Caring for Our Common Home
Environmental Stewardship, Youth Achievement, and Global Faith Journeys
Green Team: Blessing of the Children’s Pollinator Garden
Sunday, May 3 | Immediately Following 10:30 AM Worship
You are warmly invited to join our annual Blessing of The Children’s Pollinator Garden in celebration of Earth Day. As Lutherans, we confess that “made in the image of God, we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth” (ELCA social statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice, 1993).
Today, as we witness the accelerating consequences of environmental degradation—rising temperatures and the decline of vital pollinators—this calling has never been more urgent. By planting and blessing this garden, we answer God’s charge to tend and keep the earth, creating a sanctuary where bees, butterflies, and native plants can flourish together.
Submitted by Brian Lestini
Prayer for Environmental Care
O God, we ask you to stir our hearts into action. As global temperatures increase, inspire us with the ways we can make a difference in our homes, church congregations, communities, and the world around us. We pray, Holy Spirit, that you will prompt us where we can do more to love our neighbour. We pray for justice and fairness for those worst hit by our changing climate. We know people living in extreme poverty around the world are worst hit by the climate crisis but have done the least to contribute to it. They also have the fewest resources to implement change. We ask for your mercy, O Lord, and repent when our unthinking actions have led to an increase in emissions, pollution and the destruction of our common home. Amen.
Boy Scout Troop 42 Court of Honor Ceremony
Saint Matthew has been the site of seven Eagle Scout projects in the last five years. On Saturday March 14, 2026, Troop 42 held a Court of Honor celebrating Harrison Kutalek and Anthony Roberts on their vast achievements. They are the 16th scouts to earn the rank of Eagle Scout under retiring scoutmaster Peter Mirabella.
Harrison’s Project: Technological updates making wifi available throughout the building and upgrading our phone system.
Anthony’s Project: Expanding the Historic Preservation program by digitizing every issue of The Messenger going back to 1953.
Scout Troop 42 is growing and now has 20 scouts in the program. The troop meets here on Tuesday evenings. If you know of someone interested in joining, please contact Scoutmaster Rob Gore or Tom Coceano.
Celebrate Reformation Day 2026 in Germany
October 26 – November 5, 2026 | Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Travel with Synod friends, Bishop Compton, and our docent, The Rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans, to explore “Reformation: Then and Now.” This NJ Synod trip offers a unique opportunity for global faith connection.
Interested? For itinerary and registration info, visit www.njsynod.org/germanytrip or contact Pastor Carol Lindsay at germanytrip@njsynod.org.