Find Your Place

10^th Sunday after Pentecost
Just these lines, my friends …

… to remind you that Pastor Chuck is taking a few weeks of rest and renewal and will return on September 6. Read the FAQ about his time away.  

You are in the best of hands with our pastors, Paul, Corey, Roldan and Jenny. Be sure to join us for worship every Sunday morning in person, live online when you are traveling, or throughout the week on our youtube.com/matthewsumc channel.

Ministry Made Possible by Your Giving, Serving & Loving!

Our staff and leadership share a HUGE THANK YOU to the numerous individuals that serve our United Adults Ministry to make our small groups, education and outreach efforts possible. These volunteers and leaders continuously pour their hearts into personal ministry to support, encourage, and walk alongside others. One story of transformation comes from a group that began meeting online during Covid for a short-term study. The participants in this new group formed friendships and continued meeting for new studies while welcoming new individuals along the way. This group remains strong, sharing in connection, spiritual development and just showing up for one another even though they now live in three different states!

This summer, our ministry offerings have provided many with connection who have been seeking to be in relationship with others after a long season of isolation during Covid. Shortly after our Men’s Retreat, summer was in full swing with a Morning of Wellness, focusing on Christian practices for positive health, that drew a crowd from the outside community. Adult groups like Coffee & Mingle, Bridge, Men’s Breakfast, Inclusive Grace, Bible Studies, Sunday Morning Groups and Short-Term Studies have met regularly for fellowship and spiritual education. GriefShare, Mental Health, and Alzheimer’s support groups meet weekly or monthly to connect individuals who may be experiencing similar challenges, while two separate Loss of a Spouse seminars have been integral for healing during the grieving process. New offerings this summer included Grace Exchange, which helped us learn about world religions and the Mental Health Education Series where we have welcomed some of the most educated in the field from Atrium Health and beyond. Our in-person and online Adult Groups are active and offer a wide range of topics and interests.

Looking ahead to September, we are preparing for NEW Disciple and GriefShare groups, Bridge-Building Conversations, Seasoned to Perfection, short-term education experiences, and many more opportunities to come as we meet people where they are on the continuous journey of becoming a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ. Learn about current connections and serving opportunities to find your place at MatthewsUMC.org/Women or MatthewsUMC.org/Men. 

Community Events

Below are just a few of our opportunities that you don’t want to miss:

• Hug-A-Cop at Mt. Moriah – Saturday, August 20, 4-7 pm
• 14^th Community Forum – Women of Color: Let’s Talk – Tuesday, August 16, 7 pm
• Back to School Carnival – Saturday, August 27, 5:30-7 pm
• Our Path Forward Session – Sunday, August 28, 9:30 & 11:00
• Lemonade Outreach at Matthews Alive! – Saturday, September 3, 9-2 pm. Click here to volunteer for 1-hour shift or learn about donating lemonade.
• MUMC Golf Outing: Driving for a Better Community – Thursday, September 22

Featured Videos from the Devotional Archives

While Pastor Chuck is away, members of our staff are selecting video devotions from our archives to feature here. Watch this devotion titled Crazy about the values that reveal the truest expression of the human soul.

This Sunday in Worship

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

We are excited to have Rev. Larry Whitley, Pastor of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, leading us in our morning services. His sermon is titled: If I Can Only Get to Jesus from Luke 8:41-48 (KJV).

In our Spanish-speaking CCH community, Pastor Roldan’s message is titled: Reliable Coverage from Isaiah 43:15-19.

At Family Worship at 9:30 in the Gym (the 2^nd Sunday of each month), we will be embarking on an Epic Love Story for the ages as we see how God has, and continues to, display his love for us.  Songs, games, skits and activities will be based on this month’s virtue of Love, as we discover together that “Love is showing others how much they matter to you.”

Stop by The Commons for WillBeans Coffee & Fellowship with Friends from 9-11 am on Sundays. Rainbow Express Ministries, a Global Impact Partner, is serving Rainbow Roast Coffee (by donation) specially made by local roaster, Magnolia Coffee.

“In a spirit of ‘doing no harm,’ we recommend a return to wearing masks in large indoor gatherings.” – Read the Bishop & Cabinet’s complete statement from 7/26/22. Based on this guidance, we request everyone wear a mask covering the nose & mouth while indoors on campus. Please bring a mask as there will be a limited supply at Sanctuary entrances. Let’s join in prayer that the new infections & hospitalizations soon return to safer levels. Updates will be posted here as available. We continue to request individuals serving children or a vulnerable population be masked. 

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

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Did you know that 3,287 videos have been watched on RightNow Media by our church community in 2022? If you are not using free subscription offered through the church, click here to join! Groups, classes, couples, family, friends, and individuals are using these Christian resources, which provide a wholesome option of entertainment and education for kids, too!

Did you know that the Genesis Garden needs late summer cleanup and maintenance? Meet us in the garden from 8 am until 11 am on Saturday, August 20. Sign up here. All help is appreciated!

Did you know that Home2Home Ministries was able to help a family with two teenagers who had been sleeping on the floor with just a sleeping bag and pillow? They both now have beds, dressers, mirrors & lamps, and were already making beds & arranging rooms before the volunteers left. They will sleep better now and be ready for the upcoming school year. What a blessing!

Did you know that Kids and Preteens attending Vacation Bible School raised over $3,000 for The Shoe That Grows? This organization provides shoes that grow up to four sizes for children around the world.

Did you know that members of our Bridge Builders group visited the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro on Saturday?  Members of MUMC and Mount Moriah toured the museum, which formerly housed the Woolworth’s, the site of a non-violent protest in the civil rights movement.