Ministries, Studies, Missions, and Small Groups
At St. Matthew, ALL of our ministries, missions, groups, and activities are open to ALL people in the community.
No matter
who you are,
where you’ve come from,
where you’re going,
whom you love,
your beliefs,
your doubts or questions,
your skin color,
your abilities and limitations,
your skills,
your education level,
your religious affiliation,
your political views,
your gender identity,
your socioeconomic status,
your citizenship status,
or
your personal history,
God loves you. You are welcome here!
Lay Ministries within St. Matthew
Local Missions of Love to the Community
St. Matthew has always been proud of its music program. Everyone is invited to join--you don't even need to know how to read music! If you're interested, we will teach you to ring or sign!
Sanctuary Choir is open to 9th graders through adults. We are an SATB choir singing (typically) modern church choral music with occasional classical pieces. We rehearse at 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays during the school year. Contact our director, Ben Shafer, if you're interested!
Bells of Joy handbell choir is open to all ages. We are a 5-octave choir currently ringing with 3+ octaves, and we're always looking for new ringers--no experience necessary! We rehearse at 7:00 p.m. Thursdays during the school year. Contact our director, Anne Kelley, for more information. Come join the fun!
Hands of Praise youth sign language choir is open to all hearing, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing youth and children age 7 through high school. As a group, we perform to pre-recorded music using ASL signs. We'll teach you! Ask our director, Rosemary Glithero, if you have questions. We'd love to learn with you!
If you have musical talent you'd like to share, but you can't commit to weekly rehearsals (or you're not a vocalist), please reach out to Ben Shafer, our Director of Music; he'll find a place for you! We always love to hear soloists and ensembles!
Pastor's Lenten Bible Study
Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., Rooms C6-7 in the Activity Center beginning March 6 – April 17
The Hardest Part: Hurt We Carry, Hope We Find by Kate Bowler is a daily Lenten study that explores the fragile and complex nature of life—balancing joy and sorrow, love and loss. Lent is a time to acknowledge life’s hardships rather than ignore them, reflecting on our struggles while seeking hope and grace. A free, downloadable study guide includes daily Scripture, reflections, and blessings. You are invited to participate in a weekly group discussion during Pastor’s Bible Study to discuss Kate Bowler’s daily devotional. To download the devotional/study guide, please click here.
Lenten Bible Study: “Seeing Jesus”
Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in Rooms C1-3 in the Activity Center March 9 – April 13.
Have you ever wondered where our images of Christ come from? You are invited to join Pastor Jim Ek in exploring Stephen Skelton’s work, Seeing Jesus: The Visions, the Paintings and the Films that Shaped How We See Christ.
United Women in Faith
(formerly United Methodist Women)
(formerly United Methodist Women)
The United Women in Faith (previously known as UMW) is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
Our vision is to turn faith, hope, and love into action on behalf of women, children and youth around the world.
Membership in United Women in Faith is open to all women. We are a Christian organization that welcomes spiritual women of all faiths.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask our UWF contact, or check out our UWF webpage. We'd love to have you join us!
Stephen Ministry
The St. Matthew Stephen Ministry seeks to provide support in a confidential and nurturing environment to those who are hurting. Our Stephen Ministers are trained caregivers who work one-on-one with people who are working through a crisis or difficult time, such as divorce, grief, loss of a job, loneliness, hospitalization, terminal illness, or any number of other life difficulties.
If you or a loved one are in need of comfort, please contact the church office and ask for a Stephen Minister.
If you are a trained Stephen Minister looking for a new church home, or are a person with compassion who might be interested in the training, please contact Gordy ((480) 234-2330).
Sponsoring a medical student
St. Matthew UMC, along with residents of Friendship Village, have found an opportunity to provide a village in Tanzania with a cardiologist! We are sponsoring the education of a young woman from Africa who is attending medical school. She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in medicine, and is now working on her Master’s, specializing in cardiology. She expects to finish in August of 2026! If you wish to contribute toward her education or living expenses, please contact the church office for more details.
“...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me...”
—Matthew 25:35 NRSV
Food Boxes
Everyone needs a little help from time to time, so St. Matthew collects and shares food for families in our neighborhood needing a temporary hand up. With donations from church members and partnerships with Midwest Food Bank, Waste Not, and the local Bishop’s Storehouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. Matthew fills boxes with food to feed a family of four for 3-4 days. An enthusiastic group of volunteers—many of them past recipients of food boxes themselves—hand out boxes to upwards of 60 families every other Saturday.
Click here for the schedule and more information.
Sack Lunches
For over ten years, St. Matthew has created sack lunches for the East Valley Men's Center in Mesa. Volunteers shop, make sandwiches, pack 96 lunches, and deliver them to the shelter on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. The Center provides a temporary place to live to men who make the commitment to become self-sufficient and move back into the community. Donations of food, money, or time are always appreciated!
Habitat for Humanity
A few times a year, St. Matthew joins other United Methodist Churches (the Mighty Methodist Coalition!) in constructing a house for Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona. There are many ways to help the team, even if you don't want to put on a hard hat yourself! If you want to learn more, please contact the St. Matthew office.
Family Promise
St. Matthew partners with Family Promise of Central Phoenix and other churches to provide living spaces for unhoused families. Every few months, Family Promise brings a group of families with children to the church for a week, where we share rooms to sleep, an evening meal, and friendly conversation. If you would like to visit with our guests or help prepare a meal, please contact Rosemary. We'd love the company!
Page updated 3/5/25
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