Calendar, Upcoming Events, and News
*Please note that some activities are not church-sponsored or may be private; contact the church office to confirm.
Thanksgiving Office Closure
In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, please be advised that on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, our office will be CLOSED, and will resume normal office hours on Monday, December 1, at 9 a.m. Our Thursday Bible Study will not be meeting on Thanksgiving.
From the weekly email 11/21/25:
Decorating the Sanctuary for Advent
The Worship Committee invites YOU to join us on Saturday, November 29 at 8:30 AM as we prepare our sanctuary for the advent season! All are invited and welcome! Remember, many hands make light work!
From the weekly email 11/15/25:
Advent & Christmas Worship Series & Study
Advent is the beginning of a new year of waiting, but it is an active and watchful waiting. It is tapping into the world's longing for redemption, salvation, and transformation. November 30 is the first Sunday of Advent when we turn our attention toward preparation for the coming of Christ. Our Advent worship theme this year is All Earth Is Waiting, from the hymn Toda la Tierra and its first line, “Toda la tierra espera al Salvador/All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,” hymn #210. This hymn, and indeed the worship series, is a reminder of what is at stake. “All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty” in the first verse allows us to look back to the story of the Incarnation and to look forward to the coming of the kingdom of heaven, when the will of God will be done on earth as in heaven. All of earth is waiting for this fulfillment. In worship, we can see the signs of the nearness of Emmanuel, God with us.
| Nov. 30 | "Signs & Times" | Matthew 24:6-44 |
| Dec. 7 | "Signs & Story" | Matthew 3:1-12 |
| Dec. 14 | "Signs & Truth" | Matthew 11:2-11 |
| Dec. 21 | "Signs & Faithfulness" | Matthew 1:18-25 |
An Advent study prepared by Pastor Ann will accompany this worship series and will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays 12/4, 12/11, and 12/18. Booklets for the study will be available through the church office, at worship, or in class. Ideally, class members will pick up the booklet by November 30 in preparation for the first class the following Thursday, December 4. A $5 donation to offset the cost of printing the booklets is appreciated but not required.
From the weekly email 11/21/25:
“Waiting With Hope” Adult Sunday School led by Rev. Jim Ek
Begins Sunday, November 30 • 10:30 a.m. • Room C1-3
As Advent begins, I invite you into a gentle, reflective four-week journey of hope, peace, joy, and love. This study will help us slow down, breathe deeply, and open our hearts to the ways Christ is already drawing near. Together, we’ll explore Scripture, share meaningful conversation, and practice simple acts of compassion that help us notice God’s presence in everyday life.
Whether you’ve been part of the fall Sunday School series or are joining for the first time, you are warmly welcome! Come as you are. Bring your questions, your longing, your gratitude, and your need for peace – and your Bible! Let’s prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming—together.
November Youth schedule
From the weekly email 11/21/25:
Christmas Angel Tree
St. Matthew will be adopting four families this Christmas. There will be 15 children and their parents, who will be having a little bit better Christmas this year because of you. On Sunday, November 30, the first day of Advent, a tree will be in the narthex with Angels for you to select to buy a gift for these families.
Please bring the gifts UNWRAPPED on Sunday, 12/7 or 12/14. They can also be dropped off at the church office. We will wrap the gifts, and deliver them by Dec. 16. We cannot accept the gifts after 12/14.
If you will not be at the church but would like to participate, please contact Virginia H personally or through the church office, and she will give you the information for a child and gift item to give.
We appreciate all of your support on this fun and joyous outreach opportunity!
From the weekly email 11/7/25:
UWF Annual Holiday Bake Sale
United Women in Faith will be holding their second annual bake sale on December 7, after the church service/choir cantata. As last year, all items will be things that can easily be held in a hand (so no pies or large cakes – sorry!). Please keep in mind that this is a cash donations only bake sale.
–St. Matthew UWFaith
From the weekly email 11/14/25:
December Mission Focus: Advent Food Boxes
For over 40 years St. Matthew UMC has blessed our community with Christmas food boxes, and we're not stopping now! In the link below you can find our "Advent Food Box" list. There will also be paper copies available in the Sanctuary Narthex Sunday mornings.
Choose a few items from the list, or buy everything for a complete box. All donations are appreciated.
Please bring all donations by December 14, as boxes will be given out on Saturday, December 20 through our Food Box distribution. (Yes, the list is in the form of an Advent Calendar, but this time, we can't wait until Christmas!) Thanks in advance for your generous donation and participation!
—Missions & Outreach Committee
From the weekly email 11/14/25:
A Place for Quiet Hope: Our Longest Night service
Sunday, December 21 at 5:00 p.m.
For many, Christmas is a season of lights, laughter, and joy. But for others, this time of year can feel heavy. Grief has its own calendar, and it doesn’t take a holiday break. Worry, loneliness, or exhaustion don’t simply disappear because the world around us seems determined to be merry. And this year, especially, so many are carrying burdens—grief after the death of a loved one, the ache of being far from family, strained relationships, financial struggles, illness, anxiety, political unrest, or the deep uncertainty facing so many in our community and world.
If this describes you—or someone you love—then our Longest Night service (sometimes called "Blue Christmas") is a place made especially for you. This quiet, reflective worship service creates space for honesty, healing, and hope. It reminds us that it is holy to stop pretending to be joyful when joy feels far away. It reminds us that God sees us, just as we are, and meets us in our need....
From the weekly email 11/15/25:
Stories of Hope
Saturday, November 22, 6:00 p.m. at St. Matthew; weekly around the East Valley
Tuesday, November 11, 5:30-8:30 in the St. Matthew UMC Sanctuary
Followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall
Followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall
Turkey Trot Pies
Thank you to all who donated pies to Booker T. Washington's Turkey Trot. We delivered 32 pies, which allowed two students from each classroom to win a pie. Gobble Gobble!
From the weekly email 11/14/25:
Thank you, St. Matthew!
Thank you all for your increased support of the Food Box program! This past Sunday there were two shopping carts filled with food, and some gift cards. We were able to purchase 35 dozen eggs with some of the money, and there are still some gift cards we can use in the coming giveaways. We are prepared 17% more food boxes for the most recent giveaway (Nov 8th) in anticipation of the increase in need.
Thanks again,
The Food Box Crew
The Food Box Crew
From the weekly newsletter 11/21/25:
Thank you, Girl Scout Troop!
Another big thank you to our local Girl Scout troop, led by Marion R, who also donated a large box of food to the food box program. You're not only being friendly and helpful, but you're making the world a better place! Thanks again!
—The Food Box Program
From the weekly email 10/31/25:
Food Box Update
Upcoming 7:30 a.m. food box distributions: Saturdays November 8 & 22, 2025
Only a few more weeks until our last Food Box giveaway of the year! The Food Box crew would like to be able to provide a Christmas stocking to everyone that receives a food box, so we are asking for help in acquiring 60 stockings. They can be purchased from Dollar Tree for about $1.25 each. We have attached pictures of last year's stockings as an example. They measure about 8" wide x 16" long and come in a variety of styles. We have most of the items to put in the stockings, so we really only need the stockings. If you can help, please place them in the grocery cart outside the sanctuary Sunday mornings.
And (of course) if you're looking for ideas of non-perishable items to donate, we're always happy to see small jars of peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, canned vegetables, canned pasta sauce, and cereal.
The Food Box Crew thanks you for the love and support you help us to share with our neighbors!
—The Food Box Team
From the weekly email 11/7/25:
Viva la Church!
Several leaders of St. Matthew (Pamela and Greg Beihl, Sue Edman, and Pastor Ann) went to Las Vegas October 21-23 for "Viva la Church," a conference about what’s next for the UMC. This conference promised to be “a dynamic innovator gathering for leaders, dreamers, and doers who are passionate about the future of the Church…designed for clergy and laity who are ready to reimagine church…revitalizing a small congregation, exploring new models of ministry, or simply curious about how to reach new people in new ways outside of church walls.” And we were not disappointed! The conference drew participants from all over the connection, not just the Western Jurisdiction (75 from our Annual Conference alone) but from all over the US, and we had participants of all ages, from the Silent Generation (born 1928-1945) through Gen Alpha (born 2010-2025) and everything in between. Please click the button below to read more of our experience of Viva la Church!
From the weekly email 11/7/25:
Thank you, Dobson Ranch!
The Food Box program was the recipient of a huge donation of food collected by La Casita Preschool here in Dobson Ranch. Two teachers at the school had a food drive this past week and stopped by St. Matthew with a Suburban full of food! We really appreciate their donation and the support of our food ministry here at St. Matthew.
From the weekly email 11/7/25:
Following Jesus: A Reflection on Faith & Christian Nationalism
On this off-year election day 2025, and as I look toward Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, my thoughts turn toward the problem of Christian Nationalism that is causing so much harm to our nation, to our churches, and to our friends and families. I am grateful to Ben Furlong who provided the spark for this article in the form of summaries of several articles about Christian nationalism. The following is written out of a deep love of this country and an even deeper love for Jesus....(Please click the button below to read more of Pastor Ann's reflection article.)
From the weekly email 11/7/25:
A Prayer for our Nation
Gracious and Loving God,
You are the Maker of all peoples and the Giver of every good gift. In this season of gratitude— when we give thanks for harvest and home, for freedom and community — we pause to lift before you our nation.
We thank you for its beauty and abundance, for the diverse people who call it home, and for the ideals of liberty and justice that have inspired generations. Yet we confess that we have not always lived up to those ideals. Heal the divisions that wound our common life. Calm the fears that drive us apart. Grant wisdom and humility to those who lead, and courage and compassion to those who follow.
Teach us to be a thankful and faithful people: not only for abundance, but for the responsibility to share it; not only for freedom, but for the wisdom to use it well; not only for peace, but for the courage to make it real.
Forgive us when pride blinds us to your grace, when fear hardens our hearts, or when faith becomes a weapon instead of a way. Deliver us from the false gods of power and privilege, and draw us again to the humble heart of Christ.
Renew in us the spirit of your Son — who blessed the peacemakers, who welcomed the outcast, who lifted the lowly, and who gave thanks before breaking bread. Let that same spirit shape our witness, that our gratitude may become generosity, our faith become service, and our lives become instruments of your peace.
Make our nation more just, our people more kind, and our hearts more open. Make our witness gentle but strong, so that our lives may reflect the justice, humility, and boundless grace of your kingdom.
Through Jesus Christ, the Lord of all nations and the Giver of every good and perfect gift,
Amen.
From the Desert Southwest Conference 11/5/25:
Changes to the UMC constitution and organizational structure ratified, now in effect
All four constitutional amendments approved by the United Methodist Church's 2024 General Conference have now been ratified by the required two-thirds of votes at annual conferences, the Council of Bishops has announced.
From the Desert Southwest Conference Bishop's Office 10/28/25:
This coming weekend on November 1st, 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not receive their benefits because of the ongoing government shutdown. This is according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website that says that “the well has run dry.” ...
From the Desert Southwest Conference newsletter 10/29/25:
Viva la Church: A Call to Imagination, Rhythm, and Joy
What happens in Vegas might usually stay in Vegas, but not this time! The Viva la Church gathering brought together innovators, dreamers, and builders from across the country. Everyone left the gathering stirred up and ready to do the work of holy disruption....
A Year of Awe
As we learned during our worship series, “The Purveyors of Awe,” a sense of awe helps us remain connected to each other, be more caring, and encourages us to be more community minded. The Purveyors of Awe series included the suggestion that we continue our pursuit of awe, and that we invite others to join us. Accordingly, you are invited to A YEAR OF AWE.
Our first AWESOME experience was our Peace Pole Rededication on October 26 after worship. Please join us in turning our attention, our energy, and our prayers toward peace. In a world where we hear about, and even see, so much violence, we have never needed peace more.
Each month, we will arrange a special event, often free, that can help us maintain a sense of awe and wonder. While some of these events, like the Peace Pole, will take place on the St. Matthew UMC campus, many will not. Instead, we will find awe around us, in our neighborhood, in our community, and in the larger Phoenix area. The various activities I am hoping to arrange include the Scottsdale Canal Convergence, seeing Christmas Lights together, walking the Desert Botanical Gardens, taking an “Awe Walk” in our neighborhood, and much more. While the Thursday morning Bible study class gave me lots of ideas, if you have ideas about “awesome” experiences we could share, especially if they are free or low cost, I would love to hear them! Send your ideas to me at pastorann@stmatthewmesa.org, or schedule an appointment to see me at https://calendly.com/pastorann-stmatthewmesa/1-hour-one-on-ones.
Blessings,
Pastor Ann
Pastor Ann
From the weekly email 10/24/25:
Thank You, St. Matthew!
We would like to offer many thanks to everyone who helped make our week of hosting Family Promise such a great success: delicious food every night, caring overnight hosts, and the help with setup and takedown and laundry. With so much to do throughout the week, it is you, our church family, that allows us to share God's love.
It is so rewarding as the families leave on the last day, and they give us hugs and tell us how they have enjoyed their stay. Our hearts were filled this time as they all expressed how EVERYONE had made them feel like they were part of a family. Mission accomplished!
Thank you all for your support and help.
--Carol and Rosemary
From the Desert Southwest Conference:
The Desert Southwest Conference lists job openings weekly for positions in local churches, Conferences across the country, and United Methodist General organizations. To see the listings, check out dscumc.org/classifieds/jobs.
Page updated 11/21/25
Rev. Ann Lyter, Senior Pastor
2540 West Baseline Road
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 838-7309
Office hours M-F 9 a.m.-noon
Office hours M-F 9 a.m.-noon
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