Mary’s Corner

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Fall has arrived! At least the fall we know in Texas: rain, humidity that is not quite as bad as summer, and cooler mornings. This is my favorite time of the year. It is raining as I write these comments, making it very hard for me to concentrate. I would rather sit on the porch listening to the raindrops hitting the earth. I spent a wonderful weekend with my family over Labor Day, eating really good food and enjoying each other’s company.

September will be a very busy month. At the end of the month, there is a Convening Conference for the Central, North Texas, and West Texas conferences of the UMC. These three conferences have joined together and will now be known as the Horizon Texas Conference. The name is packed with symbolism and hope, and I am excited that our Central Texas Conference will be part of the healing process of the UMC through relationships with all of the northern portions of Texas. The conference is truly a picture of the “horizon” as you consider that our geographical expanse stretches from East Texas to the border with New Mexico. Please begin to pray for this event, September 26-28.

Please continue to pray diligently for Bill and Linda Parker. Bill remains very ill, and Linda has rarely left his side. There are several specialists on the case, seeking answers and designing treatment therapies to help in the healing process. Bill and Linda are strong in their love for each other and in their faith. Your prayers for them are greatly appreciated, as are all the prayers you lift to God for each other. Intercessory prayer is one of our greatest responsibilities as followers of The Way. Intercessory prayer is powerful in both the life of the one being prayed over and the one voicing the prayers. Continue this sacred act for Bill and Linda and all of our congregation.

Faith Community Nursing at Texas Health Resources will have a Fall Flu Vaccine Clinic at St. Matthew on Sunday, October 13th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. We will have regular flu vaccines but will not have access to the senior dose of the vaccine. The regular vaccine is identical to the senior dose in every way except dosing. The senior vaccine is a double dose, designed to quickly and powerfully stimulate the immune system. The regular dose just takes a few more days to be at full strength. Anyone 9 years old and older may receive the vaccine.

Blessings to all,
Mary

Kids’ News

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We’re starting a new study with the kids—”God Creates the Earth.” God’s first masterpiece is the Earth, and it’s far from simple or insignificant. Creating it took time and intention. For several days, God carefully crafted the world, making it better and better each day. You can almost sense a rhythm as the story unfolds. God’s creation wasn’t a one-time event but a process, with each day building on the work of the previous one. And most importantly, God took pride in His work, as the story reminds us, “God saw how good it was.”

God’s creativity is an inspiration to us all, reminding us that we can keep creating and that our creativity is always seen as good. There’s so much more to learn about God’s creation, and we can’t wait to explore it together. See you in church on Sunday!

Blessings

Jesus—IS—the Word

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By “Conservative,” I mean Christians who read the Bible as though it is inerrant. They see it as accurate cover-to-cover.

But this way of reading the Bible can make people less loving, and less moral.

For example, Deut. 21:18 says that parents with a son who refuses to obey them should haul the kid before the elders at the city gate and have him stoned to death.

You won’t find that in modern parenting manuals.

It’s a horrendous idea.

It is ancient ignorance.

And it’s no way to treat your kid.

But Biblical inerrantists must defend that passage. And since this is part of the Old Testament law, they must even say that killing the child was God’s idea.

If you are in a conservative church, ask your pastor about this. He will defend this passage and say killing the child was God’s will.

Of course, we should all know better. The passage is not Christian.

It does not reflect the teachings of Jesus or even common decency.

But the conservative pastor feels he must defend the passage and must blame it on God.

Because it is in the Bible.

It is important for us to know that there is a Bible within the Bible.

The heart of scripture is Jesus and his teachings.

Anything in the Bible that does not reflect his love cannot be right.

Jesus—IS—the Word!

Biblical inerrancy causes many Christians to be morally indecisive. It is why so many who claim Christ can support “the orange guy.”

They have been taught immorality all their lives sitting in pews on Sundays.

Biblical inerrancy can lead to political evil.

(Worship at 11:00.)