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Praising God For A Tremendous School Year!

We began this school year with the motto of "Give Me Your Eyes", based on the Scripture verse "Whatever you do for the least of these, you've done unto Me." (Matthew 25:40).

Throughout the year, we have been in awe of the tremendous blessings that the Lord has showered upon us and the opportunities that He has given us to do many great things in His name.

As I sat and reflected with a group of eighth graders, we came up with the following list of memorable 2017/2018 blessings:

God's Got This!

Update Regarding 6th Grade Teacher Vacancy

"He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber."    Psalm 121:3

Years ago, we had a school family that had three of the most adorable and energetic boys that you ever met. Both mom and dad were wonderful Christian parents who did an outstanding job channeling the abundant levels of ingenuity and creativity that these boys exuded into very positive learning experiences. However, it seemed that whatever activity they would present to their boys, the lively gentlemen had a knack to always raise the risk factor. If the parents took them skiing, they were going down the most challenging courses backwards. When they purchased skateboards, the boys were always looking for the steepest hill to ride them down. And when trampolines were just starting to become popular, this set of parents were some of the initial pioneers who purchased one for their backyard in hopes that it would allow the boys to release some of their energy.

Listen and Follow the Most Important Voice

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27 & 28

Do you have any television shows that just seem to captivate your attention to the point that you eagerly await for the next episode? I have just a few shows that elevate my interest to this level. And although I am very excited about the return of "American Ninja Warrior" in a few weeks, for the past few months, my attention has been focused on "The Voice".
 
In fact, I have been a faithful fan since this show began, so when I discovered that I had a meeting on the evening of Season 14's finale, my heart sank just a little. However, the words "meeting adjourned" sent me out of this building like a bullet, and I was thrilled to make it home in time to watch Brynn Cartelli, a 15 year old girl from Massachusetts, be announced as this season's winner.

Happy Mother's Day!

"Train up a child in the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it."   Proverbs 22:6

There's a spot in our living room that serves as a gathering place for when we are packing up items that we don't want to forget. Many years ago, my children would place their backpacks in this room each night, so we could quickly locate them in the morning. As they grew older, athletic bags with clean uniforms and socks would frequently occupy this space. When the dancer entered into the picture, her "rack and roll" would be set up in this room as she could take inventory and ensure that she had every required costume, shoe, and hair piece. As we prepared for vacations, suitcases, coolers, and beach toys would often be stored in this location. When each child prepared to go to college, this area also served as a holding place as we would frequently check items off the packing list. Before our son's wedding, this room was the designated location for tuxedos and dresses to hang and not get wrinkled. And last spring, this room held items as we prepared for our first baby shower for our future granddaughter. It is amazing the amount of precious memories this little room has seen!

"You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile"... and Your Tickets to Come See Annie, Jr!

"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness."  Isaiah 61:10

It was almost eight years ago when Mr. Czinder raced into my office waving a playbill from "Annie, Jr." and exuberantly announced, "we must do This Show!" At that time, Miss Stephanie Price served as our music teacher and his idea needed no convincing from her, the staff, or the parents... and as a result..."Annie, Jr." became the very first musical that St. Matthew Lutheran School performed. Since this time, spectacular musicals such as "Willy Wonka, Jr.", "Honk, Jr.", "Dear Edwina, Jr." "Seussical, Jr.", "Little Mermaid, Jr.", and "Peter Pan, Jr." have followed, but we will always be endeared to Annie, as she started this fabulous theatrical journey.

What a joy that we have Annie returning to the St. Matthew stage next week on May 4th and 5th! However, the presale for tickets ends TOMORROW, Friday, April 27, and in the words of Annie... "IT IS ONLY A DAY AWAY!" Remaining tickets will be available next week after we fill our presale orders.

Announcement from Mrs. Bonnie Papez


Mrs. Bonnie Papez

  • Seventeen years of ministry
  • Hundreds of meetings
  • Thousands of projects
  • Millions of phone calls
  • Countless lives impacted by her faith and love
  • One future retiree looking forward to the next chapter that the Lord has planned for her!

 It is with mixed emotions that we are sharing the following letter from Mrs. Bonnie Papez:

Congregational Voter's Meeting this Sunday to Seek God's Will for Issuing Divine Call for Sixth Grade/Athletic Director Position

As Lutherans, we believe that the Lord calls people into ministry. Full time church workers who are trained at a Synodical educational institution are eligible to received Divine Calls through a congregation.
 
This Sunday, St. Matthew Lutheran Church will hold a Congregational Voter's Meeting for the purpose of seeking the Lord's will regarding to who He wants to serve as our new 6th grade teacher and Athletic Director. Our current 6th grade teacher/Athletic Director, Mr. Matthew Olsen, will be retiring from teaching at the end of this school year and seeking new avenues of how the Lord can use him to further His kingdom. We thank and praise God for Mr. Olsen's  ministry at St. Matthew, and hewill be dearly missed. However, just as we know that the Lord has great plans for Mr. Olsen, we are just as confident that the Lord has great plans for St. Matthew and will send the best candidate to serve as our new teacher.
 
This Sunday, at 12:30 p.m., members of St. Matthew Lutheran Congregation will gather in the church and listen to a presentation of information that our Call Committee has gathered for two qualified candidates that they have located for this position.

"Oh, How He Loves You and Me!"

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; He has risen!"  Luke 24: 5 & 6

Of all of the newsletter articles that I have written over the past twenty-one years, this is one of my all time favorites.  Not only do I find the story endearing, but I truly treasure the child-like faith that is expressed. I hope that the message that this young disciple shared touches your heart in the same way that it does mine each time I read this.

Many years ago, two of our Kindergarten students were admiring a new bulletin board that the Preschool teacher had recently displayed in the hallway when the following conversation was overheard:

Congratulations 8th Grader, Anthony Quittschreiber, for winning the "Grand Award" in the Detroit Science Fair!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights."   James 1:19

The other day, I overheard the comment, "Who needs Cedar Point when we have the thrill of dodging and driving over Michigan potholes?"   Sad thing... there is so much truth in this statement!

With the frequent seasonal freeze-thaw cycles we have experienced this winter, dodging potholes has become Michigan's newest sport!

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