Children are welcome and valued at St. Matthew’s.
We encourage children to participate in Sunday worship, attend Sunday School, come to youth group events, and attend Vacation Bible School in August.
Friends are always welcome at St. Matthew’s.
Children & Youth
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St. Matthew’s nursery is ideal for children ages 6 months – 5 years old. Currently the nursery is a place of respite for children along with parents or caregivers, and is not staffed with a caregiver
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September – May
3 years old through 8th grade
9:45 – 10:45amSt. Matthew’s has a vibrant and comprehensive Sunday School program led by dozens of dedicated volunteers. Sunday School is offered Sept-May of each year for 3-year-olds through 8th graders.
Pre-schoolers and kindergartners use the child-centered Spark curriculum from Augsburg/Fortress.
1st – 5th Graders participate in Rotational Sunday School, offering a unique rotation of five sites focusing on a variety of learning styles. Students in grades six through eight study a Bible-based curriculum which examines such themes as forgiveness, service, peer relationships, and world religions.
The Sunday School Director is Gretchen Haugse. If you would like your child to attend St. Matthew’s Sunday School, call the church office, (414) 774-0441. Classes are open to all children; non-members and friends of members are welcome.
CLICK HERE to access our online enrollment form. (If your child attended Sunday School at St. Matthew’s last year, no need to re-enroll.)
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Our children’s ministries Kids for Christ (KFC, grades 1-3) and Disciples of Christ (DOC, grades 4-5) come together for fun, fellowship and food.
Friends can also come along. The next dates are shared directly to the families by email. If you wish to learn about the dates, email the church office to be added to our database with the ages of your children.
See the current dates on the home page of the website.
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2024 Dates: July 29 - Aug. 2
It was an awesome week! Thanks to everyone who made it special. See you next year!
Children & Youth
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The middle school ministry revolves around learning, service, and community building. Sunday School and Confirmation classes provide the content, and several service opportunities are woven into the Confirmation curriculum. The kids serve in worship, as well, as acolytes and during Lent as readers.
A variety of relationship-building events are scheduled approximately once a month for 6th-8th graders. Examples are trips to an apple orchard, rollerskating, water fun, trips to Wisconsin Dells and Great America, and in-house events such as cookie-baking for seniors and capture the flag games around the church building. Volunteer parents are always appreciated for their help!
Confirmation
Confirmation is an affirmation of baptism, publicly declared after a course of instruction, participation, and service, when the member is ready to participate fully in the community of faith. The confirmand promises “to continue in the covenant God made in holy baptism, to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.” (from Evangelical Lutheran Worship)Confirmation Classes are offered for 7th and 8th graders ,September through February. The content includes The Lord’s Prayer, The Apostles’ Creed, Baptism and the Ten Commandments. Following a small group model, students meet with a group of their peers with a small group volunteer leader, as well as in a big group teaching session. Fellowship nights with their small groups and three service projects round out the curriculum.
An additional eight weeks of Confirmation are offered for 9th graders at the end of which a Confirmation service is held in November. This class focuses on living out our faith and real-world discussions.
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High School youth are an integral part of the St. Matthew’s family. Each Sunday during the school year, they may attend a youth forum, which focuses on integrating faith and life. The kids serve in worship as acolytes and communion assistants, and the drama group presents Gospel skits several times a year.
Service and awareness projects happen throughout the year culminating in the annual mission trip.
Relationships are important, too. The high school kids are invited to attend a variety of events throughout the year to promote community and to provide a safe place for fun with friends. A team of volunteer adults makes these events happen.
Contact Gretchen Haugse for further information, office@stmattslutheran.org.
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St. Matthew’s high school mission trips are the lynch pin of our youth ministry. These experiences can be life-changing and lead to growth toward serving in our own community.
Each year a group of 60-70 persons travels to a U.S. location where our youth can serve and grow in their faith through interactions with others. Recent trips have been to New Orleans for rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, North Carolina for working with impoverished people, and Colorado to work at Harvest Farm for men in recovery.
For the most recent information about upcoming Mission Trips, visit the latest The VOICE newsletter and contact the church office, (414) 774-0441 or office@stmattslutheran.org.
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St. Matthew’s has an exciting music ministry and opportunities for every age group and skill level. Visit our Music Ministry page for full details about:
Choirs:
Praise Kids! (4K through 2nd Grade)
New Creation Choir (3rd – 6th Grade)
New Generation Choir (7th – 12th Grade)Handbell Ensembles:
Godsbells (4th – 6th Grade)
Righteous Ringers (7th – 12th Grade)