Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

Sunday was a very tender day for many of us. It was a day of profound grief and immeasurable joy. I have discovered that both emotions bring me to tears and so Sunday was a very, very tender day. I was not alone in shedding tears of sadness over the loss of Julie M. Julie and Tracy have been a major force in our church, always generous with their time and talents. And, I saw many of you with “leaking eyes” when Anna and Tyler stood at the back as evidence of God’s miracles in our lives. Our family is forever grateful to you for your prayers and for those of you able to sit vigil as Anna healed from her illness.

It is strange to be in the “bittersweet” as we were yesterday, but I am wondering if we are not always living there. We never lose the grief that accompanies loss in our lives and we can always find a miracle in our lives if we look close enough. I think that is what being Easter People means. We are able to see the miracle in the presence of great sorrow. We can do so because we are God’s beloved children and we are never alone no matter where the pendulum is swinging. 

I enjoyed Max’s history lesson on Sunday. It is wonderful to belong to a congregation with so much history. And I am thankful that a newspaper article is the beginning for many folks. I also know that even if the newspaper brings people in, it is you, our loving and caring congregation, who keep people coming back. Saint Matthew has been revived several times in its history and we may face the need for a more modern intervention soon. But, the heart of our Lord joined to the heart of all of you keeps this church alive.

I am one of those “newspaper” people who wandered into St. Matthew after seeing the Meadowbrook News. But it isn’t any newspaper that keeps me coming back. It isn’t even my job there as associate pastor. I keep coming back, my family keeps coming back because of you. We love you dearly, Mary.

Greetings to you in the name of the risen Christ, 

I am grateful that our choir will be back this Sunday. We are singing a song, He Never Failed Me Yet. It is a beautiful song, in spite of the fact that God is identified as “HE.” I am looking forward to our spring choir events. I am also grateful to announce that our church concerts are starting back this spring. Max is arranging the first two concerts. In June, we will be blessed with performances by Cassandra Kirby and Nicholas Garza, professional musicians from the DFW area, and good friends of Blake. I will have more details as we get closer but the concert is on June 8th at 7 pm. This will be an event you do not want to miss and one that you will want to bring all your friends to enjoy.

On a serious note, I am requesting a committed and concerted prayer response from the members of our church for Julie and Tracy, Mac and Faith, and Doug and Sue. Also, our sister Suzanne is home but still battling leg issues. The prayer list is kept a private part of our website. If you have questions or concerns about our prayer list, please contact me at mary.teague@saintmatthewumc.com.

Blessings and love to all of you! Mary

Greetings Easter People,

Some folks call us that — Easter People. We believe in the events at Calvary, at the tomb, in the upper room, and on the beach. I have been thinking about the scene at the beach since Sunday. I can imagine a place of peacefulness, with the sound of the waves in the background and a full belly. And also, more than enough fish for everyone. Isn’t that always God’s way in our lives? Walking into our failures and giving us abundance when we are obedient. Obedience is part of the scenario. They could have easily told Jesus that they had already tried and failed at catching any fish. But they did not. They listened and followed their instructions. While you are thinking about things this week, remember to pray for God to show you where you need to be obedient. Also, ask God to strengthen your own “body of Christ” as well as the St. Matthew body of Christ. There are fish to be caught folks, and we hold the net.

Remember our special prayer requests this week. We have folks in our congregation with new things happening in their lives that are going to be difficult. Prayer, love, and support are imperative.

Blessings to all of you, Mary

Greetings St. Matthew!

What a glorious Easter service. If we could afford it, I would love to have a brass ensemble once a month. What a difference that sound makes and what a lifting of our spirits! I am still humming the choir anthem and Crown Him with Many Crowns.

The full house was a beautiful sight to see as well. It is always good to see so many children come to church to hunt for eggs and stay for the lesson. Thanks to everyone who helped with Holy Week this year. The food, services, and music were outstanding. It is a joy to serve you and a joy to serve WITH you. 

I am preaching next Sunday. I spoke on Maundy Thursday about the importance of reading past the grammatical separations in the text. You cannot stop reading at the end of John. The story of Jesus’ days on the Earth after resurrection begins in John 20 and continues all the way through the 1^st chapter of Acts. My sermon text on Sunday will be from somewhere in those specific passages. I am elated to be in the service of a risen Christ. I pray that what I share with you this Sunday will draw you closer to our Lord. 

Keith Butterfield has asked me to let everyone know that even with the solar eclipse glasses that you can purchase online or pick up in any grocery store, the glasses all come with a warning not to look at the sun for extended periods. The glasses, Keith got from his son actually say damage can be caused if you stare at the sun during the eclipse for more than three minutes at a time. Be smart and be safe with your eyes. You don’t have another pair in your other pants. 

Anna continues to slowly improve. She sends her love and gratitude for your prayers, cards, and visits. We hope to have her home soon. We are a family because you have taken us into your hearts. I am eternally grateful to you. Mary

Greetings to all from the risen Christ, 

We follow the risen Christ, but we are still in that time of waiting for the inevitable. We know that Calvary is coming, that the cross has to happen. One day they shouted, “Hosanna!”, and a few days later, “Crucify Him!” We have learned of the depth and breadth of God’s love through God’s actions on the cross. We also experienced that love now, in this moment. As I write and as you read, the love of God surrounds us both. Close your eyes and feel the breath of God blowing across your life. Become aware of the warmth of the Savior standing next to you. Be aware of the little things that God uses to feed your spirit and empower your faith. God is in us and through us and all around us. God is mystery and God is light. Picture in your mind that God made flesh and dwelling among us as Jesus of Nazareth is spending the last, few precious hours telling the world that we are loved and we are forgiven. There is nothing greater than this. Thursday evening we will talk briefly and then have communion together, remembering the last supper of our Lord. 

I just received word that Anna is being transferred from the hospital to a physical rehab facility.! This is the next step in her journey toward health. I am so grateful for your love and your support of my family. We would not have survived this without you. My love to all, Mary