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

We were missing our kids on Sunday; it must have been Fair Day! We had a wonderful lesson as we continued to travel with Abraham and Sarah. They had moved from their home in Haran and traveled to a new land.

They must have wondered how God was going to make a great nation of them since they had no children. God appeared to them again when Abraham was at least 100 years old. Only this time, Abraham was not aware God was visiting. Three guests appeared near his tent. Abraham extended hospitality to them. Their identity was unclear; but Abraham invited them to stay, provided water to wash their feet, and served them a meal.

In the Bible, hospitality to travelers and strangers was very important. The guests told Abraham that in a year’s time, when they returned, he and Sarah would have a son.

Sarah was listening inside the tent and laughed to herself. After all, Sarah was well past the age to have children. Sarah had faith in God, but must have wondered how God would keep this promise. The Lord’s response to her laughter is, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?”

Hopefully we will see you in church Sunday so we can learn the name of Sarah’s son.

Blessings