Your St. Mark's Newsletter is Here

The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

September 25, 2018

From the Pastor

I missed being in worship with you on Sunday and I pray that those who braved the weather to worship were blessed for having come.

I had a special treat on Sunday by being asked to preach and administer the sacrament of Holy Communion at the opening worship for the NOMADS annual meeting in Memphis, TN. NOMADS, an acronym for "Nomads on a Mission Active in Divine Service" is a ministry of The United Methodist Church. Made up mostly of retirees, these men and women travel the country in their RVs to provide volunteer labor for United Methodist organizations. They do new construction, remodeling, repairs for churches, children's homes, camps, colleges, outreach missions, and disaster rebuilding. There were people from 29 states represented at this year's event. Elvis was even in attendance, or at least someone who looked a lot like him.

I love the connectional nature of our Church. I enjoyed hearing what God is doing in and through United Methodists. I loved witnessing a group of people who are doers of God's word and not just hearers only; after all, that's been one of the recurring themes of our worship and Christian education emphasis on the book of James in recent weeks.

You can learn more about NOMADs by visiting http://www.nomadsumc.org/ . There may be some in our congregation who would be interested in participating in this ministry.

It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.

Tommy

SAGES News

Thanks to Mary Leigh Beers, member of the Sages Ministry Team, for her presentation Sunday to the Next Step Class on the Altar Guild, which she chairs. She also assisted Josh Brown in explaining the St. Mark’s Columbarium.

Thanks also to Noel and Laura Hinote, Co-chairs of the Sages Ministry Team, who spoke to the same group and shared an excellent summary of the work of the Sages.

Thanks, as well, to all members of the Sages Team for your support of the excellent Tennessee Conference Sages’ Workshop held at St. Mark’s last week and led by faculty, students and administrators of Martin College.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet at 1:30 P.M. on Thursday, September 27 in Room 1203. This same support group will meet again on October 25.

Any Sages wishing to play in the St. Mark’s Golf Tournament can sign up in the church office. That will be at the Old Fort Park on October 11 at noon.

The Sages Ministry team will meet at 9:30 A.M. on Monday, October 15 in Rooms 503-505.

The Sages will enjoy a cookout and program on Friday, October 19 in the St. Mark’s Banquet Room. Everyone is invited to the festivities at 11:00 A.M. Steak, Chicken, and Hamburgers will be grilled and ready for you. There will also be baked potatoes. These will all be served at 11:30. All Sages are asked to bring side dishes to trim out the main course. This should be a good time for all. There is no cost for the meal.

Many other activities are planned for the rest of the year including a trip to Bell Buckle for lunch and visitation of the Southern Charms Boutique, our Senior Serenity Luncheon for Shut-ins and Families on December 8, and Christmas at Beersheba on December 11. Please keep an eye and ear on the newsletter and public announcements for more details.

Our Sermon Series continues this week. We will explore the book of James in worship and Christian Education. The author of James is believed to be the brother of Jesus. It doesn't take much to believe that James may have been asked throughout his life, "Why can't you be more like your brother Jesus?" James wasn't always a disciple of his brother; in fact, scripture tells us that Jesus' family thought that he was "out of his mind." But once James became a disciple of Jesus, he wanted to be more like his brother, and he desires the same for us. Being a disciple requires hearing and doing the will of God. Join us Sundays in worship at 8:30 and 11:00 and in Christian Education at 9:45 as we explore discipleship lessons from James!

Youth News

With Fall Break starting next week, we will not have Sunday night youth on Sunday (September 30th). We still have Wednesday Night Together this Wednesday, but that will also take a break while school is out.

We have some exciting events coming up after Fall Break!

Sunday, October 7th will be a game night during youth, so come out for some fun and fellowship!
Fall Retreat will be at Cedar Crest this year November 9th-11th! This is one of our most popular events of the year, and we hope everyone is able to come. We will send out the details soon, but be sure to mark your calendars now!

Look for an update email soon that will catch everyone up on the latest youth ministry plans. This will cover all the upcoming events, ways we will stay in communication with everyone, and opportunities to help. We appreciate all who signed up to assist during our last parent’s meeting, and we will be in contact with those who signed up to help us with our various activities.

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

6:00 – 7:15 p.m. WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRAISE for Children

6:15 – 7:15 p.m. CLASSES AND GROUPS for youth and adults

***WNT will be on Fall Break Wednesday, October 3!***

New Adult Classes Coming in October:

Oaks Keep Growing – led by Brian Seadorf

Stories of Invention and Technology – led by Dr. Jim Hutchinson

Camino Pilgrimage – Rev. Mary Dicken

Pickle Ball – led by Meg Van Patten and Patti Daws

CLICK HERE to view the current 2018 WNT BROCHURE

General Conference Listening Session

The Tennessee Conference delegation will host multiple Listening Sessions this Fall to hear from you as they prepare to attend the Special Session of General Conference in St. Louis on February 23-26, 2019.

Please note: this is NOT a presentation, but rather an opportunity for YOU to express your opinions and concerns as well as to pray with delegation members.

The Listening Session in the Stones River District will be Sunday, October 14, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Manchester First UMC.