Greetings, dear church family and friends,

I missed you all so much this past weekend. Family obligations are sometimes unavoidable—even for church staff. Your continued prayers are appreciated as we still have some family matters to tend to. Thank you for your understanding, and I apologize for missing Communion Sunday with you.

We’ve already had more than 50 concert tickets sold—or picked up by members who are helping us sell them. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, now’s the time! We’ll be offering online ticket sales soon, and I anticipate this concert will sell out quickly. Please also remember: this is an all-hands-on-deck event. Your help is needed as we welcome the community and raise support for Eastside Community Assistance. Dinner will be served after the concert, both in the Fellowship Hall and on the playground.

We also have a special opportunity to serve our neighborhood school. Bill J. Elliott Elementary, a Title I school, needs our help with school supplies. This year, FWISD is no longer providing bundled supply kits for Title I schools, which puts an extra burden on families. School starts August 12th, and we’ve received a list of supplies for grades K–5. You can purchase individual items or sponsor an entire class.

Common items needed include:

• No. 2 pencils (12 per student)
• 24-count crayons
• Glue sticks
• Blunt-tip scissors
• Composition notebooks (100 pages, 9¾” x 7½”)
• Hand sanitizer
• Facial tissues
• Washable broad-tip markers (8 count)
• Plastic pocket folders with brads (6 per student)
• A supply box or bag
• (Optional) Wired earbud headphones

Please bring what you can this Sunday morning. The church will also be purchasing supplies, and donations are welcome if you’d like us to shop on your behalf.

Now, I’m off to buy some school supplies myself.

Love to all,

Mary

When I was a little girl, I used to walk with my mom through the garden to pick strawberries. As we walked, she would quietly recite a beautiful poem—Psalm 23.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…”

Even at that young age, I could picture soft green meadows, still waters, and the peaceful voice of someone who would always guide and protect me. My mom’s voice made the words feel safe and comforting, like God was walking right beside us.

Psalm 23 paints a picture of what it means to trust God completely. Just like a good shepherd cares for their sheep, God makes sure we have what we need. When life feels scary—like walking through dark valleys—He stays close and helps us find our way. And when we’re tired or afraid, He gives us a place to rest.

It’s more than just poetry—it’s a promise. God is always with us, leading us to peace, protecting us when we’re afraid, and surrounding us with love.

What We Learned:

• God cares for us like a shepherd cares for sheep.
• Even in dark or scary times, we are never alone.
• Psalm 23 reminds us of God’s peace, love, and protection.

We hope you’ll come to church this Sunday and learn more about this beautiful psalm. Maybe you’ll even share it with someone you love, just like my mom shared it with me.

See you in church!
Blessings!

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

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