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Thursday, January 16 , 2025

Come tonight for Breakfast


The January Community Unity Dinner is tonight, Thursday, January 16th, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Join us for good food and lots of fun.

Covenant Renewal Sunday is Sunday, January 19th


Sunday is “Covenant Renewal Sunday” at Maplewood, and after worship we will celebrate with a catered lunch in Fellowship Hall. It will be a launching pad into a new season of ministry and mission, and I am so excited about what lies ahead!


If you have not yet done so, please register for the lunch by 12 noon today, Thursday, January 16 so the caterer will know how much food to prepare. You may register by calling the church office at 314.781.5902.


Sharing God's love...

Los Angeles Fire Repose


We have an opportunity to give an above-and-beyond financial contribution to the California-Pacific UM Conference to go to the Los Angeles fire response. To donate please mark checks Los Angeles Fire Fund or go to maplewoodumc.org and click on Give then choose the fund. As of last report two United Methodist Churches in L.A. had burned down.

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.

A Note from Pastor Andy




PRAYERS - PRESENCE - GIFTS - SERVICE - WITNESS


These are the five practices of Christian discipleship that shape our lives as followers of Jesus. It begins with prayers, the ongoing conversation we have with God. 


Discipleship asks for our presence, showing up with and for the community both in worship and in small groups. 


The pattern includes our gifts, offering our financial resources as an expression of gratitude for God’s goodness. 


Service means more than signing up for a mission project, rather it means having the heart of a servant. 


And finally our witness, sharing God’s love and grace with our neighbors in a variety of ways.


This Sunday, January 19, is “Covenant Renewal Sunday.” Discipleship Promise Cards will be handed out to each person attending the worship service. Online cards will also be available for those who connect online. The card is a tool, on which each of us can write down specific, tangible promises in each of the five practices.


The cards will be collected by members of the Generosity Team, and the rest of us will gather for lunch in Fellowship Hall to celebrate the day. The Generosity Team will come give a report as we share our meal, so that we can celebrate collectively each of the five practices of discipleship, consecrating the promises we make together.


If you have any questions about the Covenant Renewal process, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask - pastor@maplewoodumc.org - and I’ll be happy to chat!


It is going to be a wonderful day of celebration and renewal, and I am so excited to see how the Holy Spirit moves in and through us in this new season of mission and ministry! 


See y’all in church!



Pastor Andy

What is a Discipleship Promise Card?

Click here and find out: https://youtu.be/1rU0QxmmsZ0?feature=shared

A heartfelt thanks to the following for hanging around after worship to help take down the Advent and Christmas decorations: Cathy Todisman; Katherine Cox; Tom and Amy Cordeal; Hope Watkins; Maureen Ryerson; Jerry Blackwell; Dave Phelps; and Dave Vierse. Thanks also to the church elves who already had removed the greenery and pew bows, and to Barb Riney for handling our outdoor planters. I apologize if I missed mentioning anyone; it is not intentional. Your willingness to take time to help is very much appreciated

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 19th. in the conference room Please reach out to Colette Cummings at cumminco@webster.edu or 314-239-2015 if you have any questions. 

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 recommended 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

  • Sunday, January 19th is Human Relations Day, a special Sunday across our denomination, focused on fostering better relationships and supporting community and youth outreach. It is celebrated the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. Funds raised support important programs like Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services, and Youth Offender Rehabilitation.


  • Coming February 9th - Scout Sunday. Troop and Pack 362 will be serving breakfast after worship.

NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN


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 - Serving breakfast for dinner

6:00 p.m. Praise Band Practice

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice


Saturday, January 18

10:00 a.m. Hospitality Team Meeting

10:30 a.m. Women's AAGroup

12 Noon - Young Adult Bible Study

Sunday, January 19

Human Relations Sunday

9:15 - 10;15 a.m. Beloved Commiunity

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

Monday, January 20

Martin Luther King Day

1:00 p.m. Overeaters Anonymous Meeting

6:00 p.m. Finance Team Meeting


Tuesday, January 21

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. Charge Conference Meeting via Zoom

Wednesday, January 22

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

6:30 p.m. Healing the Heart of Democracy Book Study


Thursday, January 23

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

7:00 p.m. Choir Practice


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

Prayers for...

..Sharon and Bill Housewright, their grandchildren, especially Spencer, also

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

Pat & Butch Reid, health concerns.


...Healing and strength for Mike Reynolds, Donna and Skip Reynold"s son, who will have surgery at SLU Hospital on January 23 for larynx cancer. 

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


... 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.


... 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

MUMC Kids

This Sunday we will learn what a Tabernacle is and find out why it is important! We will attempt to make our own Tabernacles!

Last Sunday we learned about Baptism and we got to do an experiment to see how being Baptized helps us in our lives.

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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