On Wednesday, Dec. 8, our Healing Prayer team will lead a special healing prayer service. This will be approximately 30 minutes beginning at 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary. We will have a time of prayer led and oil anointing as …
Discipleship Mentor
There are times we need someone to walk with us in our faith journey. Someone to encourage us, to really know what’s happening in our life and to pray for us along the way. A discipleship mentor can be this …
Christmas Toy Store
We are excited to partner with Flourish to provide toys for kids at our neighboring school, Pittman Elementary. Starting this week, we’re inviting you to select a star from the windows in the back of the Sanctuary on Sunday or …
Second Season: December Lunch
Coming up on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m., our Second Season Ministry will host its monthly lunch. Our December lunch will be a blast as we celebrate the holidays! Wear your favorite Christmas outfit, and bring …
New Schweitzer Logo
The creative challenge of developing a fresh new logo is one that many organizations and companies face. As we embarked on this project earlier this year, we first asked the question, “What are some descriptors of our church?” We talked …
Advent Bible Study
Looking for a way to dive deeper in God’s Word during the Advent season? Come be part of a five-week Advent study beginning Sunday, Nov. 28. This study, Awaiting His Birth: An Advent Experience, highlights six women in the Bible …
October Porch Angel
Looking for a fun outreach fall project? Sign up to be a porch angel. This is a great opportunity for families and an individuals to have fun delivering mini pumpkins to porches of Schweitzer friends and people in our community. …
The Story of God Sunday Night Class
This fall, Flourish will begin a new class called the Story of God on Sunday Nights. This will be part of the Life Change program but anyone is welcome to join in the 8-week study running Sept 19 through Oct …
Levi Zen Joins Schweitzer Staff
Getting to know Levi Zen Levi Zen is our new Director of Student Ministries. Born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, Levi has been in some form of ministry all his life. His mom was active in children’s ministry and his …
Schweitzer Choir
As you may have heard, Schweitzer has an incredible choir and this Wednesday, Aug 18, we are starting back up rehearsals. Choir is a great way to connect with other people who love music! If you’re interesting in singing with …
Second Season: December Lunch
Coming up on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m., our Second Season Ministry will host its monthly lunch. Our December lunch will be a blast as we celebrate the holidays! Wear your favorite Christmas outfit, and bring …
October Porch Angel
Looking for a fun outreach fall project? Sign up to be a porch angel. This is a great opportunity for families and an individuals to have fun delivering mini pumpkins to porches of Schweitzer friends and people in our community. …
The Story of God Sunday Night Class
This fall, Flourish will begin a new class called the Story of God on Sunday Nights. This will be part of the Life Change program but anyone is welcome to join in the 8-week study running Sept 19 through Oct …
Levi Zen Joins Schweitzer Staff
Getting to know Levi Zen Levi Zen is our new Director of Student Ministries. Born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, Levi has been in some form of ministry all his life. His mom was active in children’s ministry and his …
A Last Blast Recap
From pastor’s being tossed into the dunk tank (numerous times), to the sound of laughter echoing, the smell of fresh grilled hotdogs, the taste of cotton candy, ice cream and more; Schweitzer’s Last Blast of Summer outdoor event was a …
Schweitzer Choir
As you may have heard, Schweitzer has an incredible choir and this Wednesday, Aug 18, we are starting back up rehearsals. Choir is a great way to connect with other people who love music! If you’re interesting in singing with …
Volunteer with Flourish
Serve as a Mentor or Teacher The fall season with Flourish means there are many opportunities to serve. Flourish is currently looking for mentors and volunteers to be part of the LifeChange program, Jobs for Life and our Coach House …
Schweitzer Kids’ VBS Block Parties
We’re gearing up for another great summer of VBS Block Parties! We’re inviting you and your family to be a host or participate in a neighboring VBS Block Party. We will provide all the supplies you need to host. This …
The E. Stanford Community Garden
Currently, more than 50 gardeners make use of this space, planting and harvesting over 70 plots. This community garden space is especially used by the local Burmese community. Ken Bass, who serves as the garden manager shared with us some basic …
Christmas with Schweitzer
This year, Christmas at Schweitzer will have a whole new look and feel as we take our traditional Christmas Eve service and move it outdoors and online. Beginning Sunday, December 20th through the 23rd, we will host Carols & Candlelight …
Small Group Discussion
ALL TOGETHER NOW: Week 1: Acts 1.1-11 – Wait HereView the sermon online1) The Pepsi commercial, “Made for watching football,” encourages the spectator in us. – When it comes to digging into scripture and pursuing a godly life, do you …
Schweitzer Kids’ VBS Block Parties
We’re gearing up for another great summer of VBS Block Parties! We’re inviting you and your family to be a host or participate in a neighboring VBS Block Party. We will provide all the supplies you need to host. This …
February Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month In this month’s kit – we’re talking about why kindness really matters. This kit includes activities to do at home with your family! We also have supplies at the church if you’d like to pick up …
January Monthly Kit
We’re tackling the rules for life in this month’s Kids Kit! Download the activities separately or the whole kit here. Activities for the Month Download the January Activity Kit ACTIVITY PRINT OUTS
December Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month We have some special activities for December including a focus on Advent and a Christmas ornament to download and cut out. Activities for the Month Download the December Activity Kit Ornament Front Ornament Back
November Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month It’s a great moment to focus on thanksgiving. This month’s activities and stories will help inspire the spirit of gratitude in our lives. Activities for the Month Download the November Activity Kit Gratitude Planner Gratitude Hunt …
October Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month Fall is a fun time to dress up as characters. It’s fun to pretend to be someone with character traits like bravery or goofiness. As we have fun this month, we also want to focus on …
September Activity Kit
Theme for the Month As we return to school in different forms, we want to remember the power of our words and actions. This month’s Back to School Bash kit has activities and lessons that focus on friendships and how to …
February Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month In this month’s kit – we’re talking about why kindness really matters. This kit includes activities to do at home with your family! We also have supplies at the church if you’d like to pick up …
January Monthly Kit
We’re tackling the rules for life in this month’s Kids Kit! Download the activities separately or the whole kit here. Activities for the Month Download the January Activity Kit ACTIVITY PRINT OUTS
December Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month We have some special activities for December including a focus on Advent and a Christmas ornament to download and cut out. Activities for the Month Download the December Activity Kit Ornament Front Ornament Back
November Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month It’s a great moment to focus on thanksgiving. This month’s activities and stories will help inspire the spirit of gratitude in our lives. Activities for the Month Download the November Activity Kit Gratitude Planner Gratitude Hunt …
October Monthly Kit
Theme for the Month Fall is a fun time to dress up as characters. It’s fun to pretend to be someone with character traits like bravery or goofiness. As we have fun this month, we also want to focus on …
September Activity Kit
Theme for the Month As we return to school in different forms, we want to remember the power of our words and actions. This month’s Back to School Bash kit has activities and lessons that focus on friendships and how to …
Healing Prayer Service
On Wednesday, Dec. 8, our Healing Prayer team will lead a special healing prayer service. This will be approximately 30 minutes beginning at 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary. We will have a time of prayer led and oil anointing as …
Discipleship Mentor
There are times we need someone to walk with us in our faith journey. Someone to encourage us, to really know what’s happening in our life and to pray for us along the way. A discipleship mentor can be this …
Christmas Toy Store
We are excited to partner with Flourish to provide toys for kids at our neighboring school, Pittman Elementary. Starting this week, we’re inviting you to select a star from the windows in the back of the Sanctuary on Sunday or …
Second Season: December Lunch
Coming up on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 11:30 am to 1:00 p.m., our Second Season Ministry will host its monthly lunch. Our December lunch will be a blast as we celebrate the holidays! Wear your favorite Christmas outfit, and bring …
New Schweitzer Logo
The creative challenge of developing a fresh new logo is one that many organizations and companies face. As we embarked on this project earlier this year, we first asked the question, “What are some descriptors of our church?” We talked …
Advent Bible Study
Looking for a way to dive deeper in God’s Word during the Advent season? Come be part of a five-week Advent study beginning Sunday, Nov. 28. This study, Awaiting His Birth: An Advent Experience, highlights six women in the Bible …
The Story of God Sunday Night Class
This fall, Flourish will begin a new class called the Story of God on Sunday Nights. This will be part of the Life Change program but anyone is welcome to join in the 8-week study running Sept 19 through Oct …
Levi Zen Joins Schweitzer Staff
Getting to know Levi Zen Levi Zen is our new Director of Student Ministries. Born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, Levi has been in some form of ministry all his life. His mom was active in children’s ministry and his …
A Last Blast Recap
From pastor’s being tossed into the dunk tank (numerous times), to the sound of laughter echoing, the smell of fresh grilled hotdogs, the taste of cotton candy, ice cream and more; Schweitzer’s Last Blast of Summer outdoor event was a …
Caring for our Community
Schweitzer is a church that cares for our community. This statement is one that has long been part of our DNA – from growing outreach programs in new directions to meeting practical needs and offering encouragement. During July, we’ve had …
Pastor’s Note – July 23, 2020
Friends, In the NIV translation of the Bible, the word joy (or rejoice) is found 436 times. Here are a few examples: 1 Chronicles 29:22, “They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the Lord that day.” Luke 2:10, “But the …
Pastor’s Note – July 16, 2020
Friends, The other day a good friend of mine sent me an article I’ve been thinking a lot about this week. It is written by Bishop Todd Hunter of the Anglical Church. He is the bishop of a non-geographic diocese …
Pastor’s Note – July 9, 2020
Friends, I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July celebration. Independence Day is one of my favorite days of the year. When you are a pastor you use other holidays besides Christmas and Easter to build family traditions, and …
Pastor’s Note – July 2, 2020
Friends, This note marks my one-year anniversary as your pastor. We’ve been through a lot together in this first year! I can’t say thank you enough to how you have treated me and my family in this first year with …
Pastor’s Note – June 25, 2020
Friends, On Sunday, we began a new season of our church as both an online and in-person church. One of our big lessons we’ve learned over the last few months is that you don’t have to come in person to …
Pastor’s Note – June 18, 2020
Friends, This is a big week for us. This week we start the process of reopening. You can find all the information about reopening on our website: sumc.co/reopening. As we are approaching reopening, I’ve been reflecting on some of the things …
Pastor’s Note – June 11, 2020
Friends, I got a text this week from someone checking in because as he said “I know your world is going to get really busy opening up the church.” That’s the truth! Let’s talk about reopening, because it is right …
Pastor’s Note – June 1, 2020
Friends, We’re sending out our weekly Pastor’s Note early this week because I want to speak a few words about the protests we’ve seen around the country this weekend. We did not address this in Sunday worship, largely because we …
Pastor’s Note – May 28, 2020
Friends, I hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend. We give thanks for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This last Sunday we also launched sign-ups for people to host Vacation Bible School (VBS). Instead …
Pastor’s Note – May 21, 2020
Friends, There are some exciting things happening at Schweitzer right now. If you missed Sunday, we announced a large gift the church made to the Mozambique Initiative. Because of the financial uncertainty facing many churches, the Missouri United Methodist Church Conference …
Sermon Discussion 11-28-21
Sermon Discussion Questions – 28 November 2021 Part 1| Tidings of Joy| Luke 5.17-26 Gathering Question: What did you take away from your Thanksgiving celebration(s) that leads into anticipating Christmas? Gathering Prayer: Merciful God, you set your messenger the prophets …
Sermon Discussion 11-21-21
Part 3 | The Cross-Shaped Life | Philemon 17-25 Gathering Question: Who do you know who excels at being a peacemaker? What makes them able to bring peace? What do you think motivates them to work for peace? Gathering Prayer. …
Sermon Discussion 11-14-21
Part 2: Love Is the Target Philemon 8-16 Gathering Question: When was a time when you played thee role of a reconciler, approaching someone on behalf of another person. What were your hopes? What were your fears? How did you …
Sermon Discussion 11-7-21
Week 1: Active Partners Philemon 1-7 GATHERING QUESTION Share what first drew you to Schweitzer. GATHERING PRAYER What stood out to you in the sermon? What insights did you gain? What questions did it raise? Why is it sometime challenging …
Sermon Discussion 10-31-2021
ELIJAH #8 – WHERE IS ELIJAH? 2 Kings 2:1-18 GATHERING QUESTION Share a person whose leadership you admire and why. GATHERING PRAYER What stood out to you in the sermon? What insights did you gain? What questions did it raise? …
Sermon Discussion 10-24-2021
Elijah #7 – Is There No God in Israel 2 Kings 1:1-17 Gathering Question Share a place you like to go to be alone with God. Gathering Prayer What stood out to you in the sermon? What insights did you …
Sermon Discussion 10-17-2021
Elijah #6 – Confronting the Rule of Self 1 Kings 21:1-29 Gathering Question Share a piece of land that is especially meaningful to you and why. Gathering Prayer What stood out to you in the sermon? What insights did you …
Sermon Discussion 10-10-2021
Elijah #5 – Don’t Go It Alone Gathering Question Share a special friendship from sometime in your life. Gathering Prayer What stood out to you in the sermon? What insights did you gain? What questions did it raise? Elijah had …
Sermon Discussion 10-3-2021
Elijah #4 – Highs and Lows Gathering Question Share a time you felt especially close to God. Gathering Prayer What stood out to you in the sermon? What insights did you gain? What questions did it raise? 1 Kings 19:4Elijah …
Sermon Discussion 9-26-2021
Elijah – Effective Prayer Gathering Question Share one word to describe your prayer life. Gathering Prayer What stood out to you in the sermon? What insights did you gain? What questions did it raise? After three years of no rain, …
Public Prayer List
As a church, we know the importance of praying for one another. Here is this week’s prayer list. These request have been shared by people who marked to be added to the published congregation prayer list. If you would like …
Flourish Informational Gatherings
You have been specially invited to join us for a Flourish Informational Gathering the week of December 6. We hope you’ll come learn more about this exciting opportunity to reach even more people for Jesus Christ by launching Springfield’s first …
Songs of the Street
On Saturday, October 24, here on the Schweitzer campus we be hosting an outdoor screening of a movie that follows Springfield Street Choir during their 2019 performances. This is a great opportunity to learn more about this group and hear …
Schweitzer News – March 10, 2020
Coronavirus Precautions Schweitzer will be taking immediate steps to protect our church family from the spread of the coronavirus: Please refrain from shaking hands during the greeting time in worship. A verbal greeting is appropriate. We will be changing how …
Schweitzer News – February 25, 2020
52 Stories All of us have unique interactions with God, stories of God showing up in our lives. In these 52 Stories, people connected to Schweitzer share how God is present and transforming in their lives. In watching, may you …
Schweitzer News – February 4, 2020
52 Stories All of us have unique interactions with God, stories of God showing up in our lives. In these 52 Stories, people connected to Schweitzer share how God is present and transforming in their lives. In watching, may you …
Your Gifts are Needed!
YOUR GIFTS ARE NEEDED! If you have the right gifts to serve in these ministries, contact Sheila Pippin at spippin@sumc.co or 417-861-0861 for more information. INPUT TEAM (Data Team) – Input Connection Card data from worship services. If you are …
Making a Great First Impression
Making a Great First Impression! We’ve all done it. We’ve made decisions about a restaurant or coffee house within the first few minutes of walking in the door. It works the same in ministry. Ten minutes…That’s how long it takes someone to …
First Impression
Making a great “First Impression” Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. It has been proven that REPETITION INCREASES RETENTION. Can this be applied to ministry? ABSOLUTELY! Our goal is to make a meaningful contact with everyone who walks through the doors at Schweitzer …
Urban Summit Recap
Schweitzer sponsored and hosted the SGF Urban Summit on Thursday, October 3. The impetus for the event was obedience. Schweitzer has been, and is, dedicated to contributing to the community in good and beautiful ways. We recognize that there are …
Monthly Worship Experience
Worship is such an important part of what we do that we aren’t going to let a global pandemic stop us! We gather at the end of every month—masked and outdoors—to worship with our friends and small group leaders. Each …
Youth Study Hall
Every week, we’re opening our doors to students (7th–12th graders) who want to get out of the house but also still have work to do. Since Springfield Schools are doing virtual learning 3 days a week, we’re letting students borrow our wifi and hang out with their small group leaders and friends every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to Noon!