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Choices,
Community,
Growth,
Hope,
Inspirational,
Just These Lines,
Prayer,
Support,
Worship,
High Steppin’ & Preparations for the Coronavirus
2nd Sunday in Lent/March 4, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that Lent is upon us! I love this holy season. I delight in seeing the purple paraments appear in the Sanctuary. I feel grounded witnessing spiritual practices going on in our classrooms and worship spaces. Every week around Matthews United Methodist (MUMC) seems to be...
Community,
Generosity,
Global Impact,
Inspirational,
Just These Lines,
Doing the Hard Thing
7th Sunday after Epiphany/February 19, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a splendid morning we had with Bishop Will Willimon this past Sunday! He has been leading United Methodists for decades. I’m profoundly grateful for the impact he has had in my life. And what a challenging word to us! Why he even found something...
Choices,
Committment,
Community,
Hope,
Inspirational,
Just These Lines,
FOR the Community
5th Sunday after the Epiphany/Global Impact/February 5, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that what a weekend around here, in the church building and in the parking lot: The Marriage Course with our Marriage Ministry on Friday night; Our Men’s Ministry gathering at our monthly breakfast and hearing Bo Bobrowski give witness to the work of...
Community,
Inspirational,
Just These Lines,
Service,
Super Bowl & Humble Hearts
Just these lines, my friends … … to say that this past Saturday (January 25) was quite a day for us: Leadership Connection with 125 of our church leaders gathering, a Charge Conference approving our spending plan for 2020, and a Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating the life of Daisy Trivette. Daisy was/is one of the great 90+ year...
Change,
Community,
Hope,
Just These Lines,
Worship,
Healing Light
The 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany/Scout Sunday/January 22, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a glorious weekend past: serving at the Charlotte Rescue Mission with a group of Bridge Builders (composed of members from Matthews UMC and Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church), beautiful worship on Sunday in the Sanctuary (watch here), the MLKing march to...
Community,
Just These Lines,
Reason for the Season
Christmas/December 25, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … to say that some of you may be reading this on Christmas Day. I love what the great British wit G. K. Chesterton once said … The Christian grows younger as the world grows old. For this is the last proof of the miracle . . . I have not minimized...
Change,
Choices,
Community,
Gratitude,
Hope,
Invitation,
Just These Lines,
Sacred Moments
The Third Sunday of Advent/December 11, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I hope you had the opportunity to hear the deeply moving music of our Sanctuary Choir on Sunday (December 8). You can click here to listen to their special music and watch my sermon. Connections & Sacred Experiences I love being the pastor...
Blessing,
Committment,
Community,
Gratitude,
Just These Lines,
Thankful,
Trust & Gratitude
The First Sunday of Advent/November 27, 2019 Just these lines, my friends: Trust & Gratitude … to say that Sunday was such a day of celebration: our 200+ United Youth and counselors away on their annual fall retreat; beautiful, majestic music in all services; and so much more. You can watch here. AND how about the powerful short film about...
Community,
Global Impact,
Inspirational,
Invitation,
Just These Lines,
Service,
We Are Matthews,
Worship,
Quantify Feelings
The 22nd Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/November 6, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a special Sunday: celebrating the Saints, our music in all services, the actions of Holy Communion, an additional hour of sleep, preparing for November 17, and Pastor John with Kidron Valley Ministries in Uganda. You can watch a short video...
