The next 2 Thursdays the Second Time Around Shop will be having a 50% off Sale from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm. 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.
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
Note from Pastor Andy
On Sunday, Maplewood United Methodist Church and Metropolity Community Church of Greater St. Louis (MCCGSL) will exchange preachers! Maplewood will welcome the Rev. Lauren Bennett to the pulpit.
Rev. Bennett has served as the lead pastor of MCCGSL since June of 2024, having served as the Associate Pastor the previous four years. She enjoys “being outside, reading, drinking coffee, or dancing, when not hanging out with her wife AhSa-Ti and their son Ahmmit.”
The congregation she serves is “community of LGBTQIA+ folx and allies embodying the liberating heart of Jesus where everyone is invited to come as you are, believing as you do.” The congregation gathers in the building of the Carondelet United Church of Christ, and worship an almost equal number of in-person and online members.
Rev. Bennett will continue our current worship series “Stories of Hope” with a focus on Hannah. Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel is an expression of hope, hope that she would have a child. In time, Hannah gave birth to a son she named Samuel, which in Hebrew means “God has heard.”
One of the best things about a pulpit exchange is that it is an opportunity for each congregation to hear a different voice from the pulpit. Followers of Jesus are a diverse bunch, and there are a variety of perspectives in the church. It is good from time to time to listen to a different point of view.
It also emphasizes the truth that the Church is so much more than one local congregation. We are neighbors of MCCGSL, as surely as we are neighbors to Union Memorial UMC or any other congregation. We are members of one another - one body with many, many inter-dependent parts. And that is indeed a reason to HOPE!
Pastor Andy
Bits and Pieces
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.
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
GriefShare begins a New Session
A new session of the faith-based GriefShare program for those mourning the loss of loved ones begins September 8. Sessions are 7-8:30 PM and run for 13 Monday evenings, ending Dec. 1. Register at GriefShare.org to access additional resources. Questions? Steve or Lis Wall-Smith, 314-369-7952 or 314-497-9186.
In the Talking Box was a Bible. Pastor Andy took this opportunity to talk a little about the Bible and what is in it.
Five of our children received their 3rd grade bibles this past Sunday.
Join our Children’s Ministry
We are looking for people called to join our Children's Ministry Team as Sunday School Leaders. This would entail leading activities and following our Sunday School curriculum, helping in the Sunday School classroom, and engaging and playing with the children. Our goal is to have people help out in the classroom once or twice a month.
Are you interested in helping but would prefer not to lead a lesson? We are always looking for adults to come into the classroom and assist the leader with tasks and engage with the kids.
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
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!
New Dates are in Green
Thursday, August 28
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 forcontinued 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
From Colette Cummings:
Our Nation
Peace
Everyone who is still suffering from natural disasters
...Healing for Tori Chandler and new treatment options..
...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
6
Misty DeMattee
8
Suzanne Thompson
16
Shirley Scatcherd
Pickett Lema
21
Rebecca Shelby
Mark Watkins
22
Cathy Vierse
24
Nancy Thompson
26
Elijah Kranes-Rutz
Skip Watkins
Ursula Smith
27
Amelia DeMattee
28
Hope Watkins
MUMC Kids
This Sunday we'll have a Smores and More Bash. We will get to play in a tent, enjoy a campfire snack, have a craft, and story by the campfire.
Last Sunday the kids discussed the different emotions that they might have starting a new school year. We also discussed what gratitude is and how to show it.
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