- Our next Night on Broadway concert featuring Shannon and Julian, will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025. The concert will begin at six with a light supper to follow around 7 PM.
- Additionally, we will be hosting a concert with the Western Hills Ensemble choir, directed by our very own Blake Glass. This concert will benefit the choir, and will be held on December 5, 2025. The doors for this concert we will open at 5:30, the music begins at 6 PM and a late supper will be served afterwards.
- Please see Cindy Wheeler if you can contribute to the meals being served, to setting up for the meal, or cleaning up afterwards.
Daily Archives: August 20, 2025
Friday’s Word
Gosh!
(Excuse my French.)
I just lost my place in the Guinness Book of Records as the only person in the world who never made a mistake.
I made one last week.
I said Mr. Morton H. Meyerson played football for Poly. It was actually Paschal—and he was proud of it.
Mr. Meyerson died recently at the age of 87. He once told me that, as a Jewish kid, he always felt a bit left out. But that all changed when he made the football team.
It was football that brought Morton to church a few times. The coach would sometimes take the whole team. I doubt anyone asked the Jewish kid if he wanted to go to church. The team went. So, Morton went.
On one occasion, the preacher asked everyone who wanted to give their life to Christ to stand up. As a joke, the boys on each side of Morton pushed his legs together, forcing him to stand.
The boys got a laugh out of it, but so did Morton. And he stuck with his own faith. When we met, it was the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, and Morton brought me a loaf of bread—a symbol of the Jewish New Year.
There is something Christians need to know: we are all going to the same heaven.
So, why am I a Christian?
Because I know that Jesus was right. He is raised from the dead, and he is Lord.
But Jesus told us it is all about love. And we are all loved by God equally. We are all equally forgiven. And God works with and for all of us, all the time. Whatever our religion.
Live with it.
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Max’s Corner
The new sound and video system, along with changes to our sanctuary, were mostly completed by last Sunday. This Sunday, everything will be finished.
An extra-long pew, which had been stored at the back of one of our transepts, is being cut down to serve as the last pew on the pulpit side of the sanctuary. Another long pew will be shortened to fit up to the piano on the front right. These will be in place by Sunday.
And the new video/audio system is now fully in place. This was all made possible by two of our members who left a gift to the church. We give thanks for the continuing legacy of Fred Stearns and Eileen Engleson Stearns. Their love for St. Matthew will continue to bear fruit for many years to come.
Watching Online
It was clear from last week’s video that our online services now have a new and wonderful look. The cameras zoom and pivot. We could see Blake head-on as he sang, and we could even see Kristi at the organ. We saw the congregation several times as well.
Yes, you may need to buy that new dress. Tell hubby, “I’m on TV now.”
As Jason and the crew realized right after the service, we had very low sound on the livestream. This is an easy fix. So, we are on our way.
But I Noticed Another Problem
Yes, I move with difficulty these days, but I cannot sit there like a bump on a log in the middle for the entire service. I look like a stationary blob. I will not move to that stool until I preach. I may need another stool off to the side—at least until I no longer need the stool.
This Is Knee Week
I know you’re sick of hearing about my knee, but improvement may be coming. I meet with the orthopedic doctor Tuesday (that’s tomorrow as I write—yesterday as you read). We will be discussing knee replacement. I know there will be pain, but perhaps no more than I already experience.
My Class
We had a really great discussion last week on salvation. The church has gotten a lot wrong over the years. We have not listened carefully enough to Jesus. God is simply more loving than the church has often taught. And more people go to heaven than the church was willing to let in.
The discussion continues this week. You are welcome to join us at 9:45—followed by breakfast.
Breakfast This Sunday
It’s a “We-bring” Sunday. Please help if you can. At 10:30.
This Sunday
Mary preaches. My stool will not be center-chancel.
Come, let us be uplifted and encouraged through worship and thanksgiving.
God Bless,
—MB
Mary’s Corner
Blessings to you in the name of the Vineyard Keeper!
If you do not know the identity of the Vineyard Keeper, please watch the service from August 17th at Saint Matthew: https://www.youtube.com/live/zXLzlAfTeUQ?si=11U1-iI24JJ7zkJu
Max preached an amazing sermon about the breadth and depth of God’s love for creation. He used the parable of the vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16. The parable is a beautiful reminder that God loves us so completely that we are welcomed into the family of God no matter who we are. God’s blessings are freely given, not earned.
We “work out our salvation” by working for God because we love God. And what does that work entail? Everything listed in Matthew 25—feeding, clothing, and sheltering those who lack the basic necessities of life. It looks like visiting the sick, the shut-in, and those who are incarcerated.
Jesus commands us to “love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). The commandment is not complicated or difficult to understand. Living out this commandment is proof of our belief in God and our salvation through Jesus Christ. If we live like this, we rarely have to utter a word about what we believe—people will see it in our lives.
As I write this, Leslieann Griffith is in the recovery room. She has done well throughout her treatment today and anticipates being discharged later today or early tomorrow. Our dear friend Karen Goodwin has been by her side all day—thanks be to God for Karen. Please continue to pray for Leslieann’s quick recovery.
I also want to thank you for your loving participation in our prayers yesterday. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful flowers from the Standefer family. I am so grateful for the chance to help where I can, and thankful that God has given me this opportunity—and that you still put up with me! 😊
My love to all,
Mary
Kids’ News – Saul’s Big Surprise on the Road to Damascus
This week, we met a man named Paul—but when we first met him, he was known as Saul. Saul was a Pharisee, a religious leader who thought he was doing the right thing by stopping the followers of Jesus. He was full of determination—but it was the wrong kind. Saul was harsh and unkind to Christians, and he had permission to arrest them in faraway cities.
One day, Saul was walking the road to Damascus with a mission to cause trouble. But then something incredible happened.
Suddenly, a bright light from heaven flashed all around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Saul was stunned. “Who are you, Lord?” he asked.
The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:4–5)
When Saul got up, he couldn’t see. He had been struck blind! His traveling companions had to take him by the hand and lead him the rest of the way to Damascus. For three days, Saul didn’t eat or drink anything. He waited. He prayed. And in that waiting, something began to change deep inside of him.
Then God sent a man named Ananias to find Saul. Ananias was nervous—he had heard all the terrible things Saul had done. But God said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name.” (Acts 9:15)
Ananias placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus who appeared to you on the road—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)
Right then, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. He could see again—and he saw everything differently. His heart was changed. Saul was baptized, and he became Paul, one of the most important messengers of Jesus the world has ever known.
But here’s something important: Paul wasn’t changed all at once. Even after his powerful encounter, it took time. He had to grow, to learn, and to be guided by others. Big changes don’t always happen in a flash—even when God is involved. Sometimes, God works in us slowly, steadily, beautifully.
What We Learned:
- God can change anyone—even someone who was once an enemy.
- Jesus meets us where we are, even when we’re headed the wrong way.
- Real transformation takes time and sometimes help from others.
- God’s love is patient, powerful, and always at work.