Category Archives: News

Mary’s Corner

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

The Saint Matthew UMC newsletter happens every week, 52 weeks a year. I have had a “corner” in the newsletter for longer than I can remember, but my newsletter articles are usually late getting submitted to Jason. I wish it were not true, but my organizational skills paired with a calendar that looks like mine create problems with meeting this Tuesday at 4 p.m. deadline. Today (Monday), I have set an intention to get my newsletter article written and submitted for editing on Sunday after church or Monday by 3 p.m. at the latest. I am sharing this with you because that reinforces my commitment to do this. Jason is very patient with me every week, but he also has a calendar that looks like a hurricane, and so I want to be respectful of his responsibilities and time. By setting an intention and not just a reminder, I am making a promise to myself to do better.

I wonder what other intentions I need to set in my life? My intention this season of Lent has been to draw closer to God. Reading, praying, meditating, and physical movement have all been centered around this intention since Ash Wednesday. Jesus “steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,” knowing the fate that awaited (Luke 9:51). To be more like Jesus, we must also “set our face” toward whatever is in front of us. Pick one thing when you read this newsletter. Write one word about the subject toward which you will set an intention. Share your word with someone you trust, and then tell God. And if you want to share it with me, please email me: mary.teague@saintmatthewumc.com.

My love to all of you!
Mary

P.S. We raised $3,675 toward payroll at Eastside Ministries! Thank you for your continuously generous spirit. I will keep you posted about their future and our part in keeping this vital ministry open in East Fort Worth.

Kids’ News – “The Woman at the Well”

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This week, we learned about a surprising conversation Jesus had at a well—and how it teaches us about kindness, courage, and God’s love for everyone.

Jesus and his disciples had been walking for a long time and were hot and tired. Around noon, they stopped near a well in Samaria. While the disciples went to find food, Jesus sat by the well to rest (John 4:6–8). That’s when a Samaritan woman came to get water.

Jesus surprised her by saying, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:7). This might sound simple, but back then, Jewish people didn’t usually speak to Samaritans, and men didn’t talk to women they didn’t know. The woman was shocked and asked, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (John 4:9).

But Jesus didn’t care about those social rules—He cared about her heart. He replied, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10).

They talked more, and Jesus explained that the water from the well would only quench thirst for a little while, but “whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13–14).

Jesus showed the woman that she mattered—that God saw, knew, and loved her. He even told her something He hadn’t revealed to many others: “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” (John 4:26), meaning He is the promised Savior.

This story reminds us that Jesus welcomed everyone. He didn’t follow unfair rules that kept people apart—He broke through those walls with compassion. And He calls us to do the same.

What We Learned:
• Jesus showed kindness and respect to someone others ignored.
• God’s “living water” is His love and grace—and it never runs out.
• Jesus teaches us to love others the way He does: fully and without limits.

Hope to see you in church this Sunday! Everyone is welcome—just like the woman at the well.

Max’s Corner

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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.

Mary’s Corner

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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.

Kids’ News

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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!