We were blessed with a wonderful group of young people Sunday. We talked about the Sermon on the Mount as a place where Jesus taught his disciples.

We talked at length about the Lord’s Prayer. The kids all knew it and we talked about how young they were when they learned this prayer. A couple of the boys said they started repeating this prayer when they were about 2! They all knew that this prayer contains elements Jesus considered important when praying: asking God for guidance in our lives, forgiveness, praise, and thanks.

Did you know that the Lord’s Prayer is prayed all over the world and in many languages? It is a famous prayer that has been important to many Christians. This example was provided by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount as a way of teaching his disciples. However, the focus of Jesus’ teaching is not so much on a method of prayer as it is on our motivations for prayer and our relationship with God.

As we left church to go to Children’s church, we were delighted to learn that a kind member had left a basket of treats on our table! We were all delighted that someone was kind enough to leave these treats. I want to extend a big “Thank You” to this kind person. You should have witnessed the delight of the kids when they discovered your thoughtfulness!

During class, they all picked an 8×10 canvas picture to paint as a Valentine gift to give to the person of their choice. We are blessed with the kindness of your kids! See you Sunday.

Blessings

Service for Curtis

It is (as I write this) Monday evening and I am preparing for the memorial service for Curtis Anderson (husband of Linda) at Shannon Rose Hill on Tuesday at 2:00.

Our love to Linda and family.

Curtis has moved from illness to a full life, a great family reunion, and abundant joy.

We give thanks to God.

Last Sunday

Good to have Mary back and preaching for us. (“Best sermon I ever heard,” said Annette Wells.)

Julian’s solo was a “showstopper”—not the best term for a worship service, but you know what I mean.

We do have music!

This Sunday

My sermon will be The Double-Minded Christian, based on a verse from the short letter of James, the 21st of the 27 books in the New Testament.

This is Communion Sunday.

The choir will sing the lovely Twyla Thorp anthem, How Beautiful, twice—once at anthem time and again as accompaniment to the serving of Communion.

After worship this week, there will be an All-Council Meeting to discuss plans for the year.

Those of the Female Persuasion

Women! Do not forget the Saint Matthew Women United luncheon a week from this Thursday—Feb. 8—at 11:30. Lunch provided.

Life Running Early This Year

Everything—Ash Wednesday—Holy Week—Easter. All early this year. Ash Wednesday worship—the beginning of Lent—is two weeks away. Wed., Feb. 14, 7:00 p.m.

See you Sunday.

All of you, I hope.

God bless—MB

Greetings beloved community,

I am recovering well from my sinus infection and will be back to my usual self in time for Curtis “Andy” Anderson’s memorial service. You will not get this newsletter until after the service, but I know you are praying for Linda and for their family as they go through this difficult time. I know Linda is grateful for this church and for the love and care we show to each other.

I am hoping that the sermons from Father Richard Rohr’s books are meaningful to you. I want to be relevant to you and to what is happening in your lives. I also want to avoid putting you to sleep😊 If you have any topics you want to know more about, please let us know. It is important to Max and me that we are preaching about the things that matter to you, along with the things God leads us to preach.

This Sunday, February 4, 2024, is All Council Sunday right after church. If you are on a church committee, please plan to attend. If you are not on a committee, show up and we will find a place for you to serve. We will be talking about 2024 plans and our 2024 budget. 

I pray you have a peaceful week, enjoying the few days of sunshine and moderate temperatures. My love to all, Mary

This week we discussed the Parable of the Mustard Seed. The kids knew exactly what a mustard seed is; last year they each received one.

They were amazed to realize that this tiny seed could grow into a tree that is 8 to 10 feet tall.

Sometimes we imagine the kingdom of God as being a time and a place in the future. Jesus said God’s kingdom is here on earth right now!

Jesus encouraged his friends then, and us today, to make sure we are all working to bring about God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom comes into being with tiny and almost invisible things — a tiny, almost invisible, seed turns out to have an enormous effect.

Do something this week to show someone God’s love. Make a pay-it-forward gesture that shows God’s love through you. You could do something nice for a friend or a neighbor or do something to show appreciation for a member of your church. By loving others, you show God’s love through you.

We hope to see you in church Sunday. We will review the most important thing — that you help someone feel cared for.

Blessings

A Loss in Our Church Family

Curtis Anderson passed in his sleep during Sunday night. Arrangements have not been made, but we will send out an announcement as soon as we know. Our love and prayers are with Linda and all of Curtis’ family. May the Lord remind them that Curtis is feeling great now in the presence of the Lord and all of his family who went before him.

This Coming Sunday

Mary is back and will be preaching for us. Blake will be gone, but Julian Rodriquez will sing for us. Expect some high tenor notes.

Sunday, at church time, it will be 50 degrees under a bright sun.

Good weather for church. And don’t forget breakfast—at 10:30 before worship.

End-of Year Reporting

On Monday, we turned in “the numbers” (our finances and membership statement) to the Conference, as we do every January. We had a successful year. Our people were faithful. All bills were paid.

In the coming year, I would encourage us to continue to be careful with our spending. A church growth expert has said a church needs to hold a third of their yearly budget in reserve. We do not have that much, but we do have some.

And we can depend on the faithfulness of our people. We also depend on the power of the gospel to continue to draw people to our church.

Every few Sundays we see new faces in our midst.

I am excited about 2024.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

God bless—MB