creates spaces where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their Spiritual gifts. and use them for God’s glory
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Calling all Dishwashers, Door Greeters and Dessert Makers!
The Third Thursday Community Unity Dinner is tonight,
September 18th. The team that cooks and serves all the food is looking for: Dishwashers to help clean up from 6:30-7:30, Door Greeters from 5:30-6:00 and Desserts brought by 5pm.
Join the Action Group
Sunday September 21st 12:15pm in Fellowship Hall: Planning meeting to explore what MUMC will do together to multiply peace and justice. How can we support one another to make local / state / national politics work to decrease poverty, increase health and education equity; environmental justice and respect?
We know this is God’s will. Together we can encourage and act with more power. Those interested can plan whether we will meet in person, zoom or email….How to move forward.
If you are interested but unable to attend or have questions contact: Lis Wall-Smith: 314 497 9186 or ewallsmith@aol.com.
Lis Wall-Smith and Lindsay Brand
Church Facilities Update
Below is a link listing some of projects that need to done to upgrade our building to be more accessible, safer, and a big one: replace the plumbing under Fellowship Hall. LINK
Note from Pastor Andy
The story of the very first church is recorded in the book of Acts. There was energy and growth, the Holy Spirit was on the move, and miraculous things were happening all the time. The stories of this very first church are recorded in the Book of Acts.
Similarly to that early church, there is energy and movement in the church today. It is a season of reformation and renewal, and the Holy Spirit is all over it. I can’t help but think there are some lessons to be learned here. What can the present day church learn from that very first church?
So over the next six weeks, Maplewood UMC will gather around the tree to listen to the stories of the Book of Acts in a series we are calling, “The Very First Church.” We are going to be digging into the first eight chapters of Acts, and tend to the stories there. From the stories, we will glean insights that we can apply to our own work in the world today.
We start this week with the little snippet of the story that comes in between the ascension of Jesus and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The section of Acts we will cover Sunday is Acts 1:10-26. I encourage you to read ahead in preparation for the week.
Jesus was gone, but the Spirit had not yet arrived. So what was the church to do?
I don’t know about you, but sometimes the prep work that happens before I do the project itself ends up being just as rewarding as doing the project. Drawing up plans, or outlining the story, or loosening the soil, or measuring the ingredients … all examples of things we do before we do the thing we are going to do. Preparation is vitally important to a project’s success.
Our first story is about preparation. The first church did not sit passively and wait for the Spirit to arrive, they got ready for it. How are we preparing for the Spirit’s arrival today? Come to worship Sunday, and let’s talk about it. See y’all in church!
Pastor Andy
Discipleship Promises - September 2025
Would you believe that added all together the people of Maplewood UMC are going to spend SEVEN HOURS a day in prayer?! That’s according to the 40 Discipleship Promise Cards that were turned in on Sunday. That’s so cool! Another really wonderful thing - over the next four months there will be FORTY-TWO new people invited to church by Maplewood folks. YAY! I can’t wait to meet them all! Also, twenty-nine people promised to be in worship EVERY SINGLE WEEK with another seven who promised to be here three times out of four. That means that thirty-six out of the forty are going to be present 75% of the weeks or more. That’s simply phenomenal! Thank you to everyone who made promises, and if you would like to add your promises to these, there are cards at the church, or you may do so at THIS LINK. Our next Covenant Renewal Sunday will be January 18, 2026.
Bits and Pieces
Beginner Water Color Class
Class will be held in the Church, Fellowship Hall on Thursday, September 25, 10:OO to 11:30a.m. Supplies are provided - For further information email Picket Lema pickett.lema@yahoo.com. 🎨 Each class is one complete project. GREAT fun!!
Concert in the Park is Wednesday, Sept. 24th at 6:00 p.m. Bring a chair and enjoy the music of the Broken Hipsters Band. Maplewood UMC os one of the sponsors of Concert in the Park.
GriefShare begins a New Session
A new session of the faith-based GriefShare program for those mourning the loss of loved ones begins Monday, 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.
Ways we can Serve
As school has begun the MRH High School is starting up it's Weekend on Wheels program again. This is a food program where a box of food is sent home on weekends to provide food for a student's family.
If you can help with any of these items, place them in the basket by the door next to the education buildting
Meal Starters
• 1 box of plain pasta
• 2 cans of tuna, chicken, etc.
• 1 jar of peanut butter
• 1 box of cereal OR
• 3-5 packets of oatmeal
Sides
• 3 packages of Ramen OR
• 1 box of Mac & Cheese
• 2 cans of tomatoes or 1 jar of
• tomato sauce
• 2-4 cans of veggies
• 2-3 cans of beans
• 1 jar of jelly
Canned meals
• 2-3 cans of soup
• 2 cans spaghetti/sloppy Joes
• Fruit (add 1 of the following)
• 2 cans (peaches, pineapple, etc.)
• 3-4 applesauce or fruit cups
Snacks
• 4-6 Granola Bars
• 2 packs of Poptarts
• Package of trail mix
• Popcorn
• Dessert (pick 1 if available)
• 1 box of Pudding mix
• 1-2 boxes of Jello
• 1 package of cookies
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
Tower Grove Pride 2025
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!
Youth Group Organizing Meeting
Sunday, September 28, 2025 - 6:00-7:30 pm
Maplewood United Methodist Youth in sixth through twelfth grades are invited to a meeting to organize a Youth Group here at Maplewood. On Sunday, September 28 we will gather at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall for a snack supper before heading to the Youth Room to play a few games and then discuss plans for the group. Invite your friends and neighbors!
The Hopes of the congregation shared during the 4 week sermon series. A list for everyone will be provided later.
Prayers for...
...Rita Hanley in the passing of her long time partner Robert Apollo on August 30th. Peace and comfort be with you.
...Steve Finley as his hand heals from a fall.
...Peg Chulick grateful for continued progress on healing of breathing issues, grateful of being off oxygen. Continued prayers for no set backs and peace; Jer’s stability with health issues, praise God! Also for nephew Randy for continued health after lung transplant, and that he can play the cello without stress in his home.
Karen Raborn’s continued prayer for healing, grateful to drive to PT and store; Kwasha School in Zambia has 450 children back in session, prayers that school year goes well and more food resources become available.
...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,
From Colette Cummings:
Our Nation
Peace
Everyone who is still suffering from natural disasters
...Healing for Tori Chandler and new treatment options..
... 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
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who blessed me with expressions of care and concern during my recovery from surgery. I'm deeply grateful.
Charlotte Phelps
MUMC Kids
Pictures from last Sunday's Sunday School lesson.
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
