St. Matthew Lutheran Church stands at 132 East 13th Street in Port Angeles, Washington, on the north shore of the Olympic Peninsula. A congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the parish centers its life on the promises of Word and Sacrament, and frames its purpose with a single sentence: "To be the living evidence of Christ's mercy." Under the pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Roger Sonnenberg, St. Matthew gathers school families, longtime members and visitors each week for traditional Lutheran worship rooted in the historic creeds.
Mission, Vision and Values
The congregation's vision is "to be a family embracing the community through the faithful witness of the truth found in Scripture and the forgiveness only found in Christ." Five values give that vision shape: being compassionate to the lost and weary, welcoming in the name of the Lord, faithful to God's Word and Sacraments, quick to forgive in the name of Jesus Christ, and joyful, living in the promise of eternal life.
Sunday Worship at 10 a.m.
Sunday morning opens with Bible Study at 8:45 a.m. The Divine Service follows at 10:00 a.m., drawing on the historic liturgy of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Children move to Sunday School at 10:30 a.m., using Concordia Publishing House's "Enduring Faith" curriculum. The 10 a.m. service is livestreamed on the church's Facebook page, with recordings posted for later viewing.
The Preschool on East 13th
Sharing the same address, St. Matthew Lutheran Preschool is enrolling three-, four- and five-year-olds for the 2026-2027 school year. The Christian preschool operates as part of the church's family ministry, and the church phone number connects callers directly with the preschool office. The school's notice of nondiscriminatory policy states that the preschool admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin.
Confirmation and the Next Generation
Confirmation classes are offered for children ages 11 through 14, walking students through the basic teachings of the Christian faith in preparation for a public confession of that faith. Confirmation instruction meets on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Parents who wish to enroll a student are invited to speak with Pastor Sonnenberg.
Music and the Coming Bond Organ
Music is woven into the parish's weekly rhythm. Organist Kenneth Young has served St. Matthew since 2014, bringing a master's degree in Sacred Music from Pensacola Christian College and three decades of part-time church music work alongside a career as an engineer with Boeing in Everett. He shares the chancel with a grand piano he moved into the sanctuary in 2016 and is preparing for the installation of a new Bond pipe organ, anticipated in late spring or early summer. The congregation's Wednesday choir, directed by Rod Larson, rehearses at 6 p.m. and sings from the choir loft. A small Praise Team provides the instrumental prelude before Sunday services.
The Week Around the Service
Beyond Sunday morning, the church keeps a steady week. The Men's Breakfast and Prayer group gathers Tuesdays at 7 a.m., and the Ladies Bible Study follows at 10 a.m. Craft time takes place Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and the choir rehearses that evening at 6 p.m. On the first Monday of each month, a Book Club meets at 1 p.m. Elders gather on the first Thursday at 6 p.m., and the Church Council meets on the second Thursday at 6 p.m.
Wednesday Community Dinner
Every Wednesday at 5 p.m., St. Matthew serves a free dinner open to the wider Port Angeles community. The meal runs through the year and is supported by volunteers under the leadership of Human Care Chairman Kay Hermann. It is the congregation's most visible weekly outreach and a gathering point for neighbors who may not attend the Sunday service.
Women and Men in Mission
The women of the parish gather in several circles. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) meets monthly to support Lutheran missions worldwide, and all women are welcome. A Women's Lunch Bunch meets at a local restaurant each month on a date that varies, and the Ladies Bible Study meets weekly. The Men's Breakfast and Prayer group gathers every Tuesday morning. Together these groups sustain a steady calendar of service, study and fellowship.
GriefShare and Pastoral Care
For those walking through loss, St. Matthew offers GriefShare, a video-based grief support program with sessions held throughout the year. Participants are asked to email the church office in advance so a workbook can be reserved.
A Lutheran Confession of Faith
St. Matthew teaches in the historic Lutheran tradition of the Missouri Synod. The Bible is the God-breathed, inerrant rule and norm of all Christian teaching. God is Triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons in one divine being. Jesus Christ is true God and true man, whose incarnation, sinless life, atoning death and bodily resurrection reconcile sinners to the Father. Baptism, joined to the Word of God, brings new birth, the forgiveness of sins, and entrance into the family of God. The Lord's Supper is the true body and blood of Christ in, with and under the bread and wine, given for the forgiveness of sins; in keeping with LCMS practice, the altar is open to those who have been instructed in the church's teachings and have confessed faith in them. Marriage is held to be the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and life is regarded as beginning at conception.
Christmas Bazaar and Mega Sale
Two annual traditions mark the seasons at St. Matthew. The Christmas Bazaar each November fills the parish with handcrafted and gently used gift items, drawing on volunteers for pricing, setup and clean-up. The Mega Sale in August gathers estate and rummage donations for a larger community sale, with the same rhythm of volunteer work. Both fundraisers are parish-wide projects and a way for newer members to meet longtime families.