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.

A participant in our NDE class told this story.

When her mother died, the family found in her things a pendant they very much wanted to place on her for the funeral.

It would look good with the clothing they had selected.

But there was a problem. The gold chain was thin and delicate and all “knotted up.”

Several members of the family worked to get the kinks out, but no one succeeded.

They were disappointed, but finally gave up and went with something else.

When they returned from the funeral, there was the chain and pendant, laid out on the bed without a knot in it.

It was, of course, a word from their loved one. Her life continued. And she wanted her family to know that.

The body dies.

We do not.

Death is a transition.

Not an end.

That story was not a near-death experience, but it was fair game for the class, which is really about the reality of heaven and God and life beyond death.

Another member did share an NDE. She must have died momentarily with a brain aneurysm. At one point, she found herself up at the ceiling looking down on herself in the hospital bed.

She was later aware of Jesus at her bedside. He let her know she would survive. And said to her, “Tell your boys you love them.”

NDE class, 9:45 Sunday. Followed by breakfast.

Life is better than you think. Be encouraged.

+++

One week away:

A Night on Broadway.

Sat., Aug.10, 6:00 p.m.

We can promise you glorious music and a bit of food afterward.

After the news last Sunday around 2:00 p.m. I am filled with hope. I believe we will be okay.

Last Sunday was also a good day in church.

I hope I was clear in my sermon why we can be sure God did NOT kill Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 1- 11)

It’s simple.

God loved them just as God loves you and me.

God is never unloving.

How do I know?

Jesus tells us so. God is “kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.”

The father in the great parable loved the Prodigal Son just as much when the boy was away and in sin as when he returned home.

God’s love does not depend on our behavior.

It is unconditional.

This is one thing that astounds people who have NDEs. They are immersed in a love beyond words–all sins forgiven.

“God—IS—love.” It’s as simple as that.

As much as I cherish the book of Acts, the Ananias and Sapphira story is wrong about God.

+ +

Speaking of NDEs, the study is going well. And you can join us—Sunday mornings at 9:45.

Here is a place where you can share those deep experiences you think no one will believe.

The class is also a kind of grief therapy for those who have lost a loved one.

We live forever.

When the NDE study ends, we will move right into an ongoing study of my book about religious experiences, Discovering God.

+ +

Our concerts resume in two weeks. Free. (We take an offering.) A Night on Broadway.

And join us for worship this Sunday at 11:00. (Or watch online.)

I asked the question last time:

“Did God kill Ananias and Sapphira?

I got several interesting answers—but I want more. Read the story in Acts 5:1-11. Send me an e-mail with your opinion.

Feel free to explain why you say “yes” or “no.”

I will read some of the e-mails in my sermon this Sunday (without giving your name.)

Truth is, the question is not hard to answer. And I will give you the definitive answer in my sermon this Sunday at 11:00.

+++

We have an interesting study of NDEs, just starting Sunday mornings, taught by my sister, Jackie.

I will chime in at times.

The class meets at 9:45 and will run for four Sundays.

Each week we will hear from someone who has had a near-death event.

Expect to be lifted and encouraged by this study.

And here is really good news: It is followed by breakfast!

+++

The 4-week NDE study will be followed by an extended study of my not-yet published book, Discovering God.

The book is continually changing as I work on it. It will be out by next Easter.

The study will be part of my closing work on the book.

Discovering God covers over 100 remarkable and moving encounters with God.

We will discover in this study that God’s love for us exceeds anything we could ever imagine.

And God is closer to us that most people believe.

So: study at 9:45 every Sunday morning.

And Sermon Sunday: Did God Kill Ananias and Sapphira? 11:00 and after.