A Glorious Send-Off

Just these lines…

… to let you know that we appreciate each of you and the way that you showed up on Sunday. We are taking this edition to celebrate Pastor Chuck’s service in ministry. He and Karen make a great team and have left an indelible mark on the churches they have served.

No one does it quite like the Matthews UMC community! Click here to worship and see the gifts presented, hear the surprise song from MacKenzie (Wilson) Bridges, and listen to our amazing Sanctuary Choir and Instrumentalists with the anthem, “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” and a special send-off as the choir sang “The Old Irish Blessing.”

As the Body of Christ at Matthews United Methodist, may we ask God to lead us with grace toward a new season of seeking to know God completely, to follow and serve God uniquely. May we consider Pastor Chuck’s final note below and hear him saying “Go on, Church, Go on!”

Final Note from Pastor Chuck to Matthews United Methodist Church

“I thank my God for you all every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-6)

Thank you, Matthews United Methodist, for a glorious send-off and all the many notes and surprises you have shared with me. You are a gift of grace to me and the entire Wilson family.

Rene Descartes, the great French philosopher, scientist and mathematician, once said, “I shall be entitled to entertain the highest of expectations, if I am fortunate enough to discover only one thing which is certain and indubitable.” Friends, I have found that! God’s love in Christ has been incarnated in a magnificent procession of people who have marched through my life: my parents, the people who first shared with me the love of God in Jesus Christ, Karen and our kids, the sisters and brothers with whom I have shared pastoral ministry, the church leaders who have maximized the triumphs and shared the trials of being the church, the adventuresome band of daring, contemporary saints across Texas and North Carolina who shared the vision of making God’s love real and transforming the world. My heart is bursting today with unreserved thanks to you and praise to God! It has all been a gift of grace.

Next week will be my 39th Annual Conference in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church and 44th all together, including my time in the Central Texas Conference. I will represent the retiring class of elders in handing off the “mantel” that is passed to the new class of candidates for ordination. It’s a tradition based on I Kings 19:19 when Elijah passed his mantle or robe on to Elisha. Another gift of grace for me. (You can watch this service via livestream here Friday, June 20 at 4:30 pm.)

The only way to respond to grace is to say, “Thank you.” And so, Karen and I say, “Thanks” for all the gifts of grace that you have poured into our lives across the years. My, oh my! What a gift of grace!

As I close, please read the scripture lesson I used to begin this note. There’s no way for me to improve on that!

Chuck

As we celebrate Pastor Chuck, we asked him to share these numbers with us, representing 47 years in ministry with The United Methodist Church:

1. Over 1500 sermons prepared and preached
2. Over 700 celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
3. Over 400 weddings
4. Over 500 times celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion
5. Over 500 funerals/memorial services
6. Over 5,000 handwritten notes of gratitude
7. Over 3,000 hospital visits
8. Over 2,000 home visits
9. Nearly 3,000 counseling appointments
10. Over 1,000 nightly meetings across the years
11. Over 1,200 books purchased during years of service
12. 47 years of service in The United Methodist Church since 1978. 43 of them ordained and 42 of those years under appointment

Police & Fire Training at MUMC

The Town of Matthews Police & Fire Departments will conduct training exercises on our campus on Tuesdays, June 17 & 24 from 8 am – 12 pm, during which you may observe police cars, fire trucks, & emergency personnel on the church grounds. Please be aware these are simulated exercises, and there is no emergency situation. Please plan any visits to the church outside of the noted training dates & times. Complete Announcement

 

Upcoming Events

• Common Heart Food Drive – LAST WEEK to Contribute! Collection Ends June 15. Please place donations of non-perishable, unexpired food in collection bins at campus entrances. Most Needed: Cereal, Chef Boyardee, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Mixed Veggies, Mixed Fruit, Snack Bars.
• Church Closed Thursday, June 19th in honor of the Juneteenth holiday.
• Morning of Wellness – Saturday, June 21, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, in The Commons. Experience the Wellness Benefits of Visual Journaling, Breathwork, Mindfulness, Desk Yoga and a Sound Bath. Register
• Volunteer for Camps this Summer!
  • Rainbow Express Camp – July 7-11. Details
  • Vacation Bible School – July 21-25. Details
  • Music & Arts Camp – August 4-8. Details

Click here for the latest Celebration Newsletter (emailed last Friday) to see all church events & happenings!

 

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday in person at 8:15 (Traditional), 9:30 (Contemporary), 11:00 (Traditional), or online at 9:30, 11:00 or 12:30 (Spanish service – In person or here on demand).

This Sunday is Father’s Day, Peace with Justice Sunday and Trinity Sunday, and Pastor Bill will be preaching in our morning services. His sermon title is A Father’s Love from Ephesians 2:8-10, focusing on “For we are God’s Handiwork…”

In the CCH (Spanish-speaking) service, Pastor Roldan’s sermon title is A Decision to Make from Genesis 39:5-10.

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday! Invite a friend or neighbor to church!

Gratefully,
Pastor Linda

Did you know that Rev. Dawn Hand (MUMC pastor from 2006 – 2011) is wrestling with a form of cancer? Dawn is now the Director of Equity and Justice Ministries for the Western NC Conference of The UMC. After Dawn’s recent head-shaving “party” with family & friends, our Administrative Council Servant Leader, Suzanne Pugh, said, “Her spirit is amazing.” Let’s hold Dawn so very close in our prayers.

Did you know that Mitch & Crystal Wiles renewed their vows in a ceremony in our Chapel this past Saturday? They have been married for 36 years, and Saturday was Crystal’s birthday…what a way to celebrate!

Did you know that the Matthews United Women in Faith (UWF) hosted a delightful tea on Tuesday, June 3, welcoming 49 attendees? Guests enjoyed a wonderful selection of food and tea while receiving updates from Global Impact’s team on relief efforts in Western North Carolina. The event also included an engaging overview of the UWF’s history and their important work within the conference. For more information about the UWF, please reach out to Kim Layton.