Weekly Update: June 25, 2025
Word from the Pastor:
I pray this newsletter finds you well—and maybe even enjoying this stretch of surprisingly cool summer weather.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been talking about what it means to be sent—not just to believe the right things, but to show up in the world’s wounds as the body of Christ.
The older I get, the less interest I have in a theology that stays in theory. If it doesn’t make me more like Jesus in practice, what’s the point? The church was never meant to be static. We’re not just here to receive—we’re here to move. When worship and the Word don’t lead to action, we become spiritually overfed and under-exercised.
Jesus didn’t separate loving God from loving our neighbor—they are one and the same. And when asked to define “neighbor,” he pointed to a Samaritan: the outsider, the one who made the “God crowed” feel really uncomfortable. Loving our neighbor isn’t just about helping others—it’s how we become more like Jesus.
So here’s the question: What can you remove or add to your calendar to make loving your neighbor real? Not because it’s easy or convenient—but because it’s essential to your formation and to being the Church.
Let me share how Sarah and I are trying to live this. We realized we could go weeks without encountering “the least of these.” So we reached out to Austin Angels (we've known them for a long time), and we’re beginning to serve a family held together by a devoted aunt raising 11 kids (some of her own and some of her sister’s). It’s going to cost us time, money, and comfort—but that’s not Jesus’ problem, it’s ours. And it’s worth it.
That may sound extreme—but there are countless ways to serve, and not all of them look the same. Your age and health might shape how you serve, but they shouldn’t stop you from doing it. Here are a few possibilities:
Maybe you take the “Norm” route and serve behind the scenes like with the Matthew 25 Project.
Maybe it’s stepping out to volunteer with the Burke Center for Boys or Austin Angels (I can connect you).
Maybe it’s showing up for Helping Hands Food Bank where needs are great.
Maybe it’s simply responding to someone in your life in need—no organization required.
And if direct involvement isn’t possible due to age or physical limitation, maybe it’s partnering with those of us who are more physically involved by helping us provide things like groceries, goods, or gas cards if the need arises.
Just don’t let time be your excuse. Age and ability are real—but they should shape how we serve, not if we serve.
Love you all - it’s time to incarnate the word!
Matthew
Cell 512-787-2429 | Email mdh1199@gmail.com
Instagram @liveordinarywell | Facebook Matthew Hansen
Website
Here's a link to our church website. Be sure to check it for more information, podcasts, donation link and more.
https://www.driftwoodcommunitychurch.org
Upcoming Events
Fifth Sunday Gospel Music - Sunday, June 29, 11:00 am
Make sure to mark your calendars and be here for our gospel music and great musicians. We will gather in the Community Center behind the church after the service for our meal. Remember to bring a side dish! Fried chicken will be provided. We need a volunteer to pick up the chicken, and other volunteers to help with setting up and cleaning afterwards.
First Fridays - Friday, July 11, 5:00 pm
Matthew and Sarah will be at Hays City Store from 5-6:30 pm. and everyone is welcome to join. There's no set agenda—just a time to connect and enjoy good company.
Volunteers Needed
Our church needs your support! If God is calling you and you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please complete this form or contact one of the trustees or pastor. Thank you! https://forms.gle/K2AFU9b9fbeoiZyM7
The Board has a working list of volunteer needs relative to the church service and maintenance items at the church. Be on the lookout for this list and be in prayer about how you can help.
If you have a gift of organizing and/or managing, please consider the Hospitality Coordinator volunteer position. This is an organizational role responsible for recruiting and assigning volunteers for the Sunday Social Hour, 5th Sunday luncheon, holiday meals and general business meeting snacks, etc. Duties of the volunteers that you recruit would include set-up, clean-up, and keeping the kitchen stocked with supplies (coffee, sugar, creamer, paper goods, condiments, juice).
Social Hour: Sundays at 10:00 am
Our social hour is a great way to get to know each other over breakfast tacos! We meet in the Education Building at 10:00 a.m. before the 11:00 a.m. church service.
Dripping Springs Helping Hands Pantry
The 2nd Sunday of each month is designated for pantry donations. Please place your nonparishable food items in the blue barrel in the Education Building.
Concerns:
Caregivers of the hurting
Those grieving lost loved ones
Those suffering with illnesses
Those battling cancer
Israel
Praises:
Our church volunteers
Our church's beautiful new sign
Families, friends and neighbors!
Beautiful tree work on church grounds
Our Nation
Gatherings & Neighbors
Family Reunions
Events where we can be "church" to others
We are sorry if we have missed any prayer needs. Please let us know by sending us an email. Your updates to the prayer list are appreciated.
Our trustees are Shelby Eckols, Craig Glanville, Darrell Thomas, Ben Roberts and David Younger.
God's blessings and love to you,
Driftwood Community Church