Message From Pastor Jeff Estes

Message From Pastor Jeff Estes Hello friends, February is here, and Lent begins on February 14 th this year. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, meaning spring. Although winter has been long and cold, Lent reminds us that spring is around the corner. Lent consists of forty days, not including Sundays. Sunday s are not counted because they are meant to be mini resurrections a time of new life and growth, as we look to the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior with anticipation, hope, and joy. The first Sunday of Lent usually begins with the testing of Jesus. In the Bible, the number forty represents testing, and testing is usually accompanied by trials or temptations from Satan. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were tested forty years in the wilderness. After being tested for forty years, they were finally allowed to enter the promise land. In the New Testament, Jesus is tested forty days in the wilderness, where He fasts from food and water, and on the fortieth day, Jesus is tempted by Satan three times. After resisting Satan s temptations, Jesus passes His tests and starts His ministry. In many ways, Jesus ministry is symbolic of a new Moses leading God s people into a new promise land. Lent will continue with different events of Jesus life, and conclude with Jesus death and burial, with the last day of Lent ending on Holy Saturday. Traditionally, people give up something during Lent. The purpose of giving something up is to help us associate (in some small way) with all that Jesus gave up for us. The secret to getting the most out of this exercise is to give up something we enjoy and do quite often. When we give up those things that are dear to us, we realize it is hard. It is important that we realize what Jesus did for us was not easy. It was not easy for Jesus to give up His home in heaven, live a sinless life, or go to the cross. However, He did it anyway, because He loved us and wanted spend eternity with us. Secondly, we need to celebrate Lent with a sincere heart. When Jesus walked planet earth, He put His whole heart into us; therefore, we show our love to Him by putting our whole heart into observing Lent with passion.. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, and this year, we will kick off Lent with a meal at 6:00 PM with the Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 PM, followed by our regular Service. Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality; therefore, it is a time of reflection, examination, and repentance, as we look to Jesus for forgiveness and redemption from our sins. My hope for you is, this will be your best Lenten season ever! Blessings, Pastor Jeff Estes

January 22, 2018 ATTENDANCE: Darryl Pannier, Frank Batchelor, Sue Batchelor, Lavonna Biddle, Alex Niswonger, Ann Smith, and Pastor Jeff Estes. *Not a quorum to conduct business. Darryl Pannier called the meeting to order at 6:08 PM, noting that there was not a quorum present to conduct business. Pastor Jeff voiced the opening prayer. LEARNING: Pastor Jeff used an online presentation of the first two chapters of the book Leadership Gold by John Maxwell. It was well received by the group present and will be continuing as our Learning time in the future. REPORTING: Minutes from the previous finance meeting were passed out. They could not be approved as there was not a quorum. Will be presented at the next meeting for approval. Calendar dates were updated: Now meeting on 2/5; UMM on 2/10; Ash Wednesday Service at service on 2/14; Hope Seeds will be 2/20; UMM on 3/10; 3/11 will be Chuck Crain Sunday; One Council meeting on 3/15 at 6:00 PM; Hope Seeds on 3/20; and Fish Fry on 3/30 (which is Good Friday). The financial report was presented but could not be approved due to lack of quorum. Frank will be sending Mozambique and money for apportionments. Budget for 2018 was presented but could not be voted on because of attendance. Questions were asked about the pastor s travel expense and educational expense. Pastor explained what he must pay about classes. Suggestion was made that we revisit that if needed. Lavonna noted that we have a form for the parsonage inspection, but the chair of Trustees will not be back in the state by the time it was due. Frank, having done this many times, will be inspecting with Lavonna after prearranging with the pastor. Trustees did not have a report, but Sue B. noted that the light above the front door is out and needs a new bulb. It is very hard to see the key hole on the door. VISIONING: The pastor reported that he has completed two more classes, noting that there may be two classes in one week next time. He is sure he will go but not that he will be able to do two classes in the one-week time. NOW did not have a report but will be meeting to plan the next couple of quarters on 2/5. There was no old business. Under New Business for the next meeting will be the things that were not voted on at this meeting: minutes, budget, and financial report. Lavonna made the motion to adjourn and Alex seconded. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sue Batchelor Recording Secretary

We have survived one whole month already. Since there has not been a NOW meeting in 2018, we will again begin with dates in the life of the church. Check out dates you need for your calendar. ADDITIONAL DATES IN CHURCH LIFE: FISH FRY March 30th (Good Friday) 2018; May 25 th, 2018; July 27 th 2018; September 28 th, 2018; November 30 th, 2018. Fifth Sunday Dinners: April 29, 2018; July 29, 2018, September 30, 2018; December 30, 2018 HOPE SEEDS: 10:30 to 1:30--3 rd Tuesday of each month. Upcoming dates: 2/20/18, 3/20/18, 4/17/18, 5/15/18, 6/19/18,?7/17/18,?8/21/18, 9/18/18, 10/16/18, 11/20/18, 12/18/18 Dave Schaffner 4/29/18; 7/29/18; 9/30/18; 12/30/18. 5 th Sunday service at Chateau Girardeau at 2 o clock Shrove Tuesday is 2/13; Ash Wednesday is 2/14; Palm Sunday 3/25; Maundy Thursday is 3/29; Easter is 4/1 Feed my Starving Children April 21. Packing date. Next blessings basket month is March 2018. Mothers day is 5/13; Fathers day is 6/17 Memorial day is 5/28. July is school supply month for Central Middle School. January and August are Redhawk Food Pantry collection months. NURTURE: Prayer group is still meeting on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 for an hour. It is an important ministry of the church. We are still using John Wesley as our guide. For the next month please pray for our government as Congress has a lot to consider: Almighty God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, of whom is all rule and authority in the world, I come before You with a prayer for our government. I am grateful for the good government that you have ordained to rule in our land. You have blessed our country and our people. Bless, I pray You, all who are in authority in our land with wisdom and understanding, with love for righteousness and peace, that under their leadership our country may continue to enjoy Your grace and favor. Help me, by Your Spirit, as a good citizen to give to our government the things which belong to the government and not to forget that I must give You my God, what belongs to You. May Your name be hallowed! For Jesus sake. Amen. MAPLE KIDS MINISTRY: Alex is coordinating a spring campout in early spring at Eagle Sky Camp near Piedmont. We are anticipating a multi-church campout with youth from other churches. If you would like to help, please see Alex and talk with him about what you can do to help. We will be discussing this at the 2/5/18 NOW meeting. OUTREACH: We filled the Redhawk Food Pantry can, and it ran out over the floor. Reminder that 2/5 is the last Sunday until August when we do it again. Thank you again members of Maple Church for coming through once again. We are continuing with the Fish Pantry, Shoeman Ministry, and Shawl Ministry. No totals for this month. Hope Seeds continues as well. If you are interested in helping to plan the things that Maple is involved in, please attend the next meeting, tell Sue Batchelor, or put it on the registration slip on the bulletin. It will get to the right people. We had a really good time at the dinner on New Years Eve after church. Food was delicious. Thank you. The Trivia party on New Years Eve had 3 teams. It is surprising what we knew and what we did not know of the Trivia facts. The young people formed their own team but were glad when Sandy Estes arrived to add something new. Snacks were great, and the Hot Chocolate flowed like champagne on New Years Eve right, Pastor Jeff? A further editorial remark: We need everyone to participate when an activity is sponsored by the church. We need you to be there to support the mission and ministry of our church and church family. We have folks putting in a lot of energy and effort to organize these events, and when you come and help, you not only make Maple Church look good, but you are uplifting to the organizers as well. We know that no one can make every event, but if everyone could come to at least half of them, it will be an enormous help to the future of our church family. We need you at the Youth events, and we need you at the Fish Frys. Please be in prayer about helping us at as many events as you can. Thank you!

MEN S CLUB BREAKFAST *Meeting was cancelled due to weather* The next Men s Club Meeting will take place on February at 7:30 AM WIRED WEDNESDAY DATE ATTENDANCE 1-3 21 1-10 25 1-24 22 1-31 27 AVERAGE 24 SUNDAY DATE SERVICE SMALL GROUPS 1-7 41 15 1-21 71 23 1-28 58 23 AVERAGE 57 20 WIRED WEDNESDAY Your presence is requested for Dinner and Worship! Dinner begins at 6:00 PM. Worship begins at 7:00 PM. This worship is laity led. It will be a wonderful time for fellowship and mini midweek worship!!! SUNDAY SCHOOL Perfect Attendance for January 2018 LOYAL AIDERS: Bob, Frances, Ann, & Dave & Barbara S. REJUVENATION: Ron, Julie, & Frank B. BIBLE MONKEYS: Sue B., Isaiah, & JJ Verna Bingenheimer Eleanor Brown Frank & Jeanne Crites Atlee Fulbright Joy Grace Mildred Miget Glema Milligan Andy & Carol Mouser Mary Pannier Wilma Seabaugh Howard Thomas Adele Townsend Pat Uptain Wanda Williamson Nelda Crader In Memory of: Frieda Clark Zeta Seabaugh Kevin Schnurbusch Jesse Williams Sr.

BIRTHDAYS Feb. 1 Addisyn Andrews Feb. 1 Amanda Radford Feb. 2 Bradley Main Feb. 3 Rhonda Campbell Feb. 3 Wilma Seabaugh Feb. 4 Taylor Mayberry Feb. 6 Bryan Schaefer Feb. 6 Errin Armitage Feb. 8 Mark Ervin Feb. 12 Athena Albright Feb. 12 Rhonda Ray Feb. 12 Jesse Dunavan Feb. 13 Richard Biddle Feb. 15 Johnie Keene Feb. 17 Terry Biddle Feb. 21 Lydia Bunch Feb. 25 Lucy Scholl Feb. 28 Mary Pannier ANNIVERSARIES Feb. 14 Ronald & Jo Ann Ward Feb. 14 David & Sue Crites USHERS Mike & Clara Engelmann WORSHIP Alex Niswonger LEADER COMMUNION Gary & Jan Roth GREETERS Ron & Julie Wilson BIRTHDAYS March 1 March 1 March 2 March 3 March 7 March 7 March 8 March 9 March 10 March 14 March 16 March 19 March 20 March 20 March 22 March 23 March 23 March 24 March 29 Aimee Ticer Ron Wilson Hayley Morton Jackson Batchelor Linda Goodman Diane Taylor Beverly Ervin Chelsea Pannier Earl Rhodes Carol Mouser Chris Inman Sue Pewitt Wanda Williamson Ryaan Biddle Kenneth Grayum Beverly Hagerty Tom Taylor Jim Garstang Isaiah Dunavan ANNIVERSARIES March 30 Blaine & Jamie Morton USHERS WORSHIP LEADER COMMUNION GREETERS Sam Conrad & Ruth Ellen Holdman Sue Batchelor Frank & Sue Batchelor Mike & Clara Engelmann FISH PANTRY 1 large or 2 small cans chicken and dumplings, 1 can green beans, 2 cans fruit, 1 package cookies or cookie mix FISH PANTRY 1-16oz. package spaghetti, 1 can spaghetti sauce, 1 box instant pudding, 1 can evaporated milk, 1 box dry milk, 1 can fruit Starting on Sunday, February 18th, the Day Circle will have an Easter tree displayed in the church foyer. With each gift to the tree, we will placed a beaded cross on the tree.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 COMMUNION 5 NOW Meeting 6:00 PM 6 7 8 9 10 Men s Club Breakfast 7:30 AM 11 12 13 Day Circle-2:00 PM 14 ASH WEDNESDAY Meal 6:00 PM Service 7:00 PM 15 16 17 18 19 20 Hope Seeds-10:30 AM 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 28

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 COMMUNION 5 6 7 8 9 10 Men s Club Breakfast 7:30 AM 11 CHUCK CRAIN AT SERVICE 12 Women s Bible Study-6:00 PM 13 Day Circle-2:00 PM 14 15 One Church Council Meeting 6:00 PM 16 17 18 19 Women s Bible Study-6:00 PM 20 Hope Seeds-10:30 AM 21 22 23 24 25 PALM SUNDAY 26 Women s Bible Study-6:00 PM 27 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 28 29 MAUNDY THURSDAY 30 Fish Fry 4-7 PM GOOD FRIDAY

FEBRUARY 2018 VOLUME 48, NUMBER 2 Rev. Jeff Estes Cell phone: 573-208-3835 Parsonage phone: 573-803-1166 Worship Times Small Groups (Sunday): 9:00 AM Sunday Worship: 10:15 AM Church Contact Church phone: 573-335-6890 Church E-mail: umcmaple@yahoo.com E-mail: pastorjeffestes@aol.com Meal & Worship: 6:00 PM Church Website: maplechurch.org