Welcome, friends!
Pastor Mendez & Pastor Bogs ~ Picnic Sunday 2022 -
Pastor Bogs' 20th Anniversary here at St. Matthew
Thank you for browsing our website! St. Matthew Lutheran Church is a congregation with over one hundred years of history. We have had our ups and downs over the past years, and we are on the verge of moving forward, doing the work our Lord has for us to do here in Westfield and the surrounding area. I like to think of our congregation as a mission congregation with many facilities and no debt. This makes for a great combination for a church that wants to share the message of eternal life through faith in Jesus to others.
I believe that we are a congregation that is on the cutting edge. We understand that God’s Word is for today (what has been labeled "contemporary") and at the same time, we worship in a style of worship which transcends time (our worship is not just for today and then gone tomorrow -contemporary). Many churches, congregations and people today are attracted to a liturgical format of worship because it gives stability in what is usually a rather unstable life. Here, in worship, you can be sure that you have a firm foundation in something that is as unchangeable as God Himself. Here you can find hope, comfort and security. We believe the Bible is the Word of God which means that, even if there are parts we do not like, we accept them and believe them because God has given us what He has given for a purpose, even if we do not completely understand that purpose. This means that our theology and doctrine (what we believe and teach) does not change according to the winds of change of our society (remember the old country song which says, "You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything"). We teach and believe in a God who is very much bigger than we are, and we are glad that He is so much bigger. If we could completely understand God, then he would be a pretty puny god! We also practice what we believe and teach. Our practice (that is how and why we do what we do) is derived or comes out of our doctrine (our teachings). If our practice does not match our doctrine, then we change our practice, not our doctrine. What may appear to some in our tolerant society as practices that are intolerant actually are practices which are done in order to be faithful to what God has given as well as to give as much care and concern for others. Just as a good parent makes certain boundaries for his/her children, so our loving God has given us certain boundaries as well, and we here at St. Matthew try to honor those boundaries, for the sake of our faith, for our relationship with God and with each other and for peace and harmony in His Church.
We are a church which serves to meet your real needs. Every week and at any time which you might have need, we offer the gifts of God, forgiveness of sins, strengthening of faith, life and salvation. We offer these through the means He gives them, through His Word, preached, boldly every Sunday morning, and proclaimed at Bible Study as often as we can and made available when you are in need. Again, thank you for browsing through our website. And, please, join us for worship! ~ Pastor Bogs
I believe that we are a congregation that is on the cutting edge. We understand that God’s Word is for today (what has been labeled "contemporary") and at the same time, we worship in a style of worship which transcends time (our worship is not just for today and then gone tomorrow -contemporary). Many churches, congregations and people today are attracted to a liturgical format of worship because it gives stability in what is usually a rather unstable life. Here, in worship, you can be sure that you have a firm foundation in something that is as unchangeable as God Himself. Here you can find hope, comfort and security. We believe the Bible is the Word of God which means that, even if there are parts we do not like, we accept them and believe them because God has given us what He has given for a purpose, even if we do not completely understand that purpose. This means that our theology and doctrine (what we believe and teach) does not change according to the winds of change of our society (remember the old country song which says, "You have to stand for something or you will fall for anything"). We teach and believe in a God who is very much bigger than we are, and we are glad that He is so much bigger. If we could completely understand God, then he would be a pretty puny god! We also practice what we believe and teach. Our practice (that is how and why we do what we do) is derived or comes out of our doctrine (our teachings). If our practice does not match our doctrine, then we change our practice, not our doctrine. What may appear to some in our tolerant society as practices that are intolerant actually are practices which are done in order to be faithful to what God has given as well as to give as much care and concern for others. Just as a good parent makes certain boundaries for his/her children, so our loving God has given us certain boundaries as well, and we here at St. Matthew try to honor those boundaries, for the sake of our faith, for our relationship with God and with each other and for peace and harmony in His Church.
We are a church which serves to meet your real needs. Every week and at any time which you might have need, we offer the gifts of God, forgiveness of sins, strengthening of faith, life and salvation. We offer these through the means He gives them, through His Word, preached, boldly every Sunday morning, and proclaimed at Bible Study as often as we can and made available when you are in need. Again, thank you for browsing through our website. And, please, join us for worship! ~ Pastor Bogs
The Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs
Rev. Dr. Ronald Bogs has been with us here at St. Matthew since May 2002. He and his wife Gayle are both from Texas and have four children. For Pastor's writings and sermons, visit his blog "Rev's Ramblings."
To send Pastor Bogs a message CLICK HERE.
To send Pastor Bogs a message CLICK HERE.