Our Church Family

John Reynolds, a member of St. Matthew for over half a century, has died after a long illness. John was in his 90s. He will be missed by his surviving son and daughter and by his church family. Service time is pending.

HOLY THURSDAY

Light supper at 6:00

Worship at 6:30

We gather at the table on the anniversary of that Last Supper. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” It is His call. We are following.

GOOD FRIDAY

Light supper at 6:00

Worship at 6:30

We faithfully follow Jesus from the garden to the cross—from Gethsemane to Calvary—and beyond to the tomb. The powerful music from our choir will feature our guest cellist. This service is held at the time of Jesus’ burial on that first Good Friday.

EASTER SUNDAY

Egg Hunt for the kids at 10:00

Breakfast at 10:30

Worship at 11:00

We meet “in the beauty of the lilies” to celebrate the miracle of the Resurrection.

Sermon title: Welcome to the Real World.

Breakfast this Sunday

This isn’t up to Winston, but let’s try to have breakfast ready for those here for the egg hunt and others. I’ll bring both donuts and “little piggies.” You, too, may want to help. After all, it’s our only Easter this year.

Come, as you are able, on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.

How good to know the truth about life.

How good to be in church!

Did somebody say “Amen”?

God bless—MB

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/)

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

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 10^th@ 12noon. Everyone is welcome.

Funeral for Patsy Reeves will be May 3^rd 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.