Christmas Comes

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to recent damage caused by broken water pipes in the Sanctuary area, our Blended One Worship Service at 10:30 am
and CCH Service at 12:30 pm on Sunday, January 1 will be held in The Gym.

New Year’s Day | Epiphany Sunday
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that I hope you’ll take the time to watch my video message here. I wanted to give you a real time picture of where we stand financially with a bit more than 72 hours remaining in the calendar year, as well as an update on the location of our worship service this Sunday. Also, scroll down for detailed information regarding year-end giving.

The traditional Christmas story from Luke’s Gospel concludes with the words: “And Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  The impact of Bethlehem was such that she could not forget, could not get the moment and images out of her head.

Though the tree needles have fallen, the wrapping paper has been discarded, the first set of toy batteries is already burned out, and the thank you notes are clamoring to be done, still something of the magic lingers. There are memories, images, voices, hugs and laughter that remain fresh and real. We ponder it all in our hearts, knowing that Christmas made us different somehow. Perhaps it was the church decorations, Angels from the Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, children’s programs, caroling, parties, Praise Team, Sanctuary Choir, Children’s Nativity, Rainbow Live Nativity, or holding a candle as we sang “Silent Night” in a standing room only crowd on Christmas Eve.

Thank you for introducing me to friends and family. I had the best view in the house on Christmas Eve. There is nothing quite like looking out over our Sanctuary or Gymnasium filled with candles sharing the light of Christ. I think, as well, of the cards … and calls … and hugs … and food … and cookies … and candy … each gesture offering love that is unearned and undeserved but appreciated more than my words can convey. Through each of the events and all the people who made them real, the Wilson family experienced the arrival of God’s chosen one in the manger of our lives. I must say thank you.

As we enter a New Year, I pray that the meaning of what we have just experienced will linger and we will ponder it in our hearts. For in so doing, what happened for Mary happens for us; her child so wonderfully changes us that, in time, we become instruments through which a weary, waiting world is likewise changed.

As we wind down 2022, I want to say THANK YOU for your generosity this past year. Your worshipful giving has paved the way for God to do some great work in and through Matthews United Methodist Church, to love and serve people in our church, in our community and around the globe.

Wednesday Devotional

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch my devotional for the week titled, Christmas Comes.

Financial Update & Year-End Giving Guidelines

Thank you for expressing your faithfulness through financial generosity during 2022!  We still need $209,563 to meet our 2022 budget goal.

December is traditionally our strongest month for giving, yet the volatility of the stock market right now has us facing more uncertainty than usual. While we are monitoring our expenses and are hoping to end the year with a modest surplus, we need to finish the year strong to begin next year with confidence. Please prayerfully consider your financial support of the church this month. Know that your faithful response is deeply appreciated, and the ministries we collectively support are truly changing lives!

View our Year-End Giving Guidelines here. Financial contributions to our church received or postmarked by December 31, 2022 will receive 2022 tax credit. Contributions can be sent by mail (postmarked by December 31), online (in transit by December 31) or in-person (by December 31 at 5:00 pm). This week, the Church Office will be open Wednesday & Thursday, December 28 & 29 from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. On Friday & Saturday, December 30 & 31, you may place your contribution in the designated lockbox on the Admin Hall door at the Church Office (please enter through front doors by the exterior mailboxes between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm). To make a stock or charitable fund contribution or if you have questions, contact Debbie Fitts at 704-841-7672 or debbie@matthewsumc.org.

Lastly, thank you for your Estimate of Giving Pledges you are making for 2023! It is not too late to make a commitment to help support our ministries for 2023.

This Sunday in Worship 

Due to damage to our facility from broken water pipes in the Sanctuary area, our 10:30 blended service and our 12:30 CCH (Spanish-speaking) service will be held in the Gym.

In our CCH service (12:30 in the Gym), Pastor Roldan’s sermon is from Luke 5:1-5 and is titled, God’s Way. They will be sharing Holy Communion this Sunday.

Our morning community will gather for one service of worship at 10:30 am in the Gym (in person or online). We’ll do a lot of singing and then have a special message from Pastor Paul. His sermon is from Matthew 2:1-5 and is titled, The Wise Men Followed.

And now, during these hopeful days of Christmas, remember … God does God’s best work in moments like this.

Humbled to worship the newborn King with you.
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that Paige Ross graduated on December 16 from UNC-Charlotte with her Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education? She currently teaches at Philips Academy and focuses on coordinating the transition for young adults with disabilities into adulthood, greater independence, and employment. She will continue on in this role post-graduation.

Did you know the Anchored in Faith Sunday Morning Group celebrated the end of their first fall together? They have a good little community and welcome any and all adults to join in the group on Sunday mornings at 11:00 am in the Conference Room next to the Chapel. Click here to learn a little more about this new group.