Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • Kids’ News – Jesus and the Miraculous Catch

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    Have you ever worked really hard at something and still came up empty?

    After Jesus had risen, some of the disciples went back to fishing on the lake (John 21:1–14). They fished all night long but didn’t catch a single fish. As morning came, they saw someone standing on the shore. At first, they didn’t realize it was Jesus.

    Jesus called out to them and told them to throw their net on the other side of the boat. It might have sounded strange, but they listened, and suddenly their net was so full of fish they could barely pull it in. When they finally counted them, there were 153 fish, so many that they could hardly believe it.

    That’s when they realized it was Jesus. Peter was so excited that he jumped right into the water and swam to shore to be with him. When the others arrived, they found that Jesus had already prepared breakfast, with fish and bread waiting for them by the fire.

    Even after everything that had happened, Jesus was still caring for them, providing for them, and spending time with them.

    This story reminds us that Jesus is always with us, even when we don’t recognize him right away. When we feel tired, discouraged, or unsure, Jesus meets us where we are. He provides what we need, and he invites us to trust him, even when things don’t seem to be working.

    What We Learned

    • Jesus is with us, even when we don’t realize it
    • We can trust Jesus, even when things don’t go as planned
    • Jesus provides more than we expect
    • We are never alone

    We loved seeing all of our wonderful kids this Sunday as we started working on something special for Mother’s Day. We hope to see you again this week!

  • 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.
    This past Sunday, our choir offered a beautiful and moving expression of worship. Their singing was truly transcendent, lifting our hearts and filling the sanctuary with a spirit of reverence, joy, and praise.

    We are also grateful for Hanna Newcomer Sliva and the message she shared with us. Through her words and presence, we were reminded of what it means to be the body of Christ, living and growing together in love.

    Each week, we continue to come together in worship, fellowship, and service, experiencing the love of God in meaningful ways through music, prayer, and shared life.

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    Walking with Jesus, Even When We Don’t See Him

    It was the first day of the week, the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Two of his disciples were walking together, talking about everything that had happened. As they walked along the road, Jesus came and joined them. But somehow, they did not recognize him.

    As they talked, the disciples shared the story of Jesus, not realizing they were speaking to him. When they reached the village of Emmaus, Jesus acted as if he were going on ahead. But they urged him to stay and join them for a meal. When they sat down at the table, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. It was a familiar moment, something they had seen before. And in that moment, they finally recognized him.

    Jesus had been with them all along. This reminds us that Jesus is still with us today. He is with us when we gather, when we share meals, and when we care for one another. Sometimes we recognize him not in words, but in the quiet, meaningful moments that feel full of love and peace.

    What We Learned:

    • Jesus is with us, even when we don’t recognize it right away
    • We can notice Jesus in simple, familiar moments
    • Sharing and caring for others helps us see God’s love
    • We are never walking alone

    We were so happy to have the twins with us on Sunday, and if you were there, you may even have seen the baby chicks. We hope to see you in church again this Sunday.

  • 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.
    We give thanks for Rev. Mike Love and Susan for their presence among us during this season. Through their leadership, care, and steady faith, they have helped guide us with grace and compassion. We are grateful for the ways they have walked alongside our congregation, offering encouragement and reminding us of Christ’s constant presence.

    We are thankful for the ways our church continues to come together in worship, fellowship, and service. Each week, through music, prayer, and shared life, we experience the love of God in meaningful and lasting ways.

    As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude for where we have been and hope for where God is leading us. We give thanks for each person who shares their gifts so faithfully, helping us experience the joy and presence of Christ together.

  • A Word from Mary

    Mary Teague
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    St. Matthew Congregational Business and Ministry meeting
    Sunday, April 26th, immediately following services.

    Good Wednesday, St. Matthew and friends,

    I pray for love and peacefulness to fill your hearts and lives continuously through the power of the resurrected Christ.

    I am recovering well from my knee surgery last week. Thank you for your prayers and support. This one has been a bit easier than the first, as I remember it, and the pain has been well controlled with over-the-counter medications. I am grateful to God for the excellent care I received during the surgery and since returning home.

    We will have a guest preacher this weekend, Hannah Newcomer Sliva (pronounced “sleeva”), Associate Director of the TCU Wesley Foundation. The Wesley Foundation is a ministry of the United Methodist Church serving college campuses across the United States. Hannah has had a variety of experiences on her way to being called by God into full-time ministry, including serving as a youth minister, a 4th and 5th-grade teacher, a 6th-grade choir director, and a foster care specialist.

    Hannah is currently in the Master of Divinity program at TCU’s Brite Divinity School. She believes God called her to the Deacon track because “the church has to leave its walls.” She also shares, “God is always there through prevenient grace, making ready whatever is next for my life.” Hannah is involved in a program through Princeton University called the Polaris Program, where she is writing a theology of aging. You can learn more about her work here:
    A Theology of Aging with Hanna Newcomer Sliva – part 1. She believes God created us to experience life “in its full capacity, anticipating joy always.”

    Please join me in making Hannah very welcome at St. Matthew. She will preach for us this week and possibly again in the future. I am so thankful for this support at this time in my ministry. God has put us all here together at the perfect time to be the love of God in our world, and I am excited to be in this ministry with you.

    Blessings,

    Mary