Greetings, dear friends and family of Saint Matthew UMC,

Sunday’s All Saints observance was both meaningful and heart-rending. It brings me comfort to know that we are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). I believe that when we gather at the communion table, we are joined by Jesus, by all the saints, and by our loved ones already in His presence. That may sound far-fetched when written out, but it’s a cornerstone of my faith — faith in the “things not seen” that Paul describes in Hebrews 11.

None of us has seen Jesus in the flesh — we are all believers in things not seen. We, too, are part of that great cloud of witnesses, testifying to the existence and supremacy of God. Our faith rests on what we read of Jesus’ life, what we inherit through Christian and Methodist tradition, what we experience of God, and what we understand through reason. The Reverend Albert C. Outler described this as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral: Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason — a distinctly Wesleyan way of examining and understanding our faith.

Eastside Community Assistance Volunteer Appreciation
Friday, November 7 • 6–9 PM
Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
Everyone at St. Matthew is invited! RSVP here: Donors Celebration
Enjoy good food, fun games, and fellowship at this family-friendly event.

Memorial Service for Barbara Jochetz Jones
Saturday, November 8 • 10 AM
St. Luke United Methodist Church
3200 Denton Hwy, Fort Worth, TX 76117
Barbara was a long-time member of St. Luke who joined our online worship during COVID and later attended St. Matthew regularly before moving to New Braunfels in 2023. I will be officiating the service and ask for your prayers. If you can attend, I know Barbara would be deeply grateful.

Thanksgiving Church Meal
Sunday, November 23 • Following Worship
We’ll share more details next week, but please remember that many of our neighbors no longer have access to food assistance. Christ commands us to love our neighbors — and love means action. Let’s each pick up a little extra at the grocery store this week and help feed those in need.

Blessings to all,
Mary

Things weren’t going so well in Israel. Samuel, the prophet who had led God’s people for many years, was getting old. He hoped his sons could take his place as judges, but they didn’t follow God’s ways. They took bribes and treated people unfairly. The Israelites were tired of it. One day, the elders came to Samuel and said, “We want a king! All the other nations have one — why can’t we?”

Samuel didn’t like the idea at all. He prayed to God, hoping for a different answer. But God told him, “Listen to the people. They’re not rejecting you, Samuel — they’re rejecting Me as their king.” Even though it made Samuel sad, he did what God asked. God chose a man named Saul — tall, strong, and brave — to be Israel’s first king. But everyone needed to remember that even with a king, God was still the one truly in charge.

Sometimes we think we know what will make us happy — like getting what everyone else has. But just like the Israelites, we learn that following God’s way is always better than trying to copy the world around us. God’s love and leadership never fail, and He will always lead His people forward.

What We Learned

• It’s easy to want what others have, but God’s plan for us is always best.
• God doesn’t leave us, even when we make the wrong choice.
• The best kind of leader is the one who follows God first.

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

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ.

The weather this week is finally turning toward fall, and I am ready for cooler temperatures! I’m praying for an extended season of crisp mornings and warm afternoons. We usually get two perfect fall days before the cold sets in—so Lord, let it be! A few beautiful days of calm and color are blessings we could all use right now.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Saturday night concert at Saint Matthew. Lazarus, performed by the All People’s Church Choir, was beautifully done and deeply humbling in its message. It reminded us of the many families struggling right now as food stamp benefits are cut during the government shutdown. This loss of support is especially hard on children and seniors.

Now more than ever, your donations are vital to organizations like the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Eastside Ministries, and any local food pantry you choose to support. If you are able, please bring shelf-stable food to the church, and I will make sure it reaches Eastside Ministries. In the coming weeks, I will share a list of items for the Thanksgiving bags we prepare each year for Eastside.

If you know anyone in our congregation who may need assistance, please let us know—we have a Benevolence Fund set aside for just such needs. This is an urgent time, and as followers of Christ, we are called to respond. Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors in need. Bless you for your faithfulness and compassion.

This Sunday is a special one for Saint Matthew. We’ll observe All Saints Sunday, a day to remember those who have gone before us in faith. Please submit the names of anyone you would like memorialized during worship by emailing pastor@saintmatthewumc.com. And don’t forget—it’s also Daylight Saving Time weekend, so we get to “fall back” one hour and enjoy a little extra rest!

Finally, our hearts are with Vicky Valenzuela and her family following the tragic loss of her brother, John Moore, Jr. There will be a viewing and meal this Thursday at the funeral home in Arlington. I will contact those who can help provide food for the family. Please continue to lift Vicky, Jose, and their loved ones in prayer during this difficult time.

Blessings to all,
Mary