Thursday, December 19 , 2024

Tonight, Thursday, Dec. 19th is the last Community Unity Dinner for the year 2024. Bring your appetite and some conversation and there will be a lot of fun. They still need some desserts too.

Christmas Offering 2024



This year, there is an opportunity to give an “above and beyond” gift to the Christmas Offering at Maplewood UMC. The Administrative Council has voted to designate this year’s Christmas Offering to support Freedom School 2025. Hosting Freedom School in the Summer weeks is a vital part of MUMC’s vision of a community that is being nourished - body, mind, heart, and spirit - through the love of Christ. Designate any gift above and beyond your tithe as “Christmas Offering,” and it will go to make a big impact in the lives of the Freedom School participants.


Worship while Pastor Andy is away.


On Sunday, December 29th, Joanne Davis will be preaching


On Sunday, January 5th, Charlotte Phelps will be preaching and Rev. Jeff Carr will preside over communion.

Are you a 20-29 year old? If so, there is a great opportunity for you to build a relationship with God as well as with each other through God. There will be a Young Adult Bible study held at Maplewood United Methodist Church, on the corner of Flora and Sutton, from 12-2 every Saturday afternoon starting January 4th. So many young people are looking to belong to something. Together, this group can bring growth within our own relationships with God and with one another. Come alone or bring a friend! As we like to say, “Come to the table!”

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”

—Hamilton Wright Mabie

A Note from Pastor Andy



The first three Sundays of Advent, we have focused on an individual - Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph - who was in fear. Or overwhelmed. Or perplexed. Or so darn righteous that he was afraid of doing the wrong thing!


This week, we turn our attention to group of people who were beyond afraid; they were terrified!


Luke writes about the shepherds, and says, “Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” I actually love the King James version here; it says the shepherds were “sore afraid.” 


“Terrified” is the word of the week for week four of Advent. Terror is sharper than fear, in my mind. It is an acute, painful fear that stabs at the heart and locks you in place. It doesn’t take too much imagination to bring to mind the young shepherds, in the darkness of night, the stillness suddenly broken open by the sudden, shining appearance of an angel!


We would have been terrified too!


Because this fourth “character” in the story is a group of people rather than an individual, it allows us to listen to the story as a community rather than as isolated individuals. The shepherds experienced the angelic announcement together, individuals joined together as one body, united by the purpose they shared.


So too, the church is a body of individuals, united in common purpose. As such, we are able to enter into the story of the shepherds as a community. And like the shepherds, we have been told the good news of great joy. Christ the Savior is born!


Pastor Andy

Join Pastor Andy every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. for the "Thursday thought for the day" on the church's Facebook page. If you can't join live you can always pick it up later. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mumcstl


Monday Noon Sermon Zoom

December 23



Mondays in Advent, all are welcome to be a part of the “Monday Noon Sermon Zoom” with Pastor Andy. Beginning at 12:05, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on the previous Sunday’s sermon together. The group will share particularly meaningful moments from the worship service, discuss sermon themes, and answer questions that the sermon prompted. We will adjourn by 12:55 each Monday. Please feel free to eat lunch as you participate. CLICK HERE FOR THE ZOOM LINK.

Bits and Pieces

Pastor Andy gathering people to see if they can help figure out the clues for the giver of the McRib socks!

Pastor Andy and family will be on vacation from December 26th through January 6th.


The church office will be closed from Dec. 24th through January 6th. If you need to get in touch with Brittany, email her at: brittany.l@maplewoodumc.org. She will be working from home

There will be no choir practice or praise band practice on Thursday, December 26th and January 2nd

The Second Time Around Shop will be closed on Thursday, December 26th and January 2nd (p.s. we don't have lawn mowers.)

Christmas Pageant 2024

Newsletter (Messenger) publication dates during the holidays

The dead line for news to be sent in remains the same, Tuesday evenings at midnight. Send to jbrx10@yahoo.com. The Maplewood Messenger will arrive in your online mailbox on Friday mornings, December 27th and Friday, January 3nd.

Pastor Andy will be performing in the rock opera, Let It Be Christmas, bringing Christmas joy through the music of the Beatles. Dates are Dec. 19-20 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, 210 Monroe Ave. Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 314-759-1455 or through MetroTix.com (metrotix.com/events/detail/let-it-be-christmas). More information about the program can be found by CLICKING HERE.

NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN

Thursday, December 19

9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Church office open

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Community Unity Dinner

6:00 p.m. Praise Band practice

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice

Saturday, December 21

10:30 a.m. Women's AAGroup

Sunday, December 22

9:30 a.m. Prayers with Pastor

9:45 a.m. Adult Discussion Group

9:45 a.m. Children and Youth Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Worship -

Monday, December 23

12:05 p.m. Monday Noon Sermon Zoom -CLICK HERE FOR THE ZOOM LINK.

1:00 p.m. Overeaters Anonymous Meeting


Tuesday, December 24

Office Closed

1:00 pm. Prayer time via Zoom.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3745711178pwd=dktsaWkwNlNhVjRmOHpjTFNqR1dqQT09 Meeting ID: 374 571 1178

Passcode: 674257

5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship


Wednesday, December 25

Merry Christmas

11:00 a.m. Christmas Worship


Thursday, December 26

Office Close

Shop Closed

No Choir and Praise Band Practice


To see the entire calendar - click below https://73855810.view-events.com

Dear Church Family and Friends,



Thank you for your Thanksgiving prayers and support after a recent hospitalization. I am truly blessed to be part of this giving community!

Mary Davis

Prayers for...

...Lis Wall-Smith for healing after a fall on Monday in her home,

...Bret Morris' aunt Diana who passed away. She was a former member of MUMC


... Shelly McBurnett and family in the passing of their beloved Travis.

 

...Skip Reynolds  Skip continues maintaining in hospice care at Laclede Groves Lutheran Senior Services. Donna visits nearly every day around 11:00 a.m., and they welcome visits around that time.Donna and Skip celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. Please send cards for Skip and Donna Reynolds to Donna’s address: 9400 Mackenzie Circle Ct., STL 63123-5476


... Linda Vawter .. Brother-in-law Jerry who is waiting to hear best treatment for cancer., also for Allen, guidance for mental health challenges. Sister-in-law Kathy, healing of vision issues.


..Peg Chulick: for Sister-in-law having long recovery from pneumonia, also for nephew, Randy, who is waiting for a call from Barnes for a lung transplant and continuing prayers for Jer’s vision and heart challenges.


...Denise Perry continuing strengthening and healing.



...Sharon and Bill Housewright's

Nephew Chris, as he searches for new job. Sam Crawford, healing after stroke.

Pat & Butch Reid, health concerns.


...for bringing people in the country and around the world together in peace.


...Tori Chandler, that her new medication regimen works.  


...Nancy Thompson- Please pray for my son, Peter Munshaw, to find appropriate employment. 

 

Continuing prayers for ....

...Karen Raborn healing of hip issues


...Amy Cordeal’s sister, Diana, for health concerns


If you have prayer concerns you wish to share with the congregation, let Kathy Schmid know: kschmid2005@sbcglobal.net

DEADLINE for the church newsletter is MIDNIGHT EVERY TUESDAY: send articles via email only to jbrx10@yahoo.com.

The Sunday morning worship bulletin will be sent via email at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday

For more information about Maplewood United Methodist Church, go to our website (maplewoodumc.org ) or Facebook page (facebook.com/mumcstl)

The church office is open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9 a.m. til 12 p.m.

Office Phone: 314-781-5902. Church email: maplewoodumc@maplewoodumc.org; Pastor Andy Bryan: 314-781-5902 Email: pastor@maplewoodumc.org

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