St. Matthew Congregational Business and Ministry meeting
Sunday, April 26th, immediately following services.

Good Wednesday, St. Matthew and friends,

I pray for love and peacefulness to fill your hearts and lives continuously through the power of the resurrected Christ.

I am recovering well from my knee surgery last week. Thank you for your prayers and support. This one has been a bit easier than the first, as I remember it, and the pain has been well controlled with over-the-counter medications. I am grateful to God for the excellent care I received during the surgery and since returning home.

We will have a guest preacher this weekend, Hannah Newcomer Sliva (pronounced “sleeva”), Associate Director of the TCU Wesley Foundation. The Wesley Foundation is a ministry of the United Methodist Church serving college campuses across the United States. Hannah has had a variety of experiences on her way to being called by God into full-time ministry, including serving as a youth minister, a 4th and 5th-grade teacher, a 6th-grade choir director, and a foster care specialist.

Hannah is currently in the Master of Divinity program at TCU’s Brite Divinity School. She believes God called her to the Deacon track because “the church has to leave its walls.” She also shares, “God is always there through prevenient grace, making ready whatever is next for my life.” Hannah is involved in a program through Princeton University called the Polaris Program, where she is writing a theology of aging. You can learn more about her work here:
A Theology of Aging with Hanna Newcomer Sliva – part 1. She believes God created us to experience life “in its full capacity, anticipating joy always.”

Please join me in making Hannah very welcome at St. Matthew. She will preach for us this week and possibly again in the future. I am so thankful for this support at this time in my ministry. God has put us all here together at the perfect time to be the love of God in our world, and I am excited to be in this ministry with you.

Blessings,

Mary

Following worship on Sunday, April 26, we will gather for a Congregational Family Business Meeting. This will be a time to share updates on the life of our church, reflect on where we are, and look ahead to the opportunities before us.

We will also discuss ways to serve and participate in the ministries of Saint Matthew, including opportunities for committee involvement and volunteer support.

We invite you to join us as you are able, as we continue to move forward together in faith.

In this season of Easter joy, we give thanks for the many ways God’s love is shared through the life of our church.

• The congregation extends heartfelt thanks to Sue and Doug Kelcey and Vickie Giese for organizing a wonderful Easter egg hunt for our children. The joy and excitement of the kids were a gift to witness, and we are grateful for the care and effort that made this special time possible.
• We also give thanks to Kristi, the members of the chorus, and especially Blake for the beautiful music shared during our Easter service. The choral performances were truly inspiring, and the voices of both our choir and guest vocalists filled the sanctuary with a depth and richness that lifted our hearts in worship.
• We are grateful for the musicians who enriched our Holy Week services. On Good Friday, Megan Riddle offered a moving presence on the snare drum. On Easter Sunday, we were blessed by Jeff DeMaagd and Andrew Golden on trumpet, Allison Whiddon on horn, Meggan Hinds on trombone, and Jose Perez on tuba. Their gifts added beauty and power to our worship as we celebrated the risen Christ.

We give thanks for each person who shares their gifts so faithfully, helping us experience the joy and presence of Christ together.

Hallelujah! He is risen!

I am still smiling and quietly humming the songs from Easter morning. What a beautiful time of worship and fellowship! With 100 people in attendance, we truly raised the roof in praise. Thank you for being part of it—whether you joined us in person, online, or in prayer and spirit. I am deeply humbled by your love and support.

I am also filled with joy and gratitude that I will spend the next few years with you in this sacred space. It is a true blessing, and I promise to work diligently so that you feel blessed as well. I encourage you to carry the hope of Sunday into Monday—and into every day that follows. God’s promise remains: we are never alone. The joy we experienced on Sunday is always available to us through our relationship with the risen Christ and with one another. Even now, I feel a current of holy energy when I reflect on this past weekend.

We do have a few important family matters to discuss. Because these decisions affect our entire congregation, I am calling a Family Business Meeting on April 26th, immediately following the morning service. We will share a meal together and then discuss recent developments and future plans.

A key focus will be the need for committee members and volunteers to support our ministries and outreach. I would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word and encouraging everyone to attend. If you are unable to join us in person but would like to participate, please email me at [email protected].

Let us come together for food, prayer, and honest, loving conversation about our church family. More details about lunch will be shared soon. In the meantime, please keep this meeting—and our church—in your prayers.

It was such a joy to welcome back Linda Anderson and Charlotte Holder this past Sunday. They have been missed, and it was wonderful to see them again. To all our visitors and those who join us from time to time, please know how much it means to see you as well.

I hold each of you in prayer, asking God to bless you with strength, wisdom, and health. We may not be a large congregation, but we are mighty in Christ, and God is moving among us in both seen and unseen ways. You won’t want to miss what God is doing at Saint Matthew.

If transportation is a concern, rides are available—just reach out, and we will be glad to arrange one for you. If you are unable to attend in person, you can worship with us online at saintmatthewumc.com by selecting “Videos.”

Please continue to keep Rev. Max and Jackie in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their dear friend, Rev. Harry C. Meisner, who passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Max shared that he is deeply grieving while also giving thanks for their 60-year friendship. There are no service plans yet, but I know he would be comforted by your prayers, messages, or cards. We will also have a card available this Sunday for everyone to sign.

There are many others on our prayer list who need our continued support. Let us remain faithful in praying for one another and in serving God with love and compassion.

With deep love and respect,

Mary