Saint Matthew United Methodist Church

  • Kids’ News

    Sue Kelcey

    We’re starting a new study with the kids—”God Creates the Earth.” God’s first masterpiece is the Earth, and it’s far from simple or insignificant. Creating it took time and intention. For several days, God carefully crafted the world, making it better and better each day. You can almost sense a rhythm as the story unfolds. God’s creation wasn’t a one-time event but a process, with each day building on the work of the previous one. And most importantly, God took pride in His work, as the story reminds us, “God saw how good it was.”

    God’s creativity is an inspiration to us all, reminding us that we can keep creating and that our creativity is always seen as good. There’s so much more to learn about God’s creation, and we can’t wait to explore it together. See you in church on Sunday!

    Blessings

  • Saint Matthew Today for September 4, 2024

    Jason Hardy
    2024-09-04 St Matthew TodayDownload

  • We’re Free—but Sometimes God Pushes

    Jason Hardy
    YouTube player

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

    https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/saintmatthewumc/episodes/Were-Freebut-Sometimes-God-Pushes-e2nvleg
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  • Jesus—IS—the Word

    Max Brennan

    By “Conservative,” I mean Christians who read the Bible as though it is inerrant. They see it as accurate cover-to-cover.

    But this way of reading the Bible can make people less loving, and less moral.

    For example, Deut. 21:18 says that parents with a son who refuses to obey them should haul the kid before the elders at the city gate and have him stoned to death.

    You won’t find that in modern parenting manuals.

    It’s a horrendous idea.

    It is ancient ignorance.

    And it’s no way to treat your kid.

    But Biblical inerrantists must defend that passage. And since this is part of the Old Testament law, they must even say that killing the child was God’s idea.

    If you are in a conservative church, ask your pastor about this. He will defend this passage and say killing the child was God’s will.

    Of course, we should all know better. The passage is not Christian.

    It does not reflect the teachings of Jesus or even common decency.

    But the conservative pastor feels he must defend the passage and must blame it on God.

    Because it is in the Bible.

    It is important for us to know that there is a Bible within the Bible.

    The heart of scripture is Jesus and his teachings.

    Anything in the Bible that does not reflect his love cannot be right.

    Jesus—IS—the Word!

    Biblical inerrancy causes many Christians to be morally indecisive. It is why so many who claim Christ can support “the orange guy.”

    They have been taught immorality all their lives sitting in pews on Sundays.

    Biblical inerrancy can lead to political evil.

    (Worship at 11:00.)

  • Max’s Corner

    Max Brennan

    Last Sunday

    I told you something you have never heard a preacher say: The world is what God intended it to be. It is not a mistake. God did not goof, and God never regretted making us. The world is the hard-knocks school God sends us to—to grow, to learn, to find God. The Adam and Eve story tells us we are cursed, but Jesus tells us we are blessed—even with the pain and suffering in the world. And I’m sticking with Jesus.

    This Sunday—Communion

    This Sunday’s sermon: “We’re Free—but Sometimes God Pushes.” Yes, freedom is what this is all about. We are free, but never alone. God is with us at every moment. God sees our every move and knows our every thought. And sometimes—God breaks in.

    This is what a lot of Christians do not know: God does stuff! God meddles. God intervenes. That’s what I will be talking about.

    We will gather at the Lord’s Table this Sunday.

    NDE Class

    There is a hell. There has to be. Everybody must go somewhere when they die, and all are not ready for heaven. Some people don’t even want heaven, and they surely do not want God. So, says my sister, this week in the NDE class, we will look at “Hell and Other Bad Environs.”

    Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

    Speaking of Breakfast

    This is “Winston Week.” Feel free to help.

    Food and fellowship at 10:30.

    Singing

    I am happiest when I am singing. I feel closest to God when I am singing.

    You know what’s going to happen some Sunday soon? We are going to spend the whole worship hour singing—just singing—with a little talk in between.

    I long to sing with you Sunday.

    See you in church. Do come—if you can.

    God Bless—MB