Author Archives: Max Brennan

Max’s Corner

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A Great Service

Rev. Beverly Tye is a powerful preacher. Edward Hjorth, who watches from home, called Monday morning to say how much he enjoyed the service. The story of her father was an astounding account of Christian commitment and witness.

The Anthem

The power of the anthem didn’t fully come through on the streamed recording, but the in-house version last week was truly moving. It was an uplifting experience for those in attendance.

Discovering God Class

We are beginning Section Two of Discovering God. In Section One, we explored how people experience God intervening in their lives in this world. In Section Two, we move beyond this world—diving into near-death experiences and encounters with loved ones who have gone before us. Exciting discussions lie ahead!

Time: 9:45 AM. Join anytime! Breakfast follows the class.

Breakfast This Sunday

This Sunday is a “We-Bring Sunday”—which means we need your help! Please bring something to share. Breakfast will be served at 10:30 AM.

Sound Repair

We have turned in a check for $4,900 toward a new soundboard. Our in-house soundboard has stopped working, so we’re using this as an opportunity to relocate Jason Hardy and Robert Lee from the hot attic streaming booth. Our goal is to consolidate in-house sound and internet streaming into one larger board in the booth at the back of the sanctuary.

This project requires modifications to the existing sound booth and the addition of some new cameras. If you would like to contribute, simply designate your gift for “sound.”

This Sunday

Rev. Mary Teague will be preaching this Sunday. See you then!

God Bless, MB

Friday’s Word: Some Have Gone to the Dark Side

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The lies are clearly lies. There is no effort to make the lies sound true.

The leader of The Dark Side once said, “Nothing you say has to be true. If you say it, people will believe it.”

Nor is there any attempt to hide the evil: cancer research ended, food withheld from children, and medicine for HIV patients stopped.

The poor will be poorer. Millions of people may die.

And democracy, “the great experiment,” the dream of our founding fathers, may be over.

Yet the latest poll says that 53% of Americans are all for it.

That tells us something.

The great Carl Jung said that, in a crisis, you can depend on only 40% of people to act rationally.

A study has shown that, on the other end, 40% will act selfishly and without compassion.

That leaves 20% in the middle who can swing either way.

So, there is no “moral majority.” There is only a moral minority.

Democracy is always up against these numbers.

And so is the church.

And, sadly, much of the church is in the morally confused category.

The firm moral standard of unconditional love, which Jesus preached, is not popular with many Christians.

Jesus is not popular.

Someone checked the sermons of Rev. Jerry Falwell over 10 years; 93% were based on Old Testament scripture.

Not much talk of Jesus.

So, no wonder! We see why so many conservative Christians have gone to the Dark Side.

They don’t hear much about the Light.

Max’s Corner

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The Big News

Rev. Beverly Tye will be preaching for us this Sunday. Expect a great service!

Beverly is also giving the devotional at the Women’s Luncheon this Thursday at 11:30 AM in the fellowship hall. Lunch will be followed by a special program.

Discovering God Class

We will consider a remarkable experience this Sunday—one that is hard to believe and unlike anything most people have ever heard.

If it happened (and it did), then God is real and does intervene in our lives in very dramatic ways.

Join us at 9:45 AM—breakfast afterward!

Breakfast This Sunday

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

Breakfast is at 10:30 AM.

Sound Repair

Our in-house sound was out last week, and I had to “push it” while preaching. I don’t want Beverly to have to do that!

Chuy from Stage4 will be at the church Wednesday at 5:00 PM for repairs.

We also have a new project for him: moving Jason and Robert out of the small, hot “media loft” at the back of the sanctuary. The plan is to relocate all sound equipment to a booth on the floor, which may require building a new sound booth.

Jason and I will meet with Chuy on Wednesday to discuss it.

Attendance & Giving

We had 58 in attendance last Sunday—still aiming for 70!

Here’s some good news: Giving was up substantially in 2024 compared to 2023. This made life much easier for us last year.

We are grateful for our faithful church—and for the Lord who leads us.

Ash Wednesday – March 5

Lent begins soon. Our Ash Wednesday service will focus on music and prayer.

We will have a sandwich supper at 6:00 PM, followed by the service at 6:30 PM.

Let this service be important to you.

See you Sunday!

God Bless,

MB

Friday’s Word – “He Does Not Know How to Love”

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Many Christians pay little attention to Jesus.

Take J.D. Vance, who proudly wears the name Christian.

He has been in a spat with Rory Stewart, a podcaster, about biblical teachings.

Vance says we love people in this order: “First, you love your family, then your neighbor. After that, it’s your community, then your fellow citizens in your own country, then the rest of the world.”

Stewart says that sounds pagan.

Vance says loving your family, friends, and people of your own country first is just “common sense.”

Stewart says that’s a “bizarre” statement.

And Vance says Stewart “has a low IQ.”

(Time for someone to say, “So’s your mama.”)

Stewart, of course, is right. What Vance says is pagan.

It’s doing what comes naturally.

But it’s not the Gospel.

It’s not what Jesus taught. He says in Matthew 5:46 that if you love those who love you, you get no reward.

Why should you?

Jesus said, “Even the Gentiles (the pagans) do that.”

Jesus tells us to love people who do not love us just as we love those who do.

Jesus calls us to love all people everywhere.

That must include gay people, trans people, and immigrants.

I won’t comment on Mr. Vance’s IQ. I suspect it is pretty high.

But he doesn’t know how to love.

Listen—our Discovering God classes start with NDEs, beginning Wed., March 12, at 6:30 PM.

Drop me an email if you are interested.

Max’s Corner

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The Big Birthday

Nineteen St. Matthew people gathered at the care facility for Keith Butterfield’s 98th birthday celebration. And Keith was better—able to respond to others and enjoy his cake. We give thanks.

Discovering God Class

Last week, we hit the most challenging section of the book. I will continue this week discussing why science and religion are simply two roads to the same reality.

We will look at three more very strange experiences, including that of a man who saw what would have happened if he had died—something like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life.

At 9:45 AM. Join any time. Breakfast after.

Breakfast This Sunday

This Sunday, Joe and Jo Christian Adams will be doing the breakfast. (We thank them muchly.) Feel free to help.

Come—10:30 AM—eat!

I Get the Stronger Shots—

—in my knees—this Friday. So, Sunday, you can watch me run down the aisle.

Don’t I wish.

This Sunday

Sermon: Life is Difficult—but Grace Is Sufficient.

I’m loving talking about Paul. Last week, we saw the rough stuff he went through. This week, we find out how he made it.

Last week, Blake sang. I loved the way he built and built the drama—and the volume.

This week, the choir sings Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. (Yes, the choir is back after break!)

We had just one short of 70 last week—69.

This week, let’s see if we can hit that 70 mark.

📢 On any Sunday before Easter that we hit 70, we will close with Victory in Jesus.

God Bless,

—MB

P.S. — The Rev. Beverly Tye will preach a week from this Sunday—February 16.

Then Mary on the 23rd. Then me on March 2, Transfiguration Sunday.

Ash Wednesday is March 5. We will have a sandwich supper at 6:00 PM before the Ash Wednesday service at 6:30 PM.