Outside the Box with Pastor David Christy: Outward Thinking

Dear Fellow Ministers,

It is always fun to get into God’s Word and to seek what it might say to us today. We are currently working through a series called Christian Community In A Me, My, Mine World. Our worship leaders talk every week about worship – quite in depth. We spend time assessing the previous week’s worship and looking forward to the coming week’s worship. What I have realized in those weekly conversations is just how much MUMC does in living into Christian Community! Thank you!

We were led in a great Family Worship on Sunday by Age-Level Ministries and discussed the virtue of “Integrity.” You can view that worship service here. Our 8:15 and 11 am worship services discussed why we need to “keep at it” in seeking to form Christian Community. You can watch the 11 am service and hear beautiful music (handbells and offertory anthem from the choir) here.

I’m excited for all of us that Pastor Susan is preaching this week on Acts 2:42-47. Please pray through this passage as God forms a sermon in Pastor Susan and us. She will be leading us in thinking about what makes Christian Community unique. We are so blessed by her gifts as our Executive Pastor.

As we concentrate on Christian Community, I am so grateful to get to be one of the pastors at such an “outward thinking” church. As I type this, we have a team of servants in Kenya working with ZOE Empowers (pic above) AND a team of servants in Western NC helping with Hurricane Helene Relief. And tonight, you can be a part of School Days/Serving Ways with Global Impact partners right here in our community who focus on education. These teams are, of course, just a drop in the bucket of all of the weekly work that takes place through the “regular” ministries of this church. Thank you all for (my highest compliment) “bustin’ a groove for Jesus!”

Thank you for your generosity of Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness! MUMC is truly living the vows of membership daily. Be sure to view our video update of the Sanctuary Renovation! Please join me in praying that God may be blessed by our ministry offerings. I look forward to being in ministry with you, outside the box, this week!

In Christ’s Service,
David

Did you know that this group from MUMC served lunch at Dove’s Nest last week? Dove’s Nest is part of Charlotte Rescue Mission, helping women in recovery as they deal with substance abuse and alcohol issues. Thank you, team, for serving this Global Impact partner.

Did you know that MUMC’s Global Impact Team handed out church swag to the crowd at Beats ‘N Bites at Stumptown Park last Friday? The crowd loved the swag and the 80’s tribute band!

Did you know that we have a team of 13 individuals from 4 churches in western NC repairing damage from Hurricane Helene? The team was commissioned on Sunday and returns on Sept 19. Please pray for the work done by Disaster Ministries of the Western NC Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Did you know that Pastor Bill represented Matthews UMC Hospitality and Invitation during Opening Day at MARA?

Check out all that is happening at Matthews UMC by reading our weekly Celebration News!