10,000 words wasn’t enough folks. I still have 2 questions to answer and submit. I am grateful for this opportunity and painfully aware of the “this is a test” purpose of the exercise. I will share some of my writing with you after this is over and I can look at it again.
I will be out of town the next two Sundays. Until I see you again, be safe and careful. Wash you hands, avoid large crowds and stay home if you are ill. My love to all, Mary
Happy 2024 to all. May each day be filled with the peace of Christ and the knowledge that you are God’s beloved child. We had another amazing service this past Sunday capped off by a great sermon from our senior pastor, Max Brennan. We are blessed beyond belief to have such a gifted and insightful person to shepherd our congregation. Thank you for making my mother feel so welcome on Sunday.
Many folks in the community are coming down with flu/COVID/RSV or a variety of other upper respiratory and some stomach issues. Please be careful. We have made many advances in the treatment of all of these illnesses; however, we are not free of any of them. Wash your hands frequently, stay away from folks who are sick, stay home if you are one of the sick folks, and avoid large gatherings.
I look forward to 2024 with you. My ordination interviews are coming quickly and then, with God’s grace, I will be ordained a provisional elder in June at Annual Conference. Details to come! I could not be in this position without your love and support.
IF YOU ARE AN ADMIN BOARD, FINANCE COMMITTEE, PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE, or ANY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER AT SAINT MATTHEW, WE MEET THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH. We will be discussing some very important plans for 2024 so you don’t want to miss this meeting or others will be making your decisions for you. Love to all, Mary
It is almost 2024! If you are like me, you are probably thinking of a bunch of things to do differently next year: eat better, exercise, save more, etc. Let’s pick one thing to do well next year. Just one thing for the first day. Then add or take away something when you feel like you have done the first thing well. Pray every day to just do the next right thing. Let your successes be your successes and your failures be your lessons. The best thing is we don’t have to do it all alone. God is always with us in our struggles. I pray for each of us a fulfilling and life-changing 2024. See you Sunday! Love, Mary
I have heard many fine sermons from Max Brennan in the last 12 years but Sunday’s sermon, “At the Right Time”, is definitely one of his finest. Thank you, Max, for always preaching the truth, even when the truth is hard to say. You are a light on a hill, and I am grateful for your 42 years of service to St. Matthew. And the song Shannon blessed us with is still playing in my head. We are so blessed to have so many talented people around us, sharing their love for God and the gifts God has given. I look forward to finishing Advent among all of you.
Jo and Joe Adams have 2 spaces left at their Christmas Dinner table. Please let them know if you would like to join them.
We had two huge food contributions this week to our Eastside Ministry lunch program. We are so very appreciative of the people from our church and OUTSIDE of our church who support the ministries of our neighborhood. Christmas Eve is Sunday, and we will have a rare double service. Sunday morning at 11am as usual plus a Sunday evening service at 6pm. Come early at 5:30 and enjoy a moment of fellowship before our service with a surprise in the fellowship hall.
Blessings to all of you!
Mary
Greetings in the name of Christ. In this season of Advent, I continue to be amazed at the way God works in our lives, showing up in the stillness. I attended a play on Sunday afternoon at the Stage West Theatre in Fort Worth. The play, “Poor Clare,” is a brilliant social commentary set against the backdrop of the friendship between Saint Francis of Assisi and Chiara Offreduccio (aka Saint Clare of Assisi).
The play is described as, “what happens when your eyes are opened to the injustice of the world around you, and you cannot look away.” I can verify that the play had exactly this impact upon the audience, at least this member of the audience. Having just preached a sermon on a “just peace,” my heart was already diligently seeking a place for words to become action. The play, set in ancient times but using modern dialogue, is incredibly accurate in its portrayal of the awakening of a soul to the plight of others.
It was a lovely and spiritual experience, and I am grateful for the talent and for the message. My eyes see the world more deeply after seeing the play. If you have an opportunity, it is worth the time and money to see this play.
Advent is moving quickly along. I urge you to spend time every day acknowledging the hope you have in your heart and seeking justice and peace in this world gone mad. We do not have to change the entire world; just a few just things done by people living the gospel is all the world needs.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday night at the Christmas Show and the dinner afterward. It promises to be a fun evening. Bring a friend, bring a stranger, bring both!
Blessings, Mary