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  • Kids’ News

    Jason Hardy

    Finding a Quiet Place

    Have you ever been so busy having fun that you didn’t notice something amazing?

    Maybe you were playing outside and almost missed a beautiful butterfly. Or maybe you were talking so much with your friends that you didn’t hear a bird singing nearby. Sometimes when life gets busy, it’s hard to notice what’s happening around us.

    In this week’s Bible reading, God’s people heard these words: “Be still, and know that I am God.” That doesn’t just mean sitting quietly. It means slowing down enough to remember that God is always with us, even when life feels busy, noisy, or a little scary. When we take time to pray, read the Bible, or simply sit quietly for a moment, we make room to notice God’s love and guidance.

    Being still helped God’s people remember they didn’t have to face life’s challenges alone. The same is true for us. When we pause and spend time with God, He gives us courage to do the right thing, help others, and face each new day with confidence.

    Family Challenge

    Take a “God Pause” together each day this week.

    Find one quiet minute. Put away your phones, turn off the TV, take a deep breath, and simply thank God for being with you. Then share one place where you noticed God’s love that day.

    Talk About It

    • When do you find it hardest to be still?
    • Where do you notice God when you slow down and pay attention?
    • How can spending time with God help you be brave and kind?

    Read

    Psalm 46:10

    Prayer

    Dear God, Thank You for always being with us, even when life feels busy or confusing. Help us slow down, listen for Your voice, and trust that You are our refuge and strength. Give us courage to love others, help those around us, and follow You every day. Amen.

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  • Newsletter for August 19, 2026

    Jason Hardy
    2026-08-19 St Matthew TodayDownload
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  • Leading Courageously

    Jason Hardy
    YouTube player

    Watch the full service online by clicking here.

    Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11, Matthew 5 (Sermon on the Mount)

    Over the past several weeks, we have been exploring what it means to Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and now, Lead Courageously. This final invitation reminds us that courageous leadership does not begin with confidence, influence, or having all the answers. It begins with a life rooted in God’s love. As we spend time in Scripture, prayer, worship, and spiritual practices that draw us closer to Christ, God shapes our hearts so that we are ready to respond when He calls us to lead.

    Jesus invites us to seek a different kind of righteousness, not one earned by following rules, but one that grows from hearts aligned with God’s own heart. When we hunger for justice, extend mercy, make peace, and love our neighbors, our lives begin to reflect Christ’s love in ways that quietly transform our homes, our church, and our community. Courageous leadership is not reserved for a few. It is the calling of ordinary disciples who trust God enough to take the next faithful step.

    Psalm 46 reminds us that even when the world feels uncertain, God remains our refuge and strength. Before we rush into action, we are invited to “be still and know” that God is with us. As Saint Matthew continues seeking God’s purpose in east Fort Worth, we are reminded that we do not lead alone. Christ goes before us, strengthens us when we grow weary, and calls each of us to participate in His work with faith, hope, and courage.

    Take Time to Reflect

    • How might God use your everyday acts of faithfulness to bring Christ’s love to someone else?n open hearts, open minds, and open doors. Wherever you are on your journey, you are welcome here.
    • Where is God inviting you to take a courageous step of faith this week?
    • What spiritual practices help you remain rooted in God’s love and prepared for His calling?
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  • A Word From the Pastor

    Mary Teague

    Welcome to the dog days of summer—the stretch of sweltering heat that leaves many of us feeling drained, irritable, and spiritually sluggish. Traditionally, this season marks not only the hottest weeks of the year but also a time of stagnation, when even simple tasks feel heavy. I’ll be honest: these temperatures do not bring out my best mood. Once, I could work construction in any weather. Now, as a post‑menopausal woman capable of generating my own internal furnace, one blast of that hot parking‑lot wind can snatch my joy in an instant.

    And that’s the truth for many of us. Joy slips away for countless reasons. Physical or emotional pain interrupts it. HALT—being hungry, angry, lonely, or tired—blocks it. Sometimes the behavior of others interferes with it. In these dog‑day moments, when our mood doesn’t match the joy we want to show, we may wonder how to reconnect with God’s strength.

    Scripture reminds us that joyful service is not something we manufacture. Nehemiah told the newly returned exiles, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Peter wrote to scattered believers that even in trials, God gives “a joy that words cannot express.” This joy is not self‑made; it is a gift from the risen Christ through the Holy Spirit.

    Serving joyfully is a holy habit. When you notice your joy fading, pause. Pray. Ask God for a fresh dose of joy. Even in the hottest days of summer, God’s joy remains steady, renewing, and ready to strengthen you.

    Loving boldly is possible through the presence of God in our lives and so is serving joyfully. Our only task is to surrender to the power of God in our hearts and let that surrender be visible through our actions in this world.

    Looking at the weather forecast, we are in for a few more weeks of heat. Please stay indoors, if possible, during the hottest parts of the day. Pay attention to the air quality warnings on the local weather forecast. And drink your water as your doctor instructs.

    My love and blessings to all! Mary

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  • Kids’ News

    Jason Hardy

    Remembering Joy

    Have you ever had something happen that was so good you wanted to tell someone about it?

    This Sunday, we learned that remembering God’s goodness can fill our hearts with joy. In Psalm 105, God’s people are invited to remember the wonderful things God has done and to tell others about them. The psalm reminds us of Joseph’s story. Even though Joseph faced some very difficult times, God never forgot him. God stayed with Joseph, guided him through every challenge, and used him to care for many people.

    When we remember how God has been faithful in the past, it gives us hope for today. Joy isn’t about having a perfect life. Joy grows when we remember that God is always with us, even when life is hard. Sharing those stories with others helps them remember God’s goodness, too.

    Family Challenge

    This week, take turns sharing a story about a time when you saw God at work in your life. It could be a prayer God answered, someone who showed you kindness, or a time God helped your family through something difficult.

    After each story, say together: “Thank You, God, for always being with us!”

    Talk About It

    • Why do you think God wants us to remember the wonderful things He has done?
    • How did God stay with Joseph during the hard times in his life?
    • What is one story of God’s goodness that you can share with someone this week?

    Read

    Psalm 105:1–6, 16–22

    Prayer

    Dear God, thank You for always being with us. Help us remember Your goodness, trust You every day, and share Your joy with others. Amen.

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