Monthly Archives: September 2024
What We Got Wrong about Salvation
Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
This week, Rev. Brennan reflected on the nature of salvation, encouraging us to reconsider some of our long-held beliefs. Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis, who spoke about how different faiths can offer unique paths to understanding God, Rev. Brennan reminded us that God’s love and grace are vast and inclusive. He challenged us to think beyond our individual experiences and appreciate the richness of faith journeys that may be different from our own.
Continuing the theme of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), Rev. Brennan pointed out that these powerful moments often reveal deeper truths about God’s presence and the universality of grace. By considering these broader perspectives, we are reminded that salvation is not confined to our limited understanding, but is an expression of God’s infinite love for all people.
The Lies Must Stop
Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, live in fear now. They keep their kids home from school.
Some schools are closed, as are businesses, because of bomb threats.
These immigrants were invited here to fill factory jobs. One boss said they are hard-working and dependable.
Their lives have become a nightmare, and the town is in chaos.
We heard it first at the debate. It sounded funny, indeed, ridiculous: Haitian immigrants are stealing people’s cats and dogs and eating them.
It sounded crazy.
It was crazy.
But they keep repeating the lie. The leaders of the Orange Cult keep the lie going.
They know it’s a lie.
They know it is hurting people—innocent people, including children.
Ah! But these are Black people. Black children.
So, the leaders of the Orange Cult just do not care. Certainly, the Orange Man himself cares about no one but himself.
But what about his followers? What about the many Christians who have gone orange?
It is pure evil to deliberately hurt innocent people, to promote a lie that makes families hide in fear.
Do Christians who have fallen into the cult not care? Can they no longer tell the difference between good and evil?
I think much of the church has failed. It has harbored racism, debased women, and ostracized gay people.
Much of the church does not teach the inclusive love of Jesus Christ. This leaves people vulnerable.
“If we stand for nothing, we will fall for anything.”
The lies must stop.
People are being hurt.
Max’s Corner
Choir Practice Resumed
The choir will look bigger this Sunday because it is! There are three new members!
The choir enjoyed lunch together at the Dixie House after church last Sunday.
They will grace us with their first anthem of the new church year this Sunday: Fairest Lord Jesus.
Expect some lovely singing.
NDE Class
We have two more sessions—this Sunday and the next. (There will be additional classes later when the room is prepared for showing a couple of NDE videos.)
When my sister’s class ends, I will begin a study of my book, Discovering God. So, we will continue lessons at the same time each week.
Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.
Speaking of Breakfast
Winston provided a beautiful breakfast last week. This week, it is a “We-Bring” Sunday. It’s up to us eaters. Feel free to help. We serve a lot of people each Sunday.
Food and fellowship at 10:30.
This Sunday
Mary will not be with us. She will be in New York to perform the memorial service for John McCormick, a member of St. Matthew and a dear friend of Mary’s who knew her before he came to the church. John was around 90 at his passing and lived in another state. The flowers will be in his memory this Sunday.
Sermon this Sunday: What We Got Wrong about Salvation. We should not have gotten it wrong because Jesus always had it right.
Jesus always gets God right.
Things are going well in our church, but we are burdened by the illness of beloved members. Keep our sick fold in your prayers.
I would rejoice to see you Sunday.
God bless,
MB
Mary’s Corner
Blessings and peace to all in the name of the Risen Christ,
My heart is heavy as I write this newsletter. Bill and Linda Parker have made the incredibly difficult decision to pursue comfort care for Bill. He has chosen hospice and was placed on service today, September 17, 2024. I know that you all join me in understanding that this is not the last time we will see Bill, while also living with the grief that he will not be here with us. Bill is one of the people I imagine to be most like Jesus—always forgiving, always loving his neighbor, always serving others. Linda will need her church family now more than ever, and I have promised Bill that we will take care of her.
While the timing is hard, there are still many things happening in our community that need mentioning. First, the Bill J. Elliott Elementary School blanket drive starts October 6th and runs through October 18th. We are providing warm children’s coats for this drive. Please begin bringing the coats we’ve discussed, starting this Sunday. We will collect all warm clothing items until October 18th. Also, Saint Matthew Women United are providing breakfast for the teachers on September 25th. If you are contributing to the breakfast, please have your contribution at the church by September 24th. We had our first choir practice on Sunday morning, and our new members, along with our wonderful existing singers, are making us sound better than ever. After church on Sunday, at our annual choir luncheon, a couple of the new members volunteered to organize a fall activity for the church—either a “Trunk or Treat” or a table at the Bill J. Elliott Elementary Fall Festival on October 24th. More to come on that soon.
Unfortunately, the AC unit at the church has completely shut down. Brian McCosky has worked diligently this week to find a dependable AC company to replace the broken air handler and heat pump unit. We cannot avoid replacing both, but Brian was able to save the congregation about $5,000 from the original estimate we received. We are truly blessed to have volunteers in our congregation who dedicate so much time and effort to keep us running.
It seems like I have asked for a lot in the past few weeks—food and money for Eastside Ministries, clothes and coats for the elementary school, volunteers for various projects, and now, financial support for AC replacement. I want to be clear that while I am asking, I also feel incredibly blessed. I am blessed because I am in fellowship and service to this congregation, and each of you reminds me of Jesus—always loving your neighbor, always forgiving, and always serving others. There is no church like this one, and I am deeply grateful for you. My cup overflows.
With love,
Mary