creates spaces where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their Spiritual gifts. and use them for God’s glory
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Tonight, Thursday, February 20th is the Community Unity Dinner
This month's Community Unity Dinner is a Valentine theme (see flyer below). They are asking for donations of desserts and chocolates.
February Membership Class Tonight
Maplewood UMC will hold a Membership Class at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20th , in Memorial Hall, in the lower level of the education wing. If you have been thinking about becoming a member of the congregation, this is your opportunity! It is the evening of a Community Unity Dinner, so feel free to fill up a plate before coming over to class.
Beginning Wednesday, March 12and continuing through the season of Lent, there will be an opportunity to gather and reflect on topics related to environmentalism, creation care, and eco-theology. Worship services during Lent will highlight these issues in a series called, “The Earth is the Lord’s,” and each Wednesday evening Pastor Andy will lead a reflection on ideas and questions that emerge from the previous Sunday’s worship time. No book purchase is required; each week will be a stand-alone set of reflection questions. Please sign up for the Lent Reflection Group online or on the Opportunity Board in the narthex.
As always, everyone is invited to attend the February Ad Council meeting this Sunday, Feb. 23rd at 12:15 p.m.
Note from Pastor Andy
On Sunday, February 23, Maplewood UMC will be exchanging preachers with Union Memorial UMC - I will be preaching there and Rev. Dr. Antonio Settles will be preaching here at Maplewood.
Dr. Settles is a native of St. Louis, MO, born on New Year's Day. He is married to Rev. Dr. Linda Settles, the pastor of Green Trails UMC in Chesterfield. They have four adult children and six grandchildren.
He completed his Course of Study work at Perkins School of Theology; afterwards he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Lindenwood University in 2006, graduating Cum Laude. Dr. Settles went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary in 2011. He is an Elder in the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, and received his doctorate from United Theological Seminary, with an emphasis on Prophetic Congregational Leadership.
He has been in ministry for over 25 years. He has preached around the country and in Kenya, East Africa. He formerly served as Associate Pastor at Union Memorial UMC. He and Pastor Linda co-founded Union-Shaw Outpost Ministry. That church became New Spirit UMC and in 2010 merged with Beloved Community UMC under Dr. Settles' pastoral leadership. Other previous appointments include Unity UMC, Shaw Avenue UMC and St. Andrew UMC in Kansas City from 2014-2020.
Pastor Antonio has been deeply involved with community and denominational leadership. He has been featured in the Interpreter Magazine, Sparkman Publication, By Faith Magazine, and the Missouri Methodist Magazine for his advocacy work in the community. He has received the Denman Award for Evangelism from the Missouri Conference, and a Civic Leadership Award from the St. Louis City Licensing Office. He has worked on many boards and organizations, including the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, Vashon High School, Better Family Life, and Covenant House which serves at-risk young adults. Dr. Settles also taught at Eden Theological Seminary as a Pastoral Fellow.
I know that Maplewood will extend radical hospitality to Dr. Settles this Sunday, just as I know I will be warmly welcomed at Union Memorial. What a joy it is to be a part of this connectional United Methodist Church!
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
Bits and Pieces
Join our upcoming book study! We will meet in Memorial Hall Feb. 25th & March 4that 7:00 p.m. (We will also meet on March 11th if needed.). The book we will be reading is What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell. This book is led by Jan & Suzanne. A limited amount of books are available in the office so sign up as soon as possible! To sign-up click below:
While enjoying a special breakfast time together in January, the Youth Sunday School class also collected non-perishable food items for MRH’s Weekend on Wheels program.
We are grateful for God’s blessings and honored to share those blessings with others.
Please consider supporting this impactful program!
The Adult Conversations group will be reading and discussing Cultivating Christlikeness: Loving as Jesus Loved at 9:45 on Sunday mornings and the books are available in the narthex.
Welcome Bailey!
Maplewood UMC is excited to welcome Bailey Schuchmann as a VISTA in service to the Community Unity Center. (VISTA is an acronym for “Volunteers In Service To America,” funded by AmeriCorps.) Bailey is a mother, artist, protector of nature, social justice advocate, and devotes her life to helping fix the systems that negatively impact our most vulnerable and precious neighbors. She is excited to start implementing the new resources and tools from the VISTA program to grow the Community Unity Center and its vision to serve all in Maplewood. Congratulations, Bailey!
Need a Name Tag? If you are new or have lost your name tag, sign up on the Opportunity Board and Dave Phelps will make you one.
If you would like to HELP the children put together 150 Blessing Bags, come to the second floor Children's Sunday School classroom at 9:45 a.m. this Sunday, February 23rd.
We will be make 50 Winter blessing bags and 100 Summer blessing bags.
Be sure to pick up a blessing bag to keep in your car to hand out.
Prayers for...
.....Peg Chulick: For healing from cancer for relatives Jane and Tim.
Justice for son Bill dealing with false accusation. For husband ,Jer, ease in his response to challenges,
Continuing prayers for Randy as he waits for lung transplant
... Linda Vawter : Safety for Linda and healing for Lilah who spent weekend with her and tested positive for Covid yesterday; Healing for Brother-in-law Jerry, continuance of minimal side effects during hormone therapy Strengthening for Allen’s mental health and Kathy’s vision.
...Sharon and Bill Housewright, their grandchildren, especially Spencer, also
healing for Paul Nolting and strength for his wife Jan as she cares for him. Pat & Butch Reid, health concerns. For nephew, Chris for work.
...Continuing prayers for Mike Reynolds, Skip and Donna’s son, for healing and comfort following cancer surgery.
...Lis Wall-Smith for healing after a fall at her home,
... 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.
...Nancy Thompson-Please pray for my son, Peter Munshaw, to find appropriate employment.
Continuing prayers for ..
...Karen Raborn healing of hip issues
...for bringing people in the country and around the world together in peace.
If you have prayer concerns you wish to share with the congregation, let Kathy Schmid know: kschmid2005@sbcglobal.net
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
MUMC Kids
Please join us this Sunday as we make 150 Blessing Bags!
The Children had a great time at our Valentines party last Sunday!
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
