A Great St. Matthew Christmas

What a glorious Christmas we have had at St. Matthew. There are sorrows in the world. There are sorrows in our own lives. But God spoke his love for us in our Christmas services and we give thanks.

We had 97 on Christmas Eve—and remarkable music. We must thank Blake Glass, our phenomenal choir director, who makes our great music possible, along with Kristi, Shannon, and our choir. Our small choir sounds better than most large ones. We were slightly augmented on Christmas Eve with guest singers. I’ve never heard such beauty in any church.

Shannon’s voice in the solo Sunday morning was a complete surprise. We had not heard the “operatic” Shannon. It was truly remarkable.

And when Blake hit the high notes on “O Holy Night” on Christmas Eve—it gave us goosebumps.

I could go on and on.

I thank God for our Christmas services.

And we had an excellent offering which will help us close out the year successfully.

May our Lord be praised for his loving kindness among us.

New Year’s Day Communion

We will have communion the next two weeks—the last Sunday of the old year and the first Sunday of the new. We celebrate the passing year and our future in Jesus Christ. It seems somehow a blessing to gather at the Lord’s table on the eve of a new year. We can make a new commitment to love the Lord more deeply in the year ahead.

May your life be filled with thanksgiving.

I hope you can be with us this Sunday.

God bless—MB

Remember—Suzanne Brennan’s hospitalization and Tracy Maxwell’s surgery this Thursday.

It is almost 2024! If you are like me, you are probably thinking of a bunch of things to do differently next year: eat better, exercise, save more, etc. Let’s pick one thing to do well next year. Just one thing for the first day. Then add or take away something when you feel like you have done the first thing well. Pray every day to just do the next right thing. Let your successes be your successes and your failures be your lessons. The best thing is we don’t have to do it all alone. God is always with us in our struggles. I pray for each of us a fulfilling and life-changing 2024. See you Sunday! Love, Mary

Everyone is so busy this time of year with shopping, baking lots of cookies and preparing wonderful meals for the family to gather. But let’s not forget the shepherds in the fields quietly going about their night keeping watch over their sheep, when suddenly an angel appeared to them.

The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I bring good news to you, wonderful, joyful news for all people!” The shepherds were terrified. Instead of running away in terror, they listened to the message and decided to go to Bethlehem to confirm that the message that the angel brought was true. When they got there, they confirmed that it was true. After seeing this, they left and told others, praising God, and expressing joy about the birth of the Savior.

Shepherds were the first to hear of Jesus’ birth. Some think that the shepherds were first to hear of Jesus’ birth because they were low on the social rung, and God wanted it known that Jesus was for everyone. We do know that the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Then the shepherds returned home and shared the news of Jesus’ birth.

From the angels to the shepherds to the world, the good news of Jesus is for all people. Joy is meant to be shared, as joy is for all. See you in church Sunday so you can tell us of your joy!

Blessings, Miss Sue and Miss Vickie.

The Christmas Show
A Great Evening

Attendance was excellent, the food was great, and it seems the concert lifted hearts and filled folk with the spirit of Christmas. Thanks to those who made it possible and to those who supported it with their presence. (The fellowship lasted all evening.)

Christmas Eve

Sunday morning, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, with Mary preaching.

Sunday evening: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

“The most beautiful service of the year”

6:00 p.m.

My Sermon: “An Ultimate Joy”

See you Sunday.

And—Merry Christmas

God bless—

MB

I have heard many fine sermons from Max Brennan in the last 12 years but Sunday’s sermon, “At the Right Time”, is definitely one of his finest. Thank you, Max, for always preaching the truth, even when the truth is hard to say. You are a light on a hill, and I am grateful for your 42 years of service to St. Matthew. And the song Shannon blessed us with is still playing in my head. We are so blessed to have so many talented people around us, sharing their love for God and the gifts God has given. I look forward to finishing Advent among all of you.

Jo and Joe Adams have 2 spaces left at their Christmas Dinner table. Please let them know if you would like to join them.

We had two huge food contributions this week to our Eastside Ministry lunch program. We are so very appreciative of the people from our church and OUTSIDE of our church who support the ministries of our neighborhood. Christmas Eve is Sunday, and we will have a rare double service. Sunday morning at 11am as usual plus a Sunday evening service at 6pm. Come early at 5:30 and enjoy a moment of fellowship before our service with a surprise in the fellowship hall.

Blessings to all of you!

Mary