This Sunday we wrap up our “Let’s Do This!” worship series, thinking about the fourth phrase in our new mission statement. The phrase centers on the idea of “The Glory of God.”
If last week was about discovering our Spiritual Gifts, this week is about using them. It’s one thing to discover the ways God has gifted each of us; it’s another to put those gifts to work. In our mission statement we say we want to “use [our gifts] for God’s glory.”
To help us think about what this means, we will turn to the image of the vine and the branches that Jesus teaches in John 15. “I am the vine; you are the branches,” he says (v. 5). The branch that is connected to the vine will bear fruit. And God “is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples” (v. 8, emphasis mine).
And so it seems that “bearing fruit” and “glorifying God” are related concepts. And that’s what we’ll focus on this week as we wrap up the series. What does it mean to “bear much fruit” as followers of Jesus? What is the “fruit” in question?
One of the places that the metaphor of “fruit” is enumerated is Galatians 5, where we read that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (v. 22-23) Maybe that’s a pretty good place to start when wondering about what it looks like to “bear fruit” for God’s sake!
I hope you’ll be in worship Sunday, either in person or online, as we wrap up the “Let’s Do This!” series. FYI in January we averaged 98.5 people per week in worship, counting in-person and online! That makes this pastor smile! I wonder if we could break over that 100 person line for February? I’m ready, are you? Let’s do this!
Pastor Andy
Weekend on Wheels needs help
WOW is seeking donations to provide our families with a generous food box in the coming weeks. Each week, we distribute a significant amount of food to those in need. Immediate needs of the pantry include the following
canned pasta sauce
pasta/spaghetti noodles
Rice-a-Roni type sides
Pop Tarts/Toaster Pastries
Chuncky Soup (like Progresso/Campbell's Chunky)
chicken noodle soup
boxes of granola bars
nut-free snacks
ramen
canned fruit
canned meat (tuna/chicken)
Bits and Pieces
You are invited to join the Webster Hills UMC Youth Group. The group meets on most Sunday evenings from 6-7:30 pm. Check with Abbey Todisman for meeting times.
Webster Hills UMC Youth Mission Trip 2025
The Webster Hills UMC Youth Group is heading to Kansas City in late June for this year's mission trip. For more information on joining this year's trip,
Reach out to Kyle Kranes-Rutz (kraneskyle@gmail.com) or Abbie Todisman for more information on the this mission trip and previous trips
Join our upcoming book study! We will meet in Memorial Hall Feb. 25th & March 4th (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!
Call Rona Chandler (314-303-0187) for further information.
As Mission Idea
Our former church secretary, Sally Noel and her husband Craig, choose an item every Christmas to decorate their tree with. They share this need with family and friends. This year they collected socks, baby, children and adult socks. They collected 410 pairs of socks which will be delivered to St. Peter and Paul homeless shelter, Isaiah Ministries, Haven of Grace and Nurses for Newborns. Last year they collected underwear to share with organizations that have a need for the item collected.
NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN
Thursday, February 6
9:00 a.m.- 12 Noon Church Office Open
9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop - Feb. 50% off Sale
... Linda Vawter : Healing for Jason from Flu, safety for Linda from catching it. Brother-in-law Jerry, that side effects will be minimized as he starts 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.
..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.
...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
MUMC Kids
The kids discussed their spiritual gifts, played charades trying to guess their spiritual gifts and drew themselves and their gifts.
DEADLINE for the church newsletter isMIDNIGHT 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
