creates spaces where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their Spiritual gifts. and use them for God’s glory
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Looking ahead to the Community Unity Dinner TONIGHT, help is needed. To make the dinner complete we need volunteers to bring desserts.
Concert in the Park this Wednesday, August 27th
Bring you chair and enjoy the The Paul Bonn Band. Fun, food, good music and cool weather will be at this month's concert. Festivities start at 6:00 p.m.
Ad Council meeting is this Sunday, August 24th after worship (12:15 p.m.). All are welcome.
Note from Pastor Andy
Sunday morning we start a BRAND NEW WORSHIP SERIES called “Stories of Hope.” Over the next four weeks, we will look at four stories from Scripture in which the central character displays hopefulness. And from each of the stories, we will seek guidance for how we can find hope in our lives today.
Sometimes it feels like hope is in short supply these days. It is a common feeling, I think. I have heard more than a few people talk about how, with so much bad stuff happening around the world, it is difficult to find a reason to hope.
We’ll start our “Stories of Hope” series with Joseph. (The son of Jacob, not the foster dad of Jesus.) Joseph was known for his dreams, and he relied on them to give him hope. And yes, his dreams made his older brothers very angry (which we’ll talk about on Sunday); his dreams revealed a future of glory in which his brothers would bow down before him in worship. So although it is understandable that his brothers did not particularly appreciate the image, the power of the dream inspired young Joseph his whole life.
It is hard to dream about the future when you aren’t hopeful. Or maybe it's that it is hard to feel hopeful when you aren’t dreaming about the future. Somehow or other, dreams and hopes are connected.
I have this idea that the future of the church is something that will need to be dreamed into being. Sure, goal setting and strategic planning are important, but hope doesn’t arise there. Hope comes from dreams. And God has a dream for the future of the church.
So what is yours? The next four weeks, there will be a “Dream Board” in the back of the sanctuary, and some papers on which to write your dreams for the church. I hope everyone will put at least one dream on the board sometime during this series. I can’t wait to read them all!
Pastor Andy
New Sermon Series Beginning August 24th
Bits and Pieces
Beginner WATERCOLOR CLASSES Thurday, August 28th🎨
Will be held at Maplewood UMC in the Fellowship Hall (12 persons max) at 10:OO till 11:30 a.m.
There is No cost and materials will be provided! Come as you can!
The next 3 Thursdays the Second Time Around Shop will be having a 50% off Sale. Most items will be 25 to 50 cents each. We also accept good clean clothing donations. Every Thursday about 100 up to 200 items are purchased. We have new items coming in all the time.
Above: Our youth got in on taking advantage of the snow cones.
Right: Pastor Andy could not resist a blue raspberry snow cone, which gave him a blue tongue for the worship service
You're Help is Needed!
Join our Children’s Ministry
We are in NEED of people interested in joining our Children's Ministry! This would entail leading activities and following our Sunday School curriculum. Helping in the Children's Sunday School classroom and engaging and playing with the children. If you are interested in helping please email Brittany Link at brittany.l@maplewoodumc.org or call the church office with any questions.
Looking for a way to help with Worship? Please join our Hospitality Team as a greeter! We are looking for people to greet people as they enter and to pass out Bulletins. If this is a job you might be interested in please click on the link below to get more information and to sign up. Please email Brittany Link at brittany.l@maplewoodumc.org or call the church office with any questions.
The St. Louis Reconciling United Methodists will once again have a booth at Tower Grove Pride, Saturday September 27 and Sunday September 28. They are inviting United Methodists who are supportive of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in all areas of church life to help out. If God is calling you to do so, you may sign up at this link:
Pastor Andy Bryan will be serving at the booth on Sunday the 28th from 3:14 - 4:45. He would LOVE to see a few more Maplewoodians there! It is a wonderful way to give witness to God’s unconditional love for all people!
Choir Rehearsal Is Back!
The first choir rehearsal will be Wednesday, Sept 3rd, at 7:00pm. Thereafter, we will meet on our usual Thursday evenings.
We are always looking for musicians to help with our worship service. The Choir has a special need for sopranos, tenors and basses. Please contact Amy Cordeal if interested at: amycordeal@gmail.com
Maplewood and Webster UMCs are collaborating this September to offer a small group on Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm. The group will be a discussion format, centering on LGBT inclusion in the church. Weeks 1 and 3 will take place at Webster UMC and weeks 2 and 4 will take place at Maplewood. For more information, or to register for the group, call 314.961.4133
If you are new to Maplewood UMC..
After worship on Sunday, September 7 fix a plate at the potluck luncheon and go to Memorial Hall to learn about Maplewood UMC, it's mission and it's goals/
New Dates are in Green
Thursday, August 21
9:00 a.m.- 12:00p.m. Church office open
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop - 50% off Sale
...Jamie Moore, for healing and strength, comfort and peace.
...Continuing prayers for Skip and Donna Reynolds' son, Mike forcontinue healing while he works. Skip Reynolds for safety from viruses and comfort for him and Donna as he continues in hospice at Evertrue Laclede,
...Lisa and Mark Watkins on the passing of Lisa’s mother, Bonnie Schallenberg,
...Grateful that Karen Raborn’s leg brace is off; prayers for strength and comfort in walking and starting physical therapy
... Wayne Clark on the passing of his beloved wife Nancy on July 25th.
From Colette Cummings:
Our Nation
Peace
Everyone who is still suffering from natural disasters
...Healing for Tori Chandler and new treatment options..
...Continuing prayers for Tanika Rhodes, daughter, Donnesha and her three children for guidance and comfort.
...Continued strengthening for Jer Chulick and Peg in caring for him. Peg Chulick’s nephew Randy for healing for his lungs after a setback and thankfulness for family support.
... Linda Vawter: Continued healing for Rhonda and Jerry, healing for nephew, Allen, having heart problem
If you have prayer concerns you wish to share with the congregation, let Kathy Schmid know: kschmid2005@sbcglobal.net
A note of thanks for these great folks who helped me with Nancy Clark's memorial luncheon: Larry and Kathy Schmid, for set up and clean up; Jerry Blackwell, for set up, clean up, providing cookies, and making a dash to Schnucks for extra food; Brittany Link, for getting sandwiches and sides; Lis Wall-Smith and Mike Plonka, for providing desserts; and Dave Phelps, for set up and clean up. I couldn't have done it without you!
Charlotte Phelps
MUMC Kids
Last Sunday was Rally Sunday, which is the kick-off for Sunday School for the new school year. All had fun....there was plenty of water and snow cones too.
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
