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Thursday, August 8, 2024

Back To School Blessing

 

On Sunday, August 18th, at the 11:00 a.m. worship service, there will be a “Back To School Blessing.” All students, teachers, and school staff members are invited and encouraged to be in worship that week, to begin a new school year with the blessing of the congregation.

I am inviting people to sign up for one of four "Meet and Greet" sessions. These are just some opportunities for me to continue getting to know the people of Maplewood.

The sessions will be:

- Tuesday August 13th - 6:30 p.m.

- Thursday August 15th - 3:30 p.m.

- Monday August 19th - 10:00 a.m.

- Tuesday August 20th - 6:30 p.m.


Starting this Sunday there will be sign-up sheets in the "Narthex." I'd like to have 12-15 people per session; if they fill up, we will schedule some more sessions. 


Pastor Andy

Looking for help at the Meet and Greet Sessions


As you know from the article above, Pastor Andy has scheduled four Meet & Greet sessions during the month of August. There will be refreshments at each session. What is needed are a few volunteers to help with set up and clean up. Let me know which session you can help with:  Tuesday, August 13, 6:30 pm

Thursday, August 15, 3:30 pm
Monday, August 19, 10:00 am
Tuesday, August 20, 6:30 pm

A Note from Pastor Andy

This week, we are starting a new worship series at Maplewood called “Homecoming: Scriptural Hospitality for the Here and Now.” 


Hospitality happens in three phases - invitation, welcome, and belonging. Invitation is the initial conversation in which you let someone know that you would like them to become a part of the community. Welcome is the way you receive someone when they show up in the community for the first few times. And belonging is the phase of hospitality in which a deep sense of connection is fostered.


We’ll focus on one phase each week, beginning with “invitation.” Jesus told a parable that we know as “The Parable of the Great Banquet” in which he teaches about invitation. This Sunday we will dig into this parable to see what we can learn about the way we invite our neighbors to be a part of the congregation.


Although it feels awkward to many, personal invitation remains the number one reason that someone comes to church for the first time. For a congregation an online presence is important, good programming options are important, an effective communications strategy is important … and yet there is no substitute for a face-to-face, heartfelt invitation.


“Hey, I’d really love it if you’d come to church with me this week.” That’s all it takes! And I’ll see y’all in church!


Pastor Andy

Mark your calendars for Rally Sunday, August 25th. Join us for the Fall Kick-Off at 9:45 a.m. There will be snacks and fun.

Parsonage Task Force


On Sunday, July 29, the Administrative Council authorized Rev. Andy Bryan to convene a Parsonage Task Force. The purpose of this task force will be to discern and propose a plan for the future of the parsonage, the house just next to the church at 7415 Flora Ave. The task force will work this fall, with the goal of presenting a plan to the Ad Council in early 2025. If God is calling you to be a part of this task force, please email Andy at: pastor@maplewoodumc.org 

or call the church office at 314-781-5902


Bits and Pieces

If you don't see your name already printed then sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so one can be printed for you.


Be sure to wear your  nametag to help Pastor Andy and his family get to know our congregation! Name tags can be found near the Sutton entrance. Don't see your name already printed ... then sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so one can be printed for you.

Got old eyeglasses, reading glasses, or sunglasses?

The Pink Box drive is a project that Kaelyn Krysowaty, a local rising 9th grader, has initiated for her Girl Scout Silver Award. She’s working with the Maplewood Lion’s Club to collect glasses that will be restored and reloved by people in need of visual support in our very community. Thank you so much for your cooperation!

NEW DATES TO THE CALENDAR ARE IN GREEN

Thursday, August 8

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Church Office open

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Praise Band Practice

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 pm. Women's AA Group meeting

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Maplewood Library Book Club meeting


Saturday, August 10

10:30 a.m. Women's AA Group


Sunday, August 11

9:30 a.m. Prayers with Pastor

9:45 a.m. Adult Discussion Group

9:45 a.m. Children and Youth Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Worship

5:00 - 7:30p.m. Scouts

Tuesday, August 13

9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Church office open

1:00 pm. Prayer time via Zoom.

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

Passcode: 674257

6:30- 7:30 p.m. Meet & Greet with Pastor Andy

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Toltec Wisdom Group Meeting


Wednesday, August 7

9:00 a.m.- noon - Church Office Open

Thursday, August 15

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Church Office open

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Second Time Around Shop

3:30 - 4:30- p.m. Meet and Greet with Pastor Andy

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Community Unity Dinner

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Praise Band Practice

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 pm. Women's AA Group meeting



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

Prayers for...

...Linda Vawter’s nephew, Mike, for healing after back surgery. Grateful for Jerry's improvement and Roger’s slow healing after fall.

... Sharon & Bill Housewright's friends, Jerry Chipps & Pat & Butch Ried for health concerns



... Prayers for our nation


...Billy Hawn, one of the gentlemen Dave provides support to and who has visited MUMC multiple times, has a potentially serious health issue. The doctors are working on figuring out the best treatment protocol. Rightfully, he is very anxious and requests prayers from our church as he goes through this process. 


...Kwasha School - Funding and access to food assistance for children due to drought in Zambia (must have one meal per day.. prior to the drought two, meals were provided) grateful that vaccines have been completed


...Nancy Thompson- Please pray for my son, Peter Munshaw, to find appropriate employment. 

 

...Karen Raborn healing of hip issues

 

Continuing prayers for ...

 

...Skip Reynolds - for freedom from urinary tract infections and comfort and healing.

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

...Amy Cordeal’s sister, Diana, for health concerns

...Peg Chulick: continued prayers for Jer’s strengthening of his heart and vision.


If you have prayer concerns you wish to share with the congregation, let Kathy Schmid know: kschmid2005@sbcglobal.net

MUMC Kids

Come join us this Sunday as we read "Humphrey's First Christmas" We will discuss giving away something that is precious to us to help another. Then we will make our own blankets and play with Play-Doh!

Mumc Kid's had a great time playing with Hollister and his friends. All of the children picked out a favorite puppet and enjoyed telling us about them and using their imagination to create their personalities! 

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. Pastor Andy Bryan: 314-781-5902 Email: pastor@maplewoodumc.org

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