God bless you as you read this newsletter from Saint Matthew. Have you made your list yet? Is the list with all the good things about you someplace where you can see it every day? Did you have difficulty creating your list? Do you have someone in your life with whom you can share your list? If I am being completely transparent with you, I have to answer no it isn’t made and therefore not available. I am having great difficulty creating my list. I have someone to share with. If you are reading this email, I can give you some help for the first thing to put on your list: I am faithful. Just the fact that you are engaged enough to read the newsletter means that you are faithful to the gospel ministry of Saint Matthew. I am very grateful to all of you for your faithfulness. You give me strength and encouragement to keep moving forward in my ordination process. Whatever I do in my life in the service of God is made better because I have been at St. Matthew.

COVID numbers are slowly climbing. Remember to maintain good self-care: adequate sleep, good nutrition, sunshine when you can and ALWAYS wash your hands. Also, stay away from sick folks and stay to yourself if you are sick.

Love and blessings to all, Mary

We were missing our kids on Sunday; it must have been Fair Day! We had a wonderful lesson as we continued to travel with Abraham and Sarah. They had moved from their home in Haran and traveled to a new land.

They must have wondered how God was going to make a great nation of them since they had no children. God appeared to them again when Abraham was at least 100 years old. Only this time, Abraham was not aware God was visiting. Three guests appeared near his tent. Abraham extended hospitality to them. Their identity was unclear; but Abraham invited them to stay, provided water to wash their feet, and served them a meal.

In the Bible, hospitality to travelers and strangers was very important. The guests told Abraham that in a year’s time, when they returned, he and Sarah would have a son.

Sarah was listening inside the tent and laughed to herself. After all, Sarah was well past the age to have children. Sarah had faith in God, but must have wondered how God would keep this promise. The Lord’s response to her laughter is, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?”

Hopefully we will see you in church Sunday so we can learn the name of Sarah’s son.

Blessings

Vacation

I know Vermont is lovely.

As I write this, I haven’t seen it yet.

I am doing my bit in this newsletter before I leave.

I just wrote last week’s bit.

I will get up from my computer in a minute and finish my packing.

But I do want to remind you of the concert coming up on the 14th —Saturday at 6:00.

Yes, that’s still over a week away, but make your plans now to attend. Stick a reminder on the refrigerator. Use some gum to stick a note on your bedpost. Or—just keep it in mind.

We are having a great time in Vermont.

Or—at least—I’m sure we will.

(Still packing to go.)

But I do already miss you.

Stay safe till we return.

And–

GOD BLESS—-MB

Dearest St. Matthew friends and family,

What an exciting week for us! Our 8-year playground project was started and Phase 1 completed in less than 3 days. The equipment looks amazing and I cannot wait to complete Phase 2: Retaining wall with fencing and brick paver pathway.

Another bit of exciting news is that you will all be able to purchase engraved brick pavers or sections of fencing in memory of or in honor of someone.

This is, of course, just a fancy way of raising money toward the project. It is also a great way to let the world know how important that person was or is to you.

I will have pricing soon for the brick pavers and sections of fencing. I am so very grateful to all of you for your spiritual and financial support.

Phase 3 of the project includes the addition of a walking path around the property. We need to begin as soon as possible getting the fence up to keep folks safe. More to come this Sunday!

I am preaching again from Step 4. This week we will talk about “The Good Things.” Making a searching and fearless moral inventory is not only about the things we wish were different about ourselves. Making a list of the good things is also included in this step and I encourage you to begin making your list now.

My love to you all, Mary

This week we were all so excited that the playground had been constructed and we just had to go outside and “test drive” it.

Everything seemed to meet their approval. Jade and Remy really enjoyed the swings, while Alec loved the slides. They decided that the playground passed inspection for you to bring your kids and grandkids to church so they can enjoy our playground as well!

Our lesson this week was about Abraham as he journeyed to a new land. God told him not to be afraid because He would protect them on their journey.

Abraham was confused that God would be protecting all of his descendants on this journey. He asked God, “What can You possibly give me since I have no children?“

God patiently replied that Abraham should count the stars in the night sky if he thought he could. God told him that is how many descendants he would have. Abraham has questions, but he remains faithful to God.

We learned that there are always questions about God’s desires in our lives, but we also learned in this story that God always keeps His promises, even when these promises are different from anything we could have imagined. We have a lot more to learn about this journey.

Be with us Sunday as we travel further with Abraham and Sarah.

Blessings