St. Matthews Lutheran Church – Danube

Mysterious Marriage: Online Bible Study: WELS Adult Discipleship offers LIVE online Bible studies for use by congregations, small groups, or individuals. Learn about the Bible with brothers and sisters in faith from around the country. Rev. Randy Hunter, will lead a study on enriching marriages twice each Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. from Feb 1 through Feb. 22. Couples will have the opportunity to build their marriage on the gospel of Jesus through the study entitled “Mysterious Marriage.” This study will examine how the gospel gives you the power to be married and how marriage gives you a way to show the gospel. Lessons will also be archived online for those who cannot view the study live.  Visit www.wels.net for more information.  Mysterious Marriage: Wednesdays Feb. 1 – Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

GriefShare – Your Journey from Mourning to Joy: A GriefShare group meets on Mondays at Zion, Olivia at 1:30pm.  Remember this ministry is open for all and provides thoroughly helpful and practical materials.  A GriefShare group will begin meeting on Tuesdays at the Renville Community Center. Please contact Pastor Tuttle if you or a loved one is interested in attending this support group.

One Act Play in Danube – Jan 29: The RCW One Act Play students will be performing their play “Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Piñata Woman, and Other Superhero Girls, Like Me” by Luis Alfaro on Sunday, Jan 29at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Danube Bob Bruggers Auditorium. Their play is about 5 Latina girls sharing their experiences of growing up in East LA, yet their message gives a deeper understanding to the cultural differences our cast has experienced themselves here in Renville County. The students will be having a dessert/beverage fundraiser after the play for $2.50 per person.  All money raised will go towards a fieldtrip for the drama students to attend a live theater production in Mpls.  Please consider coming to see it and support the students who have worked so hard preparing for it. The play will last approximately 30 minutes, not including the tasty desserts and social time afterwards!

Offering Envelopes: Offering envelopes have been made available in the back of church. We are thankful for your continued support of the Gospel ministry.  God loves the cheerful giver.

Annual Meeting: On January 29 at 1:30pm St. Matthew’s Danube will hold its annual meeting.

Tuesday Night Bible Study: The Life of Christ: There will be no Bible Class on Tuesday, January 24 as Pastor Kuschel will be taking some family time as he and his wife expect to welcome their 5th child.  Tuesday Bible Study will return on Jan 31.  Christ’s work for the world–his obedience, his suffering and death, and his resurrection–are the focus of this study. Contains a fine balance of material on what Jesus did for us and on his call for us to serve him and others..  Join us on Tuesday Night starting January 10 at 6:15pm as we explore the life of Christ Jesus.

Pastor Kuschel Receives a Call: Pastor Kuschel has received a call to serve at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in  Duluth, MN.   Pastor asks that you would keep him and his family in your prayers as he deliberates where the LORD might best use him to serve God’s kingdom.

SUMMIT AVENUE CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES On Saturday February 4 at 7:30pm.  Chapel of the Christ at Martin Lutheran College. The Summit Avenue Music Series presents the Bekesh Trio, a newly formed piano trio, featuring violinist Kenneth Freed, cellist Sharon Mautner-Rodgers and pianist Bethel Balge. The concert will include an early quartet by Beethoven (with Freed’s daughter Eleanor on viola), and trios by Spanish composer Turina, Argentine composer Piazolla, and Schumann. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

New Year’s Day at Zion, Olivia: A joint worship service was held on New Year’s Day at Zion, Olivia at 9am.  God blessed our worship on the first day of 2017, may he bless us the whole year through as we continue to celebrate the love of Christ together!

Mysterious Marriage: Online Bible Study: WELS Adult Discipleship offers LIVE online Bible studies for use by congregations, small groups, or individuals. Learn about the Bible with brothers and sisters in faith from around the country. The next four-week Interactive Faith online Bible study will begin Wed., Feb. 1, 2017. Rev. Randy Hunter, will lead a study on enriching marriages twice each Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. through Feb. 22. Couples will have the opportunity to build their marriage on the gospel of Jesus through the study entitled “Mysterious Marriage.” This study will examine how the gospel gives you the power to be married and how marriage gives you a way to show the gospel. Lessons will also be archived online for those who cannot view the study live.  Visit www.wels.net for more information. Mysterious Marriage: Wednesdays Feb. 1 – Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

GriefShare – Your Journey from Mourning to Joy: A GriefShare group meets at Mondays at Zion, Olivia at 1:30pm.  Remember this ministry is open for all and provides thoroughly helpful and practical materials. A GriefShare group will begin meeting on Tuesdays at the Renville Community Center starting January 17 at 9:30am.

Sunday School Christmas Pageant: The Sunday School Children will present a special Christmas Pageant on January 15.  We thank the children and the teachers for the work that they put into sharing the good news of Jesus in this special way.  Please join on us on January 15 for this special presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Offering Envelopes: Offering envelopes have been made available in the back of church. We are thankful for your continued support of the Gospel ministry.  God loves the cheerful giver.

Thrivent Choice Letters: Members of our congregations who are also eligible members of Thrivent  Financial choice program will be contacted to make their choice of how their congregation will make use of Thrivent Choice Dollars that have been allocated to our congregations.  Letters are available to pick up in the back of church for the next few weeks.  Remaining letters will be mailed out to members.  Please complete and return the enclosed form indicating your choice at the time of your earliest convenience so that we can distribute those monies to the proper funds.

Annual Meeting: On January 29 St. Matthew’s Danube will hold its annual meeting.  A short voter’s meeting will be held on a Sunday prior to that date to approve the nominating committees list of candidates.

The Christian Funeral of Geraldine Krueger

Geraldine Lorraine Krueger was called to her eternal home on Tuesday,      December 27, 2016, at the Renville County Hospital in Olivia. Funeral services were held on Friday, December 30, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s       Lutheran Church in Danube.  We give thanks for God’s gift of faith that the LORD gave to Geri.  And we give thanks that she could celebrate one more Christmas with her family and then depart in peace believing in the salvation that Christ Jesus brings.

Joint Council Meeting – St. Matthew’s Danube & St. Matthew Flora

A Joint Council Meeting will be held on January 5 at St. Matthew Flora Twp. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm and we will discuss our joint ministry agreement between the two congregations.  May God continue to bless our work  together in His kingdom.

Offering Envelopes

Offering envelopes have been made available in the back of church. We are thankful for your continued support of the Gospel ministry.  God loves the cheerful giver.

Thrivent Choice Letters

Members of our congregations who are also eligible members of Thrivent  Financial choice program will be contacted to make their choice of how their congregation will make use of Thrivent Choice Dollars that have been allocated to our congregations.  Letters are available to pick up in the back of church for the next few weeks.  Remaining letters will be mailed out to members.  Please complete and return the enclosed form indicating your choice at the time of earliest convenience so that we can distribute those monies to the proper funds.

Annual Meeting

On January 29 St. Matthew’s Danube will hold its annual meeting.  A short voter’s meeting will be held on a Sunday prior to that date to approve the nominating committees list of candidates.

Flora Ladies Aid

The Ladies Aid of St. Matthew Flora Twp will be meeting at Max’s this month on January 5.  The meeting will begin at 12:00pm.  May the LORD bless our time together as we discuss how we can support local and global ministry.

Sunday School Christmas Pageant:

The Sunday School Children will present a special Christmas Pageant on January 15.  The pageant has been reschedule.  We thank the children and the teachers for the work that they put into sharing the good news of Jesus in this special way.  Please join on us on January 15.

St. Matthew’s Evening Circle – Winter Schedule

The ladies of St. Matthew’s Evening Circle have decided to meet in the afternoon for the next three winter months.  Our next meeting will be held at 12:30pm on Wednesday, January 4.

O Lord, hear our prayer and listen to our cry for mercy; in your faithfulness come to our relief.  With deep humility, we come to you at this time when our hearts are burdened with sorrow, grief, and many questions.  Lead us by your Spirit to make faithful use of your Word and Sacraments so that our faith will be strengthened to resist the old evil foe, who seeks to destroy our bodies, souls, and minds.  Help us and all who are grieved because of this death to look to you for peace, hope, and quietness of mind as we face the future.  Lead us in all things and at all times to put our trust in you each day so that finally you will lead us to your eternal glory at your appointed time, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

From WELS Military Devotions: Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer

Give to everyone what you owe them: … if honor, then honor.
Romans 13:6b

It began with a haircut unlike any they had ever received. It continued with a set of clothes that almost fit. It led to something called “basic training” and the thought: I hope I make it through this. That was not the only time the fear of surviving arose. There were more tests, more training, and more chances of failing.

But for some, the question of making it through this took on a more serious edge. Some went on to wonder about making it through the landing on Guadalcanal. Some worried about the beaches at Normandy, and some wondered if they would survive the Frozen Choson of Korea.

Later warriors wondered if they would make it through a year in Southeast Asia. Then came those who worried about Scud attacks and poisonous gas. Still others reported from the Korengal Valley: “God is not here!”

The words, I hope I make it through this! came many times to many minds.

Then came the day when it didn’t matter what the haircut was like, and daily clothes were a matter of choice. Uniforms were packed away with memories. They are now U.S. Military Veterans.

And many found themselves saying: I hope I can make it through this—being a civilian.

What are we to think of these people, these veterans? Of what use are they now? Do they really think they can return to be the civilian they were before that first military haircut?

They cannot. They will always be different. They will look at life differently from the person who was never taught to kill. What they have seen cannot be unseen. What they have done cannot be undone. It is part of them. They are veterans.

It makes no difference what our view might have been about the policy of the government when these were young people in uniform. It matters little what the general attitude is about veterans. What counts is what God says.

God says: “Give to everyone what you owe them: …if honor, then honor.”

We owe our veterans honor. The command is not unlike when our Lord tells us to honor our father and mother. Veterans are God’s gift to the nation they have defended. Like an elderly parent, not all of them are as spry as they once were, not all could leap to our defense any longer.

But they were young once. And for as long as the Lord of the Nations called them to duty, they served as his instrument for our defense.

By honoring our veterans, we are honoring our God.

Prayer: Lord of the nations and Savior of mankind, we thank you for the gift that you have given to America in the form of persons who have spent time in defense of our nation. Some of them were drafted. Some volunteered. But all served. Enable us to see more clearly your heavenly hand in the protection of our nation, and lead us to honor you by honoring those who have served our country honorably. Give America more like them. Amen.

Thanksgiving Worship Services

“O give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his mercy endures for ever.” We give thanks to the LORD for the great and many things that he has done for us in a special way during the festival of Thanksgiving.  Join us for worship as express our gratitude to God.

St. Matthew Flora Twp will host a Thanksgiving Eve worship service on Wednesday, November 23 at 6:30pm. 

Following the service the members of St. Matthew’s will enjoy some snacks and refreshments before decorating the church for the Christmas season.

St. Matthew’s Danube will host a Thanksgiving Day worship service on Thursday, November 24 at 9:30am.   

Join us for Mission Festival Sunday on October 16.

Mission Festival is a special Sunday for us to consider mission work and ministry being done outside of our local congregation.  It usually means a temporary change to our worship schedule as well, as we come together and celebrate our fellowship with worship, a presentation, and a special potluck meal.  Please make note of the special schedule for Mission Fest coming this October 16.

Special Mission Festival Schedule

St. Matthew’s in Danube

Sunday School & Bible Class – 10:00 am

Worship with communion – 10:30 am

Mission Festival Presentation – 11:30 am

Mission Festival Meal – 12:15pm

Sam Lor, a pre-seminary student at MLC, will be presenting on his unique journey to our WELS college of ministry.  He will talk about his family background, his parents journey to the country and to the faith.  He will speak about some of the opportunities in ministry among the local Hmong community and  tell us about ministry being done overseas in places like Vietnam.   Mission Festival is a special Sunday for us to consider mission work and ministry being done outside of our local congregation.  It usually means a temporary change to our worship schedule as well, as we come together and celebrate our fellowship with worship, a presentation, and a special potluck meal.  Please stay for the special presentation and join us for the meal as we celebrate God’s saving work being done among us.

A man who had everything once looked back at his life, the status and wealth that he had worked for and he called them all meaningless.  Solomon, one of the richest men that the ancient world had ever seen talked about the empty pursuit of worldly wealth as a chasing after the wind.  And in the midst of this grand lament, he makes this concession.  ²⁴ A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, ²⁵ for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?  ²⁶ To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over… – Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Whether it is our own personal drive or the influence of those around us we often find our own personal identity in what it is that we do and the things that this occupation gains for us.  Tangible creatures that we are we also try to quantify our personal meaning with numbers and other things that we can stack and measure.  How many thousands of dollars a year that we make at our jobs, the number or size of the things that we have, homes, equipment, automobiles, acres of land, all of that, so easily falls into places of importance especially as we live among peers who quantify their lives in such a way.   And so we pause today as we read these words of wisdom to say, “Is this it?!”  “Is this really where I should find my purpose and meaning in life?”

In the grand scheme of history, you and I are mere blips, dots, on this gargantuan timeline, and yet God gives each of us purpose and meaning.  He knows you by name.  Through faith in Jesus he hears the prayers of his believers and he speaks to us through his Word.  The God of the universe stoops down and saves and provides for you and me individually.  God also has given each of us individual gifts to use to his glory as we serve him now and into eternity.   Fill in the roles that God has called you to, use the gifts that your Heavenly Father has passed down to you, know that you are loved in Christ, and know that no matter your station or status in life you have purpose and meaning and eternal riches in Christ Jesus.

Due to a family obligation for Pastor on Thursday and Friday Council Meeting will be moved to Wednesday night at 7:30pm.

Tuesday Night Worship – May 31

We will begin Tuesday Night Worship at St. Matthew’s Danube on May 31.  If you are unable to join us for worship on Sunday morning please consider utilizing this additional worship opportunity.

Summer Worship Schedule – June 5

Sunday Morning Worship shifts to the summer schedule starting on June 5.

8:00am – St. Matthew Flora Twp

9:30am – St. Matthew’s Danube.