Daily Archives: October 2, 2024

NEW STUDY BEGINS SUNDAY

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Fewer people now take the printed paper, and that affects this long-running Friday’s Word. This is an expensive outreach, but over 90 percent of our members have come to us through this brief word.

Now—what of the future?

I need some kind of head count. If you are still with me, let me know.

Drop me an email to say you are “still reading.”

I need your response.

My new study starts Sunday—at 9:45.

(Breakfast after.)

It is more than a study of my to-be-published book, Discovering God. It will give us a chance to look at our own faith—see where we came from and where we are now. We will start with some discussion questions:

When did you first come to belief?

Were you ever taught things that were wrong?

How do we know what is true about God?

Can we know what is true about God?

Where do you get your information about God?

This discussion will lead us into the first ideas from the book:

We can know God.

We can get God right.

There are two sources of information that we can always depend on. You may guess them, but I will share them Sunday.

Expect this class to be an uplifting experience. Expect to grow in the assurance that God is real and working with us. Expect to be amazed from time to time at the ways God intervenes in our lives.

We will be studying the experience of God. The class runs through the end of the year.

Sunday, Oct. 6, 9:45 AM

Max’s Corner

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Service for Bill Parker

Bill’s memorial service will be this Saturday, October 5th, at 11:00 AM. This seems like a milestone event in the life of our church family. Bill was so loved, so faithful, and so much a part of our work as a church. He is greatly missed.

Lunch will be served after the service.

Knee Report

I may be headed for knee replacement surgery after all. My hematologist’s blood report will come in soon. If it shows my blood clots were a result of COVID and not a natural proclivity, I may be cleared for surgery. This will all take some time. I will be preaching from a stool for now. I’m already too late to try out for the Cowboys this year.

Gift

From Brian McCosky: “Woo Hoo!!!! Somebody gave $10,000 toward the new AC!!!! My faith in the generosity of my fellow man is about 90% restored. Without saying who it is, I think they should get special recognition in the newsletter.”

Thus noted. We do have people who love this church. Thanks be to God.

NDE Class Ends

My sister’s NDE class has been a source of grace, change, and comfort for those of us who participated. It has made a difference.

We hope the new study I start Sunday makes a difference. It will make a difference for me, as I prepare the classes, I will also be preparing the final version of my book, Discovering God.

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is “Winston Week.” Feel free to help.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

Sermon: Revisiting Zacchaeus.

Anthem: How Beautiful.

God Bless,
MB

Remember the service Saturday—11:00 AM.

Mary’s Corner

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Greetings, dear church, on behalf of the Horizon Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church,

Great things are happening in our denomination, and I am excited to be a part of this ministry with you. The leadership of the conference has very specific strategic plans for our work together in the future. I will have more details about all of these in upcoming sermons. As I said on Sunday morning, being in the Abilene Convention Center and listening to a 1,000-voice choir of committed United Methodist believers in Jesus Christ lifted my soul to the rafters. I know that God will do great things in our lives as we serve God’s creation.

On Sunday morning, I also discussed the new air conditioning unit and the cost to our congregation for the comfort of a controlled temperature in our sanctuary. Once again, you have amazed me with your love and generosity. We received a donation of $10,000 toward the cost of the new unit! Without revealing the donor, let me just say that nowhere on earth are there folks like the ones we have at Saint Matthew. You are always willing to help, no matter the request. To you, dear donor, whoever you are, just know that you are God’s gift to us, and we are grateful for your generosity. There remains a balance on the cost of the AC, but this very generous gift pays a little more than half of what was due. Bless you all as you continue giving your gifts, tithes, talents, and time to God.

Preparations are in progress and moving along well as we plan for the celebration of life for William J. “Bill” Parker. Services are on October 5, 2024, at 11:00 AM. The service will be followed by a meal in the fellowship hall. We will need desserts, please, as we expect a large crowd. We will also need assistance setting up, serving the food, and, as always, lots of help cleaning up.

Blessings to all of you, and special blessings to those of you who are unable to be physically in the church. You are loved and missed.

Mary

Kids’ News

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Jonah was a man who didn’t want to do what God asked. God told Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and warn the people to change their bad ways, but Jonah was afraid and ran away. He got on a boat, hoping to escape, but a big storm came. Jonah knew the storm was because he didn’t listen to God, so he told the sailors to throw him into the sea.

Instead of drowning, Jonah was swallowed by a giant whale! He stayed inside the whale for three days, thinking about what he had done. Jonah prayed and promised to follow God’s instructions. So, God had the whale spit Jonah out onto dry land, and Jonah went to Nineveh to share God’s message. Because Jonah finally listened, the people of Nineveh were saved.

The story of Jonah reminds us that it’s important to do what God asks, even when it’s hard. God knows what’s best, and following His plan is always the right choice.