Things You Might Want to Give Up for Lent

2^nd Sunday in Lent | February 24, 2021
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that we entered the Season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 17. Pastor Paul powerfully introduced us to our Lenten journey with his Ash Wednesday message. You can watch by clicking here.

This past Wednesday, a group of 13 Matthews United Methodist (MUMC) members, led by Sam Hatcher, Kim Layton and Howard Nussman participated in a virtual learning simulation called The Racial Wealth Gap. Together they explored the relationship between wealth, poverty and hunger, plus some of the history that has led to a measurable gap in wealth between white and black households across the U.S. One participant said, “I would highly recommend this class, maybe even offering it to specific groups such as Sunday School classes, women’s and men’s groups, college-age or youth groups. Everyone in our church needs this information!” Thank you, Sam, Kim and Howard, for giving MUMC this opportunity to better love our neighbors. The Racial Wealth Gap simulation will be offered again on April 17, 10 am to Noon. You can register for the simulation here.

Thank you for your patience with us on Sunday morning as we began to incorporate some new equipment and a new platform to broadcast our Sunday worship services. Everything was okay with our 11 am service (please view here), but regretfully the 9:30 hour had difficulties that prohibited us from sharing the stream. We are in a state of continuous improvement and will keep working the kinks out.

Wednesday Devotional

My Wednesday devotional is titled, “Things You Might Want to Give Up for Lent.”  Click here to watch Part 1 and here to watch Part 2.

New Study to Begin on March 9: The Color of Compromise

I’m really excited about this new study, The Color of Compromise. It all begins on Tuesday, March 9, 7 pm, and then gather again on the second Tuesday of each month for six months. Our study will be facilitated by Howard Nussman. Pastor Larry Whitley, from the Mt. Moriah Church and I will be joining him as well. I have found The Color of Compromise to be both enlightening and compelling as it tells a history we either ignore or just don’t know. It is equal parts painful and inspirational as it details how the American church has helped create and maintain racist ideas and practices. It concludes by guiding us in our thinking through concrete solutions for improved race relations and a racially inclusive church.

Please know, The Color of Compromise is not a call to shame or a platform to blame white Christians. It is a call from a place of love and desire to strive for a more racially unified church that no longer compromises what the Bible teaches about human dignity and equality. It is a call that challenges black and white Christians alike to standup now and begin implementing the concrete ways for a more equitable and inclusive environment among God’s people.

I do hope you’ll join us beginning on March 9. For more information, please click here.

Interested in Serving in Elected Leadership at MUMC?

Our Leadership Development Team (LDT) is beginning their work of identifying church members to serve on our elected leadership teams beginning in February 2022.  These teams include Administrative Council, Finance, Trustees, Staff-Parish Relations, Endowment, Global Impact and Leadership Development.  If you are interested in exploring leadership and would like to find out more information, please reach out to me at 704-847-6261 ext 104.

This Sunday in Worship

Join us for online worship this Sunday at 9:30 am (contemporary), 11:00 am (traditional) or 12:30 (Spanish-speaking).

This week our CCH community will gather for worship at 12:30 pm and continue the worship series, Safe Friendship in Uncertain Times. Pastor Roldan will be preaching from James 2:20-26. with his message titled, “Genuine Faith in Uncertain Times.”

At 9:30 am and 11:00 am we journey along The Jesus Way, our Lenten worship series. This Sunday we will tackle one of the most difficult passages in the entire Bible; the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22.  Click here for a snapshot view of the sermons leading through Lent to Easter. I hope to see you on Sunday.

And, as always, during these strange, uncertain, tumultuous and perilous days remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

We are in this … together,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II