Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

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Category: News

  • 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

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Let me begin by saying the newsletter is a day late this week, and that is my fault. My nursing job and the program I oversee at the hospital have received much of my attention and time. Still, I bring you peace and blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, who loves us unconditionally and is present with us always.

    I loved the music from Sunday. Traditional hymns are beautiful, but there is something especially uplifting about singing contemporary songs, especially those from the Gaithers. I don’t know if it’s the upgrades to the sound system or simply the strength of your voices, but the music has been so powerful lately!

    We also had a very successful school supply campaign for Bill J. Elliot Elementary. Thank you, Connie Michael, for coordinating delivery and serving as St. Matthew’s liaison to the school. The few leftover items will be donated to Eastside Ministries. Thank you, church family, for your generosity—you have truly cared for your neighbors.

    Tickets are still available in limited quantities for the MSB concert on September 20th. If you are unable to attend, please consider donating the cost of a ticket. That evening, we’ll be serving hamburgers and hot dogs, and we need desserts from those who can help. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board, offering numerous opportunities to serve. Thank you to Brian McCosky for printing and distributing flyers, to Jason Hardy for handling online marketing, and to the Horizon Texas Conference for sharing the event details. I pray for God’s blessing over this outreach, that it may draw people into our loving, accepting, and affirming congregation.

    My love to all! I’m thankful for the cooler weather ahead and for the beauty of God’s creation.

    —Mary

  • Kids’ News – Faith in the Fire

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    King Nebuchadnezzar made a giant gold statue and said, “When the music plays, everyone must bow down and worship it” (Daniel 3:5). If anyone refused, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

    The music played, and everyone bowed—except three young men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The king shouted, “If you don’t bow down, you’ll be thrown into the fire. Then what god could save you?” (Daniel 3:15).

    The three answered bravely: “The God we serve is able to save us. But even if He does not, we want you to know that we will never worship your statue” (Daniel 3:17–18).

    The king was furious! He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter and had them thrown inside. But when he looked, he gasped: “Didn’t we throw three men into the fire? Look! I see four men walking around unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:24–25).

    God kept them safe—no burns, not even the smell of smoke on their clothes. The king then praised the one true God who had rescued them.

    This story shows us that God is with us in scary times. Even when others pressure us to do wrong, we can stand strong in our faith.

    What We Learned:

    • Only God deserves our worship.
    • Trust God, even when it’s hard.
    • God is always with us in tough times.
    • Our faith can help others see God’s power.

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    It’s important!

    It will be more fun than anything you can find on TV. And we need—yes, I said need—you. Our great singers work so hard on these concerts. Their effort must be rewarded with people who care enough to come.

    And you deserve to be here! You deserve to have a little fun. And an uplift in your spirits.

    If you have not heard our “star” singers do their Broadway thing, you just don’t know how good they are. We are privileged to have this kind of music at St. Matthew.

    So, put aside all else and come this Saturday, Aug. 30, at 6:00 for the big show: “A Night on Broadway.” Supper after. (Some of you are bringing desserts.)

    Please!—give our great singers a great audience to sing for. Make this a wonderful evening. It is all free. But it is a fundraiser for Eastside Ministries. An offering will be taken. There are families depending on us for help. We give that help this Saturday. At 6:00.

    Watching Online

    Wow! The picture is beautiful and the new camera angles enrich the experience. And we will conquer that sound problem. (Way too low.) Our guys will soon have it licked. Chuy and the crew from 4Stage will finish all work this Friday. There is one more pew to go in (at the back—don’t fight over it) and a device that will allow us to have all of the microphones up front that we want. It will take 16—more than we will ever need. But right now, we can’t even do four mics for a quartet. And for the ones we do have, 100-ft. cables run over carpet through one transept, covered in tape. Jerry-rigged. Tell Jerry he is out of business. We’re doing it right.

    My Class

    We are looking at how our study of experience has changed our belief system. Truth is, the study of the experience of God gives us a new understanding of who we are as humans—and a new understanding of our relationship to God. It brings us more in line with the teachings of Jesus—but less in line with the teachings of most churches. Get in on the discussion. You are welcome to this class. At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

    Breakfast this Sunday

    It’s a “we-bring” Sunday. (Great breakfast last week.) Help, if you can. At 10:30.

    This Sunday

    My sermon: The Shocking Story of the Woman at the Well. She’s got the bucket. But He’s got the water. Come, let us be uplifted, encouraged, through worship and thanksgiving.

    Love to our folk who have been ill or had surgery lately. We look for the day when you can return.

    God Bless—MB

    Hey! Do whatever you need to do to REMEMBER the concert Saturday night. Tie a string around your refrigerator—or stick your chewing gum in a new spot on the bedpost. But remember! And come!