The Church at Corinth was a hot mess. A variety of fights were breaking out in the congregation over everything from folks claiming that it didn't matter what they did any more because they were saved, to lawsuits among the believers, to arguments over which spiritual gift was more important. Paul spends a lot of time mediating these disputes and trying to put the church back on the right path. He ends chapter 12 by saying that all spiritual gifts are good insofar as they build up the body of Christ, but that they aren't the most important part. To find out what the most important thing is, the one job we all have, join us for worship on Sunday.
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NORM GRIMSHAW
Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the family of Norm Grimshaw, who died peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022 after his long struggle with dementia. In the spring, the family plans a graveside service in South Bend, IN, where Maryellen and Norm will both be laid to rest.
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Last Sunday, January 23, it was our joy to welcome five new members to our Saint Mark family of disciples. Please say hello when you see them!
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Barb Friend joined Saint Mark by transfer of membership from Grace United Methodist Church in Decatur, Illinois. Barb is the mother of Saint Mark’s traditional worship accompanist, Laura Wagner.
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Martha and Nick Lake joined Saint Mark by transfer of membership from White’s Chapel UMC in Southlake, Texas. Martha and Nick have three children and have retired to the Seneca area.
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Carol and Joe Nichelson joined Saint Mark by transfer of membership from Due West Methodist Church in Kennesaw, Georgia. Carol and Joe have four children and have retired to the Seneca area.
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Please join us in wishing Pastor Todd a Happy Birthday this Sunday, January 30th! Todd will be in Columbia this Sunday for the baptism of his granddaughter, Clarke, but you can click here if you'd like to send well wishes.
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2022 PLEDGE CAMPAIGN RESULTS
On Sunday, January 23rd, Stewardship Team Leader,
Peter Salis, shared with the congregation the results of our 2022 Pledge Campaign, and the results are truly something to celebrate! Click on the link below to watch the video.
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LET THE WORK BEGIN!
On behalf of the Council of Stewards and the ReShape Transforming Church Initiative Coordination Team, I am excited to share the GREAT news that the final report on the findings from the ReShape small group meetings at Saint Mark received unanimous endorsement and support at Monday’s COS meeting! It has been quite a journey from the time last April when COS first approved embarking on this church-wide process of reflection, dreaming, and discernment – and we can now tell you that we are ready to move forward along the pathways that you have identified!
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During worship last Sunday, we revisited and celebrated the many activities and ministries in which we participated during Advent and Christmas 2021. Click on the link below to enjoy the video!
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We Extend Our Sincere Sympathies to:
The family of Norm Grimshaw, who died peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022 after his long struggle with dementia. In the spring the family plans a graveside service in South Bend, IN, where Maryellen and Norm will both be laid to rest.
Personal Prayer Notes:
Coronavirus – those with virus, those unable to work, healthcare workers, containment, those who are working to distribute and administer vaccines.
Anita and Vernon Bowen - Anita Lee Bowen is a former Saint Mark member and daughter of Thelma and David Lee. Her husband, Vernon, has multiple myeloma and was scheduled for stem cell treatment, but both Anita and Vernon have COVID, which has postponed the treatment for at least two months. Prayers are requested that they both recover from COVID and that the stem cell treatment will be completed soon.
Randy Collins (Ann) - Recovering at home from surgery to correct protruding screw in lower back.
Lorraine Cosh – Sister of SMUMC disciple Frieda Phipps - Has breast cancer and will be undergoing surgery on February 9, 2022.
Sue Crane - Had surgery on January 19 and appreciates prayers as she recovers and rehabilitates.
David Garland (Tammy) - On day 29 at Prisma Health in Greenville. David is slowly responding to treatments for Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease. With HLH, the body's immune system does not work normally. Certain white blood cells (histiocytes and lymphocytes) attack other blood cells, collecting in the spleen and liver, and causing these organs to enlarge.
Donna Jaynes, SMUMC Facilities Manager – Recovering at home following hospitalization at OMH with pneumonia.
Hilda McCurley, mother of Sally Boggs – Fell and fractured hip. Surgery on January 25th was successful.
Joe Tuttle – Skin cancer on leg removed January 10. Will have check up on February 3. Recently fell and sprained knee. Please pray for healing.
Youth and Leaders attending the Revolution Youth event in Columbia SC on weekend of January 29-30.
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Persons with prayer requests may click here to contact Pastor Todd.
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REVOLUTION YOUTH RETREAT THIS WEEKEND!
This weekend, Saint Mark's Youth will be in Columbia to join with youth from all over the South Carolina Conference for Abide: Revolution 2022! The retreat centers on John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches; if you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit."
Rev. Samuel Yun will be the speaker and Stars Go Dim will lead worship! Also, our Associate Pastor, Shawna Darnall, leads the Revolution Leadership Team and
Eva Brune was selected to be one of the Youth Leadership Team members for 2022. Our Youth will stay overnight Friday and Saturday nights at Union UMC in Irmo and return on Sunday afternoon after worship. This will be an opportunity for fellowship, praise, worship, and fun!
Youth attending from Saint Mark UMC include Reid Campbell, Nick Durnil, Emily Brune, Eva Brune, Camille Ellenburg, Winston Ellenburg, Thomas Evatt, Jackson Higgs, and Liam Vassey. Adult leaders include Maria Bowers, Andy Campbell, Melissa Higgs, Faith Holley, and Emma Rivers. Please pray for all that God will do in the hearts and lives of all in attendance and for our safety as we travel!
We look forward to sharing the events of the weekend with you!
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6
It's time for the Super Bowl - and that also means the youth of Saint Mark are preparing for their “Souper Bowl of Caring” special alms offering to benefit a local food pantry!
Super Bowl parties will continue to look quite different, and the Souper Bowl of Caring will once again look different as well. We will have an alms offering, this time to primarily benefit Our Daily Bread, whose volunteers continue to provide hot meals, Monday-Friday, to anyone who shows up needing something to eat.
Whether you are worshipping in person or via livestream, please consider dropping an offering in the alms basket this Sunday - or soup pots on February 6 - or mailing a check marked “alms” to the church, or even giving online.
Look for more information as this opportunity to feed a hungry soul nears! Thanks, as always, for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Maria Bowers and the Saint Mark Service Mission Team
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HEY, HUNGRY PEOPLE!
GET READY FOR SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY!
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In the recent snow storm and cold snap, have you used up your supply of Harvest Bean Soup and/or the Three Bean Chili purchased from the UMW Christmas Mission Fair? Winter’s not over yet so you'd better restock those pantries!
The UMW will be selling the few remaining jars of the Soup and Chili mixes on Sunday February 6 and again on Super Bowl Sunday, February 13 (if we don’t sell out before then!). The cost for each is $10. In addition, we will offer a new selection - (Not too!) Spicy Black Bean Soup Mix, which produces a smaller batch of soup, for $7/bag. We will sell the soups in the atrium and narthex following both services.
The proceeds from the sale will benefit Safe Harbor, a local shelter for women seeking safe haven from domestic violence.
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JOIN US FOR SHORT STORIES BY JESUS
Join the Thursday Women's Bible Study Group beginning Thursday, February 10 as we study Amy-Jill Levine's Short Stories by Jesus. We meet from 10:00 am to 12 noon and will meet weekly through Thursday, March 24. In this study, we will explore a fresh and timely interpretation of Jesus' most popular teaching parables. Anyone interested in joining can contact Sandy James for more information. Click here to email or call 864-710-6798.
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SCOUTING MINISTRY CELEBRATION
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Please join us for Scouting Ministry Celebration Sunday on Sunday, February 13, 2022 during the Celebrate! Worship Service at 9 am in the Saint Mark Center. Scouts and Leaders from the Troop which meet on Saint Mark’s campus will be helping to lead worship and will share some information about Scouting that make it an exciting ministry in our community.
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LENTEN BOOK STUDY/ SERMON SERIES
Our 2022 Lenten book study and sermon series will be based on Rev. Adam Hamilton’s, The Lord’s Prayer – The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught. In this new book, Hamilton boldly wakes us from the slumber of monotony. He shakes up our understanding of familiar passages, shapes our perspective, and invites us to experience The Lord‘s Prayer as more than a model of how to pray. It is a model of how to live. Jesus loves us enough to teach us the words for conversation with God. We hope you will be involved in this meaningful opportunity.
Sermon Series begins the first Sunday in Lent, March 6, 2022.
There are two opportunities to join a 6 week small group study of the book. Pastor Todd will lead an in-person study on campus on Mondays at 11 am beginning March 7, 2022. Please let Pastor Todd know if you will participate in this group – [email protected].
Pastor Shawna will lead a Zoom small group study on Mondays at 7 pm beginning March 7, 2022. Please let Pastor Shawna know if you will participate in this group – [email protected].
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Monday, February 21, 2022
beginning 8:30 AM
SAINT MARK CENTER (GYM)
Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at Saint Mark United Methodist Church on Monday, February 21, 2022.
A package of five screenings to identify risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions will be offered:
Carotid Artery Screening (Plaque)
Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
Atrial Fibrillation
Osteoporosis Risk
These 5 vital screenings are offered for only $139 and take 60-90 minutes to complete. Click here to see a detailed brochure.
Register by calling toll free 1-888-653-6441, text the word "circle" to 797979 or online at https://llsa.social/HSC
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Happy Birthday to those of you born in February!
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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP?
There are many dates yet available in 2022! Please sign up on the calendar outside the sanctuary or click here to
contact Diane Taylor or call her at 864-719-0232.
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BLUE RIDGE BOOK FAIR NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Blue Ridge Elementary School is seeking volunteers to help at their Book Fair Friday, February 11 through Thursday, February 17. Shifts are 7:30 am - 11 am or 12 noon to 3:00 pm. Please contact librarian Chambrike Teasley at [email protected]. She would appreciate any help.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Fostering Faithfully, a support group based in Walhalla that helps local foster families, has lost quite a few Meals Team members during the COVID crisis. We'd love some new folks to help us! We need volunteers who'd like to cook or pick up dinners for foster families when they take new placements, but we are also working with a Seneca-based caterer. So, once a month we need folks willing to pick up meals from Tracy, the caterer and deliver them to families in nearby areas. Our next delivery date is Tuesday, February 8 if you want to help!
If you are interested in delivering or cooking, please contact Susan Pirkle, our meals team coordinator, at [email protected] or at
864-280-4623.
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Memory Café for February will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. We will meet at 2:00 PM in the office building of Saint Luke United Methodist Church. The address is 607 E Main Street, Walhalla, South Carolina 29691.
The special event for the day is Chocolate Bingo. It is a bingo game in which when you win, you get chocolate in commemoration of Valentine’s Day. Come join us and make Memory Cafe a place where you and your loved one with memory loss can get together in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. It is a place where you can interact, laugh, cry, find support, share concerns, celebrate, and encourage friendship and acceptance.
All meetings are free. Please come join us. Call Bonnie Holmes at (864-539-6069) for more information.
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Red = Events
Blue = Meetings
JANUARY 2022
Revolution Youth Retreat
Friday, January 28 - Sunday, January 30
Columbia, SC
FEBRUARY 2022
Newcomers Meeting
Tuesday, February 1
10:00 am
Gym
Faith Formation Committee
Tuesday, February 1
5:30 pm
A201
Elizabeth Circle
Thursday, February 3
10:30 am
Event Center @ Keowee Key
CDC Steering Committee
Thursday, February 3
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
A201
Abigail Circle
Monday, February 7
11:30 am
Commons Room
Deborah Circle
Monday, February 7
7:00 pm
A201
Hospitality Committee
Monday, February 7
5:30 pm
Conference Room
Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, February 8
4:30 pm
A206
The Gathering
Wednesday, February 9
5:30 pm
Gym
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, February 10
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
Scouting Ministry Celebration Sunday
Celebrate! Contemporary Worship
Sunday, February 13
9:00 am
Gym
Susanna Wesley Circle
Monday, February 14
12:30 pm
A201
UMW “Zero Weeks” Documentary
Tuesday, February 15
7:00 pm
Sanctuary
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, February 17
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
Elderberries - Bingo/Bunco
Saturday, February 19
3:00 pm
Commons Room
Human Relations Sunday (Rescheduled)
Sunday, February 20
Celebrate! Contemporary Worship
9:00 am @ Gym
Traditional Worship
11:00 am@ Sanctuary
LifeLine Health Screening
Monday, February 21
8:30 am
Gym
Church & Society Team Meeting
Monday, February 21
7:00 pm
Commons Room
UMW Leadership Meeting
Tuesday, February 22
3:30 pm
A201
Boating Safety
Tuesday, February 22
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Gym
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, February 24
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
SPRC Meeting
Sunday, February 27
12:15 pm
A201
MARCH 2022
Boating Safety
Tuesday, March 1
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Gym
Ash Wednesday
The Gathering
Wednesday, March 2
5:30 pm
Gym
Worship Service
7:00 pm
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, March 3
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
Elizabeth Circle
Thursday, March 3
10:30 am
Event Center @ Keowee Key
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Hopefully the COVID cooties will dissipate enough that we can gather for food, fun, and fellowship in February! To RSVP, click here.
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*We are carefully monitoring the COVID trend as event dates get closer. The Elderberries committee will use its discretion on whether events should proceed as planned.
Check back to see upcoming events in the months ahead!
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CALL FOR EQUAL VOTING RIGHTS
Our United Methodist Council of Bishops has issued a statement regarding voting rights. Here is the link to give you access to that important document:
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Saint Mark UMC
616 Quincy Road
Seneca, SC 29678
Call us:
9 am - 5 pm (M-Th)
(864) 882-2603
send an email
Pastoral Care
Emergencies or after regular office hours
call or text
(864) 882-2603
extension 104
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Have you moved, changed your phone number or email address?
Let us know!
Click here to let us know of changes in your contact information.
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Check Out Our Entire Church
Calendar of Events
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Click here to see what is going on at Saint Mark this week and in the weeks to come.
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Sunday,
January 30, 2022
9:00 am
Celebrate!
Contemporary
Worship
@ Gym
10:00 am
Sunday School
10:15 am
Destiny Christian
Center Worship
@ Commons Room
11:00 am
Traditional Worship
@ Sanctuary
Worship services will be LiveStreamed
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Children's and Youth
Sunday School
continues THIS Sunday
at 10 am
Children meet in Room A101, off of atrium.
Youth meet in the Youth Room.
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Visit our Saint Mark website! Click here. Check out our "Business of the Church" menu.
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Do You Need to Reserve a Room or Space at Saint Mark?
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There are multiple ways for you to practice the discipline of stewardship, and experience the joy of generosity. It’s your generosity that supports the many ministries of Saint Mark which are making a difference in the lives of many in our church and community each day.
To keep your giving up-to-date, you may use one of the following ways to make sure your pledge remains up-to-date:
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You can place your donations in the baskets at worship.
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You can mail your checks to Karen Holcombe at the church office -616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC 29678.
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You can set up bank draft by contacting Karen at the church office (864) 882-2603.
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You may also give your tithes and offerings online. It is quick and easy. Click here to give safely and securely. PLEASE NOTE: You may now contribute your alms through the online giving app. It is one of the giving options on the drop-down menu.
Thank you!!
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Watch Last Sunday's Services of Worship Today
Click here to watch last week's Celebrate! Contemporary Service.
Click here to watch last week's Traditional Worship Service.
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Prayer of Confession
God, today, we confess our need to be more loving. To love you, with every fiber of our being. To love you with mind and thoughts. To love with actions and words. To be so motivated by love that we turn away from breaking your heart.
God, today, we confess a great need to love one another more deeply. To care about the well-being of souls we know and to love people we will never meet. With humiliation, we confess that we have, at times, falsely granted ourselves permission to hate or fight with the people we have pushed outside the circle. We have turned a blinded eye to the stranger in our midst and have forgotten that we, too, were once strangers. Forgive us, God, and teach us how to receive every person you have made as neighbor and friend.
Alas, God, we confess great difficulty in learning to love ourselves, to appreciate the human beings you have created us to be, to forgive ourselves when we make a mistake. Sometimes, we are quick to despise the gifts of family, the gifts of experience or social location, or the gifts of kinship inherited at our birth. We are slow to recognize the gifts that you have given each of us for the common good and quick to covet the gifts of another. God, forgive us.
Dear God,
Forgive us and teach us
To love you with heart, mind, and soul,
To love our neighbors without reservation,
To live in peace with those with whom we disagree.
And to serve you without hesitation. Amen.
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https://www.umcdiscipleship.org
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Submit Your Prayer Requests
Saint Mark is pleased to receive your prayer requests . . . for yourself or for friends or loved ones. Click here to submit your request to Pastor Todd Davis.
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Saint Mark 2022 Ministry Guidebook
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Click here to view the entire Saint Mark 2022 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership and ministries.
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Got Information to Share
With Your Church Family?
Do you have announcements, news, thank you notes you want to share with your Saint Mark family?
Send them to Kristine Montgomery, our Director of Media and Communications. She can include it in the next edition of the weekly Saint Mark publication, the Heart Beat. To contact Kristine, Click here or call her at the church office
(864) 882-2603. Send your information to Kristine by Wednesday before the Heart Beat goes out on Thursday.
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