Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey

    Sunday, we had a wonderful group of kids with us, and our lesson focused on something that might sound a little tricky at first: the genealogy of Jesus.

    We learned how Jesus’ family line stretches all the way from Abraham to King David, through the time of the Babylonian exile, and finally to Joseph, the husband of Mary. This family history helps us understand that Jesus is part of God’s long-promised plan and the one God sent to bring hope to the world.

    While a genealogy can feel like a long and complicated family tree, it teaches us something important. God’s story is big, and it includes everyone. Many of the people in Jesus’ family were ordinary people. Some made mistakes, and some had difficult stories, but God worked through each one of them. This reminds us that God works in every family and in every generation, even when we cannot yet see the whole picture.

    To make the day even more exciting, Santa stopped by after lunch to visit with the kids. He took time to hear their Christmas wishes and handed out stockings filled with goodies. He even paused his busy schedule to wish all of our kids a very Merry Christmas.

  • Mary’s Corner

    Mary Teague

    I bring you peace and greetings in the name of the newborn Christ. As we bring our Advent season to a close, we have come to realize that this season has called us into a deeper understanding of the birth of Christ. I ask that you remember these things.

    First, we have experienced Christ’s light breaking open our world from the inside out through an encounter with a humble king who chose gentleness over force. Second, we encountered the peace of a servant king who chose to leave the splendor of heaven to be with us. Third, we discovered an unexpected sense of peace in the midst of a world that feels on fire. And finally, remember this above all else: for all of eternity, you are loved.

    I wish you good tidings of great joy this season.

    Mary

  • Eternal

    Jason Hardy
    YouTube player

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

  • Friday’s Word

    Max Brennan

    I began my working life as an English teacher. In 1982, at the age of 39, I entered Perkins School of Theology at SMU to prepare for ministry.

    I was immediately eligible to serve a church as a student pastor. I was sent to Saint Matthew, a small church in East Fort Worth, with little hope of survival.

    I was overjoyed to be in ministry. And against all odds, the church began to grow, mainly from members who returned and friends of those still in the pews. Before long, we exhausted that pool of potential growth, and I knew we had to find a way to reach a wider world.

    In 1987, I started Pastor’s Corner in The Meadowbrook News, a local Eastside shopping paper. It did the job. Growth soon accelerated. By 1988, we had grown from about 30 in attendance to more than 150 on some Sundays.

    We needed more room, so we decided to build. We hired a rising young architect, Greg Wyatt, to transform our rather dreary sanctuary into the beautiful Victorian Gothic building we worship in today.

    In the early 2000s, The Meadowbrook News closed down. That is when we shifted to The Star-Telegram and Friday’s Word. But with changes in how people get their news, we can no longer reach the audience we once did. So once again, we change.

    This is our next-to-last appearance here. We will be turning to social media and other online forums to reach a larger audience. Please keep up with us. Subscribe to our weekly online newsletter. The address is below. Just click the subscribe button.

    In 2026, Saint Matthew will celebrate its 135th anniversary. We will celebrate.

    Join us for our Christmas Eve service at 6:00 p.m.

    “The most beautiful service of the year”

    saintmatthewumc.com
    [email protected]

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan

    The loss of Carolyn Bell feels like the end of an era to me. But most of our present members did not know her. She has been with her family in Flower Mound since 2014. That family is largely Church of Christ, so Carolyn’s family brought their minister to conduct a Church of Christ service in our church, with my eulogy in the middle of it.

    Robbie, Carolyn’s daughter, knew her mom would want her service at Saint Matthew. And the family was happy with the service. That, of course, is what is important with a memorial service.

    With my knee replacement only 10 days before, I was definitely in no shape to participate in the service. I did anyway, and I am so glad I did.

    Danny and Leslie Detrick, the former choir director and his wife, were present, along with beloved former members. An era closes. Life goes on.

    After My Surgery

    I am making slow progress. It is harder and more painful than I thought it would be. The church has made a big difference. My sister and I are so grateful for the food that has come in. Thank you.

    I hope to see you on Christmas Eve. Do not expect miracles. My movement will be limited. But what a time of rejoicing it will be.

    We will have a great Christmas Eve service, and I will arrive hungry for worship.

    Fourth Sunday of Advent

    And a big Christmas dinner, with Santa for the kids.

    Mary finishes her beautiful Advent sermon series this Sunday. The choir sings a glorious anthem. And then Christmas dinner.

    Come prepare your hearts for the Babe in the manger.

    God bless.

    All that some of you must bring to the dinner this Sunday is desserts. Wish I could be there. I like desserts.