We began this school year with the motto of "Give Me Your Eyes", based on the Scripture verse "Whatever you do for the least of these, you've done unto Me." (Matthew 25:40).
Throughout the year, we have been in awe of the tremendous blessings that the Lord has showered upon us and the opportunities that He has given us to do many great things in His name.
As I sat and reflected with a group of eighth graders, we came up with the following list of memorable 2017/2018 blessings:
- 8th grade "Treats for Texas" bake sales for Hurricane Relief - Raised $2,298 for the LCMS Texas District Disaster fund
- Oktoberfest Progressive Dinner raised $888 for Hurricane Disaster fund
- 7th/8th went to Forgotten Harvest and picked 15,900 lbs. of corn in October
- 6th graders went to Gleaners and boxed 2,144 lbs. of food for needy families
- Most grades have been paired up with International friendship classes for interactive activities
- 6 - 8 grade loaded box cars for Lutheran World Relief
- We continued to support our Compassion International Child, Virginia
- 75 Operation Christmas boxes were assembled and packed by our school.
- Monthly cards sent to our congregational Shut-Ins as classes rotated this activity
- 3rd and 4th Grade carved pumpkins with International classes
- Turkey Trot raised over $7,132.80 for Soles4Souls and NOAH project
- Shoe Drive for Soles4Souls collected over 600 pairs of shoes for needy people
- Breakfast for Bella raised $627 plus every student made her a Christmas card
- 3rd and 4th did a "Taste of Christmas" with their International friends
- 8th Grade DI team held a Lock-In to help Detroit Children's hospital
- 6th/7th DI team held a Talent Show to help local veterans
- Families gathered to make 400 lunches for NOAH Project -a local homeless shelter in Detroit
- 8th Grade distributed lunches at NOAH
- 8th Grade went to Bloomfield Orchard Villa Nursing Home to play BINGO with residents
- 4th/5th wrote letters of encouragement to congregational military members
- Preschool/Kindergarten collected items and made cards for local firemen
- 3rd/4th grade decorated Easter eggs with International Classes
- 4th graders had a book drive for local needy school in Detroit and collected over 800 books
- School assembled Easter bags for needy families in Pontiac
And these are just the highlights! There are a multitude of daily blessings as well, and for all of them, we give God the glory!
The staff of St. Matthew would like to thank you for a wonderful 2017/2018 school year, and we look forward to all that the Lord has waiting for us in 2018/2019!
Have a wonderful summer and have fun in the "Son"!
In His love,
Mrs. Palka