Maplewood Baptist Church Serves the Malden Community this Christmas

Maplewood Baptist Church Serves Community this Christmas

Maplewood's CORE Youth group recently helped spread the love and joy of Christmas to children all
around the world with a simple toy-filled shoebox and learned first-hand how one small and generous act of love and kindness can make a large impact on the life of a child half way around the world.

Maplewood, along with many churches across the country, partnered
with Operation Christmas Child, an outreach ministry through
Samaritan’s
Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization which
provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the
world. Our teens filled 218 shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, stuffed
animals and other items donated by the congregation. “Last year our
teens completed 157 shoeboxes and set a goal for this year of 200,”
said Matt Houk, Director of Student and Family Ministries. “Through
the support of our church family, we put together 218 shoeboxes, well
above our goal.” The shoeboxes were shipped to more than 100
countries and territories where local churches will distribute the
boxes to children in need. As the boxes are distributed, the Gospel
will be shared through an evangelistic booklet.

Our CORE Youth recently visited 630 Salem Street, an elderly housing complex, and brought hand-made
ornaments, cards and small gifts for the residents. The residents enjoyed spending time with the teens and were treated to a Christmas carol sing-a-long.

Maplewood's “Experience Life” Small Groups are reaching out to the community
by distributing a limited number of Christmas dinner baskets for
families who would be so blessed to receive them. Another
“Experience Life” Small Group assembled
bags of homemade cookies and delivered them to people living in an
area motel. “This ministry isn't really about cookies,”
explained Pastor Gary McClenthen. “But rather, about letting folks
in our area that are struggling know that there is a church in town
that has noticed them, cares and is praying for them during this
season.”

And yet another group collected “Angel” gifts donated by our
congregation at our annual Happy Birthday Jesus Party. These gifts
will be distributed to children through a local organization that
works directly with kids and their families facing unique challenges.
“I am so glad that God, Himself, brought Christmas to us – when
we had no way to get to Him – in the sending of His Son to the
earth to be our Savior,” said Pastor Gary McClenthen. “I have the
joy of pastoring a church that is choosing to reflect the very heart
of God, by taking Christmas to where people are as well - during
this most joyous of seasons.”

On Christmas Eve all are invited at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy a family-friendly Christmas Eve service. Enjoy
some old-fashioned carols combined with some contemporary Christmas
worship songs and hear about the birth of Jesus.
“We know that the 'most wonderful time of the year' can also be the most hectic time of
the year,“said Pastor Gary McClenthen. “My hope is that our
Maplewood Christmas celebration will slow folks down a little and
remind them that the Lord of this frenzied season is, by name, the
Prince of Peace. Let us help make this Christmas one of joy and
peace for you and your family.”

On Christmas Sunday morning, rather than having our regular classes, we
will hold a brief, informal, "come-as-you-are" Christmas
morning time of worship at 9:15. Light refreshments will be
served.

For more information about the Maplewood Baptist Church, Pastor Gary
McClenthen can be reached directly at 781-322-2636 or via email at
GMcClenthen@aol.com or visit the website at www.MBCMalden.net
The church meets at 729 Salem Street.