Just These Lines, My Friends...… to say that we are in the midst of our annual generosity efforts. I love this time of the year because it is the time I feel most alive. It is also the time when by your commitments you make it possible for Matthews United Methodist to fulfill its mission to reach, teach, praise and serve for the transformation of the world.

Our efforts culminate on Sunday, November 11, when all of us will be invited at the end of each of our worship experiences to come forward and place our financial commitments for 2019 in our Joash Chest. For me, these are some of the holiest moments of the year … watching you come forward and knowing all you do to make sure this transforming community continues to be a source of hope and encouragement for years to come.

All of this has me thinking about what some of our spiritual ancestors said about discipleship, commitment, stewardship and generosity. Consider how each statement below might challenge you to live your life in full obedience and surrender to God:

• Be not anxious about what you have, but about what you are. - Gregory the Great • For those in the married state, the best example we can cite is that of St. Joachim and St. Anne, who every year divided their income into three equal parts. One was for the poor, the second for the temple and the divine service, and the third for themselves. - Ignatius of Loyola • If everyone would take only according to his needs and would leave the surplus to the needy, no one would be rich, no one poor, no one in misery. - Basil the Great • It would be considered a theft on our part if we didn’t give to someone in greater need than we are. - St. Francis of Assisi • It is well known that I had neither riches, nor talent, nor external charm, but I have always loved, and I have loved with all the strength of my heart. - Mary Euphrasia Pelletier • Here is a rule for everyday life: Do not do anything which you cannot offer to God. - St. John Vianney • True humility consists in not presuming on our own strength, but in trusting to obtain all things from the power of God. - St. Thomas Aquinas

I invite you to re-read and reflect on each of these quotes, and be open to how the Spirit might lead you to a deeper commitment to Jesus and a fuller reorientation of your relationship with your finances and material possessions.

This Sunday in worship, I’ll be looking at the story of Jesus and Mary (John 12:1-18) and her washing his feet on the evening before he makes his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as he begins the final week of his life. It is a scene of love gone overboard, love beyond limits, love beyond bounds, love let go.

I am so profoundly grateful for each of you.

We love and let go,

Dr. Charles (Chuck) W. Wilson IIChuck@MatthewsUMC.org

CELEBRATION NEWS • OCTOBER 26, 2018

WORSHIPLove Let Go:

Extravagant Love

John 12:1-18

@MatthewsUMCRead the complete version of “Just These Lines” at MatthewsUMC.org or pick up a

hard copy at the Welcome Center. Subscribe online to receive weekly correspondence.

CONNECTMatthewsUMC.org/Connect• Subscribe to Weekly Highlights, Just These Lines & Celebration News• Watch Live Worship & Archives• Give Online, Text dollar amount to #704-885-5982 or via the ChurchLife ACS App • Submit a Prayer Request• Learn, Grow & Lead with Worship Resources on Social

COME AS YOU ARE! Sunday mornings at

8:15 (Classic)9:30 (Contemporary)

11:00 (Traditional)11:00 (801South)

12:30 Centro Cristiano Hosanna (Servicio en Español)

9:30 The Deep Family Worship (second Sunday

of each month)

COVER PHOTOWe welcomed 24 families

who joined Matthews UMC on Sunday, October 21.

Please pray for God’s guidance in the lives of these new friends and their children.

Celebration is a weekly publication for families and friends of Matthews UMC. Submit content to Communications@MatthewsUMC.org. Submission deadline is noon each Monday, the week of publication.

Please note that all content is subject to editing. Subscribe to weekly correspondence under the Connect tab at MatthewsUMC.org.

801 South Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105 • (704) 847-6261MatthewsUMC.org @MatthewsUMC

Please remember in your prayers: Pam Alter upon the death of her mother; and all those in our Church family with special needs and

concerns.

Please join us in celebrating: the birth of Gavin Cline James, son of Wes & Morgan

James, grandson of Susan James.

Global Impact Prayer: Thank you, Lord for the generous hearts in our MUMC

community during the Hurricane Florence relief drive. May your compassion, love

and grace shine through this simple act of kindness. We pray that our mission team

currently serving alongside the residents in recovery will inspire others to volunteer.

CCH Intercessory Prayer: Saturdays at 6 am in the Chapel.

For care and protection, we lift up all the men and women serving in our Armed

Forces throughout the world.

UPCOMING10/28 Operation Christmas Child Boxes will be available at the Welcome Center. Pleasefill & return them by November 11.

11/2 Hearts & Hands 10:00 - 11:30 am in Conference Room, next to the Chapel. Details at MatthewsUMC.org.

11/4 Children’s Nativity Registration Begins. Please visit Noah’s Ark for more information. Children’s Nativity Sunday, December 23

11/4 Daylight Savings Time Ends - Please set your clocks back one hour.

11/7 Joy Book Club - 11:30 am in Room 180. Book: In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen

11/10 Habitat & MUMC’s Build Day - Sign up today at GlobalImpactMUMC.org to participate in the November 10 & 24 Thrivent Faith build days as we partner with local churches to build homes.

11/20 Halloween Candy Collection Ends. Please place your excess Halloween candy in the Gym Reception Cabinets to be donated to local, national, and international ministries.

STUDIES & GROUPSGriefShare - “Why?”Sundays from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm in Room 213/215Cost $17; Led by the GriefShare Team.

Disciple’s HeartSundays, October 28 - December 2, 10:45 am - 12:15 pmCost $18. Led by Elaine Arnold

New Discussion-Based Community Sundays, beginning November 4, at 11 am in Conference Room 3 (next to the Chapel)Bringing together people of all ages and stages of life with different viewpoints.

Laugh Your Way Small Group Study For CouplesSundays, November 4 - January 20, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm in Room 152

Connect to classes and grow in your journey by visiting MatthewsUMC.org. Childcare may be available if requested in advance. Contact Kim@MatthewsUMC.org.

Lost Members...Please check the updated lists posted at the Welcome Center. If you have any

information on anyone listed, please contact Karen Schultz, Membership Secretary, at karen@matthewsumc.org by Monday, October 29th.

Interested In Joining MUMC?If you would like to become a member, please plan to attend:Coffee With Pastors Chuck & Paul on Sunday, January 13,

3:00 - 4:30 pm; Tour 4:30 - 5:00 pm A Disciple’s Path Classes Sundays, January 20 - February 24, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Register with Karen@MatthewsUMC.org. Joining will be held on Sunday, March 10. Details under New Member Class at MatthewsUMC.org.

Welcome New Members!On Sunday, October 21, Matthews UMC had the honor of

recieving 67 people into membership! Group photo on cover.

Brad/Kristen Crossley (Ethan, Logan); Jimmy/Susan Knight (Jade); Lance/Jamie Stratton (Taylor, Hailey); DiAnn Willis;

Levi/Lauren Castle (Ada, Ivy); Geoff/Christine Gardiner (Eva, Anna); Andy/Kyndall Grayson; Cameron/Elizabeth Hamrick; Delonna Hartley/Michelle Hewitt-Hartley (Hayden, Hannah, Holden, Helena, Harrison, Hanson); John/Adrienne Moody (Olivia); Patrick/Kim O’Donnell; Brandon/Ashleigh Rupert (Gracie May); Alex/Katie Sewell (Mills); Matthew Short;

Charlie/Kathryn Snearly (Carson, Owen); Lance/Suzanne Wilson; Becky Craig; Patsy Crisler; Lu Ann Hall; Thomas

Khoury; John/Darlene Prestbo; Ken/Rowena Styron (Abigail, Harper); Marcus/Mary Walker (Lilly); Carol White.