Calendar, Upcoming Events, and News
*Please note that some activities are not church-sponsored or may be private; contact the church office to confirm.
Thursday Bible Study on break through October
We will resume at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, November 6. See you then!
October Worship schedule
| Oct. 5 | "It’s Not About the Fish: The Story of Jonah" - Book of Jonah (selected passages) |
| Oct. 12 | "Jesus in Unexpected Places: The Parable of the Talents" - Matthew 25:14-20 |
| Oct. 19 | "When Repentance Isn’t Enough: Looking for Zacchaeus" - Luke 19:1-10 |
| Oct. 26 | "Updating Our Lenses: Healing the Man Who Was Blind" - Mark 8:22-26 |
In November, we will be focusing on collecting pies for Washington School to give away to students.
As always, we are collecting food for the food box ministry. Our next distribution of food boxes will be November 8. We are particularly concerned this month because the State of Arizona has announced that November SNAP benefits (Nutrition Assistance/food stamps) have been halted by order of the USDA. With those benefits ending and most Federal employees not receiving paychecks, we anticipate an unprecedented call for food assistance this month and for the foreseeable future. If you are able to help, please consider bringing nonperishable food, including small jars of peanut butter, cans of tuna or chicken, canned vegetables, pasta, canned pasta sauce, and cereal, to the church Sunday morning or during the week while the office is open. We can also use empty egg cartons (6- and 12-count) which allow us to divide bulk egg purchases into family-sized portions. We love to receive gift cards for local grocery stores, which allow us to supplement donations with fresh food.
Annual Church Conference Sunday, November 9
Save the date and plan your pie! Our Annual Church Conference will be November 9, immediately after worship. You are invited to bring pie to share after our work is done!
A Year of Awe: November
Monday, November 10 - meet at 5:30 p.m.
In November we will find awe at the Scottsdale Canal Convergence, which returns for its 14th year at the Scottsdale Waterfront with an exciting and theatrical featured theme: SHOWTIME! This year’s event will continue to put light-based public art center stage with a diverse collection of engaging and interactive installations. The overall event theme, SHOWTIME, will highlight the “art” of performance through the event’s public art, workshops and activities, tours, community engagements, special events, and, of course, through live music and dance!
We will gather in the parking lot of St. Matthew UMC at 5:30 pm on 11/10 and carpool to Scottsdale. The event runs from 6-9 pm, but those carpooling together can determine when they would like to leave. Bring a warm jacket and comfortable walking shoes, reusable water bottles, etc. The approximate ¾ mile waterfront distance is wheelchair and walker accessible. Please note: This is an outdoor event. Cost: Free. For those who want to attend but cannot do so on 11/10, the event runs evenings from 11/7-11/16, at Stetson Plaza, 70380 E. 5th Ave, Scottsdale, with extended hours of 6-10 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Blessings,
Pastor Ann
Pastor Ann
A Night of Music, Community, and Connection — Right Here at St. Matthew!
This Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., our campus will come alive with the sounds of youth and beauty as the students of Tetra Chamber Music Institute (TCMI) present their Fall Culmination Concert right here at St. Matthew United Methodist Church!
The concert is free and open to the community — a wonderful opportunity for us to experience the incredible talent of these young musicians and to extend hospitality to their families. These are not strangers; they are part of the St. Matthew community, even if we haven’t met them all individually yet! TCMI uses our campus every week for lessons and rehearsals, filling our halls with youthful energy, laughter, and music. Many of us have said that we long to see younger families on our campus — well, here they are! So let’s make sure they feel truly welcomed.
Our Part: Showing Up and Showing Hospitality
As their community host, we’ve offered to provide a reception following the concert, and I’m inviting everyone to take part. There are two ways to help:
1. Attend the concert. Let’s have a strong showing from St. Matthew! Your presence will show these young musicians and their families that they are valued and celebrated here. So mark your calendars and plan on being there. If you cannot attend all 3 hours, we understand; you can drop in when and for however long it suits you.
2. Help with the reception. We’ll need volunteers to donate baked goods (homemade or store-bought), as well as a few people to help set up, serve, and clean up the reception tables. Many hands will make light work — and joyful fellowship!
This is a chance to put our church’s warmth and hospitality into action. Veterans, families, and music lovers alike will all be uplifted by this evening of gratitude and harmony.
Let’s fill our sanctuary with our presence and our campus with laughter, kindness, and cookies!
Please sign up in the narthex, see Pam Beihl, or contact the church office to let us know how you can help.
Together, we can make this a night that reminds our guests — and ourselves — that St. Matthew UMC is a place where all generations are welcome and all gifts are celebrated!
Blessings,
Pastor Ann
Pastor Ann
From the weekly email 10/17/25:
"Tools for the Soul" Women's One-Day Retreat in Sedona
Saturday, November 1, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Sedona UMC
From the East District email 10/21/25:
Elder Fraud Seminar
Saturday, November 1 at 10:00 a.m. at First UMC, Phoenix (5510 North Central Avenue)
Presented by the Arizona Attorney General's Office and hosted by the First Church Foundation
Space is limited--register today!
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
From the weekly email 10/17/25:
Lay Servant Course Opportunities Coming in January
Are you interested in some low-cost professional training to improve your skills in ministering to people and serving the church? No need to go to seminary! East District Lay Servant Ministries is offering courses locally. You are encouraged to take the Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries course first, but anyone with a special interest in an advanced course is welcome to register for it. The courses aren't until January, but they may fill up, so give them some thought today!
For more information or to register, please click on the link(s) below:
Introduction to Lay Servant Ministries
Saturdays Jan. 10 and Jan. 17, 2026 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Location: Gilbert First UMC, Gilbert
https://dscumc.org/event/lsm-introduction-to-lay-servant-ministries-at-first-umc-gilbert/
Saturdays Jan. 10 and Jan. 17, 2026 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Location: Gilbert First UMC, Gilbert
https://dscumc.org/event/lsm-introduction-to-lay-servant-ministries-at-first-umc-gilbert/
For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Advanced course)
Saturdays Jan 10 and Jan 17, 2026 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Location: Gilbert First UMC, Gilbert
https://dscumc.org/event/lsm-for-the-common-good-discovering-and-using-your-spiritual-gifts-january-10-17-2026/"
Saturdays Jan 10 and Jan 17, 2026 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
Location: Gilbert First UMC, Gilbert
https://dscumc.org/event/lsm-for-the-common-good-discovering-and-using-your-spiritual-gifts-january-10-17-2026/"
Lay Pastoral Caregiving (Advanced course)
Sundays Jan 11, 18, 25, and Feb 1, 2026 (1:30- p.m.4:00 p.m.)
Location: Zoom
https://dscumc.org/event/lsm-lay-pastoral-caregiving-via-zoom-january-11-18-25-and-february-1-2026/
Sundays Jan 11, 18, 25, and Feb 1, 2026 (1:30- p.m.4:00 p.m.)
Location: Zoom
https://dscumc.org/event/lsm-lay-pastoral-caregiving-via-zoom-january-11-18-25-and-february-1-2026/
From the Desert Southwest Conference 9/24/25:
4:30 p.m. Friday, February 27- 5:30 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026 (overnight)
When we see the devastation caused by floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires, our hearts go out to those whose lives have been turned upside-down. Our DSW Conference has over 30 trained and certified Early Response Team members who are prepared to enter the scene of a disaster directly after first responders leave. But more important than the physical aid we provide after a disaster is the human aid, being compassionate listeners to people who often need to talk about their experience to begin the healing process.
Our disaster response ministry is preparing to broaden our ability to serve these families and their children as they seek to rebuild their lives. This will also allow many who are not physically able to aid in disaster relief the ability to serve. On February 27 and 28, 2026 at Dove of the Desert UMC, we will be offering a training presented by the Church of the Brethren's Children’s Disaster Services. CDS travels across the country to offer this unique training; UMCOR staff endorses and works closely with this ministry and encourages members to attend their training.
Although next February may seem far off, if you are interested in taking the training, please sign up soon, as the class is limited to 25 participants.
For more information, or to register, please visit the CDS page at https://www.brethren.org/cds/training/ .
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 will be 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 set-up and take down 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 East District email 10/21/25:
Join the “Mobilizing the Laity for Transformational Ministry” Think Tank: Help Build a Healthy Church for a Healthy World
The Desert Southwest Conference is forming a Conference-wide think tank of 8-10 passionate individuals to help shape a new future for lay leadership in the Conference! Click here for more info!
10/21/25:
Electrical outage update
Many of you (everyone in church or streaming the service this week) noticed that there was some unexpected behavior in the lights and sound on Sunday, October 19. SRP paid us a visit after the service and made some repairs to the transformer outside our building. Everything appears to be working now! We do apologize to everyone who was affected by this, particularly our online congregation who missed the sermon and the rest of the service. With the grace of God, we expect everything to go smoothly next Sunday. Thank you for your patience!
10/21/25:
Alaska Typhoon response
On Oct. 12, remnants of Typhoon Halong impacted the Alaskan coast with hurricane-force winds and severe flooding, sweeping away dozens of homes and destroying towns, especially along the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta coast. As the people of western Alaska work to clean up their communities and rebuild their lives after this month's devastating storms, the United Methodist Church is working to give them our love and support.
Visit the St. Matthew page on Disaster Relief to learn more and see ways you can help.
From the weekly email 10/10/25:
Food Box Update
Upcoming 7:30 a.m. food box distribution: October 25, 2025
Only nine 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 10/10/25:
St. Matthew Prayer Tree
At St. Matthew UMC, we support each other and our church with our prayers. If you have a prayer request, reach out to the church office or fill out a prayer request form on Sunday morning and put it in the offering plate. Likewise, if you would like to support others through prayer and join our prayer chain, just let us know and be sure we have your email address so we can send prayer requests to you.
Please be aware that we cannot share specific medical information unless the person in question requests that we share it. If they do want the specifics shared, please provide contact information so we can verify their consent, or ask them to contact the church directly. Otherwise, the information shared will be: “Please pray for healing for [person's name].”
From UMCOR 10/20/25:
2025 Alaska UMC Response to Typhoon Halong
On Oct. 12, remnants of Typhoon Halong impacted the Alaskan coast with hurricane-force winds and severe flooding, sweeping away dozens of homes and destroying towns, especially along the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta coast.
In response, UMCOR has awarded a solidarity grant to the Alaska Annual Conference. This emergency grant will assist with the immediate needs of the thousands of individuals impacted, especially those currently sheltered. These efforts will be carried out in close collaboration with United Methodist leaders and partners in Alaska, ensuring that aid reaches those who are most vulnerable. The Alaska Annual Conference and its partners are currently coordinating to provide food, a shower trailer and shelter for those impacted, as well as continuing to communicate with all affected communities as they assess their needs.
Bible Stories Through Grown-Up Lenses continues...
Worship Series
Through October, we will continue our sermon series focusing on scripture and how to read and look at familiar Bible stories with what may be a new perspective, as adults! Having already looked at Noah, Abraham and Isaac, and Jonah, we will turn our attention to stories by or about Jesus. We will take a new look at one of Jesus’ most perplexing parables. Then on October 19, we’ll sing a new song about Zacchaeus (or Pastor Ann will!). And we will end the month with an unusual healing story from the gospel of Mark.
From the weekly email 10/10/25:
A Note from Missions & Outreach
This past week, we delivered the following children's items to Helen's Hope Chest: 35 new jackets, 10 gently-used jackets, and 30 new outfits, as well as a remaining assortment of children's Bible storybooks and hygiene items. All were collected at St. Matthew during our Spring coat and jacket drive, and will now be keeping children in foster care warm as they wait at bus stops and play on school playgrounds. Soon we will also be delivering adult coats and jackets to the Justa Center and UMOM. Your generous response to this donation drive is deeply appreciated!
—Your Friends in Missions & Outreach
From the weekly email 9/19/25:
Another Note from the Missions & Outreach Committee
Our international scholarship student is pursuing her Master’s degree in a two-year cardiology program at JSS Medical College in Mysore, India. St. Matthew members have been financially supporting her with tuition payments. Her tuition for this final year in school is covered; however, she is needing help with her housing and living expenses for the coming school year.
If you would like to assist her, you can write a check to St. Matthew with the notation H’s Living Expenses in the memo line. Please note that your donation is not tax-deductible. Thank you for your generosity.
If you have any questions, please ask Rosemary J or email the church office.
—Rosemary J
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 10/25/25
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
Links
Copyright © 2025 | Powered by 
churchtrac
churchtrac