Author Archives: Max Brennan

Max’s Corner

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Discovering God Resumes

The Discovering God class resumes this Sunday at 9:45. We will be discussing the “light” many people encounter in religious experiences and in NDEs. Our discussion may lead to new understandings about who we are and our relationship with God.

You may join this class at any time. It is intended to be a weekly dose of encouragement as we grow in grace together.

Breakfast this Sunday

It will be warmer this Sunday. Breakfast as usual.

This is a “We-bring” Sunday, and your help is appreciated.

To the Doctor Tomorrow

I will be taking my knees to the doctor tomorrow, two months after my first visit. I may get some word on what the future holds concerning treatment. I’ll let you know Sunday what the doctor says.

This Sunday

Mary will be preaching.

We were gratified by attendance last Sunday—the coldest Sunday we have had in years.

So!!—we expect a full house this week!

God Bless,
MB

Friday’s Word – A Communicating God

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Last week I shared an account of an experience I had at age 14.

After my bedtime prayer, I said softly to myself, “Nobody heard me.”

Immediately, a voice clearly replied, “I heard you.”

I believe God spoke to me. But I asked you to say what you think.

There are three possible choices: 1) I am lying. 2) I am mistaken. 3) You believe me.

Six people said I was mistaken.

One replied: I believe you think you heard the voice, but I doubt that the voice was really there.

Another said: Sometimes our internal voice can seem like an outside voice. I heard such an answer to prayer once, back when I prayed. It startled me, but it’s not enough to make me believe in a god.

Fifty-one people said they believe me, and some shared their own stories.

One wrote: I was trying to decide what to do with my life after college. I was walking late at night and praying. A voice clearly spoke to me, saying, “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” I had hoped for something more specific. The same voice spoke again, “Seek first the Kingdom of God.”

Another wrote: I was leaving for work when a voice said, “Watch for a red car.” The message came three times because I ignored it the first two times. I said, “Ok, I’ll watch.” And a red car pulling a trailer almost ran me off the road.

I have many accounts like these last two. We are loved and watched over.

And God can speak to us in many ways.

Next time, I have another challenge for you.

Worship is at 11:00.

Give it a try.

Max’s Corner

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Last Week’s Sermon

The sermon was a bit unusual—about the remarkable life of our church. I have heard it said that, according to the laws of aerodynamics, the bumblebee should not be able to fly. But it does. As an older church hidden within an older community, we should not still be here, but we are alive and well.

And, old as I am, I am probably still a necessary part of the St. Matthew mix. That is one reason I have not retired and the Conference has not put me out to pasture.

There’s another reason: Ministry is the center of my life. So, I will soon begin my 43rd year at St. Matthew.

“Discovering God” Class

It will resume on Sunday, Jan. 26—the last Sunday of the month—at 9:45, before worship.

Breakfast this Sunday

Just coffee, orange juice, and donuts. It will be cold. Grab a donut and head for worship by 11:00.

A New Church Directory

The Church Council agreed last week that we need a pictorial directory, and I will be calling the people who did our last one to set up a time to do the photography. Mary and I plan to be relentless in getting all of our people into the book.

This Sunday

I preach this Sunday, Mary the next. I will apply the “lied, mistaken, I believe” choices to a couple of stories from Paul. Yes, I believe these stories. But—if we do believe them—we need to show it in our lives. Sermon title: If We Believe It—Live It.

God Bless,
MB

NOTE: Listen—there will be no ice or snow, but it may be below 30 degrees on Sunday. Bundle up and come on. But be careful. See you Sunday.

NOTE: We found the lid to the baptismal font. It was in the pulpit. The font is a wooden copy of a stone font from 1735 in a church in London.

Friday’s Word – It’s a New Year

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Only 69% of Americans say they are Christian. Five percent are agnostic, 4% atheist, and 17% “nothing in particular.”

When belief was common, there was a lot of pressure to believe. Now, the pressure is off.

Truth is, many people simply don’t know what they believe and don’t trust the church to help them decide.

Have you decided what you believe?

Have you?

In the first articles of the new year, I will be pushing you to decide—beginning with a story I have told many times.

(Stick with me here.)

When I was 14, God spoke to me. (Do you believe that’s possible?)

I went to bed depressed and, it seems, a bit surly.

I prayed as I did every night, but then mumbled to myself, “Nobody heard me”—my first expression of doubt ever.

But my statement of doubt was followed by a response.

Immediately, a voice replied, “I heard you.”

The voice sounded in my head, but I looked around the room for the source.

Nobody there but me.

The voice was clear. I had no question about it. It shook me up at first. But then I felt the wonder of it.

I prayed. God answered.

In first person singular: “I heard you.”

But now, I want to know what you think. There are only three options. E-mail me with your choice.

You would say to me:

  1. You are lying.
  2. You are mistaken.
  3. I believe you.

Be honest. Respond right now. I will give the results next week.

Please know, if you choose number 3, the implications are huge.

Max’s Corner

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Prayers for Our People

KEITH BUTTERFIELD, about to turn 98, is not doing as well as we would hope. He is in Parkwood Healthcare, close to HEB hospital. Several in the church have visited him. He can talk—and smile—but has trouble completing a sentence. He is quite weak.

“Living This Truth”

That’s my sermon Sunday. How do we live the truth we know? I am going to talk about some very important scripture this week, some words from Paul—and we will explore the three responses to it I mention in my Friday’s Word article. We will read Paul’s account and consider the only three possible responses:

  1. Paul is lying.
  2. Paul is mistaken.
  3. I believe Paul.

If we DO believe Paul—it should change the way we live.

“Discovering God” Classes

They will resume on Sunday, Jan. 26—last Sunday of the month—at 9:45 every Sunday. Later in February, we will begin a Thursday evening class called Basic Christianity at 6:30 every Thursday.

Breakfast This Sunday

This time together is important. This is a “We-bring” Sunday. I will bring the pigs-in-blankets. You bring something, too.

Thursday Luncheon Postponed

NOTE NEW DATE – Jan. 16 – For everyone this time, not just the women—a special program on Alzheimer’s disease. Potluck lunch will be in the fellowship hall, followed by the program.

Church Leaders’ Meeting

The Administrative Board will meet after church this Sunday to see where we stand as we begin a new year and to approve the budget for 2025.

God Bless,
MB

NOTE: It will be clear, sunny, and 35 degrees as we meet for worship this Sunday. Bundle up and come on. The heat is on and the fellowship is warm.

See you Sunday.