Weekly Update: August 6, 2025
Word from the Pastor:
I hope this week’s newsletter finds you well—and managing to stay cool in this heat.
This past Sunday, we looked at the sacraments, especially communion, and introduced free-sacramental worship—the belief that God meets us through the physical. Sacraments make visible what is often invisible, and invite us to see ordinary acts, practiced with faith and intention, as spaces of divine encounter. One key takeaway: the sacraments make us one—they create community.
I’ve been reading Why Religion Went Obsolete (recommend), a book filled with interviews from people inside and outside the Church. One Catholic man said something that stuck with me:
“People think they’re living the American dream, but they’re just slaves to work, tax, school, sleep—a hamster on a wheel... As my wife and I work more and have more responsibilities, we become more isolated.”
That line struck me. If the sacraments draw us together, then the pace and pressure of modern life may actually be anti-sacramental. So I’ve been asking myself: what was actually "sacramental" in the early church, that would translate into physical, tangible practices that push back against isolation and disconnection?
Here are two:
The Poor: The early Church didn’t see the poor as a problem to fix, but as people through whom God revealed Himself. What if we miss God because we’ve built lives that avoid the very people He chose to embody? God didn’t need a promotion from the poor—He revealed Himself through them. What would it look like to build intentional relationships with the poor and encounter God through one of the faith’s original means of grace?
The Table: Ask someone today to draw a symbol of the church and they’ll sketch a building. The early Church would have sketched a table. A building you attend; a table is where we share life. The table slows us down and requires us to engage, listen, and know one another. What if you began to view your table as sacramental, as the place where God meets and shapes us through the life we share with each other?
I could make a few other suggestions, but let's start with these.
See you Sunday!
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
First Fridays - Friday, August 1, 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:
All the flood victims in Central Texas
Caregivers of the hurting
Those grieving lost loved ones
Those suffering with illnesses
Those battling cancer
Israel
Praises:
God’s healing, compassion, and mercy
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