Friday, December 27 , 2024

Community Unity Team to meet


The CU team will meeting on Monday, December 30th at 2 p.m. for a planning session followed by at visioning session af 3:15 p.m.

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.

Note from the Finance Team


As we draw close the the end of the year, we are asking if anyone has a church expense that needs to be reimbursed to submit that request by Sunday, December 29th.

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


January Small Group Studies


Beloved Community 



Rent, groceries, utilities, and other costs of living are high. War and natural disasters are wreaking havoc all over the world. Pain and fear dominate life. Does God care any more? Does God care about me? About us? Where is this abundant life that Jesus promises? But what if we are asking the wrong questions? Is there a more excellent way? Over six weeks, we will explore what it takes to build the life Jesus promises, the Beloved Community. Guided by scripture, we will explore the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of the Beloved Community. and, leaning into the “building blocks” of a love-filled life, we will discover, develop, design, and build the Beloved Community together for such a time as this. Do not miss this life-changing series as we dive deeper into the ways to #BeLove.  

 

This small group will meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm for five weeks beginning January 21st. Please reach out to Colette Cummings at cumminco@webster.edu or 314-239-2015 if you have any questions. 

Healing the Heart of Democracy a book study by Parker Palmer


Beginning on Wednesday, January 26th, at 6L30 p.m. Andy Bryan will be leading a five-week studay on tshe book "Healing the Heart of Democracy" by James Palmer. The book calls upon us to reclaim our unity and work for the common good in a season of bitter polarization and deep devisions. A discussion guide will be provided for all participant. Purchasing the book itself is recommend but not required. Please register onling or on the Opportunity Board.

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!”

Bits and Pieces

There will be no choir practice or praise band practice on January 2nd

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

3

Jan Harsh

12

Tori Chandler

Olivia Ward

21

Larry Schmid

22

Samantha Schaffner

26

Brett Morris

31

Maureen Ryerson


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.

New Directory Coming

After the first of the year we will be updating the church dixrectory. You will have a chance to add your name, picture, phone # and birthday to the new directory.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service

NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN

Saturday, December 28

10:30 a.m. Women's AAGroup

Sunday, December 29

9:30 a.m. Prayer Time

9:45 a.m. Adult Discussion Group

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

11:00 a.m. Worship

Monday, December 30

1:00 p.m. Overeaters Anonymous Meeting

2:00 p.m. Community Unity Planning Meeting

3:15 p.m. Community Unity Visioning

Meeting


Tuesday, December 31

Office Closed

1:00 pm. Prayer time via Zoom.

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

Passcode: 674257

Wednesday, January 1

Happy New Year


Thursday, January 2

Office Closed

Second Time Around Shop Closed

No Choir and Praise Band Practice


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

...to Barb Stanford for her creative artistry in creating the words that went along with the Advent Sermon Seriies.


Prayers for...

...Lis Wall-Smith for healing after a fall at 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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