"The Messenger"
Online Newsletter
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From the Pastor
If you were not in worship on Sunday, you missed some important announcements. First, Bishop William T. McAlilly sent notice that The Rev. Dr. Jim Clardy, The Rev. Martha Touchton, and myself have all been projected to return to St. Mark's UMC for another conference year, effective July 1. As reported several weeks ago, The Rev. Mary Dicken will be returning to her home conference as Associate Pastor of Meridian Street United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, effective July 1.
Staff Parish Relations Committee also announced that Sean Orr has been hired as our new Youth Director. A picture and brief bio can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.
Holy Week is fast approaching. Please plan to join us as we observe Palm/Passion Sunday this weekend that begins with a palm procession by our children. There will be no regular Wednesday Night Together or Wednesday Night Praise but we will gather for a Holy Thursday meal (5:15pm) and worship experience (6:15pm). From 6am to 6pm on Good Friday, a self-guided worship experience will be available to reflect on Jesus' last words from the cross. And of course, Easter Sunday will include a sunrise service led by our youth (7am) followed by a biscuit breakfast prepared by the United Methodist Men. We will also celebrate the risen Lord at 8:30 and 11 in our beautiful sanctuary with Christian Education classes at 9:45am.
It is a privilege to serve as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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Holy Week Worship
Palm/Passion Sunday (April 14)
8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
Children are invited to join the palm processional at the beginning of each service!
Holy Thursday (April 18)
6:15 p.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
We remember the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples, his washing of the disciples’ feet, and the new commandment he gave to love each other as he loves us.
Good Friday (April 19)
Seven Last Words, available 6:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. in the Rec Center
This self-guided worship experience will invite you to reflect on Jesus’ last words from the cross through through art, devotional readings, hands-on worship activities, and prayer.
Easter (April 21)
7:00 a.m. Sunrise Worship (youth-led)
8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
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SAGES News
The SAGES met on Monday, April 8, for a planning meeting. Thanks to everyone who participated.
SAGES will be going to the Dutch Bakery and Restaurant on April 11. Please make your reservation in the office. We leave at 9 AM.
Several other trips and activities are planned. These include another trip to the Cumberland County Playhouse, a visit to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, the Loveless Café and Chaffins’ Barn, Granny Fishes, and the Midway Diner. Please watch this newsletter for lots of other information regarding our SAGES’ activities.
You may check our activities book in the church office for additional information and sign-ups.
The SAGES will have an extended trip to the Ark and the Shaker Village in Kentucky. The date for this trip is May 20-22. The cost is about $250. Please sign up in the church office. Look for the book!!
The SAGES got off to a great start with our new monthly worship service at Adams’ Place. Rev. Linda Tunnell and her team provided that. She is organizing two teams to rotate with each other to share with our friends and neighbors at Adams’ Place. If you would like to be a part of the team, please contact Linda.
We also offer services the second Tuesday of each month at Boulevard Terrace Rehab and Nursing each month at 2:00 P.M. If you would like to participate, please be there at 1530 Middle Tennessee Boulevard at that time.
We also are continue our services at the Rutherford Memory Care on Wednesdays at 11:00 A.M. Everyone is welcome to participate in these programs.
The Festival of Wisdom of Grace for older adults will be August 5-8 at Luke Junaluska, North Carolina. You can make your reservations now by calling Lake Junaluska at 800-222-4930.
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Youth News
We have some exciting news and upcoming events in the youth ministry! First and foremost, we have officially hired a full-time youth minister! Sean Orr will be joining the staff come June to lead our ministry, and we are very excited for his arrival.
On Good Friday (April 19th), we will have our Second Annual Good Friday Hiking Adventure! We will leave from the church that morning, have lunch along the trail, and return mid-afternoon. All skill levels welcome! A sign-up sheet will be available this Sunday with more details!
The youth will be leading the Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday, and we have some exciting plans for the morning! Helpers are always needed, and we encourage all the youth to come and help support this well-respected and special event on Easter morning. Service starts at 7:00 AM, and those helping are asked to show by 6:30 AM. As a reminder, there will be no Sunday nigh
t youth on Easter.
Sunday, April 28th is Senior Recognition Sunday for our high school seniors! There will be a breakfast for the seniors before the recognition ceremony that starts at 9:45. A slideshow will also be shown during the services that morning.
Sign-ups and stock books are available for our summer mission trip to beautiful Denver, Colorado! The dates are July 6th-13th, and the cost is $425. This will be a unique and fulfilling experience to a different part of the country. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact an adult leader.
Finally, we NEED volunteers to sign up for providing dinner on Sunday nights. Thank you to all who have done so in the past - this is a tremendous help to our ministry. Check out the youth website (
fusionumyf.org) to sign up or talk to one of the adult leaders.
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Graduate Names Requested
We would like to recognize those church members and friends who are completing college or grad school this spring! Please send the name, school and degree of your graduate to
martha@stmarkstn.org by Tuesday, April 23.
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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
$6.00/Adult, $2.00/Children and MTSU Students, $20.00/Family Max
If you need financial assistance to help pay for the WNT meal,
please contact Rev. Martha Touchton.
Dinner will be on Thursday, 4/18 during Holy Week.
Menu - chicken salad croissants, potato chips, fruit salad, ice cream.
Reservations are Due Monday, April 15th.
6:00 – 7:15 p.m. WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRAISE for Children
6:15 – 7:15 p.m. CLASSES AND GROUPS for Youth and Adults
Adult Classes in April:
Podcasts as Spiritual Practice – Led by Julie King
Forgiveness – Led by Rev. Tommy Ward
Exercising Your Gift of Leadership in Service to God – Dr. Jim Clardy
For more information,
CLICK HERE
to view the April 2019 WNT BROCHURE and Menus
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Sean Orr Hired as Director of Youth and Recreation
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We are pleased to announce that Sean Orr has been hired as our Director of Youth and Recreation. He will begin his ministry at St. Mark's UMC on June 1, 2019.
Sean grew up in Nashville and went to Birmingham Southern College where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Religion. After college, he enrolled in the Center for Youth Ministry Training at Memphis Theological Seminary. For the last seven plus years, Sean has served in the Birmingham, AL area, most recently at Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church. He enjoys a good cup of coffee, hanging out with his dog Mowgli, exercising, reading and going to the movies.
Stay tuned for more information about plans to welcome Sean to St. Mark's.
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Deep Blue Kids Observe Lent with Their Families
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“I’ve seen the Lord.”
(John 20:18)
This month we continue into the season of Lent and celebrate Easter. As the calendar moves us closer to Easter, our Bible stories also move us closer to the time of Jesus’ arrest and death. We will hear the Bible story about Peter’s denial, a story of fear, failure, and remorse. We then go back to the beginning of Holy Week with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with the waving of palms. We waited to share this story so your child could learn about Palm Sunday with the rest of your congregation. This leads us into Holy Week where we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. Your child will celebrate this amazing miracle on Easter Sunday. We will finish the month by learning about Peter’s forgiveness and continuation of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
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Suicide Prevention Training April 24th
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Led by Dr. Mani Hull, Middle TN Director
Tennessee Suicide Prevention Center
Wednesday, April 24th, 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
St. Mark’s UMC Banquet Hall
Suicide is one of the most preventable causes of death. Through training, we can learn how to spot someone in crisis, how to approach them and step in help prevent a tragedy. Come to this free church-wide training to learn important skills in questioning, persuasion and referral.
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St. Mark’s T-Shirts And Note Cards
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Sale Of St. Mark’s T-Shirts And Note Cards
To Benefit St. Mark’s Youth Missions
The Igniting Ministries Team recently held a design contest for St. Mark’s t-shirts, with Kaylin Wiley’s design being chosen as the winner and several other notable designs also being recognized. The Youth are now taking orders for T-shirts bearing Kaylin’s design. T-shirts are available in two styles, sizes Youth Extra Small to XXXL, and cost $15 each. Click
HERE
to see images of the t-shirts.
To order and pre-pay for your t-shirt, please stop by the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. All orders are due Sunday, April 28th.
In addition to the t-shirts, note cards with designs by Kaylin Wiley, Kris Whitt, Lyla Wiley and Piper Wiley will also soon be available for purchase.
All proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts and note cards will benefit St. Mark’s Youth Missions.
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Save These Children's Ministries Dates:
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Saturday, April 20th:
St. Mark’s Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, April 21st:
Children’s Butterfly Celebration of Easter
Sunday, April 28th:
Rev. Karen Barrineau will bring some furry four-legged friends to Sunday school as we learn what it means to “Feed my sheep.”
Saturday, May 11th:
St. Mark’s Neighborhood Bike Rodeo, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Sunday – Thursday, June 23 -27:
St. Mark’s
“TO MARS AND BEYOND!”
Vacation Bible School
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The Gift of New Creation invites us to explore God’s saving and redeeming love through a study of the lectionary Bible readings for Lent and Easter. Key Scriptures call us to prepare and contemplate God’s restoration and new creation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through the readings, we hear the invitation to embrace God’s salvation and the new life offered to us through Christ.
Join us in Adult Christian education March 10 – April 21 as we explore these scriptures, seeking opportunities to reflect on God’s redemptive action and to explore means of grace that help us move into new life in Christ. If you need a study book, see Rev. Martha Touchton.
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St. Mark’s Bunny Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt
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St. Mark’s Bunny Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt
For Children and Families
Saturday, April 20th
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Bring a Friend and a Brunch Food to Share!
Message and Music by
Rev. Tommy Ward & Mr. Sean Gilliland
Donations of Small, Individually Wrapped
Candy and Prizes are Needed!
Suggestions: Sweethearts, Stickers, Starbursts, Skittles, Jolly Ranchers, Fireballs, Gobstoppers, Bubble Gum.
No Peanuts or Chocolate, Please!
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Register Now for Summer Camp!
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St. Mark's Kids love Cedar Crest Camp! Sunday, April 14th, Tennessee Conference Director of Camping and Retreats, Russell Casteel, will be present at St. Mark’s to share more information about this summer’s camps! Plan to stop in the Narthex, greet Russell, and register for camp! You can also register online at
www.cedarcrestcamp.org
.
St. Mark's will be coordinating shared transportation the weeks of June 16 - 21 and July 7 - 12. All St. Mark’s campers receive a generous scholarship.
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Medical Mission at Home in Murfreesboro
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Saint Thomas will be hosting a Medical Mission at Home in Murfreesboro on Saturday, April 13
th
. This will be held at Central Magnet High School – doors open at 8 a.m. Our Medical Missions at Home provide free healthcare; dental care; glasses; select prescriptions; mammography etc. to the members of our community most in need. See the flyer
HERE
.
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Sunday, April 14 Coin Offering for the United Methodist Committee On Relief - When we see hurricanes, famines or other disasters unfolding around the world, we feel the call to help but are at a loss as to what we can actually do. UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is the disaster relief agency of the United Methodist Church that provides aid in Jesus’ name to persons suffering disaster around the world. There is no place in the world that UMCOR does not go.
This Sunday, April 14th, St. Mark’s will have a special Children’s Coin Offering for UMCOR. The money collected will help cover the operating budget of UMCOR so that 100% of other donations received throughout the year can go directly to relief efforts
.
Photo Memories of Children’s Choir
- Did you or your child sing in children’s choir at St. Mark’s? The Children’s Music Team is seeking photos of those times! If you’ve got any snapshots from St. Mark’s children’s choirs of the past, we’d love to see them. Emailed photos are best (email Rev. Mary at
mary@stmarkstn.org
) or drop them off at the office. Thank you for sharing your memories!
Communion Servants Needed - Did you know that each month faithful servants are working behind the scenes to prepare the bread and juice for communion? These “communion stewards” fill the juice cups, set out the bread, clean up and refill between services, and more — to ensure that all who worship can experience God’s grace through communion. We need a few more people to serve in this important ministry! If you’re willing to be a part of this rotation (serving a few times a year), contact Rev. Mary (
mary@stmarkstn.org or 615-893-3455), so she can help you get trained and scheduled.
Special Thanks - Thank you to all who helped me celebrate my recent birthday. Getting old(er) is not so bad when we have so many good friends. - Paul GIvens.
Mission Team News and Stats
HERE
Missed a Sermon?
Click
HERE
to go to our sermons media page.
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