The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Took with Him Peter and James and His Brother John and Led Them up a High Mountain, by Themselves

Volume 83, No. 3 - March 2, 2014

The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. ...Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Matthew 17:1-2, 5 Page 2

Former Presiding Bishop Rev. Mark Hanson is our guest speaker at St. Matthew’s Day of Grace, Sunday, March 30 On Sunday, March 30, members of St. Matthew’s and the Greater Milwaukee Synod will welcome The Rev. Mark Hanson, former presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as the Day of Grace speaker. He will preach at the morning worship services, and speak during the adult education hour and at an afternoon presentation. As its third presiding Bishop, Rev. Hanson represented the 10,000 congregations of the ELCA to other religious and civil leaders throughout the world during his twelve years in office. He guided the church through difficult times and offered a vision of hope. At the October, 2013 National Assembly of the ELCA, he said, “Yes, we can trust the Holy Spirit, who is at work through this church as we are deeply rooted in Christ and always being made new.” A champion of ecumenical relationships and justice, especially for those most vulnerable, Rev. Hanson has earned wide respect among the world’s religious leaders. His roots are Midwestern, though. Born in Minneapolis, he attended Augsburg College, Union Theological Seminary in New York, Luther Seminary in St. Paul, and Harvard Divinity School. He returned to Minnesota to serve three parishes in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area before he was elected Bishop of the St. Paul Area Synod. In 2001 he was elected Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, where he served two terms. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson We are privileged to welcome this man of faith, wisdom, ELCA presiding bishop from 2001 to 2013 passion, and experience in celebrating our Day of Grace.

St. Matthew’s Mission Statement Called to fulfill the Great Commission, St. Matthew’s Welcomes all to faith in Jesus Christ, Nurtures our faith journey, Equips us to serve others, and Sends us into the world to make a difference in Jesus’ name. The Voice of St. Matthew’s The newsletter of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church Christopher Manke and Margaret Schoewe Pastors 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-774-0441 fax 414-774-0989 E-mail: [email protected] Visit our website: www.StMattsLutheran.org Sunday worship at 7:30, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. USPS 662-800 -- Published Monthly - Twice monthly in March, July, October and December by St. Matthew’s Don and Judy Buskirk, (left and right) stand with Roc Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Ave., Whitesell (center), who gave a very interesting presentation Wauwatosa, WI 53213 (phone 774-0441) Periodicals to the Saints group in February. Roc was a long-time postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. POSTMASTER: Send concierge at the Pfister Hotel, and had many stories address changes to: The Voice of St. Matthew’s, St. of guests who stayed there, many of them famous. His Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, presentation was well-received by those who came. Wauwatosa, WI 53213 Submit articles to the church office in care of Sonja Mohr, Newsletter Editor, or [email protected] Page 3 2 Upcoming Events you won’t want to miss March 16th, 8:30 & 11:00 Services New Creation Choir Musical Bones: The Story of Hope: Discover how Ezekiel brings hope to a weary people On Sunday, March 16, at the 8:30 and 11:00 services the New Creation choir invites the St. Matthew’s family to learn about the prophet Ezekiel and how he helped the Israelites experience hope. Ezekiel lived nearly 600 years before Jesus came to earth. He was God’s prophet among thousands of Jewish captives taken from Judah to Babylon, before the destruction of Jerusalem. These were very dark and difficult days for the people of God. But through some amazing visions, God gave Ezekiel a message of hope to share with those discouraged and enslaved exiles. Ezekiel denotes a couple different meanings - God is strong, God strengthens or God makes hard. These namesakes explain a significant amount about Ezekiel because of the calling, anointing, and purpose God had for Ezekiel. Ezekiel needed the Lord’s strength throughout all his endeavors. Ezekiel was a man of deep faith and great imagination. Many of his insights came in the form of visions, and many of his messages were expressed in vivid symbolic actions. Ezekiel emphasized the need for inner renewal of the heart and spirit. He also proclaimed his hope for the renewal of the life of the nation.

Back by popular demand! Fish Sticks High Energy Comedy Night at St. Matthew’s! Get your tickets NOW! Proceeds toward Youth Mission Trip Good news for your funny bone! Fish Sticks is returning to St. Matthew’s. They were last here in 2009, and it was a fantastic family night. You will want to be here for it… It’s a lot of fun! Date: Friday, March 28 Time: Show is at 7 p.m. with a dessert to follow Cost: Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12; $30 = Family max Location: St. Matthew’s Sanctuary Invite friends and family members to enjoy an evening with ”Fish Sticks,” a Christian comedy act. Last time we had a fabulous turnout, many purchasing tickets at the door. It is helpful to purchase tickets in advance or to call for reservations. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the summer’s youth mission trip to Washington, D.C. Child care will be provided, although the show is family friendly. Check out the comedy website: www.fishstickscomedy.com. Plan to make this a part of your inside family winter fun! Tickets are now on sale on Sunday mornings; or call the church office to reserve yours. Page 4 The Transfiguration of our Lord “And he was transfigured before them...”

What is The Transfiguration of Christ and when is it celebrated? The Feast of the Transfiguration, which for ELCA Lutherans falls on the last Sunday of Epiphany, before Ash Wednesday, (this year on Sunday, March 2) commemorates what many consider to be the highest point of Jesus’ earthly life, when he was “transfigured” by a brilliant white light at the top of a mountain and proclaimed to be the well-loved Son of God from a heavenly voice.

The Origins of the Feast The Feast of the Transfiguration is said to have been founded by Saint Gregory the Illuminator, sometime in the early third century, AD. It is said that the Feast took the place of an earlier pagan ritual known as “roseflame,” as Christ’s transfiguration was also similar to a flaming rose. The Feast was relatively slow to be adopted by the majority of churches, though most took up the practice by the 15th century. The Story of the Transfiguration According to the Gospels of Luke (9:28- 36), Mark (9:1-8), and Matthew (17:1-6), the Transfiguration occurred when Jesus traveled to the top of a mountain to pray with three of the Apostles, Peter, John, and James. Upon reaching the summit, Jesus was transfigured, his entire body being filled with a shining white light, as though his person were filled with clear fire. Moments later, the prophets Elijah and Moses appeared to either side of Jesus, and began to speak with him of his burden and impending death. Then, a blazing cloud appeared overhead, and a voice spoke from heaven, saying that Jesus was his beloved son, in whom he was well pleased. After the event was over, Jesus asked the three Apostles to keep the occurrence a secret until the Son of Man rose from the dead. Interpretations of the transfiguration Generally speaking, the primary significance of the Transfiguration exists in the light which shines from Jesus’ body on the mountaintop, which is typically held to be a sign of his internal divinity fully manifesting itself in the material world. It is also the second time that he is called a beloved son by a heavenly voice, the first being when he is baptized by John. As a result of these events, the Transfiguration is considered the turning point between Jesus’ prophetic ministry and priestly (or divine) ministry. In effect, Jesus, standing between the Law and the Prophet became the fulfillment of both in the eyes of God as evidenced by the commendation of the voice from the clouds. For Christians around the world, the Transfiguration remains an important observance. It is a chance to reflect upon the glorious divinity of Christ made manifest in the material world. Page 5 Pastoral Call Update St. Matthew’s Meal Ministry Expands Are we any closer to having an beyond St. Matthew’s additional pastor at St. Matthew’s? Moves most of food transport and distribution to We have been blessed by the help and energy of Our Redeemer’s larger space Pastor Fran Odden, who led the MET process for us As many of you know and that many of you have nearly two years ago now. Pastor Fran has been doing supported and participated in, St. Matthew’s Meal ministry much of our preliminary research on candidates, and continues to grow. Recently, after receiving several grants has also been calling other contacts about possible to foster growth in rescuing food, the part of our Meal pastors for the call. With this extra help, we have Ministry called JOMM (Just One More Ministry), began its received 6 more names of people to speak with and if own 501C3 not-for-profit corporation to better raise funds fitting, interview in the future. for their ministry. Because we have some good possibilities, we have Also, with the additional funds that have been raised to begun assembling the Call Committee for several date and also through in-kind donated installation services, interview opportunities. We hope to begin these JOMM was able to develop a large warehouse facility in interviews in the next several weeks. If a person were the inner city at Redeemer Lutheran Church (19th and selected from these names, we would then have them Wisconsin), complete with walk-in coolers and freezers. do a second interview with other congregational The future looks bright for JOMM and for the near future leaders (such as the Church Council). will operate out of both St. Matthew’s and Redeemer Lutheran. Please keep our process in your prayers, asking With the renovation of our kitchen at St. Matthew’s for God to bring us a pastor who will help guide our beginning this May, we look forward to better supporting service for the next chapter of our ministry. our ever growing meal ministries, including the lunches Hopeful, Pastor Chris made for Repairers of the Breach homeless ministry, Guest House of Milwaukee and our inner city partners Cross and Reformation Members of the Call Committee are: Lutheran Churches. Who knows what new Kristen Charlson Betsy Daniels ideas God will come up Pat Engelhardt Scott Falk with next for feeding Mike Gifford Gordon Moehling our brothers and sisters in need, but we thank Tom Wanezek Pr. Margaret God for the growth that Pr. Chris continues to happen today.

Chris Capper, left, started the J.O.M.M. and Joy Craig (right) is one of the first employees of the non-profit organization.

LED lighting now in place; most efficient lighting available Thank you for all contributions to the Let Your Light Shine: L.E.D. the way through Epiphany program. Through this program and a program about seven years ago, most of the interior lights in our church have been replaced with energy efficient lights as we continue to work towards being an Energy Star certified church. Some of our members have noted that it is easier to read with these new lights. We will be monitoring our electric bills for results. Thank you to Mark Rutkowski who initiated this project, Jerry Wunderlich, Property Committee Chairperson, and Ed Bross, Property Committee member for all their work to bring this project to completion and to our youth who inventoried lights to help with planning this project. Page 6 Lent focus for 2014: Reflect, Pray and Worship

Pause to Reflect, Pray and Worship This year our Lenten worship will focus around meditation and reflection time, intentionally taking time to worship and to pray in thought, word and action. Worship lies at the heart of our community’s life and concerns. We owe our very existence as a community to the central Gospel conviction that worship is all we are and all we do. Either everything we do is an offering to God, or nothing, we may not pick and choose. But we don’t only worship at St. Matthew’s building, whenever members gather in their small groups, gatherings or meetings, we worship together. Pause… Reflect… Pray… Take time this Lent to take time

Too Deep for Words Romans 8:26-27 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Wednesday Lent Adult Study 6:15-7:00 PM Over the centuries Christians have kept Lent by praying more than usual. To honor this practice we will use a devotional resource, “Too Deep for Words,” published by Augsburg Fortress. Each day offers an evocative image, a reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, a quotation to ponder, a reflection, and a prayer for the day. On Wednesday evenings we’ll enter into a deeper exploration of the Scripture from Romans through contemplative reading and small group discussion. The devotionals will be available in early March. Our meetings will begin Wednesday, March 12th. All are welcome.

Schedule for Lent Ash Wednesday, March 5 Worship services at 10:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays March 12 - April 9 - The five Wednesdays of Lent: Morning: 10:30 a.m. Worship followed by 11:00 a.m. Fellowship time in Commons Evening: 5:30, Dinner (see menu, pg. 7) 6:15, Youth choirs 6:15, Adult Education “Too Deep for Words” 6:15, Lent family time for families and younger children 7:15, Lent midweek worship Sunday, April 13 - Palm Sunday - Scenes from the Lord’s Passion presented in worship. Holy Week begins - details on Holy Week given in next issue of the Voice Page 7 Lent Wednesdays, March 12 - April 9

St. Matthew’s Prayer Wall If there is one area in our Christian life where many of us struggle, it is in the area of prayer. Many find their prayer lives to be labored, inconsistent, and far less than what they would like them to be. We understand the importance of prayer. We know the power of Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, prayer. However, we often struggle with the faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12 practice of prayer. Inspired by the Jewish custom of placing notes in the Western Wall in Jerusalem, St. Matthew’s Prayer Wall is intended to be a sacred space for the sharing of prayers and concerns. The Prayer Wall is a place where you can post prayer requests and pray for other people. You can write your prayers on the wall or post them. We also hope that reading others’ thoughts will put you in the mindset of prayer. You can also share a word of praise to tell how God has answered your prayers. If the Holy Spirit has given you the gift of prayer or if God has placed on your heart a desire to intercede for others, please read our prayer wall and help someone in the most powerful way we can, PRAYER! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. –

Families: We invite you to Wednesday Join Us for Dinner Wednesdays During Lent Evening Lenten Family Time Dinner Served March 12th – April 9th Following the Wednesday dinners, from 6:15- We hope you’ll join us on Wednesday evenings during Lent for 7:00 p.m., there is family time for families with the variety of ways to observe Lent: Lenten Family Time, Adult smaller children (up through third grade) with Ed, Youth and Children’s Choirs, Worship. To make it easier for stories, songs, projects, prayers and a brief you, we begin the evening by offering a healthy dinner served worship. We encourage families to come for the continuously from 5:30 – 6:30. Suggested donation for the dinner dinner (at 5:30), stay for the family time and then is $5 for adults and $3 for children aged 3-10. If you sign up to return home in time for children to go to bed. bring food, you receive a free meal. Proceeds benefit the youth mission trip to Washington, DC. The weekly menu is below. March 12th: Lasagna, salad, bread. March 19th: Tacos, fruit, vegetables and dip March 26th: Soup, salad, bread April 2nd: Baked potato bar, salad, fruit April 9th: Build-your-own-sub, fruit, vegetables and dip

Last year, families enjoyed the Lenten dinners as a break from cooking and Pr. Chris and Donna Manke lead the Lenten Family an opportunity Time from 6:15-7:00 on the five Wednesdays in to get to know Lent, March 12 - April 9. It’s lots of fun! others at St. Matthew’s. Page 8 St. Matthew’s Church Council 2014

Back row, left to right: Pr. Chris Manke, Gordon Moehling, Dylan Mann, Ruth Kallio-Mielke, Peggy Heuler, Tim Jorgenson, Darla Hium, Frank Cimermancic, Pr. Margaret Schoewe, Jerry Wunderlich. Seated in front row: Tracy Michaelson, Kim Procopis, Eileen Lund, Danette Braun.

At the Annual Meeting on January 26, the approx. 100 people in attendance heard several reports on the ministries at St. Matthew’s and received a report from St. Matthew’s treasurer Rob Wedel. The budget was passed for 2014. A short report was given by the Building Renovation Committee on the next phase of construction to begin in May. Four new council representatives were elected: Tim Jorgenson, Darla Hium, Frank Cimermancic, and Kim Procopis. Thanks to Cory Olson, the congregation’s council president, who led the meeting, and thanks also to the other council members whose terms have ended: Erin Margerie, Teresa Wooster and Chuck Crook. Gordon Moehling ended a term focused in the area of Social Rob Wedel explains our financial position while presenting Ministry, and agreed to serve another term, this time the budget for 2014. Rob has been our treasurer for about ten on the finance committee. The new president is Dylan years. Mann. Thanks to all of our church council representatives who give of their time to keep St. Matthew’s a strong congregation. We are blessed! Page 9 Men’s Ministry

Men’s Clothing Drive for Guest House! Sponsored by the Men’s Ministry Fish Sticks comedy: Men, start sorting those unwanted but still usable Tender, business clothes! We plan on donating business-type clothes to the residents of the Guest House for their Flaky interviews and employment needs. All sizes needed! Fun! We are seeking: Dress Shirts Don’t miss “Fish Sticks” on Friday, March 28, Dress Pants Dress Shoes sponsored by the Men’s Ministry. See the full article Ties, Belts on page 3. Sport Jackets Suits Top Coats Next Book Group selection subject: Begin to set aside clothes you seldom use, and we Comanche Native Americans will do a collection on the following Sundays: The First Fridays Book Group meets each First Friday March 30th, April 6th and April 13th. Details on the of the month at 7 p.m. in the Upper Room. Pick up the collection coming soon! complete list at the Welcome Center. You don’t need to read each book in order to come to the discussion; pick and choose the ones you like. The list is also on our website - www.stmattslutheran.org - go to “Connect & Grow” then “Adult Classes and Bible Studies” March 7: Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History by S.C Gwynne (371 pages) April 4: White Dog Fell from the Sky: A Novel by Eleanor Morse (368 pages) May 9: Blue Highways: A Journey into America by William Least Heat-Moon (448 pages) Men’s Retreat focused on Wholeness; Connecting the puzzle pieces of men’s lives Thanks to Pastor Fran Odden for leading this year’s All are welcome men’s retreat on February 22. The topic was “Whole- at monthly healing services ness.” Healing services are offered monthly at St. Matthew’s at a Thanks to those men who spent part of their Saturday variety of times to give all the opportunity to come forward reflecting on their perspectives in life and how all the for healing prayer for themselves or others. You can share parts of men’s lives might fit together. your concern with the pastor/leader at the altar, and then Thanks to the Men’s Ministry team for putting the he/she along with the healing ministers will lay on hands retreat together. and give a special prayer for your concern. Your concern can be general if there are concerns you don’t wish to share specifically. Here are the dates coming up in 2014: Wednesday, March 5 following the 10:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Ash Wednesday services Maundy Thursday, April 17th following the 10:30 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Services Sunday, May 11 - Mother’s Day Education Time, 9:45 a.m. Page 10 Women’s Ministry

Women’s Retreat -- From Broken to Beautiful How can a kaleidoscope express our lives and our faith? Please save the weekend of March 21st through the 23rd to join us for the upcoming St. Matthew’s Women’s Retreat at the newly expanded Siena Center in Racine! All rooms have private baths. Rev. Jane Timmerman will be leading the retreat in what promises to be an uplifting, thoughtful experience. Pr. Jane will focus on the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well. He shared the truth with her, and in His presence she was transformed. God is able to take the broken pieces of our lives – even things we are ashamed of – and make of them something beautiful, something through which we can bring blessing to others. Join us for this time apart with our Lord to make a kaleidoscope and see how “bits and pieces” can be turned into something beautiful. Jesus’ invitation is “to come and see.” More information is available in brochures found in the commons, the church office and on our web site. If you have questions please reach out to Pastor Margaret or Ruth Kallio-Mielke at 414 416 5791.

St. Matthew’s Women’s Retreat Friday, March 21 - Sunday March 23 Siena Conference Center, Racine

Kaleidoscopes are an expression of the concept of putting together the broken pieces of our lives and making something beautiful from those pieces.

Worship Matters John Paradowski, St. Matthew’s minister of music, led a four-part adult education series on “Worship Matters.” This series helped those who attended to grow into a richer understanding of the foundations of Lutheran worship. Topics included the church year, the lectionary, holy baptism, holy communion, corporate prayer, worship and culture, and more. Page 11 The Saints of St. Matthew’s - Ministry for Older Adults

May Day! May Day! Mishler’s Bulk Food Store is SOS! SOS! an after lunch stop. Available items might be condiments, SAINTS ON SOJOURN! cooking utensils, some produce SAINTS ON SOJOURN! and dry goods. Their payment policy is Cash and Carry or “good checks.” No plastic or Do I hear groans from our readers? Sorry, but I wanted “bad checks” accepted. to get your attention about our Saints sponsored bus trip Then it’s on past the Oven on May 16 to an Amish settlement northeast of Portage, Fresh Bakery, the casket Wisconsin. We will travel by Lamers deluxe motor maker’s house and the Pleasant coach equipped with air conditioning, restroom, public View Bakery. We’ll spend address system and DVD. Also included are lunch and some time at the Pleasant View the services of lecturer and published author, Richard Bakery which features fresh Dawley as our tour director. Mr. Dawley is an authority baked goods and is only open on the Amish and will be leading us as we tour. on Friday and Saturdays. Lamers has provided this itinerary for the day. Next, it’s Raymond’s Maple Lane Crafts and our last chance to buy small furniture Friday, May 16, 2014 items. 9:00 AM: Depart St Matthew’s parking lot If time permits, we will make our last stop at the Salemville Cheese Shop for their specialty: Blue and We head to one of Wisconsin’s most interesting Amish Gorgonzola cheeses made from the milk of the Amish settlements known as The Amish Settlement - extending farm cows.. from Markesan through Dalton and on to Pardeeville. It You may have noticed words like ‘may’ and ‘or.’ is named after the Village of Kingston, Wisconsin, located According to an asterisk on the Lamers information 15 southwest of Green Lake. Our first planned stop is sheet ”Amish Settlement itinerary segments are subject the furniture shop that makes wooden baby cradles and to change due to the nature of the Amish people.” bedroom furniture for Penny Mustard (furniture galleries). Lloyd, the owner, may be in the shop with four or five 4:30 PM: Return to St. Matthew’s parking lot other Amish men working and machinery running. Sawdust abounds. Sign up at the SAINTS information area near the Next is the shop for making bent hickory rocking chairs church library. Cost for the bus trip and lunch is $85.00 and if Wayne is not there, he usually leaves the door open per person. and Mr. Dawley will explain the process and equipment. Checks should be made out to St. Matthew’s And then the plan is to meet Milo and family. They run Lutheran Church. Payment is due by March 20. No a produce farm and if no produce is available, his wife will cancellations refunded after April 1. The bus can only likely have some family made crafts and perhaps pickled accommodate forty so sign up early to be certain of beets, canned pickles, etc. your place. We will drive past the schoolhouse and the site of the Please contact me with any questions or concerns. quilt auction held in June. And please join us on Wednesdays during Lent for A buffet lunch or family style meal will be at the our Food and Fellowship time following the morning Kingston Inn or a favorite Amish family home. worship services (March 12-April 9).

Lenten Worship Fellowship Time March 12 - April 9, 2014 Each Wednesday morning after the Lenten service 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Time with refreshments Sponsored by the Saints Page 12 Worship Matters We are Nurtured as we encounter Prayer in Worship Prayer and You We explore our response to God’s p romised presence for us in word and sacrament by offering prayer and praise to God. Name a moment or an occasion in your life when the At a crucial point in the book of Revelation, the Lamb word hallelujah might spontaneously rise to your lips. Why opens a scroll with seven seals, and a great multitude is that so? of heaven “that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” gathers in Prayer and Silence praise and prayer around the Lamb. Then, just after We may not think of silence as a primary topic to consider this multitude sings praise to God and to the Lamb, a as we seek to understand our lives in prayer and praise. stunning thing happens. “When the Lamb opened the Prayer and praise, after all, imply that we use words, or seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half at least sound! To begin we will consider a few ways that an hour.” Here we are invited to imagine silence as a silence is a fundamental aspect of our response to God. response to God that is even more profound than our words or songs of prayer and praise. Silence as space for God to speak Consider this page. Without the white space on this page, Silence in worship the black letters and the words they form would not be Silence may be invited at various places throughout our comprehensible. Similarly, consider music. The rests allow worship: following an invitation to confession, following the musical notes to be heard. We believe this to be a each reading and the sermon, during the prayers of foundational reality with God as well. God speaks a word intercession. Sometimes, as between “Let us pray” and out of silence, and the world is created. the prayer that follows, this silence may be simply an extended pause, a holy moment to catch our breath and Silence as expression of awe help each person collectively arrive in the presence of Silence is a powerful and important response in moments God. Silence in worship is not easy for many - perhaps of awe. After a particularly moving performance, most - of us. It can feel like wasted time, time when an audience will often sit in stunned silence before something “productive” could be happening. But we responding in raucous applause. need silence in worship; it can clear space to listen more attentively to God, and can be a profound response to an experience of grace or transformation that “says” more than can be said.

Next time we look at our Prayer Postures.

Resources taken from Worship Matter: An Introduction to Worship published by Augsburg Fortress. This is part 7 of a 10 part series on worship. Page 13 Sunday Morning Adult Education Moore Adult Mission Trip group leaves 9:45-10:45 March 8 Our Moore Adult Mission Trip group is March 2 preparing to leave on March 8, driving to AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin Moore, Oklahoma. We will be getting our work assignments through The Oklahoma Conference Mike Gifford; CEO and St. Matthew’s Member of the United Methodists and staying at the Church of the Harvest in Oklahoma City. Twenty people primarily from St. Matthew’s but also from Kingo Lutheran Church, Bayshore Lutheran Church and our partner congregation Cross will be going. The group will be bringing along a Little Free Library which we will stock and install in front of one of the homes we hope to work on. The cost of the trip has risen a bit, to $300 per The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin is home to the ARCW person. If you would like to help underwrite the Medical Center - Wisconsin’s largest and fastest growing HIV cost of this trip, please make checks payable to St. health care system. Through its integrated medical, dental and Matthew’s with Moore Oklahoma Mission Trip mental health clinics along with its pharmacy and dedicated in the memo line. And thank you for all your social services that include food pantries, a legal program, support through prayers and encouraging words. and social work case management, more than 3,300 HIV patients in Wisconsin gain the health care and social services they need for long-term survival with HIV disease from this organization. ARCW is also a leading provider of innovative Have You Returned Your 2014 and aggressive prevention services to help at-risk individuals Activities & Ministries Form? stay free of HIV. “For we are what He has made us, created in Join us on March 2nd for inspiration and information on Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared how you can help! beforehand to be our way of life.” Ephesians 2:10 This means that God created not only the world, but the good things that we would do March 9-March 23: A Place at the Table with our lives. He is intimately involved with “If another nation was doing this to our children, we’d be at what we are doing. He created, continues to war” Jeff Bridges, Founder of the End Hunger Network create and we get to be a part of it...if we say Yes! Strong words directed towards a critical issue in our nation. When we serve God we are claiming our place in 50 Million Americans - 1 in 4 children - don’t know where His plan for this world. When we give our time their next meal is coming from. “A Place at the Table” tells the we share in God’s work with Him! powerful stories of three such Americans, who maintain their Does knowing this make you want to find out dignity even as they struggle just to eat. In a riveting journey what He wants you to do? What great work is he that will change forever how you think about the hungry, calling you to? this film shows how the issue could be solved forever, once If you haven’t returned your 2014 Activities the American public decides - as they have in the past - that & Ministries form please take some prayerful ending hunger is in the best interests of us all. time to complete and drop off at church. You This will be a 3-part series which includes viewing the will make a difference to others and serving will movie, engaging in discussion and responding with a call to make a difference in your life! action. For more information on getting involved Facilitated by Danette Braun, Lisa Krekling, Gretchen Haugse, please check the VOICE, Bulletin or contact Laurna Prantil Sue Swing; Volunteer Coordinator; sueswing@ sbcglobal.net. Page 14 Youth Mission Trip “We Promise to Pray for You...” to Look at Hunger in U.S. In the past year, each month we After several years of disaster response trips to have listed many of those bap- areas affected by hurricanes, we’re shifting the tized at St. Matthew’s since 2000 focus of the youth mission trip this year to the more when we began worshipping in ongoing need of hunger. We will be heading to the newly remodeled sanctuary. Washington, DC to work with various agencies that In the next year (and beyond) address the issue of food insecurity. we will list those baptized in One in six people in the United States – almost 15% the past three years. of the population –struggles to buy enough food. In When we are baptized, Washington, DC, one in every three families with we are welcomed into the children is food insecure. In preparation for the congregation, whose people trip, we have been looking at the faces and causes promise to support the parents behind these statistics, and in Washington, we will in raising their child in Christ. be looking at some of the responses – both in terms This listing of the baptized of addressing immediate need and in terms of policy makes your prayers more personal and may be a reminder of changes designed to eliminate hunger. Called as our promise. Christians to serve others in Jesus’ name, we are guided by his words in Matthew 25: “whatever you Some March Baptismal Anniversaries in the last three years: do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Quinn Elizabeth Farrell March 10, 2013 mine, you do for me.’ Dylan Mann March 30, 2013 If you’d like to more about this issue, plan to attend the Phoebe Jane Mann March 30, 2013 adult education time 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. on March 9-16- Owen August Ziemer March 18, 2012 23 to see the documentary “A Place at the Table” with Jack Preston Wians March 25, 2012 discussion time. Emmett William Zimmer March 25, 2012

Youth Ski Trip: It’s Not Too Late to Sign Up The Youth Ski Trip to the Upper Peninsula is just a little over a week away, but there’s still time to sign up, if you’re interested. The trip is open to middle school and high school youth. Friends are welcome. We’ll leave St. Matthew’s on Friday afternoon, March 7th and return Sunday evening, March 9th. Cost is $170 to cover the bus and two days of skiing. (Meals and rentals are extra). Registration slips are available at the Welcome Center and from the office. If you have any questions, talk to Gretchen.

Ruth Zarse and Kathy Adix came to the Saints gathering on February 12. Page 15 A Monumental Success - Youth Mission Trip Dinner Auction The Dinner Auction in February truly was a monumental occasion thanks to you! Your support through donations, bids, and dinner attendance made this year’s event one of our best ever, raising $10,000 for our youth mission trip to Washington, D.C. We are thankful to the congregation of St. Matthew’s for your consistent and generous support that makes these annual trips possible. Starting on the left, then counterclockwise: (1) Tom Hanson and Peter Langenstroer, fathers of Mission Trip participants; (2) Tee Stallings, Bill Brown, Mike Thomae and Tim Muehlfeld, (3) Young people get their chance to eat one of the three varieties of soup; (4) Pr. Marilyn Miller of Reformation checks out an auction certificate; (5) Lisa Williams, Peggy Heuler, Pat Heuler; (6) Three Mission Trip participants: Elizabeth Terry, Claire Geertsen, Raney Bice. Page 16 Women’s Wellness Morning - Good Food, Healthy Lives

Thank you to all the women who helped to make our 6th Annual Women’s Wellness event such a success!

Carol Anderson and Pat Zimbric chat in the Upper Commons between sessions.

Andrea Carrie Jo Cherney and Jeanne Moosreiner, a Collins (The Soup Lady) work on member of St. the luncheon. Matthew’s who is a dietitian, led a class on the Frank & Patti Cimermancic, Katie potential value of & Jim Karls helped to provide the Mediterranean the breakfast fare, decorations Diet. and table centerpieces made of vegetables. Katie, a dietitian, also led one of the workshops.

Pr. Margaret Schoewe, Betty Holloway, Kim Roncone and Sue Swing. Betty and Kim are with NuGenesis Farms in Oconomowoc, and Betty gave the keynote talk on the huge role that good nutrition plans in preventing and healing a variety of illnesses. Page 17 Bulletin Board Our Church Family Need a Math Tutor? Is your middle school or high school Recently hospitalized: Vince Prantil at Froedtert; student struggling with math? Would you like to bump Jim Engelhardt, now at home; Ron Wells, for tests. your student’s grade to a B or an A? I can help. I am a fully Currently in rehabilitation (as of Feb. 14): Deann certified and licensed 6th - 12th grade math teacher who can Gjenvick, Doris Hooten; Karen Eisemann. help a struggling student or help a student improve their grade. I am certified to teach Common Core standards from God’s care be with Shelly Jones in the death of 6th grade and up, including Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, her step-father, Thomas Jaques. Pr. Margaret led a Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus AB/BC. For more information memorial service for the family on February 9. contact Joseph Wirtz at 414-899-3349. Our condolences for Alicia Schwartz in the death of Chili Cook-off Winners: The 1st place winner was Jeanne her mother; and to Adam Macintosh and family in the Collins with her “firefly chili” and second place was Brendan sudden death of his father; Moore with his gluten free beef brisket chili. Nettie Herman, Joanne Ziarek’s mother, who lived New Members: We welcome a group of new members to in South Dakota, died in February. Nettie had visited our congregation on Sunday, March 9 at the 8:30 service. We St. Matthew’s many times when visiting Joanne. We invite you to greet our new members at the 9:45 reception extend our sympathy to Joanne in her loss. in the Upper Commons. There will be photos of these new Thank you to Sharon Thiel for donating a beautiful members in the bulletin on March 9, as well as in the next quilt to the Mardi Gras auction to benefit Cross issue of the Voice, on March 30. Lutheran Church. Time to think about Softball!! Men of St. Matthew’s, it’s time to sign up to play softball on Tuesday nights as part of the church softball league through the Tosa Rec Dept. Sign Flower Book Sign-Ups Needed up at the Welcome Center. Your payment needs to be paid to Your Sign-Ups are needed for the altar flower/ Bill Richter directly. Questions? Call Bill at 414-467-5791. library book/DVD sign-up notebook! The sign-up notebook is at the Welcome Center. Want to honor This year’s MICAH Banquet is set for May 16th, a Friday. a loved one or show someone you care? Designate If you’ve been to one before you know what a unique event altar flowers for them, or a library book. For a it is. If you haven’t yet attended, maybe this is the year to go! donation of $30.00, you may designate altar flowers, Keep your calendar clear for May 16. Details to follow. or for $15.00 a library book or a DVD for an occasion Feeling Disconnected? Does your email from St. Matt’s go of your choosing, and this occasion will be listed in to another family member’s inbox? Has your email address the Sunday bulletin. The Library Committee will changed? Help us reconnect! Please email your current select the book and a bookplate will be placed in the e-dresses (up to two per family) to [email protected], front of the book. The church office staff orders the and we’ll stay in touch! flowers from A New Leaf Floral each week or, during the summer months, local flowers are provided by volunteers. It is best if you pay for your donations on the designated Sunday or before. Place a check in the offering plate and mark its purpose of payment, or drop off your payment in the office during the week. Thanks.

Cathy Shaw and Bob Storm show their completed Little Free Library. All it needs is paint and some books!

(Left to right), Sue Voigt, Heather Deaton, Ken Voigt, Don and Dee Birschel, and Elliot Oquist in front. Thanks to Ken Voigt for preparing the pieces of the Little Free Library houses for those in our congregation interested in making them. It is a lot of work, and those who are putting them together are glad to have had the opportunity. Watch for these to pop up around the community in the coming months. Page 18 Sunday, March 2, 2014 Sun. March 16 - 2nd Sun. in Lent Greeters: 7:30, Charles Koeble. 8:30, Rob & Erin Transfiguration of our Lord Weileder, Bill & Beth Brown, 2 more needed. 11:00, Greeters: 7:30, Needed. Steve & Renae Engel, Yanna Glaspy, Susanne Forrest, Al & Debbie Land, John, Amy and Helen & Peter Chang. 11:00, Carol & Bob Beecher, Lisa Winters, Jack Dankwardt. Heather Stangel. Lay Reader: 7:30, Chuck Shantz. 8:30, Don Van Lay Reader: 7:30, Needed. 8:30, Renae Engel. 11:00, Ed Bross. Buskirk. 11:00, Amy Dankwardt. Nursery Helpers: 8:30, Eden Gissibl, Dara Greene, Tim Greene. Nursery Helpers: 8:30, Sage and Mary Collins, 9:45, Megan Reuter, Erika Slager. 11:00, Haven Stangel, Emily Gail Freeborn. 11:00, Hannah Agpoon, Samantha Chiesa, 1 more needed. Abrahamson, Hailey Lippold. Acolytes: 8:30, Mitchell Weinberg-Kinsey, Yanna Glaspy, Acolytes: 8:30, Peter Hewett, Jack Urban. 11:00, Jacob Maisey Michelz, Kodi Gissibl. 11:00, Adam Fendos, Gabby Dillie, Jack Dankwardt, Jacob & Brianna Stolte. Procopis, Averie Manke. Coffee Hosts: 8:00, Jynine & Greg Strand, Karen Coffee Hosts: 8:00, Carri & Curt Brewer, Sandy Nichols. 9:30, Freiberg, Allison & Dan Byrne. Sandy Forbes. Ushers: 8:30, Dan Anderson (captain), Susan & Ken Ushers: 8:30, Jim Bowen (captain), Rob Sholl, Carolyn Hintz, Voigt, Sandy & John Richter, Mark Olson, Dave Mraz, Bob Haglund, David Fagerberg, Kevin Ede, Jack Albee, John Brad Iding, Ernst Bunde. 11:00, Tim Muehlfeld (cap- Swenson, John Charlson. 11:00, Barrey Swing (captain), Ginger tain), Joseph Wehrley, Michael Thomae, Chris & Alissa Wooster, Ethan Wooster, Rob Wedel, Rich Tennessen, Nick Schneider, Logan Schmidt, Judy and Joe Sayrs, Craig Tennessen, Mitchell Swing, Ethan Stewart, Eric Oquist. Johnson. Communion Preparers: 7:30, Suzanne Hansen, Janet Welcome Center Host: 8:30, Judy Van Buskirk. 11:00, Chandler. 8:30, Rita Reinke, Patrick Gardner, Jan Templeman. Diann Lebow. 1 more needed. Welcome Assistant to 11:00, Rosalind Rouse, Kathleen Wilson, Judith Sayrs. the Pastors: 8:30, Carl and Eileen Lund. 11:00, Lisa & Communion Assistants: 7:30, Needed. 8:30, Dee Birschel, Conor Williams. Tom Gordon, David Weinberg-Kinsey. 11:00, Curt M. Weber, Library Assistant at 9:45: Mary Beth Thays. Robert Beecher, Jane Sandstrom. Welcome Center Host: 8:30, Susan Van Lith. 11:00, Joe Chiesa. - Lay Assistant: 8:30, Al Van Lith. 11:00, Danette Braun. Sun. March 23 3rd Sunday in Lent Greeters: 7:30, Marian Benz. 8:30, Sam Baierl, Helen Bread Baker: Mary Susan Cable, Sandy & Harry Profio, Lois Kinsey, Stephen Dupee. 11:00, Kathy Narlock, Christa Bross. Gensler, Steve & Lisa Winters. Welcome Assistant to the Pastors: 8:30, Needed. 11:00, Joyce Lay Reader: 7:30, Marge Crawford. 8:30, Carolyn Hintz. Biehn. Library Assistant at 9:45: Judy Holmes. 11:00, Gerry Hartman. Nursery Helpers: 8:30, Emma Ralfs, Dara & Tim Sun., March 9 - 1st Sunday in Lent Greene. 9:45, Nikki & Marty Ring. 11:00, Claire Bjorgo, Greeters: 7:30, Theresa Krahn. 8:30, Kathy & Dick Adix, Patti & Moriah Mucha, Abby Mucha. Frank Cimermancic, Linda Merklein. 11:00, John & Mary Yentz, Acolytes: 8:30, Matthew Ralfs, Jonathan & Michael Shelly Jones, Diann Lebow. Baumler, Elizabeth Greene. 11:00, Cory Schulz, Megan Lay Reader: 7:30, Needed. 8:30, Frank Cimermancic. 11:00, Bjorgo. Tressa Bruggink. Coffee Hosts: 8:00, Joe & Lisa Chiesa, Sarah Ebenhoe. Nursery Helpers: 8:30, Erin Merklein, Jessica Marty, Megan 9:30, Tracy Loechler. Daniels. 9:45, Kelly Burton and Andy Byrne. 11:00, Emma Ushers: 8:30, Paul Kramer (captain), Steve Raasch, Murphy, Sally Salkin, Kamrynn Lamontagne. Cory Olson, David Holmes, Peter Ernst, Jim Clement, Acolytes: 8:30, Ben Zeuske, Noah Suchy. 11:00, Tori Yentz, Peter Chang, Don Birschel, Jack Albee. 11:00, Paul De Carmen Muehlfeld. Young (captain), Dave Rotgers, Don Reynolds, Steve Coffee Hosts: 8:00, Mike, Donna and Abby Gifford, Lori & Doug and Jack Mielke, Natalie Hanson, John and Claire Sauter. Geertsen, Matthew Doberstein, Mark Bjorgo. Ushers: 8:30, Tom Gordon (captain), Ralph Templeman, Tanner Communion Preparers: 8:30, Karla Baierl, Donna and Mark Rutkowski, Larry Herte, Chris Herte, Mary Ann and McAllister, Laurie Rutkowski. Daniel Gordon. 11:00, John Dobbe (captain), Tom and Luke Communion Assistants: 8:30, Terri & John Kuhlmann, templeman, Brad Stokke, Emma Sorensen, Connor Schmidt, Tim Chuck Crook. and Taylor Nelson, Trevor Land, Joel Braunschweig. Welcome Center Host: 8:30, Patti Cimermancic. 11:00, Communion Preparers: 7:30, Marge Crawford, Marian Benz. Diann Lebow. Communion Assistants: 7:30, 2 needed. Bread Baker: Mary Lay Assistant: 8:30, Anne-Marie Nickel. Krueger. Bread Baker: Carrie Ralfs, Becky Veum-Baumler. Welcome Center Host: 8:30, Marion Heinz. 11:00, Thomas Welcome Assistant to the Pastors: 8:30, Cherie Geib. Welcome Assistant to the Pastors: 8:30, Needed. Swenson. 11:00, Don & Mary Ellen Ralfs. 11:00, Mary Ellen & Don Ralfs. Library Assistant at 9:45: Mary Beth Thays. Library Assistant at 9:45: Linda Wunderlich. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin www.stmattslutheran.org

PERIODICALS RATE Mail Carrier: Please deliver by March 1, 2014. The Voice of St. Matthew’s We are called to welcome, nurture, equip and send Next issue of the VOICE is dated March 30, 2014.

Service of First Communion

Fifth graders are holding their personalized communion glasses on the day of the First Communion service, February 2. The group met with Pr. Chris in January to learn about the sacrament in preparation for this day. One of the activities they did at the retreat is decorate a communion glass using glass paint. This unique glass was then shared among each child’s family members and guests in attendance. Instruction Page for:

St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church #980515 1615 Wauwatosa Ave Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-774-0441 Sonja Mohr

Issue Date - March 2, 2014

Issue # 3

# of Pages: 20

Special Instructions:

Quantity Needed = 950

To Be Shipped to:

United Mailing Services Inc. 3655 N. 126th Street Suite C Brookfield, WI 53005