Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Year: 2024

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    In our Bible story this week, Jesus had been teaching to large crowds and decided to take some time away with His disciples. Jesus and the disciples took a boat out on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was tired from teaching and ministering, so he went to the front of the boat and fell asleep.

    Soon, a storm struck. The boat shook and the disciples were afraid. They went to Jesus for help but were surprised to find him soundly asleep. They thought, how can anyone sleep when there is a chance their boat might flood, and they might all drown? But Jesus remained calm.

    Jesus got up and calmed the storm. He then asked the disciples why they were scared, as if their feelings of fear were unnecessary. The disciples were amazed.

    We too, might feel amazed about this story — what amazing power Jesus has! What a gift it is to know there is someone like Jesus who can be present with us in the midst of life’s storms!

    Speaking of gifts, we had something for you on Sunday. Valentine’s Day is this week! Maybe those things will still be there Sunday.

    See you in church!

  • Saint Matthew Today for February 14th, 2024

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:
    2024-02-14-St-Matthew-Today-1Download

  • 2406 – He Shook the Foundations

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:
    YouTube player

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

    https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/saintmatthewumc/episodes/He-Shook-the-Foundations-e2g2hbs
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    Luke 9:28-36 New International Version

    The Transfiguration

    28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[a] which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

    34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen;listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

  • Friday’s Word

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Nothing Before Jesus Was Like Jesus

    I came across a book called, “What if the Church Were Christian?”

    I haven’t read it, but the title speaks to me.

    Much of the church is not Christian.

    This makes me sad, but I guess it is not surprising. Real Christianity does not come naturally.

    In fact, it makes no sense to most people: Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.

    Give to those who ask something of you and expect nothing in return.

    Turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile.

    Forgive—always.

    Be merciful—always.

    What does God want?

    Perfection?

    Yes, actually. Jesus said, “Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

    He knows we can’t be perfect. But he sets perfect love for God and for the neighbor as our standard.

    Unconditional love is the Christian moral code.

    And this moral code was new. There is nothing like it in any other of the ancient religions.

    There is nothing like it in any ancient literature.

    It came from Jesus.

    And Jesus alone.

    And it did not sit well with most of those who first heard it. Jesus was too loving. Too forgiving.

    Furthermore, he lived what he preached. He ate and worked with people who were outside the salvation system.

    Tax collectors (for example) were not even candidates for heaven.

    Jesus was a danger to the whole social and religious system of his day.

    That’s why the religious leaders of his day made sure he died an ugly death.

    And many Christian leaders would make sure he met the same fate today.

    I’ll talk more about this Sunday—11:00 a.m.

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Board Meeting Last Sunday

    We looked at the last year in a board meeting last Sunday and, the truth is, we are doing well.

    And we want to keep doing well—or better. So let us remain faithful. Let us continue to reach people with the truth of God’s unconditional love for all people.

    Worship Last Sunday

    “I look forward to finding out how many we had,” someone said as they exited. “It looked like a full house.” We had 67. Which is a pretty good post-COVID bunch. And we had a good service.

    That Communion choir number (“How Beautiful”) was particularly lovely. Our small choir makes a powerful sound. It helps to have a great choir director.

    Transfiguration Sunday

    This is Transfiguration Sunday and the Wednesday after is Ash Wednesday.

    Our Ash Wednesday service will start at 7:00 p.m.

    “He Shook the Foundations”

    I will preach this Sunday—a sermon I am very excited to preach: “He Shook the Foundations.” When it is over, I hope we may better understand why the religious leaders wanted Jesus dead. (And if he came back today, most conservative Christians would want the same thing.)

    Then Mary will have two Sundays to take us a few more “steps.” (Her sermons are following the “Twelve Steps” for addiction recovery.)

    Breakfast

    First of all—remember that we have it—10:30 every Sunday. Winston—inventor of the Sunday breakfast–wants to cut back to twice a month. Mac and Faith Salfen will take it for the third Sunday. We need someone to take the fourth Sunday each month.

    See you Sunday.

    Hey! Let’s hit 70 some Sunday soon.

    God bless—MB