2025
Lancaster Food Hub needs . . .
CLOTHING: NEW underwear and socks, gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves (all sizes – men, women, and children)
HYGIENE: Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, bar soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste
Collecting through January 19
Learning and Loving
Tuesday, January 28 at 6:30 p.m.
We’ll begin our series this year with a different type of Learning and Loving! Join authors Pastor Tim Rogers and Megan Shertzer for a discussion of their book Beechdale Road: Where Mercy is More Powerful than Murder. More info. here.
Organ Recital
Sunday, February 9
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Rev. Thomas Busteed of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Old Zionsville, PA, teams up with St. Matthew’s organist Philip High for a captivating organ recital.
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 5
12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.
Lent begins with a call to fasting and repentance, beginning our journey to Easter’s baptismal waters. The imposition of ashes reflects our human mortality and frailty.
Game Day!
Sunday, March 9
11:15 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Come for a fun afternoon of games, pizza, puzzles, and fellowship! Bring one of your favorite games or play one we have at church.
Learning and Loving
Monday, May 12
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Join us for a powerful evening of insight and reflection as Deacon Jane Miron shares her experiences working with individuals impacted by incarceration. Click here for more info.
A New Bishop!
The Rev. Stephen R. Herr was elected Bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod on Saturday, June 7, at the 2025 Lower Susquehanna Synod Assembly.
Bishop-elect Herr begins his term on September 1, 2025.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
We will celebrate Rev. Cliff Eshbach’s 25th Anniversary of Ordination in worship and in fellowship afterwards.
Pride Festivals
2025 Pride Festival
Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Lititz Springs Park
Pride Festival 2025
Saturday, June 28, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Lancaster County Convention Center
Volunteer sign-up in Fellowship Hall
Neighborhood Yard Sale
Saturday, July 19, 2025
We open our doors to the neighborhood for cool air, restrooms, and the opportunity to relax during a busy day. Free Freeze Pops, stickers, and books are available and food trucks will be parked by the church!
Polka Mass!
Sunday, July 27
Our regular 10:00 a.m. worship service will be accompanied by the Heidelberg Brass Band.
If you have never witnessed this, you do NOT want to miss this service!
RIC Weekend
Saturday, September 20
Sunday, September
During our weekend worship services we’ll take time to reaffirm our commitment as an Open and Affirming, Reconciling in Christ congregation and celebrate with a special anthem from the choir.
Wednesday, September 24
St. Matthew Lutheran
7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Join us as part of Grandview’s 100-Year Celebration as Jeremy Raff explores the powerful history of race and baseball in Lancaster County, focusing on Rossmere Base Ball Park (now a Lancaster Catholic parking lot). 26 in attendance
Acts of Kindness!
St. Matthew invited the congregation and the community to share their acts of kindness during the months of August and September to highlight that “kindness builds community.” You can read the 40 Acts of Kindness here!
Grandview Block Party
Saturday, September 27
Noon – 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate 100 years of Grandview Heights neighborhood with live music, food trucks, and St. Matthew’s 100 Acts of Kindness!
LWR In-Gathering
Saturday, September 27
Sunday, September 28
Seventy-two quilts made for Lutheran World Relief by St. Matthew members and friends will be on display and dedicated during both worship services.
Goodbye Phil
The congregation celebrated Phil High on September 28, his last Sunday with us. He is leaving to take a new music position in a local UCC congregation. We are grateful for the time that God gifted us with Phil’s music and his many talents! Thank you, Phil! You will be missed. Check out the pictures here!
Candy Donations!
Join us in spreading joy this Halloween! We’re inviting everyone to bring in candy for our annual Trick or Treat event. We expect a lot of neighborhood kids, so we need plenty of treats to share!
Come on October 31 to help hand it out!
Pet Blessing
Saturday, October 4, 2025
1:00-2:00 p.m.
The community of St. Matthew welcomes you to our annual pet blessing. Bring your pets for a special outdoor blessing and a chance to celebrate God’s creation together.
20 dogs were blessed.
Learning and Loving
Wednesday, October 22
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Erin Small, Training & Recruitment Coordinator for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), shares how volunteers support children in foster care. Click here for more info.
Reformation Day worship
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Sunday, October 26, 2025
We will be celebrating Reformation Day during both weekend services. On Sunday, we’ll sing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” the choir will be singing, & there will be a trumpet player – don’t miss it!
MOVIE OF THE MONTH
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd’s Toward Racial Justice group is hosting a monthly film series on Black American stories. If you are interested in watching Rosewood with them October 20 at 6:00 p.m. and discussing via Zoom on October 27 (7-8:30 p.m.), please see Pastor Fero for details.
Halloween!
Friday, October 31
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Join us on Halloween to hand out candy to the neighborhood trick-or-treaters — there’s no rule against enjoying a piece (or two) yourself! Help us show our community a warm St. Matthew welcome!
All Saints Day worship
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Sunday, November 2, 2025
We will be remembering the St. Matthew saints who have died in the last year. The Book of Remembrance is available in the church narthex for you to also enter your loved ones’ names.
Quilt & Craft Auction
Sunday, November 2
2:00 p.m.
Don’t miss the Quilt & Craft Auction with emcee Cliff Eshbach! St. Matthew’s quilt joins unique handmade items by Sheila Charles, Cliff Eshbach, and Barb Eshbach. Place your bids online!
ThanksGIVING Service Project
Now through Sunday, November 16, St. Matthew is once again helping neighboring families enjoy a more plentiful Thanksgiving. You are invited to donate any of the items on our shopping list or give a monetary gift. Please place items on the table in Fellowship Hall. Thank you!
Annual Meeting
Sunday, November 16
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Immediately following the worship service
AGENDA
Approval of 2024 Meeting Minutes
Approval of Reports and of the 2026 Budget
Election of Council Members
Poinsettias
We are accepting monetary donations for poinsettias for decorating the sanctuary for Christmas.
Special envelopes can be found in the church lobby.
November 22 and 23
Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed annually on November 20 to honor the lives of transgender people lost to violence and discrimination. Our congregation will remember them during worship services on November 22 and 23.
Celebrating Advent
The church year begins with Advent, a season of hope and anticipation.
Advent 1: November 29, 30
Advent 2: December 6,7
Advent 3: December 13, 14
Advent 4: December 20, 21
A Prayer for Advent
As we await the coming of Your Son,
Prepare our hearts to receive Him with joy.
Guide us through this season of Advent,
That we may grow in faith, hope, and love.
Help us to reflect on the light of Christ
And share his peace with all.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
A Season of Hope
In this season of waiting and wonder, we invite you to reconnect, rejoice, and rest in God’s promises. Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the area, may you find comfort and hope at St. Matthew.
Caroling On the Corner!
Saturday, December 13, 2025
6:00-7:00 p.m.
It’s back! Join us for Christmas caroling after Saturday evening worship. We’ll gather in front of the church for singing, hot chocolate, flashlights, and festive fun!
Christmas Eve Worship
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY!
Lancaster County Food Hub
Our own Erin Conahan, the Food Hub’s Director of Advancement, encourages everyone at St. Matthew to help our neighbors thrive. In January & February, we will collect food, clothing, & essentials for the Food Hub. Place items & monetary gifts (using labeled envelopes) on tables in Fellowship Hall.
Click here for a shopping list.