The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN
"The Messenger"  Online Newsletter
August 13, 2019
From the Pastor

Several years ago, Joshua Bell emerged from the subway train and positioned himself against a wall beside the trash basket. He was nondescript- a young man in jeans, long sleeved T-shirt, and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he threw in a couple of dollars and pocket change as seed money and began to play.  

For the next 45 minutes, in the D.C. Metro station, Bell played Mozart and Schubert as more than 1,000 people streamed by, hardly taking notice. If they had, they might have recognized Bell as a world-renown violinist. They might have noted his instrument was a rare Stradivarius worth more than $3 million. It was part of a project by The Washington Post that the editors called “an experiment in context, perception, and priorities, as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste. In a banal setting, at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend?” 

Only three days earlier, Bell had sold out Boston’s Symphony Hall, with ordinary seats going for hundreds of dollars. In the subway, Bell collected about $32 from the 27 people who stopped long enough to drop in a donation. 

As I sit beside my dying mother with a heavy heart, it would be easy to not notice the ways in which beauty transcends, how the presence of Christ is being revealed in this dark place. But then I notice a stack of cards on her bedside and I begin to read them. The majority of them are from the people of St. Mark's. They remind me of God's love and your love. They help me to focus, not on my mother's dying but on the way she has lived, not on the darkness but on the Light.

Thank you for being the light of Christ to me. 

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

Tommy
In the coming weeks, you're invited to read through the Gospel of Mark during our “reMARKable" sermon series using the following guide:
 
August 11-18: Mark 9-10
August 18-25: Mark 11-12
August 25-September 1: Mark 13-14
September 1-8: Mark 15-16     
SAGES News

Please remember that Adventures in Learning will be held again this year for the Sages of our community on September 9, 16, 23, 30. AIL is held at First United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro. Registration blanks are available in the church office. Members from St. Mark’s who serve on the leadership team are Dr. Keith Carlson, Jeff Henry, Mary Richardson, Judy Stacey, Bonnie Ward, Mary Wilgus and Jim Clardy.

Twelve of our SAGES attended the Festival of Wisdom and Grace in Lake Junaluska, North, Carolina, last week. There were many workshops, study groups, and meaningful worship experiences. Some of our members had the opportunity to visit Waynesville, North Carolina, walk around the lake, and visit The Biltmore.
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The SAGES Ministry Team met at 9:30 on Monday, August 12, to plan for the coming months..  

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group meets again August 22 at 1:30 P.M. in Room 506.
  
On August 20 the SAGES will be going to the Tennessee State Museum with lunch at Swett’s. Please make your reservations in the church office. The bus will leave promptly at 9:00 A.M.
  
SAGES still have several other trips and activities planned. These include another trip to the Cumberland County Playhouse to see Young Frankenstein. The church bus will leave at 8:30 A.M. Please make your reservations in the church office.

SAGES have another trip to the Midway Diner. 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. Thanks to Lisa Chappell, Trish Clardy, Dorothy Sharber. Lisa Emfinger, and Joann Henley for their support every week.  
  
The SAGES continue to offer birthday cakes and celebrations for those who are turning 90.  There are two celebrations coming up shortly.

The SAGES Planning Team will meet again September 11 at 9:30 A.M. in Room 506.
You can Mentor a Child at Reeves Rogers
“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.”
– Josh Shipp, former at-risk foster kid turned mentoring advocate

A new school year is upon us providing an opportunity for you to be a special friend (mentor) to a Reeves Rogers student.  The goal of our mentoring program is to provide friendship and be a support person in the life of a child.   You meet with your student as your schedule allows. To volunteer or receive more information, contact Mary Jane Henry (615-631-1902) Peggy Jackson (615-890-4605) or Margie Jennings (615-890-2221).
Deep Blue Kids: Sundays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.
“The Lord sees into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

This month in Children’s DEEP BLUE , we are hearing stories about David, the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse. When choosing a king to succeed Saul, God chose David rather than his older and stronger brothers. God reminded Samuel that God does not see people as others see them. God knew David’s heart. 

After David is chosen to be the next king after Saul, David spends some time as an outlaw hiding from King Saul who wanted to kill him. During this time David met Abigail and she taught him about peace. After David becomes king, he decides to take care of King Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth, instead of what was traditionally done (killing all heirs). At the end of David’s life, he passes his legacy to his son Solomon. Solomon becomes king and seeks God’s wisdom to be a good leader.

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 in this way, please contact Rev. Martha Touchton or Children’s Ministries Team Leader Eryn Wilson. 
Murfreesboro Around the World!
St. Mark’s Celebrates
MURFREESBORO Around the World

Wednesday Night Together 
Kick-Off 2019-2020
Wednesday, August 28th
5:15 – 7:15 p.m.

Join the Fun as we Enjoy a Taste of 
the Many Cultures Represented in 
our Church Family and our Community!

5:15 p.m. Free Meal – Reservations Required
6:15 p.m. Intergenerational Fun and Games
7:00 p.m. Closing Worship in the Sanctuary

Our Meal will include These Flavors:
Greek – Middle Eastern – Indian – Korean
American - Laotian – Mexican – Japanese – And More!

For Information about Contributing Food from your Ethnic
or Cultural Background, Contact Claudia Hunter or Rev. Martha Touchton
Music Program Kickoff!
The St. Marks Music program started with the Worship Arts Kick Off event on August 2nd. Nearly one hundred people gathered and had a great meal/communion.

We appreciate all who came and their commitment to share own talents for the worship services. Also special thanks to Kathy Edwards, Sherrie Gilliam, Dorothy Murphy, and Becky Waldrop and Dr. Rev. Jim Clardy for making the 1st Kick Off event successful. 

Even though you didn’t start with us, it is NOT TO LATE!  

Read More and More Photos HERE.
Save These Children's Ministries Dates:
Sunday, August 25th: Discipleship Sunday – Children will receive Bibles during Worship

Wednesday, September 4th: Wednesday Night Praise Resumes, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.
Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
Register Now for this FastTrack
Joint Study with the MTSU Wesley Foundation
led by Beth Morris at St. Mark’s UMC
Old Testament – 12 Sessions , September – December 2019
New Testament – 12 Sessions, January – April 2020
Sundays, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., $35/person
Reserve your seat via Rev. Martha Touchton today!
See FLYER HERE .
In Other News...
The Family of Joe Green wishes to thank you for all the kindness’s you showed during Joe’s illness and death. Your prayers, cards, phone calls, presence and food were a great comfort to us. Thank you for being the Church family that you are. - Susan Green

Thursday Morning Bible Study will begin August 15 with a 7-week study, “Hosea : Unfailing Love Changes Everything,” by Jennifer Rothschild. We meet in Room 1203 from 9:00 to 11:00 am and child care is available. The workbooks will be $14 and will be available at the first meeting. We would love to welcome all who are interested in a fun, faithful, encouraging group! For more information please email Patti Daws at pattiwdaws@gmail.com .

Congratulations to this Graduate! - Tracye Heatherly recently graduated from Austin Peay University with a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science. Congratulations, Tracye!

View Our Current  Prayer List

Mission Team News and Stats HERE

See Our Full  Event Calendar

Missed a Sermon?  Click  HERE  to go to our sermons media page.
St. Mark's UMC | (615) 893-3455 |  stmarks@stmarkstn.org