"The Messenger"
Online Newsletter
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Join Us for Thanksgiving Worship Tonight
Please plan to join us for worship tonight as we give thanks to God for the many blessings of life. The service begins at 6:15 pm and will take place in the sanctuary.
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From the Pastor
Seasoning the Season Series Starts Sunday
Tired of all the commercialization surrounding Christmas? Do you desire to accentuate the spiritual heart of the season and focus on Christ instead? Then join us for worship in December as we "Season the Season" and bring out the flavor of Christ in Christmas traditions. Keeping Jesus at the center of our celebration will add substance and flavor to everything else.
Themes for December include: Greeting Others with Expressions of God's Love, Gathering Together with Jesus Near, Glorifying God in Church and in Your Home, and Gratefully Receiving What You've Been Given.
Invite a friend to worship with you and make plans to join us.
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It's supposed to be "the most wonderful time of the year" but for many of us, it's not. Instead of hope, peace, joy, and love, Advent and Christmas are times of depression and despair, sadness and sorrow, grief and gloom.
A Blue Christmas service is an opportunity to be reminded that we are not alone. It provides a place and space to acknowledge our struggles during the holiday season. It's an invitation to pray for light to shine into our darkness. It's a time for sharing scriptures, prayers, music, and communion.
St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 1267 N. Rutherford Boulevard, Murfreesboro, invites everyone (regardless of church background) to its Annual Blue Christmas Service on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30pm in our Narthex.
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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
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.
Thanksgiving Worship 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4TH
5:15 p.m. WNT Meal
6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Praise
(Dress Rehearsal for December 11 Program – All Children Participating)
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Merry Mission Marketplace
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
5:15 p.m. WNT Meal
6:15 p.m. Children’s WNP Closing Program
“God’s Work”
And then in 2020…
January 8, 5:15 p.m. – FREE WNT MEAL and
6:15 p.m. Bring Your Gifts Talent Show
Youth Choir Benefit
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SAGES News
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. Those who have gone 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..
The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Dec. 19 at 1:30.
The SAGES are planning for another big year in 2020. Please watch this newsletter for more information..
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
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Deep Blue Kids: Sundays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
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Church Communities Celebrate Jesus’ Birth
!
The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look!
I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people.” (Luke 2:10)
This December in
DEEP BLUE, we will hear the beloved Christmas story.
12/1 - The annunciation to Mary. An angel tells her that she is going to have a very special baby—God’s son, Jesus.
12/8 - Joseph is engaged to Mary, who is pregnant. Joseph doesn’t want Mary to be ridiculed, and as he’s thinking about what to do, he has a dream where an angel tells Joseph that Jesus is God’s son and that it is okay to marry Mary.
12/15 - Then, Mary and Joseph make the long trek to Bethlehem to be counted for taxes. While they are there, Jesus is born and laid in a manger—an animal feeding trough.
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, contact Rev. Martha Touchton or Children’s Ministries Team Leader Julie King.
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Christmas Eve Worship Especially for Families with Children
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“His Name is Jesus,” Tuesday, December 24, 4:00 p.m.
This service includes music, readings, drama and prayers led by our children and their families. Children who are willing to share their talents through singing, playing an instrument, reading or leading a prayer are invited to volunteer to Rev. Touchton. Families are also invited to volunteer to serve as greeters, ushers and communion servers.
The Christmas story will be told through a “Grab and Go” spontaneous Christmas pageant with all the children participating as animals, angels, shepherds, kings, and stars. The service will conclude with communion and candlelight singing (using glow sticks!), and each child will receive a beautiful Christmas ornament. Child care for infants and toddlers is provided during the service.
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Estimate of Giving Cards Available
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This past Sunday, those worshiping with us were invited to submit their estimate of giving cards for 2020. If you were not here or were not prepared to submit your estimate on Sunday, there is still time. Cards are available in the church office or we're happy to mail one to you.
Estimates of giving are exactly that: estimates. Your church leadership would just like to know what we can reasonably expect you to contribute in the coming year so that we can plan our ministries accordingly.
Thank you for your generosity.
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Merry Mission Marketplace
Wednesday, December 4, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Where you shopping allows your Christmas dollars give twice – once to purchase a lovely gift, and again to support a local non-profit mission or ministry! More than 25 new and returning vendors and new gifts to purchase, including:
Christmas Cards with a hand-painted image of St. Mark’s UMC
Dip, Tea, Cookie and Fudge Mixes
Large Marshmallows that have snowmen faces on them
Handmade Wreaths and other Christmas Decor
Canned pickles, dips, jams, jellies and spices
Original artwork, pottery, quilted and knit items
The best Pecans and fancy nuts ever
Hand-lettered signs
Veggie Bags
Bring your friends and have fun shopping! For more information,
click here
.
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Advent Prayer Calendars
and Devotional Guides Available
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Advent, the beginning of the Church Year, is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas, as well as the return of Christ at the second coming. Advent is a version of the Latin word meaning "coming." Advent is observed in worship the four Sundays prior to Christmas, 1, 8, 15 and 22.
One way we prepare our hearts for Advent is through focused devotion and prayer. Free Advent Prayer Calendars and Devotional Guides are available Sunday, December 1st. Special guides for children and families are provided at the Welcome Center.
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One Can, Two Can! Who Can? You Can!
St. Mark’s UMC 2019 Food Drive November 3 – 26
Needed: canned chicken and tuna, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, oats, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, crackers, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti sauce/pasta.
Please bring your offering to the altar rail during the first hymn of Sunday morning worship. All donations will assist the hungry in the Murfreesboro area via the
St. Mark's Food Bank!
More information
HERE
.
Sponsored by St. Mark's 5th/6th Grade JAM Session
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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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Poinsettia Orders
Please make checks payable to
St. Mark’s UMC and designate for Poinsettia.
Bring order form and check to the church office or put in the collection plate. Order Deadline: Monday, December 9th. Cost: $12 per plant.
Poinsettia is ______ in memory OR ______ in honor
Of: __________________________________________________________
By:__________________________________________________________
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December Music Ministry Dates
St. Mark’s music ministry will host and present various concerts in our beautiful Sanctuary and Narthex. Please come and enjoy the beautiful music with your church family and neighbors.
- December 8th (Sunday @9:30am) Clarinet Choir Concert in the Narthex
- December 11th (Wednesday @6:10pm) W.N.P. Children’s Program in the Sanctuary
- December 15th (Sunday @8:30 & 11am Service) The Chancel Choir with orchestra will present a Christmas Cantata “Go Sing It on the Mountain” by Pepper Choplin in the Sanctuary
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Season Of Sharing Gift Bag Ministry
This Ministry provides Christmas for 200+ Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Graders from Reeves Rogers Elementary School.
Choose a Gift Bag from the Narthex Table and WRITE YOUR NAME next to that bag's #. Follow the directions inside and fill it with New, Small, age-appropriate gift items. Return your Gift Bag to the table by Sunday, December 17th.
NEED MORE INFORMATION? Contact Rev. Martha Touchton (615) 893-3455
Sponsored by the Children's Ministries Team
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In Other News:
Job Openings at St. Mark's:
- Child Care Needed: Work Hours - Wednesdays, 5:45 – 7:15 p.m. and Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Other Hours May be Available. Must be over 18 years of age, have childcare experience, be able to lift 20 lbs., provide excellent references and pass a background check. Excellent Work Environment! Starting wage $10.00/Hour. Apply in person to Rev. Martha Touchton Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
United Methodist Men Meet December 7 - The monthly meeting of the United Methodist Men is Saturday, December 7th at 7:30am in the Banquet Hall. A free breakfast is provided. Our speaker for the day is Gil Hanke, CEO of the General Commission on United Methodist Men and his topic will be getting more men involved. All men of the church are invited.
Epiphany Ring Concert - Area handbell choirs will perform in concert at St. Mark's on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Groups will perform individual pieces, and the mass handbell choir will perform together on songs including “Lo, How a Rose e’re Blooming”and "Carol of the Bells”.
Calling All Kids - If you are in the 3rd grade or above and would like to serve our church, consider being an acolyte. You will receive training and practice. Ms. Kathy is making a new schedule for next year. Give her a call at (615)478-8759 and leave a message with your name and which service you would prefer.
Project Transformation Seeking College Interns -
Project Transformation is seeking college interns for Summer 2020. What is Project Transformation? It's a ministry that addresses three unique challenges: how to meet the needs of children, how to provide meaningful college-age young adults with opportunities to explore and develop leadership, and how to revitalize churches in underserved communities. Click
HERE
for more information about becoming a summer intern.
Music City Bronze in Concert - Nashville's community handbell group will be performing seasonal music selections at several area locations. All concerts are free and open to the public. Donations are accepted.
- Mon. Dec 2nd, 7:00 p.m. at 1st Baptist Church, Lebanon
- Sun. Dec. 8th, 4:00 p.m. at Brentwood UMC
- Sun. Dec. 15th, 4:00 p.m. at Woodmont Christian Church, Nashville
- Mon. Dec 16th, 7:00 p.m.at Connection UMC, Nashville
Missed a Sermon? Click
HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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