Birds to Fly With

Trinity Sunday
Just these lines, my friends …

… to say that it was a beautiful day to celebrate Pentecost at Matthews United Methodist Church (MUMC): the room was filled with red (the liturgical color for Pentecost); the music was out of this world; and Pastor Corey’s message on the Holy Spirit (With you … For you … In you) was so very powerful. You can worship with us by clicking here.

Also, an amazing group of 26 young people confirmed their faith and made their entrance into the professing membership of MUMC. I even got to spend some time with them on Sunday evening. These young people are as follows: Liam Iglesias Amoss, Caroline Elizabeth Anderson, Evelyn Hunter Barr, Abbey Morgan Bowman, Catherine Pendleton Crowgey, Lillian Tucker Crowgey, Emma Rives Dale, Patrick Alexander Fink, Katherine Grace Freeman, Lila Ward Higgins, Eric James Higgins, Hunter Lee Lunsford V, Isabeall Ann Matthews, Bennett Carrington McGrath, Madelyn Ann Moss, Madison Grace Parkhurst, Riley Jane Richardson, Jillian Ann Rippy, Audrey Eileen Schlieper, Max Oswald Song, Oliver Paul Steele, Hudson Forrest Tenbroeck, Lucy Grace Turner, Heaven Neva Turner, Cumi Joy Waits, Carter Rowland Witers.

It was an amazing day for these young people, their families, and all of us in the community of faith called MUMC.

As we anticipate the Memorial Day Weekend, I want to pray Mother Theresa’s version of the St. Francis Prayer.  I think it serves as a wonderful guide for us as we remember those who have lost their lives in service to their country. Would you please pray with me?

Make us worthy Lord to serve the people throughout the world,
who live and die in poverty and hunger.
Give them through our hands, this day, their daily bread
and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.
Lord, make me a channel of your peace.
That where there is hatred, I may bring love,
That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness,
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony,
That where there is error, I may bring truth,
That where there is doubt, I may bring faith,
That where there is despair, I may bring hope,
That where there are shadows, I may bring light,
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted,
To understand than to be understood,
To love than to be loved.
For it is by forgetting self that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven, and
It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.
Amen.

Video Devotional

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch my devotional for the week titled, Birds to Fly With. I describe a remarkable teaching experience that occurs in Denmark called the Black Sun.

Upcoming Events

• Memorial Day Holiday – Monday, May 25 – Church Closed
• Administrative Council meeting – Tuesday, May 28, 7 pm in Room 94.Summer 2024 Worship Series – The Good Life…The God Life
• Graduation Sunday – June 2, 11:00 worship service.
  – High School & College/Master/Graduate Degree Graduates deadline to be included in the Graduation Worship bulletin is Monday, May 27. Details
  – Scholarship application deadline is May 24 at Noon. Details
• Summer Worship Series begins on June 30: The Good Life … The God Life: Exploring the Subtle, Subversive and Sublime Way of Jesus. Details
  Summer Serve! Youth & Adult Opportunities – Camps are just around the corner! MUMC successfully ministers to over 350 kids each summer, many who do not have a church home. These camps do not happen without YOU!
  Please consider serving:
  – VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Sign up for a variety of options, from helping with snacks to being a small group leader.
  – MUSIC & ARTS CAMP: Sign up to help serve with groups, activities & crafts.
  – RAINBOW EXPRESS CAMP: Sign up to help serve.

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 8:15 am (traditional; in person only), 9:30 am (contemporary; in person or online here), 11:00 am (traditional; in person or online here) or 12:30 (Spanish; in person or on demand here).

Our Spanish-speaking community (CCH) will be continuing a study on the family. Pastor Roldan’s sermon is titled, The Best Rest is in our Lord from Psalm 127.

In all our morning sanctuary services, Pastor Paul will be preaching. His message is from Micah 6:6-8 and is titled, What’s the Big Deal?  In preparation for Sunday, Pastor Paul says, “This Sunday is recognized as Peace with Justice Sunday in The United Methodist Church. As Christians, we recognize our duty to love our enemies, seek justice, and work for reconciliation. On this day, we celebrate programs and ministries that address economic, health, and justice priorities. Our God has a bias toward the poor, the oppressed, and the stranger in a foreign land and we are called to follow suit. This Sunday we will explore this important topic through the words of the Prophet Micah.”

We will have a wonderful group of new families joining us in the adventure of following Jesus in and through MUMC. Invite someone to come along with you to see and experience the vitality of our transforming community.

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

We are better … together,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that Global Impact sponsored an info time featuring a recent trip to Kenya with Zoe Empowers?  Seven women from MUMC shared their experiences and impressions from meeting orphans sponsored by Matthews UMC.  Click here to watch the discussion. THANK YOU for giving generously to Global Impact as we help orphans go from beggars to business owners!

Did you know that your gifts to Global Impact helped provide new team shirts for the youth at The Males Place?  They travel to Ghana in the coming month, thank you for your gifts to our Global Impact mission efforts.

Did you know that Church Staff was celebrated during their May meeting and that everyone enjoyed an ice cream from the Rainbow Express Ministries Treats with Friends truck?  And it was Julia Thompson’s birthday! Three of our Facilities staff all have May birthdays.