Outside The Box with David Christy

Dear Fellow Ministers,

What a gift Matthews United Methodist is to God, our community, and each other. I am grateful for the excellent offering of gifts people share in worship. Wow! You will want to listen to the music (if you haven’t already) at each of our services on Sunday. The authenticity with which this church worships is a gift. Thank you for the myriad of ways you allow this church to be in mission and ministry. I love the fact that MUMC has had a Beyond Hospitality campaign in which our faithful community intentionally went “above and beyond” to be sure our facilities are accessible to all. The Building Committee, Trustees, and Facilities Staff have been working together to implement our Beyond Hospitality commitments and have provided a Sanctuary Renovation Project Update with details on planned construction from August 11 – November 25.

From what I have seen that idea of “above and beyond” fits MUMC well … this is a church called to push the love of Christ outside the box. What a gift it is for me to get to be one of your pastors! This week in worship we will be continuing our series on Hope In Chaos as we consider what it means to rejoice in sufferings. Our scriptural basis will be Colossians 1:15-28. I hope you will pray through that text with me as God forms a sermon in us. What does it mean for us to think of rejoicing as something more than just reacting to a favorable circumstance?

I give God thanks for the gift of The Church. It is through a local church that I have fully learned of God’s love. It is through a local church that I have learned that I can have different ideas and still be loved. It is through a local church that I learned most fully who I am called to be. The local church is relevant to all, and that is why we invest in it! Thank you for your investment in this amazing church … we have been given a gift in Matthews United Methodist. I pray that we may continue to steward this extraordinary gift to glorify God!

We look forward to Vacation Bible School next week and the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ through ministry with children in the church and community. Did you know that we have over 300 children registered?! We have a work team going to Black Mountain to help with Hurricane Helene relief, and we have folks going to a Charlotte Knights baseball game together just for fun (register by midnight Thursday). All of this is in addition to the excellent ministry opportunities that are offered each week. Praise be to God for a church where everyone can Reach, Teach, Praise, & Serve!

Thank you for being The Church! I look forward to serving outside the box with you this week!

In Christ’s Service,
David

Feature Photo: Rainbow Express Camp Water Day

Celebration News –Ministry Events & Mission Opportunities

Did you know that Amy DeVore (Director of Missions & Justice Ministries) was presented with the Nancy Glenn Award at the Matthews Town Council meeting this past Monday, July 14th? Amy joins other past recipients of this award from MUMC including Aana Lisa Whatley, Brenda Messera, Iris DeVore, Sue Sproat, and Rob Hunter. Congratulations, Amy!