Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • Kids’ News – Moses and the Burning Bush

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    Last week, we met Moses as a baby floating in a basket, saved from the river by Pharaoh’s daughter. He grew up in Egypt, but now the story takes a surprising turn.

    One day, while Moses was tending sheep in the wilderness, he saw something strange. A bush was on fire, but it didn’t burn up! Curious, he came closer. Then he heard a voice:

    “Moses! Moses!”

    “Here I am,” Moses answered.

    God spoke from the flames:

    “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have seen the suffering of my people in Egypt. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring them out.”

    Moses was afraid. He whispered, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh?” He felt unworthy because of his past mistakes. But God gave him a promise:

    “I will be with you.”

    God was not choosing Moses because he was perfect, but because He had a great plan—and Moses was part of it!

    What We Learned:

    • God can speak to us in surprising ways.
    • We don’t have to be perfect for God to use us.
    • When God calls us, He promises to be with us.
    • With God’s help, we can do important things for Him.

    See you in church Sunday as we follow Moses to see where God will lead His people next!

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Sermon This Sunday: Lost and Found
    Scripture: The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin from Luke 15.

    I will tell you a salvation story that will shock you. (I mean—really!) The guy seemed beyond hope: a white supremacist, a pagan priest, in prison for shooting someone. Then—in a moment—transformed.

    Put on your Baptist boots. We will sing “Saved! Saved! Saved!”

    Friday’s Word

    Click on the link and read it before you leave these pages.

    A Week Away

    The great Gospel concert is coming—the MSB Gospel Choir. They must be good. They cost us $2,000 to get them here. We will not make much for Eastside Ministries with this concert—only what we sell over 100 seats. But I predict a great evening.

    Do sell those tickets. Bring a friend—or two.

    Pastor’s Class

    Paul Davies, physicist, says it will be disastrous for Christianity if alien beings are found on other planets. I’ll tell you why that is not true—this Sunday—in class. You are welcome. Join us.

    At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

    Breakfast This Sunday

    It’s a “We-Bring” Sunday. I am impressed with our great breakfast each week. Come early. Eat. Help with the food at 10:30.

    St. Matthew Online

    I received three calls praising the service, which looked and sounded great last Sunday. For some reason, I can’t find it—but I will take the word of the callers. Our new equipment makes a big difference.

    I’ve reserved a spot for you on a pew if you can make it this Sunday. You may not like it. It’s toward the front.

    Women’s Luncheon

    Hey! Remember the Women’s Luncheon Thursday—at 11:00—I think.

    God Bless—MB

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Greetings to all of you! I thank God every time I think of you and of our wonderful church. I am grateful for your prayers and encouragement as my family works through some of life’s challenges. Thank you for respecting our privacy and for understanding the time required for me to be away from church. I do watch the services, whether live-streamed or recorded, and I love to hear you singing and worshiping. I am very much enjoying the new sound and video system—it is good to see all of you on the big screen, looking engaged and blessed by God. I am very glad to be back with you this Sunday.

    We have a busy fall schedule! Choir practice begins very soon. The first rehearsal will be on September 21, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. Thanks to the new sound system, I have clearly heard some of your voices, and I know there are many of you who should be singing in the choir with us.

    Our upcoming concerts include:

    • September 20 at 6 p.m. – MSB Gospel Choir from Denton. Tickets are still on sale in the church office and on the church website.
    • October 25 at 6 p.m. – All Peoples Church Choir performing Lazarus. This concert is free, and all proceeds will go to Eastside Community Assistance.
    • November 23 – Thanksgiving meal (more details coming soon).
    • December 5 at 6 p.m. – Western Hills Ensemble Choir, led by Blake Glass. All proceeds will support the Western Hills Choir’s 2026 competition expenses.

    Meals will be served after every concert. We will announce what kind of food contributions are needed in advance.

    My love to all,

    Mary

  • Kids’ News – Baby in a Basket

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    “Why are you being so quiet, Mom?” the little girl whispered. The room was dark, and she could hear the faint sound of a baby’s cry.

    “Shh,” her mother said softly. “If Pharaoh’s soldiers hear him, they’ll take him away.”

    Long ago, God’s people—the Israelites—were living in Egypt. At first, things were good, but after a new Pharaoh came to power, everything changed (Exodus 1:8). He was afraid that the Israelites were becoming too strong, so he made them slaves. And then he gave a terrible order: every Hebrew baby boy must be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22).

    But one mother refused to give up on her child. She hid him for three months, but babies don’t stay quiet forever. So she made a basket, sealed it so it would float, and placed her baby gently in the river, trusting God to protect him (Exodus 2:3).

    And here’s where the story takes a surprising turn: Pharaoh’s own daughter found the basket! Instead of obeying her father’s command, she felt compassion. She chose life. She adopted the baby as her own, and that child grew up to be Moses—the one God would use to lead His people out of slavery (Exodus 2:5–10).

    This story reminds us that God has a plan, even in the hardest and scariest times. It also shows us that sometimes the most unlikely people—like Pharaoh’s daughter—can be part of God’s rescue mission.

    What we learned:

    • God’s plans are never stopped, even by the hardest situations.
    • Acts of courage—like Moses’ mother and sister—can change everything.
    • Compassion can break through fear, just as Pharaoh’s daughter showed.
    • God watches over us, even when life feels uncertain.

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Thanks to Shannon Davidson, Blake Glass, Julian Rodriguez, and Josh Flores for a superb concert Saturday night—and to Cindy Wheeler and her helpers for a great meal. Together we raised $1,100 for Eastside Ministries! Please continue to support our future concerts.

    The Link Returns

    The direct link to Friday’s Word is back in this newsletter—just click and enjoy.

    Reserved Seats

    The three short pews at the back of the sanctuary are reserved for our ushers, with one folding chair by the entrance. With these changes, our pews are now back to their original 1992 design. The fire department does not allow folding chairs in the back crossway. We may also return to ushers greeting worshippers and handing out bulletins.

    Pastor’s Class

    This week’s class will spark a passionate discussion: Is God good—or not? Is God love—or not? We continue our study, When Scripture and Experience Disagree, at 9:45 AM, followed by breakfast.

    Breakfast This Sunday

    It’s a “Winston” Sunday! Come help serve at 10:30.

    This Sunday

    My sermon is “Try a Little Kindness.” Are you a kind person—all the time? Jesus has much to teach us about how we speak to one another. (It’s also Communion Sunday.)

    We are glad to welcome Lesleyann and Lynette back after medical procedures. Please keep Carol in your prayers as she recovers, and Charlotte as she awaits surgery.

    God Bless,

    MB