Events
There are many ongoing and monthly events at St. Matthew UCC to engage all our members and visitors.
Events Calendar
Ongoing
Yoga in the Sanctuary with Marla Mothershed
Monthly Women’s Gatherings
Adult Education Series
Crazies Youth Group Meetings
Novel Approaches
Weekly Women’s Prayer Group
January
Remembrance Sunday
Feed My Starving Children
Congregational Meeting
February
“Souper Bowl” Fundraiser
Ash Wednesday
March
Crazies 30 Hour Famine
April
Shrimp Boil
Easter Egg Hunt (4/9/22)
Palm Sunday
Maundy Thursday
Easter
Prairie Path Clean-up
May
Confirmation Sunday
Christian Ed. Volunteer Appreciation Day
Music Appreciation Day
June
Kane County Cougars Game
Graduation Sunday
Father’s Day Car Wash
Vacation Bible School
Prairie Path Clean-up
July
August
October
Back Bay Mission, Biloxi
Prairie Path Clean-up
Feed My Starving Children
4th Grade Bible Presentation
November
Sleep Out Saturday
Marian Park Dinner
Yoga in the Sanctuary
Yoga with Marla Mothershed is offered in the sanctuary. All are welcome! Each session is $10 and it’s gentle yoga for all.
Vacation
Bible School
Each year St. Matthew UCC highlights the summer with music, activities and fun while learning about God’s love. Our vacation bible school (VBS) has become a community favorite that draws children from around the area each year. Mark your calendars for June 5th – 9th, 2023! Geared toward children preschool through grade 5, it will be a great way to start the summer!
$35 per child
July 4th Parade
St. Matthew UCC participates each year in the Wheaton Independence Day parade on July 4th. We walk via a shopping cart brigade to support the People’s Resource Center and the Interfaith Food Pantry. This is a great way to honor our country and help others at the same time!
Prairie Path Clean-UP
Since 2017, St. Matthew UCC has helped to maintain a one-mile section of the Illinois Prairie Path in downtown Wheaton as a part of the Adopt-a-Trail program run by the DuPage County Department of Transportation. We commit to serve four times a year, helping to support the Illinois Prairie Path’s mission to preserve, enhance, and advocate the Path for current and future generations.
2022 Dates
Sunday April 10, 2022
Sunday June 12, 2022
Sunday August 28, 2022
Sunday October 16, 2022
COME TOGETHER SUNDAY
One of our most fun events of the year is our annual Come Together Sunday in September, as a way to kick-off the Fall season and bring our church family and the entire community together. It typically starts after a Sunday service where we have a Blessing of the Backpacks for the children. Then, the fun begins with a bounce house, pop corn, ice cream, games and prizes.
Blessings of the backpacks
Every August, we do a special Blessings of the Backpacks for all the St. Matthew children heading back to school. The pastor provides a special blessing over the children and their backpacks, asking God to be with them all year. The children are given a special St. Matthew keychain to keep on their bags all year. In addition, a special blessing is provided to all Sunday School teachers, shepherds, teachers and school staff in the congregation.
Back Bay Mission – Biloxi, MS
Every year, members of St. Matthew UCC go to Biloxi, Mississippi to help with Back Bay Mission. This mission works to provide justice for the marginalized living on the Gulf Coast. One thing Back Bay Mission does is buy foreclosures with grant money they get from the city. Then Back Bay Mission, through their volunteer work camp program, fixes up the houses to be easily maintainable and energy efficient. Because of the grants and the volunteer work, the houses are then able to be sold to people who qualify through the city at low mortgages.
In addition to our work on the houses, we also volunteer in the Micah Center, a day site for the homeless, as well as at the food pantry, Loaves and Fishes, in order to get the whole experience of what Back Bay Mission does.
Please contact us for more information on participating and we will update this page when we confirm future dates.
Advent and Christmas Events
Cantata Sunday
The Christmas Cantata is a St. Matthew UCC tradition. The Cantata tells the story of Jesus Christ coming to Earth to turn darkness into light, give hope to all people and deliver peace. This musical presentation, featuring music by several composers along with narration, highlights this fundamental Christian belief and encompasses the Advent and Christmas seasons. The Cantata is presented by the St. Matthew Chancel Choir, with piano and chamber ensemble, as part of the regular 9:30 am Sunday service.
On the third Sunday of Advent we celebrate a beloved St. Matthew tradition – the Birthday Party for Jesus. The children will begin their celebration of the birth of Jesus during Sunday School, which is held at the same time as the Worship Service. Following Worship and Sunday School, everyone enjoys birthday cake during the Birthday Party for Jesus celebration in fellowship hall.
On the final Sunday of Advent, the IntergeneRingers perform during our Sunday service. It’s a beautiful event, enjoyed by all attendees.
Christmas Eve – December 24 at 6pm
Join us at 6pm for a family friendly Christmas Eve candlelight service. The worship begins with children from the congregation performing the prelude on both piano and string instruments. Family participation continues with familiar carols, lessons and candle lighting completing the worship service.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols – December 24 at 10pm
The 10pm worship service is a traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of lessons and carols. Both the Chancel Ringers and the Chancel Choir will participate in the worship service.