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To Be and Make Disciples of
Jesus Christ
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Change of
Contact Information?
Click here to fill out an online form to help us update your information for our records.
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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 2018 Ministry Guidebook
Click here
to view the entire Saint Mark 2018 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership, ministries and our 2018 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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9:00 am
Sunday School
9:55 am
Fellowship Time in the Atrium
10:15 am
Worship Service
Sanctuary
TREK for Children
4:00 pm
Wings 'N Things
for Youth
5:30 pm
In His Eyes
for Youth
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Quick, easy and available
HERE
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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 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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Interested in LGBTQ+ Inclusion?
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Prayer Focus for This Week
Pray for the Church, the worldwide Body of Christ. Pray that the church will be vital and relevant in a world that no longer sees any value in the gathered body of believers. Pray for an outpouring of God's Spirit on the Church, that it will not only survive . . . but will thrive . . . that it will become more and more a beacon of hope and love to those who have turned their back on God and the Church. Pray that God will inspire and empower
you to be God's agent and instrument in the building up of the Body of Christ.
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Submit Your Prayer Requests
Saint Mark is pleased to receive your prayer requests . . . for yourself or for friends or loved ones.
Click here
to submit your request to Pastor Todd Davis.
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Join Us for Worship
THIS Sunday, November 11
10:15 am (New Time)
Traditional Worship
in the Sanctuary
bringing the message
Rev. Shawna Darnall
"The Way We Walk"
Celebration Worship
in the Saint Mark Center
bringing the message
Rev. Todd Davis
"Freedom Is Wrapped in Sacrifice"
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As we worshiped on Sunday, October 28, we were given the opportunity to make our personal commitment to Christ and to Saint Mark UMC through filling out and presenting our faith promise to support our 2019 ministry budget. Follow-up letters and cards were mailed yesterday to those from whom we have not yet received a faith promise. Cards and envelopes will be available this Sunday, November 11, in the Narthex, and also at the rear of the Saint Mark Center.
We trust that you want to be a part of supporting the many wonderful ministries of Saint Mark through your commitment to God and Saint Mark with your financial contribution.
YOU are an important part of the support of the life-changing, disciple-making ministries of our great church!
Please prayerfully consider what financial support you can offer, and indicate that by returning your completed faith promise card to the church no later than
Sunday, November 18, 2018 so that our Finance Committee can better plan for 2019 at their meeting on November 20.
THANK YOU!
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Women's Day Apart
Holy Friendships
with Rev. Alice MacKeil
Saturday, November 10
10 am - 2 pm
If you are a registered participant, please consider bringing a donation of products that will later be assembled into feminine hygiene kits for the Homeless Period Project. Items needed are
pads, tampons, panty liners, and individually packaged non-alcohol cleansing wipes.
For more information,
click here to contact Pastor Shawna.
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Special Children's Event
J*A*M* (Jesus and Me)
Saturday, November 10
10 am - 2 pm
For questions
click here to contact our children's minister Lisa Kiser. Parents should check your child in at the nursery, behind the atrium steps.
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Fall Mission Auction and Sale
Update
Thanks so much for your support of the Fall Mission Auction and Sale. We have some great items left from the
Buy It Now table, so we are setting up a table in the atrium during fellowship time
this Sunday, November 11, to give you all a chance to purchase items you may have overlooked last Sunday!
Remember, all funds raised by the auction will go to support local and global mission projects. Saint Mark disciples are involved in so many great outreach projects, and they all need our support! Thanks again.
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Be Soup-er Thankful!
The Golden Corner Food Pantry is very efficient at using donated funds to purchase food in bulk; however, for some reason, it has been difficult to find good bargains on canned soup. So for three weeks in November, we will be holding a
"Be Soup-er Thankful" canned soup drive.
What is your favorite? Chicken and Rice, Minestrone, Chunky Vegetable Beef? Whatever it is, would you consider buying a few extra cans to put in the containers in the atrium? They will be in place November 11, 18 and 25.
Thanks for supporting your local food pantry!
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November Gathering
Join us for "Mission Night"
Wednesday, November 14
5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
"BE SOUP-ER THANKFUL"
that evening
Bring cans of soup when you come!
This will be our annual Saint Mark family
Thanksgiving Dinner
with turkey and dressing,
along with all of the trimmings!
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THIS MONTH!
Friday, November 16
Attention Parents! You deserve a night out! Our Saint Mark Child Development Center is happy to watch your kiddos while you enjoy some adult time with your spouse or friends. Click here to make your reservation.
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What a GREAT opportunity to learn more about the Wilderness Way Girls' Camp, a faith-based program designed to bring help and hope to hurting girls and their families!
We hope to shower the Wilderness Way Girls' Camp with paper products such as paper towels, toilet paper, napkins and 8.5 X 11 inch reams of copy paper - all daily necessities!
You don't have to be 50 or older. EVERYONE is invited to attend!!! Let's have a great turnout from Saint Mark!
You will not make your reservation through the church, but will make your individual reservation by contacting Wilderness Way Girls' Camp. The phone number is above.
If you need transportation to this event, click here.
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Everyone is invited to sing! For more information, click here to contact David Wilcox
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50 or Older?
Join us!!
November Lunch Bunch
Tuesday, November 27
12 noon
Ye Olde Sandwich Shoppe
124 N Townville St. in Seneca
Join us for lunch out at a well known Seneca establishment - Ye Olde Sandwich Shop. We will have the back room to ourselves. After lunch, stay and enjoy a fun game of Bingo. No reservations are needed. Just show up! Hope to see you there!
THERE WILL BE
NO LUNCH BUNCH IN DECEMBER.
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ALL Women are Invited to a
Traditional Christmas Tea
Annual UMW General Meeting
Saturday, December 1
11:30 am
Commons Room
The United Methodist Women (UMW) invites ALL women of ALL ages to the annual December General Meeting. This year will feature a "Christmas Tea" in addition to the installation of the Leadership Team for the coming year, recognition of those who have completed the UMW Reading Program, and a report from Jean Rogers on her attendance at the National UMW Conference. The Gospel According to Saint Mark Singers will perform and lead us in song.
In lieu of a love offering, attendees are asked to bring new packages of socks or underwear for children ages pre-K through High School. The collection will be provided to Grace's Closet to help Oconee County school children in need.
Come and join us for a few hours of relaxing fellowship before the chaos of the season threatens to take over! The cost is $10 and reservations are requested by November 26.
Click here to make your online reservation(s) with Nell Hodge.
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EMS personnel use these stuffed animals when they encounter children who are sick, hurt, or have experienced trauma or loss. Your donated stuffed animals will provide comfort and love to a child in need. Thanks for your donations!!
For more information,
click here to contact Lisa Kiser.
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ALL Donors will receive
a "Blood Donor" sweatshirt
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Someone's in the kitchen with Donna,
Someone's in the kitchen I know....
Someone's in the kitchen with Donna,
Rolling out the shortbread dough!
If you've been around Saint Mark on Monday mornings lately, you may have wondered about the delicious smells wafting up the stairs from the church kitchen! The UMW bakers and "Holy Rollers" are busy stocking the freezer with handmade cookies to sell on the first two Sundays in December. In addition to the traditional
Scottish Shortbread cookies that were available the past two years, the ladies will be adding a
Williamsburg Gingerbread cookie as a second selection.
Both kinds of cookies will
be attractively packaged and will sell for $8/package or two for $15. These little packages make great stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, or just a thoughtful gift for anyone! And the best part - all proceeds benefit local missions here in Oconee County!
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Join us for a covered dish lunch following worship. Fried chicken and beverages will be provided. Sides and desserts are welcome! For more information, click here to contact Pastor Shawna Darnall.
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You will not want to miss this very special presentation by our Saint Mark children! It will be in the sanctuary immediately after worship on Sunday, December 9.
Parents, we are well into our rehearsal schedule. Thanks for making sure your children attend as many rehearsals as possible.
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RESERVE YOUR TICKET(S) SOON!!
Tickets are starting to sell, so don't miss out! The cost of tickets is $40 each.
After the show, we will enjoy supper together at Mezzaluna Brick Oven in Hendersonville, NC. Click here to see the menu.
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Church Office Closed for
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 21-23
Youth Christmas Party with Special Friends
Sunday, December 9
5:30 pm
The Gathering
CDC Christmas Program
Wednesday, December 12
5:00 pm
Saint Mark Center
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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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Turkey in the Hole
Wilderness Way Girls' Camp
Church-wide Event Sponsored by the Elderberries
Saturday, November 17
Campsite Tours 10:45 - 11:15 am
Dinner - 12:30 pm
Bring sides and desserts
Transportation will be available
Monthly "Lunch Bunch" Gathering
FOURTH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH
Tuesday, November 27
12 noon
Ye Olde Sandwich Shop
A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas
Flat Rock, NC
Thursday, December 13
2 pm matinee
Followed by Supper at Mezzaluna Brick Oven
Hendersonville, NC
Cost of Tickets: $40 per person
Tickets are on sale now!
THERE WILL BE
NO LUNCH BUNCH
IN DECEMBER.
For more information about our Elderberries ministry or any of these events, click here to contact Marla Fuller
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Get Involved!!!
The Marvin's Kids Team wants to remind you of the many ways you can enrich the lives of families in Oconee County and feel the true joy of Christmas! As you prepare your Advent "To Do" list, consider adding one or two for Marvin's Kids!
Click on the image above to sign-up online. It is simple. Just check the box beside the Marvin's Kids activity(s) you would like to do to help. (e.g. Take a family to Walmart to shop, provide toys for Santa's Secret Shop, bake cookies, etc.)
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UPDATES ON "A WAY FORWARD" . . .
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To Assist Our Understanding . . .
If you were not able to attend the
Conversation on A Way Forward, this past Sunday, November 4, you may want to take a look at a very informative video featuring Rev. Tom Berlin
, senior pastor of Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia. Rev. Berlin served on the
Commission on A Way Forward.
Click here to watch.
Recommendation: Select a time when you have at least 20 minutes to pay close attention to what Rev. Berlin has to say.
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Social Categorizing
is the source of the structural inequalities in our society and in our churches. In each category there is one group of people deemed inferior or illegitimate to another group who is lifted up as superior, legitimate, dominant, and privileged. In each category the body is literally and figuratively used to provide indicators for which person or group is "acceptable" and which person or group is relegated to "unacceptable" status. For example:
Racism: expressed as white supremacy; white culture is normal, superior; complexion, hair texture, and facial features are indicators for labeling inferiority (fine is better than coarse, light is preferred to dark). Sexism: expressed as patriarchy; exclusive male power, authority, and control; men's bodies are considered to be powerful while women's bodies (and bodily functions) are seen as menacing; force and control are seen as better than nurture and care. Classism: expressed as capitalism; greed, affluence, materialism, and control over all resources are considered good; includes the types of work one's body does - physical labor is inferior to intellectual labor - non-paid laborers are inferior to paid laborers; those at the top of the hierarchy get paid the most, are treated better, and are valued more with little consideration for the amount of work performed. Heterosexism: expressed as homophobia; discrimination against all sexual orientations other than heterosexual; Image of God is restricted to heterosexual persons. EXERCISE: Ask yourself the following questions about social location and identity...
- Where do you come from? Who are your people?
- What does it mean to claim your race, class, gender, and sexual orientation? Are there risks?
- Which parts of your identity do you emphasize and which parts do you under-emphasize? Why?
- For how many generations has your family been in the country you live in now? By what circumstances did the first citizens in your family arrive?
- Is your citizenship important to you? Why or why not?
- Do you maintain your family's culture and history of origin? If so, why? If not, why not?
- Using categories listed under social identity, how do your social locators provide you with privilege? How do they deny you privilege?
- What relationships do you have with persons who are disadvantaged by social location?
- If you named the social locators of members of your church, what do you think you would discover?
- What is your involvement in ministries which participate in the healing and eradication of racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism?
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Mistletoe Market
THIS Friday and Saturday
One of our Saint Mark disciples,
Alisse Craig, will be at Booth #32. Check out her beautiful creations!
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Schlotzsky's Gives Back
Thursday, November 15
10:30 am - 9 pm
Eat in or dine out at Schlotzsky's in Seneca and a portion of Schlotzsky's sales on November 15 will benefit
Greenville Hospital System Hospice of the Foothills.
Thanks for your help!
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Tuesday - Thursday
November 27 - 29
The Hospice of the Foothills Christmas Tree Festival will have a new home in 2018. Due to renovations underway in locations previously used by the Festival, organizers have moved all of this year's events to The Best Western University Inn and Conference Center in Clemson, located at the intersection of Highway 123 and Highway 28.
For information on all events, Click here for details. To purchase tickets, contact the OMH Foundation Office at 864 885-7912.
All proceeds from the Festival will go to the GHS Hospice of the Foothills Crippen Endowment.
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Candlelight Christmas Concert
Foothills Chorale
Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 5:00 PM.
Trinity Baptist Church
504 S Oak St., Seneca, SC
TICKETS: $20 each for adults
$10 each for students.
Get tickets from David Wilcox, Elaine Wilson,
and Jeff Weicksel, online or at the door.
It's not Christmas without the Foothills Chorale! The concert will feature winter and holiday-themed pieces with seasonal poetry in a "lessons and carols" format. The Candlelight Christmas Concert (held without applause) includes some of your favorite songs, such as "O Magnum Mysterium," "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" and "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming."
We hope you'll join us for an evening of beautiful music to celebrate the start of the Christmas season.
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Duke Power Festival of Trees 2018
Saint Mark Memory Cafe
Will Compete for the Top Prize
The Duke Power annual Festival of Trees display will be located in the World of Energy lobby and open to the public November 29 - January 4. This beautiful array of more than 20 decorated trees is open to the public during normal business hours. Visitors will be able to vote on their favorite tree. Winning trees will receive a Duke Energy grant for the non-profit organization of their choice.
Saint Mark's Memory Cafe, a ministry for persons with dementia and their family caregivers, is decorating one of those Christmas trees. To help support this wonderful ministry, we would love our Memory Cafe to win the first prize of
$2500! Second prize receives $1500. Third prize wins $1000. Winning one of these prizes would mean a lot to this important outreach ministry.
Voting for trees begins Thursday, November 29. Saint Mark disciples, thank you for voting for Saint Mark's memory café tree, and helping us to win!
For more information, click here to contact Bonnie Holmes.
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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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