Part of my job is to keep us honest about how we got here—and where we are going.

Now that Friday’s Word is gone, you will hear some around the church say that we can grow our church from the neighborhood around it.

Do not believe it.

Handley and Eastern Hills Methodist also had neighborhoods around them. These churches died.

But our great new playground will bring children into the church, and their parents will follow.

Handley had a successful daycare center. It was a lively place during the week. Neither parents nor kids came on Sundays. Handley died, ending a 145-year history.

When I came to pastor St. Matthew in 1982, there were three strong Methodist churches on the East Side—and one dying one.

Two of the strong ones are closed. The third, Meadowbrook, has merged with another once-great church—Poly Methodist—and is now no bigger than St. Matthew.

The one dying in 1982—St. Matthew—is still here.

It has taken extraordinary measures to maintain the life of St. Matthew—primarily the longevity of the pastor and Friday’s Word.

Friday’s Word is gone.

It will require new extraordinary measures for this church to continue to live.

One thing we will do is start a new YouTube channel devoted to the class I teach on my book, Discovering God. I am willing to say that this is an important book. It makes a difference.

We will need to advertise this new channel in every way we can. (This will cost a little money—but I will pay part of it.)

I am hopeful about the future.

We have made it this far together.

By the power and grace of our Lord, we will move on—all of us serving our Lord Jesus Christ in a New Year.

Truly, truly, the best is yet to come.

A New Picture Directory

We will have a new pictorial directory in 2026. The date for photographs has not yet been set, but we will aim for March.

Connie Michael has produced the most accurate list we have of present members and regular visitors. We will try to get everyone on that list pictured in the book.

Providing Rides

There are older folks at home and in a local retirement center who would love to attend St. Matthew. We need to provide rides. We also need to run a shuttle in the local community for children who want to come to Sunday school. We need a large van (or small bus).

Mary’s Ordination

Mary, we hope and pray, will be able to remain as our Associate Pastor when she is ordained in June. But this involves changes. Mary will have to be paid more when she is full-time, but our budget cannot bear any more. So, we will take the money we used for Friday’s Word to add to Mary’s salary. And my salary will have to be lowered to raise Mary’s.

No church the size of St. Matthew can afford two full-time pastors, but we can if both pastors are willing to make a sacrifice.

St. Matthew lives by being the exception to the rule. We can do it.

First Sunday of the New Year

Epiphany Sunday.

We will be just where we long to be as we begin a new year—at the Lord’s Table.

What a privilege! What a joy!

Sermon: Something New in the World

If you are able, come Sunday.

Your witness is our strength.