Monthly Archives: August 2024

Kids’ News

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This Sunday, we learned about a woman named Naomi. She left her home in Bethlehem with her husband and their two young sons to live in the country of Moab. While living in Moab, her sons grew up and married two young women, Ruth and Orpah.

Sadly, Naomi’s husband and sons passed away. With no family left in Moab, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. She encouraged Ruth and Orpah to go back to their own families. Orpah returned home, but Ruth chose to stay with Naomi, saying, “Wherever you go, I will go… Your God will be my God.”

Life was challenging for Naomi and Ruth when they returned to Bethlehem. They worked hard to set up a new home, but food was scarce. To survive, Ruth went out to gather leftover crops in the fields, as it was customary in those days for people in need to collect what was left behind.

A man named Boaz showed kindness to Ruth by allowing her to glean in his fields. This story reminds us that it sometimes takes courage to be kind, especially in difficult times. God calls us to be brave and show kindness, and when we do, that kindness can spread to others.

With school now in full swing, I know life can get busy; but I hope to see all our children in church this Sunday.

See you then!

The Sacred Servant

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Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.

Register your attendance

Hebrews 13:1-3 J.B. Phillips New Testament

Some practical instructions for Christian living

13 1-3 Never let your brotherly love fail, nor refuse to extend your hospitality to strangers—sometimes men have entertained angels unawares. Think constantly of those in prison as if you were prisoners at their side. Think too of all who suffer as if you shared their pain.

Read full chapter

Hymns:

557. Blest be the tie that binds

1. Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.

2. Before our Father’s throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.

3. We share each other’s woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

4. When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.

172. My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine

1. My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

2. I love thee because thou hast first loved me,
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

3. In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Chorus: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

A Night On Broadway—Saturday at 6:00

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Shannon Davidson is our “star soprano.” She sings for us most Sundays. She is also a locally-known entertainer.

And this Saturday she will join Julian Rodriguez for a stirring concert we are calling A Night on Broadway.

Julian, with his soaring high tenor voice, is also part of the St. Matthew music program.

This is tomorrow.

Saturday, August 10.

At 6:00 p.m. (The doors open at 5:30.)

The concert is followed by dinner. All is free. (We do take an offering.)

Let me talk a little about St. Matthew—a church that has survived since 1896.

We are not large. We have some 70 on a Sunday morning. Our membership is around 150. And almost all of our members come from one source. They are readers of Friday’s Word.

They all knew what they were getting when they came to the church. They got it here first.

And all of them were looking for a church that placed the emphasis on God’s love.

Some of the most loving and gracious people I know gather every Sunday at St. Matthew. It’s hard to get a good fuss going! Folks are mostly in agreement.

So, I pastor a church where the Gospel is a lived reality.

And I must tell you—it’s a joy.

But in our worship, we do not seem small.

We have gifted people who bring us glorious music. Our small choir puts out a big sound.

Why am I telling you all of this?

I expect you to visit us sometime.

Like—Saturday night.

At 6:00.

Max’s Corner

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THE CONCERT

We have switched to a potluck supper—and we will be serving quite a few people. Your help is needed. I know we will have plenty of food. We always do.

I expect a glorious evening.

Saturday—at 6:00.

NDE CLASS

Diana Eades will share her near-death experience—and we may ask husband Danny about his. Expect an interesting morning.

At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

SPEAKING OF BREAKFAST

This is a “We-bring Sunday.”

We are serving some 30 people these days.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

Last Sunday

We got the word during worship that the father of Sheila Taylor and Cindy Wheeler had passed. It was on our minds and in our prayers all during the service—and still is.

Our love to this family. We will let you know when the graveside service will be.

It was a rather emotional Sunday.

I was emotional. I already had on my mind the several people in our church who are going through times of illness right now. I feel the burden of that as a pastor and I know Mary does also.

God is working. God will hold the folks we love in his grace. Because God loves us, all shall be well.

Mary has not preached for us in a while.

She will this Sunday.

And don’t miss that concert! It will be joy.

God Bless—MB

I cannot thank you enough for your help with repairs and improvements to our sound and lighting systems. I have told Chuy at 4Stage to do the work. I told him we would have the $3,500 to pay for it. And we will. I do give thanks.