Maplewood United Methodist Church

06/02/2026

Treasure

06/02/2026

Here's a wonderful opportunity to serve!
CLICK THIS LINK to sign up...
https://maplewoodumc.org/young-scholars-summer-academy

06/01/2026

05/31/2026

05/30/2026

Please keep our Maplewood neighbors Boanerges Flores-Bravo, Alba Del Socorro Matamoro-Hernandez, and their daughter in your prayers.

Maplewood UMC stands in solidarity with this family, and with all who are being oppressed by this heartless administration. Our baptismal vows call upon us to "resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves." This injustice, one among many oppressive acts targeted at our immigrant neighbors, has no place in our community.

As plans for further acts of solidarity and support are clarified, please share them with one another.

"Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly."
(Micah 6:8)

Boanerges Flores-Bravo sought asylum in the U.S. four years ago with his wife, Alba Del Socorro Matamoro-Hernandez, and daughter after fleeing political persecution in Nicaragua.

05/30/2026

Note from Pastor Andy for
Sunday, May 31st

Sermon Title: There Your Heart Will Be
Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21
Series Theme: “Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Grace”

Sometimes, the Bible uses the metaphor of the heart to talk about perception, like a couple weeks ago when we read, “...with the eyes of your heart enlightened,” understanding that the senses being described are spiritual senses, as much as physical ones.

Sometimes, the metaphor is about conviction, as when people are “cut to the heart” by a sermon they hear, or feel their “heart strangely warmed” by the movement of the Holy Spirit. We read about that last week. This feeling of conviction always inspires an active response; when you are feeling the vibe, join the party!

This week, we’ll focus on a teaching of Jesus found in Matthew 6 (and Luke 12). He said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I read this as a warning, or maybe a word of caution. Especially these days.

We live in a world of billionaires, bitcoin, and prediction markets. Capitalism has created an enormous wealth gap that widens every month; the rich get richer and the poor stay poor. It’s how our system is designed, and it works really well. The evidence is all around us.

Jesus admonishes the crowd not to store up treasures on earth because they will eventually get all rusty and moths will eat them all. Which might not be a super bad thing except for the kicker line - If your treasure, stored here on earth, decays away into nothingness, then your heart will do so as well.

And you don’t want a rusty, moth-eaten heart, do you?!

This Sunday we continue with week three of our four-week series, “Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Grace.” We’ll be thinking about treasure, and where we store it.

And rusty, moth-eaten hearts. See you in church!

Pastor Andy

05/28/2026

Thought for Thursday, May 28, 2026

05/24/2026