I am still taking in all that is happening in the life of our church. This is a meaningful and tender time for all of us, and I find myself holding it with both humility and gratitude. Being named your senior pastor is a blessing I do not take lightly. Over the past year, God has been at work in my life in a deeply transformative way, and you have been an important part of that journey. Your faithfulness and commitment to Saint Matthew have given me strength and encouragement along the way.
I am also deeply grateful for Rev. Mike Love and Susan Love. Their presence among us is a gift, and I trust that God has brought them here to walk with us during this season. As we continue forward, we do so while honoring the many years of faithful service that have shaped this church, and we give thanks for the life and ministry that have brought us to where we are today.
This is a time to move gently and faithfully. We will take our time, honoring what has been and preparing for what is to come. We trust that God is guiding us, even now, and that we are being led where we need to be.
As we look ahead to Easter, we will have Easter lily order forms available on Thursday and Friday for those who would like to honor or remember loved ones during this holy season.
When I think about being in ministry together, my heart is filled with joy. I am thankful to be walking this path with you, and I trust that God is not finished with us yet.
As we gathered on Palm Sunday, we were invited into a familiar story, yet one that still asks something new of us each time we hear it. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowd asks a simple but powerful question: “Who is this?” It is a question that echoes beyond the streets of that city and into our own lives today. In moments of uncertainty and change, we find ourselves asking the same thing, seeking to understand who Jesus truly is for us.
In the midst of a world that often feels unsettled, we are reminded that Jesus does not come with power as we expect it. He comes in humility, riding on a donkey, offering not domination but peace, not force but presence. Through the story of a father’s love and sacrifice, we are given a glimpse of what it means to say that Christ comes for us. His life, his journey, and even this moment in Jerusalem are not distant events, but expressions of God’s care for each of us.
This is a time to move through life with honesty about the turmoil around us, while also holding onto the hope that Christ is present within it. As we continue toward Easter, we are invited to reflect on who Jesus is in our own lives and how we are called to respond. We may not have every answer, but we are not without guidance. Christ is with us, leading us forward with grace and purpose.
✨ Take Time to Reflect
Where do you see Christ present in the midst of uncertainty or change in your life?
When you ask, “Who is this?” what answer is beginning to take shape for you?
How might you respond to Christ’s presence with trust and openness this week?
Matthew 21:1-11 (New International Version)
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Zechariah 9:9 New International Version
The Coming of Zion’s King
9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
As I step into this new season with our church family, my heart is filled with deep gratitude for the foundation that has been laid by Rev. Max Brennan and the countless families of Saint Matthew United Methodist Church. Max’s departure marks the close of an extraordinary chapter, one built on steadfast devotion, gentle leadership, and a sincere love for God’s people. Clearly, this congregation has been shaped in meaningful ways by years of thoughtful teaching, compassionate care, and a ministry rooted in grace.
Although I am not new to Saint Matthew, this is a new experience for me and for you. Many things will not change in this new season. My love and respect for you will not change, except to grow stronger as we grow together in Christ. I have already walked with you through seasons of celebration and seasons of sorrow. The strength of this community, the deep sense of connection, and the spirit of hospitality I have witnessed are evidence of your love and respect for one another.
Stepping into this role is both humbling and inspiring. I do not come to replace Pastor Max. No one can ever replicate the unique calling, gifts, and experiences that shaped the ministry he offered over the years. Instead, I come to build upon that legacy, honoring what has been while walking with you into what God is preparing next.
Transitions are sacred moments. They invite us to look back with thankfulness and forward with expectancy. As we bless Pastor Max into his next adventure, we celebrate not an ending, but a new beginning, both for the pastor who has faithfully served and for this congregation that continues to grow, evolve, and seek God’s leading.
Someone said to me on Sunday, “It is difficult to carry grief in one hand and joy in the other.” That wise soul is correct, and living in the bittersweet is something this congregation has done together for decades. We are always in a season of birth and death, health and illness, crisis and peace. More importantly, we are always in the presence of God, who loves us without limit and walks with us through these transitions.
I am honored to join you in this next chapter. My hope is to listen well, to learn from the rich history of this community, and to serve with courage and humility. Together, we will continue the good work that God has started here, trusting that the seeds planted by Pastor Max will keep bearing fruit in the years to come.
Please join me in prayer as this new season of rest, renewal, and discovery begins. May it be filled with joy, peace, and the assurance that a lifetime of faithful ministry has made a lasting difference.
I look forward to walking this journey with each of you, and I am grateful for the privilege of being your pastor.
