The Women's ministry is mission-driven, fellowship-oriented, and spiritually enriching.  It provides a platform for women to serve, grow, and connect, while embodying our vision of responding to boundless need with the boundless love of Jesus Christ.
Grow in God's Word and build lasting friendships through our Women's Bible Study. Each year, we journey through a variety of Scripture-based studies designed to deepen our faith and encourage everyday living. With several meeting times and participation options available, it's easy to find a group that fits your schedule and season of life.
Join us weekly on Sundays between worship services as we study and discuss God's word, encourage one another, and learn how to better serve and love each other, our families, our community, and our world just as Christ loves us. 
Your Lutheran Journey (Adult Instruction) is offered to those who have not gone through a confirmation class and wish to become members of the Lutheran Church.
Vocal and instrumental music is a very special part of our worship services at St. Matthew with four different choirs to choose from.  We're always looking for instrumentalists to enhance our worship experience as well!
The mission of this family friendly ministry is to share with others the love and compassion of Jesus Christ.  We need to “Love like Jesus”.  To be the hands and feet of Jesus, means not only to serve those in need, but also to share the joy of Christ’s gospel across all ages.  We can do this by showing others what the Good News means to us through our actions, relationships, and attitudes.  We believe the Word is to be used as a gift to open a world of Joy and that real joy is found not in being served, but in choosing to serve.
The mission of the Christian Outreach of Lutherans (COOL) is to give comprehensive assistance to families in need, by reducing hunger and homelessness, while encouraging personal growth and self-sufficiency.  Every last Sunday of the month is Bread for Life Sunday where St. Matthew gathers, packs, and delivers donated bread and other non-perishable food items to the COOL Food Pantry in Waukegan, Illinois.
Each month volunteers dedicate themselves to the Lord to prepare His house for worship.  Altar Guild teams work closely with each other in making preparation for worship services.  If you would like to become a member in serving His house at St. Matthew-Hawthorn Woods, please contact Lori Johnson. 
​The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is an official  auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and to support global missions.
Each Sunday immediately following the 8:00am Worship Service, worshipers gather in Luther Hall for coffee, juice and pastries. Why not stop by and enjoy friendship and fellowship for all ages.
The Quilters, meet on Tuesdays from 9:00am-12:00pm in Krueger Hall and make quilts to be donated to different organizations including Phil's friends and Orphan Grain Train.  They also make quilts to be raffled or sold at various St. Matthew events.
Stitched Together is a group of crocheters and knitters who meet on Tuesdays (1st and 3rd from 1:00pm-3:00pm and 2nd and 4th from 6:30pm-8:30pm.)  They make a variety of items including Baptismal Blankets, Shawls, Lapgans, blankets, burial gowns, Christmas ornaments, items to sell at Fall Fest, etc.  Yarn is provided for those items, but people are welcome to bring personal projects to work on too!
St. Matthew has a "Meals On Wheels Team". Team members deliver meals to individuals and families in the community every fourth (4th) week of the month.
Connecting senior adult Christians, through prayer, fellowship, and service, supporting the boundless needs of each other as we grow older in our faith in Jesus Christ.  Check the Events page for upcoming SAM events!
Launched in August 2008, the Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is a national human-care ministry embracing the unique, calming nature and skills of purebred Golden Retrievers.
GriefShare is a 13 week support group for people grieving the death of a loved one. It offers a safe space where you can connect with others, learn practical ways to cope with loss, and find comfort as you move through the grieving process.