Gratitude & Contentment

25th Sunday after Pentecost | Joash Chest Commitment Sunday | Beyond Hospitality
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that Sunday was week #3 in our generosity emphasis, Beyond Hospitality. It was also one of highest, holiest Sundays in the Christian calendar: All Saints Sunday. Be sure to click here to worship and participate in the Roll Call of the Saints.

This past Sunday, I also reminded us of John Wesley’s (the founder of our Methodist movement) helpful words from October 6, 1774: “I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them, 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy: 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against: And, 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” This is deep, insightful wisdom coming to us from 250 years ago.

Let me highlight a few things from the week for you:

• Hurricane Relief – Our faithful workers continue to receive hurricane relief items from compassionate people all over our area. We are preparing for our next big truck load.
• Meet the Pastors – Pastors Bill, Paul and Chuck (yours truly) were able to meet on Sunday with a great group of potential new members. I’m blown away by the people God continues to send our way.
• Men’s Breakfast – Our gatherings (the first Saturday of the month) are always a highlight for me. This past Saturday was a powerful time listening to a couple of Vietnam War veterans (Urb Brinker and friend) telling us of harrowing battlefield service and air conflicts. It was riveting story-telling.
• Chain of Compassion – I was so honored to drop by a luncheon in The Commons on Sunday and say a special word of thanks to nearly 25 women who serve among our families who are facing death and grief. They offer hurting persons practical service, listening hearts, food, and so much more. These women are beyond compare. They are the backbone to our ministry with grieving families.

Video Devotional

What if we were to assign a monetary figure to our favorite memories? What would be the monetary equivalent of those memories? How much money would we need to have to feel as happy as any of those events?”

I hope you’ll watch my devotional for this week, Gratitude & Contentment.

Laity Service Award Recipients

Each year Matthews United Methodist honors several amazing individuals who are emblematic of the heart and soul of Jesus. This year we celebrate several in our midst: Dale Elam, Don & Deborah Morrison, Beau Snider, and Belkis Ospino with CCH. These are amazing people who lead us in servant leadership. They were recognized at the Metro District Worship Service on October 20th, and we will recognize them in worship at MUMC this Sunday. You can read more here.

Upcoming Events

• Commitment Sunday – November 10 – In all our morning worship services, we will be celebrating our Veterans as well as sharing together in the culmination of our Beyond Hospitality efforts. Please prepare to make your commitments to our General Fund for 2025 and our Capital Campaign for the next three years. If you are unable to attend worship this Sunday, you can submit your pledges online here.
• MAGI Spiritual Gifts Workshop – Saturday, November 16, 8:30-12:00. Details
• Operation Christmas Child Boxes due November 17! Boxes available at MUMC OR pack a box online.
• Angel Tree – Select an angel from the tree starting this Sunday & return gifts by Dec.1! Details
• Arts & Crafts Extravaganza – Saturday, November 23, 9:00-2:00. Details
• Community Thanksgiving Service – Sunday, November 24, 5:00 pm at Morning Star Lutheran Church (12509 Idlewild Rd, Matthews) Details
• Advent Study: The Christmas Letters – Purchase book here. Hear about the miracle of Christ’s birth from those who first told the story.
  • Monday Morning Women’s Study, 10:00-11:30 am, December 2-23, Led by Carolyn Perlman, Register here.
  • Wednesday Evenings, 7:00-8:30 pm, December 4-December 18, Led by Jessica Fraser, Register here.

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you this Sunday to join us in person at 8:15 (traditional), 9:30 (contemporary), 9:30 (Family Worship in the Gym), and 11:00 (traditional), or online at 9:30, 11:00 or 12:30 (Spanish – in person or here on demand).

In our Spanish-speaking CCH (Centro Cristiano Hosanna) community, Pastor Roldan begins a new worship series based on the Old Testament book of Daniel, titled Surviving in Babylon, This Sunday, Pastor Roldan will be preaching from Daniel 3:15-18 and the theme is Protect Your Convictions.

All are welcome to join us at 9:30 in the Gym for Family Worship, an interactive, high-energy worship service for the whole family. This month we’ll be looking at the virtue of Generosity, as we explore how God can help us to “Make someone’s day by giving something away!” Plan to stay following the service for refreshments and a mission project, where we’ll create a special gift for kids in Swannanoa effected by the recent flooding.

Sunday will be such a special day: honoring our Veterans, celebrating outstanding church leaders, and our annual generosity effort we’re calling Beyond Hospitality. This is the Sunday each year when we make financial commitments to support the ongoing ministry (General Fund) of the church. But this time, there is a bit of a twist, as we are also making commitments to a 3-year period to support some important upfits to our Sanctuary (Building Fund). This day is one of my favorites of the year because I love watching you stream forward with moving devotion of generosity. My sermon is titled There’s a Lot More Where That Came From. I hope you’ll read Romans 8:31-39 in preparation for Sunday.

I hope you’ll consider inviting someone to church with you on Sunday, who may have never seen people making sacrificial commitments to make God’s love real to our community and world. Rest assured, your guests will hear some of the finest music imaginable. Who knows, it may be just what someone in your world needs.

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

In the Community. For the Community,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

 

Did you know that Hope for Minds & Hearts (our mental health ministry) wants to remind us that Veterans Day, November 11, is a time to remember military mental health – to help to break down the stigma of mental health issues among soldiers, veterans, their families, and medical staff to ensure that a greater number of military families receive the prompt and high-quality care they deserve. For further information, click here.

Did you know that Zoe Empowers, our Global Impact partner, has empowered over 214,953 young people since 2007 in East African countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and more? A mission trip is planned for September 9-18, 2025. Please read the invitation and complete this interest form to learn more.

Did you know that the Lambert High School Men’s Lacrosse team from Suwanee, Ga brought 5 vehicles filled with supplies for our friends in Western NC? Thank you, God, for the many generous donations from near and far that have filled our gym. These donations will go to neighbors impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Did you know that Gray Burch hauled 96 cleaning kits to Black Mountain, NC for those impacted by Hurricane Helene? These kits were assembled by YOU in the Gym last Sunday. Thank you, Gray & MUMC!