We have been talking about the twins for a few weeks, Jacob finally got the birthright that rightfully belonged to Esau. However, because of Esau’s anger, Jacob had to flee his home and family.

As Jacob was leaving his home and family and traveling to Haran, he grew tired. He found a stone and placed it near his head, and he used it as his pillow. He went to sleep and had a very vivid dream. He dreamed that there was a large staircase that started on the ground and reached into the sky. God appeared in the dream and promised to be with him and bless him and all his descendants.

When Jacob awoke, he knew that God was with him in that place, God came to Jacob when he was tired and scared. Jacob was also scared by his dream. However, God made His presence known to Jacob. Jacob believed that the stone was in a special and holy place. Jacob set up the stone as a sacred pillar. He poured oil on the stone and named the place Bethel. Be with us on Sunday to learn more about the twins.

The holidays are quickly approaching, and I have an inside track to talk with Santa!! He told me he plans to visit St. Matthew kids after our dinner on Dec. 16th! Tell Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa that you just have to be at church to see what goodies Santa may bring you this year. He promised me he would have stockings filled with goodies for all our boys and girls. Hope you mark this on your calendar; the elves will help Santa that evening as well! I am excited!

Blessings

WHAT IS UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY?

United Methodist Student Day was the original Special Sunday founded by United Methodist Church Sunday Schools who collected offerings to help advance education for their children. The fund was originally established in 1872 as the Children’s Fund. Today, United Methodist Student Day Sunday has the same purpose, calling upon the denomination to support their students as they prepare for life by adding knowledge to their faith.

Every year, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry awards an average of $5.5 million in financial aid to United Methodist students. The offering taken on United Methodist Student Day is one opportunity to support these scholarships. Every dollar – yes 100% – received goes towards supporting and educating a new generation of principled Christian leaders for the church and the world. Supporting this Special Sunday is truly an investment in our future.

Currently, there are over 70 scholarships available for undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral United Methodist students. Financial support for all General Board of Higher Education and Ministry scholarships come from five primary sources: 63% from endowments; 22% from wills and annuities; 13% from United Methodist Special Sundays and 1% from online gifts and fiduciary income. All donations received empower and encourage our students that we are investing in them and our future.

We are blessed to support thousands of students through scholarships, but we would like to do more. Our funds are limited, and every awards cycle we end up with a large pool of qualified candidates who we are unable to help because there was no money left to give. You can help us change that! Donate now and help more students answer God’s call to higher education.

Big Weekend!

Yes–it was.

The bake sale and silent auction raised $1,687.

Wonderful!

Julie Maxwell, in charge of the auction, is an old hand at such things. People gave some good stuff. The cakes were delish. (The ones I tasted.)

Sunday we had a great service with many guests and a good Thanksgiving dinner after.

Unusual Calendar This Year

Advent One is not the Sunday after Thanksgiving this year. This Sunday is Christ the King. Mary is preaching. No choir this week. Julian Rodriquez is bringing our solo.

The last three choral anthems have gotten a lot of comments. Three weeks ago, we had Julian on the flute. Then the guest on the cello. And this last week, just a lovely melody and beautiful words.

All “mighty purdy,” as folks around Kemp used to say.

Time to Prepare

Let me use this space for some “housekeeping” business. The big tree needs to go up after this Sunday.

And we need a smaller tree (six ft.), decorated with lights, to be placed up on the chancel the night of The Christmas Show. So, it will be moved in for the show—and out after the show.

We will need a third tree for the fellowship hall (for the children and Santa).

(Do we have someone in charge of trees? Do we have a Tree Committee? I leave all of this up to the Tree Committee—if we have one!)

I’m ready for Christmas.

I had COVID last year. Missed it all.

No church service. No decorations on my tree.

Fortunately—the Lord is born every Christmas without my help.

See you Sunday.

And God bless—

I am grateful for all of you and feel so very blessed to be a part of this congregation. I pray that you have a peaceful and love-filled Thanksgiving. As you gather with friends and family, remember to take care of yourself by avoiding crowds, washing your hands, and staying away from folks who are ill.  Remember in your prayers our folks who are hospitalized or recovering. Send a card or make a phone call when you can.  

December will be here very quickly, and it will be another great month for us. November 26^th is Christ the King Sunday and I look forward to bringing you a message of hope and joy as we wrap up this ordinary season and move into the expectancy of the Advent season. Advent begins December 3^rd, and “Hope Sunday” is the theme for the first Sunday of Advent. Each Sunday of Advent has a theme: hope, peace, joy, and love.

Stay warm and rest; the season is upon us! Love, Mary

We are still learning about the twins- Jacob and Esau.

Just as we started talking about the twins, we were totally shocked when one of our twins walked in!! Robert walked in with Julie Ann!!

We were all so excited that they were visiting. Robert has gotten so much taller that we couldn’t believe our eyes! They are doing very well in school and get to visit often with their grandma and cousins they didn’t know. As we got over the excitement of having Robert with us, in walks Kaylee. She is quite a beautiful young lady. Of course, she also is doing very well in school. They will be in high school next year and Julie Ann is a 3rd grader. They started coming to our Sunday school class when Kaylee was 8 and Julie Ann was 3.

We all loved these kids beyond words and everyone in church was so happy to see them! The timing was perfect because Robert got to have fried chicken for lunch!

I was also very happy that I looked up and Jason popped in! He should have been resting, but he needed to check on us! My day was filled with joy that I got to see all these kids that I love so much!

Hope you all enjoyed lunch as much as we did! See you Sunday.

Blessings