Author: joedcase

Sometimes we have to let go of the past to embrace the “new thing” that God wants to do in our lives. Pastor Vicki challenges us to embrace the “new thing” God wants to do in 2018 by letting go of what has already happened.

Will 2018 be defined in your life by the game-changing love of Jesus Christ? Or by something else? This week, Maplewood begins a new sermon series entitled “All Things New!” Pastor Joe discusses how God is in the business of doing a new thing, primarily through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

There’s a lot of bad news in the world–but Christmas brings “good news!” At our Christmas Eve Service, Pastor Joe explores the reality that Christmas is “just the beginning” of the good news that Christ brings into the world.

Christmas is the season for light. There’s a reason why we celebrate Christmas in the dark of December. Pastor Joe explores what we mean when we celebrate Jesus as the light of the World.

Pastor Joe and Pastor Vicki share some of their favorite things about Christmas during this special podcast. What’s your favorite part of Christmas?

You are invited to the 2017 Maplewood Family Christmas, Sunday at 10:30 a.m.  This is our annual Christmas program featuring music from our children, teens and adults and other special content to celebrate the Christmas season.

Following the program, we will be holding our All Church Christmas Dinner and White Elephant Auction.

This year, our friends at High Street Church of the Nazarene are graciously allowing us to use their facility for our dinner. This will make things easier for folks who have a hard time with stairs. Everyone who attends the program is invited to join us for a time of fellowship, good food and fun.

The dinner is a potluck. Church family: please bring 3 food dishes to share and a beverage. We want to have plenty of food so we can confidently invite visitors and friends to join us for the meal!

Funds raised from the White Elephant Auction will be used to support local missions in Springfield. If you are participating in the auction, bring wrapped items labeled for an adult or a child (and cash for the auction!).

We hope to see you this Sunday! Merry Christmas from your Maplewood church family!

Maplewood is kicking off the Advent Season with a new series entitled “Long Expected Jesus” this week. How are you preparing for Christmas? How can we prepare the right way so we encounter Christ afresh and anew? That is the focus of this week’s message.

In this week’s message, Pastor Joe wraps up our study in 1 John by focusing on the motives that drive us to serve in the kingdom. Unless our motives are inspired by the love of Jesus Christ–we run the risk of burn out, or worse, giving up.

 

What motivates the decisions in your life? Fear or Love? Pastor Joe discusses how people following Jesus can live with confidence and assurance by embracing God’s love and rejecting the lies of the enemy.

 

Ralph Marion Mullenix, age 68 crossed over from this life into the arms of Jesus on October 26, 2017 at Springfield Regional Medical Center.

Ralph was born on August, 9, 1949 to Mary Katherine Baumgardner and Steven Zane Mullenix and he was a life-long resident of Springfield. He retired from American Pan in Urbana where he made commercial kitchen ware. Prior to that, he most enjoyed his work at BerryHill Nursery driving a tractor.

Ralph loved fishing. He also enjoyed researching his family history, priding himself in connecting his family tree to several early presidents. He was a faithful member of Maplewood Church of the Nazarene and also attended Home Road Church of the Nazarene.

Ralph married Cheryl Mullenix on August 5, 2000. It was his love for genealogy and his love for his wife that inspired Ralph to find Cheryl’s birth family in 2016.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as three brothers, Steven Zane Mullenix, Clark Everett Mullenix and David Zane Mullenix.

Ralph is survived by Cheryl, his loving wife; a son, Ralph Matthew Mullenix; a daughter, Mary Lisa Mullenix; a grand daughter, Kristen Moore (daughter of Mary Lisa); three great grandchildren; several cousins; a sister-in-law, Artis Mullenix; special friends Linda and Mike Stevens; and Cheryl’s birth mother, Sarah Kleindenst.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Maplewood Church of the Nazarene, 100 Lawnview Avenue in Springfield. Pastor’s Joe & Victoria Case will officiate. A private family visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the church, with public visitation scheduled from 10 a.m. until the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Maplewood Nazarene local compassionate ministry fund.

Arrangements are being handled by Jones-Kenny-Zechman Funeral Home in Springfield.