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Maplewood United Methodist Church
creates spaces where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their Spiritual gifts. and us them for God’s glory
Thursday, February 13, 2025
The Adult Conversations group will be reading and discussing Cultivating Christlikeness: Loving as Jesus Loved at 9:45 on Sunday mornings and the books are available in the narthex.
February Membership Class
Maplewood UMC will hold a Membership Class at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, in 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.
Beginning Wednesday, March 12 and continuing through the season of Lent, there will be an opportunity to gather and reflect on topics related to environmentalism, creation care, and eco-theology. Worship services during Lent will highlight these issues in a series called, “The Earth is the Lord’s,” and each Wednesday evening Pastor Andy will lead a reflection on ideas and questions that emerge from the previous Sunday’s worship time. No book purchase is required; each week will be a stand-alone set of reflection questions. Please sign up for the Lent Reflection Group online or on the Opportunity Board in the narthex.
Community Unity Dinner Coming
This month's CU Dinner is a Valentines theme (see flyer below). They are asking for donations of desserts and chocolates. Suggestion: if you bring chocolates, wait until after Valentine's day to purchase.....they will be discounted.
Note from Pastor Andy
The United Methodist Church is unique among Protestant denominations in several ways, one of which is its connectional structure. We are much more than a congregation, much more than a loose affiliation of similar churches. We are a connection.
Over the next two weeks, we will glimpse two different facets of our connection in our worship services. On Sunday the 16th, Maplewood member Spencer Wilson will be preaching. Spencer is discerning a call to pastoral ministry, and that discernment is done as part of the United Methodist connection.
The candidate for ministry makes connections at the congregational, district, and conference levels as a part of their journey toward licensing and/or ordination. As a local church, Maplewood UMC plays a big role in this process, as the initial step in the journey. It is truly a joy and an honor to be a congregation from which a candidate for ministry enters the process!
Then, on Sunday the 23rd, Maplewood UMC and Union Memorial UMC will participate in a “pulpit exchange.” Rev. Dr. Antonio Settles will preach at Maplewood, and I will preach at Union Memorial. Pastor Antonio is an ordained elder, just as I am. Elders are appointed to particular places, but carry their pastoral authority with them wherever they are.
In fact, one of the most visible expressions of the connection is the appointment system. Our area is ripe with wonderful United Methodist congregations, and each one has a pastor appointed to serve that particular place. But beyond that particularity, being in connection with one another means collaboration and cooperation among pastors and churches to multiply the mission to which we are all called.
It has been said that the United Methodist connection highlights the idea that we can do more together than we could ever do on our own. For the next couple of weeks at Maplewood, we’ll embody this idea together! I’ll see y’all in church!
Pastor Andy
Bits and Pieces
Join our upcoming book study! We will meet in Memorial Hall Feb. 25th & March 4that 7:00 p.m. (We will also meet on March 11th if needed.). The book we will be reading is What We Talk About When We Talk About God by Rob Bell. This book is led by Jan & Suzanne. A limited amount of books are available in the office so sign up as soon as possible! To sign-up click below:
Last Sunday, Feb.9th, the women's choir shared the anthem, "I sing Peace", during morning worship.
Karen Raborn shares that the students are well at Kwasha School in Zambia. Rain has been plentiful and the school garden is growing well. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Scout Sunday
Last Sunday was Scout Sunday and the congregation was treated to a pancake brunch after worship. Thank you, Troop 362, for joining us in worship and providing a wonder brunch.
... Linda Vawter : Healing for Jason from flu, safety for Linda from catching it. Brother-in-law Jerry, that side effects will be minimized as he starts hormone therapy. Strengthening for Allen’s mental health and Kathy’s vision.
...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. For nephew, Chris for work.
...Continuing prayers for Mike Reynolds, Skip and Donna’s son, for healing and comfort following cancer surgery.
...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.
..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.
...Nancy Thompson-Please pray for my son, Peter Munshaw, to find appropriate employment.
Continuing prayers for ..
...Karen Raborn healing of hip issues
...for bringing people in the country and around the world together in peace.
If you have prayer concerns you wish to share with the congregation, let Kathy Schmid know: kschmid2005@sbcglobal.net
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
MUMC Kids
Last Sunday we discussed the fruits of the spirit!
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
