"The Messenger"
Online Newsletter
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From the Pastor
This newsletter article is for people who wish they could do more. I hear that a lot, "Tommy, I wish I could do more." They wish they knew more people so that they could invite them to St. Mark's. They wish they knew more about the Bible so that they could speak more confidently about the Bible with their family, friends, and neighbors. They wish they were better public speakers so that they could serve as liturgists. They wish they could afford to give more money to the church.
Here is a word of encouragement to those who wish they could do more: never underestimate the witness of your presence.
I write this because our attendance has been down during the month of October. I like to write notes to people who have missed two weeks in a row. There have been so many in that category recently that I simply haven't had the time to write that many notes.
I know: Fall Break, football games, travel ball, and all sorts of other activities compete for precious weekend time during this time of year. Believe me. I get it; it's important to participate in things we love. But it's also important to make attendance a priority at church.
A few more in a Christian Education class, even if you never speak, is an encouragement to the entire class. Your presence in worship makes congregational singing better and brings out the best in your worship leaders. I'm often surprised at how many people approach me on Sundays, saying, "I didn't really want to get up and come to church this morning but I'm so glad I did; God intended that sermon (or hymn, prayer, anthem) just for me."
You may sometimes wonder if your attendance matters. I would suggest that it not only matters to/for you but it also matters to others. It certainly matters to me.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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November 3:
"Why Are You Crying?" (John 20:11-16)
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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!
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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
New Adult Classes in November:
“Home for the Holidays”
11/6 - Making Custom Christmas Gift Tags
Bring your creativity and used Christmas cards and we’ll fashion them into
beautiful, one-of-a-kind gift tags. Led by Martha Touchton
11/13 – Decorating for the Holidays
Join Jeannie Almon of M& J Home for tips on decorating your home for the holidays
11/20 – Holiday Baking Tips
Lucy Cochran will share some of her best–kept baking secrets.
Bring a cookie recipe to share!
Tuesday, November 26th
Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner 5:15 p.m.
Menu:
Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Squash Casserole, Green Beans, Gravy, Cranberry Salad, Pumpkin Pie
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Thanksgiving Worship 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
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SAGES News
The SAGES Cookout on Friday, October 18, at 11:30 A.M. was a big success. Thanks to Laura and Noel Hinote and their team for all the preparation and facilitation of the event. There’ll be a couple of more of these in the New Year. Ross Moore’s program was also excellent.
The monthly Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet at 1:30 on November 21. This group will meet again on Thursday, December 19.
The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry Team will be at 9:30 on Monday, November 4.
The SAGES have several other activities planned for 2019, including another trip to the Midway Diner. That will take place at 8 A.M. on Friday, November 15. Please sign up in the church office.
Also, the St. Mark’s Sages will be hosts and hostesses for the Christmas at Beersheba on Thursday, December 12. The church bus will leave at 8:00 A.M. For those who have been in the past know that this is an enjoyable day. The cost for the day is $18.00 plus $5.00 to offset fuel costs. This includes the lunch meal. Please sign up in the church office. Ross Moore is going and will be our musical program for the day.
St. Mark’s Senior Serenity Worship and Luncheon will be Saturday, December 14, beginning at 11:00 A.M. We invite our homebound who may not have had the opportunity to be at church all year. We will worship together. And then we will move to the Banquet Room where the homebound are treated to a delicious meal. The rest of us will pay $12.00 for our meals. Santa will make an appearance. There will be gifts and other hospitality items for our homebound members. We will enjoy some music as well. Please sign up in the church office to attend this special day for the Senior Serenity program..
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.
Please remember to pray for our monthly worship service at Adams’ Place. Rev. Linda Tunnell, Liz Bennett and their teams lead these services. If you would like to be a part of one of teams, please contact Linda or Liz.
We also offer services the second Tuesday of each month at Boulevard Terrace Rehab and Nursing 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 continuing our services at the Rutherford Memory Care on Wednesdays at 11:00 A.M. Everyone is welcome to participate in these programs.
The SAGES continue to offer birthday cakes and celebrations for those who are turning 90. We have at least a couple more before the end of the year.
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Deep Blue Kids: Sundays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
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STORIES SHAPE OUR FAITH COMMUNITY!
Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey.
(Psalm 119:105)
This November in
DEEP BLUE, we will hear core Bible stories that shape
our faith:
- Creation: God asks Adam and Eve to care for the Earth
- Noah and the Flood: God promises to never hurt humans or creatures
- Daniel in the Lion’s Den: Daniel’s faith in God helps him be brave
- Jonah and the Fish: God gives Jonah a second chance to show love to his enemies.
These stories help us learn more about God’s character and how we can live well in creation with other humans, animals, and plants knowing that God is always with us no matter how many chances we might need.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL IS GROWING!
Teachers, helpers and substitutes are always needed in our Children’s Sunday School! Excellent curriculum and all supplies are provided. If you are willing to serve as a teacher or helper, please contact Rev. Martha Touchton or Children’s Ministries Team Leader Julie King.
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Save These Children's Ministries Dates:
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Sunday, November 3 – Kick-Off for One Can Food Drive
Saturday, November 23, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Children and Family Advent Brunch and Workshop.
Each child will paint his/her own wooden nativity set as we learn about each character!
Tuesday, December 24, 4:00 p.m. – “His Name is Jesus,” Christmas Eve Worship Especially for Families with Children.
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It’s official we have started our Fundraiser for our Summer Mission Trips!
This year our fundraiser will go towards taking $100 or more off of the final price tag for our students to go on our Summer Mission Trips!
Our Middle School students will have an opportunity to go and partner with our sisters and brothers in Christ in Memphis, TN for Collide 2020. Our High School students will have an opportunity to go and partner with our sisters and brothers in Christ in Wilmington, North Carolina, working along side Praying Pelican Ministries.
How our fundraiser works: Come to the Narthex and you will find us there with a sign that says Youth Fundraiser above a pallet that has 100 envelopes, each envelope has a number on the front of it. That number corresponds with the suggested giving amount for that envelope. So, if you were to pick up the #34 envelope then the suggested giving amount with that envelope is $34. You do not have to just give that amount, you can give more if you would like. This is a one time gift and not a recurring gift. In October of next year we will have our “stockholder’s dinner” that each of folks who gave will be invited too. Thank you so much for your support!
Come and see us in the Narthex on Sunday - you’ll know it is us because you will see all of our students in the Narthex!
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Thank You, St. Mark’s UMC!!!
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- More than 700 beautiful people attended the Mustang Mash/Fall Festival at Reeves Rogers last Sunday!
- Thanks to all the adult classes and individuals who organized and worked the games, food, prizes, and other activities.
- Thanks to St. Mark’s Youth for hosting the Haunted Hallway
- Thanks to Dr. Tracy Pack, Scott and Laura Armstrong, St. Mark’s United Methodist Men, Claudia Hunter, Mark Baker and others who donated water bottles, juice boxes, prizes and other supplies
- Thanks to Dr. Cherry Robertson, Natalie Hopkins and all the Reeves Rogers Staff for their help and presence
- Special thanks to St. Mark’s Family Ministries Team who worked so hard to make this event awesome: Brian and Tracey Heatherly, Scott and Laura Armstrong, Kevin and Karen Clement, Millie Dawkins, Georgene Brinkley, Anne Gilliland, and Tommy Walker.
- Thanks to all who came out and supported this joint ministry between St. Mark’s and Reeves Rogers! God is good!
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Merry Mission Marketplace
SAVE THE DATE
and SAVE YOUR SHOPPING DOLLARS!
Wednesday, December 4, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Help your Christmas dollars give twice – once to purchase a lovely gift, and again to support a local non-profit mission or ministry! Lots of new vendors and new gifts to purchase! Bring your friends and have fun shopping!
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One Can, Two Can! Who Can? You Can!
St. Mark’s UMC 2019 Food Drive November 3 – 26
Please bring your donations of canned chicken and tuna, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, oats, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, crackers, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce/pasta to the Narthex collection bins. All donations will assist the hungry in the Murfreesboro area via the St. Mark's Food Bank! More information
HERE
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Sponsored by St. Mark's 5th/6th Grade JAM Session
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Fall Back on November 3
rd
While many of us use our phones or digital clocks that automatically adjust the time for us when daylight saving time ends, just in case you still have to adjust the clock yourself, don't forget that we "fall back" this Sunday, November 3rd.
Before you go to bed on Saturday night, set your clocks back an hour or else you'll be some of the first ones at church on Sunday morning.
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JAM Session 5th/6th Grade FOOD PACKING EVENT
Wednesday, Nov. 27th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
St. Mark's Narthex/Banquet Hall
Lunch Following - Bring $$ for Lunch!
"For I was hungry, and you gave me food..." ~ Matthew 25:35
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Food Pantry Needs
We are in desperate need for the following items for local food boxes:
Tuna
Canned chicken
Peanut butter
Jelly
Macaroni & Cheese
Soups
Canned fruits
Canned vegetables
Oatmeal
Please check expiration dates and drop off food in the Cornerstone classroom. Thanks so much!
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Rutherford County Laity Club
Did you know that a gathering of United Methodist people takes place each month in Rutherford County? The gathering typically features food, fellowship, entertainment, and a focus on area missions and rotates to a different church each time.
The next Rutherford County Laity Club meeting is set for Monday, November 25th at La Vergne United Methodist Church at 6:30 pm. The church address is 248 Waldron Road, La Vergne, TN 37086. All St. Mark's members and friends are invited.
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In Other News:
Red Bird Christmas for Kids - It's time to get ready for Christmas! The Missions Team will be buying Christmas presents for Red Bird children again this year. How can you help?
Click HERE
Lionheart Orchestra Fall Concert featuring the works of Holst, Vivaldi/Bach, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, and Piazzolla. 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 24, in the Narthex.
FLYER HERE
November’s Children’s Coin Offering supports St. Mark’s and Rutherford County Food Banks!
Missed a Sermon? Click
HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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