Daily Archives: June 18, 2025

Friday’s Word

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I took a tumble onto concrete two weeks ago.

Nothing broken.

A lot that is bruised, swollen, and painful.

Nothing on my face, so my movie career is not over. But my days with the Dallas Cowboys are kaput.

I will return to the pulpit on July 6, the Sunday following the 4th of July.

We would usually have on that day some nod to the nation.

But not this year.

No Rah! Rah! Ray! until we are a democracy again.

This evil will pass. Some of the voters who brought it on us are tiring of it.

They are seeing that evil is not selective. It will roll over all in its path.

Evil is driven by fear and vengeance and lust for power. It cares for no one but self.

And this is showing.

It can’t be hidden.

And most people have that common decency.

The tide will turn.

So, we will again sing America the Beautiful and My Country ‘Tis of Thee—but we will wait until it is again.

This year, we will have a simple prayer for our nation and a time of thanksgiving for those who have served and bled and died to keep us free.

That dying will not be in vain.

America will be beautiful again.

And then we will sing.

Then we will shout.

Then we will give thanks to the Lord who has brought us safe thus far and will surely lead us home.

In my absence, Mary will preach each Sunday.

Mary Teague is our Associate Pastor.

Until full ordination, she is also a nurse with a heart for people and a loving presence.

Give her a listen.

And be blessed.

Max’s Corner

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An Unexpected Vacation

With trepidation, I just unwrapped the bandages on my wounded right knee. (I must take a bath tonight. I see the doctor tomorrow.)

Looked better than I feared. The healing process is underway. I have fairly full movement in my right elbow now. (Yeh! I can put my fork back in my right hand!) I can’t claim to be comfortable all the time, but much of the time. Going in the right direction.

My unplanned vacation from church will last another two Sundays. I will (without unforeseen difficulties) be back in the pulpit on July 6—even if Doug and Brian have to roll me down the aisle in a wheelbarrow.

Discovering God Class

My 9:45 class will resume on July 13.

Don’t want to try too much on that first Sunday.

But my “vacation time” is allowing me to work much more on my book. We’ve got some exciting stuff ahead of us.

Breakfast This Sunday

As I read it, this is a “We Bring” Sunday.

Enjoy the fellowship. At 10:30.

Watching from Home

I enjoyed watching the service from home last Sunday.

For this Sunday, someone needs to remember that the piano microphone is not presently hooked up. If it is used this Sunday, put a mic on it. (It could hardly be heard last week.)

No need to fix the piano mic connection because the whole sound and video system is soon to be rewired. If work begins while I am gone, this is one thing that will get me back to the church to check it out. I know nothing about the wiring, but I do know how the new sound booth should look.

I am excited about the new cameras. I have requested state-of-the-art slimming and de-aging cameras that will put a light halo around the preacher’s head. I will look like both Tom Cruise and St. Paul at the same time.

Jesting aside, I see the future of this church as depending heavily on the quality of the product we put on YouTube.

The new system will help us be our best in the service of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I will see you Sunday, from my green recliner chair in my den.

You will see me on July 6.

Thanks, Mary, for your loving ministry at St. Matthew UMC.

—MB

Mary’s Corner

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Greetings, dear friends!

I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for each of you. Your kind words and warm hugs after the service uplift me and give me the boost I need to get through the week. I’m looking forward to the day when I can serve full-time at the church and be more involved in the weekly life of our community.

A lot is happening at St. Matthew! We host a monthly St. Matthew Women United luncheon and presentation on the second Thursday of each month. The next gathering is scheduled for July 10, so please keep an eye on the bulletin board for more details as the date approaches.

We also offer yoga classes every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00 AM. These classes are open to all ages and fitness levels, and there’s a chair yoga option available as well. And don’t forget our Saturday morning breakfast at 7:30 AM, lovingly prepared by Doug Kelsey. It’s a great way to start the weekend with good food and good company.

I’m currently exploring the idea of launching a grief support group led by an outside facilitator. We’ve all experienced loss in different ways—especially in recent years—and many of us are carrying grief for loved ones, for the world, or the changes happening around us. If you’re interested in helping with the planning (not leading), please let me know.

I’ll be preaching again this Sunday. Max is feeling better and reports improved mobility—thanks be to God! I’ll be sharing part two of our new series, “Words Matter: The Ways We Talk to Ourselves.” I can’t wait to be with you again.

May you experience peace, love, and the joy of God’s presence in every moment.

With love,

Mary

Kids’ News – “Walking, Leaping, and Praising God”

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Peter and John were headed to the temple one afternoon to pray (Acts 3:1), just like they always did. Outside the temple gate, called Beautiful, sat a man who couldn’t walk. He had never walked—not once in his whole life. Every day, someone would carry him to the gate so he could ask for help from people passing by.

When he saw Peter and John, he asked for money. But Peter looked at him and said something surprising:

“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” – Acts 3:6

And the man did! Peter reached out his hand, helped him up—and suddenly, his feet and ankles became strong. For the first time ever, he stood on his own. Then he did more than stand—he walked, leaped, and praised God right into the temple, a place he had never been allowed to enter before.

The people around were amazed. But Peter told them: Don’t look at us as if we did this on our own. The power came from Jesus. Everything that happened was because of Him.

This story reminds us how important it is to give what we do have—and to always give God the credit. Peter didn’t have money, but he gave hope, healing, and the name of Jesus.

And let’s not forget the man’s friends—who carried him to the temple every day. That kind of friendship is powerful.

What We Learned:

✔ True healing comes from God’s power, not our own.
✔ Sharing Jesus is the greatest gift we can give.
✔ God can use anyone to do amazing things.
✔ Good friends bring us closer to God’s love.

We missed some of you this week—summer adventures are in full swing! But we can’t wait to see you again this Sunday as we continue learning about Paul and his journey. Blessings to all our kids and their families!