Monthly Archives: November 2025

Mary’s Corner

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Hello, Saint Matthew!

I pray you are warm and safe while reading this newsletter. I also pray for those I’ve seen asleep on the streets over the past 48 hours—I cannot imagine how cold they must be. On Sunday evening, Under the Bridge Ministries served food to more than 250 people, including many children. Ronnie shared that they unfortunately ran out of food.

The ministry has asked for the following donations: apples, bananas, and oranges, as well as boxes of healthy snack items such as peanuts, breakfast bars, and granola bars. It’s also the season for hats and gloves—whatever you can give will be deeply appreciated.

It’s also time for the Thanksgiving bags for Eastside Community Assistance. If you picked up a list on Sunday, please remember to bring your items this Sunday. If anyone needs help, we can also arrange to pick them up.

The season of Advent will be here in just 19 days. Please pray for Max and his knee surgeon, as well as for our choir and musicians, as they learn new music for the upcoming season. As always, keep our church family in your prayers as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Love to all,

Mary

Kids’ News – Naaman’s Healing

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This week, we heard the story of Naaman, a powerful army commander who had everything he could ever want—except his health. Naaman suffered from a terrible skin disease, and even with all his strength and wealth, he couldn’t make himself better. But one day, a young servant girl who worked for Naaman’s wife spoke up with courage. She told them about the prophet Elisha in Israel who could help. (2 Kings 5:1–14)

Naaman traveled far to find Elisha, hoping for a dramatic miracle. But instead of meeting him in person, Elisha sent a messenger with simple instructions: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River.” Naaman was frustrated—he wanted something grand and powerful! Still, his servants encouraged him to trust and obey. When he finally did, his skin became clean, and his heart was changed.

Naaman learned that true healing comes not from pride or power but from listening, trusting, and obeying God. Sometimes God asks us to do simple things that bring big blessings. Let’s remember this week that God can use anyone—no matter how small—to show others the way to His love.

What We Learned:

  • God often works through people we might overlook.
  • Simple obedience can lead to powerful results.
  • Pride can keep us from seeing God’s plan clearly.
  • Healing and faith begin when we choose to trust God.

Friday’s Word

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Are you looking for a theology that makes sense?

Are you looking for a faith rooted in Christ and His resurrection, but which also does not contradict science?

Are you looking for answers, and not always the standard ones you get in church?

I have a place for you.

This is what we are all about at St. Matthew — a faith that is based on the teachings of Jesus and on the actual experience of God.

Scripture.

And experience.

I teach a 9:45 class each week on my upcoming book, Discovering God.

We have some of the world’s best discussions.

We discussed recently whether God gets angry.

We decided “no.”

We checked our two sources:

Scripture and experience.

Jesus didn’t like anger. He warned against it.

Check out Matthew 5:22.

And what does the experience of God tell us?

In the thousands of religious experiences I have read or heard, not one person has met an angry God.

Yes, Paul talks about the “wrath” of God.

Paul got it wrong.

The teachings of Jesus and the experience of God tell us that Paul got it wrong.

God is not wrathful.

When Jesus and Paul disagree, we go with Jesus.

God is not angry.

You can get in on the discussions. We even have one person who attends the 9:45 class and heads off to another church to worship.

Class is over at 10:30.

Give us a try — class or worship or both. Visitors get a copy of my first book, whether you want it or not.

(Worship at 11:00.)

saintmatthewumc.com
revmaxb@tx.rr.com