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 [email protected]. 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

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

Let It Be, Saint Matthew! Whisper words of wisdom and let it be.

Blessings and peace to all in the name of Jesus Christ. I am thoroughly enjoying finding these secular songs that carry a gospel message—and even more, I’m enjoying hearing you sing them! What a wonderful time we had on Sunday, seeing your faces light up as you sang Let It Be. We’ll have more Sundays like this because I’ve gathered an entire list of songs with powerful gospel truths, even if they aren’t traditional hymns. Lessons from the gospel about obedience are not always easy to preach or to hear, but pairing them with good music helps those lessons settle in our hearts. Thank you for your joyful participation!

This Saturday, October 25 at 6 p.m., we will host the All People’s Church Choir as they perform the musical Lazarus. Dinner will be served immediately after the performance. Please join us if you can—and if you’re able to help with setup, cleanup, or by bringing desserts, your help will be greatly appreciated.

I leave you with the words of Jesus and the strategy of Moses. From Luke 6: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Do good and lend without expecting anything in return. Be merciful as God is merciful. Do not judge or condemn. And from Deuteronomy 6: Know the commandments of God and keep them on your heart. Teach them to your children. Talk about them with each other every chance you get. Keep visible reminders of the things Jesus commanded us to do.

May you grow in grace and truth as obedient children of God. And in all these things—Lord, Lord, let it be!

Love,
Mary