Scripture: Luke 1:26–45

“Do Not Be Afraid to Hold Hope”

Rev. Erin Wyma

Click here to sign up for Sunday service volunteer opportunities (reader, greeter, acolyte, or usher)

Click here for Advent events and information

This Sunday, during the Call to Communion, the choir will premiere an arrangement by Brian Dobbelaere of an Advent carol communion song, We Wait in Hope, by Jim Hughes.

December 3rd: Do Not Be Afraid to Hold Hope

December 10th: Do Not Be Afraid to Bring Peace

December 17th: Do Not Be Afraid to Practice Joy

December 24th: Do Not Be Afraid to Choose Love

December 17th activities: The beautiful sounds of the Christmas Cantata, "Were You There on That Christmas Night?" by Lloyd Larson.

After church on the 17th, enjoy some cake at the Birthday Party for Jesus, and enjoy some fellowship at the congregational potluck brunch.

December 21st, 7pm: Blue Christmas Vigil. The holiday season is not a joyful time for all. Join us for a vigil to honor our collective struggles.

Christmas Eve Worship (please note new times this year)

9:30am Family Service & 9:30pm Traditional Candlelight

Click here for a 2023 Advent Devotional

Click here for an Advent Devotional for Families and Children

The 2024 Stewardship theme is "Growing a Garden of Gratitude." We are in the process of building the 2024 budget. Your pledge is important.

Your generous support turns the dreams of St. Matthew into reality!

Click here to pledge!

If you took a basket to fill for Marian Park, please return it by December 3rd. See Joyce Miller with questions.

The Christian Ed committee invites everyone to emjoy some cake and fellowship in Dobstaff after church on December 17th.

Membership Life is hosting a congregational potluck on Sunday, December 17th after church. Sign up in the narthex and indicate if you are bringing an egg casserole, fruit, or bread (Muffins, bagels, etc,). 

Thursday, December 21st, 7pm

For some folks, the holiday season does not bring as much festive joy as it once did. Death. Divorce. Diagnosis. Difficulties. On the longest night of the year, let’s gather together to honor our collective struggles and to create a sacred space to grieve and groan.

As many of you know, Tom McCauley recently received a new kidney. If you would like to send him a card, please contact the office for his address. 

Friday, December 1st, 8pm.

Get your tickets for this popular fundraiser, featuring Gavin Coyle and Karen Fernandez, benefiting the People's Resource Center. Click here to purchase tickets!

Saturday, December 9th at 4pm

Directed by our own KC Congdon
with Guest Artist: Jeff Kust
Puerto Rican cuatro

Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church
149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst, IL

Tickets are $27 each. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

Patron Admission Tickets - $36
Includes preferential central seating and recognition in the program booklet.

Click here to order tickets!

We need some additional help in the Control Booth for Sunday services. In particular, we need someone to manage the slide presentations. It would involve advancing the slides during the service. No prior experience is necessary. If you are interested in helping please contact Rick Jungk or stop by the Control Booth after service on Sunday.

If we can get a couple of volunteers, we can make a rotating schedule. Thank you.

We need an adult volunteer for December 24th (9:30am service only). Can you help?

Click here to volunteer!

We are working on a written and visual history of the church up until our 65th anniversary, which will be in November of 2024.

If you are a longtime member and want to submit stories, documents, or pictures, please email them to the office or drop them by the office or send them via email to Pastor Erin at pastor@stmatthewucc.org.

If you are a newer member, what would interest you to know about the history of St. Matthew? Send any thoughts or questions directly to Pastor Erin at pastor@stmatthewucc.org.

Do you receive calendars for the next year from vendors or charities that you just don't use or need? We'll take them! Drop them in the box in Dobstaff and Karen Fenney bring them to the DuPage Convalescent Center. The residents really appreciate them!

We have a few extra St. Matthew t-shirts available for purchase, sizes M, L, and XL. They are $20 each. Contact the office if you would like one!

Download the Instant Church Directory app from the Apple® App store in iTunes®, Google Play™ store and the Amazon Fire App Store. Simply search for “Instant Church Directory” to get the download. 

You will need to use your email address as listed in our directory to create a log-in the first time you use the directory online and via the mobile app.

To view the directory online, go to members.InstantChurchDirectory.com and follow the prompts under “Sign In” to “Create a login now.” Please remember, you must confirm your email address before you can sign in.

Contact the office with questions.

Pastor Erin would like to engage with you in person about involvement in this beloved community. Reach out to Pastor Erin via email to setup a time to chat or contact the office. 

For coffee after church, please consider bringing a treat on the following weeks:

Last names A-C, 1st Sunday

Last names D-H, 2nd Sunday

Last names I-O, 3rd Sunday

Last names P-Z, 4th Sunday

Anyone, 5th Sunday

Please contact Wendy Fanning if you are able to set up or clean up coffee hour. Thanks for your help.

The St. Matthew worship service will be streamed every Sunday at 9:30am. The service will be available on our website after the service.

Access the service through the St. Matthew YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/StMatthewUCC

**Once you are on YouTube, you have the option to turn on closed captioning and resize the font. Once the video is playing, click on the setting wheel in lower-right of your screen, choose Subtitles/CC, then choose English.**

You can also go to the St. Matthew homepage (stmatthewucc.org) to access the online service. 

Go to our website for instructions on how to donate to St. Matthew. Thank you!