This Sunday

I’ve got the concert Saturday.

Fortunately, Mary is preaching this Sunday. You know we have something to look forward to.

Mary opened her letter from the Conference in front of the congregation last week—the one telling her that she is approved by the Board of Ordained Ministry to be ordained as an Elder, limited at the moment to just St. Matthew. “Elder” is the title we give to an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church. The limitations will be removed from Mary’s ordination after the vote in the General Conference in 2024. BUT—there is really nothing else that is needed for us at St. Matthew.

Mary is not just on the way.

For us, she has arrived.

About the Concert

For me, this week, it is all about the concert.

We have no idea what attendance will be.

We have advertised it extensively, including a mail-out to thousands in the community around the
church. We may have a good bunch. Or not.

There’s no way to know.

But I think we will have a good time.

Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee that either.

We will know what it is when it happens.

And it happens this Saturday at 6:00.

Bring some food.

This I can predict: I will be hungry.

We did seem to have a good service last week.

I believe the Spirit was working on us.

See you Saturday—and Sunday.

GOD BLESS—-MB

Hello everyone! I pray you are well and happy. We had an unexpected visitor this past Sunday during our services. A tragedy walked right into our church. I want to first say, thank you to those who responded with me to this event. It took 3 of us to talk to her and keep everyone safe. This is a great lesson for us: always respond in 3’s. We worked with the FWPD, FWFD, and MedStar to get this lost soul the medical attention she needed. Her appearance in our building was not an accident and it exposes a dire need in our neighborhood: addiction recovery services. I am going to do some research about the requirements for hosting a recovery program at St. Matthew. We have a lot of space that is currently going unused during the week. Pray with me about adding this program. The appearance of this person on Sunday also made me realize how blessed we all are, including her. Blessed by the grace and mercy of our Lord, and given a new chance every day to live in that grace and mercy. My love to you all, Mary

We were so happy to have a wonderful group of young people on Sunday. We started a new study. Jade read the Bible story to us; the kids listened quietly as Jade read. They could answer almost every question we asked! Our story begins with God creating light and dark. These serve as markers for time. There was evening and there was morning; this divides the story into seven days. The world was created from a formless void and great darkness, God created light to complement the darkness. Each day the light pushes away the darkness and gives way to a new creation. For six days God worked at creating new things for us to use and survive on. After all His wonderful work, on the seventh day, God rested. Each day the light pushes away the darkness and gives way for a new creation. Creation is an ongoing process and God remains in the process. We too can bring light into the world through our creativity. We are an expression of light. God’s light lives within each of us. Children are incredibly creative and bring so much light into the world. We let their light shine when we encourage their creativity and see it as very good! See you in church on Sunday to work on our creativity.

Blessings, Miss Vickie, Miss Sue

This Sunday

I did not do the great parable I used last week justice. This week—new sermon on the same scripture: Matthew 20:1-16. Sermon title: “What’s the Deal?”

It is first Sunday. We will gather at the Lord’s Table.

About the Concert

Hey!—according to my calculations, the next
concert is a week from this Saturday! It’s just me. I
better get high behind! I have to get the music to Jason
by this Sunday so he can do the playlist.

Will people come out to see “just me”?

I have no idea.

Some of the music will be surprising.

Concert title: “The Gospel in Story and Song”

I am singing some stuff I love to sing. So we know at least one person will have a good time. (Me!)

The offering was over a thousand dollars at the last concert. And we had a lot of guests. These concerts seem to be doing an important work in the church.

September—at last!

I am excited about the months ahead.

Our church remains a lively place. (Remember—breakfast every Sunday before worship.)

We start a new Sunday school class in late October.

We may break ground soon on the new playground for our children.

We resume a St. Matthew tradition—a big Christmas Concert.

And I will actually take a vacation this year—first in five years. (Gone the first two Sundays of October.)

And who knows? It may get cooler.

I will be looking Sunday—for you.

And I hate being disappointed.

GOD BLESS—-MB