Your St. Mark's Newsletter is Here

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

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

November 23, 2021

From the Pastor

This Sunday marks the first day of the new Christian year and is the First Sunday of Advent.

The name, "Advent," comes from the Latin word "adventus," which means "coming." Beginning four Sundays before Christmas, it's a time when we prepare our hearts and minds for the many ways that Christ comes, not the least of which is as a child born in a manger.

This Advent, our Sunday morning worship themes will focus on how God comes to us through silence, through the impossible, through chaos, and through hopelessness. I hope you'll make plans to join us.

Until then, I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Tommy

SAGES News

Please remember to sign up for the trip to Beersheba, that’s “Christmas at Beersheba” on Thursday, December 9 (10 Am -2 PM). Fee is $5 for the bus and $25.00 for Beersheba. The bus will leave the church at 8:00 AM. St. Mark’s SAGES are in charge of the program. Please sign up in the church office as soon as possible. This event includes a program of carols and games, lunch, and worship in the Beersheba Chapel.

The SAGES Ministry Team met recently to begin planning for 2022. There are some really neat things coming. Please keep reading the newsletter to hear about them.

The Dementia/Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet Thursday, December 16, at 1:30 PM in Room 1203 at St. Mark’s. You’re invited and welcome!

From all the members of the St. Mark’s SAGES Team, Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful beginning to Advent!

Children’s Christian Education

November 28, Pajama, Movie and Popcorn!

All Classes in Room 212 to watch the original 26-minute “Grinch” movie!

December 5, 12 and 19, The Heart that Grew Three Sizes:

We don’t know why the Grinch hated Christmas, we just know that he did, and that his heart changed. During Advent, we’ll explore the faith themes in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and see how our own hearts can grow three sizes this Christmas!

• Preschool (Age 2 – Age 5/Pre-K) – Room 305

Leaders: Trish Clardy, Matt Rogers,

• Young Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 1) - Room 212

Leaders: Eudora Hargis, Connie King

• Older Elementary (Grades 2-5) – Room 214

Leaders: Pam Forrest, Tracy Read

Sunday, December 5, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC

“A Heart That Grew Three Sizes”

Advent Celebration with the Grinch

for children and their families.

Join the fun as we prepare our hearts for Advent by watching the longer version of “The Grinch,” making Christmas crafts, eating pizza, taking photos with the Grinch, and enjoying a very grinchy dessert!

Reservations are requested by Monday, November 28^th;

friends are welcome!

WNT Continues December 1 & 8

5:00 p.m. Fellowship Meal, 6:00 p.m. Mission

Reservations Required, Donations Appreciated

Tuesday, November 23 - Thanksgiving Meal and Worship by Soul-Full

Menu: Turkey, Dressing and Gravy, Sweet Potato Mash, Green Beans, Rolls, Salad Bar, Pumpkin Cheesecake

Wednesday, December 1 – Reeves Rogers Christmas Bag Ministry

We’ll be packing 200+ gift bags for the children in Grades Kindergarten – 2^nd at Reeves Rogers

Menu: Soups and Salad: Beef and Barley Stew, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Vegetable Soup, Salad Bar, Chocolate Cake. Grilled Cheese available for kids.

Wednesday, December 8 – Christmas Musical Showcase

Come enjoy Christmas music shared by your favorite St. Mark’s Musicians.

Menu: Smothered Pork Chops with Mashed Potatoes, Peas-n-Carrots, Salad Bar, Banana Cake.

Reservations Due Monday Prior! Donations Accepted!

Save the Date!

Child Caregiver Opportunity

Help us find a dependable, caring worker for our nursery!

Sundays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesdays, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Supper Included)

Starting Wage: $15.00/hour

Competitive wages, great environment

Additional hours available.

Qualifications: must be over 18 years of age, have experience with young, children, provide excellent references, complete a background check, show proof of COVID-19 Vaccination, experience with special needs a plus!

Apply in person at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church,

1267 N. Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37130

Youth News

We only have 1 more Sunday Night of the semester! This past week we celebrated our Friendsgiving with some good food and fellowship! Our semester is winding down. Over the next few weeks, we will be planning and getting ready for the Spring and Summer of 2022. WE CAN'T WAIT!

On December 5th at Sunday Night Youth, we will be having our Christmas Party! More details to come next week!

This Week

Sunday School (11/28)
EVERYONE TOGETHER!
Sunday Night Youth (11/28)
NO Sunday Night Youth!
See you next week!

Next Week

Sunday School (12/5)
Confirmation in the Banquet Hall, 6th-8th grade
High School in the Youth Room!
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Sunday Night Youth (12/5)
CHRISTMAS PARTY!
BRING A FRIEND!

Christmas Cantata “Festival of Christmas”

We are so excited to announce that we are going to have a live Christmas Cantata with orchestra in our sanctuary in December 19th Sunday at 8:30AM and 11:00AM.

Other Christmas Concert Opportunities near us!

• Music City Bronze Hand Bell Concert - "Joy, Hope, and Peace"

December 5th, 4:00 p.m. at Brentwood UMC

December 6th, 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church (Lebanon)

December 9th, 7:00 p.m. at Woodmont Christian Church (Nashville)

December 13, 7:00 p.m. Connection UMC (Nashville)

All concerts free and open to the public. Donations accepted.

• MESSIAH by G.F Handel

MTSU School of Music students, their professor and a special guest will blend their voices in concert with an orchestra to help usher in the winter holiday season with George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” Tuesday, Nov. 30.

The performance by the MTSU Schola Cantorum and Middle Tennessee Choral Society is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Murfreesboro’s First United Methodist Church at 265 W. Thompson Lane.

• Epiphany Ring 2022

Several local area churches combine with our own Chancel Ringers for a Christmas hand bell concert on January 9, 2022 at St. Mark's at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Office Closed

Friday, November 26, 2021

Office Closed

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, November 27, 2021

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

10:00 a.m. Rec Center Reserved

Sunday, November 28, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Christian Education

11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

4:00 p.m. UMW Brave Women of Faith - Library

4:15 p.m. SONlight - Music Wing Hallway

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room

Monday, November 29, 2021

9:30 a.m. SAGES Gift Wrapping - RM 503/505

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

9:30 a.m. BSF Leaders - RM 1203, 1204, 1205

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

9:15 a.m. Bible Study Fellowship

5:00 p.m. WNT - Rec Center, Kitchen

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, December 2, 2021

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

6:30 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary

Friday, December 3, 2021

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec center

Saturday, December 4, 2021

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

9:00 a.m. Cantata Rehearsal - Sanctuary

Sunday, December 5, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Christian Education

11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

4:00 p.m. Children's Advent Celebration - Banquet Room

4:15 p.m. SONlight - Music Hallway

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

Monday, December 6, 2021

8:00 a.m. PS Christmas Pictures - Narthex

11:00 a.m. Wings of Hope - Banquet Room

12:00 p.m. Watercolor Class - Room 503/505

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room

6:30 p.m. Oakland Choir Concert - Sanctuary

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

9:30 a.m. BSF Leaders - RM 1203, 1204, 1205

In Other News:

Dear St. Mark's Members and Friends;

Very soon you will receive your annual statement of giving, along with a letter asking for your consideration of end of year gifts to the church as well as staff gifts. Your prayerful consideration will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Tom Hooper

Stewardship and Finance Team

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar

Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.

Visit our Website

St. Mark's UMC | (615) 893-3455 | stmarks@stmarkstn.org