Our lesson this week was about JOY. Before Mary and Joseph could enjoy the birth of their son, they had to travel to Bethlehem. The emperor decided everyone had to be counted for tax purposes in the town where they were born. Joseph was born in Bethlehem, so they had to travel with a very pregnant Mary to that town. Bethlehem was very crowded, and they could not find a place to stay.

A man took pity on them and found them a place to stay. Though it was not ideal, they were happy that they had a place to stay; because that very night Jesus was born, not in a comfortable guest room or palace, but in a humble place, with animals for company. Jesus brought JOY not only to Mary and Joseph, but to the whole world. During this Advent season children are anxiously awaiting Christmas.

Our children lit up our Christmas program by carrying in the star and lights for the tree and capped off their entrance with a song. They are excellent singers we need to hear more often! Santa and his elves stopped by with stockings filled with goodies. His visit had the kids really happy to share their requests with this Jolly Ole Elf. Hope we see you in church Sunday.

Blessings

Join us at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 16th for our annual Christmas Show.

2414 Hitson Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76112

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

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

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