Volume 81, No. 15 - December 2, 2012

December Worship at St. Matthew’s

December 92nd Sunday in Advent

Worship at 7:30, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

December 25Christmas Day

Worship at 10:00 a.m.

December 234th Sunday in Advent

Worship at 7:30, 8:30,and 11:00 a.m.No Sunday School

December 163rd Sunday in Advent

St. Matthew’s Christmas Pageant8:30 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

December 21st Sunday in Advent

Communion Worship Services7:30, 8:30, 11:00 a.m.

December 30Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

No Sunday School

December 24Christmas Eve

Family Worship at 4:00 p.m.Traditional Christmas Eve Worship

at 7:00 and 10:00 p.m.

St. Matthew’s Mission StatementCalled to fulfill the Great Commission, St. Matthew’s Welcomes all to faith in Jesus Christ, Nurtures our faith journey, Equips us to serve others, and Sends us into the world to make a difference in Jesus’ name.

The Voice of St. Matthew’sThe newsletter of St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church

Christopher Manke, Margaret Schoewe, andElias Kitoi Nasari, Pastors

1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213414-774-0441 fax 414-774-0989

E-mail: office@stmattslutheran.orgVisit our website: www.StMattsLutheran.org

Sunday worship at 7:30, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. USPS 662-800 -- Published Monthly - Twice monthly in March, July, October and December by St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213 (phone 774-0441) Periodicals postage paid at Milwaukee, WI. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Voice of St. Matthew’s, St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213Submit articles to the church office in care of Sonja Mohr, Newsletter Editor, or sonjamohr@me.com

Page 2

God’s blessings and goodness be with this wonderful group of young people confirmed during a 1:30 p.m. service on November 11, 2012. Front row, left to right: Silas Rudig, Miranda Sorenson, Hailey Lippold, Lorraine Bueckers, Rachel Raasch, Lindsey Starrett, Erin Merklein, Maddy Janisch, Gretchen Haugse.Middle row, left to right: Pr. Margaret Schoewe, Trevor Land, Donovan McBride, and right side, Dylan Seif, Kodi Gissibl.Back row, left to right: Pr. Chris Manke, Claire Manske, Brianna Stolte, Alexis Falci, Noah Manke, Connor Schmidt, Peter Hewett, Olivia Starrett, Carmen Muehlfeld, Cory Schulz.

Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2012!

Church Decorating for Advent and Christmas - Your help needed! Come to help decorate the church for the season on Friday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m. Pizza and beverages will be provided as well as a fun time spent decorating our worship space and Commons area for the upcoming Advent and Christmas season. Sign up by calling or emailing the church office. (414-774-0441 or office@stmattslutheran.org)

Christmas Musicians invited to play on Christmas Eve Musical Youth and Adults, we are looking for instrumentalists to enhance our Christmas Celebration at the 7:00 and 10:00 services. We would like to invite you to play your instrument with us this year. You may or may not have played for Christmas in the past. If you have you know what an uplifting service it is and how it greatly enhances the congregation’s celebration of Christmas. The group accompanies the congregation in the singing of Christmas Hymns. Rehearsal will be: Saturday, December 22 at 9:30 until approximately 11:00 a.m. Please let me know if you are able to play for Christmas. We would love to have you join in the celebration of the birth of our Lord. John R. Paradowski - JRPmuzik@sbcglobal.net

Give a Gift that Keeps on GivingSt. Matthew’s Simple Gifts CatalogAvailable for Christmas Giving This Year Most of us have at least one person on our Christmas gift list who is difficult to buy for – the person who seems to have everything. St. Matthew’s is offering a way to recognize and honor those people this Christmas while at the same time making the world a little brighter for those who have very little. We are offering a partnership giving catalog with financial gifts of varying amounts that can be given in honor of friends and family. Amounts range from $5 to $250 and include tangible items to support all four of our ministry partners: Reformation and Cross Lutheran Churches in Milwaukee, Casa Esperanza in El Salvador, and Sing-isi Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The catalog will be available at the welcome center and through the St. Matthew’s website on November 25th.

Lutheran A Cappella Choir Christmas Concert Enter into the Christmas Spirit and come to hear “Angels and Shepherds Rejoice” December 9 at St. Matthew’s The Lutheran A Cappella Choir of Milwaukee will present their annual Christmas Concert, this year titled “Angels and Shepherds Rejoice.” This concert will take place on Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s. Many St. Matthew’s members sing in the Lutheran A Cappella Choir, including Myron Olson, John Schilling, Cathy Shaw, John Stolte, Pat & Jim Engelhardt, and Karen Haglund. The program consists of works by both traditional and contemporary composers, describing the events of Christmas Eve as seen by the shepherds. The highlight of the program will be a performance of “Gloria” by John Rutter, accompanied by a brass and percussion ensemble. The concert will also be performed on Friday, December 7 at 7:30 pm, at Grace Lutheran Church, W196N9525 Crossview Way, Menomonee Falls. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door or they can be purchased in advance at our web site at www.lutheranacappella.org or from a member of the choir.

Upcoming December EventsPage 3

A Biennial Congregational Event“The Nativity” Christmas Pageant to be Presented on December 16th, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The simple humility of the birth of Jesus will be presented through drama and song at St. Matthew’s Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 16th. All of our choirs and an intergenerational cast will bring to life the mystery and beauty of the story of the coming of Emmanuel, which means God with us. Come and hear again the message of peace, reconciliation, and love for all that is the essence of the Christmas story. The Pageant will be presented at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.. If you would like to help with costumes, make-up, props, or snacks, please talk to John Paradowski or Gretchen

Haugse (ghaugse@me.com).

Pastor’s VoiceJoin Together for Good

“We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind… But speaking truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together…promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16

Now what? The election is over and our country still faces the problems we faced the night before. Now what? This is the question that our ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson asks on his YouTube presentation the day after the election In the text above, Paul points out that we are stronger and more able to grow when we join together for good. But how do we do that when our feelings are so deeply engrained in different ways. Bishop Hanson calls us to exercise humility, to have conversations with those we don’t agree with, to “turn walls that divide into tables of conversation and reconciliation” and to listen and imagine a different way to live and work together guided by the Spirit for the good of our neighbors near and far. Uniting has never been easy. Our Wednesday morning bible study recently completed reading the story of King David from the book of II Samuel. David struggled to keep his family and his country together. Following David’s big sins, his family was rocked by incest and murder and Israel was pulled apart by descendants of Saul and other outside forces. From the chaos David was called to form a united kingdom – to bring Judah and Israel together at a time when he was grieving the loss of his sons and God was not particularly present to the people. In difficult times King David shows us that trust is key to healing and unity. As a leader David trusted God’s covenant to be with him in bad times until good times came. In II Samuel 16:12 God reminds David to trust that, “…the Lord will look upon his distress, and the Lord will repay him with good for the cursing of him that day.” In the face of adversity, King David’s greatness for leading and uniting people was dependent on his trust that God would ultimately be graceful, his compassion for those who had wronged him, his openness to listen to new voices, his acceptance of ambiguities he could not resolve and his willingness to be active with God in shaping the future. A tall order? Yes! With prayer and the guidance of the spirit we too can say “now what” as we move forward confident that together with God we can imagine and move into a world better than the one we have. God bless you as we enter into this season of advent, this time of waiting and of great anticipation for the coming of something new, for the coming of the Lord. Amen. Pastor Margaret Schoewe

It’s an Annual Tradition!Support those who need your help through The Giving Tree, Due Dec. 9 Your help is needed to support several ministries in our community. If you are able to help by taking a tag and bringing a Christmas gift, you would be reaching out to others during the season of giving. The tags will help clients of Greater Tosa Interfaith, serving our community’s elderly, as well as members of Cross Lutheran Church and Reformation Lutheran Church, Milwaukee. Some of the needs are different and more specific this year; however, gift cards to Walmart and Kmart are also very much appreciated, as this allows parents to buy particular items for their children. Thank you for your generosity! Gifts are due back to church by Sunday, December 9th. Gift cards can be dropped off in the church office; gifts can be placed underneath the Giving Tree.

Luther Manor Advent Service offeredto our Luther Manor residentsMonday, December 10th at 2:00 p.m. Each year our pastors arrange to hold a service at Luther Manor for our members who are residents at the Luther Manor retirement community. This service is held in the Lippold Faith and Education Room. After the service, refreshments are offered. If you are a resident who would like to attend but need assistance to get to the service, please call the church office at 414-774-0441, and we will help to arrange that. If you are a family member or friend of a member and would like to attend, please feel welcome to do so!

Tanzania Trip Commitment MeetingCalling All Tanzania Travelers!Sunday, Dec. 2nd, 12:30pm Jambo Rafiki! Coming up on December 2nd at 12:30pm, we

will be meeting with everyone who is strongly interested in going to Africa this coming August 12-27th, 2013. This meeting will be a chance to ask any final questions and then make a commitment to come with on this life changing experience. Join us for lunch ($5.00 suggested donation) and discussion with Pastor Elias and Pastor Chris to discuss this trip of a lifetime. For further information before this meeting, contact Pastor Chris.

Page 4

Adult EducationSunday Mornings, 9:45-10:45

December 2“Unwrapping the Real Christmas Story: A Deeper Look at the Birth Narrative”Learn what Middle Eastern culture reveals about the Nativity story as we explore the details and events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Prepare your heart and mind for Christmas on this first Sunday in Advent.Facilitated by Pastor Chris Manke

December 9“The Stained Glass Story”Did you ever wonder who and what is represented in the Sanctuary stained glass windows? Learn more about the characters and stories that are shared in the beautiful art that is part of our worship space.Facilitated by Al Van Lith

First Fridays Book Discussion Group meets monthly Here are the next books up for discussion. Join them for any of the books which you would like to read. The discussion times begin at 7:00 p.m. on the dates listed below, in the Upper Room at church.Dec. 7 The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew and the

Heart of the Middle East Sandy TolanJan. 4 Hope: A Tragedy by Shalom Auslander (290

pgs.)Feb. 1 Still Alice by Lisa Genova (295 pages)The full list is available across from the church office or at the Welcome Center.

Plan now for this special travel opportunity next May!Springfield trip highlights Lincoln and Wright - May 6 – 8, 2013Advance sign-up for members by January 7 Do you have an interest in Abraham Lincoln and Frank Lloyd Wright? Then our trip to Springfield, Illinois, next May is made for you. Accompanied by St. Matthew’s Lincoln scholar-in-residence, Pastor Emeritus Gary Erickson, we will follow in Lincoln’s footsteps. We will start our journey at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the most visited of all presidential libraries, with its interactive displays, special effects, and re-creation of Lincoln’s world. We will visit the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, filled with clutter and makeshift furniture, and the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln tried cases, served as a legislator, and gave his famous “House Divided” speech on slavery in 1858. There he lay in state after being assassinated six days after the Civil War ended. We will tour the only house he ever owned and where he lived with his wife, children, a dog, and several cats. You will walk around New Salem, a 700-acre re-created village of timber shops and houses where a young Lincoln lived for six years in the 1830s. You can pay your respects at his tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Then, to give our trip an added dimension, on Wednesday, before returning to Wauwatosa, we will tour the Dana-Thomas House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902. This house has 35 rooms, 12,000 square feet of living space, three main levels, and 16 varying levels in all. It is the best preserved and most complete of Wright’s early “Prairie” houses. (www.dana-thomas.org) The price of the trip is $339 and includes round trip transporta-tion via Lamers deluxe motor coach, hotel accommodations for 2 nights (based on double occupancy) at the Drury Inn & Suites, all admission fees, taxes, tips, and 5 meals (2 full, hot breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners, one of which is a period dinner at the historic Pasfield House Inn, which has a connection with Lincoln). Not included: Driver gratuity, lunch on bus ride down to Spring-field, and lunch on second day of trip. Our bus can accommodate 55 people, and we need at least

40 for the trip to go. A sign-up sheet is now available at the Information Center. (If you don’t have a roommate, we will help match you up.) The trip will be open only to St. Matthew’s members until Monday, January 7. Thereafter, it will be open to friends, relatives, and members of other churches. A deposit of $125/person is due not later than Wednesday, February 20. The balance of $214/person is due not later than Wednesday, March 27. If you desire further information or have any questions, you may contact Linda Levengood (414-427-9672; llevengood@sbcglobal.net) or Jane Sandstrom (jane@stmattslutheran.org).

Upcoming EventsPage 5

The Illinois State Capitol

Renovation Needs: Issue #7 –Education Wing Updating and Renovation

This article is the seventh in a series of articles. In each issue of the Voice, we are addressing the ten needs for building improvement which were determined through meetings with groups and surveys of the congregation. The needs already covered in previous articles are:

#1 Upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning#2 Improve Staff Offices#3 Kitchen Modernization#4 Additional Education Space#5 Music Space Improvements#6 Security Needs#7 Education Wing Updating and Renovation

In a previous issue (#4 – Additional Education Space), I discussed at length the need our ministry has for additional classrooms. I won’t cover that in this issue. In fact, this issue – updating our Education wing, touches on many of the other issues: HVAC (#1), Staff offices (#2), Music Space improvements (#5), Security (#6), Technology upgrades (#7), Nursery Area Improvements (#9) and Storage space (#10). All of these issues that I talk about elsewhere also affect this issue of updating our Education wing. On top of all of those other issues, I would add three additional points. First, that our Education wing just needs a face-lift. It was built in 1963, and unfortunately much of the space has a 1960’s feel to it. Giving it a face-lift through new paint and certain improved fin-ishes would display an inviting and warm atmosphere that we would all enjoy using more. Secondly, the Education wing entrances need improvements. The doors for our education wing are all small or divided in two. None of them can open to a double door width, which in commercial build-ings is often necessary. An example of this was our recent meal packing event for starving children in El Salvador. If the Education Wing doors had been able to open to a double width, we would have been able to bring the extremely large bags of Rice (weighing one ton each) in through those doors. Instead we had to roll them over the nicer carpeted double door entrance by the office, partially damaging the flooring in that space. The Education wing would have been a much better entrance for this type of delivery and would have kept the Office hallway in better shape. With our Meal Ministry growing, this need will only increase. Third, the addition of a new fire protection sprinkler system. This is not something that we originally added to our needs list (although it does create a safer environment overall space), but rather that the city is now requiring us to install – worship space and all. One thing the addition of a Fire protection sprinkler system forces us to look at in the education wing is potentially replacing the older existing ceiling tile system throughout the Education Wing with a newer more aesthetically pleasing ceiling tile system to support this new sprinkler system. This decision will obviously be based on need and the overall added cost, but will be something we are looking at as we add this new sprinkler system. Our next issue is need #8: Technology Upgrades

Upcoming Events

Page 6

Plan Your Christmas Shopping:Coffee and Chocolate for sale on December 9 and 23

Chocolate for Sale! LWR Fair Trade Chocolate available at St. Matthew’s: “Divine Chocolate” - Chocolate made with Fair Trade certified Cocoa beans grown by a farmer owned cooperative in Ghana, is available for purchase the 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month at the Mt. Meru Coffee/LWR Chocolate Project table, in “milk chocolate” or “dark chocolate” flavors. Not only do these farmers receive Fair Trade premiums for their cocoa beans, they are part-owners of the Divine Chocolate brand processing co. Bars come in two sizes. This opportunity is brought to us by Rosie Haas, our LWR Divine Chocolate ambassador.

Mt. Meru Coffee Project introducesFlavored Coffees! The Mt. Meru Coffee Project is pleased to announce the introduction of four flavored coffees (French vanilla, hazelnut, butter pecan & chocolate/rasp-berry). There is also a limited supply of holiday gift pack-ages that provide a sampling of the new products. Check the Mt. Meru coffee display in the narthex on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of each month. We thank you for your continuing support of this partnership ministry. Your purchases are improving the lives of our friends in Tanzania. If you have questions contact Bruce Johnson @ (414)366-5053.

Youth and Children’s MinistriesPage 7

Youth Mission Trip Will Head East to Help With Response to Hurricane Sandy Over the past few weeks, all of us have been moved by the countless images we have seen of people struggling with the effects of Hurricane Sandy. As yet another region of our country has been severely affected by a natural disaster, we have decided, with the enthusiastic support of the youth participants, to change our mission trip plans for next summer to go to the east coast to join the recovery efforts instead of to Colorado as originally planned. The dates of the trip will remain the same (June 22nd – June 30th). We are in the process of making contacts with churches and disaster response agencies to define exactly where and how we will serve. We look forward to serving where the need is so great. If you have questions, or if you are a 9th -12th grader who would like to join this year’s trip, please talk to Gretchen.

Youth Mission Trip Meeting on Dec. 2nd The next Mission Trip Meeting is on Sunday, December 2nd at 12:15. Please bring $5 for lunch.

Jr. and Sr. High Ski Trip Coming Up in February This year’s annual ski trip, February 15th – 17th will take us to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. We’ll leave St. Matthew’s early Friday afternoon, February 15th, and return Sunday evening. All middle school and high school students are invited. Friends are also welcome. Watch future issues of the Voice for cost and sign up information as well as other details.

Kids for Christ and Disciples of Christ Children’s Ministries Groups to enjoy combined Christmas gathering Our children’s ministries KFC (kids for Christ - grades 1-3) and DOC (Disciples of Christ - grades 4-5) come together for fun, fellowship and food. Friends can also come along.

Join us on Friday, Dec. 7th from 6pm-8pm for a combined KFC and DOC event.

We will gather in the youth room for pizza and then play games in Fellowship Hall. “Relay Race Fun” will be our theme, so come ready to play! Cost is $4. Friends are welcome!January 2013 dates:KFC: Sunday, January 20, 12:15-2:00 *Change in dateDOC: Sunday, January 6, 12:15-2:00

Christmas Season Sunday School ScheduleIs There Sunday School this Week? With the holidays coming up, you may be asking yourself that question. For the answer, see below.Sunday, December 23rd – No Sunday SchoolSunday, December 30th – No Sunday SchoolSunday, January 6th – Sunday School resumes (Big Group Event in Fellowship Hall for 1st – 5th Graders)

Another Successful Toy Swap! The Toy Swap help on November 11 was a success. Many families were able to swap for “new” toys for their growing families. A number of grandparents, teachers, and members were able to find toys to use for their classrooms and mission trips. There also were plenty of leftover toys to donate to Reformation to help with The Neighborhood Store. Thank you to those who left a monetary donation, as we raised $71.25 to help the Store. Special thanks to the Wunderlich and Dahlquist families for setting up and Julie Abrahamson for assisting in packing up after the event.Nathan Foley checks out the toys at

the Toy Swap.

Toy shoppers choose from a variety of toys at the Toy Swap. Right to

left: Nicole and Chloe Spain, Samantha and

Julie Abrahamson.

Our SAINTSPage 8

Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota has a series of Advent devotions available on their website (www.luthersem.edu/advent) This year’s series is written by a Luther alumnus (class of 1962), Hubert Nelson, retired pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Edina, Minnesota. Jane Sandstrom shares one of his devotions here.

A Devotion based on Psalm 80:1-7 “Advent approaches after the national elections. I amwriting about 40 days before the election. Barack Obamaand Mitt Romney are about even in the polls. The threetelevision debates have not taken place. But whomever sits in the oval office will generate both hope and fears for our country. We live in a great nation, but we are besieged by a host of crises both here and abroad. “We should have no difficulty identifying with the Psalmist. The Northern Kingdom had been thoroughly defeated and would come to be known as the “10 lost tribes of Israel.” Judah, the residence of the psalmist, was also under siege. The psalmist alternates between hope and despair. He cries out, “Restore us, O God,” and “O Lord God of Hosts, how long will you be angry?” “Our theme for these Advent devotions is waiting with a sure and certain hope. We alternate between hope anddespair. That is reality. But we pray that we will be giventhe faith to believe. “Restore us, O God of hosts; let yourface shine, that we may be saved.” “Give wisdom and courage to our president, and the members of Congress, that they might be instruments of restoration and peace. Amen. - The Rev. Hubert Nelson” May our Advent season this year be one of waiting with a sure and certain hope.

St. Matthew’s Staffing Update:(When are we hiring our new Pastor?!)

So now that we have our Lead Pastor issue decided upon, it’s time to begin thinking about the rest of our staffing structure. Many of you have asked me, “When are we going to begin hiring a pastor to replace the other Associate Pastor position?” The answer is two-fold. First, before we can begin hiring someone

else, we need to know what that person will do. Sure it’s easy to say, they would just be a pastor, but there are many different aspects to the ways a pastor posi-tion is lived out. To get a sense of this, just look at the differences between how the idea of pastor was lived out by Pastor Gary, Pastor Margaret and myself. So before we jump into hiring a person, we want to take a few months to examine our needs as a congregation. Thankfully we have just completed two intensive processes – The MET process where we asked the congregation who we are and where we want to go, examining our current and future needs. Secondly the Lead Pastor Call process where we looked at this issue of what our pastors do in ministry at St. Matthew’s. Both of these extended conversations will help to guide this discussion. Secondly, before we hire a pastor, we need to look at the whole ministry and examine what the needs are for our entire staff structure. As we look at our staff structure, we will have a better sense of what is needed now to meet our current needs. Also, we need to determine what positions could be added that strengthen who we are as an entire ministry for the long term. Taking a little time to do this will serve us well not only for the present but also for the future ministry at St. Matthew’s. On a parallel note, Pastor Margaret just informed the Church Council that she would like to return to her original call of half time ministry by May 1st. Knowing this time frame will help us establish a time-line for making these decisions and having them done soon, so that our ministry continues to be supported and thrive. The group that we have formed to address this issue includes members of the MET team, the Call Committee, Personnel Committee, Finance Committee, Church Council and the Pastors. Drawing upon each of these areas will help us to fully answer what will be best for St. Matthew’s now and in the future. Please keep this process and our ministry in your prayers as we move forward! Pastor Chris Manke

SAINTS Advent Potluck: Thursday, December 13

at 11:30 AM Please join us for our SAINTS Advent Potluck of appetizers and desserts. Bring a favorite to share or you may make a

cash donation. Please sign up at the SAINTS information area in the Library Commons area and indicate your preference.

Page 9

St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church • Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Welcome to Our New Members

~ November 11, 2012 ~

Sarah thoMpSon 2941 N. 69th Street Milwaukee, WI 53210 414-897-2219

Sarah is married to Nathan Thompson and they have a daughter, Eleanor, who was born this past April. Sarah is a Marketing Manager with DWA Healthcare Communications Group. She enjoys running, triathlons, cooking, reading and volunteering with “Girls on the Run.”

racheL & MiKe Downey 3350 S. Monterey Drive, New Berlin, WI 53151 414-651-4412

Rachel and Mike have a daughter, MaKenna Mae, who was born in July. Rachel is a Social Worker at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. She enjoys running, hiking, cooking, playing volleyball and reading.

chriStine anD roBert MocheL 1323 Martha Washington Drive Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-610-6664 (Robert); 920-366-4344 (Christine)

Robert and Christine are attorneys, and Robert works as a state public defender. His interests include watching and playing sports, household projects and dogs. Christine is interested in cooking and baking, sports and outdoor activities.

Page 10

aManDa KenDaLL 1714 E. Kane Place, Unit H Milwaukee, WI 53202 414-313-2695

Amanda is married to Erin Kendall. They have a daughter, Eliot, who is one year old. Amanda is an elementary school teacher with the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District.

Vincent & Laurna prantiL 836 N. 67th Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53213-3905 414-475-9020

Vincent and Laurna have two children, Carmen, who is a 7th grader at Longfellow Middle School in Wauwatosa and Lorin, who is a 3rd grader at Jefferson Elementary School, also in Wauwatosa. Vincent is an Associate Professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and Laurna is an Economist. Vincent enjoys swimming, biking, reading, writing, and he was a National Underwater Hockey Player. Laurna enjoys travel, reading, backpacking, biking and snowshoeing.

Brynn & Matthew GorDon 147 N. 77th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53213 414-988-6776

Brynn and Matthew have a son, Lucas, who is two years old. Brynn is a stay at home mom. Matthew is an applications engineer at Hydro-Thermal Corporation in Waukesha.

DonaLD & Marion heinz 14360 Beechwood Avenue Brookfield, WI 53005 262-796-2713

Donald is a Marketing Consultant and Marion is a Fund Development Advisor with Rogers Hospital Foundation. She also enjoys music, cooking, reading, writing, organ and piano. Donald enjoys photography, music and fine dining.

Page 11

Brian & Sara KeSSLer 537 N. 68th Street Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-778-1893

Brian and Sara have two children, Emma, who is a 7th grader at Longfellow Middle School in Wauwatosa and Lillian, who is a 3rd grader at Jefferson, also in Wauwatosa. Brian is an Attorney with West Bend Mutual and Sara is a Project Manager with US Bank.

anDrew GroVe & Sarah LeranD 2125 N. 90th Street Wauwatosa, WI 53226 414-810-3467

Andrew and Sarah have two boys, Aidan, who is a third grader at McKinley Elementary School in Wauwatosa and Luke, who is four years old. Andrew and Sarah are both physicians; Andrew works in Marquette University’s Student Health Center. They are both interested in sustainability efforts, outreach and social justice issues. Andrew enjoys playing and coaching soccer, music and reading.

DaViD & Kathryn weinBerG-KinSey 2119 N. 69th Street Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-899-6254 (David); 414-202-9525 (Kathryn)

David is the son of St. Matthew’s member, Helen Kinsey. David and Kathryn have a son, Mitchell, who is a 7th grader at Longfellow Middle School in Wauwatosa. They are also the parents of two adult children, Hannah, 21, and Russell, age 30. David is the Director of Library and Learning Services at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. Kathryn is a Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator for Make A Difference – Wisconsin. David enjoys reading, travel and service, while Kathryn likes running, cooking, sewing and family.

Page 12

St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church • Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Stephen & Sarah Dupee 9316 Jackson Park Blvd. Wauwatosa, WI 53226 414-259-9133

Stephen and Sarah have three children, Braden, who is in second grade at McKinley Elementary in Wauwatosa, Olivia, who is in senior kindergarten at McKinley and Norah, who is almost 3 years old. Stephen is a Sales/Marketing Senior Vice President with GMR Marketing in New Berlin and Sarah is a stay at home mom. Stephen enjoys both playing and watching sports while Sarah likes family time, travel, reading and running.

tracy LoechLer 2005 N. 85th Street Wauwatosa, WI 53226 414-541-5043

Tracy is a teacher at McKinley Elementary in Wauwatosa and has two sons: Noah, who is in 5th grade at McKinley Elementary School in Wauwatosa and Michael, who is in 3rd grade at McKinley also. Tracy enjoys biking, reading, cooking and photography.

Matthew & KerStin MeSteLLe 2657 N. 73rd Street Wauwatosa, WI 53213 608-628-7761

Matthew and Kerstin have a son, Jack, who is almost eight months old. Matthew is a Physical Therapist with Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin in Glendale and Kerstin is a Middle School Teacher with the Muskego-Norway Schools. Jack was recently baptized at St. Matthew’s.

Mary Beth thayS 7016 W. Wisconsin Avenue Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-453-5457

Mary Beth is a retired nurse. Her daughter, Elsa Tucker, and granddaughters, McKenna, Morgan and Madelynn, are member of St. Matthew’s.

Also joining our congregation:

John anD nicoLe Spain 2184 N. 66th Street Wauwatosa, WI 53213 414-771-3506

John and Nicole have three children, Cullen and Chloe, who are three years old, and Trenton, who is two years old. John works in marketing at S.C. Johnson and Nicole is a dietitian. John is also craftsman at home and enjoys fly fishing, outdoor activities and running a business.

Looking AheadMission Trip Dinner Auction to be Held on February 8th Everyone is invited for dinner and a silent auction on Friday, February 8th. This annual fun event supports our summer mission trip. This year we will be heading to the east coast to join the clean up and rebuilding efforts in com-munities damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Mark your calendars now, and watch the Voice, the bul-letin, and the St. Matthew’s website for more information on the auction.Auction Items are Appreciated We are always looking for interesting items to offer at our dinner auction fundraiser. Do you work for a business that would consider donating a product or a gift certificate? Do you have a skill or service you could contribute? All dona-tions are appreciated! Please talk to Gretchen if you can help.

Page 13

Bulletin BoardNote: St. Matthew’s Annual Meeting of the Congregation will take place on Sunday, January 27 at 12:15 p.m. in the Sanctuary. All are invited.

Blood Drive at St. Matthew’s: Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 26 for a blood drive from 3:00-7:00 p.m. We’d appreciate your support for the Blood Center of Wisconsin on that day.

CNA Service Offered: St. Matthew’s member (and CNA) looking for a full or part-time position caring for persons requiring varying levels of assistance (i.e. in-home care, assistance with errands, transportation to/from medical appointments, etc.). Present responsibilities include taking vital signs, bathing patients, assisting with some medical procedures, and monitoring food and liquid input/output. Also responsible for observation of the patients’ condition, administering medications as necessary, and fulfilling various special needs as requested by patients. Please feel free to contact Robin Grady directly with any questions or for additional information at (262) 337-3308. Thank you.

Please keep in mind: As the weather gets more challenging in the winter, please consider your fellow worshippers when parking at church. If you are able to walk a further distance from a more distant parking spot, please consider this an act of service to others in your congregation. Parking is available at East High School off 74th Street, from which you could enter St. Matthew’s from the east (newer) entrance. Thanks for your consideration for others.

Lutheran Disaster Response helpsVictims of severe storm SandyYour donations can contribute to this response The historic storm Sandy which has devastated areas on the East Coast has prompted The Lutheran Disaster Response to send immediate financial support to the area. Lutheran Disaster Response is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Lutheran Disaster Response brings together Lutherans from around the country to respond to natural and human-caused disasters. If you wish to respond to make

a donation to Lutheran Disaster Response as they aid those affected by the storm’s effects, please make out a check to St. Matthew’s and the full amount will be directed to the Lutheran Disaster Response.

Thanks: To the pie-makers and the pie-purchasers: Many, many thanks to all the helping hands involved in the apple pie fundraiser. The time and talent that you dedicated to this project are greatly appreciated. To those of you who purchased pies - thanks! Hopefully, these delicious pies will be a reminder of the funds donated to help women attend the retreat in the spring. Recent helpers on office projects: Thanks to Karen Eisemann for her work creating the stewardship routes in Excel and matching team captains to them. Thanks also to Joanne Schoenherr, Tom Rowe, Dick Olson, Barb Johnson, Marge Crawford, Diann Lebow, Eileen Lund and Karen Crook for assembling the individual packets and routes. And a special thanks to the 67 couples and individuals serving as Team Captains in this year’s relay. Congregational Mailing: Thanks to Doris Potratz, Barb Johnson, Lynn Howard and Joyce Campbell for their help in preparing a recent congegational mailing about Hurricane Sandy disaster response. Cookies for Luther Manor: Thanks to those who baked cookies for Luther Manor in October. Fourteen dozen cookies were given, which were enjoyed by the residents during morning coffee time. Thank you to Erin Fassbender for the new member photo layouts for the bulletin and the Voice. Thank you to Kristin Kemper for creating a promotional postcard and flyer for the St. Matthew’s pageant.

Assistants for Sunday, Dec. 2, 20121st Sunday of AdventHospitality: 7:30, Marian Benz. 8:30, Susan Van Lith, Steve & Renae Engel, Jim & Katie Karls, Carl & Eileen Lund. 11:00, Conor & Lisa Williams, David & Karen Johnson, Christa Gensler, Joe & Lisa Chiesa and Family.Lay Readers: 7:30, Shelly Jones. 8:30, Don Van Buskirk. 11:00, Adam Fendos.Lay Assistant: 8:30, Danette Braun. 11:00, Linda Young.Communion Preparers: 7:30, Marian Benz, Jan Chandler. 8:30, Mary Ann Gordon, Chris Weber Sponnick, Rita Reinke. 11:00, Carrie Haver, Nancy Wilke, Rosalind Rouse.Communion Assistants: 8:30, Danette Braun, Karla Baierl, Dee Birschel, Tim Goetsch. 11:00, Linda Young, Julie Schmidt, Doug & Lisa Krekling.Communion Bread Baker: Sandy Hayes, Carol Heim, Shirley Kaisler.Coffee Hosts: Tia Castillo, Bill & Mia Kodzik and Family, Jim & Karie Clement and Family.Library Assistants: Arlene Hastings.

Assistants for Sunday, Dec. 9, 20122nd Sunday of AdventHospitality: 7:30, Fred & Roylee Pflughoeft. 8:30, Carol Raasch, Steve & Lauren Raasch, Shad & Jennifer Andreas, Steve & Betty Williams. 11:00, Mary Ellen Ralfs, Casey & Laura Murray, Shelly Jones, Donovan McBride.Lay Readers: 7:30, Mark Crego. 8:30, Rob Zillmer. 11:00, Lora Dow.Communion Preparers: 7:30, Suzanne Hansen, Marcia Cornnell.Communion Assistants: 7:30, Marge Crawford.Coffee Hosts: Dale & Dollie Kirchner, Peter & Sue Ernst, Jim & Katie Karls.Library Assistants: Bridget Smith.

Sunday, December 16, 2012St. Matthew’s Pageant SundayLibrary Assistant: Linda Wunderlich.

Have You Completed Your Activities & Ministries Form for 2013? St. Matthew’s is a busy place with many opportunities to serve, learn new things and deepen personal relationships. We are given the task to be a blessing to all people on earth through our work and witness. We have been given spiritual gifts to enable God’s mission to be fulfilled. God has chosen us! We may not always know why we have the gifts we do or understand how they are to be used but we can be sure that we shouldn’t ignore those gifts. Please take time to complete the grey Activities & Ministries form that was part of your 2013 Stewardship packet. Try something new! You are not committed to anything long-term. All serving should be done with a sense of joy, enthusiasm and passion. That is how you know you are using the gifts that God has given you. Nothing matches the rewards for those who find their place to serve and jump in!

Page 14

Our Church Family Recently hospitalized: Joseph Zeuske at Children’s with pneumonia. Our sympathy to Rita Reinke in the death of her mother, Julia Endrizzi. God’s care be with Sue Bisswurm in the death of her mother Erika Bisswurm on November 6. Sue and her husband Jim are the parents to Drew and Megan. Prayers are appreciated for Susan’s father, Martin and her two brothers Gerald and Brian. Pr. Margaret led a service of remembrance on November 10th. We give thanks for the triplet babies of Bridget and Andy High, grandchildren to Pat and Leslie Gardner who are growing in strength and health. Mackenzie, the girl of the group, has arrived home, and Owen and Lucas are improving daily. A Note of Thanks: Thank you to the pastors, staff, members and friends of St. Matthew’s for your visits, calls, cards, gifts and other kindnesses during these recent months. I am now settled back in the apartment which burned in 2011 – in fact, most of the former residents of the building have moved back also! The apartments have been totally rebuilt and are beautiful. Thank you to those who helped me pack as I made the move from the temporary apartment to my home in Greenfield. As many of you know, I had a stroke in late 2011 that has affected my speech as well as my walking and standing ability. Everyone has been helpful and understanding during this difficult time also. As we await our newborn King, I am reminded again of everyone’s generosity, which grows out of faith which is empowered in this community of believers! My own trust in God and His grace and blessings have been a great source of strength during this time. Thank you again to everyone for your many kindnesses! --Lee A. Meyerpeter Please keep in your prayers the people of the East Coast and the Caribbean who are living with the devastation wrought by superstorm Sandy in November. Their suffering is ongoing and will need our support in the coming months. Mission Trip Destination: Our Youth Mission Trip group decided that their time, energy and resources would be well used by traveling to the East Coast in June 2013 and the leaders are currently making connections for ways we can help.

PERIODICALS RATEMail Carrier: Please deliver by December 1, 2012.

The Voice of St. Matthew’sWe are called to welcome, nurture, equip and send

Next issue of the VOICE is dated December 23, 2012.

Wauwatosa, Wisconsinwww.stmattslutheran.org

Minot Mission Trip a good trip, a good week’s workOur Adult Mission Trip to Minot ND was very successful. We were hosted by Hope Village, run by the ELCA organization Lutheran Disaster Response and several other denominations. It was very well run. They gave us housing, food, work assignments, tools and expertise. We put in floors, drywall, insulation and plumbing for five different families. 15 people from St Matthew’s, Cross and Kingo traveled by train. 4,000 homes were damaged in the flood of 2011. Through our work we were able to bring the love of God to a few families and our lives were enriched. Thanks to Al Land for organizing our last two trips. We hope to travel again next year but we will need a new leader.