Just These Lines Pastor Blog

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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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The Journey of Lent

Ash Wednesday/First Sunday of Lent/February 26, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that the last few days have been so special: The days included our 9th Forum on Racial-Bridge Building. A number of us gathered at Matthews Presbyterian where we heard from Pam Kelley, the author of Money Rock: A Family’s Story of Cocaine, Race, and...
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Doing the Hard Thing

7th Sunday after Epiphany/February 19, 2020 Just these lines, my friends …  … to say what a splendid morning we had with Bishop Will Willimon this past Sunday! He has been leading United Methodists for decades. I’m profoundly grateful for the impact he has had in my life. And what a challenging word to us! Why he even found something...
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Made For More

6th Sunday after Epiphany/Global Impact 2/February 12, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that after recovering from all the tornadic activity in our area on Thursday, February 6, we were finally able to open the building, warm it up and have church on Sunday. Thanks be to God! It has been a tough few days around...
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FOR the Community

5th Sunday after the Epiphany/Global Impact/February 5, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that what a weekend around here, in the church building and in the parking lot: The Marriage Course with our Marriage Ministry on Friday night; Our Men’s Ministry gathering at our monthly breakfast and hearing Bo Bobrowski give witness to the work of...
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Super Bowl & Humble Hearts

Just these lines, my friends … … to say that this past Saturday (January 25) was quite a day for us: Leadership Connection with 125 of our church leaders gathering, a Charge Conference approving our spending plan for 2020, and a Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating the life of Daisy Trivette. Daisy was/is one of the great 90+ year...
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Healing Light

The 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany/Scout Sunday/January 22, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say what a glorious weekend past: serving at the Charlotte Rescue Mission with a group of Bridge Builders (composed of members from Matthews UMC and Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church), beautiful worship on Sunday in the Sanctuary (watch here), the MLKing march to...
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Royal Rule of the Scriptures

Epiphany/January 15, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I love to hear Pastor Corey preach. What a marvelous communicator! Thank you, Corey, for putting the Word in words for us on Sunday (January 12). If you missed her beautiful message, you can watch it here. Some of you have asked how we closed out our...
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Hopeful Future is LOVE

1st Sunday after the Epiphany/January 8, 2020 Just these lines, my friends … … to say “thank you” to Pastor Paul for his excellent message on Sunday, January 5. I was able to watch the service on our live stream. I was amazed at the quality and some of the creative camera shots. “Thank you” to Joel Mullis and his...