Daily Archives: April 10, 2024

Friday’s Word

Posted on by

The Body of Christ

I was unable to serve Communion Sunday due to a hip problem (now gone). The assistant pastor and our lay leader served.

This allowed me to sit and watch as people knelt (and stood) at the rail to receive the sacrament. And I was struck by the spiritual beauty of the congregation.

“This is truly the Body of Christ,” I thought.

We received a new member who lives in Idaho. He was in town for the big eclipse show on Monday.

Obviously, Chris will not be driving in each Sunday for worship. He watches online and sends his offering by mail.

He is one of our faithful people, part of our church family. Now an official long-distance member.

A woman, Barbara, visited on Good Friday. She came with a clutch of these little articles in her purse. She had waited for an evening service.

Family matters make it hard for her to come on Sundays. She watches our services and will be reading this.

She loves St. Matthew.

A couple told me after worship recently, “Without Friday’s Word and this church, I don’t think we would have a church right now.”

Someone who joined recently said, “I was looking for a church that preaches a loving God.”

The people of St. Matthew know they are in a church that stands for something.

In reading the Bible, we put Jesus first. He sets the agenda as we read the rest of the Bible.

Everyone at St. Matthew is smart enough to know that gay people are just people who happen to be gay. God doesn’t care.

Give us a visit.

I’d like to meet you.

Worship–11:00 a.m.

Max’s Corner

Posted on by

A Good Sunday

The Sunday after Easter can sometimes feel like a let-down. This year, not at all. Mary had a fine sermon. Julien Rodriquez got a standing ovation for his rendering of Impossible Dream. And Kristi’s opening organ number from Handel rattled the window—several blocks down the street.

It was a spiritual morning.

Even with my hip hurting (gout), I felt good!

Breakfast this Sunday

This is “Let’s Bring It” Sunday.

Winston does weeks one and three.

Week two is up to us eaters.

I am bringing pigs-in-a-blanket.

You bring something. We’ll eat.

(Someone needs to set the serving table.)

Breakfast begins at 10:30.

Working on the Classroom

At the moment, the room where my sister will teach a course on near-death experiences is a junk room. It will take a couple of weeks to get it in shape as a really nice classroom. Sorry for the delay.

Eastside Ministries 40th

It’s at Botanical Gardens on Friday the 19th.

We will sell tickets this Sunday–$75 per plate dinner. That’s because this is a fundraiser for the poor on the Eastside of Fort Worth. Raising money is what it is about. But the buffet will be good.

I am the event MC. Blake and Shannon will sing.

More about it Sunday.

Sunday’s Sermon

Sermon: The Same—but Different.

Personal to Kristi: We open with Lift High the Cross.

Help! Please.

Yes, I can beg. We are entering a two-month period when we have a cash-flow problem until our investment income comes in in June. Please be faithful. Any additional giving will help.

God will get us through. Always has. Always will.

God bless—MB

Mary’s Corner

Posted on by

Greetings Easter People,

Some folks call us that — Easter People. We believe in the events at Calvary, at the tomb, in the upper room, and on the beach. I have been thinking about the scene at the beach since Sunday. I can imagine a place of peacefulness, with the sound of the waves in the background and a full belly. And also, more than enough fish for everyone. Isn’t that always God’s way in our lives? Walking into our failures and giving us abundance when we are obedient. Obedience is part of the scenario. They could have easily told Jesus that they had already tried and failed at catching any fish. But they did not. They listened and followed their instructions. While you are thinking about things this week, remember to pray for God to show you where you need to be obedient. Also, ask God to strengthen your own “body of Christ” as well as the St. Matthew body of Christ. There are fish to be caught folks, and we hold the net.

Remember our special prayer requests this week. We have folks in our congregation with new things happening in their lives that are going to be difficult. Prayer, love, and support are imperative.

Blessings to all of you, Mary

Kids’ News

Posted on by

In our story this week, Jesus gathered his eleven disciples around him on a mountaintop in Galilee. Jesus commissioned his disciples with the task of forming a community of believers. This community was to embody Jesus’ presence in the world to strengthen and guide God’s children.

Some of the disciples, however, expressed doubt. They were still having trouble grasping the mystery of the resurrection. While some worshiped Jesus immediately, others had questions.

There are many times in the Gospels when the disciples expressed doubt even though they were devoted to Jesus. It’s natural that we, Jesus’ modern-day disciples, also experience some doubt. Just like the disciples before us, we need to accept a little mystery with our faith. Like them, we must accept that there are some answers that we do not have and some things that can’t be explained.

Jesus knew this was a lot for the disciples to take in, and promised to be with them always as they spread the gospel.

We call Jesus’ instructions to form a community of believers The Great Commission. A commission is a call for something God wants us to do. God commissions us all to share Jesus with the world.

We can do this in many ways such as ministry, showing kindness, love, and respect. We are called to teach and serve others. This is what we do in Sunday school each week. See you in church on Sunday.

Blessings