|
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.
|
Change of
Contact Information?
Click here to fill out an online form to help us update your information for our records. |
|
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
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
Third Sunday in Advent
December 17, 2017
Sunday
Schedule
9:00 am
Traditional Worship
Sanctuary
9:00 am
Celebration Worship
Saint Mark Center
9:15 am
Children's Church
Room A101
10:15 am
Sunday School for All Ages
4:00 pm
Celtic Lessons and Carols
Sanctuary
|
Quick, easy and available
HERE
|
Join us every day at 3:20 pm to pray for Saint Mark - our people and ministries.
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Interested in LGBTQ+ Inclusion?
|
|
Prayer Focus for This Week
We live in a world that increasingly reveals its disconnection from God. We feel the deepening of the artificial divisions of nation, race, and religion. Wars and the threat of new conflicts abound, and fears mount as countries like North Korea demonstrate their military might with ever-escalating missile tests. Pray for healing for our country and for our world. Pray that people will turn away from bigotry, war and hatred, and turn instead to God.
|
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.
|
|
THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
THIS Sunday, December 17
Traditional Services 9:00 am and 11:15 am
"Well, I Believe Introductions Are In Order"
Sanctuary
Bringing the Message
Rev. Tony Medlin
Celebration Service 9:00 am
Saint Mark Center
Bringing the Message
Rev. Todd Davis
|
|
Do you hear what I hear?
Scores of volunteers saying "I can help,"
laughter ringing throughout the Saint Mark Center, and the joy of Christmas filling the air.
Do you see what I see?
An array of toys that rivals any toy store,
yesterday's strangers being welcomed to Saint Mark as today's friends while
gifts are wrapped and packed,
beautiful cookies being enjoyed by all,
smiles on every face and laughter in every heart.
Do you know what I know?
The disciples of Saint Mark have shed abroad
the love of Christ, and
made Christmas merry and bright for many
Oconee County families.
The Marvin's Kids ministry team thanks
everyone who contributed to the Santa Shop through
visiting families, shopping at Walmart, buying gifts, setting up the shop, making cookies, assisting shoppers, wrapping gifts, and cleaning up. It was a huge success!
Opportunities to help are still available
.
Food boxes will be wrapped on S
unday, December 17 at 4 pm in the Youth Center, and boxes will be filled on
December 20 and 21. You are also invited to come on
Saturday, December 23 at 9 am to give out the gifts and deliver those that can't be picked up by the families.
For more information or to volunteer,
click here to contact Sandy James.
|
Last Chance to Purchase
Shortbread Cookies!
A few packages of the remaining shortbread cookies will be available for purchase in the atrium this Sunday morning, December 17 beginning at 9:30 am. The cookies, handmade by UMW members, make a thoughtful hostess gift or just a great little treat for someone special! They are $8 for a package or two for $15 and all proceeds benefit local missions.
|
Do not miss this afternoon of beautiful and inspiring music of the Advent/Christmas season. Invite your friends and neighbors! Let's fill the sanctuary!
|
For your information, Monday evening Pickleball will take a break for the holiday season, and will resume again on Monday, January 8 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
|
Celtic Lessons and Carols Rehearsal
Saturday, December 16
2:30 - 5:30 pm
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Celtic Lessons and Carols
Festival Choir
Emerald Road Celtic Folk Band
Sunday, December 17
4:00 pm
Sanctuary
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday, December 24
One Combined Service of Worship
10:30 am
Sanctuary
No Sunday School for Children or Youth
Adults are welcome to meet at 9:30 am, if desired
Christmas Eve Services
Sunday, December 24
Candlelight Communion Service
with New Harmony UMC
3:00 pm
Sanctuary
Family Service
5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
Candlelight Communion Service
9:00 pm
Sanctuary
|
- A unique, full-body stretching and strengthening program. Essentrics unlocks what is tight, strengthens what is weak and tones what needs shaping.
- Rapidly and safely conditions and rebalances the full body, leaving you feeling energized, positive and healthy.
- Helps reverse the aging process through gentle exercises that develop strong, flexible muscles.
- Improves posture, helps with pain relief, and increases range of motion using therapeutic stretching.
For more information,
click here to contact Susan. You may also call her at (864) 247-8318. Look for her on Facebook - "Essentrics with Susan Ross."
|
This important training is for all returning and new ministry team leaders.
For more information, click here to contact Pastor Todd Davis.
|
Wednesday at Saint Mark
for Children and Youth!!
Beginning on Wednesday, January 10
5:30 pm
Each Wednesday, Children's
TREK (
Teaching
Raising
Enriching
Kids) and Youth's
Journey Group will begin on January 10, 2018. We will kick off with a pizza party at 5:30! Each week a Snack Supper will be provided for $2.00 per child and $3.00 per youth.
Children 3 years through 5th grade
meet in the Children's Chapel at 6:00 pm, and begin a rotation through a lesson time, music time, and hands-on art time. Your child will have a chance to learn fun music, hand bells and puppetry that will be performed at events in church and in our community. We try to end promptly at 7:15 pm to insure bedtimes are not disrupted.
Youth Journey Home Group
(6th grade - College) will meet on Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:15 at the home of Todd and Cara Davis. We also have opportunities to serve others through mission projects and fellowship.
Wednesday activities for children and youth will continue through April.
|
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8b, NRSV
Rev. Stallworth will bring the message at two of our three services. He will also lead an open forum discussion in the Commons Room at 10:15 am.
Join us as we come to understand more fully what it means to set a bigger table!
|
Wednesday Evenings at Saint Mark 2018
The GATHERING
In discernment of what is the most faithful way of being and making disciples mid-week at Saint Mark, in the spring of 2018 we will begin THE GATHERING!
On the third Wednesday evening of each month, we will gather around the table for food and fellowship. We will then move to the Sanctuary to gather at the Lord's Table in worship.
On January 17, February 21, March 21, and April 8 dinner will be offered from 5:15-6 pm in the Saint Mark Center, followed by a unique worship experience including Holy Communion in the Sanctuary at 6:15pm
Children's TREK and Youth Journey will continue to meet weekly with a snack supper at 5:30 pm followed by opportunities to deepen their discipleship from 6 -7:15 pm. See details above.
|
The Bellamy Brothers:
The Love Still Flows
An Elderberries Event
Howard and David continue to prove that the trail they've ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself - music that is now celebrating 40 years of success. The Bellamys officially lifted off the launch pad in 1976 when their single,
"Let Your Love Flow," became an instant smash in both the U.S. and Europe.
Tickets are now available for you to purchase at the cost of $29 per ticket.
Click here to reserve your ticket(s). We only have 30 tickets so make your reservation SOON.
|
6th Annual
Meal Packaging Event
Our Saint Mark family (children, youth and adults) loves to participate in this annual event to package food for hungry children around the world. Mark your calendars now for
Saturday morning, March 3, and save the date.
Before we package the meals, first we need to pay for them at $.29 per meal. We hope you will give generously toward this ministry outreach so that we can reach last year's goal of 50,000 meals! To make a contribution, make your check out to Saint Mark UMC and note that it is for "Rise Against Hunger." We are grateful to Trinity Baptist Church, our partner in this event.
If you haven't had the chance to participate, you may not realize that this event not only provides meals for hungry children, but it creates a environment where people of all faiths and cultures can work together, side-by-side, to enhance our interfaith/intercultural relations, and we will benefit our local food bank, as well.
|
|
ELDERBERRIES EVENTS (FOR 50+)
|
|
ARE YOU 50+?
Here are some Elderberries Events
that might interest you. Save the date(s) on your calendar.
|
2018
Bellamy Brothers Concert
Click the link below to see the video
Saturday, January 20
7:30 pm
Walhalla Civic Auditorium
Cost: $29.00 per person
Game (Bunko) and Grazing Night
Friday, February 23
6:00 pm
Commons Room
|
Sunday Morning Worship - New Year's Eve
ONE Combined Service
Sunday, December 31
10:30 am
No Sunday School for Children or Youth
(Adult Classes are welcome to meet at 9:30 am)
Contact: Todd Davis
Revolution Youth Retreat
Wings for the Lord
will sing for Sunday Worship
January 26 - 28
Columbia, SC
Wings for the Lord Dinner Theater
"Critter County Easter Surprise"
Please note that the original date was January 21
Sunday, February 18
5:30 pm
|
|
During this holy season of Advent, please do not forget those in our community, state, nation and world who are victims of poverty, hatred and injustice. Before Christmas, if you haven't already done so, please commit to at least one act of justice to help alleviate the pain and suffering of at least one person. Give to the Salvation Army. Volunteer to pack food boxes for Marvin's Kids. Sign a petition. Write to your congressman. Connect with someone from a different culture or religion. Take a stand against racism, sexism, homophobia and hatred. Make a difference!! This can be your gift to the Christ child, who would later say, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
|
Welcome to New Saint Mark Disciple, Donna Dowd
Donna joined our community of faith at the 11:15 am Traditional Service this past Sunday, December 10. She comes to us by transfer of membership from Clemmons United Methodist Church in Clemmons, North Carolina. She has experience as a trained Stephen Minister. When you see her, please make Donna feel at home!
|
|
2018 Flower Calendar
The 2018 Flower Calendar for the sanctuary flowers will be available for sign up beginning
this Sunday, December 17. It will be located in the hallway outside the sanctuary on the choir wing side of the church. Sign up early, especially if you have a special event or occasion to celebrate during the year. January dates are especially difficult to fill, so please consider one of these dates, as well.
I would like to thank the disciples of Saint Mark who have donated our beautiful flowers over the past few years. It has been a pleasure to serve as the Flower Coordinator for the past three years, but this has been my final year in this capacity.
Sandra Stricker, a long time disciple of this church, will replace me after the first of the year. She will be glad to help you if you have any questions or concerns.
Blessings to all of you and wishes for a very Merry Christmas and New Year!
Mary Ann Fox
|
|
SAINTS IN SERVICE
HELPING YOU PLUG IN . . .
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
