1. Our next Night on Broadway concert featuring Shannon and Julian, will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025. The concert will begin at six with a light supper to follow around 7 PM.
2. Additionally, we will be hosting a concert with the Western Hills Ensemble choir, directed by our very own Blake Glass. This concert will benefit the choir, and will be held on December 5, 2025. The doors for this concert we will open at 5:30, the music begins at 6 PM and a late supper will be served afterwards.
3. Please see Cindy Wheeler if you can contribute to the meals being served, to setting up for the meal, or cleaning up afterwards.

Blessings to you in the name of the Vineyard Keeper!

If you do not know the identity of the Vineyard Keeper, please watch the service from August 17th at Saint Matthew: https://www.youtube.com/live/zXLzlAfTeUQ?si=11U1-iI24JJ7zkJu

Max preached an amazing sermon about the breadth and depth of God’s love for creation. He used the parable of the vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16. The parable is a beautiful reminder that God loves us so completely that we are welcomed into the family of God no matter who we are. God’s blessings are freely given, not earned.

We “work out our salvation” by working for God because we love God. And what does that work entail? Everything listed in Matthew 25—feeding, clothing, and sheltering those who lack the basic necessities of life. It looks like visiting the sick, the shut-in, and those who are incarcerated.

Jesus commands us to “love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). The commandment is not complicated or difficult to understand. Living out this commandment is proof of our belief in God and our salvation through Jesus Christ. If we live like this, we rarely have to utter a word about what we believe—people will see it in our lives.

As I write this, Leslieann Griffith is in the recovery room. She has done well throughout her treatment today and anticipates being discharged later today or early tomorrow. Our dear friend Karen Goodwin has been by her side all day—thanks be to God for Karen. Please continue to pray for Leslieann’s quick recovery.

I also want to thank you for your loving participation in our prayers yesterday. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful flowers from the Standefer family. I am so grateful for the chance to help where I can, and thankful that God has given me this opportunity—and that you still put up with me! 😊

My love to all,

Mary

Greetings, dear church family and friends,

I missed you all so much this past weekend. Family obligations are sometimes unavoidable—even for church staff. Your continued prayers are appreciated as we still have some family matters to tend to. Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize for missing Communion Sunday with you.

We’ve already had more than 50 concert tickets sold—or picked up by members who are helping us sell them. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, now’s the time! We’ll be offering online ticket sales soon, and I anticipate this concert will sell out quickly. Please also remember: this is an all-hands-on-deck event. Your help is needed as we welcome the community and raise support for Eastside Community Assistance. Dinner will be served after the concert, both in the Fellowship Hall and on the playground.

We also have a special opportunity to serve our neighborhood school. Bill J. Elliott Elementary, a Title I school, needs our help with school supplies. This year, FWISD is no longer providing bundled supply kits for Title I schools, which puts an extra burden on families. School starts August 12th, and we’ve received a list of supplies for grades K–5. You can purchase individual items or sponsor an entire class.

Common items needed include:

• No. 2 pencils (12 per student)
• 24-count crayons
• Glue sticks
• Blunt-tip scissors
• Composition notebooks (100 pages, 9¾” x 7½”)
• Hand sanitizer
• Facial tissues
• Washable broad-tip markers (8 count)
• Plastic pocket folders with brads (6 per student)
• A supply box or bag
• (Optional) Wired earbud headphones

Please bring what you can this Sunday morning. The church will also be purchasing supplies, and donations are welcome if you’d like us to shop on your behalf.

Now, I’m off to buy some school supplies myself.

Love to all,

Mary

Greetings, dear friends, in the name of Jesus Christ,

I want to thank all of you who participated in our remembrance service for those lost in the recent Hill Country floods. Speaking their names aloud is a powerful way to honor them and ensure they are remembered. While we cannot fully imagine the grief of those left behind, we grieve with them—placing ourselves in their shoes. So hold each other a little tighter this week. Do something kind for someone else—and something kind for yourself—in honor of those lost lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with complicated grief, please contact the church office to schedule an appointment.

I’ve just come from an Eastside Community Assistance Finance Committee meeting. This year, the ministry has been sustained largely by one generous donor—and for that, we give thanks to God. Without such gifts, Eastside would likely have closed its doors already. As Max has reminded us from the pulpit, we cannot let Eastside Ministries close. Our neighborhood—and four other zip codes—depend on the food and clothing this ministry provides.

Please remember that our September fundraiser will benefit Eastside Community Assistance. Tickets are on sale now in the church office for $25, which includes dinner and music. We’re hoping for at least 200 people in attendance, so tell everyone you know—and even a few you don’t! 😊

Please continue to pray for Carol Bennett as she recovers from hip repair, and for Lynette Coleman-Falck as she heals from her hip replacement surgery. If you get the chance, read Carol’s Facebook post about her fall and the role her Apple Watch played in getting her help. It’s an incredible story.

Remember also those lifted up during worship on Sunday:
LeslieAnn Griffin, preparing for surgery on the 18th, and
Velma Metcalf, who is recovering from a car accident.

There are many others as well. Please take a moment to read the full prayer list attached to this newsletter.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

I pray this week has given you chances to be of one mind, one heart, and one love—especially toward those we’re called to serve. God has made it clear: this is our sacred responsibility, and nothing short of death relieves us of it.

My love to all,
Mary

Greetings to you in the name of the risen Christ! I pray that love and peace abound in your life this week and every week.

What a joy it was to see Keith Butterfield on Sunday! Other than his new ride (a wheelchair), he hasn’t changed a bit and is still telling great stories about his life and adventures. Thank you, Doug Kelsey, for making sure Keith made it to church—I know he is deeply grateful to be still able to attend. To those of you unable to be with us physically, please know that we miss you. If you’re able to attend church but just need transportation, please let me know and we will arrange a ride. Email me at mary.teague@saintmatthewumc.com if you have any questions, can offer a ride, or need a ride.

Our September 20th concert with the MSB Gospel Choir will be here before we know it! Work has already begun on the sound system upgrade, and it will be completed in time for the concert. Paper tickets are available from Veta, and we’ll have an online option very soon. There’s also an opportunity to buy an extra ticket or two for folks in our neighborhood who may not be able to afford one. Let me know if you’re willing to sponsor a guest or two.

Finally, the sign-up sheet for helping with the duties of hosting a community concert is still hanging in the hallway on the bulletin board—there are plenty of ways to get involved. Speaking of helping, I’ll be volunteering at Eastside Community Assistance this Friday at 8:00 AM. I’ll be working in the clothing room with Ms. Dorothy, and I’m excited to spend time with her, learn what she does, and help wherever I can.

I’ll be preaching this Sunday and look forward to sharing what God has placed on my heart. One thing is for certain—my heart is filled with the knowledge that I am a beloved child of God. If you never hear me say anything else, please know this: you are also God’s beloved child.

Until Sunday,

Mary