Outside the Box: Express JOY!

Dear Fellow Ministers,

Wow! What an incredible Holy Week we had at Matthews UMC! Thank you for your prayers and participation in helping us tell the most important story ever told. There were so many moments of beauty as we allowed the Bible to guide us in the accounts of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. You can view our worship services and see my video for this week. Please do consider using our new Welcome Video to invite folks to church. It’s on our social media feed, and you can also text or email this link to the clip as an invitation. We are, indeed, real people seeking a real Savior in order to live as real disciples.

To be “real” means that we offer all we have. This week in worship, we are going to celebrate “Holy Humor Sunday.” It is a time when we will be guided by scripture to laugh and realize God intends for us to enjoy worship! We hope to celebrate the fact that in the midst of very serious things, we can express JOY! Please read through John 20:19-31 as God forms a sermon in us.

One of the best gifts you all have given to me is the nametag that I get to wear that says “Matthews United Methodist Senior Pastor.” Inevitably, it leads to people telling me the incredible ways this church has witnessed to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. I love wearing the nametag in our community and learning about the impact of this church on individuals and families. You all have shared God’s love in tremendous ways that have impacted countless lives. Thank you. The best part is that the story isn’t over! You continue to do that.

We all can get “too far over our skis” spiritually and sort of fall down in a mess. I love the fact that MUMC keeps it simple…You are all about loving God with all you have and loving your neighbor as yourself. Thank you! Living our faith doesn’t have to be rocket science. Thank you for your witness to love.

I look forward to being in ministry with you this week as we continue to take God’s Love “outside the box.”

In Christ’s Service,
David

Easter Photo Highlights:

Did you know that our 2025-26 Youth Basketball Season consisted of 230 players (and their families)? Only one team of boys and one team of girls represented MUMC. Everyone else was from the community. A special “thank you” to the wonderful volunteer coaches who led & mentored these teens. Congratulations to the season champs! 7th – 9th Grade Boys Division: The Benchwarmers (7-0), led by Mike & Ashley Morrow; 10th – 12th Grade Boys Division: The Juggernauts (8-0), led by Steve Gruendel; and 7th – 12th Grade Girls Division: The Stingrays (8-0), led by Gary Hartnett & Mike Soden.

Did you know that the Labyrinth in the Gym last week offered a much-needed opportunity for rest and reflection for both individuals and groups? Pastor Susan guided three groups through the experience, and our Forever Young class and Rainbow Express group also found it deeply meaningful.

Did you know that the Micah Connection’s Creation Care Ministry offers monthly tips like ways to conserve water and add native plants to gardens? Celebrate Earth Day in April: Families and students can serve our community by contacting Sergeant Don Warren to clean streets on our town’s Beautification Day (April 18, 7-11am) or attend Kids in Nature Day (April 25, 10am-1pm).