Weekly Update: August 13, 2025
Word from the Pastor:
I hope this email finds you well—and staying cool in our Texas heat. As I shared Sunday, I have one more message in our summer series on Liturgical Theology—how our collective worship shapes us as a people [which I'll preach August 24th]. Each week I’ve sent this newsletter to go deeper into the sermon topic from the previous Sunday. This past week we focused on prayer—what it is, what it isn’t, and what it does—rather than on how to pray.
Today, I want to offer resources to help you explore the “how.” But first, a challenge: for the next 30–60 days, try a prayer practice you’ve never done before.
If you usually pray from a script, try speaking to God spontaneously. If you usually pray off-the-cuff, use a prayer book. Experiment with posture—walk a labyrinth, kneel, lift your hands, or face the east. Or, if you’ve always treated prayer as a task to accomplish, spend a few minutes in silence, simply reflecting on who God is.
Below are some resources that have shaped my own prayer life. I’ve listed them from most accessible to more advanced: if prayer is new to you, start with the first two; if you’ve been committed to prayer for a long time, try one of the last two.
Prayer by Richard Foster - I think everyone should have this in their library
A Guidebook to Prayer, by Dr. Mary Kate Morse
Praying the Psalms by Eugene Peterson or Bonhoeffer's version
Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Merton
Intimacy with God by Thomas Keating - you would be wading into deep waters with this one
Have a great week!
Matthew
Cell 512-787-2429 | Email mdh1199@gmail.com
Instagram @liveordinarywell | Facebook Matthew Hansen
Upcoming Events
First Fridays - Friday, September 5, 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.
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