Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • A Word from our Church Family

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:

    We give thanks for the many ways God’s love is shared through the life of our church.

    On Sunday, we celebrated Mother’s Day together with worship, fellowship, and gratitude for the people who help nurture faith, kindness, and compassion in our lives. The children brought smiles to many faces as they planted flowers to give to their mothers and special women in their lives.

    We are also thankful for Rev. Mary Teague’s message, “Women as Witnesses: Courage, Purpose, and Hope,” which reminded us that God often works through voices the world may overlook. Through worship, music, prayer, and community, we were encouraged to carry Christ’s hope into the world together.

    Thank you to everyone who helped make Sunday special through worship leadership, music, hospitality, teaching, and fellowship. Every act of care helps strengthen our church family and reminds us that we continue to grow together in faith, love, and belonging.

  • Kids’ News – A Second Chance on the Road to Damascus

    Sue Kelcey
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    Have you ever met someone and already decided what kind of person they were before really getting to know them? Sometimes people can surprise us, especially when God begins working in their lives in new ways.

    This week, we learned about Paul, who once opposed Jesus and the people who followed Him. Paul traveled to Damascus planning to arrest Christians, but along the way, he had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. After that moment, Paul’s whole life began to change. He started telling others about Jesus and wanted to join the disciples in Jerusalem.

    The disciples were nervous and unsure about Paul. They remembered the harm he had caused before his conversion and found it hard to trust him. But Barnabas saw something different. He listened to Paul, watched how his life had changed, and spoke up for him when others hesitated. Because of Barnabas’ kindness and courage, Paul was welcomed into the community, and together they helped spread the good news of Jesus.

    Sometimes people need someone to believe in them, encourage them, or help them feel included. Barnabas reminds us how important it is to be a good friend and to make space for others to grow and change. God’s love can transform hearts, and hope often begins when someone is willing to give another person a chance.

    What We Learned

    • God can change people’s hearts and lives.
    • Good friends encourage and support others.
    • Everyone deserves kindness and a chance to grow.
    • Small acts of love can brighten someone’s day.
    • We can help others feel welcomed and included.

    On Mother’s Day, we also planted flowers in small vases to give to our moms and special women in our lives. It was a joyful way to share love and gratitude, and we hope those flowers brought many smiles throughout the day!

  • Women as Witnesses

    Jason Hardy
    Categories:
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    Women as Witnesses

    On this Mother’s Day Sunday, Rev. Mary Teague reflected on the powerful witness of the women who first discovered the empty tomb and carried the news of Christ’s resurrection to others. At a time when women’s voices were often dismissed or overlooked, God entrusted them with the message of hope that would change the world. Their story reminds us that courage is often found in simply showing up, remaining faithful, and speaking truth, even when others may not yet understand.

    Drawing from Luke’s Gospel, the message explored how God continually works through people the world may underestimate. Women throughout Scripture demonstrated deep faith, trust, compassion, and perseverance, and the resurrection story continues that pattern. The women at the tomb became witnesses not because they held power or status, but because they responded faithfully to God’s presence. Their testimony reminds us that every person has value, every voice matters, and every life can participate in God’s work of renewal and hope.

    As a church, we are invited to live as witnesses in our own community by carrying Christ’s love into the world with courage, purpose, and hope. Whether through acts of compassion, encouragement, service, or quiet faithfulness, we continue the work of sharing the good news. The resurrection is not only a story we remember, but a living promise that still shapes how we love and care for one another today.

    Take Time to Reflect

    • Who has been a faithful witness of God’s love in your life?
    • Where might God be calling you to speak or act with courage?
    • How can we bring hope into the lives of others this week?

    Luke 24:1-12 New International Version

    Jesus Has Risen

    24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

    9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

  • A Word from the Pastor

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Greetings dear church!

    I pray that you are full of the love of Christ and the peace that comes with being a child of God! We have many exciting things going on at St. Matthew and I am abundantly excited to share them with you below. 

    This Sunday’s message, “The Voice of the Shepherd” (John 10:27–28), reminded us that Christ knows us, calls us, and draws us into abundant life. Like sheep who learn their shepherd’s voice, we are invited to discern God’s leading together—not as individuals seeking private marching orders, but as a beloved community listening in faith. Rooted in our shared vision of love, belonging, and seeing God’s image in one another, we move into a season of anticipation and renewal. Trusting that no one can snatch us from Christ’s hand, we follow the Good Shepherd—together.

    This Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day. Additionally, 2026 marks 70 years of the UMC ordaining women! We will talk about both this Sunday. I hope to see you there!

    UPCOMING EVENTS:

    St. Matthew Women United Luncheon May 14, 2026. Gathering at 11:30. Lunch at 12:00 noon. Presentation, “Advanced Care Planning: What I Need to Know.” Please RSVP to [email protected] if you are interested in attending OR sign up on the list posted on the bulletin board at church.

    Worship through Song Sunday May 31, 2026. Join us as our service will be focused on singing favorite hymns and praise and worship songs! This is a new project for us, hosting a music only worship service whenever there is a 5th Sunday. Looking forward to singing and praising with you! 

    Service of Commissioning and Ordination (Mary’s commissioning service) This service will also be live-streamed for those who wish to watch from the comfort of home. See details below:

    The 2026 Service of Commissioning and Ordination will take place at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2nd at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall at the Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Event Center (1000 5th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301).

    The service will be available via a live webcast for all others who wish to participate. Details are available athttps://www.htcumc.org/ac26

    June 7th Cookout and Bring a Friend to Church Sunday

    ✨ Bring a Friend to Church! ✨
    Sunday, June 7 at 11:00 a.m.
    St. Matthew UMC | 2414 Hitson Lane, Fort Worth

    Come worship with us—and join us for lunch after church!
    All are welcome. 💛

    MISSION SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES:

    Blake Glass, our talented Music Director invites us all to support his sister Audrey as she works to share the gospel with student at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. See Audrey’s story here:  https://give.cru.org/1376226

    Financial support is welcome as are your prayers. 

    All right folks, here we go! God is active and moving in our Eastside church and in the heart of our people. Blessings to all! Mary

  • Kids’ News – Go and Tell the World

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    Have you ever been given a really important job and wondered if you could do it?

    After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent time with His disciples, helping them understand what had happened and reminding them that God’s love is for everyone. One day, Jesus met them on a mountain and gave them an important mission. He told them to go out into the world, share His teachings, and help others learn how to follow Him (Matthew 28:19–20).

    This was a big job, and the disciples may have felt unsure or even a little afraid. But Jesus gave them a promise to hold onto. He said that He would always be with them, no matter where they went. They were not being sent out alone. God’s presence would guide them, strengthen them, and give them the courage they needed.

    That same promise is true for us today. We may not travel to faraway places, but we can share God’s love in simple, everyday ways through kindness, helping others, and telling people about Jesus. Wherever we go, we can remember that we are never alone. Jesus is always with us, leading us and helping us share His love with the world.

    What We Learned

    • Jesus calls us to share His love with others
    • We do not have to be afraid because Jesus is always with us
    • We can live out our faith through kindness and everyday actions
    • Everyone can be part of God’s mission, no matter their age