Charles Dickens & Mercy

2nd Sunday of Christmas
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that, in 1990, I was working hard on my doctorate from Emory University. One of my doctoral experiences was to spend a few days at the Carter Center in Atlanta and explore the many insights of peace, human rights and justice. In those days, I gathered a deep respect for our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. Today, I mourn the death of former President Jimmy Carter and celebrate his remarkable life of 100 years.

A U.S. Navy lieutenant, a peanut farmer, a humble Sunday School teacher who rose to become a global leader, President Carter carved his own path, advancing from the Georgia Senate to the governor’s mansion to the highest office in the land when he was elected president of the United States in 1976.

Until the end of his life, President Carter responded to some of the world’s greatest challenges to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope.” In 2002, President Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. During his Nobel lecture, he said, “The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.” These are words Jimmy Carter lived by — choosing hope and common purpose over conflict and discord, time and again.

The same could be said of the people in the Christmas story from Luke’s Gospel. The impact of Bethlehem was such that no one could forget, nor could they get the moment and images out of their heads.

Though the tree needles have fallen, the wrapping paper has been discarded, the first set of batteries for the toys is already burned out, turkey is no longer a pleasant culinary thought, 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. And we ponder it all in our hearts, knowing that Christmas made us different somehow.

Perhaps it was decorating around the church, Carols After Work, serving a meal for our Hoskin’s Park friends, your Christmas Angels, The Light of Christmas Concert, Operation Christmas Child, children’s programs, the caroling, the parties, the Children’s Nativity, serving our homeless friends through Room in the Inn, or the lighted candles as we sang Silent Night on Christmas Eve. We had about 2400 people with us in 7 different worship services, with hundreds more online, which included many attending MUMC for the first time. 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 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 underserved but appreciated more than my words can convey. In each of the events I’ve mentioned… and in 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 want to say thanks.

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

By the way, if you missed Pastor Paul’s outstanding message for us on the First Sunday after Christmas, you can worship by clicking here.

Wednesday Devotional

One afternoon, needing a break from preparing a lecture, Charles Dickens took an afternoon stroll in Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirkyard. In his journal, he described how one gravestone’s etchings caught his attention: “Ebenezer Lennon Scroogie – A Mean Man.” Dickens mulled the stark description, concocting a story of a miserly man so harsh and joyless to deserve such an epitaph. A Christmas Carol was born.

I hope you’ll watch my devotional for this week, which is titled Charles Dickens and Mercy. I think it is a good word for the New Year.

Pastor Paul’s Retirement

Sunday, January 26 will be Paul Craig’s last Sunday to be with us. He will be preaching in all three of our morning worship hours that morning. Please plan to help honor him at a County Fair-themed reception beginning at 12 noon in The Commons. Bring cards/notes of thanks & gratitude for Pastor Paul and place them in the designated baskets. We will present these to Pastor Paul at the reception. If you would like to contribute to a love offering for Pastor Paul, you can do so with a gift to him directly (non-taxable for Pastor Paul) or you can mail a check (taxable for Pastor Paul) to MUMC with “Love Gift – Pastor Paul” marked in the memo line. You can also make your gift online. If you are unable to attend and wish to send a card or love offering, please do so no later than January 23 to: Pastor Paul Craig, Matthews UMC, 801 S. Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105.

Upcoming Events

• The 40-Day Sugar Fast – Thursday mornings, Jan 2 – Feb 13, 11 am – 12 pm. Details & registration here. Order book here.
• Strolling With the Spirit – Wednesdays at 12 noon starting January 8. Join this weekly gathering for a 30-minute walk on the Greenway. Details
• Tasty Tuesdays resumes January 7! Details
• Community Martin Luther King Commemoration Events – Sunday & Monday, Jan 19 & 20. Details
• Community-Wide Bingo Night – Friday, January 24, 5:30 – 7:30 in the Gym. Details
• 2025 Leadership Connection – Saturday, January 25, 8:30 – 12:00 in The Commons. Details & registration here.
• Western NC Disaster Relief:
  •  Tool Collection for the WNCC Rebuild Trailer on Campus until January 6. This tool trailer is shared among churches in our Conference as we rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. Donate from specific items needed: NEW Tools Wishlist (Simply select your items and choose “Amy DeVore/Registry Address,” and the tools will ship directly to MUMC.)
  • God’s Pod open Mondays thru Jan 6 from 1-3 pm and by appointment by calling the Church Office. New Items Only from this NEW Supply List | Additional Details

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you this Sunday to join us in person at 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary) 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) service, Pastor Roldan’s sermon is from Ephesians 1:11-14 and is titled A Well Elaborated Plan.

Pastor Corey will be preaching in all our morning worship services, as we celebrate the beginning of a new year together. It can make all the difference when you take time to start off the year focusing on the things that matter most to you and finding a foundation of hope for the future. Through this you can have a deeper realization of the impact that you can make on the year ahead. Come experience a reset this Sunday as Pastor Corey reminds us of the impact of one, and how it can change the lives of many – including your own.

Matthews United Methodist Church has an excellent pastoral staff community. Moreover, Paul, Corey, Bill and Roldan are outstanding communicators of putting the Word in words. Why not invite someone to worship this Sunday morning to hear Pastor Corey using her gifts in preaching and teaching God’s Word?

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

Hate Divides. Love Unites.
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

 

Did you know that a group attended The Real Christmas Story at NarroWay Theatre? A scrumptious meal was served followed by a wonderful show featuring many Christmas songs, lots of laughter, wonderful animals, a very meaningful time of remembrance,then the real reason for the Christmas celebration with a reenactment of the Christmas story. If you would like to find out about future trips, check here periodically for updates.