It is a HALLELUJAH kind of day! I pray that you are also experiencing the kind of joy that comes with knowing that God loves you and that God is walking with you no matter what’s going on in your life. I am so grateful for the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit Sunday morning in our services. Your voices were beautiful as you sang both the traditional and praise and worship hymns. I’m grateful for your willingness to be flexible and to try new things. I’m excited to begin a new tradition at Saint Matthew, where we are able to learn a new song once or twice a month. I’m also profoundly grateful for the three new church members that joined us on Sunday morning. Carlene, Kathy, and Lynette have no idea really what they’re in for but I know that God is part of this and brought them to us for a very special reason. If nothing else, I know we will have great fun with them; they are always smiling! We have gained many new members this year. More so than in the last several years. And while we struggle to look around the world and find places where the church is relevant to the world, Saint Matthew continues to draw folks in who are looking for a place filled with God’s authentic people. I am so grateful to be a part of this ministry.

I had my first meeting this week with my mentor pastor, Reverend Kissa Vaughn, From Saint Barnabas United Methodist Church in S Arlington. We talked for a long time about the things I need to do to be successful with the board of ordained ministry. She also shared some wonderful programs and insights she had about doing ministry in the neighborhood where we live. I’m grateful for the time with her and grateful for another chance at coming before the board of ordained ministry. I’m living in that space right now between wanting to do so many things at the church and in the neighborhood and still having to work full time at the hospital. Please know that the hours I have after work and on Saturdays and Sundays that I spend doing church work are precious to me. The work I do as the associate pastor at Saint Matthew United Methodist Church fulfills me and lets me know that this truly is God’s calling on my life. I do not know what God has next, but I do know that God has this in God’s mighty right hand. 

My love to all of you, Mary

We were all prepared to meet Abraham and Lot Sunday. Abraham was a very rich man who was traveling with his family and livestock. Can you imagine traveling with your family and livestock!? He made and broke camp each night. His wife, Sarah, and his nephew, Lot, were with him. Abraham and Lot had so many cattle and possessions between them that the land could not support them both.

Conflicts began to break out between their herdsmen. Abraham and Lot realized that the two groups could no longer travel together. So, for the sake of everyone they made an agreement about how and where they will live in the future. To ensure peace, Abraham gave Lot the choice of two lands. Lot chose the Jordan Valley because it was lush and green. There would be plenty of food and water for his animals. Without complaining, Abraham moved his animals and servants to the drier land.

In the story, we hear God promise Abraham many descendants. Abraham sacrificed the better land for the sake of keeping peace. The story shows us that we can work together if we try. It also shows us that compromise does not necessarily mean loss.

On another note, I purchased 12 caterpillars to release as butterflies with our kids. The little guys had their own schedule in mind and transformed into butterflies a week early. Since they have such a short life span, we released them last Saturday.The butterflies were so happy to be free that they flew across the street and high into my neighbor’s tree. Sunday when I arrived home from church, I noticed one was still flying in their habitat. Yes, you guessed it, he flew away as well! We may have to try this again.

See you in church Sunday

Cleaning supplies provided. Please bring your own elbow grease.

Greetings in the name of Christ,

I prayed as we left services on Sunday that you enjoyed the praise and worship music we sang together as much as I enjoyed the experience. I know it is not our usual to sing this genre of music; however, including these songs in our repertoire broadens our reach into the community. Folks who have never attended church may have heard these songs in other places besides a church. The likelihood of hearing a Charles Wesley hymn outside of a church is very slim. I would appreciate your input about the music on Sunday. Please email me at [email protected] if you have any comments on the music or if you have any special requests for a particular song. We are so blessed at Saint Matthew to have such talented AND flexible musicians as Blake and Shannon. They love what they do and I believe if I give them more notice, they would love it even more. 😊

I have spoken with the family of John McIntosh and they are grateful for your prayers. We will have a memorial for John at Saint Matthew when the family can travel to Fort Worth. I will let you know and we will have a meal in John’s honor. For those of you who did not know John, he was a very small man, perfect size for a sailor, with a heart the size of Texas. He loved Saint Matthew and especially loved talking to Max. He will be missed.

CHURCH CLEANING Saturday at 10am! Cleaning supplies provided! Bring your own elbow grease!!

Attendance May 26 was 61, and the offering $3070. I was very pleasantly surprised that the crowd was so big and so very beautiful. I hope everyone comes back this Sunday! It is communion Sunday. We may also learn a couple of more new songs if you are willing? My love to all, Mary

This week, we talked about showing love for others. In our scripture, Paul explains what love should look like for the church and others in the community. He says we should hate evil and cling to what is good. We should love one another like family and show honor to one another. He also said we should serve the Lord enthusiastically. We are to find happiness in hope and stand our ground in trouble. We must celebrate with those who are happy and cry with those who are sad.

Paul calls upon us to bless people who harass us and not curse them. Jesus taught us to treat one another as equals and not to think of ourselves as better than anyone else. We are not to seek revenge on those who have wronged us; we are to show respect for those who believe something differently than us. Most importantly, we are to live in peace with everyone. We are called to love.

We were extremely happy with the wonderful group of kids we had Sunday. They are all aware of the way they should treat others. And they practice this in their daily life at school. Have a wonderful week. See you in church.

Blessings