Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague

    Happy 2024 to all. May each day be filled with the peace of Christ and the knowledge that you are God’s beloved child. We had another amazing service this past Sunday capped off by a great sermon from our senior pastor, Max Brennan. We are blessed beyond belief to have such a gifted and insightful person to shepherd our congregation. Thank you for making my mother feel so welcome on Sunday.

    Many folks in the community are coming down with flu/COVID/RSV or a variety of other upper respiratory and some stomach issues. Please be careful. We have made many advances in the treatment of all of these illnesses; however, we are not free of any of them. Wash your hands frequently, stay away from folks who are sick, stay home if you are one of the sick folks, and avoid large gatherings.

    I look forward to 2024 with you. My ordination interviews are coming quickly and then, with God’s grace, I will be ordained a provisional elder in June at Annual Conference. Details to come! I could not be in this position without your love and support. 

    IF YOU ARE AN ADMIN BOARD, FINANCE COMMITTEE, PASTOR/PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE, or ANY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER AT SAINT MATTHEW, WE MEET THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH. We will be discussing some very important plans for 2024 so you don’t want to miss this meeting or others will be making your decisions for you. Love to all, Mary

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey

    We have been exploring many aspects of the birth of baby Jesus. This week, we met the Magi. The Magi were wise men who studied the stars. They saw an unusual star in the sky one night and knew from their studies that a king was born. We don’t know the number of Magi for sure; but because we hear of them bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, we usually refer to them as the three Magi.

    Like the shepherds, the Magi were unexpected people who visited the Holy Family. The Magi brought gifts to share with Jesus and we also have gifts to share. We need to remember that gifts can be something that we do for other people or things we can share with the world. Jesus was born so all people would know that God loved them.

    The Magi are considered the first people to worship Jesus, and they were not Jewish. This is one of the first signs that God’s love is open and free for everyone, no matter who they are.

    We had a visitor in class, Mr. Brian McCosky. Mr. McCosky told the kids about his visit to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. He visited the birthplace of the baby Jesus and described the hill where the cross was placed. The kids had many questions for him because they wanted to know where he had visited and what it looked like. Hopefully we see you in church this Sunday so we can continue our journey with Jesus.

    Blessings

  • St. Matthew Today for January 3rd, 2024

    Jason Hardy
    2024-01-03-St-Matthew-TodayDownload

  • 2356 – When the Truth Breaks Through

    Jason Hardy
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    Luke 2:25-38 New International Version

    25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

    29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
        you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace.
    30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
    31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
    32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
        and the glory of your people Israel.”

    33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

    36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[b] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

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  • Friday’s Word

    Max Brennan

    New Year’s Eve — Usual Time — 11:00

    Well—the odometer of the world is about to click over to a new year.

    Some people say they don’t make resolutions. I say we can’t help it. There’s just a feeling of new beginning.

    For me, 2024 will be all about the book.

    I got a call from Boots Richardson before she died. She and Jack were members of St. Matthew years ago, until they moved to East Texas.

    Boots, on hospice care at the time, called to say she had worn out my first book, God, Grace and Gooseberry. She needed a copy of my next one.

    I told her, “Boots, I’m not really through with it. Let me work on it a little longer. Then I’ll send it.”

    “Max! I don’t have a little longer. I want it now! Immediately!”

    I did have copies run off for a study group. I sent her one and she called a few days later.

    “Max, I’ve read it three times in two days.”

    I was touched. The book is 250 pages long.

    A few days later she called again: “Your book has made me feel safe. We all belong to God.”

    I told her that is exactly what the accounts in Discovering God tell us.

    All 100 accounts of powerful religious/spiritual experiences.

    Boots died not long after that last conversation.

    The book encouraged her in her last days.

    The material in the book encourages me.

    Beginning January 1st, I will begin the last revision of the book. My resolution is to get it out into the world in 2024.

    I may also start my own weekly YouTube program to take people through the book. Let me know if you would be interested. And!

    Happy New Year