• Kids’ News

    In our story today we learned that God created different languages and cultures. We learned that after the flood, all the people on earth were the “clans of Noah’s sons.”

    They decided that they wanted to stay together and make a name for themselves, so they built a tower so tall that its top was in the sky. They built it for their glory to keep from being separated. They also built a city around the tower so they could all live together and stay together. But God wants the people to learn that they belong together even if they speak different languages and have different cultures and religions.

    God mixed up their languages and sent them to all areas of earth, in hopes they would accept one another in all their differences. People tell of the mighty works of God in many different languages.

    We are exploring belonging through spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are for building up the whole body of Christ. God gave each of us different spiritual gifts.

    As we were painting “sun catchers,” we could hear you singing. Our sweet little 3 yr. old said “That is grandma singing. I know it is my grandma.”

    Singing is a spiritual gift that can make others as happy as our little girl. What is your spiritual gift? The story of Babel teaches us that differences are good and God-given. We can use our differences for the benefit of the body of Christ, and our church!

    See you Sunday!



  • 2430 – My Grace Is Sufficient

    YouTube player

    Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.

    https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/saintmatthewumc/episodes/My-Grace-Is-Sufficient-e2lrsjf

  • Keeping Bad Company

    We are in trouble as a nation because many Christians have such a strange idea of the Gospel.

    Clearly, they don’t seem to know the Gospel I know and preach.

    Which I think of as the Gospel of mainstream Christianity.

    Consider this:

    One of the guys on that debate stage last week is supported by Christians, racial hate groups, and Neo-Nazis.

    Strange combination.

    Why would Christians be with racists and Nazis?

    Paul tells us to be careful about the company we keep. I would call Nazis bad company.

    Yet there they are, Christians with bad guys.

    But this is a different kind of Christianity.

    It has nothing to do with the Christianity I know.

    Let me say something that may sound a bit radical here: All who use the name “Christian” do not worship the same God.

    Someone wrote to me recently, “You went so far as to say that God is only a God of love.”

    He said that’s not true, then he listed some really mean things he says God did. He wants me to know God is a rough customer.

    Another said to me, “God does not love all people. God loves only the people who keep his commandments.”

    Here are two Christians who do not believe in grace, God’s unconditional love for all humankind.

    Their idea of “God” is so different from my idea of “God” that I don’t think we share the same religion.

    Yet, we are all called “Christians.”

    But some Christians see God as love. Some see God as stern and exclusive.

    And the meaner your God is, the more likely it is you will find yourself marching in lockstep with racists and Nazis.


  • Max’s Corner

    Funeral Service

    Ronnie Sullivan’s mom was buried today (Monday} in a service in her Catholic church in Abilene.

    Mary will be back on Sunday.

    Mary is feeling better and Ronnie and Mary are adjusting to life without Ronnie’s mom.

    Our love is with them and the whole family.

    Breakfast This Sunday

    It’s a “Winston Sunday.”

    Food and fellowship at 10:30.

    Yes—A Hard Time

    The Supreme Court decision announced Monday changes the nature of the presidency and places our nation in danger.

    The possibility is real—we could lose our democracy.

    We will not get discouraged.

    We will pray.

    And we will work.

    This Sunday

    Life is not easy.

    Not for us. And certainly not for Paul.

    You might think God would lay out an easy path for the greatest of all the apostles—called specifically—and dramatically—by God to proclaim the Gospel. He left us a list of his hardships.

    And he shared two experiences that kept him going.

    Sermon Sunday: “My Grace Is Sufficient.”

    Barring unforeseen events, my sister’s study of near-death experiences will begin on Sunday, July 14, from 9:45 to 10:30 am. (Over at breakfast time.)

    The memorial service for Julie Maxwell will be Saturday, July 20, at 1:00 pm.

    Worship this Sunday will be at the same time it has been since 1897—11:00 am.

    Some things don’t change.

    See you then.

    God Bless—MB