Watch the full service on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Philippians 1:6 New International Version
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
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Rev. Max, you go from one extreme to the other.
You reject the claim of conservative Christians for the
inerrancy of scripture and reject things like the miracle
of the Flood, then you push an outlandish miracle like a
healing at Lourdes. I am mystified as to your purpose in
this.
Tom—Well, Tom, my purpose is to provoke people to think.
Scripture is glorious. It is a window to God. But it is not inerrant.
The image of God in the Flood Story as a loser who goofs up, destroys his creation, and then regrets it is not consistent with the teachings of Jesus about the nature of God.
But the healing of a young girl, Marie Le Marchand, at Lourdes in 1882, is supported by considerable evidence.
The girl had advanced lupus, TB, and huge sores covering her legs.
She was “oozing blood.”
The great novelist (and atheist) Emil Zola, wanted to debunk Lourdes and healing.
Instead, he witnessed the healing of the young girl.
A doctor also stood by and followed the girl to the hospital. Her lungs were clear. The sores were gone.
She was still healthy 16 years later.
I told the story two weeks ago to push you to decide: To what extent will you accept evidence that challenges your own ideas about how life works?
Do you have to run from the evidence to maintain your theology?
My faith is rooted in evidence.
I don’t have to run.
I don’t have to pretend.
I am secure in the understanding that God works in our world. +++
Concert—tomorrow—Sat. the 14th —6:00 p.m.
And Rev. Beverly Tye preaches this Sunday.
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FIRST THING— THE CONCERT!!!
It’s a big deal—as are all of our concerts.
“Blake the Great” does much of the singing.
And there will be plenty for the congregation to join in on—such as the rousing opening hymn, Revive Us Again.
That’s what we do at these concerts: We get our spirits revived. We are lifted and encouraged by the Gospel. And—we have a good time.
Cindy Wheeler is fixing the meal for everyone.
Please—do come.
This Saturday at 6:00—Oct. 14.
Dinner after.
I Am Back
We had a great time. We visited five states and drove many hundreds of miles, (I’ll share some things with you in a couple of weeks.) But this is my last vacation until I have knee replacement surgery. It was worth it—but very, very difficult.
I will sleep in my own bed tonight.
And that’s a beautiful thing.
This Sunday—Beverly Tye
We were sitting in a restaurant with Rev. Beverly Tye and a few of our members a few weeks ago.
Beverly was talking about her faith journey and I asked her to share what she was saying with us in a sermon. And she will—this Sunday.Sermon title: Under Construction
This is something to look forward to.
Thanks to Mary
Big thanks to Mary for keeping the ship afloat by herself these last two weeks (something she can do easily). I have not seen our services online. I could not access them through my phone, nor could I even get e-mails. I have some catching up to do.
I hope all of you are well.
And I long to see you—
SATURDAY and SUNDAY!
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United Methodist Church Bishops condemn violence in the Middle East, call for prayer and action
October 9, 2023
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)
In a world already consumed with political unrest and conflict, the recent attacks by Hamas against Israel only add to the reality that the prophetic words from Isaiah are needed now more than ever.
As a people who pray for and work toward peace, we in the United Methodist family are appalled, and dismayed by the animosities and inhumane actions undertaken by Hamas. The declaration of war on the part of Israel as a result is also deeply saddening. In just a few hours since this latest outbreak of violence more than 1000 people have died.
We condemn the Hamas militants who have killed and captured civilians, women and children in Israel. We equally decry the deaths of innocent civilians, women and children caught in the crossfire of the Israeli retaliation in the Gaza Strip.
Our own Book of Resolutions (2016) states clearly, “We seek for all people in the Middle East region an end to military occupation, freedom from violence, and full respect for the human rights of all under international law.”
As a result, today we call on all United Methodists to renew a deepened commitment to pray for those who have been injured, abducted, or killed, and to deepen our prayers for those who have suddenly lost a loved one.
In addition, we call on all congregations and leaders to begin initiating special offerings, directed to our United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), to provide specific resources to assist in providing shelter, food, and other necessities to those who have been left homeless, helpless, and afraid.
Friends, we are called to be a people of prayer, a people of hope, and a people of action. Our role should never be minimized, especially in a time when global conflicts are emerging with more frequency. As we watch the news unfold, let us not delay in moving into meaningful responses.
Most of all, let us remain a people of hope who look to the fulfilment of those prophetic words by Isaiah. We look to the days when:
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. In that day, the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. (Isaiah 11:5-6)
May it be so. May it be so.
Amen.
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton
President – Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
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God bless you as you read this newsletter from Saint Matthew. Have you made your list yet? Is the list with all the good things about you someplace where you can see it every day? Did you have difficulty creating your list? Do you have someone in your life with whom you can share your list? If I am being completely transparent with you, I have to answer no it isn’t made and therefore not available. I am having great difficulty creating my list. I have someone to share with. If you are reading this email, I can give you some help for the first thing to put on your list: I am faithful. Just the fact that you are engaged enough to read the newsletter means that you are faithful to the gospel ministry of Saint Matthew. I am very grateful to all of you for your faithfulness. You give me strength and encouragement to keep moving forward in my ordination process. Whatever I do in my life in the service of God is made better because I have been at St. Matthew.
COVID numbers are slowly climbing. Remember to maintain good self-care: adequate sleep, good nutrition, sunshine when you can and ALWAYS wash your hands. Also, stay away from sick folks and stay to yourself if you are sick.
Love and blessings to all, Mary