Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

  • Kids’ News – Jesus and the Miraculous Catch

    Sue Kelcey

    Have you ever worked really hard at something and still came up empty?

    After Jesus had risen, some of the disciples went back to fishing on the lake (John 21:1–14). They fished all night long but didn’t catch a single fish. As morning came, they saw someone standing on the shore. At first, they didn’t realize it was Jesus.

    Jesus called out to them and told them to throw their net on the other side of the boat. It might have sounded strange, but they listened, and suddenly their net was so full of fish they could barely pull it in. When they finally counted them, there were 153 fish, so many that they could hardly believe it.

    That’s when they realized it was Jesus. Peter was so excited that he jumped right into the water and swam to shore to be with him. When the others arrived, they found that Jesus had already prepared breakfast, with fish and bread waiting for them by the fire.

    Even after everything that had happened, Jesus was still caring for them, providing for them, and spending time with them.

    This story reminds us that Jesus is always with us, even when we don’t recognize him right away. When we feel tired, discouraged, or unsure, Jesus meets us where we are. He provides what we need, and he invites us to trust him, even when things don’t seem to be working.

    What We Learned

    • Jesus is with us, even when we don’t realize it
    • We can trust Jesus, even when things don’t go as planned
    • Jesus provides more than we expect
    • We are never alone

    We loved seeing all of our wonderful kids this Sunday as we started working on something special for Mother’s Day. We hope to see you again this week!

  • A Word from our Church Family

    Jason Hardy

    We give thanks for the many ways God’s love is shared through the life of our church.
    This past Sunday, our choir offered a beautiful and moving expression of worship. Their singing was truly transcendent, lifting our hearts and filling the sanctuary with a spirit of reverence, joy, and praise.

    We are also grateful for Hanna Newcomer Sliva and the message she shared with us. Through her words and presence, we were reminded of what it means to be the body of Christ, living and growing together in love.

    Each week, we continue to come together in worship, fellowship, and service, experiencing the love of God in meaningful ways through music, prayer, and shared life.

  • Newsletter for April 22, 2026

    Jason Hardy
    2026-04-22 St Matthew TodayDownload

  • Churchology

    Jason Hardy
    YouTube player

    To watch the full service online, click here.

    What does it mean to be the Church?

    In Churchology, Hanna Newcomer Sliva invites us to see the Church not as a building or a program, but as a people formed together in Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 4:11–16, we are reminded that each of us has been given gifts to share, not for ourselves alone, but for the strengthening of the whole body. When we live into those gifts, we begin to grow—individually and together—into the fullness of Christ.

    This growth does not happen all at once, and it does not happen alone. As we walk alongside one another, we are shaped by grace, encouraged in faith, and grounded in truth. Even in seasons of change, Christ remains the one who holds the Church together, guiding us toward unity, maturity, and deeper love.

    As we look ahead, we are invited to take our place within this shared life. Each act of service, each moment of care, each step of faith becomes part of how the Church is built up. Together, rooted in Christ, we continue to grow into who God is calling us to be.

    Take Time to Reflect

    • Where do you see your gifts being used to build up the body of Christ?
    • How is God inviting you to grow alongside others in this season?
    • What does it look like for us to live as the Church together this week?

    Ephesians 4:11-16 New International Version

    11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

    14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey

    Walking with Jesus, Even When We Don’t See Him

    It was the first day of the week, the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Two of his disciples were walking together, talking about everything that had happened. As they walked along the road, Jesus came and joined them. But somehow, they did not recognize him.

    As they talked, the disciples shared the story of Jesus, not realizing they were speaking to him. When they reached the village of Emmaus, Jesus acted as if he were going on ahead. But they urged him to stay and join them for a meal. When they sat down at the table, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. It was a familiar moment, something they had seen before. And in that moment, they finally recognized him.

    Jesus had been with them all along. This reminds us that Jesus is still with us today. He is with us when we gather, when we share meals, and when we care for one another. Sometimes we recognize him not in words, but in the quiet, meaningful moments that feel full of love and peace.

    What We Learned:

    • Jesus is with us, even when we don’t recognize it right away
    • We can notice Jesus in simple, familiar moments
    • Sharing and caring for others helps us see God’s love
    • We are never walking alone

    We were so happy to have the twins with us on Sunday, and if you were there, you may even have seen the baby chicks. We hope to see you in church again this Sunday.