Calendar, Upcoming Events, and News
*Please note that some activities are not church-sponsored or may be private; contact the church office to confirm.
From the weekly email 1/2/26:
New Sermon series: From Christmas to a New Way of Living
Christmas Day has passed, but the meaning of Christmas has not.
We have just celebrated the astonishing news at the heart of our faith: God has come near. Light has entered the world. Love has taken flesh and dwelt among us.
But Christmas is not only about a birth. It is also about a beginning. The question Christmas leaves us with is not simply “Do we believe this story?” It is “How do we live because it is true?”
From the weekly email 1/2/26:
January & February Pastor's Bible Study: Sermon on the Mount
Beginning Thursday, January 8, and in coordination with the new sermon series, Pastor Ann will lead a study on the Sermon on the Mount using Amy-Jill Levine’s book Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven. Books will be available for $15 each (which covers the church’s costs). You can get a book after worship, through the church office, or during class. Alternatively, you can order your book yourself.
Everyone is welcome to join the class. Online attendance is an option for anyone who needs it. The first class will meet on January 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the Patio Room and we will meet weekly through February 12.
From the weekly email 1/3/26:
Food Boxes
Upcoming 7:30 a.m. distributions: Saturdays, January 3 & 17, 2026
If you're looking for ideas of what non-perishable items we can always use, we still need small jars of peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, canned vegetables, canned pasta sauce, and cereal.
The Food Box Crew thanks you for your participation in this much-needed mission!
From the weekly email 1/2/26:
Thank you!
A HUGE "thank you" to all of the volunteers and donors who helped with the food box program this past year. Without your help this wouldn't be the program it is. Thanks to all of you for your support of this important ministry!
—Steve C.
Food Box coordinator
Food Box coordinator
1/2/26:
2025 Habitat Advent calendars
If you forgot to turn in your collection from the Habitat Advent calendar, it's not too late to turn it in! (It will count for the year 2026, but we're still happy to get it!) You can still pull up the calendar, count your blessings, and bring your contribution to church on Sunday toward our next Habitat build. Thank you for all of your support!
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 |
| Dec. 24 | Christmas Eve | Luke 2 |
| Dec. 28 | "Signs & Powers" | Matthew 2:13-23 |
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.
From the weekly email 12/12/25:
Pledge Commitment Cards
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted a 2026 pledge commitment card. It is a tremendous help in planning our programs for next year. It is not too late to turn one in by placing it in the offering plate, mailing it in, or dropping it off at the church office.
We did receive one pledge card in the 12/7 offering plate that did not include a name. If you think this might have been yours, please email us at office@stmatthewmesa.org or call the church office at (480) 838-7309.
From the weekly email 12/12/25:
2026 Monthly Giving Envelopes
We will be distributing 2026 monthly giving envelopes on the church patio on Sunday, December 14 and 21 before and after the church service. For those watching by Livestream and not attending church in person, we can make arrangements to mail or deliver your envelopes. If you received monthly envelopes for 2025, please stop by the table to pick up your 2026 envelopes.
You can still sign up to get a box of envelopes, or let us know you no longer want to receive them, by emailing us at rstmatthew@gmail.com or stopping by the patio table as we ordered a few extra sets. Thanks!
January Youth schedule
| Jan. 4 | "Food & Faith" Devotional | 9:15 a.m. | |
| Jan. 11 | "New Year for Youth" lunch (for grades 6-12) | 12:00 p.m. | |
| Jan. 18 | "Pay It Forward" service project | 9:15 a.m. | |
| Jan. 25 | "Wacky Winter Olympic Games" | 9:15 a.m. |
Thank you!
"Congregation of St. Matthew Church--
Thank you so much for your generous donation of pies for our students' families. Your kindness brought smiles and holiday cheers into the homes of Washington Elementary Families.
Thank you for making the season so much sweeter!
--Washington Elementary"
We delivered 32 pies the congregation donated to the Booker T. Washington Turkey Trot, which allowed two students from each classroom to win a pie. Gobble Gobble!
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/ .
From the Desert Southwest Conference 12/10/25:
UMC Council of Bishops 2025 Advent Message: Embracing, Living Our Vision
Originally published at https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/umc-council-of-bishops-2025-advent-message
As we enter the sacred season of Advent, the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church urges all United Methodists to embrace our new Vision as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, who brings hope to a world full of despair.
The Holy Scriptures tells us that even in these times of despair, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”(Isaiah 9:2) and it encourages us not to live in fear, for God proclaims, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10-11)
Our Vision Statement serves as our guide reminding us that “The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections.”
Advent is a time of expectation and renewal—a season when we prepare for Christ’s coming as we live into our shared Vision in tangible ways as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Love Boldly: As Christ’s love breaks into the world, we are called to extend grace and compassion to neighbors near and far.
Serve Joyfully: Advent reminds us that service is a gift. Every act of kindness becomes a sign of God’s kingdom breaking into our communities.
Lead Courageously: In times of fear and despair, we lead with faith—proclaiming the good news that Christ comes to dwell among us.
So, as we light the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, let us embody these gifts in our homes, churches, and communities. Advent is not passive waiting; it is active preparation. It is living our vision so that the world may know Emmanuel—God with us.
May God empower us through the Holy Spirit to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously as we await Christ’s coming.
In grace and love,
Bishop Tracy S. Malone
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
From the weekly email 12/12/25:
A Note from St. Paul's UMC in Globe
Dear St. Matthew United Methodist Church--
On behalf of our congregation, we thank you so much for your generous donation of $500. Our church donated funds to a local lumberyard-people that need lumbar for rebuilding, got it!
We appreciate your thoughtfulness. Have a beautiful peaceful Christmas Season and a Happy New Year!
In Christ's Name,
Pastor Jeremy B
& Debbie G, Lay Leader & Servant
Pastor Jeremy B
& Debbie G, Lay Leader & Servant
From the weekly email 12/5/25:
Thank you!
The Worship Committee would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who came last Saturday to help decorate our worship space. Because of your generosity, care, and willing hands, the Sanctuary looks beautiful!
Thank you!
"Congregation of St. Matthew Church--
Thank you so much for your generous donation of pies for our students' families. Your kindness brought smiles and holiday cheers into the homes of Washington Elementary Families.
Thank you for making the season so much sweeter!
--Washington Elementary"
We delivered 32 pies the congregation donated to the Booker T. Washington Turkey Trot, which allowed two students from each classroom to win a pie. Gobble Gobble!
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 1/3/26
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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