Service for Jim Lee

Thanks to all who helped—with the service and with the food. Your love, expressed in service, was very important to the family during a hard time.

We are a great church.

Discovering God Class

A few years ago, I called for readers of Friday’s Word to share their experiences with me. One thing I received was a remarkable near-death experience, and this Sunday, we will look at that for the very first time.

I have never shared it anywhere before. Class at 9:45. Breakfast after.

Breakfast This Sunday

This is a “We Bring Sunday.” Don’t forget that! Feel free to help. Breakfast is at 10:30.

Last Sunday and This

Mary had a lovely sermon, and it made me hungry for some chocolate pie!

The anthem O Sacred Head, Now Wounded may have been the loveliest thing our choir has ever done. The cellist, Alex Hyme (spelling may be wrong), will be back with us on Good Friday when the choir will repeat this anthem.

This Sunday, the sermon will be: How Did She Get In?—about a Jewish woman who went to heaven during an NDE.

Thanks for the Cleanup

The sanctuary seemed fresher last Sunday.

Some of our women gave the church a spiffing up after their luncheon last Thursday.

Much appreciated!

Remember the Needs of Eastside Ministries

They are hurting for help. Hundreds of families in need depend on Eastside Ministries for food and clothing.

We will continue letting folks make a special contribution this Sunday.

I do hope to see you in worship this Sunday. Let’s talk about the meaning of salvation.

And sing the songs of grace.

God Bless,

MB

We also welcome those who worship with us online.

Hold on with all your strength! Sometimes, that’s all we can do—hold on for dear life. Hold on to the God who created us and loves us beyond measure, to the point that even Calvary was not too much to endure. We are God’s beloved children.

For some of us, simply being held is difficult. Letting go and trusting God takes a strength we didn’t know we had. I feel that way this week as I struggle to make sense of what’s happening in our world, on our streets, and in our lives. I’ve wrestled with trying to fix things, when what God asks of me right now is to be still.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

Be still, beloved children, and know that God is with us.

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!

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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!