Good morning, folks!

I have quite a bit to share today. Most important is to share with you how very grateful I am for all of you and how important you are to me.

Memorial for Eloise Rhodes: Viewing is Thursday Dec. 7 from 5p-7p; Funeral is Friday Dec. 8 at 11am. Laurel Land Funeral Home 7100 Crowley Road, 76134.

Ongoing fundraiser for Eastside Ministries due to the devastating fire they experienced that completely destroyed the food service building. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift to this ministry, please make the donation to Eastside Community Assistance or Eastside Ministries (eastsidecommunityassistance.org). You may also bring your donations to the church, and we will deliver to the organization. Our next Christmas concert is December 16^th at 6pm. Santa tells me that Bill and Cindy Wheeler will be feeding us pulled pork sandwiches with all the trimmings. If you would like to bring a dessert, please feel free. Finally, St. Matthew will be collecting lunch items for those folks living without adequate shelter. Items to be collected are:

• Packaged tuna or chicken salad (not canned)
• Individually packaged crackers
• Individually packaged candy bars, chewy granola bars, or cookies
• Fruit cups
• Gatorade or water bottle (can be reused/recycled)

We will assemble 30-35 lunches per week. The church purchased the items this week. The total to purchase all of these items was $161. If you prefer, you may give money to St. Matthew designated for this project. You may also bring the listed items, no more than 36 of each please. We will have to store these things until they can be packaged and distributed, and we do not have a large space for storage. Please let me know if you have any questions. We are looking for volunteers to help assemble lunches. Give your name to Bill Parker if you can help with this. 

Blessings to all of you! Mary

The family of Eloise Rhodes wishes to invite everyone to Eloise’s memorial service. Viewing is Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 from 5pm til 7pm. The funeral service will be Friday Dec. 8, 2023 at 11am. Both events will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home 7100 Crowley Road, Fort Worth 76134

Our dear Eloise Rhodes passed away peacefully on November 30^th. We do not have arrangements yet but will let you know as soon as information is available.

Dan and Joyce Mitchell have asked for specials prayers for the family of Timothy Williams. Timothy is the Mitchells nephew and passed away this week after a long illness.

It is never a good time to lose someone you love. Heaven is a sweeter place today with the addition of these two beloved souls. Take care of each other and especially the human in the mirror.

Blessings, Mary

I hope this newsletter finds you well and warm. Thanks in advance to all of you who will help decorate the church for Christmas. Advent is always such a humbling and meaningful time for me. There is usually a quietness in my heart while the “busy-ness” of this time of the year spins around me. My focus is on the baby born in the stillness of the night, surrounded by angels, shepherds, animals, Joseph and Mary. I imagine all of creation holding its breath as God made flesh took their first breath as a human male. I encourage you to set aside time every day to consider what we are celebrating, to think about what we are waiting for, and to look for ways to be the Christ in the life of others. We participate in advent every year, decorating, changing our music, our preaching, our focus to the arrival of that baby. This year, while you watch and wait, keep yourself actively waiting by doing small things for others: offering prayers, sending cards, making phone calls… Anything you do to reconnect with others in your families or in our community will extend the love of Christ to this world so desperate for love. This is actually my 12^th Advent with Saint Matthew (10^th since we joined the church). I look forward to every one because I learn something new about my Savior with each passing season. Blessings to all this week. Rest, practice self-care, and join me in anticipating the arrival of that baby! My love to all, Mary

I am grateful for all of you and feel so very blessed to be a part of this congregation. I pray that you have a peaceful and love-filled Thanksgiving. As you gather with friends and family, remember to take care of yourself by avoiding crowds, washing your hands, and staying away from folks who are ill.  Remember in your prayers our folks who are hospitalized or recovering. Send a card or make a phone call when you can.  

December will be here very quickly, and it will be another great month for us. November 26^th is Christ the King Sunday and I look forward to bringing you a message of hope and joy as we wrap up this ordinary season and move into the expectancy of the Advent season. Advent begins December 3^rd, and “Hope Sunday” is the theme for the first Sunday of Advent. Each Sunday of Advent has a theme: hope, peace, joy, and love.

Stay warm and rest; the season is upon us! Love, Mary