Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

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Category: News

  • A Word from our Church Family

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:

    Our church family experienced both sorrow and joy this week. We said goodbye to our friend and fellow church member, Mac Selfen. We continue to lift the Selfen family in our prayers, giving thanks for Mac’s faithful life and the many ways he blessed our church family through the years.

    In the midst of our sorrow, God also gave us reasons to rejoice. It was a joy to see Keith Butterfield back in worship with us last Sunday, and we were delighted to welcome so many visitors to Saint Matthew. Moments like these remind us what it means to be the body of Christ. We grieve together, celebrate together, pray together, and welcome one another with open hearts.

    Whether you’re a lifelong member or joined us for the first time this past Sunday, thank you for being part of our church family. May we continue to encourage one another, care for one another, and faithfully reflect Christ’s love in every season of life.

    Would you like to share a word with our church family in a future newsletter? We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected].

  • Kids’ News

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:

    Be Still and Notice

    Have you ever been so busy playing or talking that you almost missed something important? It happens to all of us!

    This Sunday, we learned that God is always close to us, even when life gets noisy or busy. King David wrote that he wanted to wake up each day knowing God was with him. Sometimes the best way to remember that is to slow down for just a moment and notice.

    This week, try taking a “God Pause.” Stop for just a few seconds and look around. What beautiful thing do you see? Who can you encourage today? Where do you notice God’s love at work? When we take time to notice, we often discover that God has been with us all along.

    Family Challenge

    Choose one time each day this week, maybe at dinner or before bedtime, and have everyone share one thing they noticed that reminded them of God’s love. It could be a kind friend, a beautiful sunset, someone who helped you, or a moment that made you smile.

    Talk About It

    • What is something beautiful you noticed today?
    • When do you feel especially close to God?
    • How can you help someone else notice God’s love this week?

    Read

    Psalm 17:1-7,15 NIV

    Prayer

    Dear God, thank You for always being near us. Help us slow down, notice Your love, and share that love with others every day. Amen.

  • Donations Needed

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:

    Help Us Care for Our Community

    As these hot summer days continue, we’re collecting bottled water, Gatorade, and individual Gatorade drink mix packets to support those in need in our community.

    If you would like to help, simply bring your donations to the church. Ronnie will collect them and distribute them where they can make the greatest difference.

  • A Word from The Pastor

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Greetings, Saint Matthew family and friends,

    What a blessing this week has been! The rain and the cooler temperatures have been a welcome gift. I found myself standing on my porch, enjoying the 82-degree breeze and thanking God for a moment to simply be still and appreciate His creation.

    I am excited to begin our journey toward a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. We begin our first study tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Charlotte Holder will open our time together with prayer, and then we will talk about what we want to study as a group. One option is to begin with Matthew 5, 6, and 7 using a study by Rev. Steve Langford, but this is your time in God’s Word, and we want it to be meaningful for everyone.

    This newsletter also includes details for the service celebrating the life of our beloved church member, Mac Selfen. Following the funeral at Wade Funeral Home next Tuesday, we will host the family at the church for a light meal. We are especially grateful that Mac’s granddaughter, Josie, is preparing desserts for the gathering. I’ve had her cookies before, and I can assure you they are wonderful.

    As you read this newsletter, I hope you’ve spent some time in God’s Word this week, or at least begun thinking about how to make that time a regular part of your day. Holy habits don’t happen by accident. They grow from setting aside intentional time for prayer, meditation, and the study of Scripture. As we make room for God each day, God fills our lives with the peace, joy, and strength we need to care for ourselves and to love others well.

    Finally, don’t forget that our Administrative Council will meet briefly after worship on Sunday to make decisions about a few projects for the coming year.

    My heart is with each of you this week. You are never far from my thoughts or my prayers.

    Grace and peace,
    Mary

  • A Word from our Church Family

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:

    One of the things I love most about Saint Matthew is that we’re surrounded by reminders of God’s faithfulness. Some of those reminders come through Sunday worship, familiar faces, and shared laughter. Others come as we remember the people whose lives have shaped this church over the years. Their prayers, generosity, and quiet acts of service continue to bless our church family long after they were first offered.

    This has been one of those weeks. As we continue praying for the Selfen family following Mac’s passing and for Keith Butterfield and his family, I’m reminded that the strength of Saint Matthew has always been found in faithful people who loved God and loved one another well. Their lives continue to encourage us, and their example challenges us to live our own faith with the same generosity and compassion.

    Mary’s sermon reminded me that seeds planted in good soil bear fruit. The same is true of a life rooted in Christ. Every kind word, every prayer, every hour spent serving, and every act of generosity becomes part of the story God is writing through this church.