Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Happy Wednesday to all! 

    I’ve just returned from Michigan, where I celebrated my brother Toby’s 30th anniversary as pastor of First Baptist Church of Leslie. It was a grand occasion, with over 150 people gathering to honor his ministry. When Toby was first called to the church, there were only 21 members. At his interview, someone asked what he would change if he were to come. With tears in his eyes, he said, “I would change everything. Look around—there are 21 people here, and this church is dying. We have to change things now.”

    They invited him to “come and change us,” and that’s exactly what he did. Together with his wife, Shelli, and their two sons, he built youth, music, cancer support, and grief ministries, and led the renewal of the church campus. Thirty years later, the fruits of that change are clear—God has blessed their faithfulness.

    Saint Matthew had a part in their story, too. About five years ago, I asked you to pray for Toby when he was diagnosed with blood cancer. You prayed, and today he is cancer-free. I gave him a big hug from all of us and told him how proud we are of him.

    Toby also preached a powerful message called “The Dirtiest Towel.” I’ll share more about that the next time I preach—it’s one you won’t want to miss!

    Your prayers are mighty tools in God’s tool chest. Keep using them to do all the good you can, for all the people you can, in all the ways that good can be done.

    I’ll leave you with a question: If you could change anything about Saint Matthew, what would you change?

    Please share your thoughts with me at [email protected] or in writing at the church. This is God’s church, and we are called together to care for it and for our community. Look around at what God is doing through us—and imagine what more He can do when we open our hearts to change.

    Love and blessings to all,
    Mary

  • Kids’ News – Lean on Me

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    This week, we learned about trusting God and leaning on one another when life feels difficult. Sometimes problems seem too big to handle on our own—but that’s when friends, family, and faith make all the difference. God never meant for us to walk through life alone.

    The Bible gives us a great example in the story of Moses. When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses was scared. He didn’t think he could do it. But God surrounded him with helpers—his brother Aaron to speak for him, Joshua to stand beside him, and friends like Hur who held up his arms when he grew too tired to go on. Together, they showed what it means to lean on one another.

    God gives us strength when we turn to Him for help, and He shows His love by sending people into our lives to support us. When we help each other, we share God’s care and kindness with the world.

    That’s what the old song reminds us too—we all need somebody to lean on. So when a friend is struggling, be the one who offers strength. And when you feel weak, don’t be afraid to lean on God and the people who love you. Together, we’re stronger.

    What We Learned:

    • God gives us strength when we ask for help.
    • We can count on God’s love to protect and guide us.
    • Friends and family are part of how God helps us.
    • We’re never alone—God is always with us, and we can lean on one another too.

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
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    I have one more meeting with a doctor to get approval for my knee surgery—heart doctor—this Friday. Approval is not guaranteed, but if I receive it, I am on my way to a new knee.

    My love and prayers to all of our people who are involved in medical business right now. Leslieann has had complications from her surgery. Joe and Joan Halford are still out as Joe recovers from a fall. Beverly Tye is headed for surgery. So is Charlotte Holder. Carol Bennett is not yet back after her surgery. Say a prayer—right now—for all you know who are involved with medical problems.

    Pastor’s Class

    We continue discussing my Communion experience—the most remarkable event of my life. At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

    Breakfast This Sunday

    It’s a “Winston Sunday.” Feel free to help. That’s at 10:30.

    Sermon This Sunday

    Sermon: The Power of Surrender
    Our scripture is Romans 8:26–31.
    Kristi will be back. Our choir will be in place but will not do an anthem. (I think that’s right.) This is Communion Sunday.

    There’s a seat in church waiting for you. I’ll look for you in it this Sunday.

    God Bless – MB

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
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    Greetings in the name of the risen Christ! Thank you so much for your great singing on Sunday morning during worship. I love standing up front and listening to you. I promise we will have more opportunities to learn and sing with each other. And bless you for listening to so many sermons from the same passage of Scripture. If you have a sermon you especially liked that I have preached, let me know. I have to submit one more to the Board of Ordained Ministry by December 1.

    This weekend I will be traveling to Michigan for the celebration of my brother’s 30th year at his church. They used to call him the hippie preacher because he had long hair and progressive ideas. Now he is bald, and I have no idea what they call him!

    I will be back on the 12th. Love to all,

    Mary

  • Kids’ News – The First Passover

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    Last week, we learned how Pharaoh’s heart was hard, and he refused to let the Israelites go. God showed His power through mighty acts, beginning with the plagues. The Nile River turned to blood; the land was filled with frogs, gnats, and flies, and the Egyptians’ livestock fell ill. Yet each time, Pharaoh’s heart grew harder, and he still would not listen.

    The plagues continued. Painful sores covered the people, hail destroyed crops, locusts devoured what was left, and darkness covered the land for three days. Through it all, God showed that His power was greater than all the gods of Egypt. Finally, God sent the most serious plague: the death of the firstborn. However, God provided a way for His people to be saved. They were to place the blood of a lamb on their doorposts, and the Lord would “pass over” their homes and protect them.

    This became the first Passover, a moment so important that the people of Israel still celebrate it today. It reminds us that God delivers His people and keeps His promises. Just as God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He frees us from sin through Jesus, the Lamb of God.

    What We Learned

    • God’s power is greater than any ruler or false god.
    • God protects His people, even in the hardest times.
    • The Passover points us to Jesus, who delivers us from sin and death.