Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Category: News

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    This Sunday, we learned about Zacchaeus! Do you remember the song about him? Vickie and I sure did, and we sang it with the kids!

    But Zacchaeus wasn’t just a fun song—he was a real person with a big problem. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, which meant he collected money from people to give to the Roman government. But in those days, tax collectors were allowed to take extra money for themselves, and many of them did—including Zacchaeus. Because of this, most people didn’t like him.

    One day, Jesus came to Zacchaeus’ town. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but there was a problem—he was too short to see over the crowd! So he did something unusual for a grown man—he ran ahead and climbed a tree. In those times, it wasn’t considered very dignified for an important man like Zacchaeus to run or climb trees, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to see Jesus!

    Then something amazing happened. When Jesus reached the tree, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down right now. I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5) Everyone was shocked! Why would Jesus want to visit a tax collector?

    But Jesus’ kindness changed Zacchaeus’ heart. Zacchaeus promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and to repay anyone he had cheated—four times what he had taken!

    At first, Zacchaeus seemed like the story’s hero because he made things right. But the real hero is Jesus. Jesus saw Zacchaeus for who he could be, not just who he had been. He reminded everyone that God’s love is for everyone—even those who have made mistakes.

    What We Learned

    • Jesus loves and accepts everyone, no matter their past.
    • When we truly follow Jesus, it changes us for the better.
    • We should treat others with kindness and fairness.

    Challenge for the Week: Find a way to show kindness to someone who may feel left out, just like Jesus did with Zacchaeus!

    See you in church on Sunday!

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Service for Jim Lee

    Saturday, March 15, 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew
    We will provide lunch for family and friends after the graveside. All are welcome at the service, whether you knew Jim or not.

    Discovering God Class

    Another great discussion last week! Everyone needs to know—and have a chance to discuss—the kinds of things we are learning in this class. The teachings of Jesus are verified here every week.
    Class at 9:45. Breakfast after.

    Breakfast this Sunday

    This is a “Winston Sunday.” Feel free to help.
    Breakfast is at 10:30.

    Second Sunday of Lent

    Mary preaches this Sunday. Kristi may well be back after her COVID spell. The choir will likely be back in the choir area.

    Eyes on the Prize

    There will be some misery and chaos for some time to come, but I don’t plan to keep my focus on it. For at any given moment, life is better than we can imagine it to be.

    To live in this world—rough as it is from time to time—is an honor and a privilege. We are blessed to be here. And we are loved, watched over, and cared for.

    Despite the national sorrow, we are called to trust and rejoice. This will be a wonderful and joy-filled year at St. Matthew.

    Expect misery from Washington.
    And nothing but amazing grace from our Lord Jesus Christ.

    See you Sunday.
    God Bless—MB

    Give Thanks – We had a gracious and well-attended Ash Wednesday service—and a great meal before it. Thanks to all!

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague
    Categories:

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    Poem 78 by Ralph Waldo Emerson

    Write it on your heart every day is the best day in the year.

                    He is rich who owns the day,

    And no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

                    Finish every day and be done with it.

    You have done what you could.

    Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.

    Forget them as soon as you can,  tomorrow is a new day;

                    Begin it well and serenely,

    With too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

                    This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations,

    To waste a moment on the yesterday’s.©

    I attended the funeral of a friend this past Saturday and this Emerson poem was part of the program. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a 19th-century American philosopher, minister, and writer. He held these ideas: people are best when they are independent and self-reliant, and not puppets of society and its institutions; intuition is a higher form of intelligence and can lead people to do the right thing; all creation is essentially unified; and divine experience is inherent in everyday life. 

    I stumbled on the first three lines of the poem, scoffing at the idea that happy thoughts make everything better. But the next two lines made me smile, “Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could.” We all hold a lifetime of joys and regrets, some of us are more comfortable with regret. I believe God has no intention that we hold on to anything from the past. I believe God intends for us to live in the present, basking in the eternal light and love of our risen Savior. This is a very difficult task for me and I know I am not alone. I cling to the things that I am comfortable with, things behind me that cannot be changed. I want to cling to every moment that I am experiencing now, joyful or sorrowful, knowing that God is with me in all these things. We urgently need to focus on today and what we can do today to share the love of Christ with the world. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6: 34, ‘Don’t worry at all then about tomorrow. Tomorrow can take care of itself! One day’s trouble is enough for one day.’ (JB Phillips New Testament).

    Max spoke Sunday about the mustard seed and the little things we can do to cause something good to grow. I pray for us to all have those little things in mind as we move through this day knowing that this new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterday’s.

    I am preaching Sunday. We will talk more about clinging. My love to all, Mary   

    PS: I am hearing from all of you how lovely the fellowship hall decorations are. Thanks so very much to Cindy, Sheila, Lindsey, and all the others recruited to spiff up our fellowship hall!

  • Kids’ News – The Call of Levi

    Sue Kelcey
    Categories:

    We had a busy week! Miss Vickie talked to our class about different ways people can be baptized and what baptism means. Some churches baptize by sprinkling water, while others practice full immersion. After learning about these different traditions, our kids decided they liked the Methodist way best and are giving it serious thought!

    This week’s Bible story was about Levi (also known as Matthew), the tax collector. In Jesus’ time, tax collectors were disliked because they often took more money than required and kept the extra for themselves. Most people wanted nothing to do with them.

    But then something amazing happened. Jesus saw Levi sitting at his tax booth and said, “Follow me.” (Luke 5:27)

    That’s it—just two simple words! And do you know what Levi did? He got up, left everything behind, and followed Jesus!

    Imagine how shocking that must have been. Jesus, a respected teacher, invited someone that most people thought was dishonest and unworthy. But Jesus doesn’t just call those who seem perfect—He calls everyone, including people who have made mistakes. Levi knew that following Jesus would change his life completely, and he didn’t hesitate. He even threw a big dinner at his house to celebrate, inviting Jesus and his disciples to eat with other tax collectors and outsiders.

    Some religious leaders saw this and weren’t happy. They asked, “Why does Jesus eat with sinners?” (Mark 2:16)

    Jesus answered, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)

    That’s the good news for us! Jesus doesn’t wait for us to be perfect before He calls us—He calls us just as we are.

    What We Learned

    ✔ Jesus invites everyone—even those who feel unworthy or left out.

    ✔ Following Jesus means leaving behind the things that hold us back. Levi didn’t hesitate; he got up and followed!

    ✔ We are called to welcome others, just like Jesus did. No one is too far gone for God’s love.

    See you in church on Sunday!

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan
    Categories:

    Ash Wednesday—THIS Wednesday

    Tonight!—if you’re reading this on Wednesday. Begin Lent at the beginning. If we ever needed the encouragement of the Gospel, it is now.

    Sandwich supper at 6:00. (No, I’m not bringing my tuna sandwiches. My sister is bringing her chicken salad sandwiches.) Desserts are coming, too. But worship is the main event, and it will start at 6:30.

    This is a contemplative service. Blake will sing the beautiful Above All. We will be reminded that we are loved and forgiven. Mary will impose the ashes of repentance. There will be a moment at the altar for prayer if you choose.

    Come.

    Discovering God Class

    I wish everyone could have been in my class last Sunday. We had a meaningful discussion about who we are—a soul temporarily assigned to a body. This week, we will learn that deathbed visions are just one element of God’s loving welcome as we leave this place.

    Class at 9:45. Breakfast after.

    Breakfast This Sunday

    This Sunday—it’s up to us. We all bring. Help if you can. Breakfast is at 10:30.

    First Sunday of Lent

    The paraments turn purple. We begin our journey to Easter. But the journey matters. The scripture will be the temptation in the wilderness.

    The sermon: Where the Power Lies.

    Everything Satan says in this passage is a lie. (Hmmm—who does that remind me of?)

    We had 70 in attendance again last Sunday. Let’s make a habit of it.

    This is a time for commitment.

    Jesus said we are “the light of the world.” Let that light shine. Let the world see and hear our witness.

    See you Sunday.

    God bless,

    MB

    REMEMBER!!!—ASH WEDNESDAY.