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

We were talking about King Nebuchadnezzar this week. The King was insisting that when music played all people were to stop what they were doing and fall down and worship him. He went so far as to make a gold statue of himself that was 90 foot tall and 9 feet wide. Sort of what we would call a totem pole. Now the king insisted that at the sound of music, everyone was to stop what they were doing and fall down and worship the statue. Anyone not bowing to the statue would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

As Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego followed God’s laws. They were to worship God and not worship an idol. Therefore, they refused to bow down before the statue. When King Nebuchadnezzar found out, he gave them one last chance. They told the king, “If our God can save us, God will save us. But even if God doesn’t save us, we will never bow down to your statue.” What an act of courage! Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego believe in God so much they are willing to risk dying in the fiery furnace. As he promised, the king had the furnace fired up extra hot, and he had his men throw the three men into the furnace. As the three were thrown into the furnace, a fourth person appeared with them!

God did save the three men from the furnace, and the king was so impressed that he made a new decree. Everyone was to worship the one true God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This is a wonderful example of the bravery of these three men to stand up for their beliefs. What would we do? Fortunately, we are not tested to this degree, but we have daily opportunities to share our faith. We pray to see our kids in Sunday school this week! Blessings.

Get ready to kick off the new school year with a fantastic celebration, as we gather together as a community to support and uplift our students, teachers, and families. 

What to Expect

• Engaging Games & Activities
• Delicious Food & Refreshments
• Special Prayers for a Successful School Year
• Back-to-School Blessing for Students 
• Movie Screening: Title: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

This event is open to everyone, so feel free to invite your friends, neighbors, and classmates. Let’s come together at Saint Matthew United Methodist Church to strengthen our community bonds and encourage one another as we embark on this new academic journey.

Don’t forget to bring your back-to-school enthusiasm and positive energy! 

Mark your calendars and spread the word! We can’t wait to see you at the “Back to School Bash” on August 4th at 6:00 PM. It’s going to be a fantastic evening of fun and friendship!

#BackToSchoolBash #CommunityLove #EducationMatters #TogetherWeThrive 

IT WAS A TRIUMPH

The Blake and Shannon concert of Broadway numbers was shockingly good. You seldom hear music done more beautifully or more professionally. There are no stars on TV or silver screen who could have done it better. (I am serious about that.)

We need to set a predictable time for our concerts. Let’s call them our “Second Saturday Concerts.” This would put the August concert on August 12. (That date may or may not work). The September concert would be on the 9th. We are not yet certain about the August concert, but on Sept 9th I will do a one-man show: “God, Grace and Gooseberry—The Musical.” I may offer this concert to other churches as a fundraiser for St. Matthew. I will be singing some of my favorite songs and telling some favorite stories.

ONE MORE ME AND THEN MARY

I have a few more sermons in this series—which is really about who we are and why we are here in the world. I’ll preach the third sermon this Sunday then Mary will be up for a couple of weeks. After that I will take up where I left off.

I feel that things are getting exciting around St. Matthew. I do. I feel it.

Get in on it. See you Sunday.

GOD BLESS—-MB