It is important to place this passage in itscontext. If you are not familiar with thewalk with Jesus to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35, take time to review it. Note the paral-lels to Luke 24:36-48. Take a moment toenvision yourself in the scene. Consider in your own life those individualswho resemble the disciples from Emmaus,ones eager to share the good news of Jesus.Take a moment to write down names of keypeople who have tried to share Jesus withyou (even if you were not receptive).Imagine what it would be like to have Jesusor some great teacher of the faith teach you,opening your mind to understand the scrip-tures. After all his teachings on this first Easterevening, Jesus commissions his followers,“You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke24:48 NRSV) There seems to be no choiceabout the matter. They have witnessedunique events. Their voice is needed to tellthe story to others. This is not a privateinstruction to be kept under a bushel. Take a few moments to prayerfully considerothers whom you might invite to walk withyou on the path of discipleship. Writedown those names. It is not necessary foryou to understand all of scripture and theol-ogy in order to walk with people in theirown faith journey. We do not have the opportunity to physical-ly touch the hands and feet of Jesus, nor towatch him eat food. Yet the Holy Spirit isstill at work, opening our minds, spirits andhearts to walk the path of discipleship byfaith. It is the Holy Spirit who calls, gathersand enlightens us. That same very Spiritnudges and empowers us to be a vibrantwitness to Christ. Jesus extends peace todisciples of every generation as they con-tinue the work of the Holy Spirit.PrayerCreator of all, thank you for creating com-munity and giving us companions to walkthe path of discipleship. Ignite us to beyour witnesses. Amen.

ConnectionsS t . M a t t h e w L u t h e ra n C h u rc h – C o n n e c t i n g Fa i t h W i t h L i fe !

CALENDAR of EVENTSSAT., APRIL 14

9am-1pm Stephen Ministry Workshop in the Fellowship Hall

10am-12pm Concord RoomReserved/Al-Anon Mtg.

TBA Augsburg Room Reserved/Private Party

10am-1pm ECIRMAC 5:00 pm Worship

SUN., APRIL 15 8:30 am Worship 9:45 am Coffee Fellowship 9:50 am Sunday School 9:50 am CONGREGATIONAL

MEETING10:45 am Worship

MON., APRIL 16 8:30 am Morning

Prayer Group

9:00 am Pastors’ Text Study 7:00 pm Girl Scouts

TUES., APRIL 1710:00 am Men’s Coffee

at Harvest Market 3:00 pm Worship Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm Boy Scouts

WED., APRIL 18 9:30 am Prayer Shawl Ministry

in the Concord Room 6:00 pm Bible Study 6:30 pm Youth Huddle 6:45 pm STM Choir Rehearsal

FRI., APRIL 20 9:00 am May Insight Deadline 7:00 pm ReLit Discussion of

Born a Crimeby Trevor Noah

SAT., APRIL 2110am-12pm Concord Room

Reserved/Al-Anon Mtg.10am-1pm ECIRMAC 5:00 pm Worship 6:00 pm Pasta & Piano

Youth Fundraiser

SUN., APRIL 22 8:30 am Worship 9:45 am Coffee Fellowship 9:50 am Sunday School 9:50 am Adult Forum/Storybook Project10:45 am Worship 6:30 pm High School

Youth Group grades 9-12

st. matthew lutheran church

student ministry

2017/2018

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real church for real life

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STAFF OF ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCHPHONE: 367-1189 www.stmatthewurbana.org

Pastor Robert J. RasmusAssociate Pastor Maggie FalenschekOffice Manager Gayla PellumNursery Ruby Splittstoesser & Emma LacefieldParish Nurses Aziza Awate, Kathie Pound, and Beth Riddle

Connections Deadline: Submit announcements in writing to the church office or by e-mailto gayla.stm@stmatthewurbana.org no later than 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. Thank you!

Please note: Names on the list for prayers will be posted for one month unless otherwise requested.Please contact the church office with any updates or extensions. Thank you.

Specialist Sean Splittstoesser,grandson of Ruby & Dan Splittstoesser

Brody Welshofer, friend of Danielle DeckDonna Gehrt, aunt of Jill DalyChris Galvin, friend of Morgan JohnsonRita, sister of Diane DurbinVickie Fitzsimmons,

sister-in-law of Shirley ShawRita, niece of Liz SchwartzVirginia, Meghan & Chris,

friends of Chris BedfordBarb Frantz, friend of Diana MarshallJohn Sheehan,

grandfather of Walker WestfieldJanette Green, friend of Peg WarrinerGloria & family, aunt of Jill Daly****************Charles Osborn, friend of Dorothy GrahamHeather & her fiance,Vince,

daughter of Chris BedfordSteve & Becky Denver,

friends of Dorothy Graham****************Tobie Durance,

granddaughter of Mark & Tina Shaw and great-granddaughter of Shirley Shaw

Morris & Doreen Huck,friends of Dorothy Graham

Janet Kitzman, sister of Ruby Splittstoesser****************

Sharon Hedrick John GantzIsabella Gonzalez Muryl OhmsRita Vanier Mandi GillilandSuzanne Ross Danielle DeckBruce Carroll Hervin BuhrGerald Smith Garris GrahamRod Warfield Dan SplittstoesserCherylin StiversPr. Bill & Kathryn HarumNorm & Lana Maske****************Remember our shut-ins:Elaine Ebeling Leona Saathoff

In loving memory of ˜Richard Post,

brother/brother-in-law of Charlene & Steve McKinneyand

Mel Stevens, father of Seth Stevensand

Patricia Stewart, sister of Joan Peterson

Please include their family & friendsin your special thoughts & prayers.

May God welcome theminto the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer RequestsPrayer Requests

Welcome!St. Matthew Lutheran Church

is a fellowship of Christian believers

called to: grow in Christ, share the Gospel,

serve God’s people.Do come again to

St. Matthew Lutheran Churchwhere you are always welcome.

Worship ServicesSaturday, 5:00pm A relaxed and informal worship held in our ChristChapel.

Sunday, 8:30 am Spirited traditional worship that focuses on participation through the liturgy, the great hymns of the Church, & corporate confession of our faith.

Sunday, 10:45 amPraise & worship in an open & accessible style.

STEPHEN MINISTERS: THE AFTER PEOPLEPeople often ask, “What exactly is a Stephen Minister?”

One way to put it is that Stephen Ministers are the After People.Stephen Ministers are there:

...after the phone call you hoped you’d never get....after the divorce papers are served & the bottom fallsout of your life.

...after the funeral, when everyone has left & the emotions you’ve held at bay come crashing in on you.

...after the doctor says, “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do.”...after the nursing home director shakes your hand & & says, “Welcome to yournew home.”...after the last child honks the horn, waves, & drives away—& the house suddenly seems empty....after the gavel goes down, the handcuffs go on, & your loved one is led away....after the baby arrives, demanding more of you than you ever dreamedpossible....after you find a pink slip with your final paycheck....after your family & friends have heard your story one toomany times, but you still need to talk it out.

Stephen Ministers are the “After People.” They are ready to come alongside you–or your friends, neighbors, coworkers, or relatives–& provide comfort & support for as long after as needed.

SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUM RESUMES APRIL 22ndYou've been hearing about Storybook Project for severalyears. Making it possible for children to hear the voicesof their fathers and grandfathers reading to them is ablessing YOU provide every time our Storybook Projectteam visits Danville Correctional Center. Please comesee the film and hear first hand stories about this amaz-ing service project on April 22 at 9:50 in the Augsburg Room.

MEN’S COFFEE THIS WEEK!Our Men’s Coffee group meets twice a month. All available STM men areinvited to gather for a cup of coffee & conversation on the first and thirdTuesday of every month. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 17that 10:00am in the Harvest Market on South Neil St. in Champaign. Menof all ages are welcome & encouraged to join our discussions.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY THIS WEEK!The next meeting of the Prayer Shawl Ministry will be Wednesday,April 18th at 9:30 a.m. in the Concord Room at church. We welcomeall who knit. If you know of someone who would be comforted by aprayer shawl, please contact Joan Peterson (384-7415), MaryAnderson (898-0350), Pastor Bob, Pastor Maggie or the church office (367-1189). Thestories from the recipients are beautiful & filled with gratitude for the prayers & lovethat goes into making them.

RELIT THIS WEEK!The next meeting of St. Matthew’s ReLit group will be Friday, April20 at 7pm in the Concord Room. We will be discussing the book:Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by TrevorNoah. Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy whogrows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in aworld where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story ofthat young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fer-vently religious mother – his teammate, a woman determined to save her son fromthe cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her ownlife. All are welcome to join us for a thought provoking discussion and of course, toshare in the delicious refreshments.

ALTAR FLOWERSThe flowers on the altar this weekend are given by Phil& Dorothy Gable in loving memory of Phil’s parents,Fred & Edna Gable. May they watch over us always.Help make our altar beautiful! Celebrate a birthday,anniversary, someone’s life or just because. The sign upsheet is located on the bulletin board in the narthex.

PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND A

SPECIALCONGREGATIONAL

MEETINGTHIS SUNDAY, APRIL 15THBETWEEN SERVICES

Your input and attendance are important to St. Matthew!

STM QUILTERSCome and join the STM Quilters at 9:00 - 12:00 on the 2nd and 4thTuesdays of each month. We meet in the Fellowship Hall. ContactPeg Warriner, 369-5433, for more information. With our manyprojects we could use a few more hands to help us. Monetary dona-tions are helpful to purchase fabric and supplies. Everyone is welcome to join us! We hope to see you there.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDYThe WELCA Bible Study will meet at Prairie Winds of Urbanaon the last Thursday of the month at 9:30am. If you would liketo join the women's Bible studies based on the GathermagazineBible studies (& we would welcome any other Bible studyideas) pick up one of the complimentary copies of the magazine today in the outsidethe Concord Room & join us on April 26th for fellowship & coffee. Hope to see youthen! Thanks ladies, Mary Anderson, Bible Study coordinator

LADIES... LET’S PLAY BUNCO – NEW TIME!Play a fast paced game, win great prizes, and have a lot of fun. Pleasebring your drink of choice. The next BUNCO Night will beThursday, April 26th starting at 6:00pm in the Augsburg Room. Noneed to sign up... everyone is welcome. We have a great time! Jointhe fun & bring a friend!!!

YOUR HELP MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO HELP FEED HUNGRY FAMILIESTHANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS to ourSTM Food Pantry. With all of your help the Food Pantry is full offood for the weekly deliveries. The families in the Urbana and-Champaign area are grateful to you for helping them by your dona-tions. We have a few items that we are in need of at this time:canned or bottle juices, peanut butter, jelly, Hamburger Helper,cornbread mix and toilet paper. If you have any question aboutSTM food pantry, we would be happy to answer them, or if you would like tovolunteer to help us make deliveries call Laura Podeschi at (217) 417-7188.

STM

THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. MATTHEWWe'll be celebrating the 75th Anniversary of St. Matthew onReformation Sunday in the fall! We'd like to form a steering com-mittee very soon. The weekend event could include worship,music, fellowship, historical record, stories and a video. We mayeven want to incorporate some St. Matthew stories during SundaySchool and Adult forums during the weeks leading up to ReformationSunday. Many of the ministry leaders on Council will be helping withplanning this event, but we need a few people to help create, plan and communicateto the congregation as we plan this wonderful celebration. Please let Dorothy Gableknow if you are interested in helping to plan the celebration!dorothy.p.gable@gmail.com or 766-7360

SOLA GRATIA FARM 2018 SHARES ARE AVAILABLE NOW!Shares for the 2018 season of Sola Gratia Farm are currently forsale. Some shareholders purchase a share for their own family,while others purchase a share to be donated to the EasternIllinois Foodbank. Shareholder agreements are available in thenarthex or in the farm office. If you would like more informa-tion, please ask a member of the Sola Gratia Farm board.Please consider giving the gift of food to those who are hungry.Donate one of our CSA shares to the Eastern Illinois Foodbank and you'll be givinghealthy, fresh vegetables to those who need it most. In 2017, nearly 16,000 poundsof high quality, naturally grown, fresh-picked, good food was donated into our com-munity our partners working on community food security - let's do it again!

LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD COOKS!St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Campus Center is inneed of our help to provide food for their weekly “Chatand Chow” held on Wednesday nights. We began thisministry with St. Andrew last winter and right now theyhave three empty dates to fill out the school year–April 25, May 2, and May 9. It’s very easy to do and I will do everything I can to make it even easier for you. Itworks best if there are two cooks. (Actually, I find the most challenging part of thisministry to be finding a parking place for the food delivery.)They need a main dish (we’ve been doing two, one meat and one vegetarian), anda “filler.” This can be a salad, fresh fruit, breads, dessert...your choice. They feedanywhere from 10-15 people each week. They also have walk-ins off the street inneed of a meal. All food must be delivered in disposable cookware. There are somediet restrictions which are easy to work around and I have a list of those which I willshare. If you’re not available during the day and want to help, you can prepare your dishahead of time and I can reheat it and run it over there. This ministry will continue next fall with regularly assigned dates for St. Matthew’sinvolvement. Would you be interested in helping out with this ministry? Please contact me atkjw1951@comcast.net, or 217.621.8367. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.Thank you–Kathy Wallig

It’s Time to Make Up the Next Worship Assistant Schedule!I will be scheduling worship assistants in early September for the Junethrough September 2018 services. If you are currently part of theschedule, please contact me to let me know if you are unavailable forcertain weekends and/or if you have a scheduling preference. We can add people to any of the assisting duties and would love to seemore of you helping out! If you are currently not on our schedule, please considergiving any of our assisting positions a try! We will be happy to train anyone who isinterested. We would love to have your smiling face be part of our team of worshipassistants!Please have your requests and/or preferences emailed to me at my office address(gayla.stm@stmatthewurbana.org) no later than May 9th. If you have any ques-tions, please give me a call at the office . Thank you! Gayla Pellum