This week, we met a man named Paul—but when we first met him, he was known as Saul. Saul was a Pharisee, a religious leader who thought he was doing the right thing by stopping the followers of Jesus. He was full of determination—but it was the wrong kind. Saul was harsh and unkind to Christians, and he had permission to arrest them in faraway cities.

One day, Saul was walking the road to Damascus with a mission to cause trouble. But then something incredible happened.

Suddenly, a bright light from heaven flashed all around him, and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Saul was stunned. “Who are you, Lord?” he asked.

The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:4–5)

When Saul got up, he couldn’t see. He had been struck blind! His traveling companions had to take him by the hand and lead him the rest of the way to Damascus. For three days, Saul didn’t eat or drink anything. He waited. He prayed. And in that waiting, something began to change deep inside of him.

Then God sent a man named Ananias to find Saul. Ananias was nervous—he had heard all the terrible things Saul had done. But God said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name.” (Acts 9:15)

Ananias placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus who appeared to you on the road—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)

Right then, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes. He could see again—and he saw everything differently. His heart was changed. Saul was baptized, and he became Paul, one of the most important messengers of Jesus the world has ever known.

But here’s something important: Paul wasn’t changed all at once. Even after his powerful encounter, it took time. He had to grow, to learn, and to be guided by others. Big changes don’t always happen in a flash—even when God is involved. Sometimes, God works in us slowly, steadily, beautifully.

---

What We Learned:

• God can change anyone—even someone who was once an enemy.
• Jesus meets us where we are, even when we’re headed the wrong way.
• Real transformation takes time and sometimes help from others.
• God’s love is patient, powerful, and always at work.

The Passing of Morton H. Meyerson

Mr. Morton H. Meyerson, businessman and philanthropist and partner of Ross Perot, has died at age 87 following a two-year battle with cancer.

What does that have to do with St. Matthew?
Mr. Meyerson, who was Jewish, has sent several thousand dollars in gifts to St. Matthew over the last few years.
He sometimes read Friday’s Word and appreciated my stand against some of the political forces of our time.
He even came to the church to meet me three years ago. We had a great time together.

His name lives on in the Dallas Symphony Center named after him, and in my memory as a gracious man with a warm heart and a sense of humor.
He also lives on in the same heaven we will all be going to. May God be praised.

Watching Online

Jason is on vacation and, at this writing, I am not able to find our service online, but it may be there later.
We did the microphones a little differently last Sunday. I want to see if it worked.
I am uncertain when the audio/video work will be completed. I am sure it will be finished by the time Jason gets back on the 17th.

My Class

We continue with the chapter on suffering from my as-yet-unpublished book, Discovering God. We have some exciting accounts to consider.
You are welcome to this class.
At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Breakfast This Sunday

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

Concert Confusion

We have two concerts coming up.
One is our great MSB Gospel Choir concert on Saturday, Sept. 20, for which we are selling tickets.
The other one is a Sunday morning concert on Oct. 31—moved to this date to make sure our new audio/video equipment is in and working.

This Sunday

Sermon: It’s All About Love.
The scripture will be the 13th chapter of Corinthians.
I look forward to gathering with you this Sunday in the house of the Lord!

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

God bless—MB

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