• This Sunday, we talked about prayer—and the story we heard was full of emotion, honesty, and love. It took place in one of the most important places in Jesus’s life: the Garden of Gethsemane.

    After sharing the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus knew that His time on earth was almost over. He went to the garden to pray, and He took Peter, James, and John with Him. Jesus didn’t try to hide His feelings—He told His friends that He was sad and troubled, and He asked them to stay awake and pray with Him.

    But something surprising happened. Even though Jesus was full of emotion and needed their support, the disciples kept falling asleep. Not once, not twice, but three times. Every time Jesus returned, they were sleeping.

    Still, Jesus didn’t get angry. He just kept doing what He came to do: He prayed. He asked God to take away the suffering He was about to face, but in the end, He said something really powerful:

    “Not what I want, but what You want.” (Luke 22:42)

    This story shows us a lot about who Jesus is. He didn’t pretend to be okay. He didn’t pretend not to be scared. But He still turned to God and trusted that He wouldn’t be alone.

    What We Learned

    ✔ Jesus prayed even when He was scared or sad—He showed us that it’s okay to bring all our feelings to God.

    ✔ His prayer wasn’t answered the way He asked—but He still trusted God’s plan.

    ✔ We may not always feel strong, but we can always choose to pray and trust that God hears us.

    ✔ We want to be like Jesus—honest in our emotions, but faithful in our trust.


    This week, we had 10 amazing kids in class, and we celebrated something beautiful—the baptisms of Jade, Remy, and Erik! What a meaningful moment as we prepare for Easter.

    Julie Ann helped sort and match eggs from last year (we now have a full basket of empty eggs!). Nan and I went shopping, and thanks to some generous helpers, we’ve got plenty of treats to fill them. And yes—the Easter Bunny confirms there will be lots of eggs and two golden eggs!

    Don’t forget—our Easter Egg Hunt is this Sunday at 10:00 AM sharp, so be sure to arrive a little early! All of the eggs will have a treat inside—not just candy—and we’ll have two golden eggs hidden with special surprises. After the hunt, the kids will enjoy a fun Easter movie with popcorn and drinks while parents head into worship. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!



  • Standing on Solid Rock

    YouTube player

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

    https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/saintmatthewumc/episodes/Struggling-with-Doubt–Heres-How-to-Strengthen-Your-Faith-e319sa6

  • I am working again on my book Discovering God, a project of many years.
    Subtitle: What We Know through Religious and Near-Death Experiences.

    I am “teaching through it” every Sunday morning at 9:45.
    We are learning in the class that there is no good reason not to believe in God.
    God is accessible.
    God communicates.
    God reveals God—to any who will listen.

    I have been interested in religious (or transcendent) experiences since I was 14. God gave an audible reply to a prayer.
    I was in a bit of a bad mood. I said, after I prayed, “Nobody heard me.”
    A voice clearly replied, “I heard you.”

    At age 19, I stepped into my front yard on the farm to look up at the sky and pray.
    I did look up.
    But before I could say a word of my prayer, I was hit with a joy so strong I thought it would kill me.
    Literally! I asked God to stop. I could take no more joy.
    I had no idea what had happened to me.

    I found William James’ masterpiece, The Varieties of Religious Experience, in my college library.
    I realized I had had a mystical experience.
    I cover a wide range of spiritual experiences in my book, including NDEs.

    Everyone!
    I say everyone should have a chance to discuss the profound experiences we cover in the class.
    I would offer this class on a Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 7:30, if twelve people sign up for it.
    If interested, drop me an e-mail. (Or come on Sunday morning.)
    It is life-changing.

    saintmatthewumc.com
    [email protected]


  • Max’s Corner

    Note: I know some in the church have signed up for a Thursday evening edition of the Discovering God class, but we would need others from beyond the church to sign up to have enough for a class. We will see what response I get.

    Discovering God Class

    What a good discussion we had last week!
    This week, we meet Mrs. Schwartz. This will challenge us.
    Class at 9:45. Breakfast after.

    Breakfast this Sunday

    This is a “Winston Sunday.” Feel free to help!
    Breakfast is at 10:30. (Great breakfast last week!)

    Last Sunday and This

    I loved the music we sang last Sunday. And Julian’s solo was phenomenal.
    (Shannon has also sung a moving version of Above All for us.)
    Mary may preach this Sunday.
    And three of our children will be baptized.

    Monday Was Recovery

    My sister and I went with a friend to see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their final tour last Friday.
    Why final tour? They—and their fans like me—are old.
    They were great, and the concert venue in Grand Prairie is a fine place for music, but it is not user-friendly for anyone with bad knees. Painful! Getting in and out.
    I was still getting around more poorly than usual last Sunday.
    Doing better by late Monday.

    In spite of my wobble, Sunday was a wonderful day.
    I am only saddened for our folks who are ill.

    Please pray for Dewayne and Sheila Taylor’s daughter-in-law, who is facing cancer.
    May God’s love surround and uphold this family.

    John Reynolds, long-time member—elderly and infirm—is in recovery. He is a little improved.
    Carol Bennett’s brother remains in our prayers.

    Love to all of you.
    See you Sunday.
    God bless — MB