Jesus and his disciples had been walking and teaching for a long time when one day Jesus invited three of them—Peter, James, and John—to climb a mountain with him. They didn’t know why, but they trusted Jesus and followed him up the steep path. Mountains were often places where people felt close to God, even if they didn’t always understand what might happen there.

While they were on the mountain, something amazing happened. Jesus was changed right before their eyes. His face began to shine like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. The disciples were terrified and confused. Peter blurted out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” (Matthew 17:4), not really knowing what else to say.

Then a bright cloud covered them, and a voice spoke from the cloud: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5). The disciples fell to the ground in fear. But Jesus came to them, touched them gently, and said, “Get up and do not be afraid.” When they looked up again, Moses and Elijah were gone. It was just Jesus—still the same Jesus they knew and loved—walking with them back down the mountain.

Jesus didn’t stay shining like that forever. He came down the mountain to keep teaching, healing, and loving people. But the disciples never forgot what they saw. They learned that Jesus was more than a teacher or friend—he was God’s beloved Son, full of God’s glory, even when it wasn’t easy to see.

What We Learned

• God sometimes shows us who Jesus really is in surprising ways.
• Even when we are scared or confused, Jesus stays close and tells us not to be afraid.
• God asks us to listen to Jesus and trust him.
• Jesus’ love and glory are always with us, even when they aren’t shining like the sun.

Keith Butterfield turns 99 this Sunday.

Yes, we are having a party—right after worship.

A chicken dinner. The church provides the chicken.

We bring the other stuff. (Sign-up was last week. Feel free to bring something even if you did not sign up.)

But do come. We will not have another one of these until Blake turns 99.

Happy Birthday—our beloved Kieth!

No Breakfast

Sorry—no breakfast on dinner days.

We need preparation time for dinner.

Pastor’s Class—You Bet!

Yes—at 9:45, as usual. We just have to starve afterwards. So get a bite of breakfast before you come. It will be a long wait for chicken and birthday cake.

Last Week and This Week

We had good attendance for such a cold day.

Our one new visitor, Paul Champion, said he enjoyed the service, and we enjoyed having him with us.

The five-year-old child, held in ice detention for two weeks with his father, referenced in the sermon, has been released along with his father, after a court decision.

Our courts are holding. They, alone, are preserving our democracy. Every other agency of our government has been corrupted.

Who would have thought it possible?

+++

THIS SUNDAY—There’s something I really want us to know: We are, at all times, watched over, cared for, and loved. I want us to know how literally Jesus spoke when he said, “I am with you always.”

Sermon title: Someone to Watch over Me

The choral anthem will be My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, featuring our own Julian on flute and
a guest, Hyobin Kim, on oboe.

And the weather—70 degrees.

A great day to be in church.

I’ll see you there.

God Bless
revmaxb@tx.rr.com

Greetings in the name of the risen Christ! I pray that peace and joy are filling your hearts and lives this week as we enjoy God’s beautiful answer to a week of sub-freezing temperatures. I am so very grateful for the sunshine and milder weather—especially for our siblings living without shelter. Hopefully, this one week of freezing temperatures will be our only one this year.

We have some exciting things happening at church! This Sunday, February 8, we will celebrate the 99th birthday of Keith Butterfield. We’ll be enjoying fried chicken with all the trimmings. The Kelcey family is generously providing the chicken, and we ask that each family bring a side dish as you are able. An occasion this monumental calls for a special birthday cake, and I have ordered just such a cake for our celebration.

I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday for a full morning together: 9:30 AM for choir practice, 9:45 AM for the Discovering God class, 10:30 AM for breakfast, and 11:00 AM for worship. We offer these opportunities to support the fellowship of God’s beloved children.

The St. Matthew Women United group will gather for lunch on February 11 at noon. There is a sign-up sheet at the church for the potluck meal. We will also be joined by nurses from the Texas Health Fort Worth Heart and Vascular Program, who will share heart health education with attendees. If you would like to listen to the presentation from home, please let me know at mary.teague@saintmatthewumc.com, and I will create a Zoom link for you.

Looking ahead, we will hold our Ash Wednesday service on February 18 at 6:00 PM. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. If you have not previously participated in this service or the Lenten season, I encourage you to join us this year. The United Methodist Church observes Ash Wednesday as a time to begin preparing our hearts for Easter.

Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality. The service helps us remember that both have been overcome through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Throughout Scripture, ashes are used in rituals of repentance and mourning, as people seek forgiveness and renewal. During Lent, followers of Jesus are encouraged to observe periods of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline—always with the knowledge that Jesus Christ is victorious over sin and death, and that we are beloved children restored through grace.

Easter is the holiday that sealed my decision to become a United Methodist. The sacredness of the Ash Wednesday service and the season of Lent, as we prepare our hearts for the events of Calvary, are deeply meaningful in my life. I pray that you will join your siblings at St. Matthew during this coming season—and in all seasons.

Blessings and love to all,
Mary