Just These Lines Pastor Blog

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Things I Love

5th Sunday of Easter | April 28, 2021 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I’m loving the privilege that is mine to see your faces again in Sunday morning worship. We have one more week of our test groups and then Sunday, May 9, we will open to all, or at least the first 175 who...
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Hammerin’ Hank Aaron

5th Sunday after the Epiphany | Global Impact 2 | February 3, 2021 Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a special weekend. Jenny Savage has been at the heart of church life for Matthews United Methodist (MUMC) for many years. On Saturday, January 30, Jenny was approved as a candidate for ministry in The United Methodist...
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There Can Be Meaning Without Things Making Sense

3rd Sunday of Advent | December 9, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that Karen and I are so enjoying the Advent study we are leading on the Many Moods of Christmas. We’ve got a wonderful group of participants in our small group. Last night, one of our participants said, “Small groups are an essential part...
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Heigh Ho, It’s Off to Work I Go!

16th Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/September 16, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that what a weekend!  I loved coming to the United Kids Block Party on Friday night and seeing all the young families participating with their kids.  It was safe, distanced and so filled with joy. By the way, did you see Alix...
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Patient Trust

11th Sunday after Pentecost/Ordinary Time/August 12, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that in the past few days two families have joined our Church: Joe and Christie Thomas (Sienna,10) and Mike and Alix Arndt (Andrew, 18, Daniel,16, Caroline, 13, and Abigail, 10).  By the way, Alix is a part of our staff community here at Matthews...
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Shifting Gears

2nd Sunday after Pentecost/June 10, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that hundreds of people gathered Sunday afternoon on the Matthews Town Hall to share a message of solidarity against racism in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. A number of town leaders spoke, including Pastor and Councilman Rev. Larry Whitley, our very own...
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Jesus Finds Us!

3rd Sunday of Easter/April 22, 2020 Just these lines, my friends  … to make sure you know we want your picture! We have 300 plus pictures of people/households taped on the pews and chairs of the church and we would love to have many more. We are adding your pictures week after week of during these days of “Shelter in...
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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...
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Our Faithful Next Steps

13th Sunday after Pentecost in Ordinary Time/September 4, 2019 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that we have concluded week #2 in our worship series called The Spirited Life. Why, even my wife (Karen) was quoting back my sermon to me on Sunday afternoon as we were driving to Linville to have dinner with my sister. She reminded...