Author Archives: Max Brennan

Max’s Corner

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Catching Up

I was about to tell you Sunday morning when something distracted me: Tracy Maxwell has been in the hospital with a serious infection after a cat bite. We hope to see Tracy this Sunday. We have missed him.

Bill Parker is home but still recovering. It will take some time for Bill to feel up to par again, which means we will continue to miss Bill and Linda for a while longer.

Carol Bennett had her second knee surgery this week, so she will be out for a bit, too.

We had a fine service last Sunday—or at least it seemed so to me. Blake’s solo was glorious.

NDE Class

My sister has pulled out two of the most remarkable life review accounts we have ever come across—both from the same NDE—of a person with the unlikely name of Tom Sawyer (nothing to do with Mr. Twain). This material will give us great insight into how God wants us to live—and should provoke some good discussion.

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

Mark and Connie Ely are bringing food, and Brian McCosky will add to it. Feel free to help.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

It is, as I write this, very late on Monday—now Tuesday morning. Got to go to bed.

See you in church. Do come—if you can.

God Bless,
MB

Heaven and Earth Together

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Pam Reynolds had a brain aneurism that could not be removed by usual methods.

So, the doctors did the unusual, a procedure called “Standstill.” They lowered her body temperature to 60 degrees and stopped her heart and breathing.

Her brainwaves flattened and the blood drained from her head.

She was clinically dead.

She left her body and hovered above it for a while. (She watched the surgery and later described it all to the doctors—to their amazement.)

Then a tunnel opened up and she was pulled into it.

“It reminded me of the tornado vortex from The Wizard of Oz,” she said.

She was headed for an incredible light. It got brighter and brighter.

But she also heard her grandmother calling her.

And she exited the tunnel to a family reunion with her deceased loved ones.

They all looked great.

“Uncle Gene was there,” she said, “and great- great Aunt Maggie, and my grandmother.”

Pam was delighted to see them, but she wanted to go on to the light.

They would not let her.

They told her if she went to the light, she could not go back to her body.

And her family was somehow nourishing her with light. It made her feel really strong.

When the surgery was over, her uncle escorted her back. When she saw her dead body, she resisted going into it.

Her uncle “pushed” her. “And it was like diving into ice water.”

“It hurt!” Pam said.

The surgery was a great success. The doctors had done their job. But so had heaven.

Life is a joint venture, heaven and earth working together. So–let God work with you in your life.

Max’s Corner

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SERVICE FOR JK WARE

The graveside memorial for JK Ware, father of Sheila Taylor and Cindy Wheeler and grandfather of others in our church, will be at Shannon Rose Hill Cemetery on Thursday—at 10:30. A lunch for family and all friends will follow at the church.

The family invites you to share this time of remembrance with them.

JK is now with his beloved wife, Betty, and his loved ones who went before him.

We praise our Lord.

NDE CLASS

Both Diana and Danny Eades shared their near-death experiences from childhood. At age 10, Danny’s was brief, involving only a life review. Diana’s, at age six, was extensive as she hovered between this world and the next following a snakebite. During her NDE, Diana saw her grandmother, who sent back a message for Diana’s mother.

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

SPEAKING OF BREAKFAST

This is a “Winston Sunday” Feel free to help.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

The Concert

It could not have been any better.

We had 84 present. Thanks to Shannon and Julian. And thanks for all that good food.

A truly wonderful evening.

This Sunday

Sermon Sunday: The Gift that Makes Us Possible. And we return to the Garden of Eden—Genesis 3:1-13.

I look forward to Sunday. See you in church.

God Bless—MB

Bill Parker is in the hospital—and in our prayers. It does not seem right around here without Bill and Linda. Lord, get them back with us soon.

Mac Salfen—we love you and miss you.

Thanks for the gifts to get our audio and light systems repaired and upgraded. We have reached our goal. The work will soon begin.

A Night On Broadway—Saturday at 6:00

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Shannon Davidson is our “star soprano.” She sings for us most Sundays. She is also a locally-known entertainer.

And this Saturday she will join Julian Rodriguez for a stirring concert we are calling A Night on Broadway.

Julian, with his soaring high tenor voice, is also part of the St. Matthew music program.

This is tomorrow.

Saturday, August 10.

At 6:00 p.m. (The doors open at 5:30.)

The concert is followed by dinner. All is free. (We do take an offering.)

Let me talk a little about St. Matthew—a church that has survived since 1896.

We are not large. We have some 70 on a Sunday morning. Our membership is around 150. And almost all of our members come from one source. They are readers of Friday’s Word.

They all knew what they were getting when they came to the church. They got it here first.

And all of them were looking for a church that placed the emphasis on God’s love.

Some of the most loving and gracious people I know gather every Sunday at St. Matthew. It’s hard to get a good fuss going! Folks are mostly in agreement.

So, I pastor a church where the Gospel is a lived reality.

And I must tell you—it’s a joy.

But in our worship, we do not seem small.

We have gifted people who bring us glorious music. Our small choir puts out a big sound.

Why am I telling you all of this?

I expect you to visit us sometime.

Like—Saturday night.

At 6:00.

Max’s Corner

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THE CONCERT

We have switched to a potluck supper—and we will be serving quite a few people. Your help is needed. I know we will have plenty of food. We always do.

I expect a glorious evening.

Saturday—at 6:00.

NDE CLASS

Diana Eades will share her near-death experience—and we may ask husband Danny about his. Expect an interesting morning.

At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

SPEAKING OF BREAKFAST

This is a “We-bring Sunday.”

We are serving some 30 people these days.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

Last Sunday

We got the word during worship that the father of Sheila Taylor and Cindy Wheeler had passed. It was on our minds and in our prayers all during the service—and still is.

Our love to this family. We will let you know when the graveside service will be.

It was a rather emotional Sunday.

I was emotional. I already had on my mind the several people in our church who are going through times of illness right now. I feel the burden of that as a pastor and I know Mary does also.

God is working. God will hold the folks we love in his grace. Because God loves us, all shall be well.

Mary has not preached for us in a while.

She will this Sunday.

And don’t miss that concert! It will be joy.

God Bless—MB

I cannot thank you enough for your help with repairs and improvements to our sound and lighting systems. I have told Chuy at 4Stage to do the work. I told him we would have the $3,500 to pay for it. And we will. I do give thanks.