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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
Traditional Service
of Worship
Sanctuary
10:15 am
Celebration Service of Worship
Saint Mark Center
Children's Christmas Musical
(rescheduled from December 9)
Sancturay
(followed by pizza for the children
12:00 noon
SPRC Meeting
4:00 pm
Celtic Festival of Lessons and Carols
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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 parents or guardians who do not have the resources to provide for the basic needs of the children in their care, not to mention provide a joyful Christmas for them. Pray for all individuals, agencies, churches, businesses and other groups who will be making Christmas brighter for children in need around the world. Offer a prayer of thanks for our own Marvin's Kids Ministry that has extended Christmas love and joy to our own community for decades.
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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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Third Sunday in Advent
"THE COMING OF JOY"
THIS Sunday, December 16
10:15 am
Traditional Worship
bringing the message
Rev. Shawna Darnall
Celebration Worship
bringing the message
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Our Lost Sunday Offering
While everyone was relaxing at home, enjoying the beauty of the winter weather this past Sunday, bills were still piling up for Saint Mark. Please be faithful disciples and put any money that you would normally have put in the collection plate aside, and place it in this Sunday's offering plate. God will continue to bless the ministries of Saint Mark with your help. Thanks so much.
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Saint Mark Available Cash
Saint Mark operates within a budget and spends and accounts for money in the period in which the money is received. During the latter part of this decade, Saint Mark cash reserves have declined. They have been used to make emergency repairs to facilities and supplement the operating budget because donations have not been equal to required expenditures. Please know that this has occurred in spite of countless cost reduction efforts and appeals to increase giving at Saint Mark. Currently, we control the timing of invoice payments based upon maintaining a cash reserve of $15,000; which means we hold payment on certain obligations in order to keep $15,000 of available cash.
Why do we need a cash reserve? Saint Mark's cash reserve acts like your savings account, or like surplus cash in your checking account. The cash reserve is needed to allow us to operate the church during periods where donations are received slower than incurred expenditures. Many budgeted expenditures are constant throughout the year: payroll, utility bills, mortgage payments, and the needs of the poor met through apportionment or other budget accounts continue day to day, month to month. The cash reserve gets us through periods where donation receipts and our obligations are not in balance.
Like your home, the Saint Mark cash reserve also addresses emergency spending for things like roof repairs, HVAC repairs, window repairs, transportation repairs, etc. Like your home, Saint Mark does incur expenditures unforeseen at budget time, but are necessary to incur in order to continue the mission of our church.
Is $15,000 of cash reserve appropriate for Saint Mark? For most organizations the ideal cash reserve is thought to be 10-15% of the operating budget. Saint Mark operates on a budget of $1-1.1 Million. Therefore, at least $100,000 and maybe $150,000 would be a comfortable cash reserve to address the many uncertainties of the year.
Another way to look at Saint Mark cash reserves is to consider your own available cash in the operation of your home. Below is a comparison of the Saint Mark cash reserve to your home cash reserve assuming that your income is at one of the levels identified. Pick an income level that approximates your income level and note to the right its equivalent of the Saint Mark available cash. Then ask yourself if the Saint Mark cash reserve is adequate.
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If your income is:
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then your equivalent available cash to operate your home is:
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$25,000
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$375
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$50,000
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$750
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$75,000
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$1,125
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$100,000
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$1,500
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$150,000
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$2,250 |
$200,000
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$3,000 |
Thanks to each Saint Mark disciple who gives sacrificially to support the ministries of our church.
Randy Collins
Church Treasurer
Jens Holley
Finance Committee Chair
Bob Dobson
Stewardship Chair
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Faith Promise Update
We REALLY need to hear from about 25 families that have not yet turned in their faith promise for the 2019 budget! The Finance Committee, at its meeting this week, was encouraged by the increases in the pledges that have been turned in, but not yet prepared to set a budget with so any pledges outstanding.
We again THANK those of you who have promised to support the ministries of Saint Mark through pledges turned in, but do need to hear from others to finalize a 2019 budget. THANK YOU!
Your Stewardship Team
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Bell Ringers Are Still Needed
Saint Mark has volunteered to provide Salvation Army bell ringers at Ingles
THIS Saturday, December 15 and next Saturday, Saturday, December. 22 from 10 am - 8 pm.
Please volunteer if you are able (and bring a friend).
We have 2 hour slots available (or you can share a slot with a friend - 1 hour each). See the schedule below and
click here to contact Cora Keese to volunteer, or you may call her at (864) 324-2894).
Saturday, December 15th (at Ingles)
10 am - 12 noon
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The Vassey family
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12 noon - 2 pm
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2 pm - 4 pm
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4 pm - 6 pm
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6 pm - 8 pm
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Saturday, December 22nd (at Ingles)
10 am - 12 noon
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12 noon - 2 pm
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Marv and Marla Fuller
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2 pm - 4 pm
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Carolyn Keese and family
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4 pm - 6 pm
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6 pm - 8 pm
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Attention All Parents of Young Children
Our Saint Mark CDC is offering a special Parents' Day Out this Saturday to give parents of young children a chance to do some serious Christmas shopping while their children are enjoying activities at our Child Development Center!
Click here to register your child/children with Becca Williams, Director of our Child Development Center.
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Cookie Sale Extended
No, you didn't miss the UMW shortbread cookie sale. The sale has been extended through this Sunday, December 16. These beautifully packaged cookies make great gifts!
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Children's Christmas Musical
Rescheduled For
THIS Sunday, December 16
Due to the cancellation of all of our church activities this past Sunday because of inclement weather, our Saint Mark children will present their Christmas musical, Sounds of Christmas,
this coming Sunday, December 16. Please stay after worship to support our children for the time and effort they have put into preparing this Christmas musical for their Saint Mark family
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featuring the Saint Mark Festival Choir
and Emerald Road Celtic Band
Don't miss this annual Advent celebration and feast for the ears!
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There is a service for everyone!
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Sunday, January 6
5:30 pm - meal
6:30 pm - training
Commons Room
As we begin a new calendar year, all Saint Mark disciples in leadership positions at Saint Mark are encouraged to attend this important training to help you be equipped for the coming program year. This training opportunity is for persons who are coming into leadership in 2019, as well as those who have already been serving in leadership positions and are continuing into 2019. For more information,
click here to contact Pastor Todd Davis.
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Wednesday, January 9
5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
This first Gathering in 2019 will simply be a time of gathering around the table for a meal and fellowship with folks in your Saint Mark family.
Watch for the menu in upcoming Heart Beat publications.
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On Human Relations Sunday, we will devote the entire day to emphasizing the call of the Church of Jesus Christ to reach into the margins of society to extend the love and compassion of Christ. We are excited to announce that our guest clergy for that Sunday will be Rev. Deb Richardson-Moore, pastor of Triune Mercy Center in Greenville. Click here to learn more about her.
Following worship, at 11:30 am, you are invited to participate in a panel discussion in the Commons Room, featuring Rev. Deb Richardson-Moore, along with Reggie Lee, Congregational Specialist for the Marion/Florence District of the United Methodist Church; and Jody Usher, social justice activist. A light lunch will be served.
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Enjoy a Cold Winter Evening with
Your Friends at Saint Mark!
On Friday, January 18, let's gather in our beautiful atrium for a magical evening of winter fun, food and fellowship. The evening will feature a covered dish supper. Because it is winter, we invite you to bring your favorite "comfort food" to share with the group. Chicken will be provided. In addition to the meal, our evening will include a hot chocolate bar with a variety of toppings, and a fire pit to roast marshmallows so that you can cap your meal off with s'mores. There will also be some fun activities for your winter enjoyment.
Invite your friends and neighbors to join you.
Click here to make your reservation(s).
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6-Week Study and Sermon Series
Begins Sunday, January 20
You have been reading about this upcoming 6-Week study and sermon series and hope you will plan to participate.
Your cost for the workbook is only $5 per person. Envelopes are in the Sunday School folders for you to pay for your workbook. You may also place your $5 in an envelope on Shawna's office door. The workbooks will be distributed in worship on January 20.
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Sign Up to Attend This Important Series
Please join the members of the Saint Mark Church and Society Team for a special 5-part program called Racism and Its Impacts: A Self-Discovery Series.
During this program you will become aware of personal behaviors that may be perceived as racist, explore concepts like white privilege and unconscious bias and discuss obstacles to better race relations and what you can do to be a part of the solution. Our goal is to create a movement of Saint Mark disciples who contribute to positive race relations within the church and our community-at-large.
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Session 1
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Self-Reflections and Racism Defined
Sunday, January 27
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Session 2
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Historical and Social Impacts
(Panel Discussion)
Sunday, February 24
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Session 3
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Connecting with the Other: Our Stories
Sunday, March 24
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Session 4
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Saying and Doing the Right Thing
Sunday, April 28
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Session 5
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Continuing the Dialogue
Sunday, May 26
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All sessions will take place from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and include a light lunch and door prizes! There is no registration fee. All sessions will take place in the Saint Mark Commons Room.
Attending all sessions is not required but highly recommended due to the sequential nature of the content.
We look forward to sharing this special experience with you.
To sign-up for the 5-part series, click here to register online, or visit the sign-up table in the atrium after worship on December 9, January 6, 13 and 20.
Contact Stacy Keelor at (914) 217-8092 with any questions about the program.
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Disciple's Path Leader Orientation Training
Sunday, January 6
11:30 am
Commons Room
Children and Youth Activities Resume
Sunday, January 6
4 pm
Lay Leadership Training
Sunday, January 6
5:30 pm - meal
6:00 pm - Training
The Gathering
Supper and Fellowship
Wednesday, January 9
5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
CDC Parents' Night Out
Friday, January 18
5:30 pm
Revolution for Youth
January 25 - 27
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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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THERE WILL BE
NO LUNCH BUNCH
IN DECEMBER.
Memory Cafe
Name That Tune and Sing-Along
Monday, January 7
Commons Room
Winter Fun Night
Covered Dish Supper and LOTS of Fun!!
Friday, January 18, 2019
6:30 pm
At Saint Mark
Watch for details!
Lunch Bunch
Potato Bar (Regular and Sweet), Salad
and Make-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
12 noon
Commons Room
For more information about our Elderberries ministry or any of these events, click here to contact Marla Fuller
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Seeing A Way Forward
As the special General Conference on February 23-26, 2019 approaches, United Methodists all around the world are waiting to see how things will sort out, once a decision is made on the issue of homosexuality and the Church.
You may be interested in hearing details and perspectives from eleven different leaders within the worldwide United Methodist Church. How do each of them see a way forward for our denomination?
In a video series entitled Seeing a Way Forward, the following United Methodist leaders discuss the future of the United Methodist Church from their respective vantage points.
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey
Bishop Christian Alsted
Bishop John Yambasu
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
Bishop Bruce Ough
Rev. Gary Graves
Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton
Bishop Ken Carter
Rev. Tom Lambrecht
Rev. Tom Berlin
Patricia L. Miller
Click here to access the entire video series. Viewing all of them will give you the broadest overall perspective.
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Santa Comes to Memory Cafe
Santa Claus made an special appearance to the participants of our Saint Mark Memory Cafe on Monday, December 3. Special thanks to Saint Mark disciple,
Joe James, who took time out of his busy day to be Santa Claus for an afternoon. Memory Cafe is a ministry for persons with mild to moderate dementia and their family caregivers.
Don't forget to vote for the Memory Cafe Christmas Tree at the Festival of Trees being held at the World of Energy (Duke Power). Coming in first, second or third place in the competition would help fund this important ministry.
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Because of you, our Saint Mark family, the Saint Mark Center and the Commons Room were transformed into a toy, cookie, wrapping paper, and love filled "Santa's Secret Shop" on Saturday December 8! Parents of forty families and about 140 children selected and wrapped new toys for their children and enjoyed the hospitality of many Saint Mark disciples. The Marvin's Kids Team thanks you for stepping up and opening your hearts to make Christmas morning special for our Oconee County children!
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Dickson Memorial United Methodist Church in Townville is looking for a part-time administrative assistant. The person would do bookkeeping, type and print the bulletin, work with Constant Contact email marketing program, and keep records for charge conference.
The pay is $15 an hour for 16 hours a week, plus paid vacation. The hours are usually four hours a day, Monday through Thursday, but there is flexibility.
If you are interested, or if you know someone who is looking for part-time employment, please contact Nancy Walker at (404) 307 9145 or
click here to send Nancy an email.
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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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