Author Archives: Max Brennan

Max’s Corner

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We continue in prayer for the Valenzuela family in the loss of Vicky’s brother. May the Lord be with them, and may they know that their loved one is safe in Christ and going on with his life in Him.

I’ll keep it short this week. I’m preparing for cataract surgery on Tuesday. By the time you read this, it should be done. This Sunday, you’ll see me with one lens still in my glasses and the other removed—that’s how it works until the second eye is done. Then comes knee replacement on December 3. I will miss at least the second and third Sundays of Advent; Mary will be preaching those Sundays.

Last Sunday, we had 59 in worship, including three guests, and Carol Bennett was back. So good to see her. It was a meaningful All Saints Sunday.

Pastor’s Class — 9:45 AM (Breakfast follows)

We had a wonderful discussion last week—we never even got to the planned lesson. We continually raised thought-provoking questions about life, death, and God. Yes, we talk about big stuff in this class.
Breakfast This Sunday (10:30 AM): It’s a We-bring Sunday. Bring something to share if you can!

This Sunday in Worship

Sermon: It’s About Love.
Choir Anthem: O Love by Elaine Hagenberg (a fresh, beautiful setting of a cherished hymn).
Last week’s anthem was a little more “intellectual”—this one is sweet and lovely.

I print 70 bulletins each week. If yours sometimes ends up left behind, let’s fix that this Sunday—bring a friend and let every bulletin find a home!
Hope to see you in worship.
God bless,
MB

Mark Your Calendar

Blake’s school choir concert — Friday, December 5, at 6:30 PM. Don’t miss it!

Friday’s Word

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I’ve just watched the news, so I’m not in a great mood.
We have, at least for now, lost our democracy. We are an authoritarian nation.

No checks and balances remain. One group of people has all the power, and they are answerable to no one.

We know the character of many of those who lead us. A recent nominee withdrew under pressure because of emails that surfaced.

He disparaged minorities and confessed he “had a Nazi streak.” He still has a government job.

And there’s Stephen Miller, a power behind the throne, who dumped a friend when they hit ninth grade.

“I can’t be your friend anymore,” he told the kid. “You have Hispanic heritage.”

Miller designed the deportation program.

Usually, people like this have no shot at national power. Their character flaws—their meanness—would disqualify them.

Now, these people rise to the top—because the top is corrupt.

Some people call us a Christian nation. But a Christian nation would not divert money from food for starving children to make the rich richer.

We are not a Christian nation. But we are, to a great extent, a conservative Christian nation.

Conservative, inerrantist, “Fundamentalist.”

This kind of Christianity has a mean streak.

Consider the willful mistreatment of gay people.

That meanness is now at the center of our national life.

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What are you doing on Sunday? We could use your support. 11:00 a.m.

saintmatthewumc.com
revmaxb@tx.rr.com

Max’s Corner

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Our love and prayers go out to Vicky Valenzuela and her family following the death of her brother, age 31. The service will be held on Thursday at Nueva Vida Funeral Home in Arlington. Please keep Vicky, Jose, and their family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Last Week and This Week

Thanks to everyone who supported the concert last week! We raised over $1,300, and we’re deeply grateful to our friends at All People’s Unitarian Church for presenting the program.

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday, a day to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us. I consider it one of the most meaningful Sundays of the year.

Sermon: We Know; Stop Guessing

We actually know a lot about what happens after death—we don’t have to guess. And what we know is more wonderful than we can imagine.

Our choir will sing Awake, My Heart by Jane Marshall, one of the most gifted hymn and anthem composers of the 20th century. A Methodist from Dallas, she passed away in 2019 at the age of 94. Awake, My Heart remains one of her most beloved works.

Pastor’s Class

Last week’s discussion on “Does God get angry?” was outstanding! Join us again this Sunday at 9:45 a.m. for another great conversation, followed by breakfast.

Breakfast this Sunday

It’s a “Winston Sunday”—bring something to share if you’d like! Breakfast begins at 10:30 a.m.

We also set a new record last week for the lowest attendance of the year: 45 in worship. Now that the record has been set, let’s all show up this Sunday and beat it!

On a personal note, I expect to receive a date soon for my knee surgery, which will take place before Christmas. And next Tuesday, I’m scheduled for cataract surgery—they tell me that with my new lenses, I might even be able to pick up Chicago on a clear day!

See you Sunday.

God bless,

MB

Friday’s Word

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Well, there were seven million last weekend standing up for right over might, good over mean, grace over vengeance.

My sermon this Sunday will barely mention our national plight, but it is about never giving up.

So, it will apply.

Are you watching our services?

You can see us on YouTube through our webpage. Type in our web address at the bottom of this little box. Click on “video.” There it is.

During the week, the service gets shortened to just the sermon—for those in a hurry.

But below the picture that comes up when you click on “video,” there is a choice to “watch full service.”

Or watch the full service on Facebook. Go to “Saint Matthew UMC Fort Worth Facebook.”

Or watch on your TV.

On YouTube.

There I am—preaching from a stool.

Yes, I hate it—preaching from a stool.

I hope to escape the stool after knee surgery.

You will note as soon as you tune in that I—uh—I am older than the picture I use in this little box.

I’ve been at this for 43 years, and I was 39 when I started. (You do the math.)

I’m still at it.

I hope to be at it for several years to come.

Lord willing.

And with our good Bishop’s approval.

But at one point, I thought my ministry was over before it began.

I’ll tell you about that this Sunday.

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Monthly concert and dinner Saturday night, Oct. 25, 6:00 p.m. Free.

We take an offering for Eastside Ministries.

I’ve got a pew for you.

saintmatthewumc.com
revmaxb@tx.rr.com

Max’s Corner

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Lazarus — The Musical

Saturday, Oct. 25 · 6:00 p.m.
Dinner to follow at St. Matthew

The excellent choir from the Unitarian Universalist Church around the corner from St. Matthew presented Lazarus in May as a fundraiser for Eastside Ministries.

They’re repeating that performance here at St. Matthew this Saturday evening—again to benefit Eastside Ministries.

Lazarus brings to life Jesus’ parable of “The Rich Man and Lazarus.” Lazarus sits at the rich man’s gate, surviving on crumbs from his table. When the rich man dies, he finds himself in torment.

This story will come alive for us on Saturday as part of our monthly concert series. Your presence matters—if you’re able to come. We’re helping Eastside Ministries continue their vital work feeding hungry neighbors who depend on our support.

An offering will be taken.

For your gift of time and support, you’ll be rewarded with a good evening of music, food, and fellowship. Let’s do our best.

(And to those bringing desserts to go with the tacos, beans, rice, and homemade sauce—mmm, good!)

Pastor’s Class

What we didn’t do last week, we’ll do this week: God and grief. Our experiences tell us that God wants us to be comforted in times of loss.

9:45 a.m. — followed by breakfast.

Breakfast this Sunday

It’s a “We bring” Sunday. Help if you can.

That’s at 10:30 a.m.

This Sunday

Sermon: When Our Strength Is Gone
Anthem: They Shall Soar Like Eagles — a moving setting of Psalm 40
Featured Hymn: Precious Lord, Take My Hand

No one can fill your place but you.

God bless — MB