Thursday, December 5, 2024

Today is the Day.... Dec. 5th


For the last 50% off sale of the year for the Second Time Around Shop. Most items are 25 to 50 cents each.

Open fro 9 a.m. til 2:00 p.m.

Giving Tree Leader Needed


God may very well be calling YOU to a leadership role this Advent season - Organizer of the Giving Tree Ministry. This person would work with the school district and/or the city of Maplewood to gather names of families in need, gather what Maplewood UMC has given, and ensure that it gets to those in need. If God is calling you to organize this ministry, contact Brittany in the church office at 314-781-5902.

The Giving Tree is an opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to children in the community who might not otherwise receive them. Pick up an envelope off the Giving Tree and enclose a $25.00 Walmart gift card (or funds so one can be purchased). Please return by Sunday, December 15th. If placing a check in the offering plate please mark the check Giving Tree.

Pastoral Visits

 

If you are hospitalized or homebound and would like a pastoral visit, Andy would love to come say “Howdy,” have a chat, and share a word of prayer. But he is a terrible mind reader! Please contact him at pastor@maplewoodumc.org or call the church office at 314-781-5902 to invite a visit and he’ll get there as soon as he can. Thank you.

The Adult Conversations group plans to attend the Sing-A-Long performance of Handel’s Messiah on December 15.

Please join us today by registering with this link.

 

https://music.wustl.edu/events/messiah-sing-along-4

Help needed for the December Community Unity Dinner, Dec. 19th

 

A number of helpers from the Community Unity Steering Team are out of town for the December 19th dinner. Since we served 100 people at the November Dinner, we are planning for a fairly large crowd at our December Dinner. We realize we will need more help at this dinner: at the art area, assisting children; at the front door, greeting guests; in the kitchen, washing dishes; or at your home, making food. 

 

If you have the time or the energy, please sign up on the form below. It can be a really fun way to connect with others in the church, and in the community. 


Sign up to Help 


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1cxUrglqZFhdb-78DgTp6zX-nFP7vL_YzF90q_vG3ShCdTw/viewform?usp=sf_link



A Note from Pastor Andy



Mary was “perplexed.” 


That’s our word for this week. Perplexed. Fun to say, isn’t it? Lots of strong consonants! It is also the way that Mary felt when Gabriel visited her, and offered her a formal greeting.


“Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” It had to have been quite perplexing to be greeted with these elegant words, especially for Mary of Nazareth. She was from a very small town in a tiny province of Rome called Galilee. She was nobody special, definitely unlikely to be called “favored one” by anybody important.


We can understand why she must have been perplexed!


Like last week’s word, “overwhelmed,” there is a lot in the world that perplexes us these days. Like - Why do hot dogs come in packages of ten but hot dog buns come in packages of eight? Perplexing, right?


Of course there are more serious matters that perplex us as well. It is natural and perfectly acceptable to be perplexed by what you experience in the world around you. After all, Mary the mother of Jesus was perplexed so why shouldn’t we be?


This week we will continue our series, “The Hopes and Fears of Christmas,” with a look at Mary. She’s the second character in the story to be told, “Don’t be afraid.” We have so much to learn from her response to God’s presence in her life, and the promise God offers to her.


Advent, week two. We'll talk about being "perplexed." See y’all in church!



Pastor Andy

Monday Noon Sermon Zoom

December 9, 16, 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.

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


Bits and Pieces

Build A Gift is this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. There are still slots open for more children to come to this event. To register Click here to Register

For children ages 3-12 years old. Please remember that all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the event.

Free Coffee & Breakfast foods for everyone while you wait!

At the event you will check in using your child's name; no physical tickets are needed.

 

Gift Options for Children to Handcraft Include:

Reindeer Food, Bead Icicles Ornaments, Water Bottle Look & Find, CD Snowman Ornaments, Dragonfly Button Craft, Wood Photo Holder, & other crafts. Everything needed to complete the gifts will be provided.

Registration is limited to 80 children, so don’t wait to sign up for this fun and festive event! (link in flyer is not active, use link below)

Click here to Register

NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN

Thursday, December 5

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

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop - 50% off sale

6:00 p.m. Praise Band practice

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice


Friday, December 6

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Build A Gift Set up

Saturday, December 7

10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Build A Gift

10:30 a.m. Women's AAGroup

Sunday, December 8

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 9

12:05 p.m. Monday Noon Sermon Zoom

1:00 p.m. Overeaters Anonymous Meeting


Tuesday, December 10

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

10:00 a.m.Freedom School Meeting

1:00 pm. P rayer time via Zoom.

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

Passcode: 674257

6:30 p.m. Toltec Wisdom Group Meeting

Wednesday, December 11

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


Thursday, December 12

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

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

6:00 p.m. Praise Band practice

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Maplewood Public Library Book Club

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice


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

Prayers for...

... Marlene Whitehead, as she waits for test results to discern origin of fall, continuing strengthening and healing.


... for Brittany Link in the recent passing of her Great Uncle Thomas “Elmer” Buxton who was 97


... Linda Vawter's brother-in-law Jerry, healing and patience as he waits for tests.

Allen, guidance for mental health challenges. Sister-in-law Kathy, healing of vision issues.


..Peg Chulick: 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


...Skip Reynolds - for freedom from urinary tract infections and comfort and healing.


...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

MUMC Kids

All children and youth are invited to take part in our Christmas Pageant on December 15th at 11a.m.

This week we began preparing for Advent! We made our own Advent wreaths and discussed what Advent symbolizes. 

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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