Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

  • Kids’ News – Go and Tell the World

    Sue Kelcey

    Have you ever been given a really important job and wondered if you could do it?

    After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent time with His disciples, helping them understand what had happened and reminding them that God’s love is for everyone. One day, Jesus met them on a mountain and gave them an important mission. He told them to go out into the world, share His teachings, and help others learn how to follow Him (Matthew 28:19–20).

    This was a big job, and the disciples may have felt unsure or even a little afraid. But Jesus gave them a promise to hold onto. He said that He would always be with them, no matter where they went. They were not being sent out alone. God’s presence would guide them, strengthen them, and give them the courage they needed.

    That same promise is true for us today. We may not travel to faraway places, but we can share God’s love in simple, everyday ways through kindness, helping others, and telling people about Jesus. Wherever we go, we can remember that we are never alone. Jesus is always with us, leading us and helping us share His love with the world.

    What We Learned

    • Jesus calls us to share His love with others
    • We do not have to be afraid because Jesus is always with us
    • We can live out our faith through kindness and everyday actions
    • Everyone can be part of God’s mission, no matter their age

  • A Word from our Church Family

    Jason Hardy

    We give thanks for the many ways God’s love is shared through the life of our church.
    This past Sunday, our choir offered a beautiful expression of worship under the direction of guest conductor Julian Rodriguez. Their music created a space of reflection and praise, helping to center our hearts in God’s presence as we gathered together.

    We are especially grateful for the spirit of prayer, thoughtfulness, and shared commitment present at our recent Family Business Meeting. Together, we took meaningful steps in discerning the vision for Saint Matthew, seeking to listen for God’s guidance as we move forward as a church.

    Each week, we come together in worship, fellowship, and service, trusting that God is at work among us—guiding us, strengthening us, and leading us forward in love.

  • A Word from the Pastor

    Mary Teague

    I greet you with the love and peace of Christ,

    In a time marked by uncertainty, division, and fatigue, our congregation is being called—clearly and faithfully—back to God’s vision. Like the prophet Habakkuk, many of us have cried out, asking “How long?” and “Why?” Yet God’s response remains the same: Pay attention. Write the vision clearly. Keep your eyes on Me.

    At St. Matthew, we believe God does not intend for this church to wither, but to flourish. We have the identity, resources, courage, and calling to be exactly what God intends for this neighborhood and beyond. Our vision is rooted in the way of Jesus: moving toward the poor, creating space at the table, pushing back darkness, and announcing that the kingdom of God is near.

    At its heart, our vision is love—the kind of love revealed in the resurrection, where fear, grief, and hate never have the final word. Our vision is intergenerational community, honoring wisdom, history, and the assurance that God is trustworthy. Our vision is belonging, extending beyond Sunday mornings into a vibrant, welcoming presence every day of the week. And our vision is seeing the image of God in one another and in all those still searching.

    Together, we commit our plans to the Lord, trust God’s leading, and step forward—imperfect but willing—to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.

    I am thrilled by your response to this sermon and overjoyed by your engagement in our family business meeting on Sunday. God has great things in store for us and I am blessed beyond words to be in ministry with you. 

    Remember each other in prayer and with thanksgiving for all that God is doing in our lives. Blessings, Mary

  • What is Our Vision?

    Jason Hardy
    YouTube player

    Watch the full service online by clicking here.

    What Is Our Vision?
    Luke 14:28–33; Habakkuk 2:2; Proverbs 29:18; 16:3

    In What Is Our Vision?, we are invited to reflect on how we discern the path God is setting before us. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Luke, the vision given through the prophet Habakkuk, and the wisdom of Proverbs, we are reminded that vision is not something we create on our own, but something we receive from God. Where there is no vision, we lose our sense of direction, but as we commit our plans to the Lord, we are invited to trust that He will establish our steps. As we are encouraged to “write the vision and make it plain,” we are called to listen carefully, trust deeply, and respond with intention as we follow Christ together.

    Jesus’ teaching invites us to pause and consider the cost of discipleship—not as a burden, but as a way of grounding our commitment. This is not about hesitation, but about clarity—choosing to follow Christ with purpose and awareness. At the same time, the words from Habakkuk remind us that God’s vision unfolds in its own time. We may not always see the full picture, but we are called to remain faithful, trusting that God is at work even when the way forward is not fully clear.

    As a church, this becomes an invitation to move forward with both clarity and trust. We are shaped not only by where we are going, but by how we choose to follow. In this season of new beginnings, we are reminded that our vision is rooted in Christ—guiding us, forming us, and leading us together into a deeper and more faithful life.

    Take Time to Reflect

    • Where is God inviting you to seek His vision more clearly in your life?
    • What does it mean to trust God with your plans and your next steps?
    • How can we move forward together with both intention and trust?
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  • A Word from Mary

    Mary Teague

    Hallelujah! Christ is risen!

    What a glorious service we shared on Sunday. Our choir set the tone for a service filled with light, love, and praise through their passionate rendition of He Never Failed Me.

    And then…

    God sent a messenger of the gospel to speak to us. A prophet, filled with the Holy Spirit and transformed by love, who helped draw the line between going to church and being the body of Christ. What an indescribable blessing it was to have Hanna Newcomer Sliva preach to us on Sunday. Our lives were touched by the words, the tone, and the presence of God in her message. I have listened to the sermon again and have pulled out some of the things that were especially meaningful to me, and I encourage you to do the same, to listen again and discover what speaks to your heart.

    Here are a few of the reflections that stayed with me:

    • The grace, providence, and sustenance of God’s power
    • A priesthood of believers… we all together make up the body of Christ
    • Understanding different phases of life and the importance of intergenerational ministry
    • God designed us to live in holy unity with one another
    • We are more than our individual selves… we are called to live and grow in faith together
    • Chances are, to somebody in the world, God looks like you

    These words remind us that the Church is not just something we attend. It is something we are. Together, we are called to reflect God’s love, to grow in unity, and to carry that love into the world.

    The United Methodist Church is raising up young pastors like Hanna all across the world. Her message, delivered with sincerity and tenderness, gives me hope. I look forward to welcoming her again.

    God’s blessings to you, the Body of Christ, as you spend this week being the church beyond the walls of 2414 Hitson Lane. Love to all.

    And don’t forget our Congregational Business and Ministry Meeting this Sunday, April 26, immediately following worship. Lunch and dessert will be served.

    Blessings,
    Mary