Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Peace and love to you all in the name of Jesus Christ,

    A book called The Universal Christ was my first encounter with the writings of Father Richard Rohr. I remember being fascinated by the book and by Father Rohr’s understanding of Jesus Christ. To summarize: “Richard Rohr proposes that every human being is already ‘in Christ,’ and that Christ is not just Jesus, but a broader, universal reality. This idea suggests that the divine love expressed in Jesus is also present in all of creation, including every human being. The book encourages seeing the Christ in all things and fosters a sense of interconnectedness and unity.”

    The book calls us to change our point of view. It invites us to look at everything as holy. It challenges us to stop judging, stop comparing, and stop separating ourselves from one another. Instead, Rohr calls us into a relationship with Jesus Christ so intimate that we begin to see the world through Christ’s eyes and love the world with the divine love of our God. I remember from my first reading that Rohr emphasizes this divine love begins in the mirror.

    That is the barrier though, isn’t it—loving ourselves, also? We hold so many grudges against ourselves and have passed so much judgment on our own actions that we struggle to give mercy where it’s most needed. “Mercy is a way to describe the mystery of forgiveness. It is who God is.” The word for mercy in Hebrew is hesed, and it means steadfast, enduring, unbreakable love.

    Steadfast, enduring, unbreakable love! Can you imagine the world if people practiced this kind of love with the human in the mirror and the rest of God’s creation? This is what heaven must be like—a place where we give up clinging to our unforgiveness, toward ourselves and others, and release the divine love that God has placed in our hearts.

    As we move through Holy Week, think about what it took for God to set aside the glories of heaven, take on human flesh, and live the life Jesus lived on this earth. God gave everything. I believe God did it for love.

    I pray that you encounter the Universal Christ in your life. I pray that God’s divine love so overwhelms you that you begin to see yourself—and others—as we are all seen in the eyes of Jesus: the beloved children of Christ.

    Maundy Thursday: 6:00 PM light dinner, 6:30 PM service

    Good Friday: 6:00 PM dinner, 6:30 PM service

    Easter Sunday: 10:00 AM Easter Egg Hunt for the children; 11:00 AM Easter worship service

    The Universal Christ. 2019. (Accessed April 14, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/receiving-gods-mercy/)

  • Kids’ News – “Palm Branches and Praises”

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    It was the beginning of Passover, and the city of Jerusalem was full of people. Word had spread quickly: Jesus is coming! The man who healed the sick, fed thousands, and even raised Lazarus from the dead—He’s on His way!

    As Jesus approached the city, the crowd grew larger and louder. People rushed to cut palm branches from nearby trees—symbols of celebration and hope. Some waved them high, others laid them on the dusty road ahead of Him. Children ran forward, placing their branches gently before Him, so the donkey carrying Jesus could walk on a path made of palms.

    And as Jesus rode into the city on a young donkey, the people shouted with joy:

    “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” (John 12:13)

    But Jesus wasn’t the kind of king they expected. He didn’t come riding a warhorse or dressed in royal robes. He came humbly, peacefully—riding on a donkey, just as Scripture had promised:

    “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” (John 12:15)

    This King didn’t come to conquer. He came to love. And the path He chose would lead not to a palace, but to a cross—and then to a miracle.

    What We Learned

    ✔ Palm Sunday tells the story of Jesus being welcomed into Jerusalem with celebration and praise.
    ✔ The people and children laid palm branches on the road to honor Him as King.
    ✔ Jesus rode a donkey to show He came in peace and humility, not in power or pride.
    ✔ We are invited to follow His example by choosing kindness, peace, and love.

    This Sunday, our kids helped bring the story to life—shouting Hosanna! and laying their branches before our King. It was beautiful to see!

    And now… we’re getting ready for Easter!

    🐣 The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 10:00 AM this Sunday—don’t be late!

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Concerns for our Church Family

    Dan Mitchell, a faithful member along with Joyce, has passed. Dan had been ill for some time, making it impossible for them to attend worship in person. But we always knew they were watching.

    Carol Bennett’s brother has passed after a long illness. Carol has known this time was near.

    Patsy Reaves has passed. Her life had been harder these last years due to Alzheimer’s.

    Jim Goodwin’s mom passed last week. (Graveside at 11:00 Thursday at Rose Hill cemetery.)

    Dewayne and Sheila Taylor face the serious illness of their daughter-in-law—only in her 40s with pancreatic cancer.

    John Reynolds continues in recovery. Danny Eades saw him last week.

    Things are not always easy for Mac Salfen, but he is getting better. Chemo has worked, but it can cause some problems.

    Keith Butterfield is doing well in his care facility—for someone 97. He is more himself.

    Carolyn Bell is in a care facility, and that alone means her life has greatly changed.

    Others in our church family face difficulties. We give thanks that we have a Lord who cares. And our prayers continue.

    Discovering God Class

    Finally—we face the story of Mrs. Schwartz this Sunday. Be prepared for a challenge.

    Breakfast this Sunday

    NO BIG BREAKFAST this Sunday. (Bring donuts. I will, too.) We have Palm Sunday lunch after worship.

    Last Sunday and This

    Great service last week with the baptism of three of our children. And listen!—our sound has improved! The new sound board gives us much better sound.

    PALM SUNDAY!

    And Palm Sunday dinner after. A big day. Holy Week begins.
    Holy Thursday and Good Friday worship next week:
    6:00 for light supper—6:30 for worship.

    God Bless—MB

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

    Good Monday, Church!

    The sun is shining, the temperature is climbing, and it feels like spring is finally on its way. Let’s enjoy the pleasant days ahead—and maybe the wind will settle down before the summer heat arrives.

    Sunday’s baptism was a deeply spiritual moment for me. There’s something sacred about placing my hand into the water and becoming a vessel of the Holy Spirit. I often find myself wavering between awe and overwhelming joy. If you know me well, you know my joy tends to leak out through my eyes! What a thrilling experience to baptize three young people this week—and Ian back in January. It’s clear: we’re seeing the beginnings of a youth group, and I’m excited to plan some outings for our kids and their friends. I’ll need your help, so stay tuned.

    At the same time, I’m preparing funerals—living in the tension between grief and grace. Funerals are bittersweet. What breaks our hearts is the same sacred moment that frees our loved ones into the tangible presence of God. While we mourn, I believe they hear our tears… and God’s voice saying, “Welcome home, good and faithful servant.”

    Grief doesn’t leave us—it becomes part of us, and processing it is essential to our well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with loss, please reach out. I have many resources and am always available to listen or walk alongside you.

    And always—pray for one another. Our church family carries joys and sorrows side by side, and the prayers of a faithful, loving community do so much to lighten the burden. God hears us—especially when we lift each other up.

    Blessings and love,
    In the name of the risen Christ,
    Mary

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:

    Funeral for Eleanor Goodwin April 9, 2025 at 11am in the chapel at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Home, 7301 E. Lancaster Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76112. There will be a viewing on Tuesday April, 8, 2025 from 5-7pm in the funeral chapel. All are welcome. 

    The St. Matthew Women’s Group will meet Thursday April 10th@ 12noon. Everyone is welcome.

    Funeral for Patsy Reeves will be May 3rd at 11am at Saint Matthew. More details to come, but we will need a meal prepared for the family to follow the service.

    Palm Sunday service @ 11am with Potluck lunch to follow. Please stay for our family meal, the food will be amazing and the company will be grand!

    Maundy Thursday light meal at 6pm on Thursday April 17, 2025 followed by Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 pm.

    Good Friday light meal at 6pm on Friday April 18, 2025 followed by Good Friday service at 6:30 pm.

    Easter Sunday: 10am Easter Egg hunt for the children. Be there at 0950. The hunt starts precisely at 10am. Easter Services at 11am.

    Mother’s Day is May 11, 2025.

  • Kids’ News – “A Night In The Garden”

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    This Sunday, we talked about prayer—and the story we heard was full of emotion, honesty, and love. It took place in one of the most important places in Jesus’s life: the Garden of Gethsemane.

    After sharing the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus knew that His time on earth was almost over. He went to the garden to pray, and He took Peter, James, and John with Him. Jesus didn’t try to hide His feelings—He told His friends that He was sad and troubled, and He asked them to stay awake and pray with Him.

    But something surprising happened. Even though Jesus was full of emotion and needed their support, the disciples kept falling asleep. Not once, not twice, but three times. Every time Jesus returned, they were sleeping.

    Still, Jesus didn’t get angry. He just kept doing what He came to do: He prayed. He asked God to take away the suffering He was about to face, but in the end, He said something really powerful:

    “Not what I want, but what You want.” (Luke 22:42)

    This story shows us a lot about who Jesus is. He didn’t pretend to be okay. He didn’t pretend not to be scared. But He still turned to God and trusted that He wouldn’t be alone.

    What We Learned

    ✔ Jesus prayed even when He was scared or sad—He showed us that it’s okay to bring all our feelings to God.

    ✔ His prayer wasn’t answered the way He asked—but He still trusted God’s plan.

    ✔ We may not always feel strong, but we can always choose to pray and trust that God hears us.

    ✔ We want to be like Jesus—honest in our emotions, but faithful in our trust.

    This week, we had 10 amazing kids in class, and we celebrated something beautiful—the baptisms of Jade, Remy, and Erik! What a meaningful moment as we prepare for Easter.

    Julie Ann helped sort and match eggs from last year (we now have a full basket of empty eggs!). Nan and I went shopping, and thanks to some generous helpers, we’ve got plenty of treats to fill them. And yes—the Easter Bunny confirms there will be lots of eggs and two golden eggs!

    Don’t forget—our Easter Egg Hunt is this Sunday at 10:00 AM sharp, so be sure to arrive a little early! All of the eggs will have a treat inside—not just candy—and we’ll have two golden eggs hidden with special surprises. After the hunt, the kids will enjoy a fun Easter movie with popcorn and drinks while parents head into worship. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!