St. Matthew Lutheran
Faithful Stewardship, Forward with Hope

Mr. Dan Burk • Principal
May 8, 2026

3 Minute Read


At St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School, we are continually reminded that everything we have is a gift from God—and with those gifts comes the opportunity to faithfully steward the resources He has entrusted to us. As we reflect on our current financial picture, we want to share an honest, transparent, and hopeful update with our congregation and school families.

First, there is much to celebrate.

Our school continues to be a strong and stable part of our ministry. Tuition, registration, and school-related accounts are performing well and providing consistent support for day-to-day operations. This is a direct reflection of the commitment of our families, the strength of our programs, and the value placed on Christian education. St. Matthew Lutheran School remains a vital mission of our church, and we are truly blessed to see that stability reflected in our finances. It speaks volumes about the partnership between our church and school and the shared commitment to raising up the next generation in faith and knowledge.

We also want to take a moment to recognize and give thanks for our faithful givers. Week after week, month after month, there are so many within our congregation who give consistently and sacrificially to support this ministry. Your faithfulness does not go unnoticed. You are the foundation that allows ministry to happen every single day. In addition, there have been many moments when needs have arisen—whether expected or unexpected—and individuals and families have stepped up in incredible ways. Those special gifts, acts of generosity, and willingness to respond when called upon are a powerful testimony to the heart of this congregation. God is truly working through His people here at St. Matthew.

At the same time, we also recognize areas where we must continue to grow. Like many churches and schools today, we are navigating rising costs in operations, staffing, and facility maintenance. From utilities to building upkeep to program needs, the cost of ministry continues to increase. While we are managing these responsibilities and meeting many of our needs, there are times when expenses stretch beyond our regular giving patterns. This simply reminds us that faithful stewardship is an ongoing journey for all of us.

Yet even in this, we remain confident and hopeful.

Why? Because time and time again, God has provided through His people. Whether it has been through consistent weekly offerings, special gifts, or the strong support of our school families, we have seen His provision at work. Our financial story is not one of scarcity—it is one of faith, trust, and opportunity. God continues to open doors, provide resources, and place people in our path who believe in the mission of St. Matthew.

As we look ahead, we are encouraged to continue growing together in faithful stewardship. Stewardship is not simply about meeting a budget—it is about participating in God’s mission. Every gift, every act of generosity, and every decision to give back to God is part of something much bigger than ourselves. It supports worship, Christian education, outreach, and the daily ministry that impacts lives for eternity.

We give thanks for the many ways our congregation already supports this ministry so faithfully. Because of that support, students are hearing about Jesus, families are being served, and our church remains a place where people can grow in their faith.

And as we move forward, we simply invite everyone to continue praying, reflecting, and considering how God may be calling each of us to be part of that mission in even greater ways.

Together, with faith and trust in Him, the future of St. Matthew remains strong.


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From this Collection: Faithful Stewardship
April 1, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Where We Stand: Faithful Stewardship and a Hopeful Path Forward
As we continue our ministry together at St. Matthew, we want to share an honest and encouraging snapshot of where we are financially as a church and school. Transparency matters, and so does celebrating what God is doing in and through our community. First, there is much to be thankful for. God continues to provide in many ways. Our ministry remains strong, our programs are active, and we are continuing to invest in our facilities and in the lives of our students and families. From ongoing improvements like our HVAC project to the daily work of teaching, worship, and outreach, we are actively living out our mission: Faithful Followers: Reaching Out, Educating, and Nurturing through the Gospel. At the same time, our financial picture reflects both opportunity and responsibility. Giving has been steady, but at times it has not fully kept pace with our budgeted needs. Like many churches and schools, we are navigating rising costs while striving to maintain excellence in ministry, staffing, and facilities. The good news is that we have been intentional in managing expenses, making wise decisions, and seeking additional funding sources such as grants to support key projects. We are not in a place of crisis—but we are in a place that calls for continued faithfulness. This is a moment for us, as a church family, to lean in together. There are several positive signs worth celebrating: We have maintained strong ministry programming and educational excellence. We have been proactive in improving and securing our campus. We continue to see engagement from families, students, and members. We are making progress on long-term facility needs that will serve future generations. Looking ahead, our path forward is clear: continued stewardship, intentional planning, and faithful generosity. We invite each member to prayerfully consider how you can support the mission of St. Matthew. Giving is not simply about meeting a budget—it is about participating in God’s work. Every gift, large or small, helps sustain the ministry we all care deeply about. As Scripture reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Together, we have the opportunity to step forward in faith, trusting that God will continue to provide as we faithfully steward what He has entrusted to us. Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and commitment to St. Matthew. The work we are doing matters—not just for today, but for generations to come.

Mr. Dan Burk

Principal

Currently Reading
May 8, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Faithful Stewardship, Forward with Hope
At St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School, we are continually reminded that everything we have is a gift from God—and with those gifts comes the opportunity to faithfully steward the resources He has entrusted to us. As we reflect on our current financial picture, we want to share an honest, transparent, and hopeful update with our congregation and school families. First, there is much to celebrate. Our school continues to be a strong and stable part of our ministry. Tuition, registration, and school-related accounts are performing well and providing consistent support for day-to-day operations. This is a direct reflection of the commitment of our families, the strength of our programs, and the value placed on Christian education. St. Matthew Lutheran School remains a vital mission of our church, and we are truly blessed to see that stability reflected in our finances. It speaks volumes about the partnership between our church and school and the shared commitment to raising up the next generation in faith and knowledge. We also want to take a moment to recognize and give thanks for our faithful givers. Week after week, month after month, there are so many within our congregation who give consistently and sacrificially to support this ministry. Your faithfulness does not go unnoticed. You are the foundation that allows ministry to happen every single day. In addition, there have been many moments when needs have arisen—whether expected or unexpected—and individuals and families have stepped up in incredible ways. Those special gifts, acts of generosity, and willingness to respond when called upon are a powerful testimony to the heart of this congregation. God is truly working through His people here at St. Matthew. At the same time, we also recognize areas where we must continue to grow. Like many churches and schools today, we are navigating rising costs in operations, staffing, and facility maintenance. From utilities to building upkeep to program needs, the cost of ministry continues to increase. While we are managing these responsibilities and meeting many of our needs, there are times when expenses stretch beyond our regular giving patterns. This simply reminds us that faithful stewardship is an ongoing journey for all of us. Yet even in this, we remain confident and hopeful. Why? Because time and time again, God has provided through His people. Whether it has been through consistent weekly offerings, special gifts, or the strong support of our school families, we have seen His provision at work. Our financial story is not one of scarcity—it is one of faith, trust, and opportunity. God continues to open doors, provide resources, and place people in our path who believe in the mission of St. Matthew. As we look ahead, we are encouraged to continue growing together in faithful stewardship. Stewardship is not simply about meeting a budget—it is about participating in God’s mission. Every gift, every act of generosity, and every decision to give back to God is part of something much bigger than ourselves. It supports worship, Christian education, outreach, and the daily ministry that impacts lives for eternity. We give thanks for the many ways our congregation already supports this ministry so faithfully. Because of that support, students are hearing about Jesus, families are being served, and our church remains a place where people can grow in their faith. And as we move forward, we simply invite everyone to continue praying, reflecting, and considering how God may be calling each of us to be part of that mission in even greater ways. Together, with faith and trust in Him, the future of St. Matthew remains strong.

Mr. Dan Burk

Principal