You know, November is almost over when this reminder appears: The Hanging of the Greens is happening this Sunday, November 24, after worship! Yep, time to fancy-up our church for the Advent/Christmas season. As in previous years we will continue with the liturgical color of blue for inside the church and the more traditional Christmas colors (e.g. red and green) for outside decorations. All are welcome since "many hands make light work." And there's plenty to do; here's a short list of major tasks:

1. The tree for the sanctuary is in 2 bins in the storeroom off the kitchen; those bins need to be hauled up to the sanctuary and the tree assembled.

2. Decorate the sanctuary tree with Chrismons.

3. Set up the Advent wreath stand and decorate it.

4. Attach garland to the Communion rail.

5. Place garland and candles (in candle holders) on window sills.

6. Hang wreaths - some on doors, some on walls.

7. Attach bows to ends of pews (alternating).

8. Decorate outdoor planters; place garland on railings.

Something for everyone, whether you can stay a while or not. Your presence is a "present."

Community Unity "Thankful Thursday" Dinner is a Turkey Dinner with all the fixin's

Come one, come all, it is free and no reservations are reguired.

Sunday is the last Sunday to help provide a Thanksgiving Dinner

As in previous years, the Maplewood-Richmond Heights school district will distribute Thanksgiving boxes for local families. If you would like to sponsor a box (or two or three,) the price this year is $50, but partial boxes can be purchased, also.

Updated Information Below:

Freezer space needed 11-14 to 11-25. If you can possibly store a frozen turkey (or two, three, or more) for a few days while we buy them four at a time from Aldi, and if you are willing to drop the birds off at church around 8 AM on November 25, we’ll gratefully deliver to you. Steve Wall-Smith, 314-369-7952 (text/talk) or stephen.wallsmith@gmail.com; Lis Wall-Smith, 314-497-9186 (talk only) or ewallsmith@aol.com.

This Sunday is United Methodist Student Day  This was the original Special Sunday created by United Methodist Church Sunday Schools who collected offerings to help advance education for their children. The fund was originally established in 1872 as the Children's Fund. Today United Methodist Student Day Sunday has the same purpose, calling upon the denomination to support their students as they prepare for life by adding knowledge to their faith. The funds received from the offering underwrite scholarships for United Methodist students. Currently, there are over 70 scholarships available for United Methodist students. The fund is administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Students can apply for scholarships .

The Choir will meet on Tuesday, November 26th at 7:00pm, the week of Thanksgiving.

The Giving Tree is an opportunity to provide Christmas gifts to children in the community who might not otherwise receive them. Pick up an envelope off the Giving Tree and enclose a $25.00 Walmart gift card (or funds so one can be purchased). Please return by Sunday, December 15th. If placing a check in the offering plate please mark the check Giving Tree.

A Note from Pastor Andy

Whenever there is a pastoral change in a church, there follows a long season of “firsts.” And we are coming up on one of those big “firsts” for my time here at Maplewood - the end of one liturgical year and the beginning of the next.

This Sunday is “Reign of Christ Sunday,” which marks the end of the church calendar year. The next week will begin the season of Advent, which is the beginning of a new year in the liturgy of the church. There is typically a flurry of activity in churches at this time of year, and Maplewood UMC is no exception.

Here at the church there are Thanksgiving meals being prepared for families in the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District. There are preparations being made for the Build-A-Gift event on December 7, and kids signing up for the fun. This year’s Christmas Pageant, in worship on December 15th, is being planned now. Poinsettias are being ordered for the Christmas celebration. 

And, to set the scene ... the decorations! This Sunday after worship, the sanctuary will be decked out with all the trimmings of the season. This “Hanging of the Green” will be coordinated by Charlotte Phelps, and all are welcome to take part. Since this is my first Advent here, I am very eager to see what the room looks like when all the halls are decked with boughs of holly, fa la la … etc.!

Something new happening at Maplewood this year will be a Christmas Day Worship Service. At 11:00 on Christmas Day, all are welcome to gather for an informal time of worship, celebration, prayer, and singing. Come as you are, even if that means jammies and bathrobe!

It is a wonderful time to be a part of a wonderful congregation, in this “most wonderful time of the year!” It is a perfect season to extend an invitation to a neighbor, a family member, or a friend to come with you to church. Make it Maplewood!

Pastor Andy

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

2025 Financial Discipleship

Thirty households have made a promise of financial discipleship for 2025! In addition, an astounding SEVENTEEN of the thirty promises made for 2025 increased from promises made in 2024, including NINE made by people who did not make a promise in 2024! This is outstanding growth, and something we can celebrate!

There were thirty-seven promises made last year. If you have not made a financial promise for 2025 and would like to do so, there are Financial Discipleship Promise Cards available at the church. You may turn one in to Pastor Andy or Chair of Finance Jerry Blackwell any time. Please contact the church office at 314.781.5902 if you would like a card sent to you.

Ad Council will meet Sunday, November 24th at 6:30p.m. and as always, all are invited to attend.

New Mission Statement below to be voted on at the next Ad Council Meeting, November 24th

Ad Council Proposes New Mission Statement

“Maplewood United Methodist Church creates spaces where people can have authentic encounters with Christ, discover their Spiritual gifts, and use them for God’s glory.”

At their September meeting, the Administrative Council continued discussing the congregation’s mission. The statement above comes from a sentence on the “I’m New” page of the website. The Council believes it is actually a statement that fittingly describes the mission of the congregation. Please give prayerful consideration to this statement for the next few weeks. If you have any input, please contact an Administrative Council member. The Council will vote on the statement at the November meeting. The proposed statement would replace the current Mission Statement: “Feeding the community - body, mind, heart, and spirit - through the love of Christ.” The official Vision Statement would remain “A community whose body, mind, heart, and spirit are fed through the love of Christ.”

If you have suggestions or comments about the proposed new mission statement, contact Colette Cummings. Email: cumminco@webster.edu, Phone: 314-239-2015

Monday Noon Sermon Zoom

December 2, 9, 16, 23

Mondays in Advent, all are welcome to be a part of the “Monday Noon Sermon Zoom” with Pastor Andy. Beginning at 12:05, participants will have an opportunity to reflect on the previous Sunday’s sermon together. The group will share particularly meaningful moments from the worship service, discuss sermon themes, and answer questions that the sermon prompted. We will adjourn by 12:55 each Monday. Please feel free to eat lunch as you participate. A Zoom link will be provided in upcoming weeks.

It's that time of year again! You have the opportunity to order Red, White, or Pink Poinsettias, in honor or in memory of a loved one to be on display in the Sanctuary from December 15th through Christmas Eve. The cost for each plant is $7.50. Poinsettias will be displayed on Sunday, December 15 through Christmas Eve. All orders must be placed by December 2nd. You may order them using this link: 2024 Poinsettias, the QR code on the Opportunity Board, on the app/website, or on the paper slips passed out during Sunday Morning Worship. Payments may be made online or via the offering on Sundays. Be sure to note that the payment is for poinsettias.

Still NEED more empty 16 oz. water bottles for Build-A-Gift

Build A Gift is in need of 80 empty 16-ounce water bottles with lids. Clean and dry would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting this event. Place under the easel in the back of the Sanctuary (Narthex) by the end of November.