Thursday, November 9, 2023

Turkey Talk ...

or gobble gobble...

Thanksgiving boxes for MRH and other local families will be assembled after the Consecration Sunday luncheon on November 19. Anyone not needing a nap after the luncheon is invited to the sanctuary to sort cans, bags and packages into cartons for delivery the next day.

If you would like to sponsor a box, or part of a box, this year, the estimated cost is $60 (even cheaper than last year!) Our goal is to stock boxes for 25 Maplewood families. Please make a note on your check or e-donation.

We have consistently found the best prices for frozen turkeys at Aldi, but they have a two-to-a-customer rule that can be challenging to work around. If you would be willing to purchase one or two birds (subject to reimbursement) and store them in your freezer, please let Steve Wall-Smith (314-369-7952, swallsmith@aol.com) know and we will arrange the logistics, which will probably mean a pick-up early on Monday November 20.

How to help in a nutshell

1. Donate toward the cost of a Thanksgiving Box.

An entire box costs approximately $60. Gifts toward 1 or more boxes or a portion of a box are most welcome. Whether you give by check, online, or place cash in an offering envelope, please be sure to note that your gift is for “Thanksgiving Boxes”

2. Assist with packing the boxes.

3. Assist with loading and delivering boxes

4. Assist with purchasing frozen turkeys. (All costs will be reimbursed.)

5. Pray for the Thanksgiving Box Ministry.

Questions? Reach out to Steve Wall-Smith at swallsmith@aol.com

To sign up to serve click here: Thanksgiving Box Ministry

Dear Friends,

My husband, Steve, and I have been dealing with the aftermath of some water intrusion in our basement that took us by surprise. The process is NO FUN!

But, as I was talking with one of the folks who is helping us, we agreed that a blessing will come out of all of this.

The blessing has to do with all the stuff that we have kept in the storage room because we weren’t sure what to do with it, thought we might want it later, just couldn’t let it go right now, or keeping it because it belongs to one of our kids. But once these things gets messed up, the decision is made for us. It has to go!

When I’ve encountered situations like this before, I’ve found that most of the time as I get rid of these possessions, there is very little grief and lots of relief! Letting go of these things gives us more physical space to walk move around and maybe even do something productive. Letting go also clears out some mental and emotional space that was taken up by this overwhelming chore that was always there, lurking in the basement.

This Sunday we will read more of 2 Corinthians 9, in which Paul encourages the people of the church in Corinth to give generously according to their means. What we will discover is that giving of our financial resources has a way of creating more good space in our lives….not just space in our wallets, but space in our lives for joy and laughter.

I look forward to joyful worship this Sunday!

God’s grace and peace be with you,

Pastor Kim

This Sunday is the last Sunday to pick up your new church key

Be sure to pick up your new key from Dave Vierse at church. After the 12th of November the old keys will not work.

If you would like to fill out the form for your key a head of time, CLICK HERE and print the form off.

It's a Miracle!

The Adult Conversations (AC) group will be discussing miracles in the Bible until Advent, when we'll switch to the church-wide study. Please join us in The Gathering Place (lower level of the education building) on Sunday morning, 9:45 AM.

Tis the Season for Gratitude

Last Sunday we started adding leaves to a "Gratitude Tree" by writing on paper leaves the names of people who played an important part in our faith journeys. If you missed your chance to add a leaf, you still can. The Tree will be spreading leaves of gratitude during this time for us to remember God's blessings and offer thanks with grateful hearts.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT

Everyone is invited to the Thankful Thursday Community Unity Dinner.

We would accept dessert donations as always and we also have some fun service opportunities for that evening. Sign up in the link below.

I Can Serve on Thankful Thursday

Note the links in the Build-A-Gift flyer don't work

Click here to register. Build A Gift or maplewoodumc.org

Email: maplewoodumc@maplewoodumc.org

Items needed for Build-A-Gift projects

If you can donate any of the items listed below for the Build-A-Gift projects let Rona Chandler (314-303-0187) or use the sign-up sheet on the easel at the back of the sanctuary.

**NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN

**Thursday, November 9

9:00 a.m. Second Time Around Shop

6:00 p.m. Praise Band Practice

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice

** Saturday, November 11

10:30 a.m. - Women's AA Meeting

Scouting for Food bags dropped off

**Sunday, November 12

9:00 a.m. Prayer with Pastor Kim

9:45 a.m - .ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP

9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School

11:00 a.m - Worship - In-Person and online Link: maplewoodumc.org

**Tuesday, November 14

1 p.m. Prayer time via Zoom.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3745711178pwd=dktsaWkwNlNhVjRmOHpjTFNqR1dqQT09 Meeting ID: 374 571 1178

Passcode: 674257

4;30 p.m. Cub Scouts

6:30 p.m. MRH Booster Meeting

**Wednesday, November 15

6:00 p.m. Cub Scouts

**Thursday, November 16

9:00 a.m. Second Time Around Shop

5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Thankful Thursday Community 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

Be a Follower….of Maplewood UMC’s new Instagram page!

https://www.instagram.com/maplewoodunitedmethodistchurch/

Prayers for...

...All the strife in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine

...Prayers for Diana and Gary Brink. Gary, Amy Cordeal’s brother-in-law, who is undergoing tests for health concerns.

...Lesley, Jocelyn, Hugo and Milo Holloman as they mourn the loss of Lesley’s brother, Chris.

...Mary Kunce for recovery from surgery.

...Linda Vawter's sister, Shari, for recovery from injuries from a fall

...Linda Vawter's nephew Allen for continued healing after a cardiac event

Continuing prayers for ...

...Skip Reynolds, health concerns.

...Shay Blackwell - for relief of nerve pain

...Daniel White - health concerns

... Nina Berry - for Chad to be happy and healthy.

...Jerry Chulick, health concerns.

Watch for the Scouting for Food bag being delivered this Saturday by Scouts from your local Troop or Pack

Another Fun Kid’s Club for Early Release Day

Once a month our church opens it’s doors to about half a dozen children whose families need help on early release day. They take the bus from their school to our church and enjoy fun and fabulously healthy snacks. Thanks to Denise Perry, Diane Watkins, Joann Ford, Erin Rosebrough, Bailey Schuchmann and Kathy Schmid for supporting this work! And thank you to our MUMC Children’s Ministry for sharing their stress ball supplies with us. They were a hit!

Last Sunday, Rachel Ward, shared what generosity meant to her as a part of the Church's journey toward Consecration Sunday

Henry, lighting a candle, as each name was read during the All Saints worship service last Sunday.

MUMC Kid's

This month we will be talking about what stewardship is in the church. Last week we made cards for some of the people who help and serve in our church.

Next week we will continue learning about stewardship. We will learn about the different programs our church offers to help people and we will get to take a tour of the 2nd time around shop.

Coming Up in November and December! Here’s the list of Events coming up in November and December at Maplewood UMC. You will find more information, including links for registration in this and upcoming newsletters.

Thursday, November 16--Thankful Thursday Community Dinner 5 – 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited!

Sunday, November 19—Consecration Sunday Worship and Luncheon

9:50 a.m. Coffee with Pastor Kim before worship

Sunday, November 26—Hanging of the Greens, Decorating the Church for Advent immediately after worship

United Methodist Student Day - one of the 6 Special Sundays celebrated each year.

Friday, December 1—Set up Day for Build A Gift time TBA

Saturday, December 2—Build A Gift. 10 a.m. – 12 noon Register your child(ren) ages 3 – 12 today! Click on this link: Build A Gift

Sunday, December 3—First Sunday in Advent.

9:45 a.m. Pageant rehearsal for children and youth

12:15 Church and Community Potluck

Tuesday, Dec. 5 --Early release Kids Club

Sunday, December 10—Second Sunday in Advent

9:45 a.m. Children and youth prepare for pageant.

11:00 a.m. Christmas Pageant is presented during Worship

Sunday, December 17: 9:45 a.m. Coffee with Pastor Kim

Christmas Party for Children and Youth

Thursday, December 21—5 – 6:30 Community Dinner

Sunday, December 24--11 a.m. Worship; No Children’s Sunday School!

5 p.m. Christmas Eve and Communion and Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 31-- No Children’s Sunday School!

DEADLINE for the church newsletter is MIDNIGHT EVERY TUESDAY; send articles 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 Tuesdays & Thursday from 9 a.m. til 1 p.m.

Office Phone: 314-781-5902. Pastor Kim Shirar: 314-651-9999 Email: pastorkim@maplewoodumc.org

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