I pray you are experiencing the peace and love of the risen Christ this week. It was wonderful to see you on Sunday, and I look forward to seeing you again this Saturday at 6:00 PM for Night on Broadway. Cindy Wheeler and her crew will have the meal prepared, and we ask that you bring desserts to share. We’ll enjoy a brilliant concert and a joyful time of fellowship afterward. Bring your friends and neighbors—everyone is welcome!

Our upcoming Saturday night concerts include:

• Sept. 20 at 6:00 PM – MSB Gospel Choir. Tickets are $25, and all proceeds benefit Eastside Community Assistance. If you cannot attend, please consider gifting a ticket to someone in need.
• October – Date TBD.
• Friday, Dec. 5 at 6:00 PM – Western Hills High School Ensemble Choir led by Blake Glass. All proceeds will support their spring competition expenses.

Thank you for your joyful engagement in worship this past Sunday. Your smiles, voices lifted in harmony, and even your laughter at my jokes bless me deeply. It is good to be surrounded by God’s love, poured out through the family of God. You are all kindom citizens—building, gathering, visiting, praying, believing, and worshipping together.

I am also grateful for the care you show our campus and building. With 4 ½ acres, three bathrooms, a kitchen, a 200-person sanctuary, a 70-person fellowship hall, five classrooms, and an office, it is no small task to keep everything clean and cared for. Your volunteer service in these ways is kingdom work done with the power of God.

Remember to live out your service bathed in God’s love and sustained by God’s power.

Blessings to all,

Mary

We’ve been talking about the fruit of the Spirit, and today’s focus is on goodness.

The friendship between David and Jonathan shows us what goodness looks like in real life. Jonathan was the son of King Saul and could have been jealous of David, since David had been chosen by God to be the next king. Instead of rivalry, Jonathan chose friendship. He stood by David, trusted him, and showed him kindness, even when it was hard.

The Bible says: “Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.” (1 Samuel 18:3)

Jonathan told David, “Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do for you.” (1 Samuel 20:4) And David replied with trust, knowing Jonathan was a true friend.

Their story reminds us that true friends are a gift from God. Good friends show goodness through loyalty, trust, and love. Sometimes friends can even become like family, teaching us how to grow in our own relationships.

What We Learned:

• Goodness means showing kindness, loyalty, and love.
• True friendship reflects God’s love in our lives.
• Friends can become like family when we care for one another.

1. Our next Night on Broadway concert featuring Shannon and Julian, will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025. The concert will begin at six with a light supper to follow around 7 PM.
2. Additionally, we will be hosting a concert with the Western Hills Ensemble choir, directed by our very own Blake Glass. This concert will benefit the choir, and will be held on December 5, 2025. The doors for this concert we will open at 5:30, the music begins at 6 PM and a late supper will be served afterwards.
3. Please see Cindy Wheeler if you can contribute to the meals being served, to setting up for the meal, or cleaning up afterwards.

The new sound and video system, along with changes to our sanctuary, were mostly completed by last Sunday. This Sunday, everything will be finished.

An extra-long pew, which had been stored at the back of one of our transepts, is being cut down to serve as the last pew on the pulpit side of the sanctuary. Another long pew will be shortened to fit up to the piano on the front right. These will be in place by Sunday.

And the new video/audio system is now fully in place. This was all made possible by two of our members who left a gift to the church. We give thanks for the continuing legacy of Fred Stearns and Eileen Engleson Stearns. Their love for St. Matthew will continue to bear fruit for many years to come.

Watching Online

It was clear from last week’s video that our online services now have a new and wonderful look. The cameras zoom and pivot. We could see Blake head-on as he sang, and we could even see Kristi at the organ. We saw the congregation several times as well.

Yes, you may need to buy that new dress. Tell hubby, “I’m on TV now.”

As Jason and the crew realized right after the service, we had very low sound on the livestream. This is an easy fix. So, we are on our way.

But I Noticed Another Problem

Yes, I move with difficulty these days, but I cannot sit there like a bump on a log in the middle for the entire service. I look like a stationary blob. I will not move to that stool until I preach. I may need another stool off to the side—at least until I no longer need the stool.

This Is Knee Week

I know you’re sick of hearing about my knee, but improvement may be coming. I meet with the orthopedic doctor Tuesday (that’s tomorrow as I write—yesterday as you read). We will be discussing knee replacement. I know there will be pain, but perhaps no more than I already experience.

My Class

We had a really great discussion last week on salvation. The church has gotten a lot wrong over the years. We have not listened carefully enough to Jesus. God is simply more loving than the church has often taught. And more people go to heaven than the church was willing to let in.

The discussion continues this week. You are welcome to join us at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Breakfast This Sunday

It’s a “We-bring” Sunday. Please help if you can. At 10:30.

This Sunday

Mary preaches. My stool will not be center-chancel.

Come, let us be uplifted and encouraged through worship and thanksgiving.

God Bless,

—MB

Blessings to you in the name of the Vineyard Keeper!

If you do not know the identity of the Vineyard Keeper, please watch the service from August 17th at Saint Matthew: https://www.youtube.com/live/zXLzlAfTeUQ?si=11U1-iI24JJ7zkJu

Max preached an amazing sermon about the breadth and depth of God’s love for creation. He used the parable of the vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16. The parable is a beautiful reminder that God loves us so completely that we are welcomed into the family of God no matter who we are. God’s blessings are freely given, not earned.

We “work out our salvation” by working for God because we love God. And what does that work entail? Everything listed in Matthew 25—feeding, clothing, and sheltering those who lack the basic necessities of life. It looks like visiting the sick, the shut-in, and those who are incarcerated.

Jesus commands us to “love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). The commandment is not complicated or difficult to understand. Living out this commandment is proof of our belief in God and our salvation through Jesus Christ. If we live like this, we rarely have to utter a word about what we believe—people will see it in our lives.

As I write this, Leslieann Griffith is in the recovery room. She has done well throughout her treatment today and anticipates being discharged later today or early tomorrow. Our dear friend Karen Goodwin has been by her side all day—thanks be to God for Karen. Please continue to pray for Leslieann’s quick recovery.

I also want to thank you for your loving participation in our prayers yesterday. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful flowers from the Standefer family. I am so grateful for the chance to help where I can, and thankful that God has given me this opportunity—and that you still put up with me! 😊

My love to all,

Mary