Hello to all of God’s beloved children,

I pray that your week is going smoothly—and that most of your plans are indoors! It looks like we’ll have hot and humid weather for a while longer… and maybe even more rain? My grass has never been this green in July, and my water bill has never been this low!

Summer is usually a time when attendance at St. Matthew dips a little, but not this year. We’ve been consistently welcoming around 60 people each Sunday, and I am so grateful for your continued commitment to our congregation. It brings me joy to see your faces each week. Please continue to pray for one another and for the world around us.

This Friday, July 17, I’ll be meeting with the Eastside Community Assistance Board. We have many things to discuss, including the upcoming gospel concert on September 20, 2025, featuring MSB. Tickets will go on sale July 27, both in print and online, and will be available until we sell out. I truly hope many of you will invite your friends and family to enjoy this evening of music, fellowship, and a shared meal afterward. I’ll share more details next week.

I also want to personally thank you for your generosity and prayers in support of the flood relief efforts in the Rio Texas Conference of the UMC. Our goal was to raise $2,000, and you gave $4,000! You overwhelm me with your kindness and love. A check will be sent to the Rio Texas Conference, and 100% of your donations will go directly to help those in need. Please continue to lift these families—and so many others around the world—who are being affected by extreme weather.

My love and blessings to you all,

Mary

Greetings in the name of our Risen Lord,

It was such a joy to have Max back with us on Sunday—especially on a communion Sunday. And it was wonderful to see everyone. If you weren’t able to join us in person, we missed you and hope you were able to catch the service online. Julian Rodriguez’s rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow gave me goosebumps. We are truly blessed at Saint Matthew to have musicians of such incredible talent.

Speaking of gifted musicians, don’t forget: we will be hosting an Eastside Community Assistance Benefit Concert on September 20th, featuring a local gospel choir called MSB. This is shaping up to be a major community-wide event, and we are praying for a crowd of 190–200 people. All Eastside Community Assistance churches are being invited to help with marketing and ticket sales, and your help is needed! There’s a sign-up sheet on the board in the hallway—please lend a hand where you can.

For the first time, we will be selling tickets to this event. Tickets are $25 per person, and that includes both the concert and a meal afterward. If you are able, please consider buying an extra ticket or two for those in our congregation or neighborhood who might not be able to afford it. The meal will be hosted in the Fellowship Hall, the overflow Sunday School rooms, and at picnic tables outside, as needed. We want our neighbors to know that we are here, we care, and we welcome them. As soon as we receive marketing materials from the choir, we’ll start spreading the word in the neighborhood.

I’ve spent the past week trying to live what I preached during the last three Sundays. I’m working hard to breathe before I speak, to speak with love and compassion, and to remain quiet when God tells me to be still. I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to serve this church and to share these kinds of messages with you. Remember, everything is a communication with God. You will never look into the eyes of someone whom God does not love and accept. God’s love is unconditional, inclusive, and overwhelming.

Under the Bridge Ministries still needs men’s summer shorts, T-shirts, clean underwear and socks, and shoes (size 12 and up). If you don’t have these items to donate but are able, perhaps consider purchasing a pair of shoes or a bag of socks to support this important ministry. They serve 250–300 people every Sunday in downtown Fort Worth—rain or shine.

I am so deeply grateful for all of you. Each of you carries your own burdens, faces your own crises, and walks through your own valleys. And yet, you still show up for one another. Watching how you give—your time, your hearts, your prayers, your resources—is truly inspiring. It humbles me every day, and it remains one of the greatest honors of my life to serve beside you in our shared calling: to tell others about Jesus and to stand against injustice and oppression.

With love and gratitude,

Mary

Words That Carry Us Closer

Every breath we take, every move we make—everything we do is done in the presence of God.

Over the past three weeks, we’ve explored how words matter—how communication is not just between us and others, but between us and God. We talked about the way we speak to each other, the way we speak to ourselves, and the way we speak to God.

And what we’ve discovered is this: it’s all conversation with God.

We are commanded to love our neighbor—that’s how we speak to each other.

We are created in God’s image and pursued by grace—that’s how we speak to ourselves.

And when we pray, worship, sing, study, and serve—that’s how we speak to God.

I hope you’ve found something meaningful in this sermon series. I know I have.

Please lift up our dear friend and church member Linda Pruett in prayer. She experienced a stroke last week and is now recovering at home. Her daughter is with her, and she’s doing well—but prayers are deeply appreciated. If you’re one of our Methodist chefs, a few small meals would be helpful in this season of healing.

And now… Max is back!

This Sunday, I encourage you—if you’re able—to be present in the pews. If not, send him a note or a message to let him know you’re glad he’s back. I’ll be sitting in the pew myself, feet up, simply ready to be fed by whatever word God has placed on Max’s heart.

I love you all,

Mary

Greetings to all in the name of the risen Christ,

I want to share an important update from Under the Bridge Ministries in Fort Worth. They are currently in urgent need of the following items:

• Men’s clothing (especially shorts)
• New underwear and socks
• Men’s shoes, size 12 and up

There are also a few children now attending the Sunday gatherings. A small, easy-to-carry toy would bring them so much joy. For now, please hold on to any winter clothing, as this ministry has no storage space, and our church storage is also limited.

If you’re able to help or if you have specific donations for this ministry, please speak with Ronnie Sullivan. Your generosity always makes a difference.

In other news, a neighborhood choir has reached out about hosting an Eastside Community Assistance benefit concert. I’ve tentatively agreed, pending approval from Pastor Max, and I’m hoping to schedule it for a Saturday night in July or August. Stay tuned for more details.

I pray you’ve spent this week speaking kindly to yourself. Life is too short to be unkind to others or yourself. This Sunday, we’ll wrap up our Words Matter series by looking at how we speak to God.

May peace and blessings be with you—and a whole lot of shade! Please stay hydrated and take care in this summer heat.

With love,

Mary

Greetings, dear friends!

I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for each of you. Your kind words and warm hugs after the service uplift me and give me the boost I need to get through the week. I’m looking forward to the day when I can serve full-time at the church and be more involved in the weekly life of our community.

A lot is happening at St. Matthew! We host a monthly St. Matthew Women United luncheon and presentation on the second Thursday of each month. The next gathering is scheduled for July 10, so please keep an eye on the bulletin board for more details as the date approaches.

We also offer yoga classes every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00 AM. These classes are open to all ages and fitness levels, and there’s a chair yoga option available as well. And don’t forget our Saturday morning breakfast at 7:30 AM, lovingly prepared by Doug Kelsey. It’s a great way to start the weekend with good food and good company.

I’m currently exploring the idea of launching a grief support group led by an outside facilitator. We’ve all experienced loss in different ways—especially in recent years—and many of us are carrying grief for loved ones, for the world, or the changes happening around us. If you’re interested in helping with the planning (not leading), please let me know.

I’ll be preaching again this Sunday. Max is feeling better and reports improved mobility—thanks be to God! I’ll be sharing part two of our new series, “Words Matter: The Ways We Talk to Ourselves.” I can’t wait to be with you again.

May you experience peace, love, and the joy of God’s presence in every moment.

With love,

Mary