In this edition of the Messenger:
* Prayer Service
this AFTERNOON - 4 to 6 PM
* Book Discussion Starts
TONIGHT
* Ways you can SERVE
* News from our church family -
* Witnessing Whiteness begins soon
* Pictures of the week
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This past Monday I looked forward to working from home after a full week and a really good and very full Sunday. I had one quick phone call planned for the morning and the rest of the day to catch up and catch my breath.
The morning was off to a great start. The phone call was quicker and easier than I anticipated. All seemed to be going well, then, wouldn’t you know…the internet and phone stopped working. So…then I started working on getting our internet and phone service back.
A problem with the internet ranks really low on the scale of “bad things that can happen.” Getting service restored was not all that difficult. But it changed the day. It made me realize when I have one good day, I tend to expect that the next one should be really good too.
But life often isn’t like that, is it? It certainly wasn’t for Jesus as he began his ministry. This past Sunday we talked about Jesus’ baptism, which ended with God’s voice identifying Jesus as God’s son, “with whom I am well pleased” or as other translations say, “in whom I take delight.” To say this would have been affirming is an understatement. It seems like he would have wanted to celebrate this moment a little longer. He could have gone back into town for a celebratory luncheon with family and friends. But there was no party. No planning retreat as part of his Ministry Launch. There was not time to recreate his business cards or craft a new sermon series.
Instead, the next step in Jesus’ ministry launch was to be “led by the Spirit into the wilderness” where his recently affirmed identity would be put to the test. On Sunday we will talk more about why this time in the wilderness was important for Jesus and his ministry, and why time in the wilderness can be important for our faith as well. I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday and talking about this some more.
God’s grace and peace be with you,
Pastor Kim
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This afternoon: Prayer service,
January 16, 4-6 PM
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A prayer service will be held at the church for MRH Preschool teacher, Miss Ann, as she undergoes treatment for cancer. A brief service will be held at 4 p.m. After the service the sanctuary will be open until 6 p.m.
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Book discussion on Thursdays, Jan. 16 & 30
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A book discussion group will meet to discuss the book “Learning to Walk in the Dark” this evening, Thursday, January 16 and on Thursday, January 30 at 7 p.m. at the church. Copies of the book are available in the gathering space behind the sanctuary for anyone who would like to participate. If you have questions please reach out to one of the discussion group leaders, Jan Harsh
(
bjharsh@att.net
)
or Suzanne Thompson
(
st5598@prodigy.net
).
In case there is an unexpected schedule change and so that the group leaders can plan appropriately for the group, please let the group leaders know that you plan to attend one or both evenings by emailing Jan Harsh
(
bjharsh@att.net
)
or making a note on the Communication Card during Sunday worship.
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We ARE called to make a difference ...
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This Sunday, January 19, is
Human Relations Sunday
in the United Methodist Church. “For more than half a century, United Methodists have observed this churchwide special Sunday in recognition of the message Jesus demonstrated during his life: all of God’s children are important.
One of the wonderful aspects of The United Methodist Church is that we can do so much more together than we ever could do on our own. On Human Relations Day, we join other UMC congregations in a special offering to support neighborhood ministries through Community Developers, community advocacy through United Methodist Voluntary Services and work with at-risk youth through the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Programs.
In recognizing Human Relations Day, we are called to make an impact in communities where people struggle because they don’t have the tools or resources to reach their God-given potential. Our gifts are part of building beloved community through faith-based volunteer programs, community developers and programs that work with at-risk teens.”
(
http://www.umcgiving.org/ministry-articles/human-relations-day
)
Your generous giving, enables Maplewood UMC to make a gift to this special offering.
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***
New liturgists and Usher/greeters
are wanted and welcome! If you are ready to serve as an usher/greeter or liturgist in 2020, please make a note on the Communication card today while you are in worship or email the church office:
***
Hospitality Table Team members
are wanted and welcome! You can serve by setting up the treat table before folks start arriving for the worship service (All snacks are purchased by the church ahead of time.) and/or cleaning up the treat table after the service.
Please remember...
You don't have to do all the set up/clean up alone...you are volunteering to make sure it gets done, but feel free to recruit others who are there to help or for assistance! Whether you are already part of this ministry or new to this ministry…if you are willing to be on the set-up team, the clean-up team or want to do both on the same Sunday please make a note on the Communication Card today while you are in worship or email the church office
*** Looking for children and youth who would like to serve as acolytes.
If you know someone who is interested contact the church office:
maplewoodumc@maplewoodumc.org
.
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***
School is back in session so
Weekend on Wheels Food Pantry
will be sending home food boxes to MRH Families on a regular basis. Any non-perishable food items that you bring to the church are typically loaded up for delivery to the school on the second Sunday of the month. There is a shopping list found in the literature stand at the Sutton Street entrance that lists items that the WOW student leaders have found to be the most helpful for families. You can also find this list on the church website under “Outreach; MRH Community.”
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"...designed to bring people together..."
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Witnessing Whiteness Group
will begin meeting at Maplewood UMC on Monday, January 20, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The group will meet
1/20, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/9, 3/23, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/11. “Witnessing Whiteness,” is a program sponsored by the YWCA Metro St. Louis, designed to bring together people who identify as white to learn about the need to talk about race and how to have the conversations. There is no cost for the program other than the cost of the book. It is understood that some participants will miss one or more sessions, but it is important to commit to the group process and be able to attend 8 of the 10 sessions. At this time, there is space for up to 3 additional participants. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Pastor Kim by email
(
pastor@maplewoodumc.org
)
right away.
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Be in Prayer for...
.***
Ray Jauregui’
s sister, Aurora, who is hospitalized with a number of health concerns. Please pray for Ray as he travels back home tomorrow from visiting his sister who lives in South Africa.
***Dustin and Rachel Ward and
t
he Ward family
as they mourn the passing of Dustin’s Grandmother, Reba Ward. Words of care and comfort may be sent to Rachel and Dustin and their daughters at their new address, 7406 Rupert, Richmond Heights, MO 63117.
Thank you...
*** to our church
for the generous and thoughtful Christmas gift. It was greatly appreciated. I feel so lucky to be a part of our loving MUMC church. Would also like to share my thanks for the tremendous support of our recent musical, Darkness Into Light. In our gatherings, we’re often asked where we’ve seen God. For me, it was on December 22, 2019, in the faces of all present, in the music, the voices and the instruments and in the two beautiful churches. Thank you for the all the joy! Happy New Year!
Amy
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REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM ,,,young people 'splash' in water and claim a seashell from the baptismal font.
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Members of our Ad Council
are presented to the congregation, followed by a prayer for their work during the coming year.
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It's happenin'
this coming week at MUMC
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** Thursday, January 16
-
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM -
Second Time Around Shop
-
11:30 AM-3:30PM -
Church Office Open
4:00 to 6:00 PM -
Prayer Service for Ann Graham
7:00 PM -
Book Discussion -
Walk in the Dark
** Sunday, Januaray 19 - 9:00 AM -
Prayer in Pastor Kim's Office
9:45 AM
- Sunday School for all ages
11:00 AM
- Worship - Human Relations Sunday
5:00 PM -
Confirmation Class
6:30 PM
- Boy Scout Order of the Arrow Practice
** Monday, January 20
- Martin Luther King Day
** Tuesday, January 21
- 9:30Am to 2:00 PM - Quilters meet
1:00 to 4 PM English as a Second Language Class
11:30 AM-3:30PM -
Church Office Open
** Wednesday, January 22 -
1:00 to 4 PM English as a Second Language Class
7:00 - 8:00 PM
- Choir Practice - Choir room
** Thursday, January 23- 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM -
Second Time Around Shop
-
11:30 AM-3:30PM -
Church Office Open
Upcoming events:
Witnessing Whiteness Classes begin
: January 20th from 6:30-8:30 PM
Freedom School Meeting -
January 28 - 5:15 PM
Scout Sunday
- February 9 - Boy Scout Troop 362 will provide a pancake brunch after worship
Reconciling Congregation Meeting
- February 18th at 7:00 PM
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Maplewood United Methodist Church
7409 Flora Ave. (corner of Flora and Sutton)
St. Louis, MO 63143
Pastor's Cell: 314-651-9999
Church Phone Number - 314-781-5902
Website: maplewoodumc.org
(Church Office Open Tuesday + Thursdays - 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM)
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Every Sunday
9:45 AM Sunday School for all ages
11:00 AM Worship
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