tidy up for the winter months.

We have plenty of cleaning supplies so just bring your servant’s heart to get this job done. 

Blessing of the Animals – October 8th at 2p

Glory says, “Join me and my friends for this wonderful event.”
Please share this with your friends and neighbors. We are hoping to have the Taylorsville K-9 dogs come for a blessing as well. This is a great opportunity for us to share God’s love with the creatures we are blessed to have in our lives.

Reformation Sunday – October 30th
at 10:00 AM

We celebrate the beginning of another 500+ years of the Lutheran Church. The color of the day is RED so dress accordingly. (This is your chance Ute fans, sorry Bronco fans.)

All Saint’s Sunday

On November 6th we will be observing All Saint’s Sunday. Please bring pictures (please no larger than 5”x7”) or mementos of loved ones who are part of the cloud of witnesses. Please put your name on the back in case you forget to pick them up after worship.

Coming Up - St. Matthew’s 35th Anniversary

Yes, it is hard to believe that St. Matthew’s has been doing ministry here since January 1, 1988! This calls for a celebration for our 35th year as the Body of Christ in Taylorsville. We’ve had some ups, we’ve had some downs and through it all, God blessed us with each other. Stay tuned for upcoming details for this occasion.

Sunday Service Streams Live

It’s snowing, I’m sick or I just can’t get moving on a Sunday morning. Don’t worry you can still watch service.

St Matthew’s streams service live every Sunday at 10:00 am so join us online. If you can’t join service on Sunday that week, service is still on our web page www.stmatthewsut.org for five days.

So if you want to hear Pastor Christine’s sermon again or want to hear the gospel or Sam’s music during that week, just go to St. Matthew’s web page and click on the link.
​
Submitted by Mike Stoker Communication Ministry

Reconciling in Christ News

Made in God’s Image – God’s Boundless Diversity
Reconciling in Christ (RIC)
Made in God’s Image
After a two-year journey, lots of discussions, many prayers, one on ones and development of a welcoming statement, St. Matthews Lutheran Church, has become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation.  Please rejoice with us as we celebrate.
“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.”
 Come join us as we celebrate and rejoice in God's boundless diversity. 
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.

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/. 

The Little Pantry

The Outreach and Advocacy Ministry would like to thank the Taylorsville Food Bank which contributed to our Little Pantry.

We are low on supplies for the Little Pantry. Contributions of these items would be appreciated.

Paper towels
Fruit
Toilet paper
Water
Juice
Spaghetti-o's
Ravioli
Chicken and other protein
Cereal 

Thank you to everyone for your generous support from your Outreach and Advocacy Committee.
Why become a member of St. Matthew’s in Taylorsville?  Here are a few reasons our members have expressed why they are part of the Mission and Ministry here:
  • I get to be a part of something larger than myself.  Together we can do more than I as an individual can accomplish.  (I get the) guidance to accomplish more in my personal life.
  • I get the chance to be forgiven, and to leave the church feeling spiritually better about the week to come.
  • Sense of family and community, friendship, and love
Membership is making a commitment to Christ and becoming active in faith as part of our calling through baptism.  Membership also means discipleship. Life is always a journey of learning and growing in Christ!  Membership involves participating in the life of the congregation through active worship, contributing and receiving communion. 
For how you can be part of the exciting ministry at St. Matthew’s as a member, ask Pastor Christine for a “Request for Membership” form.
The Faith Formation ministry wants to hear your faith story! What is a faith story? A story of how you are living your faith, maybe it’s helping someone in need, showing random acts of kindness, speaking kind words to strangers, teaching or mentoring, simply showing the love of Jesus to others anywhere or anyplace.

What is YOUR story? As we approach the summer months and families are On the Go, we ask that you be on the lookout for ways you can make a difference in someone’s life, THEN come back and tell your story! You can do this by writing your story and sending to St. Matthews or email office@stmatthewsut.org or tell, give to one of the Ministry members listed below. Please address to: Faith Formation Ministry.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!!
Your Faith Formation Ministry Pastor Christine, Samantha Johnson, Eric Stoke,r Pam Lawrence, Elizabeth Hawke, Megan Hartun.

Submitted by Pam Lawrence Faith Formation Ministry

First Communion - 
​Preparing the Communion Bread
Sept. 24, 2022

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
File Type: pdf
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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.