Serving Our City // M-Note 5.23.25

Many in our community are still cleaning up from last week’s storm. Today, I talked with families in our own church who are still without power. People lost homes, cars, roofs, trees, windows, and tragically, five people lost their lives. As a church that believes that to love God, we also must love our neighbors in need, I want to encourage you to find a way to help.
 
This week, I was so proud to see the ways in which individuals and CoreGroups went out into the city to serve. Many of you volunteered in local clean-ups, cleared trees, gathered donated supplies, worked in emergency shelters and donated money to relief. We have had CoreGroups that served together. Michelle Burford, who leads The Gathering’s Literacy Partnership, has responded on behalf of our church to needs that arose in our partner schools. I want to thank all of you for living out your faith by getting involved and serving.
 
If you are still looking for ways to serve, there is still need, and here are some trusted and tangible ways to serve and donate:

We’ve identified three local organizations we know and trust. Each is doing vital work in the areas most affected—meeting immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. You can donate or sign up to volunteer directly through their websites:

• Love the Lou – Focused on restoring North St. Louis through youth development and neighborhood revitalization.
• LifeWise STL – Offering basic needs, emergency relief, and long-term support for families in crisis.
• St. Louis Area Foodbank – Providing meals and supplies to those displaced or without resources.

You can also find updated resources and volunteer opportunities here:

• United Way of Greater St. Louis

Pray for the families impacted, the organizations serving them, and for wisdom as you consider how to respond. If you know someone affected by the storms who could use pastoral support, please let us know here.
 
This weekend, I am starting a new series called Multiply. The central question we will be considering over the next couple of weeks is simple but important. When it comes to faith, are you a creator or a consumer? Do we just “consume” the ministry, church experiences, and faith opportunities that others have worked so hard to give us, or are we also helping to create those experiences for others? This is such an important question for our church and for each of us as individuals. Creating opportunities for others to find faith is a driving passion of my life, so I can’t wait to teach and talk about it.
 
Enjoy your holiday weekend, and I will see you in worship on Sunday.
 
Peace,
Matt
 
P.S. As many of you know, in February of 2026 I will be leading a 10-day trip to Egypt. We will be retracing the steps of Moses and the Exodus story. The trip will start in Cairo, include time at the Great Pyramids as well as the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum, a cruise down the Nile River (not in a basket but a boat), time on the beach, and a sunrise journey to the top of Mt. Sinai (where Moses received the 10 commandments). Along the trip I will be offering teachings and devotionals that deepen our own life and faith in light of what we see. We will be led by professional guides who will teach us about the history and culture of the country. Many of you have expressed interest and I hope you will join me. If you want to learn more, join me for an info session May 29, at 7pm at The Gathering Webster Site. Anyone is welcome so invite a friend or family member to come as well and learn how you might be a part of this trip. If you are interested in coming, let me know or just show up. You can find out more about the trip here.