Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

  • 2354 – When Angels Speak

    Jason Hardy
    YouTube player

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

    Register your attendance

    Luke 1:26-38 New International Version

    The Birth of Jesus Foretold

    26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

    29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

    34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

    35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

    38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

    Matthew 1:18-25 New International Version

    Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

    18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

    20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”

    22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).

    24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

    Tags: ,

  • Friday’s Word

    Max Brennan

    The Christmas story is full of angels. But here, in the 21st century, what do we think about them?

    Dr. Raymond Elliott was a professor in the music department (after retiring, Professor Emeritus) at Texas Tech.

    He saw one—an angel, that is.

    His wife had a stroke at age 78. After this, all that she could move was her eyelids. She communicated by blinking her eyes.

    Dr. Elliott was her sole caregiver. But after seven long years, he was worn out. He didn’t know how he could go on.

    He took this to God: “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

    When he lifted his head from prayer, he saw a man in the doorway of their bedroom. He was tall. He had to stoop to come into the room.

    The man wore blue jeans and work boots. Young, with intense blue eyes.

    The visitor crossed the room and sat in a chair near Dr. Elliott and the bed where his wife lay.

    “It will be okay,” the man said. “You will be able to go on. It will be only a little longer.”

    Then the stranger arose and left through the door he had entered.

    Dr. Elliott felt elated—and filled with new energy.

    His wife died a few weeks later.

    That’s one story.

    But it’s one of many.

    Thousands, in fact.

    I will tell another one on Christmas Eve–just after we read the scripture about those Christmas angels.

    It may be time for all of us to open our minds—and our hearts. Life is deeper than we think.

    And more wonderful.

    Christmas Eve

    Candlelight Service

    6:00 p.m.

    Share it with us.

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan

    The Christmas Show
    A Great Evening

    Attendance was excellent, the food was great, and it seems the concert lifted hearts and filled folk with the spirit of Christmas. Thanks to those who made it possible and to those who supported it with their presence. (The fellowship lasted all evening.)

    Christmas Eve

    Sunday morning, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, with Mary preaching.

    Sunday evening: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

    “The most beautiful service of the year”

    6:00 p.m.

    My Sermon: “An Ultimate Joy”

    See you Sunday.

    And—Merry Christmas

    God bless—

    MB

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague

    I have heard many fine sermons from Max Brennan in the last 12 years but Sunday’s sermon, “At the Right Time”, is definitely one of his finest. Thank you, Max, for always preaching the truth, even when the truth is hard to say. You are a light on a hill, and I am grateful for your 42 years of service to St. Matthew. And the song Shannon blessed us with is still playing in my head. We are so blessed to have so many talented people around us, sharing their love for God and the gifts God has given. I look forward to finishing Advent among all of you.

    Jo and Joe Adams have 2 spaces left at their Christmas Dinner table. Please let them know if you would like to join them.

    We had two huge food contributions this week to our Eastside Ministry lunch program. We are so very appreciative of the people from our church and OUTSIDE of our church who support the ministries of our neighborhood. Christmas Eve is Sunday, and we will have a rare double service. Sunday morning at 11am as usual plus a Sunday evening service at 6pm. Come early at 5:30 and enjoy a moment of fellowship before our service with a surprise in the fellowship hall.

    Blessings to all of you!

    Mary

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey

    Our lesson this week was about JOY. Before Mary and Joseph could enjoy the birth of their son, they had to travel to Bethlehem. The emperor decided everyone had to be counted for tax purposes in the town where they were born. Joseph was born in Bethlehem, so they had to travel with a very pregnant Mary to that town. Bethlehem was very crowded, and they could not find a place to stay.

    A man took pity on them and found them a place to stay. Though it was not ideal, they were happy that they had a place to stay; because that very night Jesus was born, not in a comfortable guest room or palace, but in a humble place, with animals for company. Jesus brought JOY not only to Mary and Joseph, but to the whole world. During this Advent season children are anxiously awaiting Christmas.

    Our children lit up our Christmas program by carrying in the star and lights for the tree and capped off their entrance with a song. They are excellent singers we need to hear more often! Santa and his elves stopped by with stockings filled with goodies. His visit had the kids really happy to share their requests with this Jolly Ole Elf. Hope we see you in church Sunday.

    Blessings