I want to share my full support for the Administrative Board’s decision to conclude our long relationship with the Star-Telegram at the end of this year. I am grateful to Brian McCosky for the thoughtful work he put into exploring new online platforms for sharing “the little articles.” Brian is a brilliant guy, and I appreciate his dedication.

I am hopeful that the church might consider a one-time expense to equip my classroom so I can begin recording my class each week as a podcast. So much of our future ministry together depends on finishing and sharing the book I’ve been working on for the past 20 years, and this would help us move in that direction.

Be encouraged, dear friends—we are moving forward.

I miss all of you. I am in considerable pain unless I am sitting still, but I am sleeping well, and for that I’m grateful. There is a hard road ahead, yet I know God walks with me.

I was delighted by the concert attendance—95 people! What a gift.

Please hold these dear ones in prayer:

• Charlotte Holder, whose surgery is scheduled for next Monday. Charlotte, our love is with you.

• Linda Anderson, after her fall. Linda, we love you and are praying for healing and comfort.

Pastor’s Class remains on hold until January.

As for breakfast this Sunday, if everything stays on schedule, it should be a “We-bring” Sunday at 9:30 AM. And thank you, Mary, for all your wonderful work.

Has anyone arranged a Christmas dinner so that Santa can visit? And I’m assuming we may not have a Christmas concert this year, though we’ll see how things unfold.

I look forward to being with you again.

For now—

God bless you all.

I’m taking my poor knee to bed tonight. One of my knees had a birthday on Monday, and the other is still new—and crying like a baby.

—Pastor Max

Greetings, dear friends and family of Saint Matthew,

This season of Advent is meant to slow us down, to help us breathe, and to make room for God in the middle of our hurried lives. As I mentioned on Sunday morning, I encourage you each day to pause—sit with God, breathe deeply, and savor your morning cup of whatever brings you comfort. You will need that quiet strength for what I must share.

Our dear Carolyn Bell passed peacefully into her heavenly reward on the morning of December 9. Carolyn was one of the pillars of our church. She served faithfully on the Administrative Board and many committees over the years, and she was one of the last members who joined Saint Matthew simply because she lived in the neighborhood and wanted to be part of this community. Her warm smile and heartfelt welcome were the very reasons my family knew Saint Matthew was our home the very first time we walked through the doors.

The family is working to finalize arrangements, and the plan—pending confirmation—is to hold her memorial service this Saturday, December 13, here at Saint Matthew United Methodist Church. As soon as I receive word from the funeral home, I will share details. Please be prepared to help with a meal at the church, either before or after the service. Whether you knew Carolyn personally or not, I would love for us to show her family just how deeply she blessed our lives.

As we look toward the new year, we also have some important work ahead. We will begin addressing foundation issues in the annex, a project that truly cannot wait. Following that, we will move into long-overdue updates to the bathrooms, fellowship hall, and several other areas that need attention. These improvements will help us care for our building the way it has cared for us.

I have also asked Veta to coordinate meals over the next two weeks for Pastor Max and his sister Jackie, as well as Linda Anderson and Charlotte Holder. Nothing fancy—just good, comforting food from the heart. Max is progressing and starting physical therapy, though he continues to have considerable pain. Linda is healing beautifully from her fall and is nearly back to her joyful self. Charlotte’s surgery is today (Tuesday), and I will keep you posted as I learn more.

This coming Sunday is already the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Love. As I read back over everything I’ve asked of you in this newsletter—your prayers, your presence, your service—I’m struck by how clearly this church reflects the body of Christ. The way you care for one another, lift one another up, and offer hope is exactly what Jesus intended for His people.

Our next steps—reaching into our neighborhood, diversifying our congregation, and offering programs beyond Sunday mornings—will help us continue to grow in God’s grace and truth. I am grateful for you, and for your commitment to the gospel work unfolding at Saint Matthew.

Stay warm, be blessed,

Mary

Many years after King David lived, a boy named Josiah became king of Judah. He was only eight years old, far younger than anyone expected a king to be, and the throne felt much bigger than he was. Still, Josiah wanted to lead in a way that honored God.

As Josiah grew older, he noticed that God’s temple had fallen into disrepair. The stones were cracked, and dust covered the floors. Wanting to restore the place where people worshiped, Josiah ordered the workers to begin repairing it.

During the renovations, something remarkable happened. The high priest discovered a forgotten scroll tucked away in an old room. It was the Book of the Law—God’s instructions for how the people were meant to live. When the scroll was read aloud, Josiah felt a deep sadness. He realized the people had drifted far from the path God had set for them.

Instead of ignoring what he heard, Josiah listened. He let God’s words shape his heart. Then he gathered the people and renewed their covenant with God, promising to follow God’s commandments and encouraging the nation to return to faithfulness. Even though he was young, Josiah led with courage, humility, and a deep desire to do what was right.

What We Learned

• You’re never too young for God to use you in important ways.
• Listening to God helps us find our way, even when the path feels unfamiliar.
• Good leaders choose what is right, not what is easy.
• When we return to God, God always welcomes us back.

Kids’ Christmas Program Update

Christmas is coming soon, and our kids are excited to share this year’s special program, “Our Magi Mission.” They’ve already begun learning their parts, and we will have a Saturday rehearsal to get costumes ready and practice the story. And yes—Julie Anne still remembers that pizza was promised for lunch!

If you have a young person who would like to participate in telling the story of Jesus’ birth, we would love for them to join us.

See you Sunday! Blessings…

THE BIG DINNER!

Don’t forget it, especially if you are bringing food! We are celebrating both Thanksgiving and Christ the King Sunday.

I’ll be brief here. It is late, and I (of course) have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow morning. (One every day this week but Monday. I had one that day—the dentist—but I canceled it to eat out with Jim Bailey and nephew Chris Bailey. I can get cleaned later.)

My life will get easier after the knee surgery on Dec. 3. Fewer doctors for a while (I hope).

I have two more Sundays at the church before surgery. Only one more when I will preach. I’ll be in church on the first Sunday of Advent, but Mary will begin her Advent series.

(Someone—remember to get out the Advent wreath.)

I hope I get back to church soon after surgery. But I will not preach again until Christmas Eve.

Pastor’s Class

We continue to discuss where we are theologically after this journey we have been on. Some old beliefs have gone by the wayside—like the idea of an angry God. Join us at 9:45.

NO!!! Breakfast This Sunday

We will not have breakfast this Sunday. No place to put the food.

This Sunday

Sermon: Jesus Is Lord

We proclaim who Jesus is—and why we believe it.

A day of celebration. We will sing “Majesty,” “O Worship the King,” and “He Is Lord.”

Blake will share a solo.

We—shall—rejoice!

(And eat.)

God Bless — MB

REMEMBER: Blake’s school choir concert will be on Friday evening—Dec. 5—at 6:30. Mark your calendar!

Greetings, dear friends and family of Saint Matthew UMC!

Our services on Sunday were just lovely and made even more special by the breakfast food and fellowship before they started. My only regret is that I did not get time to talk to all of you. Choir practice and pre-service duties, plus my addiction to Mark and Winston’s breakfast, kept me running before the service. I always want to make certain that I get your prayer requests before the service so that I can announce them during prayer time. It is extremely helpful if I have a written prayer request to refer to during the services. To help with this, there are small pieces of paper on the music stand that sits at the back of the auditorium. Just fill out the paper with the name of the person and the words “prayer request.”

We had some electronic gremlins with us on Sunday, as well as all of you. The lights in the Sanctuary stopped working in the middle of choir practice, and then during the live stream, YouTube crashed, and Facebook became very sluggish. If you are looking for the service to watch, please be patient as we work to get the recording added to these two internet services.

We have collected over 50 bags of food for the Thanksgiving collection with Eastside Community Assistance. Thanks to all of you who participated. It is not too late to take part. We will be collecting food through Christmas for the same type of giveaway. Your support of ECA is always appreciated. While you are out shopping in the coming weeks, please consider donating new packages of men’s socks and underwear. And if you see any larger men’s shoes lying about, there is always a need for those as well. Gently used men’s clothing, and all sizes of coats are also appreciated.

Please join me daily in prayer for our upcoming Advent season. This year has gone by quickly, and the Advent season is only days away. Prepare our hearts, Lord, for the birth of God made flesh. Prepare our hearts for quiet and the chaos, for the fellowship and the loneliness. Make us ready to welcome a new season of possibilities for hope, peace, joy, and love. And all the people said, AMEN.

Love to all, Mary