ABOUT US
from Phillip Enderle, pastor of St. Matthew
Church
Our Vision and Purpose:
-
We
exist to grow in Christ.
-
We
exist to share the Good News of Christ with others.
-
We
exist to provide a place of refuge for those weary and worn through the
drudgeries of life.
Goals and Purposes of our Congregation
-
Biblically Based - Our
congregation must have a clear understanding of what we believe and why. Our
congregation must remain strongly rooted in the purity of God's Word.
-
Mutually Concerned - Our
congregation must continue to care for one another.
-
Socially Concerned - Fellowship
within the church is vital to the health of the congregation as is the
formal worship service - in worship we connect with God, in social
activities we connect with one another.
-
Community Minded - We must
remain aware of the day-to-day decisions that affect our community.
-
Financially Stable - The church
that is fiscally responsible will be able to weather any situation. Most
often crises' occur in a congregation where there is financial insecurity.
Every building program a congregation takes always demands an initial "leap
of faith." A congregation must also understand the difference between
"preaching about money" and "preaching about stewardship." God commands the
latter, many times congregations, pastors and leaders demand the former.
-
Clearly Understood Vision -
Every church needs to understand its purpose. If a church does not, no
matter what its size, it will simply exist to support itself as an
institution. It is the pastor's primary responsibility to set the vision of
the congregation.
-
Positive Outlook - We must never
allow strife from within, divisiveness from the outside to mar our
mentality. A negative defeatist attitude is contagious. On the other side of
the coin, enthusiasm - coming from the Gospel as it touches our hearts - is what spurs
us on to growth.
-
Care of the Workers - Nothing
can add to Church excitement like a worker who is well treated.
The Job of the Pastor
-
To
preach, teach and instruct the congregation as a shepherd
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To
encourage the members in life and in ministry
-
To
set the vision and tone of the congregation
-
To
guide the congregation in achieving this vision
The Job of the Council
The Job of the Congregation
St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church
is a member of the
Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod (WELS)
Click on one of the links below for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact our pastor personally.
ABOUT WELS
THIS WE
BELIEVE
THE BIBLE AND
LUTHERANS
The meaning
of Luther's seal
While Luther was a professor at Wittenberg, he devised a seal which was meant to
be expressive of his theology. In a letter to a friend Luther explained the
symbolism of his seal.
 A
black cross rests on a red heart "to put me in mind that faith in Christ
crucified saves us." The heart rests on the center of a white rose "to show that
faith causes joy, consolation and peace. The rose is white, not red, because
white is the ideal color of all angels and blessed spirits."
The rose is fixed in a dark blue sky "to denote that such joy of faith in the
spirit is but an earnest and beginning of heavenly joy to come, as anticipated
and held by hope, though not yet revealed."
The sky is surrounded by a golden ring "to signify that such bliss in heaven is
endless, and more precious than all joys and treasures...
Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life."
from www.wels.net
A Christian
Call to Action
Living in Response to God's Grace
Today I
state my faith in this assembly before God and all those around me.
I
acknowledge everything Christ has done for me;
His sinless
life, His painful suffering, His horrible death, and His glorious resurrection
are the price and proof of my salvation.
I confess
that I am completely unworthy to receive this gift, but the Holy Spirit brought
me to faith through the Gospel.
Today, as
God gives me strength through the power of the Gospel:
I will
strive for love. No occasion justifies hatred, no injustice warrants bitterness.
I will
strive for joy. All problems are nothing less than another opportunity from God
to follow His guidance.
I will
strive for peace. Since I am forgiven through the Blood of Christ, I will
forgive others, that I may have peace in my heart.
I will
strive for patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world and thank
God for all trials and tribulations that in the end bring me closer to Him.
I will
strive for kindness. I will be kind to the unkind, for this is how God has
treated me.
I will
strive for goodness. I will pursue that which is noble, pure and upright.
I will
strive for faithfulness. I will not give occasion for others to doubt my
promises, question my word, nor my loved ones my commitment to them.
I will
strive for gentleness. If I raise my hand, may it be done in praise. If I clench
my fist, may it be done in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only on myself.
To you, O
Lord, I commit my ways. When I fail, and I will, I seek Your grace.
When I
succeed, I will give You thanks and praise.
And then,
when this day is done, I will rest in Your Almighty Hands, and awake to greet a
new day and begin anew my life of service to You.
portions taken from "When God
Whispers Your Name" by Max Lucado
 A
Statement of Faith
as Drawn from The Word
I believe:
The LORD is my
STRENGTH. Isaiah 12:2
The LORD is
the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my
ROCK. Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my
EXCEEDING JOY. Psalms
43:4
I believe:
The LORD is my
SONG. Isaiah 12:2
The LORD is my
SALVATION. Isaiah 12:2
The LORD is my
LIGHT. Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my
RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah
23:6
The LORD is my
PROVIDER. Genesis 22:14
The LORD is my
FORTRESS and my STRONGHOLD.
Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my
DELIVERER. Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my
SHIELD. Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my
HELPER. Psalms 18:2
The LORD is my
SHEPHERD. Psalms 18:2
The LORD will
never leave me nor forsake me.
Hebrews 13:5
The LORD is my
banner of victory!
Exodus 17:15
I believe:
Christ Himself
is my PEACE. Ephesians
2:14
And Jesus
Christ is my SAVIOR!
Titus 2:13
And I believe:
GREATER is He
that is in me than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
This is my
confession.
May God give me
strength to live it and apply it.
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Saint
Matthew Evangelical
Lutheran Church
