Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

This Sunday, we learned about the family story of Jesus, a story that begins in a very ordinary way. Mary was not a queen or a princess. She was a young woman, engaged to be married, living a normal life. At first, there was nothing about her situation that seemed special or important.

Then something unexpected happened. An angel came to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid.” Those words appear again and again in the Bible, especially when God is about to do something new. The angel told Mary that she would be part of God’s plan to bring love into the world through Jesus. What makes Mary’s story meaningful is not power or position, but her willingness to trust God when she did not have all the answers, just as we hear in the Gospel of Matthew’s telling of Jesus’ beginnings (Matthew 1).

Mary did not walk this path alone. She leaned on her community and found comfort and courage alongside her cousin Elizabeth, who was experiencing her own unexpected joy. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we remember that God’s love often shows up quietly, through ordinary people, and that this love, once given, lasts forever.

What We Learned:

• God often works through ordinary people.
• God’s love does not need power or fame to change the world.
• Trusting God can be hard, but we are never alone.
• When we share love and kindness, we help show God’s light to others.

Greetings, dear friends and family of Saint Matthew,

This season of Advent is meant to slow us down, to help us breathe, and to make room for God in the middle of our hurried lives. As I mentioned on Sunday morning, I encourage you each day to pause—sit with God, breathe deeply, and savor your morning cup of whatever brings you comfort. You will need that quiet strength for what I must share.

Our dear Carolyn Bell passed peacefully into her heavenly reward on the morning of December 9. Carolyn was one of the pillars of our church. She served faithfully on the Administrative Board and many committees over the years, and she was one of the last members who joined Saint Matthew simply because she lived in the neighborhood and wanted to be part of this community. Her warm smile and heartfelt welcome were the very reasons my family knew Saint Matthew was our home the very first time we walked through the doors.

The family is working to finalize arrangements, and the plan—pending confirmation—is to hold her memorial service this Saturday, December 13, here at Saint Matthew United Methodist Church. As soon as I receive word from the funeral home, I will share details. Please be prepared to help with a meal at the church, either before or after the service. Whether you knew Carolyn personally or not, I would love for us to show her family just how deeply she blessed our lives.

As we look toward the new year, we also have some important work ahead. We will begin addressing foundation issues in the annex, a project that truly cannot wait. Following that, we will move into long-overdue updates to the bathrooms, fellowship hall, and several other areas that need attention. These improvements will help us care for our building the way it has cared for us.

I have also asked Veta to coordinate meals over the next two weeks for Pastor Max and his sister Jackie, as well as Linda Anderson and Charlotte Holder. Nothing fancy—just good, comforting food from the heart. Max is progressing and starting physical therapy, though he continues to have considerable pain. Linda is healing beautifully from her fall and is nearly back to her joyful self. Charlotte’s surgery is today (Tuesday), and I will keep you posted as I learn more.

This coming Sunday is already the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Love. As I read back over everything I’ve asked of you in this newsletter—your prayers, your presence, your service—I’m struck by how clearly this church reflects the body of Christ. The way you care for one another, lift one another up, and offer hope is exactly what Jesus intended for His people.

Our next steps—reaching into our neighborhood, diversifying our congregation, and offering programs beyond Sunday mornings—will help us continue to grow in God’s grace and truth. I am grateful for you, and for your commitment to the gospel work unfolding at Saint Matthew.

Stay warm, be blessed,

Mary