ADULT MINISTRIES



Find your people, grow your faith, and make a difference—join an adult ministry today!

Connections Bible Study + Fellowship

Thursdays 1 PM


You are invited to a midweek gathering filled with holy connections! This is a time to connect with friends, study scripture, pray, and have meaningful conversation!


No need to RSVP - just show up!

SPIRITUAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

The word classes is written in gold on a white background.

Throughout the year, classes are offered after worship, during the week or on zoom to give you opportunties to learn and grow. There are book studies, too.

The word service and advocacy is written in red ink on a white background.

As the body of Christ, spiritual growth is nurtured by contemplation and action. At St. Matthew's, care for our neighbor and working for justice softens our hearts and strengthens our prophetic voice.

The word retreats is written in blue on a white background.

Throughout the year we offer soul-nourishing retreats—times set apart for rest, reflection, and meaningful connection with one another and with God.

The word new sacred spaces is written in purple ink on a white background.

St. Matthew's is always trying new things, and connecting with other churches for worship, retreats, and healing circles.

Bible Recommendations

Reading different Bible translations helps us understand the message more clearly.

Each one uses different words and helps us see new things about God and how we can live our faith.

  • Lutheran Study Bible (NRSVeu)

    The cover of a blue bible with a cross on it.

    Lutheran Study Bible, Second Edition, features the NRSVue translation and introductions, notes, and articles written by more than seventy Lutheran pastors and teaching theologians. Explore the Bible and its message through solid background material, unique Lutheran insights, and questions for reflection and discussion. Reader-friendly, inviting, and engaging, this is the perfect study Bible for those who want to encounter scripture and dwell in God's word!


    Publishing July 1, 2025 

    Also available as app
  • The Inclusive Bible

    The cover of the inclusive bible the first egalitarian translation

    While this new Bible is certainly an inclusive-language translation, it is much more: it is a re-imagining of the scriptures and our relationship to them. Not merely replacing male pronouns, the translators have rethought what kind of language has built barriers between the text and its readers. Seeking to be faithful to the original languages, they have sought new and non-sexist ways to express the same ancient truths. The Inclusive Bible is a fresh, dynamic translation into modern English, carefully crafted to let the power and poetry of the language shine forth—particularly when read aloud—giving it an immediacy and intimacy rarely found in traditional translations of the Bible. 

    Read more
  • Common English Bible w/ Apocrypha

    The cover of the CEB study bible with apocrypha.

    The CEB Study Bible gives you the tools, illustrations, maps and explanations necessary for making informed decisions about the meaning of the Bible. The notes in this study Bible don't tell you what to believe. Instead, they give you the context for what the books of the Bible meant to their earliest readers and what the Bible means right now.


    Read a sample
  • First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament

    The cover of a book titled first nations version an indigenous translation of the new testament.

    Many First Nations tribes communicate with the cultural and linguistic thought patterns found in their original tongues. The First Nations Version (FNV) recounts the Creator’s Story—the Christian Scriptures—following the tradition of Native storytellers’ oral cultures. This way of speaking, with its simple yet profound beauty and rich cultural idioms, still resonates in the hearts of First Nations people.


    The FNV is a dynamic equivalence translation that captures the simplicity, clarity, and beauty of Native storytellers in English, while remaining faithful to the original language of the New Testament. Whether you are Native or not, you will experience the Scriptures in a fresh and new way.

    Read a sample
  • The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language

    The cover of the book the message by eugene h. peterson

    The Message is a version of the Bible written in everyday, modern language. It was translated by Pastor Eugene Peterson to help people understand the Bible more easily. Instead of using old or formal words, it sounds more like how people talk today. 


    But it's important to know that The Message is a paraphrase, not a word-for-word translation. That means the writer tried to explain the meaning of each passage in his own words. Because of this, it can sometimes change the way the original Bible text sounds or feels.

    Read a sample

Study Guides and Devotionals

Our church highly recommends these study guides and devotionals to deepen your faith and understanding of Scripture.

These resources have been thoughtfully selected to support your spiritual growth and daily walk with God.

  • The Bible Project

    The words The Bible Project written in white in a blue circle.

     Free resources including videos, podcasts, articles, and classes to help people experience the Bible in a way that is approachable and transformative. We do this by showcasing the literary art of the Scriptures and tracing key biblical themes from Genesis to Revelation.


    Get the app
  • Daily Meditation Email

    Artfully arranged curved brown lines on a tan background, the logo for the Center for Action and Contemplation.

    From the Center for Action and Contemplations. Rooted in the Christian contemplative traditions, the Daily Meditations offer reflections from Richard Rohr, CAC faculty, and guest teachers to help you deepen your spiritual practice and embody compassion in the world.

    Learn more
  • Pray As You Go App

    A black and white icon of a door with a circle in the middle.

    An audio sanctuary to enable you to find space in your life, to root and recharge with heartfelt guidance and inspiration; wherever you go. A new 10-13 minute prayer session is released each day with a mix of music, scripture and short reflective questions.

    Go deeper with our extra prayer guides, or escape with a digital prayer retreat. Everything is free and ready for you.

    Learn about and get the app

LiVE Project



The LiVE Project is run by the regional office of the ELCA. It offers flexible learning that fits different needs. You can join multi-week Zoom classes, one-day in-person retreats, group activities, or the 2-year Lay Ministry program.


You can find these choices on our Events page, and in our weekly email (sign up here), and also on the LiVE Project Website.