Long Obedience in the Same Direction

17th Sunday after Pentecost
Just these lines, my friends …

…to say thank you for your patience with us this past Sunday. Our sound reinforcement was non-functional and is requiring some serious work this week. Hopefully, we’ll be all set for Sermon #2 in our worship series, Finding Peace as a Purple Church.

Last week in “Just These Lines,” I mentioned a study conducted by Duke Divinity School. The study reported that congregations within The United Methodist Church in North Carolina are theologically and politically diverse, thus creating a “purple church” which reflects our deep diversity. The study also indicated that United Methodist churches remain one of the very few institutions in American society where people from different political persuasions can build deep and meaningful relationships with each other. Hence, in a polarized and often toxic political climate, MUMC (along with other UM churches) is positioned to advance the ministry of Jesus by creating a beloved community that bridges political and theological divides.

If you missed Sermon #1 in the Purple Church worship series, please take time to read I Samuel 8 and Isaiah 9:6-7 and then click here to worship.

Have you saved the date of October 20 on your calendar? It will be a day you will remember for a long time in the history of our church. We are working hard to make it so. We will have ONE combined worship service at 10:30 am followed by fabulous meal for all in The Commons and Gym. Please SAVE THE DATE and participate. Above & Beyond Event details.

Video Devotional

Have you ever heard the story about the interviewer that asked Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb after 1,000 unsuccessful attempts, “Mr. Edison, how did you feel after failing 1,000 times?” Edison’s amazing response was, “I did not fail. I simply saw it as a 1,000-step process.” Maybe that is just the encouraging word you need to hear right now. If so, click below to listen to my devotional for this week titled A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.

A Note from Pastor Paul on Staff Transitions

MUMC Family, I hope you are doing well. Sadly, I need to inform you of two staff transitions.

Bob Higginbotham, a longtime member of MUMC along with his family joined us this summer to give some assistance to our food service area. Bob is a trained chef and has served at several local restaurants as a general manager. However, Bob’s full-time job is at the Weddington Methodist Church where he serves as their Food Service Director.  With the beginning of school, Bob has returned to his duties at Weddington and we wish him and his family many blessings now and in the future.   

John Woodall, a valued member of our staff family, and Director of Contemporary Worship who also works with our Age Level musicians, resigned his position at Matthews UMC effective September 4. As many of you know, John also works alongside his dad at Camp4heroes, and he and his wife, Tabitha have five wonderful sons. John has accomplished some remarkable things during his time with us at MUMC but has decided to step away from his duties here to devote more time and energy to his family. We give thanks to God for John and his ministry here over the last several years, and we wish him and his beautiful family abundant blessings through this transition and in the future. Thank you all for your prayers and patience with our Music Ministry staff and volunteers as they work through this time of transition. John shares the following, “I want to thank everyone at Matthews for all they have done for me. My beautiful youth, my Rainbow friends, and especially my praise team…. I will always love and cherish each one of you. There is no way to express the gratitude I have for Matthews for being the first church to allow me to lead worship with the musical gifts God put inside of me. Thank you for allowing me to grow with you and thank you for respecting that I need some time to grow elsewhere in my life.”

2024 Capital Campaign & Questions We Hear You Asking  

Link to the capital campaign announcement for Sanctuary upgrades and read the latest FAQs for Questions We Hear You Asking, including the update to the most frequently asked question below.

Q Why add a lift vs. a ramp?

Many people asked about this during our Feasibility Study focus groups. After further review with the architects, the Building Committee decided that a ramp would actually be a better solution for the project. Everyone can use the ramp, regardless of their mobility and type of assistance (e.g., wheelchair, scooter, rollator, walker, cane). It also allows for multiple users, while the lift can only accommodate one person at a time. Once the ramp is installed, it should require no ongoing maintenance. A mechanical lift must be maintained and monitored for operability, which may incur additional costs. If the lift malfunctions, there would be no alternative accessibility to the Chancel area other than steps. Even though the ramp takes up more space, the Building Committee has determined that our Sanctuary will be able to accommodate it.

Upcoming Dates

• Poverty Simulation – Sept. 22, 12:30 pm, facilitated by Common Heart. Register
• Leadership Information Session – Tues., Sept. 24, 7 pm in Room 158 or Zoom. Details
• Endowment Celebration Dinner – Wed., Sept. 25, 6:30 pm in The Commons. Commemorate the growth of our Endowment Fund planted by generations past and present, providing a legacy for our future. We are honored to welcome guest speaker Ken Garfield, former Charlotte Observer Editor, whose insights promise to captivate and inspire. This is not a fundraising event. Register
• ONE Combined Worship – Oct. 20 at 10:30 am followed by family-style lunch with music, door prizes, videos & special guests! Above & Beyond Event
• Baptism Class – Oct. 27, 8:10 am. Register & work toward the baptism of your child.

This Sunday in Worship

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 8:15 (Traditional; in person only), 9:30 (Contemporary; in person or online here), 11:00 (Traditional; in person or online here) or 12:30 (Spanish; in person or on demand here).

Our Spanish-speaking community (Centro Cristiana Hosanna – CCH) is in sharing a worship series, titled Practical Apologetics. Pastor Roldan’s sermon for this Sunday is from Genesis 1:26-27, and is titled, Let’s Follow the Manufacturer’s Manual.

This Sunday, we move into week two of our worship emphasis, Finding Peace as a Purple Church. We will continue our exploration of several elections that took place in Bible days. You will not want to miss these important days of learning, growth and inspiration.

This past Sunday, September 8, three of your pastors (Paul Craig, Bill Roth, Chuck Wilson) loved spending time with our great group of folks exploring membership with MUMC. So many of them have come our way because you invited them to join you. Please continue to do so. You are bearing witness to the incomparable love of God.

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

Finding Peace as a Purple Church,
Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson II

Did you know that our VBS Kids raised $5,000 to purchase ten cows for Zoe Empowers? Milk from the cows provides a source of income for families. Four of the cows were delivered to our MUMC groups and the remaining six went to various empowerment groups in Africa. Below is a photo of Harriet (an 18-year-old Zoe youth) and her cow. Thank you to all the VBS families who donated money to purchase these animals for the kids in Africa. These young recipients and their siblings will be blessed by your generosity for a long time to come!!

Did you know that your Global Impact giving provided funds for a Teacher/Staff appreciation luncheon for COS Kids in Matthews? Their staff does an excellent job providing a loving and educational foundation for children in our community. Delicious food was provided and served by MUMC & Global Impact volunteers! Thank you for making all of this possible.