St. Matthew's Lutheran Church - ELCA
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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
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Download Bulletin here:

bulletin.pdf
File Size: 1050 kb
File Type: pdf
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After watching the Sermon would you please answer a one question survey?
Survey

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:

Newsletter / Announcements Submissions
April Newsletter:
april_2023_newsletter.pdf
File Size: 1783 kb
File Type: pdf
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Comprehensive Ministry Review:
Comprehensive Ministry Review
File Size: 507 kb
File Type: pdf
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Council & Ministry 2021 Reports

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

Events:

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​Mark Your Calendar – Upcoming Events
▪ Palm Sunday – April 2nd
▪ Maundy Thursday – April 6th*
▪ Good Friday – April 7th*
​▪ Easter Sunday – April 9 th
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*​Maundy Thursday & Good Friday*

We will be joining St. Stephen’s/San Esteban Episcopal church for Holy Week Services. Located at: 4615 South 3200 West West Valley City, UT.
Maundy Thursday: April 6th (TBD)
Good Friday: April 7th (TBD)

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St. Matthew’s Building & Grounds Clean Up: April 1st 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

Come and join us as we spruce up our building as we get ready for the Easter Season. We will also be working on the grounds [providing we have good weather.] Lunch will be provided. 

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​The Peoples’ Sermon:

When Pastor Christine announced her retirement, I am sure that we all shared the same emotions and questions, such as “Who is going to preach?” While we wait with anticipation for the new pastor, the good news is that six members of our congregation are being trained as Lay Preachers to share God’s message with you each Sunday.
Our Preaching Ministry considers this role an honor and privilege and a responsibility not to be taken lightly. We meet regularly and spend much time in study and prayer. Currently, we are in a six week training course with other Lay Preachers and clergy, taught by the Rev. Dr. Shauna K. Hannan, a professor of homiletics and Pacific Lutheran theological Seminary. In this course, we are leaning about preaching as a ministry of the whole congregation and ways we can be a more participatory congregation in proclaiming the gospel, with not just one voice, but all of our voices.
Scriptures assure us that lay preaching existed, beginning with Jesus. As said in Mark 16:15, “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.’” Please offer your support and prayers for the Laity Preaching Ministry as we begin our new church year with new beginnings and anticipation.

Blessings, Submitted by Pam Lawrence Preaching Ministry
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Thank you to everyone who has supported our Warm Clothing Drive. Our drive will continue through February, and you can drop off the items in the clothing box located in the narthex on Sundays. Items most needed are large warm blankets or quilts, hats, gloves or mittens, and scarves. Donations will be taken to the Crossroads Urban Center to distribute to those in need.

also

T
hank you to our neighbors from the Taylorsville Wards and the supporters from St. Matthew’s for keeping our pantry filled. The need has been great through the cold winter and during the holiday season. We are very happy to welcome Ronda Joa to the Outreach & Advocacy Ministry. She has jumped right in and been a big help this month! 

Submitted by Cindy Becker Outreach & Advocacy Ministry

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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.


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Transition for St. Matthews

The council is busy working with our coach, Flip Wilson to complete our Ministry Site Profile (MSP) so that the synod office can get the word out to pastors looking for a call. There are already a couple of potential candidates on the horizon. Once the MSP is out, a Call Committee will be formed and the work of reviewing all the Rostered Ministry Profiles (RMP), setting up interviews, etc. and presenting a candidate to the congregation for a vote will take place. This takes TIME and PATIENCE and DISCERNMENT for both the congregation and the candidate. Your prayers are needed (and necessary) for the council, who is acting as the Transition Team, the folks who will be asked to be on the Call Committee, and the new pastor whoever that might be. Remember the Spirit is preparing you for the new pastor and preparing the new pastor for you. The council will keep the congregation informed with all progress.

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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 morning, service is still on our web page for five days www.stmatthewsut.org

So if you want to hear the sermon or gospel again provided to us by our preaching ministry team and the beautiful music that Sam plays, just go to St. Matthew’s web page and click on the link.

Submitted by Communication Ministry

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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

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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.

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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.

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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....

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Food-bank is always open because of the Outside "Little Pantry".
We are accepting in-person donations on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm.
We also have a clothing drop box on site.
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
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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!

2023 Synod Assembly
Reserve a room at St. Matthew's

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. 


History of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Taylorsville, Utah

St. Matthew’s congregation had it’s beginning in the 1950’s and 1960’s with membership in the early Utah mission churches of St. Paul’s in Kearns (LCA) and Atonement in Granger (ALC). In 1987 the two churches sold their buildings and joined together in the newly formed Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). January 1, 1988 was the beginning of this new church named St. Matthews Lutheran Church. The first service in the new building was held March 8, 1993, in the soon to be incorporated Utah city of Taylorsville. In October 1999 the addition of an education wing was added to the church. St. Matthews Lutheran Church is the only ELCA congregation on the west side of the Salt Lake City valley. For the past 35 years the church has been a “beacon of light” in the community and hope to continue to share God’s love while serving our congregation and community in many more years.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Kay Arnold 

St. Matthew's is now operating on solar power.
Click on the picture above to see the System Details.
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