Adult Doctrine Class
The Adult Instruction Course is offered several times each year for
non-members who are interested in learning more about the beliefs
of Christianity in general and Lutheranism in particular. The teachings
of Holy Scriptures on such important topics as the following are studied:
The Nature of God ... The Bible ...
The Ten Commandments ... The Person and Work of Jesus ... The Power
of the Holy Spirit ... Holy Baptism ... The Lord's Supper ... Prayer
and Worship ... The Office of the Keys ... A committed Christian Life
... Eternal Life with Jesus Christ.
The course is usually offered during the Christian Growth Hour on
Sunday mornings (9:15-10:15), but it may be scheduled for week-day
evenings. It consists of 10 to 12 hours of instruction, and it is
led by one of the Pastors.
Upon completion of the course, participants may elect to join St.
Matthew Lutheran Church.
Adult Bible Class
In addition to the Sunday adult Bible classes which meet 9:15-10:15
a.m., we have the following mid-week Bible study opportunities:
Women's Bible Study-Monday, 10:30 a.m. (September-May)
Women's Bible Study-Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. (September-May)
Men's Bible Study-Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. (Year around)
Bible Study-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. (Year around)
The following are sample titles from the adult Bible study program
at St. Matthew:
Abraham: Friend of God
Ruth: Not for Women Only
Christian Lifestyles (The Sermon on the Mount)
The Odyssey of St. Paul
Revisiting the Ten Commandments
This I Believe-Our Three Great Creeds
We, Lutherans in America
When East Invades West (Eastern Religions)
Islam and Christianity
Transforming You Children/Grandchildren into Spiritual Champions
Piece Makers
Since February, 2006, a new group has been meeting at St. Matthew
Lutheran Church, Barrington. Piece Makers was originally developed
to assist the shut-ins of the congregation. The group planned to make
lap-sized quilts and knitted prayer shawls for older members of the
congregation. In response to an appeal from Lutheran Church Charities,
Addison, Illinois, the group expanded their projects to include fleece
blankets which will be sent to hurricane victims on the Gulf Coast.
The group has attracted 25 women--including some girls as young as
grade 7. They meet to work on their projects at 7:00 p.m. every first
and third Monday of the month.
Prime Timers (55 and over)
The Prime Timers is a social group of
parishioners that meets approximately once per month, except during
the summer months. Usual events include potlucks or dinner out with
games or cards played afterward at church. The group is self-supportive,
enjoying fellowship with prayer.
Highlights during the year include:
Visiting the St. Matthews' Shut-Ins
once per year (usually in September): Includes first a dinner out and
then afterwards blessing the shut-ins with fellowship and small gifts.
Christmas Party: A pot-luck dinner followed by entertainment from
musicians and/or carolers.
Some noteworthy events in the past have included:
An outing to the Zion Passion Play
The group is always open to suggestions, with newcomers also welcome.
In addition, volunteers (prime timers or younger) are always needed
for planning any events.
