"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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During one of the gray, dreary days last week, my wife Hillary noticed that, all of a sudden, a thick fog had moved in and covered the field behind our house. We couldn't see anything! What was even more amazing is that, almost as quickly as it appeared, the fog dissipated and we could once again see the field.
Later that morning, as I was driving, I drove through another dense area of fog. It seemed like minutes (but was probably only a few seconds) before I got through the fog and was able to see again.
This experience reminded me of something: we appreciate light more when we've experienced darkness; we appreciate visibility more when we've been enveloped in fog.
It's hard to believe it but in one month it will be Easter Sunday. For now, we trudge along in the season of Lent. Experience tells me that we'll appreciate Easter a whole lot more if we first experience the darkness that Christ endured before he defeated sin and death. That's why we don't skip Golgotha and Good Friday in order to get to the garden and Easter.
Thank you for taking this journey. It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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SAGES News
According to her daughter Susan Lynch. St. Mark’s member, Martie Van Dervort, turns 90 on March 12! To celebrate safely during this time there will be a “drive by” celebration! This will be on March 14, Sunday, from 2-3pm. It will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 431 Dejarnette Lane. Everyone is welcome to this celebration. Susan sends her thanks. (Martie’s address is in the church directory).
The SAGES Ministry Team will meet Monday, March 8, at 9:30 in the St. Mark’s Banquet Room. The meeting will also be on Zoom for those who prefer that. You will receive a note from Chair, Noel Hinote, with the link.
Bob Philips will turn 90 on March 8. Bob will appreciate cards. His address in the church directory.
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Greetings fellow SAGES
in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
With the passing of each day, there are more and more vaccination sites opening in Rutherford County. However, if our senior adults lack the information and/or technology they need to sign-up for their vaccinations, they continue to be at risk to contract the Covid-19 virus.
How can we help? We can provide them with information (websites and phone numbers) for the various vaccination sites in the area. If the senior lacks the technology or ability to contact vaccine sites, we can assist by registering the senior. However, if you register the senior, you need to do so while you are in continuous contact with your senior. It is important that the information you provide the vaccination site is current, accurate and complete.
To assist both you and your senior to locate vaccination sites, please use various information sites on the internet. One site in particular is the state’s website (https://covid19.tn.gov/covid-19-vaccines/vaccination-locations). You will find listings for the county’s health department and numerous pharmacies (from Wal Mart to Beckman’s). Please note, the website is constantly changing and may not be current. For example, Kroger pharmacies are now providing vaccinations; however, none of the Kroger locations are on the website. (Kroger appointments can be made by visiting kroger.com/covidvaccine or by calling 866-211-5320). Another good website to use is https://www.goodrx.com/covid-19/where-to-get-covid-19-vaccine.
Our mission is to be of assistance in getting vaccination information to our seniors and not to talk someone into getting the vaccination if they choose not to participate. If your senior needs help with transportation, please let us know.
Now, a word to members of our Sages Team who are staying in touch with Seniors in the church: Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this is an opportunity to serve those in need. We need each of you to contact your caring list seniors (not those living in a long-term care facility) and ask if they have received or are signed-up to receive their vaccination. If they want to be vaccinated and have not been able to sign-up, please ask if we can help them. Please contact all seniors you were initially assigned. Get back with us and let us know the results of your efforts.
Noel and Laura Hinote, Sages Coordinators
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Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. St. Mark’s offers a Sunday morning children’s experience via Zoom, 9:45 – 10:15 a.m., 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. We have the best time learning our scripture stories and interacting with each other! Join us at https://zoom.us/j/98397352418?pwd=ekFWcVFoYXQwMlcrN2NFQitRZWNRUT09.
For the month of March, our faith word is REMEMBER. The definition of remember is to think about and not forget. During March we remember the events in Jesus’ life during Holy Week. Jesus wanted his friends to remember him and to serve others.
• Sunday, March 7 – John 3:1-13, Jesus Washes Feet
• Sunday, March 14 – Luke 22:14-20, The Last Supper
• Sunday, March 21 – Luke 22:39-46. Jesus Praying in the Garden
• Palm Sunday, March 28 – Matthew 21:1-11, Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Our Bible memory verse for this month is:
“Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19c
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ST. MARK’S CHILDREN INVITED TO OBSERVE A HOLY LENT!
The Children’s Ministries Team offers a brief and interactive LENTEN OUTSIDE WORSHIP service on the front lawn of the church each Sunday of Lent at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend; children are especially invited to serve as greeters and readers at these services.
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Join In Our Outdoor Lenten Worship! |
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Come journey with Jesus as we prepare our hearts to experience his death and resurrection. We will construct
a mystery word on the front lawn, one letter per Sunday!
Lenten Sundays, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., February 21 – March 28
Easter Sunday, April 4
10:30 a.m. Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, 11:00 a.m. Easter Worship
Bring a flower to place on the Resurrection Cross
Please wear a mask and practice social distancing, bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc. Everyone welcome; invite your friends and neighbors!
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LENTEN DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN
FOR ALL AGES
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Regardless of your age, the primary place for Christian faith formation is the home. Children and youth learn by watching, participating, and following their parents’ lead. As adults, reading scripture at home allows us time to meditate and pray. To this end, Rev. Touchton has created a reading plan for all ages that will guide us through beautiful scripture passages throughout the season of Lent. Rev. Ward will be publishing daily devotions based on this reading plan. You can access the plan HERE.
Any children who complete all the readings and bring/send their signed form back to Rev. Touchton after Easter will receive a gift card for a special treat.
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Imposter Emails Surfacing |
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Recently, another round of emails impersonating St. Mark's staff began surfacing. While these messages appear, at a quick glance, to be from our staff, they are not.
You will note how these emails include components that make you believe they are real (using the staff person's name and title in the From: line, but are from gmail addresses, not the server named stmarkstn.org used for St Mark's United Methodist Church.
The good news here is that our systems remain safe and the accounts have not been “hacked.” Unfortunately, these impersonations are not something we can stop. All we can do is ask you to be vigilant.
Some ways that you can help include:
1. Remember that email communications from the St. Mark's staff Office will usually come from an email address ending in @stmarkstn.org.
2. Always double check the actual email address – not just the display name/label. It is especially easy to be fooled when using a mobile device for email as the display name frequently hides the actual address, you must tap on it to reveal the actual address.
3. Know that any efforts to fund ministry will not come through requests for gift cards or transferring funds.
4. Know that emails that indicate someone cannot talk by phone or request confidentiality are making an effort to discourage you from taking steps that will help you confirm that they are in fact a scam.
When in doubt you can call the church office at 615-893-3455 or forward a suspicious message to us at stmarks@stmarkstn.org.
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Wesley Foundation Golf Tournament |
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The MTSU Wesley Foundation Golf Tournament is April 24 and will be held at Old Fort Golf Course in Murfreesboro. At this time, they are looking for sponsorships and prizes. If you or your small group are interested in this supporting this fundraiser, please click here for more information.
Golfers, put the date on your calendar and register as an individual or as foursome here.
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While we cannot gather in person for a shared meal and classes at Wednesday Night Together, this creative online ministry gathers adults who wish to help one another maintain connection to God, to the church, and to one another through a variety of short-term courses and activities.
LENTEN STUDY - WHY DID JESUS DIE?
led by Rev. Tommy Ward
Now in Session
The cross is God's action to set right what has gone wrong in human life -- to heal the estrangement in our relationships with God and with one another, and to restore wholeness to this sin-damaged creation. As we make our way toward the cross, we’ll discover God's power to transform our lives through Christ’s death and resurrection.
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• 3/3 - To Redeem (Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 8:18-39)
• 3/10 - To Cleanse from Sin (Luke 5:12-13; Ephesians 5:25-26; 1 John 1:5-2:2)
• 3/17 - To Take Our Place (1 Peter 2:24-25; Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
• 3/24 - To Set Us Free (Mark 10:42-45; Romans 7:14-8:17)
Buffet of Conversations Weekly Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Greetings, Announcements, Prayer
6:15 p.m. Class begins
7:10 p.m. Class ends
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
“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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St. Mark’s Preschool and Parents’ Day Out |
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2021-2022 Registration
March 1 & 2: Currently Enrolled Families
March 4: St. Mark’s UMC Members and Former Families
March 5: Open to the Public
Preschool registration information can be found on the
St. Mark’s UMC website
or call Sherrie Gilliam @ 615-895-1803
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It is fundraising time fo the student ministry! This upcoming summer we will be headed to Nashville, TN for a week long mission trip. We are so excited about this opportunity to serve our sisters and brothers in Nashville.
2021 will be a little different as EVERYTHING else has been and will be. This year we are doing a virtual fundraiser. Normally, we would be in person sharing all the things that we have done and allow the students to thank you in person and talk about what is to come in the near future for our Student Ministry. This year we are going to continue to meet while trying our hardest to be safe. This is where the virtual fundraiser comes into play.
Our goal, for this years fundraiser is to raise $6,000-$10,000. Why? “There is no way you spent all the money from last year.” True, we did not we spent just about half in preparation for this past summer. The reason we have placed that as a goal is because we, as an incredibly generous faith community, have the opportunity to send each of our students on the 2021 mission trips for FREE. So, to put it simply, if we have 30-50 people who give $200 we will hit our goal. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS A REALITY. We can show the love Christ and place importance on what we do for our students by giving to this fundraiser. Our church has many different socioeconomic statuses, not all of them can afford to send their student on youth trips. I do not want money to stop ANY student from going on ANYTHING we do. Money should not be a burden. I believe in this community of faith. I believe that we can send every single one of our students on a mission trip FOR FREE. I believe these students can witness, feel, and show the compassion of Christ through your giving and given the opportunity to serve their neighbors. Join me in giving towards our Student Ministry Fundraiser. You can give three ways, you can go to the church website and use the giving portal there and make sure to designate it to the youth ministry, you can write a check to the Student Ministry, and you can give cash. Our Fundraiser officially starts on February 28th and goes through April 25.
WE NEED YOUR HELP. Help our students and their families. Thank you for your gift from last year and I hope and pray that you will help make this a reality for our students. We have a short video for your from our students that will be played in worship on Sunday. If you are not going to be worshipping with us in person tune in for our live stream and you will be able to see it there.
We are also selling our St. Mark’s Student Ministry sweatshirts for $20. You may have seen them on some of our students around the church but incase you haven’t here is what they look like!
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Help us make this reality and thank you for your support! |
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Lend a Hand with Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Build |
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Any is a GREAT DAY to build affordable homes in Rutherford County! Legacy Pointe is a 77-home subdivision just around the corner from St. Mark’s, and you are invited to help build it!
Habitat is starting a new home for UK and Sung and their four beautiful girls ages 11, 9, along with 5 year-old twins. UK is an electrician with S&W Contracting and Sung cleans homes. They both work very hard but have had a difficult time finding a home big enough for their family that they can afford. To read more about this family’s story, click here.
This home will be constructed in a different way. While Habitat will not have large volunteer groups on the build, the team and regulars have invited St. Mark’s to provide two volunteers per day, 8:00 – 3:30 p.m. for the following dates:
Tuesday, March 9th
Thursday, March 11th
Due to the 2019-2020 outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity is taking extra precautions with the care of every volunteer on a Build site to include a prescreening review and enhanced sanitation/disinfecting procedures in compliance with CDC guidance. Gator masks, work gloves and hard hats will be provided for those who serve; bring your own filled water bottle.
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Dedication Set for Completed Habitat Home
Gift Donations Welcome for New Homeowner!
St. Mark’s will be recognized at the dedication of the home that our volunteers worked on last fall, to be held Monday, March 22nd @ 4:00 p.m. at the home’s location off Twin Oak Drive. Any St. Mark’s members and especially those who worked on the home are invited to attend.
You are invited to give toward a Wal-mart card which will be given to the new homeowner to help her get started furnishing and caring for her home. Donations of any amount are welcome; please turn them in to Kathryn Wright in the church office.
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Wednesday, March 3, 2021
6:00 p.m. "Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom
Thursday, March 4, 2021
8:00 a.m. Preschool Enrollment - St. Mark's Families
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom
Friday, March 5, 2021
8:00 Preschool Enrollment - Public
Saturday, March 6, 2021
7:30 a.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Room/Zoom
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, March 7, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom
9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School on Zoom
11:00 a.m. Outdoor Lenten Worship
4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Youth - RC/YC
Monday, March 8, 2021
9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - BR
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - Banquet Room
6:30 p.m. Cornerstone Class on Zoom
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
6:00 p.m. "Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, March 11, 2021
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom
Saturday, March 13, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
10 :00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary
Sunday, March 14, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom
9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School on Zoom
11:00 a.m. Outdoor Lenten Worship
4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Youth - RC/YC
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In Other News:
Dear St. Mark’s Family,
During the past six weeks since my foot surgery, I have been deeply touched and humbled by your outpouring of love and encouragement through prayers, cards, texts, flowers, meals, visits, rides, and errands run. Thank you so much for reaching out and boosting my spirits! It is such a joy to be in ministry with you, even during hard times. I look forward to being back on both feet very soon!
Peace, Martha
The St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Spring Golf Tournament will be May 25, 1:00 PM, at the Old Fort Gold Course. A sign-up sheet is posted in the banquet room hall. For other information or to register please call Wendell Philpott.
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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