The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN
"The Messenger"  Online Newsletter
February 4, 2020
From the Pastor

Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday (February 26) and ends on Holy Saturday (April 11). Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten , which means "spring." The season is a time of preparation for celebrating Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday (April 12). 

Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. On Ash Wednesday, Christians confront their own mortality and confess their sin before God within the community of faith. While Ash Wednesday focuses on the dual themes of sin and death, it's done through the lens of God's redeeming love made known to us in Jesus Christ.

The first Sunday of Lent describes Jesus' temptation by Satan. The last Sunday of Lent (Passion/Palm Sunday) depicts Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his subsequent passion and death. Because Sundays are always little Easters, the penitential spirit should be tempered with the joyful expectation of the Resurrection.

Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday and the community of faith journeys with Jesus from the upper room, to the cross, to the tomb, and to the garden to discover the empty tomb.

The following are just a few ways to focus and prepare during the season of Lent:

1. Give It Up.  Consider giving up something that distracts you from your important relationships: like too much spent time on social media, sports, etc.

2. Plug In. Consider adding in something that helps you connect with God. Read a book of the Bible or begin a daily devotional.

3. Serve.  Start a new routine of service. Volunteer regularly as a mentor, step up to volunteer at St. Mark's or in the community.

4. Share It.  Make it a communal event. Share your Lent practices with others via a small group and/or attending worship.

(adapted from The United Methodist Book of Worship, and www.rethinkchurch.org )

It is a privilege serving God as one of your clergy.

Tommy
Wednesday Night Together!
Family, Food, Fellowship, Faith, and Fun
for the whole Family!

Wednesday Night Together offers a full menu of
delicious food, warm table fellowship, and
fun and formative weekly classes, groups and events for all ages!
5:15 - 6:00 p.m. Church Family Dinner
Reservations due by 12:00 p.m. Monday
$8.00/Adult, $4.00/Children and MTSU Students, $25.00/Family Max
Adult Classes Meeting in February
Studying Sermon Texts - led by Rev. Tommy Ward
The Transformative Power of Gratitude – led by Julie King
Decluttering Your Home – Led by Lucy Cochran
  
  Click HERE to see the full February Brochure  
St. Mark’s WNT Needs You!    

Our cook Amanda Murphy is preparing wonderful home-style meals using more fresh foods and fewer processed products.  
 
VOLUNTEERS are needed to prepare food, serve, and clean up in the kitchen! If you would like to learn more about cooking for large groups or are willing to serve your church in this way, help is needed Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and Wednesday afternoons 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.  We would be glad to have persons serve one time a month or every week, whatever works well with their schedule. To volunteer, visit our Sign-Up Genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054fa9a82ea0fb6-wnthelpers .
SAGES News

SAGES had a wonderful trip to HWY 55 Burgers, Shakes, and Fries last week. Thanks to everyone who went along.
 
Our weekly service at the Rutherford takes place this Wednesday, February 5 at the Rutherford at 11:00 A.M. Everyone is welcome to participate. Other dates this month are February 12, 19, and 26.
 
The next meeting of the SAGES’ Planning Team is Monday, February 10 at 9:30 in Room 407-409.
 
On February 11 the Adams’ Place Ministry takes place at 10:30 AM. Please join Linda Tunnell and Liz Bennett as they lead us and residents of Adams Place in worship.
 
Our program at the Boulevard Terrace Nursing Home is at 2:00 on February 11.
 
The SAGES Senior Valentine Luncheon is February 13 at 11:30 in the St. Mark’s Banquet Room. Come and enjoy great food, great fellowship and music. Cost is only $12.00 per person. Please sign up in the Narthex or the church office.
 
The next meeting of the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group is 1:00 PM February 27 in Room 506.
 
Jeff Henry, Chair of the 2020 Adventures In Learning, has indicated that their planning meeting will start soon. Thanks to our SAGES who serve on that team.
Deep Blue Kids: Sundays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
Jesus and Others Lead the Community
So they went out and proclaimed that people should 
change their hearts and lives. (Mark 6:12)
He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes. (2 Kings 22:2)

This February in DEEP BLUE, we are studying stories about different leaders in the Bible and how they led their communities.

2/2      Deborah, a judge in the Old Testament, helped the Israelites solve problems and helped the people be brave.

2/9      Samuel goes to Jesse’s family looking for a new king, but it isn’t the person Samuel thinks it would be. God calls David because he has good intentions and will show love to God’s people.

2/16    A servant girl who lives with Namaan, an Aram military leader, speaks up and helps Namaan find healing.

2/23    Josiah is an Israelite king who began his kingship at eight years old. He discovers a hidden scroll and helps the people rededicate themselves to God.

ARE YOU SERVING IN LEADERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY?     We are constructing a bulletin board in the elementary hallway that depicts members of our church family serving in leadership in our community. If you have a photo of yourself serving in a leadership role, either as a volunteer or as part of your employment, please send that photo and an explanation to hannah.underwood16@yahoo.com .  

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL IS GROWING!   Teachers, helpers and substitutes are always needed in our Children’s Sunday School! Currently, teachers and helpers are needed in the Age 2 and Pre-K/K classes. Excellent curriculum and all supplies are provided. If you are willing to serve as a teacher or helper, contact Rev. Martha Touchton or Children’s Ministries Team Leader Julie King.
We are excited to offer all St. Mark’s 3rd – 5th graders an opportunity to join in a spiritual life retreat especially for children, Saturday/Sunday March 14/15 on the mountain at Beersheba! The BE Retreat will be led by middle and high school youth of the NEXT GEN Conference Council on Youth Ministry (including Helen Grace Daniel and Georgia Touchton from St. Mark's!), and will welcome children from across the Tennessee Conference.

Two Safe Sanctuaries trained adults must attend with St. Mark's children; if you are willing to attend (all expenses paid), please volunteer to Rev. Touchton. Transportation will be provided. The total retreat cost is $65/person; a $25 scholarship will be provided for each St. Mark’s participant, making your cost per child $40. To register your child, please turn in your $40 check to Rev. Martha Touchton by Sunday, February 16 th .
Open Gym for Children!
Saturday, February 15 th , 9:30-11:30
Join us for fun and free play!

Toys are provided but you may also bring toys to share.
Parent or grandparent attendance is required. 
All ages and friends welcome!
Lenten Family Prayer Fair for Children and Families
Sunday, February 23 rd , 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
in the Banquet Hall

We will create, assemble and experience Lenten stories, devotions, crafts and other activities to help your family observe Lent at home at your own pace. All ages of children are welcome; children must be accompanied by a parent or grandparent. Reservations required by 2/16; email martha@stmarkstn.org
Save These Upcoming Children’s Ministries Dates:
Sunday, February 9, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Children’s Coin Offering for Special Kids

Saturday, February 15, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Open Gym for Children

Sunday, February 23, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.  Lenten Family Prayer Fair for Children and Parents

Saturday/Sunday, March 14/15  BE Spiritual Life Retreat for Children Grades 3 – 5 at Beersheba. Full FLYER HERE.

Saturday, April 11 – Easter Egg Hunt, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Ben Alford Scholarships
The Turner Center at Martin Methodist College awards two or more Ben Alford Scholarships each year to students showing exceptional promise in the area of church leadership. In 2020, the competition date is scheduled for Saturday, February 29th.
These are full scholarships which include tuition costs for an entire academic year. These are four-year renewable scholarships. Recipients will be determined by a special committee at the competition event which is held on campus. This scholarship is open to transfer students.

Please visit the following link for more information:
Inclement Weather Policy
St. Mark's follows the Murfreesboro City Schools (MCS) system in determining whether or not the church office will be open and church-wide events held. When MCS are closed, the church office will be closed and all church-wide activities canceled. 

For church-wide events taking place on weekends, please check social media, the church website, and/or your email for updates in the event of inclement weather.
In Other News:

Beginning Watercolor Painting - New Weekday Class - Mondays, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Room 503/505. Orientation Monday, March 2nd, 12:00 p.m.Including supplies list and tips. More info HERE.

Pancake Breakfast at the MTSU Wesley Foundation, February 8, 7:00—10:00 a.m. Tickets are $5.00 per person (purchase at the door). Local Clergy will be offering a taste of their favorite breakfast items. More info HERE.

The St. Mark’s Spring Golf Tournament will be Saturday, May 16, 1:00 p.m. at Old Fort Golf Course. If you or your team would like to play, please contact Wendell Philpott.

Volunteers Needed - Tommy Walker needs volunteers to help with the Audio/Video Center on Sunday mornings and occasional other times. No special skills or experience required. See Tommy Walker at the center on Sunday morning with questions or to volunteer.

Flower Calendar – The flowers on the altar each Sunday are available to be sponsored in honor or in memory of a loved one. To reserve a date, sign up on the flower calendar posted outside the kitchen on the bulletin board. Each bouquet (there are two per Sunday) is $25 and can be paid by check in the offering plate labeled "flowers" or in the church office.

View Our Current  Prayer List

See Our Full  Event Calendar

Missed a Sermon? Click  HERE to go to our sermons media page.
St. Mark's UMC | (615) 893-3455 |  stmarks@stmarkstn.org