Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    New Equipment—A New Day

    As I look out at our sixty to seventy people in the pews on Sundays, I think about something most people do not know.
    We are not supposed to be here.
    This church is supposed to be dead by now.
    Every other United Methodist church like ours in Fort Worth is either dead or dying—old churches hidden up inside an old community.
    You need to understand how remarkable it is that we are still here. We must be doing something right.
    God has blessed us. We have made a lot of right decisions through the years. And now it is time to make another one—a new emphasis on our online ministry.
    We want people in the pews.
    If we can’t get them there at first, we want to reach them online.
    We now have 228 subscribers to our online ministry. Our next step: we want to build that to 400.
    And then beyond.

    Watching Online

    Our new sound booth was not built properly, so it is being re-fabricated. It will be next week when Chuy and the guys from 4Stage will begin installation and move all operations to the downstairs location in the new sound booth. Jason (head of our audio/video operation) will return from vacation on the 15th. The new set-up (with new cameras) may begin with the concert on the 16th and morning worship on the 17th. That’s two weeks away.

    My Class

    What can we learn about the problem of suffering through religious and near-death experiences?
    Turns out—a lot.
    That’s our subject this week.
    At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

    Breakfast This Sunday

    A great Winston breakfast this week.
    Feel free to help.
    At 10:30.

    Our Church Family

    Carol Bennett is recovering after breaking her hip and having it replaced. It is still painful. Our love is with her. Lynette Coleman Falck had hip replacement Monday and is back home. Lord bless her. Velma Metcalf, Vicki Giese’s mom, was in an auto accident and is in pain from broken ribs. Lord be with her. Leslieann Griffin is facing surgery on the 18th. She will be in our prayers through it all.
    Let us pray for these we love.

    This Sunday

    “What the Church Got Wrong About Salvation”
    That’s the sermon title.
    Expect some songs about grace.
    Why?
    Because that’s my subject.
    And that is what it is all about.
    How I look forward to gathering with you this Sunday in the house of the Lord!

    WELCOME! NEW MEMBER—

    Carl Britton. We rejoice in receiving Carl into our church family.
    God bless—MB

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Greetings, dear friends, in the name of Jesus Christ,

    I want to thank all of you who participated in our remembrance service for those lost in the recent Hill Country floods. Speaking their names aloud is a powerful way to honor them and ensure they are remembered. While we cannot fully imagine the grief of those left behind, we grieve with them—placing ourselves in their shoes. So hold each other a little tighter this week. Do something kind for someone else—and something kind for yourself—in honor of those lost lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with complicated grief, please contact the church office to schedule an appointment.

    I’ve just come from an Eastside Community Assistance Finance Committee meeting. This year, the ministry has been sustained largely by one generous donor—and for that, we give thanks to God. Without such gifts, Eastside would likely have closed its doors already. As Max has reminded us from the pulpit, we cannot let Eastside Ministries close. Our neighborhood—and four other zip codes—depend on the food and clothing this ministry provides.

    Please remember that our September fundraiser will benefit Eastside Community Assistance. Tickets are on sale now in the church office for $25, which includes dinner and music. We’re hoping for at least 200 people in attendance, so tell everyone you know—and even a few you don’t! 😊

    Please continue to pray for Carol Bennett as she recovers from hip repair, and for Lynette Coleman-Falck as she heals from her hip replacement surgery. If you get the chance, read Carol’s Facebook post about her fall and the role her Apple Watch played in getting her help. It’s an incredible story.

    Remember also those lifted up during worship on Sunday:
    LeslieAnn Griffin, preparing for surgery on the 18th, and
    Velma Metcalf, who is recovering from a car accident.

    There are many others as well. Please take a moment to read the full prayer list attached to this newsletter.
    Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

    I pray this week has given you chances to be of one mind, one heart, and one love—especially toward those we’re called to serve. God has made it clear: this is our sacred responsibility, and nothing short of death relieves us of it.

    My love to all,
    Mary

  • Kids’ News – “The Boy Nobody Expected”

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    A long time ago, God had a special job for the prophet Samuel: find the next king of Israel. Samuel was told to go to the house of a man named Jesse, who had eight sons. One of them would be chosen by God to lead the people.

    When Samuel arrived, Jesse proudly brought out his oldest son, Eliab. He was tall, strong, and looked like a leader. Samuel thought, “This must be the one!” But God whispered something surprising: “Don’t look at how tall he is or how he looks on the outside. I see what people can’t see—I look at the heart.”

    One by one, Jesse introduced his other sons. But God said no to each of them. Finally, Samuel asked, “Are these all your sons?” Jesse hesitated, then said, “Well… there’s the youngest. He’s out watching the sheep.”

    That boy’s name was David.

    When David came in from the fields, God told Samuel, “This is the one.” David, the youngest, the one everyone had overlooked—he would be king.

    Sometimes, the world expects leaders to look a certain way or be the oldest or strongest. But God sees things differently. He sees our hearts, our kindness, our courage, and our love. David may have seemed like just a shepherd boy, but God saw a king.

    So if you ever feel small or forgotten, remember: God sees something special in you. He sees possibilities—even in the most unexpected places.

    What We Learned:

    • God sees what others don’t—He looks at the heart, not appearances.
    • Even someone young and overlooked, like David, can be chosen for great things.
    • You don’t have to be the biggest or strongest to be used by God.
    • God often finds possibilities in the most unexpected places—even in you!

    See you in church!
    Blessings!

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Mary Up to Bat

    Mary will be preaching this Sunday.
    That makes for an easier week for me.
    You’d be surprised how long it takes just to get a service ready—not including the sermon.
    I can spend hours just selecting the music. Kristi (our organist) accused me of having a “new hymn book” last week.

    “You’ve got a new book, Max. I know you do.”

    Truth is, I usually pull music from several hymn books. But last week, I really shook things up: two new hymns and a third one so old you had to be old to know it.
    It all went well—and I loved the music we sang.

    And the duet—The Prayer, sung by Shannon and Julian—was glorious.
    I think Blake will return this Sunday. I’m looking forward to that.

    Watching Online

    Whatever the video guys (Jason and Robert) did to improve the organ sound—worked.
    Kristi’s prelude is something we all look forward to each week. Last week, it sounded full and wonderful in the recording.

    The music recorded beautifully—at least, what got recorded.
    We had a glitch: the end of the duet was cut, along with the end of the sermon and the service.
    I’ll just have to preach the whole thing again. (Yes, I’m kidding.)

    My Class

    Last week, I ended class with a question:
    Was what the disciples found in the empty tomb enough for them to believe in the Resurrection?

    The “Beloved Disciple” looked—and believed immediately.
    There was something about the scene that told him the body wasn’t stolen. Something very strange had happened.
    What did he see?

    Come visit this week. I’m looking forward to it.
    9:45 AM—followed by breakfast

    Breakfast This Sunday

    The usual great Winston breakfast last week—but this Sunday is “We Bring.”
    So let’s bring. I’m hungry.
    10:30 AM

    The Work Begins

    Jason (Hardy) met with Chuy from 4Stage twice this week, and the work begins next week. It’s a big project:
    • New sound booth
    • New cameras
    • Complete rewiring of the sanctuary sound and video system

    Two new pews will be added at the back of the sanctuary—one regular length and one three feet long, beside the sound booth, behind the two short pews currently there.
    This is because the new sound booth will go back one row farther than the current one.

    To make the new pews, the crew will shorten two long choir pews currently stored in the transepts. That will leave two pews on each side—just what we need.

    (This should be very exciting to Methodists: there will be new back pews to fight over.)

    We’re really just putting pews back where they used to be before the 1992 remodel. (You can tell—there’s no carpet where the pews once were. After this project, the carpet will be correct again.)

    The chairs at the back will have to go—no room for them. The ushers will have to sit on the floor!

    A Morning Concert

    Our morning concert originally scheduled for August 10 will move to August 17, as Jason (our sound/video guy) won’t be here on the 10th.

    But go ahead—get excited!

    And remember, tickets are now on sale for our big concert with MSB Gospel Choir on Saturday, September 20.
    Grab a few to sell!

    ⸻

    How great it is to worship.
    Come! Let us rejoice together.
    God Bless—
    MB

    No Friday’s Word this week. There’s one in the newspaper, but you’ve seen it.

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Greetings to you in the name of the risen Christ! I pray that love and peace abound in your life this week and every week.

    What a joy it was to see Keith Butterfield on Sunday! Other than his new ride (a wheelchair), he hasn’t changed a bit and is still telling great stories about his life and adventures. Thank you, Doug Kelsey, for making sure Keith made it to church—I know he is deeply grateful to be still able to attend. To those of you unable to be with us physically, please know that we miss you. If you’re able to attend church but just need transportation, please let me know and we will arrange a ride. Email me at [email protected] if you have any questions, can offer a ride, or need a ride.

    Our September 20th concert with the MSB Gospel Choir will be here before we know it! Work has already begun on the sound system upgrade, and it will be completed in time for the concert. Paper tickets are available from Veta, and we’ll have an online option very soon. There’s also an opportunity to buy an extra ticket or two for folks in our neighborhood who may not be able to afford one. Let me know if you’re willing to sponsor a guest or two.

    Finally, the sign-up sheet for helping with the duties of hosting a community concert is still hanging in the hallway on the bulletin board—there are plenty of ways to get involved. Speaking of helping, I’ll be volunteering at Eastside Community Assistance this Friday at 8:00 AM. I’ll be working in the clothing room with Ms. Dorothy, and I’m excited to spend time with her, learn what she does, and help wherever I can.

    I’ll be preaching this Sunday and look forward to sharing what God has placed on my heart. One thing is for certain—my heart is filled with the knowledge that I am a beloved child of God. If you never hear me say anything else, please know this: you are also God’s beloved child.

    Until Sunday,

    Mary