What distinguishes St. Matthias?

The Sacraments are Christ’s gifts of grace to all people and available to all in the Name of Jesus.  We seek to help heal the wounds of those who have felt left out or shoved out of the Church.

We welcome those who have been elsewhere denied the Sacraments because they are unmarried with children, divorced, remarried, or married “outside the church” (whatever that means.)

We believe that ministries to families must encompass the reality of family for each individual.  Nostalgia for the “traditional family” that never did exist in human experience is not helpful.  God calls us to a ministry of love and grace to people where they are, whether single or in a blended, traditional, or nontraditional family.

We understand matters such as birth control and abortion as health issues between the individual and God.  Pastoral counseling is offered to those who request.

We exist to transcend ‘denominations’ and be a place for all who desire relationship with God.

The AACC is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church; its roots are in the Old Catholic and Independent Catholic movement.

We are available for weddings, commitment ceremonies, funerals, and other services for individuals and families.

You are invited to join us in worship of our God in an ecumenical, evangelical, and catholic spirit.

VINCE LAVIERI, pastor at St. Matthias, ordained on 11 September 1977 by Bishop Howard A. Christensen of the Michigan Synod, Lutheran Church in America. Raised in Chicago in the Evangelical Free Church; later a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church before joining the Lutheran Church in America in 1975.  Served as pastor of three LCA congregations in Michigan.  BA, psychology, North Park College ( Chicago ) 1973; M.Div., Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 1977; CPE, University of Michigan 1977.  Lavieri was active in the educational ministry, stewardship, and peacemaking committees of the Michigan Synod LCA and was also a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan Commission on Stewardship, 1993-1995.  Pr. Vince has two wonderful grandsons.

Martin Luther’s Seal

The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross, black, within the heart, to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saves us.  ‘For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.’

  Now, although the cross is black, mortified, and intended to cause pain, yet it does not change the colour of the heart, does not destroy nature – i.e., does not kill, but keeps alive.  ‘For the just shall live by faith,’ – by faith in the Saviour.

  But this heart is fixed upon the centre of a white rose, to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace.  The rose is white, not red, because white is the ideal colour of all angels and blessed spirits.

  This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky – coloured ground, to denote that such joy of faith in the spirit is but an earnest and beginning of heavenly joy to come, as anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed.

  And around this groundbase is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and treasures, since gold is the best and most precious metal.  Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life.

- Martin Luther