Category: News


  • Max’s Corner

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    The Christmas Show

    Expect it to be great fun.

    Like a TV Christmas Special.

    I love the music we are doing.

    We close with great old carols and modern Christmas classics.

    Blake sings “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.”

    Shannon sings “Breath of Heaven.”

    I sing—well—let’s have some surprises.

    You KNOW it is Saturday at 6:00.

    Christmas Dinner provided after — please bring a dessert!

    And Santa.

    Third Sunday of Advent

    Sermon: “At the Right Time.”

    Scripture Galatians 4:4-5

    We remember Eloise Rhodes with love.

    She was a St. Matthew treasure.

    God bless—
    MB


  • Mary’s Corner

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    Greetings in the name of Christ. In this season of Advent, I continue to be amazed at the way God works in our lives, showing up in the stillness. I attended a play on Sunday afternoon at the Stage West Theatre in Fort Worth. The play, “Poor Clare,” is a brilliant social commentary set against the backdrop of the friendship between Saint Francis of Assisi and Chiara Offreduccio (aka Saint Clare of Assisi).

    The play is described as, “what happens when your eyes are opened to the injustice of the world around you, and you cannot look away.” I can verify that the play had exactly this impact upon the audience, at least this member of the audience. Having just preached a sermon on a “just peace,” my heart was already diligently seeking a place for words to become action. The play, set in ancient times but using modern dialogue, is incredibly accurate in its portrayal of the awakening of a soul to the plight of others.

    It was a lovely and spiritual experience, and I am grateful for the talent and for the message. My eyes see the world more deeply after seeing the play. If you have an opportunity, it is worth the time and money to see this play.

    Advent is moving quickly along. I urge you to spend time every day acknowledging the hope you have in your heart and seeking justice and peace in this world gone mad. We do not have to change the entire world; just a few just things done by people living the gospel is all the world needs.

    I look forward to seeing you on Saturday night at the Christmas Show and the dinner afterward. It promises to be a fun evening. Bring a friend, bring a stranger, bring both!

    Blessings, Mary


  • Kids’ News

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    This week, we looked at Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s perspective as we continue our celebration of Advent. Like Mary, Joseph heard about Jesus’ coming from an angel. Joseph had learned that his wife-to-be was expecting. Joseph was thinking of quietly calling off their marriage because he didn’t want to embarrass Mary. Then an angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him that the child Mary was going to have come from the Holy Spirit, and that Joseph should not be afraid to marry her. The angel even told Joseph that the child would be a son and that the child’s name would be Jesus. When Joseph woke up from this dream, he did just as the angel told him and married Mary.

    By naming Jesus, Joseph was officially accepting Jesus as his son. He willingly raised and cared for Jesus. Joseph listened and did as God asked and, because he obeyed, he was filled with the joy of having a son and celebrating, with Mary, the birth of Jesus.

    We need you all to be like Joseph and come to our Christmas program at church Saturday, December 16. We will have a wonderful evening filled with wonderful music, a wonderful dinner and if we are lucky, a visit from Santa. Please help us make sure our little ones are all in church that evening to visit with this jolly ole elf!! We will see you in church!

    Blessings


  • Max’s Corner

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    Eastside Dinner

    If you missed it last year—you don’t have to miss it again. Ronnie Sullivan’s family is cooking a big enchilada dinner for us as a fundraiser for Eastside Ministries.

    This is a great event.

    Unfortunately—I will NOT be there.

    Still recovering from my intestinal virus.

    I am still at the Jello stage.

    Second Sunday of Advent

    This Sunday.

    Second of four Sundays.

    And this is the way it falls every few years—Advent Four is on Christmas Eve.

    Pomp and Circumstance Got Delayed

    The additional pomp and circumstance of Advent begins THIS week.

    My sermon Sunday: “Jesus Got It Right”

    Keep this in mind: Both The Christmas Show on Saturday, Dec. 16th and the Christmas Eve Service on Sunday the 24th are at 6:00 p.m.

    Service for Eloise

    Friday—11:00 a.m.

    Laurel Land on Crowley Rd.

    And God bless—

    MB


  • Mary’s Corner

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    Good morning, folks!

    I have quite a bit to share today. Most important is to share with you how very grateful I am for all of you and how important you are to me.

    Memorial for Eloise Rhodes: Viewing is Thursday Dec. 7 from 5p-7p; Funeral is Friday Dec. 8 at 11am. Laurel Land Funeral Home 7100 Crowley Road, 76134.

    Ongoing fundraiser for Eastside Ministries due to the devastating fire they experienced that completely destroyed the food service building. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift to this ministry, please make the donation to Eastside Community Assistance or Eastside Ministries (eastsidecommunityassistance.org). You may also bring your donations to the church, and we will deliver to the organization. Our next Christmas concert is December 16th at 6pm. Santa tells me that Bill and Cindy Wheeler will be feeding us pulled pork sandwiches with all the trimmings. If you would like to bring a dessert, please feel free. Finally, St. Matthew will be collecting lunch items for those folks living without adequate shelter. Items to be collected are:

    • Packaged tuna or chicken salad (not canned)
    • Individually packaged crackers
    • Individually packaged candy bars, chewy granola bars, or cookies
    • Fruit cups
    • Gatorade or water bottle (can be reused/recycled)

    We will assemble 30-35 lunches per week. The church purchased the items this week. The total to purchase all of these items was $161. If you prefer, you may give money to St. Matthew designated for this project. You may also bring the listed items, no more than 36 of each please. We will have to store these things until they can be packaged and distributed, and we do not have a large space for storage. Please let me know if you have any questions. We are looking for volunteers to help assemble lunches. Give your name to Bill Parker if you can help with this. 

    Blessings to all of you! Mary