creates spaces where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their Spiritual gifts. and use them for God’s glory
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Join the Community Unity Potluck right after worship this Sunday, May 4th. Bring your favorite dish and enjoy the fellowship of sharing a meal together.
Sunday, May 4, 2025 - 12:15 pm
There will be a “Get Connected” on Sunday, May 4, at 12:15 pm during the Community Potluck Lunch.
People who are new to the congregation are encouraged to attend. Please grab your meal at the Potluck and head over to Memorial Hall with Pastor Andy to make some new connections! You can RSVP for “Get Connected” from the “I’m New” section of the website -www.maplewood.org/i-m-new
Sunday, May 4th is Native American Ministries in the United Methodist Church
United Methodists are called to recognize and honor the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society and church. The United Methodist Church acknowledges a gap in understanding Native American life and culture, while affirming the sacredness of Indigenous peoples, their languages, their unique identities and their contributions to the church and the world.
Contributions help develop and strengthen Native American ministries within each United Methodist annual conference and provide scholarships for Native Americans pursuing ordained or licensed pastoral ministry.
Note from Pastor Andy
It may not appear on the official liturgical calendar, but this coming Sunday is a high holy day for me. Sunday will be May the 4th. That’s right, it’s “Star Wars Day” this Sunday!
If you know, you know. And if you don’t, May the 4th is designated as “Star Wars Day” because of the way it sounds. Saying “May the 4th” out loud sounds very similar to saying “May the force,” as in the famous line, “May the force be with you.” Thus, “Star Wars Day” - May the fourth be with you!
One of the unique features of the Star Wars universe is the names of the characters. There is a distinct sound to a Star Wars name, names like “Rey Skywalker” and “Han Solo.” “Ahsoka Tano” is a good one. And who can forget “Jek Porkins?” The list is lengthy.
Names are significant in Star Wars, just as they are in Scripture. In fact, there are several stories about people receiving new names in both, including in the Bible story we focus on this week. In John 1 we read about Jesus giving Simon a new name: Peter, which means, “Rock.”
This week we continue the “New Every Morning” series with a look at “A New Name.” Peter is among several Biblical characters given new names. Since a name is connected to an identity, a name change signals a change in identity. Simon’s identity becomes “the rock” upon which the church will be built.
I can’t wait for Sunday! It’s a merging of two of my favorite things - church and Star Wars! May the fourth be with you all!
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
Easter Offering 2025
This Easter Season, Maplewood UMC is going above and beyond with our generosity with a special “Easter Offering.” The Finance Team has dedicated this year’s Easter Offering to two projects:
1) Purchase of an AED device to donate to a neighboring church, and
2) A donation to Adrian United Methodist Church, whose sanctuary burned in October 2024.
Any above and beyond gifts you would like to give should be designated for the “Easter Offering” on your check, the envelope, or the drop down menu on the website.
Below is a letter Pastor Andy received from the Adrian UMC after they were informed that part of our Easter offering would be sent to them.
Dear Rev. Andy,
Happy Easter to you and the Maplewood UMC family!
I can't fully express how much it meant to receive your message. Your prayers, encouragement, and generosity bring so much hope to our congregation in this season. Knowing that your church celebrated the decision to bless Adrian UMC with part of your Easter Offering—with applause—brought tears to my eyes. That kind of joyful support reminds us of the beauty and strength of our connectional church!
Please extend our heartfelt gratitude to your Finance Team and to the whole congregation. Your gift will be put to work in ways that further the mission God has placed before us—renewing, rebuilding, and reaching out with love. I’m also deeply moved by the AED donation you're making to another church. What a powerful example of caring for both body and spirit.
From all of us at Adrian UMC: thank you!!! Thank you for reminding us that we do not walk this road alone. We truly are better together. God bless you all!
In Christ,
Pastor Bridget Cashman
Adrian United Methodist Church
What's Happening in May
May Covenant Renewal Sunday - May 11, 2025
PRAYERS - PRESENCE - GIFTS - SERVICE - WITNESS
May 11, 2025 will be a Covenant Renewal Sunday for Maplewood United Methodist Church. During worship that Sunday, we will have the opportunity to renew our promises in the five areas of discipleship named in our tradition - our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. Promise Cards will be available, and will be filled out during the service. The Generosity Team will then gather the cards and tabulate them so that we can celebrate our promises the following week. Each person’s card will then be returned to them, as a reminder of the promises that we make.
May Membership Class
Maplewood UMC will hold a Membership Class at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, in the Adult Sunday School area (aka 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.
Looking for something fun to do this summer? Try leading a Sunday school lesson!
This has become such a fun event that the children look forward to every summer. We are looking for youth and adults who are interested in leading a lesson/activity one Sunday or more this summer! These lessons/activities are up to you! You can pick a lesson that you have a particular interest in or an activity you enjoy! Please know that you won't be in the classroom alone! You will have support from other adults who are familiar with the children. If you have any questions please reach out to Brittany Link at brittany.l@maplewoodumc.org. Please respond by May 1st 2025.
Recently, Maplewood UMC members have generously given from their required minimum distribution of their I.R.A. These kinds of generosity are deeply appreciated! Thank you so very much! Giving in this format is easy to facilitate; our Church Treasurer Kevin Watkins or our Finance Chair Jerry Blackwell would be happy to talk with you about how to give in this creative and meaningful way.
If you can help provide a meal for someone who needs one, please contact Lis Wall-Smith by call or text: 314- 497-9186 or email ewallsmith@aol.com for specifics.
New Dates are in Green
Thursday, May1
9:00 a.m.- noon Church office open
9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop - 50% off Sale
...Shay Blackwell on the death of her brother, Bob
... Linda Vawter: Comfort and healing for niece Rhonda who is having a long reconstructive surgery. Continued healing for brother in law Jerry and Allen. Praise God for Kathy’s vision improvement.
...Sharon and Bill Housewright: Healing and strength for Paul and Jan Nolting, Pat and Butch Reid.
... Peg Chulick: Continuing prayer for Peg’s son Bill, healing for relatives Tim and Jane, and nephew Randy, ease and comfort for husband Jer.
...Continuing prayers for Mike Reynolds, Skip and Donna’s son, for healing and comfort following cancer surgery.
...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
If you have prayer concerns you wish to share with the congregation, let Kathy Schmid know: kschmid2005@sbcglobal.net
First Quarter Giving Statements are available
Pick up your first quarter giving statements that are in a box on the table behind the last pew in the Sanctuary.
Today, May 1st until 2 p.m.
MUMC Kids
Last Sunday we talked about how you can't always tell if someone is a Christian by the way they dress. But we CAN try to show people we are Christians by how we care for one another.
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
