Our Mission & Vision
Our vision and mission is to help connect people to faith
Mission & Purpose
St. Matthew Lutheran Church is a fellowship of Christian believers called to grow in Christ, share the Gospel, and serve God’s people
Who We Are
Our Team & Leadership
Our Pastor : Paul Chapman
Pastor
Pastor Paul Chapman grew up in Chicago and had fully planned to make music his career. He graduated from North Park College in Chicago with majors in music and political science and for 20 years worked as a freelance musician and managed several Rose Records locations in Chicago.
It was music that drew him to the seminary. He entered the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, to study church music. But one year in, he felt a calling to the ministry. He was ordained at age 39 in 2001, beginning his ministry in Pennsylvania with his wife, Pastor Lynette Chapman. He began his calling at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in November 2020.
Office Manager : Jessie Tate
Office Manager
Jessie Tate is the Office Manager. An Urbana native, she became a member of St. Matthew Lutheran in 2009. She grew up on a farm and believes in the value in feeding people. She is a graduate from Parkland College and Eastern Illinois University. Her previous experience in customer service and non-profit administration made her an easy choice to replace the retiring office manager, in April 2022.
“My favorite thing about being a part of St. Matthew is the passion and good works I see in motion here. I get to support those making a difference in our lives, in the lives of our congregation, and those in our community, all while supporting the mission – ‘grow in Christ, share the Gospel, serve God’s people’.”
Services
When We Gather
Saturdays
Worship 5:00pm
Sundays
Sundays at 8:30a and 10:45a
3rd Mondays Prayer Group
The next prayer group will be in September. Date TBD.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you ELCA affilated?
Yes we are!
What is the Lutheran Church?
The Lutheran Church is a branch of Protestant Christianity that traces its roots to the teachings of Martin Luther, a German theologian who lived in the 16th century. It is one of the largest Protestant denominations in the world, with over 80 million members worldwide.
What is the difference between the Lutheran Church and other Protestant denominations?
While the Lutheran Church shares many core beliefs with other Protestant denominations, it is unique in its emphasis on grace and faith as the means of salvation. Lutherans also place a strong emphasis on the sacraments and the liturgy, and they have a particular understanding of the nature of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.
What is the Lutheran view of the Bible?
Lutherans believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and the authoritative source of Christian faith and practice. They interpret the Bible using the principles of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and the principle of law and gospel, which distinguishes between God’s commands (the law) and his promises of forgiveness and salvation (the gospel).
What are the core beliefs of the Lutheran Church?
The core beliefs of the Lutheran Church are based on the Bible, as interpreted by the teachings of Martin Luther. Lutherans believe in the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), salvation by faith alone, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of sacraments such as baptism and the Eucharist.
What is the role of pastors in the Lutheran Church?
Pastors in the Lutheran Church are responsible for leading worship, preaching, administering the sacraments, and providing pastoral care to members of their congregation. They are also responsible for teaching and interpreting the Bible, and for overseeing the overall spiritual life of the congregation.
What is the Lutheran view of social issues?
Lutherans believe in promoting social justice and caring for those in need. They have a long history of involvement in social issues such as civil rights, poverty, and environmental protection. The ELCA, for example, has taken positions on issues such as climate change, immigration reform, and LGBTQ rights. However, individual congregations and members may have differing views on these issues.
