Outside the Box with Pastor David Christy: The Power of Presence

Dear Fellow Ministers,

As always, there is SO much happening at Matthews UMC, and people are active in Reaching, Teaching, Praising, and Serving! This past Sunday, we were led in our three morning worship services (view here) by our amazing youth. We thank our youth for the leadership they bring to our church. As Pastor Corey stated, “They are not the future of our church… they are the now!” We especially thank Pastor Corey, Grace Hopper and Jacob Sitzer for their leadership!

This Sunday, we begin our new series ALL IN: Bring All of Our Gifts. We will be talking about our vows of discipleship to support our church with our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness. Those of us who have taken the vows of membership are blessed to live into these commitments. This Sunday in particular, we will be talking about “The Power of Presence” by looking at Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7. I hope you will pray through this text with me as God forms a sermon in us.

I am forever grateful for the way this church lives out its faith! The work being done on the sanctuary is one tangible way we are showing what it means to do all we can to be sure everyone is included in worship of our Almighty God! Please see this week’s video update.

We also have so many people involved in our town and helping it to be welcoming. We have elections coming up, and what a great opportunity we have to exercise our right to vote. Matthews Mayor Higdon puts it this way: As a church, we won’t endorse or oppose any candidate or party — that’s not our role. But we can encourage one another to be engaged, thoughtful, and prayerful as we participate. Let’s do our part to shine God’s light in Matthews through love, service, and good citizenship. I appreciate this sentiment and hope that we can, indeed, show our faith as citizens. Scripture reminds us of our roles as citizens of the world and as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Thank you for allowing your faith to shine as you care about our world around us!

The truth is, however, as we become active in the world we realize that life is hard. There are people who are hurting, and when we are honest, we count ourselves in that number. Through our church’s Mental Health Ministry, we are having a very special Sunday on October 19, with Dr. Elaine Heath being our guest preacher. (Read about her ministry.) Please reserve your spot for the session that will follow worship. MUMC is active and concerned about all of God’s Children going through trauma. Many of us can understand what that is like, and we want to be open to receiving those who are hurting and considering ways we can better minister to each other.

Thank you for the ways you engage your faith! I am honored to get to be one of the clergy here at MUMC. Please consider inviting someone to worship with you this week. I look forward to being in ministry with you, outside the box!

In Christ’s Service,
David

Did you know that Faithfulness in Chaos prayer stations are in the Chapel during the month of October? Stop by during Church Office hours (ring the doorbell at the Chapel entrance) or on Sundays to engage in scripture and postures that center on faith in chaos.

Did you know that Joe Culpepper and other volunteers helped men from Hoskins Park fix their chapel flooring and complete needed repairs? Hoskins Park is a local Global Impact partner that gives men facing homelessness, drug addiction and substance abuse an opportunity to grow and build a Christ-Centered life.

Did you know that Global Impact volunteers helped Blessed Assurance, one of our ministry partners, with a garden? Now they have a beautiful Collards Garden for their 70+ senior day residents to enjoy!