St Matthew's Lutheran Church

The worship of God is at the very heart of our life together at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Worship is an expression of all we believe in and do; it reflects God's love for us, and glorifies God's holy name.

In worship, God's Spirit calls us together - We gather. God speaks to us through readings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, through preaching, prayer, and song - We encounter God's Word. God feeds and nourishes us in a saving way at the Lord's Table - We share a meal. God blesses us and commissions us to spread the good news to the world - We are sent. In worship we encounter God as we join to celebrate the sacraments through water, bread and wine.

Public worship is essential to our life and mission, in conjunction with other ministries and activities engaging the Church and the community. At St. Matthew's our liturgical worship follows a traditional order set to both classic and contemporary music. But, no matter what the form of our worship, it is always Gospel centered, focusing on the redeeming life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Music is God's creation. In Luther's words, music "comes from the sphere of miraculous audible things, just like the word of God." For Luther, music was a practical art, closely tied to theology, to be used in the praise of God and in the proclamation of the Word. Music can capture our imaginations and lead us into the mysteries of God and his gracious will. Through liturgy and song, music inspires prayer and praise, and expresses human emotion in the light of God's Word.

At St. Matthew's music is an essential part of our life together, and we provide several opportunities for experienced and emerging musicians to share their talent during worship.

The Chancel Choir provides an opportunity for high school students and adults to lead worship through song. Along with leading the liturgy and hymns, the choir sings four-part choral music from several genres. Being part of this group provides many chances for fellowship and fun. Potential choristers need not be experienced singers. The Chancel Choir "season" runs from September to mid-June. The choir sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship service, and normally meets for rehearsal on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:15 pm, under the direction of Robert Fatzinger, M.Div.