I pray this newsletter finds you feeling peaceful. Peace can seem like a long shot in a world where it often feels as though trouble never takes a break. It is easy to get caught up in watching every headline and every difficult story unfolding around us. Much of what we see is sad, frightening, and deeply heartbreaking. We cannot control most of what happens in the world, except in the way we participate through our voices and our votes.

What we can control is how these things affect us and how we respond to one another. Even when we do not understand the cruelty or the reasons behind so much suffering, we can choose to love the people around us right where we are. Jesus reminds us, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. They are heard by the Creator of the universe, and the God we love and adore loves us deeply in return.

In a world filled with trouble, we are called to live as Jesus taught us—with compassion, kindness, and faith that God is still at work. When the world feels heavy, try not to let fear take control of your heart. Instead, lean into the love of Christ and the community we share.

We also have several things coming up in the life of our church. Easter Sunday will be here before we know it, and we could use some help getting the church grounds ready. Brian McCosky has spent the last two days working hard on the flower beds on the north side of the building. We would greatly appreciate help cleaning up the flower beds on the south side so everything looks welcoming and beautiful.

As we prepare for Easter, we want everyone who visits to see the many blessings God has given us and to know that we are good stewards of those gifts.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Love,
Mary

Good Wednesday, dear St. Matthew friends and family,

I have just returned from a beautiful celebration of life for my Uncle Francis “Mule” Cox. I learned many things about him—some funny, some amazing—and I am so very grateful for the life he lived and for the impact he had on mine. My Aunt Juanita could use our prayers. After 58 years of marriage and serving as his primary caregiver for the past 10 years, she is feeling a bit lost right now. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Judy Reeves is slowly getting stronger and returning to her usual self. Once she fully recovers from the insertion of her new pacemaker, she should feel much better. I’ve also heard that Charlotte Holder is up and around! She has left her wheelchair behind and is now moving about with a walker. You just cannot keep a good woman down. In all these things—and in the many blessings not listed here—we give thanks to God for the miracles of healing at work in our lives.

This week, I have been reflecting on what it means to be part of the family of God. When I think about St. Matthew and my history here, my heart overflows with love and joy. God has blessed me greatly by making me part of this church family. You humble me with your love and service to one another, and you sustain me with your prayers and support. I pray you receive my sincere thanks for being the people of God, planted in East Fort Worth to serve the community that gathers under our roof and the neighbors who have not yet stepped inside. My heart is compelled to bring our neighbors to the church and to bring our church to the neighbors.

Love to all of you,
Mary

Greetings! I pray this newsletter finds you well and at peace.

I ask for your prayers this week as I travel to Lubbock on Friday for the funeral of my 100-year-old uncle, Francis “Mule” Cox. He passed peacefully late Sunday, and we will celebrate his life on Saturday morning. I am looking forward to sharing stories about this man who has been an anchor in my life and a steady source of love and acceptance. I will tell you more when I return, but I recently learned that he served in the Navy during World War II. I am grateful for a church family that lifts one another in prayer.

I am also thankful for a church family that puts action behind those prayers. Thank you to Mrs. Jo Adams for driving the Reaves family to the doctor and helping with all that went along with that visit. Please continue to pray for John and Judy Reaves as they face ongoing health concerns. I am grateful for those who prepared and delivered meals over the past two weeks. I give thanks for children who step in to support parents, and for siblings who stand beside one another during difficult seasons. I thank God every day for the men and women who care for our church building and campus, keeping it welcoming and well-maintained. God is so good to us, and God is so good through us, as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to one another.

Ash Wednesday services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on February 18. I look forward to this time of humility and confession as we prepare our hearts for the days of Lent ahead.

My love to you all,
Mary

Peace and love to you in the name of Jesus. I pray that this week finds you stronger and healthier than in previous weeks. We have many folks among us facing health issues, and many more who are living with spiritual distress. In the middle of all of this is the emotional trauma of seeing what is happening in our world today.

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we worship a victorious Savior. Our Lord Jesus Christ has already defeated all the things that would come against us. Darkness will never have the final word.

At the same time, even when somebody gives you a pair of boots, you still have to learn to tie your own shoelaces, or you will fall. We have to become a healthier congregation. Physically, our church offers chair yoga and standing yoga every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. As spring approaches, we can also create a shared walking group. We have four and a half acres of beautiful land surrounding our church, and we should be using this land to strengthen our bodies.

Spiritually, there is a class every Sunday morning at 9:45 called Discovering God. How much more spiritual can you get than going to a class that’s called Discovering God? Emotionally, we can make ourselves stronger by being committed to the connections we have as believers in the risen Christ. Lent is upon us—just eight days away from this writing—and it is our time to prepare for the events at Calvary, coming very quickly the first weekend in April. Taking care of ourselves emotionally includes filling our lives with so much joy that we are able to help one another and stay connected.

If you are able, please come to the Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, February 12, at noon. We will have nurses from Texas Health Fort Worth who will be teaching a class about heart health. You don’t have to be a woman to attend this class. Please come if you can and bring something special to share as part of our potluck meal.

My love to all of you. Please know in your hearts that every single day, I pray for you.

Mary

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