Our story begins with a conflict between two groups in the early church. The issue involves the case of some widows not receiving enough food during the daily distribution of food.

The twelve call a meeting of all the disciples. They realize they need to focus on prayer and proclaiming God’s word rather than serving food, so they ask the community to select seven disciples from among them to serve.

They specify that the “new disciples” must be wise and filled with the Holy Spirit. This proposal pleases the whole community. The community selects seven people and presents them to the twelve, who pray for them and lay hands on them. God’s word continues to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increases.

Children may wonder why the disciples needed more help or why they couldn’t do it on their own. We might have this problem too. Sometimes children say “Don’t help me, I can do it myself!” But sometimes we need the help. It is okay to ask for help and work together to spread God’s love.

This shows that the disciples were paying attention; they wanted to provide more help for the community and then moved forward to organize that work.

We are all called to find ways to unite and act in love for one another, each sharing our gifts and talents to benefit the larger goals of the faith. We use our talents at church for the benefit of everyone.

A Tour Through History

Connie (Owensby) Eley reminds me I left out a lot of the joy in my run through the history of our congregation’s 128 years. That youth group in the late 60s and early 70s filled two rows in church every week. Her brother, our beloved Hubert Owensby, who passed last year, was a youth leader.

I also neglected to tell you that the folks still here in the early 80s when I came as pastor were fiercely loyal to this church—and very proud of St. Matthew.

This church has survived on love.

But I also wanted you to know that love alone won’t do it if we have no way to reach out to the world with that love.

Friday’s Word (or something like it) is still absolutely essential to the ongoing life of this church. We have lost a lot of people through death in the last three years. If you omit from our congregation the people we have gained through Friday’s Word during that time, we would have to be considered a dying church.

Why?—because we would be.

As long as we think of this as “Max’s project,” we are missing the point. This is our project.

Many once-large churches are gone from the East Side. We are still here. Let us give thanks.

Breakfast this Sunday

A “Bring It Sunday.” I’ll bring something.

Let’s have breakfast together—10:30 a.m.

Sunday’s Sermon

Sermon Sunday: That Great Getting’ Up Mornin’

I may sing a solo—if no one stops me.

Special Giving Sunday

You may give extra this Sunday if you are able. If you are not able, do not do so. The Lord will provide.

God Bless—MB

Prayer for our members who are ill. We miss you and think of you often. Our love to Tracy Maxwell.

Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

Sunday was a very tender day for many of us. It was a day of profound grief and immeasurable joy. I have discovered that both emotions bring me to tears and so Sunday was a very, very tender day. I was not alone in shedding tears of sadness over the loss of Julie M. Julie and Tracy have been a major force in our church, always generous with their time and talents. And, I saw many of you with “leaking eyes” when Anna and Tyler stood at the back as evidence of God’s miracles in our lives. Our family is forever grateful to you for your prayers and for those of you able to sit vigil as Anna healed from her illness.

It is strange to be in the “bittersweet” as we were yesterday, but I am wondering if we are not always living there. We never lose the grief that accompanies loss in our lives and we can always find a miracle in our lives if we look close enough. I think that is what being Easter People means. We are able to see the miracle in the presence of great sorrow. We can do so because we are God’s beloved children and we are never alone no matter where the pendulum is swinging. 

I enjoyed Max’s history lesson on Sunday. It is wonderful to belong to a congregation with so much history. And I am thankful that a newspaper article is the beginning for many folks. I also know that even if the newspaper brings people in, it is you, our loving and caring congregation, who keep people coming back. Saint Matthew has been revived several times in its history and we may face the need for a more modern intervention soon. But, the heart of our Lord joined to the heart of all of you keeps this church alive.

I am one of those “newspaper” people who wandered into St. Matthew after seeing the Meadowbrook News. But it isn’t any newspaper that keeps me coming back. It isn’t even my job there as associate pastor. I keep coming back, my family keeps coming back because of you. We love you dearly, Mary.

This week we had a nice lesson about a community of believers who worked together for the good of everyone in their community. They held everything in common—meaning that they shared and looked out for one another.

By doing this, they created a community where no one was needy. They even sold their properties and houses to add to the wealth of the community. Their shared resources were managed by the apostles, who distributed them to those in need. This was not mandatory, but people did this to share and honor God. Sharing was a way of showing love and friendship.

As Christians today, we are called to share what we have with those in need. Sharing is hard sometimes for kids. It can also be hard for adults as we might feel ill-equipped or unable to help those who need the most. We often want to hold close to the things we have worked hard for.

This story reminded me of our very own Mr. Bill Parker, who donates so much time and energy to Eastside Ministries. We all have a chance to help Bill by donating our good used clothing to Eastside. They are always in need of donations of food and clothing.

I learned that they give out sack lunches, lots of bottled water, and boxes of food donated to them by stores to those in need. If you would like to volunteer to help Eastside Ministries, they could use your help — see Mr. Parker at church on Sunday for more information.

Blessings, see you in church Sunday….

Eastside Ministries 40th

It’s at the Botanical Gardens this Friday.

It starts at 6:30. Ticket price is $75 per plate. That’s because this is a fundraiser for the poor on the Eastside of Fort Worth. Raising money is what it is about. But the buffet will be good.

I am the event MC. Blake and Shannon will sing.

You can still get tickets. Just call Bill Parker: 817-296-0065.

Breakfast this Sunday

“Let’s Bring It” Sunday worked well for breakfast. The third Sunday (this Sunday) is a Winston week. Breakfast begins at 10:30.

Sunday’s Sermon

My sermon for Sunday is not the one I announced last week. The new title: Believe It or Not.

Our choir will sing: Jesus Never Failed Me Yet.

Help! Please

We have a temporary problem. But it won’t be a problem if enough people give a special gift on Sunday, May 5. (Or give it earlier—writing “Special gift” on your offering.)

We did not sufficiently prepare for this lag in our finances. I plan for us to do better next year. And we do need to increase our monthly income to avoid this happening again, but this will come with time.

By the way, your giving is entirely private. Only our Treasurer ever sees your gifts. There is never any pressure in giving.

This is God’s business we are in.

“Relax—and trust.”

God always sees us through.

Our love to our members who are ill.

You are in our prayers.

May the Lord hold you in his care.

God bless—MB

By the way—are you aware that in two years—2026—we will celebrate the 130th Anniversary of this congregation? We began life in 1896 in a Victorian clapboard church on Bessie Street. And the best is yet to come.