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To be a church aglow, ignited by the fire of God's Holy Spirit, lighting the way in our community and warming the hearts of those we meet.
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Change of
Contact Information?
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Contact Us?
Saint Mark UMC
616 Quincy Road
Seneca, SC 29678
Call us:
9 am - 5 pm (M-Th)
(864) 882-2603
Pastoral Care
Emergencies or after regular office hours
call or text
(864) 888-7072
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Saint Mark 2017 Ministry Guidebook
Click here
to view the entire Saint Mark 2017 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership, ministries and our 2017 budget.
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Check Out Our Entire Church Calendar of Events
Click here
to see what is going on at Saint Mark this week and the weeks to come.
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September 10, 2017
Sunday
Schedule
9:00 am
Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
9:00 am
Celebration Worship in the Saint Mark Center
9:15 am
Children's Church
Room A101
10:15 am
Sunday School
for all ages
11:15 am
Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
2:00 pm
Leadership Development
Team Meeting
4:00 pm
Wings 'N Things
4:00 pm
Reconciling Worship Service
Clemson UMC
5:00 pm
Stewardship Committee
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Quick, easy and available
HERE
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Join us every day at 3:20 pm to pray for Saint Mark - our people and ministries.
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Listen to Last Week's Sermon Today
If you were not able to attend worship on any given Sunday, you can still listen to the sermon.
Click here to select and listen to sermons that you may have missed.
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Got Information to Share in Next Week's Heart Beat?
Click here
to send your Heart Beat post to us by no later than 12:00 noon next
Thursday. On the subject line, please type in "Heart Beat" so that we can easily find your article among the other emails.
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Got Good News To Share With Your Saint Mark Family?
Good news lifts our spirits. Share your good news with us. We will publish your good news in our
"People 'Neath Our Steeple" feature. Your news will be sent out as an email.
Click here to share your good news (achievements, births, awards, etc.). Include pictures if you have them.
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Got Pictures?
We are creating an archive of pictures taken at Saint Mark events and activities. If you have taken pictures and want to share them, please
Or use our hashtag
#stmarkumc and post your photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
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Interested in LGBT Inclusion?
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Prayer Focus for This Week
Pray for all persons in the path of Hurricane Irma. Pray for an outpouring of aid for those whose lives will be turned upside down by the fury of this epic storm.
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Submit Your Prayer R
equests
Saint Mark is pleased to receive your prayer requests . . . for yourself or for friends or loved ones.
Click here
to submit your request.
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Worship With Us This Week
Sunday, September 10
Three Services
Meet the Disciples
Nathanael
Sanctuary
Bringing the Message
Rev. Edward McCutcheon
Director of Wesley Fellowship
Furman University
Celebration Service 9:00 am
Saint Mark Center
Bringing the Message
Rev. Todd Davis
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OPEN DOORS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
Epworth Children's Home Work Day Offering
THIS Sunday, September 10
Epworth Children's Home goes above and beyond just food and shelter for children who have experienced abuse, neglect and tragedy. It provides children with tutoring, counseling, health care, fun activities, and the spiritual formation they need to heal and gain a sense of belonging. Through the ministry of Epworth Children's Home we open our doors to these children, surround them with comprehensive care and provide them with the opportunity to transform their lives.
This Sunday, September 10, our congregation will stand with Epworth to break the cycle of abuse, neglect and shame through our collection of the Annual Epworth Work Day Offering (a special giving envelope will be provided in worship). Without the support of churches like ours, Epworth could not provide transformational care for children in need. We invite you to give generously to the children who call Epworth home. Click here to visit Epworth on the web.
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Wings 'N Things Resumes
After a summer break,
Wings 'N Things (for youth grades 6 - 12) will resume their regular activities
this Sunday evening, September 10 at 4:00 pm. Do you know a youth who would enjoy becoming part of this great group of teens?
Click here to contact Donna Poston, our minister of Youth and College Discipleship.
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Kairos Prison Ministry
"...I was in prison and you visited me." Matthew 25:36
There are several ways that Saint Mark disciples can minister to SC prisoners.
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Pray for the Kairos team who will be sharing their faith with inmates at the Men's Weekend September 14-17. Pray for the inmates involved in the weekend. Pray so that something happens!
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Write Letters - Write a note of encouragement to the inmates. Some have not received a letter in years! Letters should be addressed to "Dear Friend" and placed in an unsealed blank envelope. The note should remind the inmates of God's unconditional love and grace and encouraging scriptures.
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Bake Cookies - Six thousand cookies are needed for each Kairos weekend. The cookies should not be iced or have sprinkles. Regular oatmeal, chocolate chip, and sugar cookies are good! Package one dozen per ziplock bag.
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Decorate Placemats and Posters - Parents and Sunday School teachers are encouraged to let children decorate placemats and posters with encouraging words and pictures of God's love.
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Sponsor an Inmate - The cost for an inmate to attend the weekend is $150.00. Donations are tax deductible when made out to "Kairos of South Carolina." Mail to Kairos Prison Ministry is SC, P.O. Box 473, Aiken, SC 29802.
Please bring your letters, cookies, placemats, and posters to the church office by noon on Monday, SEPTEMBER 11.
For questions or clarification, please click here to contact Mona Fleming or call her at (864) 314-2181
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Calling All Disciples!
Marvin's Kids Training
September 12 (10 am - 12 noon)
September 13 (6:30 pm - 8:00 pm)
or September 17 (3 pm-5 pm)
Commons Room
The Marvin's Kids ministry needs you! Have you read and/or heard that we are looking for disciples to join Marvin's Kids as home visitors? Have you been considering joining this ministry as it seeks to enrich relationships with unconditional love for Oconee county families in need?
The outreach program that developed from the heart of Marvin Cely celebrates its 38th year anniversary in 2017. Disciples who were alongside Marvin as he ventured into the remote areas of Oconee County so many years ago helped him develop the program that serves local families today. The Saint Mark community has consistently stepped up to support Marvin's Kids as Christmas approaches. But this year, we need your best efforts earlier in the program year, as we begin visiting the families in their homes in October.
Now is the time to step up, raise your hand and raise your voice to learn more about how you can help sustain this ministry. We have scheduled opportunities for you to learn more about the role of the home visitor and Marvin's Kids processes in one of three sessions conducted by Sandra Pruitt from United Way and Marvin's Kids team members.
If you are interested in attending one of the three scheduled sessions, please contact Sandy James at (864) 972-1122 or
click here to send her an email.
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Join us in the Saint Mark Center
for an evening of fun, food and fellowship!
REMEMBER, SUPPER IS FREE!!!
THERE WILL BE PRIZES FOR THE
WINNING TABLE!
free supper reservation(s)
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Disney Trivia Night for Children
THIS Wednesday, September 13
5:45 pm
While the adults are enjoying Trivia Night in the Saint Mark Center, during our Wednesday RENEW Kickoff this coming Wednesday, our children will enjoy their own version of Trivia Night - ALL Disney. Bring your children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends for FREE supper (hamburgers and hotdogs) and an evening of fun!
So that we have enough food for everyone, please let us know you are coming!
Click here
to make your reservation(s) today!
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Our Wednesday RENEW kicks off on September 13 with a FREE supper (beginning at 5:15 pm) and an evening of Trivia fun (from 5:45 - 6:15 pm).
Then our regular weekly programming begins on Wednesday, September 20.
RENEW Schedule
Fall 2017
RENEW Dinner
5:15 - 6:15 PM
Saint Mark Center
or call the church office at 882-2603
Kids' Journey (K4 - 5th grade)
Worship Arts and Activities
6:00 - 7:15 PM
Youth Journey (6th grade - college)
6:00 - 7:15 PM
Adult Journey
Moving Forward In the Wesleyan Way
(with communion)
See details below
6:00 - 7:15 PM
Commons Room
RENEW Fellowship
Feel free to just hang around in our gym to fellowship with friends - or make new ones!
6:00 - 7:15 PM
Saint Mark Center
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The Deadline to Make Your Reservation is THIS Sunday, September 10
Brunch will be catered by
Friends Farm and Catering.
Registration Fee: ONLY $10
(includes the cost of the brunch)
If you plan to attend, we invite you to bring with you donations of underwear for women and children that will go to Our Daily Rest.
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This fall, during
Wednesday RENEW, our adults will gather in the Commons Room to discover how the Wesleyan Way is still very relevant and very important to us as Christ followers in the 21st century. Gather with us each week in the Commons Room at 6 pm to hear a variety of clergy and lay persons lead our weekly conversations. We will end each session with holy communion. Hope to see you there!
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Confirmation 2017-18
Confirmation is about the "gift" God has given us in Jesus Christ. It is about what we do to accept God's gift, make it our own, and decide for ourselves to claim the name of Christian. Our Confirmation Class is for youth, grades 6 - 12, who would like to really know what it means to be a Christian, what we believe as a church, and how we are to live our lives.
We will "kick-off" this year's class on
Friday, September 29. Our Confirmands will meet during the Sunday School hour each week and will be connected with mentors that will travel alongside them on their journey. Confirmation Retreat to Lake Junaluska is April 13 - 15 Confirmation Sunday is scheduled for May 21.
Click here to contact Donna Poston or
click here to contact Shawna Darnell if you know of a youth who would enjoy participating in this journey into faith.
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For more information,
click here to contact Donna Poston, Minister of Youth and College Discipleship
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We are currently taking reservations for
a Sunset Charity Cruise aboard
"Life's ll Good."
Look for us in the atrium. We are limited to 75 people, so make your reservation early! Click here to contact Kathy Graves for more information.
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Click here to contact Marla Fuller for more information.
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This new ministry will provide
socialization opportunities for individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's and networking for care partners. Share your stories and socialize with others who have worries about their memory. Studies confirm that b
eing active physically, socially and mentally is good for the brain!
Light Refreshments will be served.
For more information, click here to contact Diane Caster, or call her at (864) 972-4736.
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Mission Auction Update
Please contact Jane Harlin at (864) 638-2462
(new phone number!)
or
click here
to email Jane if you have items to donate. The auction will be held on
Sunday, October 29th in the atrium
. Thanks for supporting the fundraiser that provides resources for many of the important mission projects of Saint Mark UMC every year.
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ELDERBERRIES EVENTS (FOR 50+)
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ARE YOU 50+?
Here are some Elderberries Events
that might interest you. Save the date(s) on your calendar.
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Halloween Costume Party and Chili Cook-off
Friday, October 20 at 6 pm
Party with a Purpose
Covered Dish Supper
Friday, November 17 at 6 pm
Trip to Winston-Salem
(Tentative)
Monday, December 4 - Wednesday, December 6
Estimated Cost: $300/person
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Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study
All Things New by Kelly Minter
Begins, Thursday, September 21
10 am in Room A206
World Communion Sunday
Sunday, October 1
All three services
Pet Blessing
Sunday, October 1
2:30 pm
Lay Servant Ministries School
October 7 and 8
Pendleton United Methodist Church
Low Country Boil
Fundraiser for Eleuthera Mission
Sunday, October 8
6:00 pm
Saint Mark Center
United Methodist Men
Saturday, October 21
10 am
Full Breakfast Meeting
will sing during morning worship
at St. Andrew UMC in Easley
Sunday, October 29
Youth Halloween Party
Sunday, October 29
Time TBD
at the home of Curt and Alice Evatt
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Reconciling Worship Service
THIS Sunday, September 10
4:00 pm
Clemson United Methodist Church
This service of worship is sponsored by the Upstate Reconciling Ministries to promote Christian community that embraces our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. Come for worship and communion, with a time of fellowship and refreshments to follow.
Childcare will be available.
For more information,
click here to contact Rev. Jim Morgan. Or you may call him at (864) 654-5547 ext. 102.
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An Appeal from Pastor Todd
Saint Mark Disciples, we need your help! Our Children's Ministry at Saint Mark is so very important because we have the opportunity to form our youngest into faithful disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord. In an effort to give consistency to our children on Sundays, and to help build relationships between children and leaders, we are looking for volunteers who will commit to teaching Children's Sunday school for a semester at a time.
We understand that folks will have illness or vacations, and for that reason, we are building a good sub list. Right now, we need at least
5 more regular teachers for Sunday mornings
. We must have two adults in each classroom to be compliant with our Safe Sanctuary Policy for children. We have new curriculum (http://thinkorange.com/) that we will begin using on Sunday, September 10. All classes will join together at the beginning of Sunday school and then go to small groups later. We want our ministry to children to be a priority at Saint Mark and need volunteer support!
If you, or someone you know, would be willing to help in this way, please click here to contact Pastor Shawna Darnall, or click here to contact our Children's Ministry Intern, Caitlyn Smoldt. Thank you for your help!
Rev. Todd Davis
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Happy Anniversary!
We wish former Saint Mark disciples, Warren and Betty Wiese, a happy 69th Anniversary!!!!! Their anniversary will be on Tuesday, September 12. If you would like to extend your best wishes to them, here is their mailing address:
3025 Chesbrough Blvd, Apt 215
Rock Hill, SC 29732
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We Are Still Looking . . .
We are still looking for a new
Minister of Children's Discipleship. The job description has recently been updated. We are looking for just the right person to fill that position - someone who is eminently qualified, and who will lovingly and faithfully serve the children and families of Saint Mark. If you are interested in this position, or know someone who might be interested,
click here to see the revised job description.
Resumes should be submitted to Mary Ann Schrecengost.
Click here.
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Click here to learn how you can help with the relief efforts through
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, and more than likely, Hurricane Irma. Drop off your cleaning kits and health kits at Pastor Todd's office by Sunday, September 17 so that he can deliver them to the conference office on September 18. Will you help?
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Do you have a green thumb? Love taking care of God's beautiful creation? If so, volunteer as a faithful disciple in Saint Mark's Adopt-a-Plot Ministry. Our beautiful campus has been divided up into manageable plots that can be adopted and cared for. At your convenience, you will pull weeds, trim bushes, and manage plantings. To adopt your plot, contact Ginny Murdock at (864) 710-2609 or Dean Garland at (864)-710-7534.
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SAINTS IN SERVICE
HELPING YOU PLUG IN . . .
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LET US KNOW HOW YOU WANT TO PLUG IN!
Click here to discover the many ways to serve at Saint Mark. Fill out the form and return it to Marla Fuller in the church office. We will get you plugged in!
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