Thursday, January 9 , 2025

With the beginning of a new calendar year, Maplewood UMC celebrates a new Administrative Council: 

Rachel Ward, Council Chair Colette Cummings, Lay Leader 

Jerry Blackwell, Finance Chair Cathy Todisman, PPR Chair

David Vierse, Trustees Chair Kevin Watkins, Treasurer

Charlotte Phelps, Rona Chandler,

Barb Riney, Diane Watkins,

Nancy Thompson, Tim McDonough


The Ad Council is the governing body of the congregation, responsible for sustaining the mission and ministry of the church by caring for the staff, the facilities, and financial matters. Members of the council are nominated by the Nominations Team and approved at the annual Charge Conference.

Charge Conference


The annual Charge Conference for Maplewood UMC will take place VIA ZOOM on Tuesday, January 21, at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to participate. If you would like to attend, please contact the church office for the Zoom link.

Big thanks to Tim McDonough and Jeff Todisman for their work in removing all the snow from the Sutton and Flora sidewalks and the entrances to the church.

A Note from Pastor Andy




The past two Sundays, Maplewood UMC has been blessed with two powerful sermons, shared by two different members of the congregation. Joanne Davis and Charlotte Phelps preached on December 29 and January 5 respectively, and all who heard the messages were inspired. What a privilege it is to have members of the congregation who are called to preach and who share their gifts so freely! Thank you, Joanne and Charlotte!


And here’s the thing: you (yes, you!) have been given spiritual gifts as well! It may not be a gift to preach, and that’s okay. Everyone has been given different gifts, and discovering what they are is an important part of Christian discipleship. In fact, discovering our Spiritual gifts is a phrase in Maplewood’s new mission statement: Maplewood UMC creates spaces where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their Spiritual gifts, and use them for God’s glory.


Starting on Sunday, January 19th, we will begin a worship series called “Let’s Do This!” - a four week series centering on the new mission statement and how it guides our work together as a congregation. It will also be a “Covenant Renewal Sunday,” an opportunity to make some tangible promises to shape our personal discipleship practices. After worship, there will be a catered lunch for everyone in Fellowship Hall to celebrate the day. You won’t want to miss it!


Before we get there, though, we will have a chance to renew our baptism promises. This Sunday, January 12th, is “Baptism of the Lord” Sunday, and our worship service will include an opportunity to respond to the baptismal promises and to touch the water in the baptismal font as a remembrance. 


It is by the waters of baptism that we are connected to those who came before, those with us now, and all those who will follow us. Baptism connects us to God in the spirit of adoption as children of the Creator. Baptism marks us as Christ’s own, and calls us to follow Jesus, sharing the Spiritual gifts we have been graciously given in service to the world. And this Sunday we will take the time to celebrate this sacrament together in worship. You won’t want to miss this, either!


Wow! What an exciting time to be a part of Maplewood United Methodist Church! I can’t wait for what God has in store for this amazing congregation! Make it Maplewood!


Pastor Andy

Small Group studies beginning in January

Beloved Community, New date and time and meeting place



Rent, groceries, utilities, and other costs of living are high. War and natural disasters are wreaking havoc all over the world. Pain and fear dominate life. Does God care any more? Does God care about me? About us? Where is this abundant life that Jesus promises? But what if we are asking the wrong questions? Is there a more excellent way? Over six weeks, we will explore what it takes to build the life Jesus promises, the Beloved Community. Guided by scripture, we will explore the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of the Beloved Community. and, leaning into the “building blocks” of a love-filled life, we will discover, develop, design, and build the Beloved Community together for such a time as this. Do not miss this life-changing series as we dive deeper into the ways to #BeLove.  

 

This small group will meet on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. for five weeks beginning January 20th. in the conference room Please reach out to Colette Cummings at cumminco@webster.edu or 314-239-2015 if you have any questions. 

The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions. Chanakya

Healing the Heart of Democracy a book study by Parker Palmer


Beginning on Wednesday, January 22th, at 6:30 p.m. Andy Bryan will be leading a five-week study on the book Healing the Heart of Democracy by James Palmer. The book calls us to reclaim our unity and work for the common good in a season of bitter polarization and deep devisions. A discussion guide will be provided for all participant. Purchasing the book itself is recommend but not required. Please register on line or on the Opportunity Board.

Are you a 20-29 year old? If so, there is a great opportunity for you to build a relationship with God as well as with each other through God. There will be a Young Adult Bible study held at Maplewood United Methodist Church, on the corner of Flora and Sutton, from 12-2 every Saturday afternoon starting January 18th. So many young people are looking to belong to something. Together, this group can bring growth within our own relationships with God and with one another. Come alone or bring a friend! As we like to say, “Come to the table!”

Bits and Pieces

What Goes Up Must Come Down

 

Well, it seems like yesterday that a number of us gathered for the Hanging of the Greens, getting the inside and outside of the church ready for Advent and Christmas. How time flies as we now need to "unhang" the greens, to undecorate the church: Pack away the Chrismons, take down the tree, box up the garlands and bows, put away the Advent wreath. If you have some time on your hands after worship on Sunday, January 12, please stay and help with putting away Christmas 2024. Thanks!

NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN


Thursday, January 9

9:00 a.m.- 12 Noon Church Office Open

9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop - 50% off Sale all month

6:00 p.m. Praise Band Practice

6:30 p.m.- Maplewood Public Library Book Club

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice

11Friday, January 10

4:30 p.m. Cub Scouts


Saturday, January 11

10:30 a.m. Women's AAGroup


Sunday, January 12

9:30 a.m. Prayer Time with Pastor Andy

9:45 a.m. Adult Discussion Group

9:45 a.m. Children and Youth Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Worship

12;15 p.m - Undecorate the Church

Monday, January 13

1:00 p.m. Overeaters Anonymous Meeting


Tuesday, January 14

9:00 a.m.- 12 Noon Church Office Open

9:30 a.m.- Noon - Quilters Group

1:00 pm. Prayer 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, January 15

9:00 a.m.- 12 Noon Church Office Open

6:00 p.m. Cub Scouts

6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts


Thursday, January 16

9:00 a.m.- 12 Noon Church Office Open

9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop - 50% off Sale all month

10:00 a.m. Crisis Nursery Staff Meeting

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Community Unity Dinner

6:00 p.m. Praise Band Practice

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice


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

Prayers for...

...Comfort and peace be with the family of Sister Jane Hassett, 96, Tom Cordeal’s Aunt, who passed recently. Tom remembers her service as history teacher, professor, president of Fontbonne and her great sense of humor. 


...Donna & Skip Reynold's son who has cancer

 

..Sharon and Bill Housewright

Healing for Paul Nolting and strength for his wife Jan as she cares for him.

 Sam Crawford, healing after stroke.

Pat & Butch Reid, health concerns.


...Lis Wall-Smith for healing after a fall at her home,

...Bret Morris' aunt Diana who passed away. She was a former member of MUMC


... 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. Donna visits nearly every day around 11:00 a.m., and they welcome visits around that time. Donna and Skip celebrated 60 years of marriage this year. Please send cards for Skip and Donna Reynolds to Donna’s address: 9400 Mackenzie Circle Ct., STL 63123-5476


... Linda Vawter .. Brother-in-law Jerry who is waiting to hear best treatment for cancer., also for Allen, guidance for mental health challenges. Sister-in-law Kathy, healing of vision issues.


..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.


...Denise Perry continuing strengthening and healing....


...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


...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

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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