Blog

As we close another incredible school year, our hearts are filled with gratitude for all God has done during the 2025 - 2026 school year. This year’s theme, “Jesus, Your Way Is Better,” reminded us daily that God’s plans are greater than our own and that walking in His way brings purpose, peace, and joy.  

Throughout the year, our students grew academically, but more importantly, intentional effort was placed on their spiritual growth. From classroom lessons to Chapel services, to outreach events, to prayer requests, we witnessed God’s faithfulness. In addition, we learned that even during challenges and difficulties, Jesus leads us with His wisdom, love, and power.

Some highlights from the 2025/2026 school year include:

• Collecting and assembling 212 hygiene kits for Lutheran World Relief to distribute to people facing disaster and challenging situations
• Our school’s precious “Senior/Homebound Ministry”, where classrooms communicating in various ways with senior members of our congregation
• Offering Fabulous Friday Parent Coffee and Prayer Time on the first Friday of each month with parents gathering for fellowship and pray for our school
• Numerous classrooms being prayer partners with various International classes and experiencing opportunities to share the Gospel message with them through pumpkin carving, a “Taste of Christmas”, and dying Easter eggs
• Providing monthly support as a school family to six year old “Shiyana” from Indonesia and eleven year old “Mayea” from Zambia through Compassion International and World Vision
• Students, alumni, parents, and staff members participating in World Vision half and full marathons this year in Berlin, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and London. In addition, 82 participants completed last week’s Global 6K and raised $5,300 for children in need of clean water.  
• Preschool and Kindergarten enjoying PBJ fellowship events
• Upper grades serving at Forgotten Harvest, Camp Retore Detroit, and the Wixom Community Garden during Days of Service
• This year’s “Color Out Cancer” Turkey Trot raising $12,000 for Jameson Strong, a non-profit organization that sends Christian care packages to pediatric cancer families
• Members of the National Lutheran School Accreditation team on site in November, and receiving a fantastic score as we were granted “re-accreditated” status
• Science of Reading and AI in the Classroom professional development training opportunities for our teachers
• Packing 200 weekend bags of food for children in need through Hospitality House for our “Kick-off” of celebrating Lutheran Schools Week
• Mr. Welte driving over 50 pizzas to The Noah Project Warming Center in Detroit during a cold January day from St. Matthew Lutheran School
• Working with all MI Lutheran Schools to help raise funds for “Lead a Child” Christian outreach
• Hosting the Detroit Pistons during this year’s Open House
• Seventh grade enjoying a week of Outdoor Education at Camp LOC
• Five Destination Imagination teams representing St. Matthew this year during the State Tournament and two teams participating at the Global Competition
• Student Council leading us through many school experiences including celebrating National March Reading Month
• A fabulous production of “Mary Poppins Jr.” occurring in May
• Many successful sports seasons, including sending 15 students to the State Track meet this weekend

As we look back, we are reminded of Proverbs 3:5 - 6:

“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.”

This verse perfectly reflects our theme. When we trusted Jesus this year, He guided us every step of the way, and we give Him all the glory for each of these accomplishments.

To our graduating students and families moving on to new adventures: may you continue to follow Jesus boldly, knowing His way is always better.

Thank you to our students, staff, and parents for making this school year a blessing. We pray everyone has a safe, joyful, and refreshing summer filled with God’s peace and love.

Looking forward to everything that the Lord has waiting for us in the 2026/2027 as we prepare to let our lights shine and set the world on fire with the love of Jesus…(Hmmmmm... Kind of sounds like a great future school theme??)

In His Love,

Mrs. Palka