"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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From the Executive Pastor |
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We extend our congratulations to our Senior Pastor Tommy and Hillary on their marriage. In behalf of the our Staff and the entire St. Mark’s family we send greetings and pray for you both daily.
Jim
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SAGES News
Though the SAGES have cancelled all public trips and activities until the end of the year, they have been very much in ministry.
So, what have the SAGES been doing since the pandemic came?
First, we have missed being at church. But we have enjoyed the electronic versions of our worship and Bible studies and other gatherings.
Second, we have tried to following safe medical practices.
Third, we have stayed in touch with each other as much as possible.
Fourth, we have participated in at least two major food distribution initiatives here by St. Mark’s.
Fourth, we have sent cards – get well cards, sympathy cards, birthday cards, cards with prayers and Scriptures and words of encouragement.
Fifth, the SAGES have “repurposed” flowers from worship and delivered them to our homebound friends and others.
Sixth, gift crosses have been delivered to members with prayers of sympathy and encouragement.
Seventh, SAGES have had regular meetings by Zoom.
Eighth, SAGES are planning for home gifts at Christmas.
Ninth, SAGES are planning to celebrate Senior Day in worship at St. Mark’s, on September 13.
Tenth, SAGES have delivered meals to members.
Eleventh, our SAGES have been in ministry with the grieving.
Twelfth, there has been a ministry with those hospitalized, though the SAGES have not been allowed to visit in the hospital.
Our SAGES continue to be in ministry in spite of the limitations imposed upon them by the pandemic. They covet your prayers.
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In normal times, we would honor our older adults with Senior Appreciation Day. However, this year is not normal. This year we would like to do a photo montage to honor our seniors. It could be a picture of a seniors volunteering, teaching, working food bank, giving a ride, preparing a meal, Habitat for Humanity, Red Bird, working in office, playing or reading to a child, sweet picture of someone whose smile brightens someone’s day, etc.
Please submit your photos to Mike Rose (mike@stmarkstn.org) no later than Monday, September 7th.
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New Children’s Newsletter Begins!
St. Mark’s children and their families will soon receive a weekly newsletter, St. Mark’s Kids Connect, that includes a recap of the Sunday school lesson, a daily examen night-time prayer practice, announcements and calendar, and a place to share birthdays, celebrations and prayer concerns, and more! Look for the newsletter in your email soon! To be sure your email is included, send it to martha@stmarkstn.org.
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St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries Team is
re-imagining what Christian education and other children’s ministries
at St. Mark’s might look like in the coming months.
To allow time to focus on this concern,
and to give children, parents, and families the opportunity
to settle into a new school routine
amidst all that is different, hard and often overwhelming,
Live Deep Blue Sunday School is no on hiatus.
The children will still receive their weekly worksheets at home;
and be able to watch the Bible story videos on our Facebook page.
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Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives.
Beginning September 13th, St. Mark’s will offer a Sunday morning children’s experience via Zoom, including spiritual practices, opportunities for reflection, giving children a small space to ask big questions, and helping them claim their spiritual identity as children of God. See you then!
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Bible Sunday September 13th |
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Bibles for 2nd and 3rd graders will blessed during 8:30 a.m. worship Sunday, September 13th. All church members are also invited to participate in blessing with their own Bible, either at the 8:30 service, during the live stream or with the record worship.
Families of 2nd and 3rd graders can choose to have their child’s Bible delivered to their home later that afternoon, or come to St. Mark’s outdoor worship center at 5:00 p.m. for a brief presentation service. Please make your reservation for either choice with Rev. Touchton by Monday, September 7th.
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SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, September 27th, 5:00 p.m.
on St. Mark’s Front Lawn
Picnic, Games and Sweet Spot Food Truck!
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You are Invited to Savor a
“BUFFET OF CONVERSATIONS”
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While we cannot gather for a shared meal and classes at Wednesday Night Together at this time, we offer this creative online ministry for adults who wish to help one another maintain our connection to God, to the church, and to one another.
The “BUFFET OF CONVERSATIONS” will provide a variety of short-term courses and activities that persons may join online. September offerings include:
• Jonah, a Whale of a Story – Bible study led by Dr. Jim Clardy (4 Sessions)
• The Apostle’s Creed – a study led by Sean Gilliland (7 Sessions)
• Coffee Talk – discussion of current events and topics, led by Butler Touchton
• Fun and Games – Trivia, Jack Box and more led by Beth Morris
• Reel to Real – movie discussion group led by Matt Marlatt
Beginning Wednesday, September 9th, the schedule will be as follows:
- 6:00 Gathering in one large group: Greetings, Announcements, Prayer
- 6:15 Groups and classes begin
- 7:10 Groups and classes end
Tech Night: 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 2nd we will offer an informal “Tech Night” for any persons who would like to sign on and test out their ZOOM skills. Our very own “Geek Squad” of John McDaniel and Sean Gilliland will be present to answer any questions you have about watching St. Mark’s worship on your phone, casting YouTube videos to your Smart TV, what kind of adapter to purchase to connect your iPhone to your TV, or whatever tech challenge you are facing. Registration for “Tech Night” is also required, using the same codes as our Buffet of Conversations. If you can’t Zoom in for Tech Night, just call the church office and we’ll get your questions answered.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
For more information about participating in or leading a group, contact Rev. Martha Touchton at martha@stmarkstn.org.
“And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
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SAVE THE DATE!
St. Mark’s Drive Thru Flu Shot Clinic
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WHO: Persons 7 and Older
WHAT: FLU SHOT CLINIC (Bring your Insurance Card)
WHERE: St. Mark’s UMC
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 19th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
WHY: To keep our church family and community healthy during cold and flu season.
Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
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Habitat for Humanity is building a 77-home subdivision just around the corner from St. Mark's, and our church is seeking ways to be involved with this new neighborhood. One way is to share your creativity by creating a soup bowl!
Habitat's annual all-you-can-eat "Cookin' to Build" fundraiser on Saturday, November 7th at the Square lets you sample various soups and chilies from wonderful local cooks and chefs. The soup is served in beautiful hand-painted bowls created by members of the community that you get to take home, and YOU are invited to paint a bowl!
This year you can paint a bowl at The Pottery Place OR in the comfort of your own home from now until October 15th.
To paint in the studios, just pop in to either The Pottery Place at The Avenue or on Memorial Blvd. The cost is $5 per bowl (plus tax), and you’ll purchase your $20 event ticket for "Cookin' to Build" at the same time.
This would be a wonderful and COVID-safe event thing for a small group to do! Reservations are required for groups over 8, but smaller walk-in groups are welcome. Cash of Check only. For more information about this or other opportunities with Habitat for Humanity, contact Rev. Martha Touchton martha@stmarkstn.org.
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Help Wanted for New Ministry |
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Hello St. Marks. You know, the pandemic has really been trying on all members of St. Marks. However, we believe it’s been really hard on our older adults who are alone at home and do not have the benefit of having love ones around to simply talk with throughout the day. It’s because of this that we, your brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Mark’s, want to develop a ministry in which we can reach out to the older adults at St Marks during difficult/stressful times.
We are currently in the planning stages for this ministry and have come up with a few things; however, we need your suggestions/thoughts/ideas. One thing we want to do is to select a senior adult each week and reintroduce them to the congregation as our “members of the week.” The church will include in our announcement slides shown on our video boards, the member’s photo along with interesting fun facts about he or she. Another thing we want to do is to structure a system so that the St. Mark’s family can frequently connect with those older adults who are at home, by themselves. A phone call, a loving card with a personal message, and a visit are all reassuring ways in which we can reach out to let our senior adults know that they are loved and not forgotten.
So, can you help? We need your suggestions as to other ministries that will target our senior adults who are in need of fellowship. Please provide us your thoughts and ideas. You can email them to Noel and Laura Hinote at LGHinote@comcast.net.
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Thursday, September 3, 2020
Preschool Visiting Days
Women's Bible Study on Zoom 9:00 AM
Knitters at Hoopers' 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
New Horizons Class on Zoom 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 6, 2020
Worship – Sanctuary and Online 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Adult Sunday School on Zoom 9:45 AM
Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom 5:00 PM
Woman to Woman Class on Zoom 6:30 PM
Monday, September 7, 2020
Labor Day - Office Closed
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Preschool Opens
Cornerstone Class on Zoom 6:30 PM
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
"Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Chancel Choir – Sanctuary 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Women's Bible Study on Zoom 9:00 AM
New Horizons Class on Zoom 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Children's Sunday School on Zoom
Coin Offering - Ronald McDonald House
Worship – Sanctuary and Online 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Adult Sunday School on Zoom 9:45 AM
Children's Bible Presentation - Outdoor Worship Center 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom 5:00 PM
Praise Team – Sanctuary 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Youth Event – Back Yard 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Woman to Woman Class on Zoom 6:30 PM
Monday, September 14, 2020
SAGES Meeting – Zoom 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Cornerstone Class on Zoom 6:30 PM
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
"Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Chancel Choir – Sanctuary 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
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In Other News:
No Adult Zoom Sunday School on September 6 - There will be no Adult Zoom Sunday School on Sunday, September 6 because of the Labor Day weekend. We will resume our regular schedule on September 13.
Furniture Ministry Update - Out of an abundance of caution, the St. Mark's Furniture Ministry remains on hiatus because of the pandemic. We are not accepting donations or making deliveries at this time.
Drop Box Now Available - There is now a drop box available at Door 1 of the church (Under the portico by the church offices) where you can safely and securely leave offerings and non-stamped letters/notes for the church.
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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