Outside the Box with David Christy – True North

Dear Fellow Ministers,

As you are aware, we are in a sermon series on finding Hope in Chaos. We will talk this Sunday about two differing definitions of “chaos” – one being a bunch of “stuff” happening and the other being formless void (i.e., NOT a lot of “stuff”). Isn’t that interesting? I get distracted both by too much and too little, however I might define what that is for me at any given time. That is one of the many reasons I need to do what I can to stay focused on Jesus Christ. That “focus” is what we will be talking about on Sunday.

I am so grateful for the way MUMC stays focused on Jesus Christ! I’ve gotten to witness almost 300 children learning about Jesus at Vacation Bible School this week. What a great offering! I was stopped by one grandmother who said, “Thank you all for doing this! Our church is not able to offer a Bible School, so we really appreciate the excellence you all offer!” Thank you to Pastor Corey, Alix, the amazing Age-Level Ministry staff and the 100+ volunteers who are working so hard to help our children know “True North” (our theme this year).

As always, I am excited about our worship opportunities this week! Our Family Worship will be taking place in the Gym, and our regular services will take place in the Sanctuary. Please pray through Colossians 2:6-19 as God forms a sermon in us. And, if you missed it (or just want to hear it again) please worship through the amazing music from last Sunday available here. How blessed are we with the strength of our music ministry?!

We are hard at work planning for the transition to the Gym for worship beginning in mid-August. (See update shared last week here.) Sunday, August 10, will be our last services in the Sanctuary until after Thanksgiving. We all will need to get used to all worship in the Gym, and there will be “bumps” along the way. Thank you for your patience as we work through the logistics. However, we celebrate the generosity of MUMC for going “above and beyond” to make sure our worship space is welcoming to all as we strive to be a church that embraces disabilities to create an everybody mentality. Thank you!

I am honored to get to be one of the ministers at Matthews UMC! Thank you for your discipleship. I look forward to being in ministry with you this week!

In Christ’s Service,
David

Did you know that 21 people repaired homes damaged by Hurricane Helene in Black Mountain, NC? The Global Impact day trip had 4 members from Denver UMC, 3 students from UNCC, a high school student…and a few bears even joined the work team! MUMC members included Debbie & Stan Sadowski, Lynn Schmidt, Karin Dunham, Marilyn Sczech, Christine Lively, Wendy Hall, Phyllis Nussman, Roy Harrington, Beth & Ken Merchant, Fred & Amy DeVore and Kaitlin Klotz. They assisted Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) in two communities, repairing flooring and putting insulation beneath mobile homes.

Did you know that Tom Williamson and his ministry, Ride Again Bicycle Ministry, was featured on the WSOC-TV news Monday evening?  Watch it here – video is at the top of the page. Contact Tom at [email protected] to donate a bike!

Did you know that the Town of Matthews New Chief of Police James Avens attended the 11:00 worship service on Sunday? Chief Avens is visiting area churches as a way of getting to know the community.

Did you know that about 25 folks from MUMC enjoyed Faith & Family Night at the Charlotte Knights game on Saturday?

Celebration News – Ministry Events & Mission Opportunities