Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Hello, Saint Matthew!

    I pray you are warm and safe while reading this newsletter. I also pray for those I’ve seen asleep on the streets over the past 48 hours—I cannot imagine how cold they must be. On Sunday evening, Under the Bridge Ministries served food to more than 250 people, including many children. Ronnie shared that they unfortunately ran out of food.

    The ministry has asked for the following donations: apples, bananas, and oranges, as well as boxes of healthy snack items such as peanuts, breakfast bars, and granola bars. It’s also the season for hats and gloves—whatever you can give will be deeply appreciated.

    It’s also time for the Thanksgiving bags for Eastside Community Assistance. If you picked up a list on Sunday, please remember to bring your items this Sunday. If anyone needs help, we can also arrange to pick them up.

    The season of Advent will be here in just 19 days. Please pray for Max and his knee surgeon, as well as for our choir and musicians, as they learn new music for the upcoming season. As always, keep our church family in your prayers as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

    Love to all,

    Mary

  • Kids’ News – Naaman’s Healing

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    This week, we heard the story of Naaman, a powerful army commander who had everything he could ever want—except his health. Naaman suffered from a terrible skin disease, and even with all his strength and wealth, he couldn’t make himself better. But one day, a young servant girl who worked for Naaman’s wife spoke up with courage. She told them about the prophet Elisha in Israel who could help. (2 Kings 5:1–14)

    Naaman traveled far to find Elisha, hoping for a dramatic miracle. But instead of meeting him in person, Elisha sent a messenger with simple instructions: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River.” Naaman was frustrated—he wanted something grand and powerful! Still, his servants encouraged him to trust and obey. When he finally did, his skin became clean, and his heart was changed.

    Naaman learned that true healing comes not from pride or power but from listening, trusting, and obeying God. Sometimes God asks us to do simple things that bring big blessings. Let’s remember this week that God can use anyone—no matter how small—to show others the way to His love.

    What We Learned:

    • God often works through people we might overlook.
    • Simple obedience can lead to powerful results.
    • Pride can keep us from seeing God’s plan clearly.
    • Healing and faith begin when we choose to trust God.

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    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!

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    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

  • Kids’ News – Samuel Chooses a King

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    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.