The Apostle's Creed, Ecumenical Version

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.*

On the third day he rose again,

he ascended into heaven,

is seated at the right hand of the Father.

and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic** Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

*or "He descended to hell."
**"universal"


This translation can be found in current United Methodist Hymnal.

Christmas Eve Service - 5 pm

Join us in a lovely Candlelit service this Christmas Eve as we prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth.

Services will be officiated by Rev. Julianne Gebbie and Rev. Ralph Fotia.

Christmas music will be presented by our phenomally talented Oomi Banchinda Laothai and directed by Bell Choir and Choral Choir Director Amy Cook.

Our children will be participating in the nativity presentation that will be both charming and touching.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."   Isaiah 9:6

Thanksgiving Baskets

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, the Maple Heights UMC congregation will be collecting canned and paper goods to help those in the community who are in need.

Item should be brought in during Sunday worship services and brought up to the sanctuary if able. If you need assistance let us know and someone will help you. To drop off items during the week, please contact the office to ensure someone will be here to assist you. Church number is (216) 668-6363. 

Use your powerful arm and rescue me from the hands of mere humans whose world won't last. You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren will have more than enough. (Psalm 17:14) 

To help you in your shopping & planning we have developed this offering schedule:

Week of Nov 1, 2009: Canned vegetables, canned gravy, spaghetti noodles and sauce, tuna, packaged potatoes (not fresh), dish soap, paper towels.

Week of Nov 8, 2009: stuffing mix, canned soup, peanut butter, jelly, ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, beef stew, toilet paper.

Week of Nov. 15, 2009: Canned cranberries, canned fruit, cake mixes, baby formula, sugar, rice, jello, laundry detergent.

Remember: Any non-perishable item will be welcomed. We thank everyone in advance. Your generosity means a great deal to everyone, especially those in need.

Salvation Army Christmas Assistance

Tips

1. You must sign up in-person
2. You must have all required information (id, birth certificates, proof of income, etc.)
3. Go to the correct location. This is based on your zip code.
4. Pay close attention to the dates. Registration is only being done on Fridays.

 Direct from the Salvation Army Greater Cleveland website.

 REGISTER FOR CHRISTMAS DISTRIBUTION AT SALVATION ARMY NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS

Cleveland, Ohio - The Salvation Army will begin registration for its annual community Christmas assistance program on Friday, October 9, 2009. To register for assistance this holiday season, visit one of the six Salvation Army Community Corps Centers on one of the following Fridays: October 9, 16, 23, and 30 or November 6.

 In order to qualify for the Christmas Distribution, you must first complete a registration application at a Salvation Army neighborhood center nearest your home.

Families, who meet the criteria, will receive new toys for children age 12 and under, a gift card for Holiday groceries, and winter coats from "Coats for Kids".

You must register on one of the above dates to be included in The Salvation Army Christmas Distribution.

Families may register at the following Greater Cleveland Salvation Army locations by ZIP CODE:

• Miles Park Corps - (216) 341-1640

4139 East 93rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44105
Serving the following Zip Codes: 44105, 44120, 44122, 44125, 44127, 44128, 44137

• Hough Corps - (216) 432-0500

6000 Hough Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103
Serving the following Zip Codes: 44103, 44104, 44114

• Superior Corps (Glenville)- (216) 229-6065
9000 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Serving the following Zip Codes: 44106, 44108, 44112, 44115

 • Temple Corps (Collinwood) - (216) 692-1388

17625 Grovewood Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44119
Serving the following Zip Codes: 44110, 44117, 44118, 44119, 44121, 44123, 44124, 44132, 44143

 • West Park Corps - (216) 252-3593

12645 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
Serving the following Zip Codes: 44102, 44107, 44111, 44116, 44126, 44129, 44130, 44135, 44140, 44142, 44145, 44017

• Ohio City Corps - (216) 631-1515
4402 Clark Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44109
Serving the following Zip Codes: 44102, 44109, 44113, 44114

Please bring the following with you when you register:
• Driver License or State I.D.
• Birth Certificate AND current Medical Benefit Card for EACH child (Newborn - 12 years old)
• Proof of Income

Use your powerful arm and rescue me from the hands of mere humans whose world won't last. You provide food for those you love. Their children have plenty, and their grandchildren will have more than enough. (Psalm 17:14)

Rosebud

Celebrating God's Wonder

A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.
But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact.. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so easily,
But in my hands they die.


If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?


So I'll trust in God for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step of the way.


The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

CANDIDATES NIGHT: Presented by Brooklyn Center Community Association (BCCA). Will be held at Brooklyn Memorial United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 22nd from 6-8pm. Public is invited to bring questions for Candidates for the office of Cleveland Mayor, City Council, Ward 14, & Cuyahoga County Reform Ballot Initiative. For more information please check out the BCCA website at http://www.brooklyncenter.org.

Have you heard the one about the Dog, the kids and the Minister?

A Minister was walking down the street when he came upon a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age.

The group had surrounded a dog. Concerned lest the boys were hurting the dog, he went over and asked "What are you doing with that dog?"

One of the boys replied, "This dog is just an old neighborhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we've decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog."

Of course, the reverend was taken aback. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he exclaimed. He then launched into a ten minute sermon against lying, beginning, "Don't you boys know it's a sin to lie,"
and ending with, "Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie."

There was dead silence for about a minute. Just as the reverend was beginning to think he'd gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, "All right, give him the dog."