Just These Lines Pastor Blog

Just these lines… …to encourage and challenge you in this new season to embrace incoming Pastors David and Susan, who are super excited and a little nervous (they are human), with the same welcoming and radical-love-of-Christ spirit of which you welcomed me. May you seek to discover together where our Triune God, who comes to all of God’s children in...

4th Sunday of Easter Just these lines … … to say that thank you for all our leaders of worship this past Sunday. Karen and I were away in New Bern celebrating the marriage of LuAnn Scruggs with Duke Pratt. I loved connecting with LuAnn’s girls, Katie and Ashlyn, who were deeply connected to MUMC in their early years. Thank...

6th Sunday after the Epiphany | Global Impact Week 1 Just these lines … … to say that our annual Global Impact Celebration kicks off this Sunday with speakers in worship and our Mission Fair between services from 9 am until noon in The Commons where many of our mission partners will be represented. Then next Saturday (Feb 22) will...

5th Sunday after the Epiphany Just these lines … … to say that Rev. Linda Kelly is a bright, bright light … and funny, funny, funny. She can give Paul Craig a run for his money when it comes to humor. I know you enjoyed hearing her on Sunday. You’ll be seeing her every Sunday leading in worship. Hold her...

15th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say Sunday was an extraordinary day across our church grounds! In our Sanctuary worship, we honored Kathy White for all her years of service, we prayed for all our kids, teachers, administrators and parents that are preparing for a return to school, and we concluded our summer study...

5th Sunday of Easter Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I loved worshipping with you on Sunday. Bishop Lawson Bryan’s message for us was riveting and engaging. We have been living in a season of stretch, but that is the calling Jesus has place on each of our lives … to STRETCH (Mark 3:5). You can...

16th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say how much I love being your pastor. My first couple of weeks back with you have not been quite like I imagined. I came down with a cough and some nagging congestion and lost my voice. BUT I’m on the mend. Thanks be to God! Sunday was such a...

2nd Sunday of Easter Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a Holy Week 2022: crowds of people gathering for worship for the first time in three years (since 2019); people (Home2Home) helping families with no furniture; a beautiful butterfly release featuring the beautiful banner made by Wendy Barall (photos below); one of the best Maundy Thursday...

11th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say it was another beautiful Sunday at Matthews United Methodist! As always, the day included inspiring music, moving prayers and the captivating reading of Holy Scripture. I continued our worship series, “Why I am Enthusiastically a United Methodist Christian.” You can watch my sermon Because Practice Makes Perfect...