January 14th

Human Relations Day is a denomination-wide Special Sunday that celebrates and raises awareness about the strength of human relationships. A special offering is received the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and contributes to building his vision of “the beloved community” through programs such as Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services and Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs.

Your contribution to the Human Relations Day offering holds the potential to bring about transformative change:

• 57% supports community developer programs, nurturing racial-ethnic minority congregations and strengthening local UMC communities according to their unique needs.
• 33% empowers The United Methodist Voluntary Services (UMVS), challenging unjust systems and advocating for those whose livelihoods are at risk.
• 10% fuels Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs, empowering young individuals to participate positively in their communities through mentoring and other empowerment initiatives.

At a time when it may feel like we have lost so much, embracing God’s love for us can shift our perspective to recognize and share abundant grace. United Methodist Special Sunday offerings celebrate vibrant ministries while investing in servant leadership, community building and ministries of peace with justice. Concentrating our resources to support these important ministries equips us to work together, empowered by God’s love.

For more than half a century, United Methodists have observed Human Relations Day in recognition of the message Jesus demonstrated during his life: all of God’s children are important.

It seems only last week that we were talking about the birth of baby Jesus. This week we were at the Jordan River with John the Baptist, who was baptizing people in the river. People from all walks of life were lined up to be baptized by John.

Jesus came from Galilee and asked John to baptize him. John at first said that Jesus was the one who should baptize him, because he didn’t feel worthy to baptize someone as special as Jesus. However, Jesus said he must be baptized by John.

When Jesus chose to be baptized, he demonstrated his humanity and connectedness to God’s people by joining them at the river to be baptized. Jesus did not single himself out to be baptized alone but chose to be baptized by John with a community of believers. Jesus was part of the community, so anyone could be included in the community of God.

God spoke to Jesus during his baptism and showed a deep sense of joy and happiness in Jesus. God finds happiness in each of us too. The voice from heaven was a voice for all.

We spent some time talking about Jesus when he was a young boy and how Mary was so upset when she lost Jesus as they were traveling with family, going home and Jesus was nowhere to be found. They had to go back to the city, where she found Jesus at the temple listening to the priest. As a mom, we all know how upset Mary was to have lost her son.

Be with us Sunday as we explore more of Jesus’ young life. See you Sunday! Blessings

St. Matthew Begins a New Year

It seems this is a blessed time at St. Matthew.

We had a great Christmas.

We had a wonderful year as a church—2023.

And I am tremendously excited about the coming year.

We have had so many visitors recently.

It is a joy to meet new people.

And I guess my excitement is based on this understanding: The Lord is with us—and where the Lord is, wonderful and beautiful things happen.

I think often of some of our members who are not able to come to church any longer—and others who are facing illness or other difficulties.

I want you to feel a connection to your church in 2024.

And I pray that the Lord will hold you in his love.

And that you will know it and feel it.

Communion on the First Sunday of the New Year.

We gather at the Lord’s Table again this Sunday.

I hope you can be with us this Sunday.

God bless—MB

Tracy Maxwell is back home and doing well after surgery. He and Julie will be out for some six weeks as Tracy recovers.

Happy 2024 to all. May each day be filled with the peace of Christ and the knowledge that you are God’s beloved child. We had another amazing service this past Sunday capped off by a great sermon from our senior pastor, Max Brennan. We are blessed beyond belief to have such a gifted and insightful person to shepherd our congregation. Thank you for making my mother feel so welcome on Sunday.

Many folks in the community are coming down with flu/COVID/RSV or a variety of other upper respiratory and some stomach issues. Please be careful. We have made many advances in the treatment of all of these illnesses; however, we are not free of any of them. Wash your hands frequently, stay away from folks who are sick, stay home if you are one of the sick folks, and avoid large gatherings.

I look forward to 2024 with you. My ordination interviews are coming quickly and then, with God’s grace, I will be ordained a provisional elder in June at Annual Conference. Details to come! I could not be in this position without your love and support. 

IF YOU ARE AN ADMIN BOARD, FINANCE COMMITTEE, PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE, or ANY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER AT SAINT MATTHEW, WE MEET THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH. We will be discussing some very important plans for 2024 so you don’t want to miss this meeting or others will be making your decisions for you. Love to all, Mary

We have been exploring many aspects of the birth of baby Jesus. This week, we met the Magi. The Magi were wise men who studied the stars. They saw an unusual star in the sky one night and knew from their studies that a king was born. We don’t know the number of Magi for sure; but because we hear of them bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, we usually refer to them as the three Magi.

Like the shepherds, the Magi were unexpected people who visited the Holy Family. The Magi brought gifts to share with Jesus and we also have gifts to share. We need to remember that gifts can be something that we do for other people or things we can share with the world. Jesus was born so all people would know that God loved them.

The Magi are considered the first people to worship Jesus, and they were not Jewish. This is one of the first signs that God’s love is open and free for everyone, no matter who they are.

We had a visitor in class, Mr. Brian McCosky. Mr. McCosky told the kids about his visit to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He visited the birthplace of the baby Jesus and described the hill where the cross was placed. The kids had many questions for him because they wanted to know where he had visited and what it looked like. Hopefully we see you in church this Sunday so we can continue our journey with Jesus.

Blessings