• Mary’s Corner

    Greetings, dear Church, in the name of the risen Christ.

    I had so much fun Sunday morning with the song that we sang, and with the time that we spent together before church having breakfast together. For some reason, everything seems lighter. The decisions of the general conference this year have made a way for everyone to be at the table of our Lord. There are no words for me to adequately express what that kind of freedom means. I am grateful to you for your continued love and support.

    I’m also very grateful to those who showed up Saturday to clean the church. Nan and Winston cleaned the entire church in two hours. It doesn’t seem like a huge task, however, only two people showed up. We’ll have a sign-up sheet on Sunday to get a more organized and consistent schedule for cleaning the church.

    Anna is progressing well after having a major surgery on Monday. She was up walking today with physical therapy. I look forward to spending time with you again this weekend. I miss you between these Sundays, Mary.


  • Kids’ News

    This week, we met Paul, who was a tax collector. Paul decided he wanted to join the disciples when he arrived in Jerusalem, but they doubted Paul’s sincerity as a disciple of Jesus. Up until his experience of meeting the Lord on the road to Damascus and his experience of blindness and healing, Paul was an enemy of Christianity and a persecutor of those who practiced the faith. The disciples do not trust that Paul has changed. Barnabas brings Paul to the apostles and serves as a witness that Paul has changed. Paul makes a large impact on the new church. The church grows in strength and reverence for the Lord, as well as the number of people. This growth is attributed to the Holy Spirit.

    Since it was Mother’s Day, the boys planted flowers in a pot to take home. These were even more special because each one made their handprint, cut it out and, with Miss Vickie’s help, glued it on the flower pot. This made their Mother’s Day gift even more special. Hopefully, you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. See you in church on Sunday.

    Blessings



  • 2422 – The Great Miscalculation

    YouTube player

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

    https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/saintmatthewumc/episodes/Episode-2422—The-Great-Miscalculation-e2jm3t4

  • Friday’s Word

    Free at Last! Free at Last!

    Kerry was having a severe allergic reaction. She called her wife, then rushed toward the elevator to get to the hospital.

    She died in the hallway.

    She then found herself headed toward a white, limitless Light. A loving and gentle force drew her toward it. But her journey was interrupted.

    She was stopped by her deceased grandparents. They were luminous and beautiful and she knew them immediately.

    They wanted to tell her they were sorry. They now knew something they had not known in the world. Her family had caused her to live her life in fear.

    Her family and her church had told her she was going to hell for being gay. She rejoiced that they now accepted her.

    But her grandparents had some bad news for her. It was not her time.

    Kerry wanted to stay in this abundant love. She wanted to get to the Light.

    And she did.

    There before God, “in deepest humility,” Kerry said, “I uttered seven words: ‘I’m gay, will you still love me?’”

    God’s words to her changed everything: “You are my child. I love you, I love you, I love you. Go back and tell them.”

    That’s what she has been doing, as have other gay people who have had near-death experiences.

    Just this last week, the United Methodist Church at its General Conference got out of the hate business. We removed the anti-gay words placed in our Book of Discipline in 1972.

    The chains that bound us have been broken. “Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

    Free to live the Gospel of God’s unconditional love for all people.

    Let us rejoice!