Outside the Box: Resilient Love

Dear Fellow Ministers,

What a great Sunday of worship we had on February 22! The worship music at all services was incredible, as always. You can view those services here, as we began our worship series on Resilient Love. This Sunday, we are going to base our worship on Mark 8:31-38. Pastor Susan is preaching about how resilience is a reversal of expectations, and I hope you will pray through this text as God forms a sermon in us.

We are well into the Lenten season and want to be sure you are ready for the upcoming happenings like the Women’s Brunch, the Easter Butterfly Release (order by March 8) and small groups happening during the season. You can also order an Easter Lily in honor or in memory of a loved one ($12 each). Watch my weekly video highlighting another “new” space on campus with timely information to know.

I mentioned in the sermon on Sunday that Pastor Susan and I were “unpacking” what it means for so many folks to participate in “drive-through” or “drop-in” Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday. We saw many people for whom we are not their church home, who wanted to be reminded that God is with them and can create out of the nothingness of dust. There is hope. How honored are we to get to bear that hope to a hurting world!?!

Thank you for the faithful way you do just that as you continue to invite people to participate in our small groups and our worship together. We have a great website to invite people to view in preparation for coming to be with us. This Sunday, for example, we will welcome 18 new members to our church. How exciting! If you, or someone you know, is considering joining MUMC, we have another New Member Class starting in March. Attend Explore Membership at MUMC on March 22, and/or register for the class which starts on March 29. All the details are here. In addition, we are offering a Baptism Class this coming Sunday.

Thank you for your faithfulness and the myriad of ways you offer God’s grace. I am honored to be appointed to Matthews UMC, and I look forward to being in ministry with you this week!

In Christ’s Service,
David

Did you know that Malcolm Graham shared a message on “A Way Forward” at our Racial Bridge Building Community Forum hosted in partnership with Matthews area churches? View his powerful message encouraging us to “say something” and build relationships with one another as we do the important work of moving forward. We are better together!

Did you know that we welcomed people from the community on Ash Wednesday? We counted over 20 cars at the drive through event (featured in the header photo). We also welcomed many people in the Chapel during the 12-1 pm time of reflection and imposition of ashes. This was a wonderful offering for people who could not attend the evening worship because they do not drive at night.

Matthews UMC has a job opening for Executive Assistant/Office Manager. If you or someone you know values a team environment, enjoys detailed work, and is technology proficient with administrative experience, view the job posting and email your resume.