FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 6
COMMUNION AGAIN!
Sermon: “Two Words to Live By”
Scripture: Matthew 6:34

NOTES

Special service last week. Mary had a fine sermon and Shannon’s dad, and two uncles, lifted us up.

If you missed it—just don’t do it again.

Did you get to breakfast?

You must have.

All the donuts were gone by the time I got there.

Every week before worship. Don’t forget it! Good food and a bit of fellowship.

I wrote about the Shroud in Friday’s Word because there are too many people who run from reality. All the evidence is on the side of Jesus.

And in the sermon this Sunday, we will meet the God Jesus told us about—the God who knows what we are going through and who seeks to lift our burdens and assure us that things will be OK.

(Yes, we will open with a song our trio sang last week— “Blessed Assurance.”)

I love the story I will share with you this Sunday.

It has lifted me.

I think Blake is still traveling in Europe.

Shannon will be back, I believe.

What about you?

Come to worship.

If you haven’t been for a while—surprise me!

I look forward to seeing you.

Dearest Church and friends,

I do not know how we have been so very blessed to hear the kind of music we have heard from the Davidson family and from Blake Glass! I could listen for hours, and I have been humming “Blessed Assurance” since Sunday. These performances have been pure joy for me. I am looking forward to more experiences in the future. For example, we have finally settled on a name for these concerts, “Second Saturday Concerts.”

Our next Second Saturday is August 19th. I will be talking to Blake and Shannon about a plan for this one. Max will perform at our September event and the October and November events are yet to be finalized.

Please tell your friends. These concerts started out as fundraising events, but I have enjoyed them so much that I have completely forgotten everything except the overwhelming happiness I am feeling afterward. I know you feel the same way. Thank you to our performers and to Blake and Shannon for all the hard work it took to become this talented.

Remember this week that God has known your name for all of eternity. There isn’t a time when you have not been known and loved by God. Blessings to you all.

STAY INSIDE UNLESS YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. IF YOU NEED WATER, GROCERIES OR ANYTHING AT ALL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH!
Mary
[email protected]

Sunday when we told the kids we were going to talk about Daniel, the kids got very excited and Remi told us about Daniel before Miss Vickie could start the story! The Hebrews were living in a foreign land, surrounded by people who worshiped different gods. These circumstances made remaining faithful to the Living God a challenge.

Some of the king’s advisors were jealous of Daniel and went to King Darius and tricked him into making a law that people should worship him and nobody else. King Darius agreed to their suggestion that anyone that broke the law should be fed to the lions. So, the trap was set! Daniel makes a courageous choice to continue praying to God three times a day in front of an open window just like he had always done. Daniel is reported to the king by his advisors, and even though he tries to find a way out, the king must order Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den. However, Daniel’s faithfulness is rewarded when God sends an angel to close the mouths of the lions and Daniel escapes harm. The king is so impressed by this demonstration of God’s power that he begins to worship God also and sends out a decree that everyone in the kingdom should worship God. By choosing to be faithful to God and not hide his faith, Daniel set an example for the king and others in the kingdom.

Our Back-to-School Bash is this Friday. We will have a movie and dinner for all our kids starting at 6:00. This includes all our kids—grade school, high school, or college!! Come see us for dinner, movie, and a prize! See you on Friday and again on Sunday for church!

Blessings, Mrs. Sur, and Mrs. Vickie

FOR SUNDAY, JULY 30

Mary returns and Mary preaches.
Blake is still in England.

NOTES

Rev. Bob and Mary Weathers are on vacation several hundred miles away. They will be back after one more week.

Blake is in England—singing. I think.

We will find out all about it when he gets back.

My sister, Jackie, will start her study of interesting NDEs in a few weeks. She has to get through kidney stone removal first. (That day surgery is coming soon.)

Madelyn Gonzalez will celebrate her “Fifteenth” in a service at St. Matthew this Saturday, followed by a celebration in our fellowship hall. Madelyn is the daughter of Laura Lopez and granddaughter of Jose and Liz Lopez, long-time members of St. Matthew. I will lead the service. We pray that this will be a great day for Madelyn.

I have a friend of over 50 years who is seriously ill and not expected to live. Thomas Coker is a former student, a former member of a youth group I worked with, and a beloved friend. He is in my prayers.

FOOD AND FLOWERS

We are enjoying breakfast every Sunday—thanks to Winston Detrick-Kirkpatric—and the beautiful flowers on the altar each week. This Sunday, there will be a donation box for breakfast. (My idea.) No one has to put anything in, but some of us will do so to help fund the project. It is really great to have breakfast waiting for us at church.

Starting soon, we will have a Flower Calendar out so that any who want to can “sponsor” the flowers for a given Sunday in memory or in honor of someone we love—perhaps on a birthday or as a memorial of someone’s passing. We will have a card in the pews for folks to fill out to reserve a Sunday. We can give a gift of any size to cover the flowers for that day.

See you at breakfast.

GOD BLESS — MB

Hello, St. Matthew and friends!

I missed being with you on Sunday, but I have watched the sermon and I know you had a marvelous experience. I look forward to being with you this Sunday. I will be preaching a sermon about names. My scripture text is John 10: 27-28 for those who like to play along. YOUR HOMEWORK: research the origin of your first name, write it on a small note card or piece of paper, and bring it to church Sunday morning. This guarantees two things. First, you will have done a little homework, which has not happened in your life for decades. And, second, I will know who actually reads my newsletter articles.

I spent a joyous time with my family this past weekend, being blessed to attend the wedding of my dear nephew Jacob Teague to a spectacular woman named Emily. I look forward to spending much time with them as they grow in love and in life.

Don’t forget August 4^th is happening very soon!!! Our Back-to-School Bash is becoming a reality. We will have hot dogs and be watching “Puss ‘n Boots 2” in the fellowship hall. I still need a few helpers and the sign-up sheet to help is on the bulletin board in the hallway. I also need 27 more $25-dollar Walmart Gift cards (or the cash equivalent) to give to the 30 children I am praying for God to send to this event. It will be unforgettable!  Brian McCosky has an exciting plan for marketing to our neighborhood. Please let me know this week if you can help. I love you all and am looking forward to our time together this Sunday. PS. Do not forget your homework! All my love, Mary