"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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It's been four weeks since my mother in all likelihood suffered a stroke that left her unable to talk and unwilling to eat. While neither she nor I expected that she'd still be with us today and while I'm confident that she's ready to receive her eternal reward, I'm grateful for the last twenty-seven days. They have held many heavenly moments. You see, I understand heaven to be where God is; that means that heaven is not just a place we go to when we die. God is present in our midst right now...in this very moment. In that sense, then, heaven is not just some future reality; it's a present one. Indeed, God's presence has been especially real to me and to my mother during the past month. That's not to say that things have been easy but I'm grateful for God giving me the senses to vividly see and experience the reality and the power of heaven on this side of eternity. I can only imagine how much more powerful and beautiful heaven will be on the other side of eternity.
Not only have these days been heavenly, but they've also been holy. Sacred. Different. Set apart. Special. One of the reasons they've been so special is because of my St. Mark's family. Shortly after her stroke, I posted on Facebook and invited people to send cards and notes to my mother (while she can't speak, she has been alert enough for me to read to her). I'm guessing that my sweet Mama has received nearly 100 cards since that time and I'm guessing that 3/4 of them have come from the members and friends of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Likewise, I've received cards, notes, phone calls, texts, gas money and gift cards as I've traveled back and forth to Pulaski, and similar expressions of love and care. Thank you for the role you've played in making this journey holy.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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SAGES News
During this Covid Pandemic the SAGES Ministry Team of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church has been very intentional in terms of planning for the future while caring for our members. Thank you for all your prayers for the team. Some of the ministries the SAGES Team include: flower deliveries to shut-ins, cards, call, visits, meals at surgeries and times of sympathy, birthday cakes, etc. The SAGES are now planning to continue services at some of the resident facilities in the community, the Dementia Support Group, and some limited excursions. Please view this newsletter often to find a full schedules of SAGES’ activities.
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SPRING into our new Christian Education experience
For Children of all Ages and their Families
As we Build Back the Routine of Coming to Church!
Sundays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in the Playground Circle
This time will begin with a brief, interactive Bible experience, and end with Snacks and lots of Play/Free Time
Masks are required.
Children Must be Accompanied by a Parent!
No Drop-Offs Allowed
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Summer Camp at Cedar Crest |
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Cedar Crest is now registering campers for the 2021 Summer Camp Season for elementary, middle, and high school students! Camps including Adventure Camp, Mini Camp, Two Week Camp, and Outpost Camp are open for the season to come as well.
St. Mark's will be coordinating shared transportation the weeks of June 13-18 and July 18-23. All St. Mark’s children who attend camp receive a generous scholarship. This summer, there are fewer camps available with a lower number of campers, so register early!
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St. Mark’s Nursery Facilities Now Open |
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St. Mark’s Nursery are available during the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services for children under 2 years of age.
Because most of our babies and toddlers have generally only been with their parents or other close guardians during the past year, we will offer parents and young children an opportunity to become accustomed to the space with their parents present, rather than experiencing the shock of being in a new space with completely unfamiliar people all at once. Thus children must be accompanied by their parents during the month of May; no drop-offs will be allowed.
During May, the nursery spaces will be available on Sunday mornings 8:15 – 9:45 a.m. and 10:45 – 12:00 p.m., so that parents or other guardians can be there with their children with only one or two nursery staff present. NEW TV’s are in place so persons in the nursery can keep up with the worship service via livestream. COVID safety protocols and procedures will be in place; you can read them here. All nursery staff are fully vaccinated. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Raymond (615) 218-1338 or Rev. Martha Touchton (615) 893-3455. |
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Sunday, May 23rd, 3:00 – 5:00 P.M.
For Children and Families
St. Mark’s Playground Circle
Reservations due Monday, May 17
All children and their families are invited to join together for friendly fun, good food and fellowship as we celebrate the end of a long and challenging school year! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for your family. All activities are free, including:
- Tie-Dying – Please bring a pre-washed, white 100% cotton t-shirt or tank for your child
- Inflatables
- Playground Fun and Gaga Ball
- Door Prizes for kids and adults
- Pizza and Popsicles
Please reserve your family’s spot by emailing Rev. Martha Touchton, martha@stmarkstn.org by Monday, May 17th.
Friends and Newcomers Welcome!
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St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries Team is excited to announce a new Christian formation experience for children and their families, including worship, Bible study and interaction with God’s beautiful creation.
Friday, June 25th, 5:00 p.m. through
Saturday, June 26th, 11:30 a.m.
Fishing, Nature Hiking, Crafts, Glow Games, Star Gazing, Tent Camping (optional), Scavenger Hunt, Storytelling, Games, Bible Critter Petting Zoo, S’mores, Campfire Singing.
Online Registration Now Available HERE.
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Summer Children’s
Ministries Assistant
Hi Everyone! My name is Grace Holt. I’m from Kingsport, TN. I am wrapping up my freshman year as a pre-nursing student at MTSU. I really enjoy baking, traveling, and playing with my 3yr old nephew! I have served as a volunteer at my home church with the children’s ministry for several years as well as cooking classes for children through my old high school. There’s so much fun and joy in working with kids! I absolutely love children’s ministry. I’m so excited for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started!
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We want to say congratulations to all of our High School graduates! We love them and want to wish them well as they begin the next chapter of their lives!
As we start the summer we are going to be able to head into somewhat of a more traditional summer calendar. We are so excited to be having two weekly programs starting in June and our Summer Mission Trip in June as well! This Sunday, our last Sunday of the semester, we will be welcoming five rising sixth graders in our student ministry. Finally, our final count on the Fundraiser for the Summer Mission Trip is just over $12,000! Thank you for supporting our students and their families and making this possible! We can’t wait to share with y’all about all our students learned and experience during this summer.
High School Graduates:
Kaylin Wiley, LC Marlatt, Allison DeHart, Webber Dodson, Will Harris, Braden Ross, Ella Vaughan, Lily Buchanan
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Recently have taken a break and reassessed what our needs for our college students are. This summer we will be having a weekly college group! If you have a college student tell them that on May 19th at 7:00 p.m. we will be meeting at The Boulevard for their Trivia night! We can’t wait to see our college students on May 19!
We can’t forget our college graduates! Congratulations we are so excited and proud of your accomplishment!
College Graduates:
James Touchton, Tanner Morris, Carly Clement, Beth Shirley, Spencer Howell, Bryson Howell, Macey Howell, Amelia Clark, Devyn Blades, Rachel Bateman, Will Ganues, Connor Ervin, Danielle Brown
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St. Mark’s UMC
Paperback Book Drive
for the
Rutherford County Jail
Give a Book. Plant a Dream. Grow a Life.
Thank you for your donations!
Wow, what a Church! The Book Collection has far exceeded our expectations, with 34 boxes filled, more than 1500 books! Thanks so much for your generous contributions!
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Young Adults Post-College Invited to Gather Sunday, May 2nd |
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We want to invite you to a new class that will start meeting this week, Sunday, May 2nd. This class is going to be for all young adults – Single, Married, Divorced, with children, without children (18-35ish). We know many of you and many we don’t, but we are excited to get to meet you and build community together.
Jeanette and I were married at St. Mark’s a few years ago (maybe in 1989) and we worked with the youth for many years. We are excited to be back at St. Mark’s and look forward to seeing you in the adult hallway just past the library.
We have not decided what we are going to study just yet, so come be in on that decision and let’s get going. We’ll bring some food and drinks!
~ Noland and Jeannette Noffsinger
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Other Adult Classes and Groups Now in Session in Person |
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New Horizons, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 1205, studying The Sermon on the Mount.
Genesis Network, Every Other Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Prayer Garden, bring your own lawn chair.
Cornerstone, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Banquet Room, study TBD
Knitters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Room 503/505
Watercolor Painting, Beginners meet Mondays, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the Banquet Room. Spaces Available. Advanced Group Mondays, 10:00 – 2:00 in the Banquet Room. This group is full.
ADULT GROUPS MEETING ONLINE:
Pastor’s Class, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on Zoom
Woman to Woman, Sundays at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
Mixed Blessings, Sundays at 5:00 p.m. on Zoom
Unless otherwise noted, newcomers are welcome in all classes and groups. For more information about these or other Adult Ministries, contact Claudia Hunter or Rev. Martha Touchton.
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What Other Churches Are Doing |
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New ministries are birthed every day with ideas and church members who are willing to implement them. Here is what one church is doing:
Realizing that many in their neighborhood live in persistent poverty, Good Church in Flint, Michigan began to look for ways to serve their community. Through conversations with their neighbors, the church learned that many of their neighbors did not have washers and dryers in their homes and that the nearest laundromat was four miles away. To get there, most people were dependent upon using public transportation to haul their laundry back and forth. With a known need in their community, Good Church set out to meet it. They designated 3,000 square feet inside their church building to create a low cost laundromat for people to use.
What new ministry might God be calling our church to implement?
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Wednesday, May 12, 2021
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, May 13, 2021
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/50
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Friday, May 14, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center
Saturday, May 15, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
9:30 a.m. Stephen Ministers
10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary
1:00 p.m. Golf Tournament at Old Fort Golf Course
Sunday, May 16, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom
9:45 a.m. Children’s P.L.A.Y. Christian Education on the Playground
9:45 a.m. Cornerstone Class - Banquet Room
11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
3:00 p.m. Children's Ministry Team - Banquet Room
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 - Rec Center/Youth Center
Monday, May 17, 2021
10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
7:00 p.m. Youth Trivia Night at Boulevard Grill
Thursday, May 20, 2021
9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study Banquet Room and on Zoom
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting (6:30 p.m.) - RM 503/505
Friday, May 21, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - RC
Saturday, May 22, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary
Sunday, May 23, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom
9:45 a.m. Children’s P.L.A.Y. Christian Education on the Playground
9:45 a.m. Cornerstone Class - Banquet Room
11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
3:00 p.m. Family Fun Day Sunday - Playground
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
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In Other News:
The St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Spring Golf Tournament will be May 15, 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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