Lenten Focus

During the 2024 Lenten season, our church congregation explored Embracing Disabilities: Creating an Everybody Mentality.

Matthews UMC is actively committed to nurturing an inclusive church environment that welcomes individuals with disabilities. Despite society's historical complexities in engaging with individuals with disabilities, this movement seeks to transition from an avoidance approach toward a model that promotes the integration of people with disabilities within their communities.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-10 This scripture guided our community as we explore the theme of Embracing Disabilities in Worship, Groups, Events, Dinners and Study of Amy Kenny's My Body is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church.

Sunday Morning Group Resouces

Daily Devotions

Worship Archives

Our worship messages during this season focused on Embracing Disabilities with powerful messages from our own Pastor Chuck and Guest Speakers: Hunter Ross (February 25), Amy Julia Becker (March 3), Dr. Jeff McSwain (March 10) and Laurie Little (March 17).

Please view each message embedded from the church YouTube channel for your convenience, beginning with Pastor Chuck Wilson's message on February 18, 2024 titled "The Gospel Means" focusing on scripture passage John 9: 1-25.

Speaker: Hunter Ross
Message: "Faith is a Group Activity"
Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Speaker: Amy Julia Becker
Message: "Displaying God's Glory: How Jesus Reframes Disability"
Scripture: John 5:1-18

Speaker: Dr. Jeff McSwain
Message: "Discovering the Reality of Community in Christ"
Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Speaker: Laurie Little
Message: " Sharing Gifts & Body Parts"
Scripture: I Corinthians 12:14-27

An Evening with Amy Julia Becker

Amy Julia Becker, award-winning author and speaker on disability, family, culture and faith, shared her insights and led a question-and-answer session on March 3, 2024.