Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

Work to Be Done

We have several things we need to do.

We want to obtain devices for the hearing impaired.

Mary wants the big TV hooked into our system so that we can use it for presentations.

We have some lights that do not work and some that do not work right.

I announced that we would raise the money to do the work. But we do have money to cover it now and have decided to move on with the work.

I want us to stay up with everything. I am way too old to have to deal with financial problems. (Been there, done that—for 30 years.) But if we continue to be faithful with our giving, we will be able to get this necessary work done without any problems.

I look forward to getting the projects completed by Easter. Chuy’s men at 4Stage—who installed our system—will do the work.

Breakfast

We are still looking for one or two people to do breakfast for one or two Sundays in the month. I know it’s a job. But let me (or Winston or Mary) know if you are willing to help.

Communion Sunday

The sermon is called: “Just Face Reality.” We will talk about a wonderful (and humorous) story from John’s gospel about a man born blind and healed by Jesus. But the authorities simply and repeatedly refused to believe the man. Shannon has a solo for us. Blake is gone with his school choir on a trip.

We gather at the Lord’s Table.

It’s only four Sundays to Holy Week.

Remember our Mardi Gras lunch on Palm Sunday, March 24. (Yes, we have “Fat Tuesday” on Sunday. Don’t tell the Catholics.)

See You in worship.

Hello dear St. Matthew,

Just a quick note to tell you how very much I love you and appreciate the many ways you take care of me and my family. Anna is still in critical condition but is slowly improving. I am grateful for your prayers and support. Tyler has gone back to work and stays with her at night. Anna’s parents are helping every day, and we have the help of many special angels to fill in the gaps.

Great news to share on the shoe front: We have received pledges for 35 pairs of shoes for Blake’s Western Hills Choir. We even have enough funds to purchase socks!  Blessings to you for responding so quickly. I know Blake asked for used black shoes and we are getting them new ones instead. However, East Side Ministry always needs used shoes. If you still want to bring them to the church, we can get them to where they are needed most.

Blessings to you during this week of crazy weather. When this is published on Wednesday morning, them temp will have dropped 20+ degrees from what it is as I write. Summer AND winter in February.

Love to all, Mary

This week we discussed Zacchaeus. Vickie and I started the lesson by singing the song we learned when we were young, maybe you remember …

Zaccheus was a wee, little man,
And a wee, little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior came that way,
He looked up in the tree,

And he said,”Zaccheus, you come down from there,”

For I’m going to your house today.
For I’m going to your house today.

… I will spare you the rest, but we sang as much as we remembered! The kids must have thought we lost our minds, but they listened quietly, and I know they will remember this lesson!

Zacchaeus was a tax collector; they were not liked because they would collect more money than the Roman government asked for and put the balance in their pocket. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector, which meant that he was one of the best and probably very rich.

Jesus was passing through Jericho, and because he was so short, Zacchaeus climbed up a tree so he could see Jesus. Jesus saw him in the tree and told him to come down because he was going to his house today.

Why did Jesus choose to go to the home of a sinner to have a meal? Zacchaeus wanted to change his ways and asked to be forgiven.

How do you handle someone who has done you wrong and asked to be forgiven? Do you believe in second chances? With the help and guidance of Jesus, we can all learn that there is opportunity for second chances.

We all moved outside for our project. We made bird feeders out of pine cones. We found that birds love peanut butter with their seeds. It was a beautiful day and sitting at the picnic table and enjoying the sunshine made for a perfect day.

See you in church…

I am so grateful to the 16 people who promised to sponsor at least one pair of shoes for the Western Hills choir. We so far have received enough pledges to buy 35 pairs of shoes. What we can do now is get the 30 pairs plus buy new socks plus have a little bit left over for the expenses of the choir concert and the travel and the meals. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your generosity overwhelms me. We are so blessed to live in this community of believers at this time in our lives. My love to you all Mary.