Service for Curtis

It is (as I write this) Monday evening and I am preparing for the memorial service for Curtis Anderson (husband of Linda) at Shannon Rose Hill on Tuesday at 2:00.

Our love to Linda and family.

Curtis has moved from illness to a full life, a great family reunion, and abundant joy.

We give thanks to God.

Last Sunday

Good to have Mary back and preaching for us. (“Best sermon I ever heard,” said Annette Wells.)

Julian’s solo was a “showstopper”—not the best term for a worship service, but you know what I mean.

We do have music!

This Sunday

My sermon will be The Double-Minded Christian, based on a verse from the short letter of James, the 21st of the 27 books in the New Testament.

This is Communion Sunday.

The choir will sing the lovely Twyla Thorp anthem, How Beautiful, twice—once at anthem time and again as accompaniment to the serving of Communion.

After worship this week, there will be an All-Council Meeting to discuss plans for the year.

Those of the Female Persuasion

Women! Do not forget the Saint Matthew Women United luncheon a week from this Thursday—Feb. 8—at 11:30. Lunch provided.

Life Running Early This Year

Everything—Ash Wednesday—Holy Week—Easter. All early this year. Ash Wednesday worship—the beginning of Lent—is two weeks away. Wed., Feb. 14, 7:00 p.m.

See you Sunday.

All of you, I hope.

God bless—MB

Greetings beloved community,

I am recovering well from my sinus infection and will be back to my usual self in time for Curtis “Andy” Anderson’s memorial service. You will not get this newsletter until after the service, but I know you are praying for Linda and for their family as they go through this difficult time. I know Linda is grateful for this church and for the love and care we show to each other.

I am hoping that the sermons from Father Richard Rohr’s books are meaningful to you. I want to be relevant to you and to what is happening in your lives. I also want to avoid putting you to sleep😊 If you have any topics you want to know more about, please let us know. It is important to Max and me that we are preaching about the things that matter to you, along with the things God leads us to preach.

This Sunday, February 4, 2024, is All Council Sunday right after church. If you are on a church committee, please plan to attend. If you are not on a committee, show up and we will find a place for you to serve. We will be talking about 2024 plans and our 2024 budget. 

I pray you have a peaceful week, enjoying the few days of sunshine and moderate temperatures. My love to all, Mary

This week we discussed the Parable of the Mustard Seed. The kids knew exactly what a mustard seed is; last year they each received one.

They were amazed to realize that this tiny seed could grow into a tree that is 8 to 10 feet tall.

Sometimes we imagine the kingdom of God as being a time and a place in the future. Jesus said God’s kingdom is here on earth right now!

Jesus encouraged his friends then, and us today, to make sure we are all working to bring about God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom comes into being with tiny and almost invisible things — a tiny, almost invisible, seed turns out to have an enormous effect.

Do something this week to show someone God’s love. Make a pay-it-forward gesture that shows God’s love through you. You could do something nice for a friend or a neighbor or do something to show appreciation for a member of your church. By loving others, you show God’s love through you.

We hope to see you in church Sunday. We will review the most important thing — that you help someone feel cared for.

Blessings