The St Matthew UMC food box program has been blessed with a one year food grant from "The Bishop's Storehouse". This will help fill gaps in our food box program due to cutbacks by Midwest food bank. The Bishop's Storehouse is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. St Matthew's association with the neighborhood LDS church, specifically the "Interfaith Day of Service" held in September for the last several years, has helped build connections with the LDS church and we are grateful for their assistance with our food box ministry.

On a different note, several of our food box volunteers have plans for the summer and will not be available to help with the food boxes. If you would like to volunteer for a few months during the summer we would welcome your help. It would be once or twice every other week. Our biggest need is helping receive the order from Waste Not on Friday's between 9-12 noon. The other need is helping to pack the food boxes on Thursday mornings between 8-10am. If you're interested please contact Virginia Hughes or Steve Childs for additional information.

Food insecurity in Arizona is at 11%, and with a population of about 7.3 million that means approximately 800,000 people who have to make a decision between paying for rent, gas, medical bills, or putting food on the table. St Matthew’s food box ministry is one of the important ways we can help make a difference in the lives of those who receive food here every two weeks.

~Thank you, from the Food Box Crew.

If you're looking for ideas of what non-perishable items we can use, we still need small jars of peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, and canned pasta sauce.

Join us every Thursday at 9:30 AM in Patio Rooms.

Class Leader: Rev. Jim Ek

Title: Discerning the Voice of God

Sundays after the service until the end of July

Time: 10:20 am

Where: C1-3 (former nursery rooms)

Invitation: Have you ever asked yourself, "Why don't I hear God?" "Where is that still small voice?" If you stop and think about it, do you really think that He loved you enough to die for you, but not enough to talk to you?! Please come and join us. God has something to say - to you!

Huruma Israel Bifa is the young lady that we, St. Matthew and Friendship Village, aresupporting in medical school in India, through tuition and housing payments. Huruma has completed a 3 year Bachelor of Science degree in Cardiology with outstanding grades at Parul University in India. She has now been accepted in a 2 year program of Master’s of Science of Echocardiography at JSS Medical College, of JSS Academy Of Higher Education and Research.She begins her studies in the fall of this 2024-25

academic school year in India. It is a highly ranked medical school. St. Matthew and Friendship Village have donated enough for Huruma’s tuition for this coming year ($4,200.00) but will need to raise the cost of housing. We will have the cost of housing in the near future. We will also need to raise at least $4,200 for tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year as well as whatever housing will cost.

If you are interested in supporting Huruma’s tuition and/or housing, please write

checks out to St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Mesa. Include For International Scholarship in the MEMO Line and it will go toward her tuition. That amount will be tax deductible. If you would like to contribute to her housing as well, please include on the memo line the amount toward housing and write non-tax deductible. Thank you for helping us provide a cardiologist to Huruma’s area of Tanzania.

Dear Church Family,

God calls us each of us to be changemakers. As we seek to make a difference in our world, it's tempting to rush ahead on our own. However, Jesus shows us a different way.

When Jesus sent out his disciples, He instructed them to immerse themselves in the community they were serving. They were to accept hospitality and stay with those who welcomed them. This approach teaches us a valuable lesson: true change happens when we work alongside our community, not apart from it.

As we strive to be a risk-taking church, let's remember that our greatest impact comes when we collaborate with those we serve. We are called to be part of the community, understanding its needs, and working together towards positive change. I wonder what you notice how God is working in our church, our community or in the East Valley?

This week, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Engage with our community in new ways. Listen to their stories, understand their challenges, and work together to be the changemakers God wants us to be. This Sunday we will have the opportunity to hear how churches in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference are working together to be changemakers. Our lay members to annual conference will be sharing what they experienced and how St Matthew is part of this work. 

Let's take risks, but let's do it together, as a church family and as part of our wider community.

You are loved and appreciated,

Pastor Joe

A New Leaf's East Valley Men's Center is a safe haven for men facing homelessness as they re-integrate in the community.

EVMC accepts homeless men 18 years of age and older, providing up to 120 days in emergency shelter, during which time they work with case managers to find permanent housing options. Residents are required to pursue employment and to save a majority of their income.

We provide 96 sack lunches about 20 times per year. We make lunches on Sunday mornings after worship and deliver. Each lunch contains 2 ham sandwiches, chips, Rice Krispie treat, an apple and a bottled water. The cost per lunch is about $2.00.

We do have some donations from our volunteer team to defray cost. We have been doing this for over 10 years. Donations are greatly appreciated. Checks can be made to St. Matthew UMC and marked for EVM lunch program. Thank you so much for your support.

The men's Bible study meets at 6:45 am Thursdays in the patio rooms (C6-7). The group is studying the book of Acts. Coffee, juice and pastries are provided. Information: Greg Beihl, 480.839.1269