A Late Night Visitor
February 05, 2026
“He who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3
Have you ever witnessed someone who is sleepwalking? My younger sister was a sleepwalker, and having to share a bedroom with her, I had firsthand experience watching a sleepwalker in action. As a result, when my middle son went through a phase of leaving his bedroom in the middle of the night to take a few laps around the kitchen table before returning to his room, I was used to it.
However, my most frightening experience with a sleepwalker occurred many years ago, when my seven-year-old neighbor boy visited me at 2:00 a.m. The event happened around this time of year, and we were experiencing extreme below-zero wind chills as well. The night was one when I had fallen asleep on the couch, but woke to the sound of light tapping.
As I tried to focus, gather my wits, and figure out where the noise was coming from, my attention was drawn to the glass of my front door. Imagine my shock when I saw little Caleb’s face looking at me! Although it was less than ten degrees outside, he was dressed only in pajama shorts and a T-shirt—and he was barefoot!
I panicked and rushed to open the door. He immediately came inside and asked if his older brother was at my house.
“Honey, it’s very late, and it’s a school night. Connor isn’t here—he’s at your house,” I replied.
“But I couldn’t find him,” he said, sounding confused.
Realizing that he was sleepwalking, I wrapped him in a blanket, slipped on my boots, and gently convinced him that we needed to go back to his house. When I arrived at his front porch, the main door was wide open—just as he had left it when he set out on his search mission for his brother. I told him that I needed him to go inside and shut the front door behind him.
I then returned home and called his parents, thinking it would be best to explain what had transpired over the phone rather than enter their bedroom to inform them of their son’s moonlight travels. After my call, his dad immediately went looking for him, only to find that he had already lain down on the living room floor and returned to a deep sleep.
The next day, my little buddy came back—wide awake this time—with a “thank you” gift. As I retold the sequence of events from the previous evening, he barely remembered any of it. He had been in such a deep sleep that neither the frigid temperatures nor the snow on his bare feet had woken him. He told me he remembered dreaming about looking for his brother, but that was all.
As a result of his early-morning journey, his family began activating their home security system each night.
However, the most fascinating part of this entire situation was the clear evidence of God’s hand of protection. There are no coincidences. Had I not been asleep on the living room couch, I don’t think that I would have heard his light knocking from my upstairs bedroom. I had to intentionally stop myself from dwelling on the “what ifs” of that night and instead focus on praising God for His watchful eye. His orchestration of events led directly to this little boy’s safety.
Even more amazing is that just as the Lord watched over this child, He continues to watch over each of us in the same way every day. Scripture reminds us in Psalm 121:3, “He who watches over you will not slumber.” How reassuring it is to know that we are always in His field of vision.
May you find peace and comfort this week, knowing that you are always in His care.
In His Love,
Mrs. Palka
Singing Through the Snowstorm!
January 30, 2026
After enduring the recent string of below zero temperatures, as well as the intense snowstorms, perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions this week has been, “Remind me why we live in Michigan and not Florida?”
However, I had a dear friend share this recent personal experience with me, which totally changed my perspective as well.
After last week’s tremendous snowfall and the intense winds that followed, she noticed that the walkway that leads to their driveway and the path for their dog to travel were constantly covered with snow. With her husband away on a business trip, she continuously bundled up to go outside to shovel the path. During her fourth snow removal excursion of the day, she was mentally asking herself, “When will this end?” “How much colder can it get?” “Why does this always happen when he’s not home?” “How many times am I going to have to do this today?”
Then, from the bare tree by the house, a beautiful song from a small blue jay broke her mental train of negative thoughts that were racing through her mind.
His song was joyful and bright. The tiny bird was not concerned about the temperature or the continuous accumulation of snow. He wasn’t grumbling or complaining. He was just singing as the Lord designed for him to do.
Instantly, my friend paused and enjoyed the gentle gift that the Lord gave her in the reminder that if birds could still find joy in the present circumstances, then she should too.
The temperature didn’t increase, the wind did not stop blowing, and the snow didn’t disappear, but my friend’s heart and attitude lifted. She resumed her task with a different perspective.
The enemy is subtle and crafty, often slipping quietly into our thoughts and drawing our attention to places where discouragement can take root. Before we even realize it, we may find ourselves wrestling with feelings of unfairness or dwelling on how unjust our circumstances seem. That’s why Scripture lovingly reminds us in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
God has placed a joyful song within each of us—a song meant to be used to praise Him and not to grumble or complain. This week, and always, no matter the weather or whatever else may be occurring in your life, stay watchful; don’t let the enemy steal the joy God has given you. Like the blue jay, let that song keep singing, even when it’s snowing!
Stay warm in God’s love,
Mrs. Palka
Let's Make a Joyful Noise and Praise God During National Lutheran Schools Week!
January 22, 2026
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” Psalm 98:4
During the week of January 25 - 30, St. Matthew Lutheran School will join Lutheran Schools around the country to celebrate "National Lutheran Schools Week".
Our Student Council has designed an exciting week of celebrating and thanking God for our school and the gift of Christian education. Listed below is a brief schedule for the week.
Sunday, January 25:
Middle School Choir singing at 8:45 a.m.
Students sing at the 11:00 a.m. service
Please meet in 300 wing at 10:45 a.m. to warm up voices
Afterwards, students will stay up front for a Children's Message. Students will then be dismissed to sit with parents or Pre-2nd grade students can attend Children's Church
Immediately following church, families will be asked to exit the building by walking through the 300 wing hallway so they can fill a “Weekend Food Bags” for children in need within our local community. It is our hope to fill 200 bags!
Monday, January 27:
Faith Family Olympics at 2:00 p.m.
Each Faith Family wears the following colors:
Mrs. Rohman - Yellow
Mrs. Osbron - Purple
Mrs. Kurien - Orange
Mrs. Geary - Royal Blue
Mrs. Topel - Green
Miss Scheiwe - Red
Miss Toman - Light Blue
Mrs. Wagg - Pink
Mrs. Weston - Brown
Mr. Topel - White
Mrs. Lancaster - Navy Blue
Mrs. Palka - Black
Tuesday, January 28
Wear Crazy Hair and Crazy Wear Day!
"Alligator Sanctuary” assembly at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 29
Decades Day- Wear something Chapel day appropriate from your favorite decade
“Mad Science” assembly for grade 1 - 8 at 10:00 a.m.
“Mad Science” hands-on workshop for Preschool and Kindergarten at 11:15 a.m.
Thursday, January 30
Wear your favorite jersey or bling day
All School Open House from 5:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Light pizza dinner will be provided - RSVP at link in newsletter
Pistons Extreme Team performing from 6:30 - 7:15p.m. in the gym
Friday, January 31
Dress as your favorite celebrity day
All School Field Trip to Urban Air Trampoline Park, 3010 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township
Preschool & Kindergarten utilizing parents for transportation
Grades 1 - 8 riding buses
Board buses at 12:45 p.m.
Return to St. Matthew at 3:15 p.m.
The cost of each student attending is $10. St. Matthew will cover remaining expenses.
All students attending must complete a permission slip and an Urban Air waiver. If your child is a member at Urban Air, your child still needs to complete the form to be included in our group. All documents must be completed and returned to St. Matthew by Wednesday, January 28.
Looking forward to an amazing celebration!
Mrs. Palka
Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant1
January 16, 2026
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
If I asked you to name a strong spiritual mentor in your life, who would come to mind? Would it be a parent, grandparent, pastor, etc.? For me, God has blessed me with numerous Godly influences, and one precious lady was a congregational member named Ruth.
I first met Ruth when I arrived at St. Matthew in 1986. At that time, I was called to teach twenty-seven first grade students with no aide, and God in His divine wisdom brought me Ruth to serve as a classroom volunteer. Ruth was always drawn to those students who struggled the most. With patience, kindness, and gentle encouragement, she reflected Christ’s love to those little ones who needed it most.
Ruth’s care extended beyond the classroom and into my own private life as well. When my daughter was born with a serious heart condition that required immediate surgery, Ruth traveled all the way down to Detroit to Children’s Hospital to sit with Ken and me in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, offering her presence, her prayers, and her calm reassurance. And when the time came for us to bring my daughter home from the hospital, Ruth shared her nursing experience with us and would come to our house after my newborn daughter was released from the hospital to help change her surgical dressings while calming my anxious momma’s heart in the process.
All of Ruth’s grandchildren attended St. Matthew Lutheran School; getting to know her family so well was such a blessing. Their family has such a strong and loving bond; Ruth’s and her husband’s faith in Jesus was the glue. I would always joke with her that if she was ever going to take applications for another daughter, I wanted to apply!
Ruth would frequently ask for updates on my children and ask how she could pray for them. She would also tell me that she prayed for our school and our students every day. I am confident that our school ministry was blessed in tremendous ways by this faithful prayer warrior!
In her later years, Ruth often spoke with peaceful confidence about being ready to go home to be with Jesus and to be reunited with one of her children and husband, who were already in Heaven. This was not spoken with fear, but with the quiet assurance of one who trusted fully in the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus.
Last week, God answered that prayer; Ruth is now experiencing the joy and peace of Heaven, after, I am sure, being greeted with the words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant!”
After reuniting with Ruth’s grandchildren at the funeral home and listening to their stories of their grandmother’s Godly influence in their lives, I drove home praying that the Lord would help me be more like Ruth and also help me make this same spiritual and eternal impact on my own grandchildren.
We thank and praise God for the spiritual mentors that He blesses each of us with. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity, take time to tell them “Thank You” for the impact that they have made on your spiritual journey!
In Jesus’ Love,
Mrs. Palka
Who Is In Your Driver's Seat?
January 08, 2026
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5&6
Over Christmas break, we were blessed with the opportunity to travel to Arizona and go hiking in some of the most beautiful locations that God has created, while also enjoying the warmth of sunshine! However, one thing that we found extremely unusual while traveling through the city of Phoenix was the amount of Waymos, Google’s self-driving car that serves as a driverless taxi using AI and sensors.
I have to admit, there was something very odd and unsettling about a car passing us on the road that had no driver. In fact, one morning, as we were sitting outside at a downtown restaurant and eating breakfast, we watched numerous driverless Waymos pull up and families with young children calmly exit and/or enter them without hesitation. This new phenomenon struct up a very interesting conversation among our family members as we discussed if we would be comfortable riding in a car with no driver? Could you trust this new technology?
Unlike the driverless taxis, as followers of Jesus, we have peace in knowing that we have an ever present Heavenly Father who is always in control. We live by faith knowing that He is always with us and trusting that He is always at work… even when we can not see how!
As we enter into 2026, there may be times when the road of life may feel uncertain. Changes, challenges and concerns will undoubtedly occur. Yet, we will NEVER be without a driver! God will always be with us and guiding us. Our job is to let Him drive!
Like stepping into that driverless taxi, faith means we do not control every turn. But unlike technology, God’s guidance is perfect. We move forward with confidence, not because we know the route, but because we know the One who leads us.
God’s richest blessings during this New Year as we look forward to the exciting journey that He has planned for each of us!
In His Love,
Mrs. Palka