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Just These Lines,
Joseph & the Will of God
3rd Sunday of Easter Just these lines, my friends … … to say each Sunday, I am filled with gratitude for this church and this place. Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter felt particularly moving and Spirit-filled this year for me. On Palm Sunday 930 people attended in-person worship and our streaming platforms captured an additional 852 online views live...
Just These Lines,
Eastertide
2nd Sunday of Easter Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a Holy Week 2023: Crowds of people gathering for Easter worship, including dozens of new faces Volunteers (Home2Home Ministry) helping families with no furniture A beautiful butterfly release in the Courtyard A powerfully inspiring Maundy Thursday service Pastor Paul and Pastor Corey speaking at Easter Sunday...
Just These Lines,
It’s Holy Week
Easter Just these lines, my friends… …to say I got this note from an online worshipper this week: “O, Lord, what a morning! …the gorgeous Palms Prelude and The Holy City Postlude…the unique Processional with floral bedecked donkey…the delightful Childrens Choir…the stirring Offertory anthem with flutes and drums* and heartwarming Choral Benediction…the inspirational words from Pastor Chuck… How magnificent it...
Just These Lines,
Don’t Finish What You Can’t Start
Palm Sunday Just these lines, my friends … … to say it was a week of study, service, retreats and worship at Matthews United Methodist (MUMC): our Confirmands were away on retreat with Pastor Corey; 49 of our women enjoyed a day retreat in the Commons; and, a couple of dozen or so were working in our church/community garden preparing...
Just These Lines,
Listening Prayer
5th Sunday in Lent Just these lines, my friends … … to say that Karen and I had the remarkable privilege of spending four days (March 16-19) with 40 of the finest people I know. We enjoyed a meaningful time together: Hank/Tina Adams, Frank/Terry Brown, Beth/Rich Buchanan, Kristen Caine, Sandy Carson, Nate/Emma Clements, Earl/Jeannette Coggins, Jim/Lee Cornwell, Amy DeVore, Sally...
Just These Lines,
Blind Spots
4th Sunday in Lent Just these lines, my friends … … to say that it was a rainy, gloomy Sunday, but for those participating in worship on Sunday, the Spirit was strong: country music artist Sara Kelly in Family Worship, music from the Sanctuary Choir, the Praise Band featuring Maggie Fraser, Steven Beaver on the trombone and Kathy White on...
Just These Lines,
Big Boys Do Cry
3rd Sunday in Lent Just these lines, my friends … … to say the second oldest living member of Matthews United Methodist (MUMC) died this past week, Melba Westphal. I had the incredible privilege of celebrating her remarkable life on Saturday. She was 101. If you missed worship on Sunday, you can watch & hear me talking about Melba here....
Just These Lines,
Three More Things You Might Want to Give Up for Lent
2nd Sunday in Lent Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a rich and meaningful First Sunday in Lent: spirits lifted, heart-felt prayers, great congregational singing, uplifting handbell music to begin worship, a lovely baptism for Ridge Curtis Mitchum (Mark, Amelia and Ruthie Mitchum), a Lenten Kyrie, a beautiful arrangement of The Lord’s Prayer by our children … and how about the new benediction for...
Community,
Generosity,
Global Impact,
Hope,
Just These Lines,
We Are Matthews,
Worship,
Holiness is Hard Work
1st Sunday in Lent Just these lines, my friends … … to say that on Sunday we concluded our annual Global Impact Celebration. I never grow tired watching the people of God called Matthews United Methodist streaming forward to make Faith and Life commitments. The morning (9:30 and 11:00) was filled with toe-tappin music – watch the video here of...
