We have some real treasures here in NT-NL!  Yesterday was a very fun day for me of discovering more of them hidden away in Fort Worth.  I was the guest preacher at St. Matthew’s, where the congregation is served by Pr. Mike Masterson.  He was one of the first pastors I got to know in this synod, when he warmly welcomed me to my first Convocation at Briarwood.

It was fun to watch him in action in his congregation.  This place is blessed with some amazingly talented folks.  The sanctuary is filled with their works of art.  From the pipe organ (constructed by a member of the congregation who does that for a living,) to the banners that are hand-painted fabric which are sewn into beautiful artwork (designed and made by an artist member of the congregation), to the weaving on the wall and the baptismal corner of the sanctuary, I was blown away by all the beauty in this place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The choir was equally impressive, which is no surprise since they are traveling to Germany for a tour this summer.  I did not get to hear the harpsichords, but they also have two of those.  Music and art is one of the many strengths of this congregation.

 

In addition, they’ve already had six new babies born into the congregation this year and it’s only February.  They have several members who are refugees (one of the new babies was just born to a family from Kenya.)

And they have a most unique fundraiser for their active youth group.  This Friday, they will be having a wild game feast with a free will donation to support youth activities.  I may have to go back, just so I can find out what squirrel fettuccine tastes like – and the wild boar ham!

This really is a vibrant and healthy congregation, and we are fortunate to call them one of our own here in NT-NL!