Just These Lines Pastor Blog

4th Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say thank you for your prayers for last week’s gathering of the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, themed “Grace, Connection and Holiness.” It was the 45th one I have attended in my ministry, and, by far, it was the most hope-filled, energizing, and forward-looking...

3rd Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say that I was thrilled with our participation this past Sunday. Even as Summer bears down on us, the people of God called Matthews United Methodist were ready to worship and sing, this past Sunday, in the Sanctuary and Gym (Family Worship pictured below). I began our new series,...

2nd Sunday after Pentecost Just these lines, my friends … … to say that one of our staff members just stuck her head in my office and said, “Graduation Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays of the year.” Yes, indeed! This past Sunday (6/4) was a beautiful day with Pastor Corey’s message, our Youth Praise Band, our graduates, and...

Trinity Sunday | Graduation Celebration Just these lines, my friends … … to say that this past Sunday (5/28) we joined with Christians around the world in celebrating the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, when the Holy Spirit touched the earth and ushered in a fresh experience of God’s presence and power on earth. On that day,...

Pentecost | Sunday, May 28, 2023 Just these lines, my friends … … to say that this Friday (5/19) was a holy, holy day with the Metro Prom. For the first time in three years (due to Covid), we were able to host 16 bus loads of high school age young people from the Metro School. The school serves approximately...

7th Sunday of Easter | Confirmation Sunday Just these lines, my friends … … to say that this past week was filled with much to celebrate. On Tuesday evening our Bridge Builders Fellowship met with the Matthews Town Manager (Becky Hawke), the Assistant Town Manager (Melia Gordon), the Town of Matthews Human Resource Director (Tonya McGovern), and the newly appointed...

6th Sunday of Easter | Mother’s Day Just these lines, my friends … … to say that this past Sunday was Mental Health Sunday. Dr. Daniel Hale, the father of Graham Pierce, a church member, was our speaker for the morning. We are so grateful for Dr. Hale’s message and the beautiful connection with music and the arts given to...

5th Sunday of Easter Just these lines, my friends … … to say that it was a retreat weekend for Matthews United Methodist (MUMC). I was in lovely Hendersonville, NC with a number of men for our annual Men’s Retreat, our first one in four years (Covid really did a number on us). It was powerfully led by Earl Coggins,...

4th Sunday of Easter Just these lines, my friends … … to say that Sunday was an awesome day with so many moments of “the unforced rhythms of grace”: the baptism of Rhys Edward Toron (son of Sam/Jennifer Toron); those beautiful Children’s Chimers playing the old spiritual, Do Lord; the witness of Tonya Terry; our 9:30 Praise Team featuring Shannon...