Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

  • Kids’ News – Faith in the Fire

    Sue Kelcey

    King Nebuchadnezzar made a giant gold statue and said, “When the music plays, everyone must bow down and worship it” (Daniel 3:5). If anyone refused, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

    The music played, and everyone bowed—except three young men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The king shouted, “If you don’t bow down, you’ll be thrown into the fire. Then what god could save you?” (Daniel 3:15).

    The three answered bravely: “The God we serve is able to save us. But even if He does not, we want you to know that we will never worship your statue” (Daniel 3:17–18).

    The king was furious! He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter and had them thrown inside. But when he looked, he gasped: “Didn’t we throw three men into the fire? Look! I see four men walking around unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:24–25).

    God kept them safe—no burns, not even the smell of smoke on their clothes. The king then praised the one true God who had rescued them.

    This story shows us that God is with us in scary times. Even when others pressure us to do wrong, we can stand strong in our faith.

    What We Learned:

    • Only God deserves our worship.
    • Trust God, even when it’s hard.
    • God is always with us in tough times.
    • Our faith can help others see God’s power.

  • Newsletter for September 3, 2025

    Jason Hardy
    2025-09-03 St Matthew TodayDownload

  • Jesus Stoops to Conquer

    Jason Hardy
    YouTube player

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

    https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/CDmfJc7AlWb

    Tags:

  • Friday’s Word

    Max Brennan

    It is sad that the impending death of our democracy is largely a product of conservative Christianity.

    Bad theology equals dangerous theology. Conservative theology is exclusive, pushing those who are most vulnerable in our society beyond the pale of concern. That includes the poor, immigrants, and our gay friends and loved ones.

    So, what can we do? We can support churches that preach the inclusive love of the Gospel. Like St. Matthew.

    We enjoy your love from afar, but there are times when we would like for you to show up. Like tomorrow evening—Saturday, Aug. 30, at 6:00 PM.

    We will host a concert of Broadway music from our vocal “stars”—singers every bit the equal of the Broadway originals. (I kid you not.) And listen! In these hard times, when the struggle is before us, we need to be lifted. I can promise you joy. And laughter. And—supper!

    It is all free, but we will take an offering for Eastside Ministries, which helps feed those in need in our community.

    By the way, we are looking for customers on Sunday mornings, too. Worship with us is worth your effort—and even a little drive time. Come to my class at 9:45, the only place you can study my next book, Discovering God. After class, join us for breakfast, followed by worship at 11:00.

    Don’t let the churches with bad theology get all the support. Stand with us!

    Start Saturday night with the concert. That’s at 6:00. Meet me at the door.

    [email protected]
    saintmatthewumc.com

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan

    It’s important!

    It will be more fun than anything you can find on TV. And we need—yes, I said need—you. Our great singers work so hard on these concerts. Their effort must be rewarded with people who care enough to come.

    And you deserve to be here! You deserve to have a little fun. And an uplift in your spirits.

    If you have not heard our “star” singers do their Broadway thing, you just don’t know how good they are. We are privileged to have this kind of music at St. Matthew.

    So, put aside all else and come this Saturday, Aug. 30, at 6:00 for the big show: “A Night on Broadway.” Supper after. (Some of you are bringing desserts.)

    Please!—give our great singers a great audience to sing for. Make this a wonderful evening. It is all free. But it is a fundraiser for Eastside Ministries. An offering will be taken. There are families depending on us for help. We give that help this Saturday. At 6:00.

    Watching Online

    Wow! The picture is beautiful and the new camera angles enrich the experience. And we will conquer that sound problem. (Way too low.) Our guys will soon have it licked. Chuy and the crew from 4Stage will finish all work this Friday. There is one more pew to go in (at the back—don’t fight over it) and a device that will allow us to have all of the microphones up front that we want. It will take 16—more than we will ever need. But right now, we can’t even do four mics for a quartet. And for the ones we do have, 100-ft. cables run over carpet through one transept, covered in tape. Jerry-rigged. Tell Jerry he is out of business. We’re doing it right.

    My Class

    We are looking at how our study of experience has changed our belief system. Truth is, the study of the experience of God gives us a new understanding of who we are as humans—and a new understanding of our relationship to God. It brings us more in line with the teachings of Jesus—but less in line with the teachings of most churches. Get in on the discussion. You are welcome to this class. At 9:45—followed by breakfast.

    Breakfast this Sunday

    It’s a “we-bring” Sunday. (Great breakfast last week.) Help, if you can. At 10:30.

    This Sunday

    My sermon: The Shocking Story of the Woman at the Well. She’s got the bucket. But He’s got the water. Come, let us be uplifted, encouraged, through worship and thanksgiving.

    Love to our folk who have been ill or had surgery lately. We look for the day when you can return.

    God Bless—MB

    Hey! Do whatever you need to do to REMEMBER the concert Saturday night. Tie a string around your refrigerator—or stick your chewing gum in a new spot on the bedpost. But remember! And come!