"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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New ministries are birthed every day when someone has an idea and when that person or someone else is willing to implement it (it's not unusual that the person who has the idea isn't the one who implements it).
In Sunday's sermon, I said that knowing what God has done in the past helps us to praise God for what can be done in the present. In the same way, knowing what other churches are doing might spark an idea here at St. Mark's.
Here's what some other churches are doing:
A group of women gather once a week in Fayetteville, Tennessee to pray for every name on their church's prayer list. They also pray for local, state, and federal leaders. After praying, these women send handwritten notes to the people that they prayed for, assuring them of their prayers.
Anyone in our church interested in gathering weekly for prayer and sending notes of encouragement?
Outreach Magazine suggests using February 9th, National Pizza Day, as a way of introducing your church to some of your neighbors, schools, and businesses. You can either order the pizza yourself to be delivered or distribute gift cards with an invitation to church or a thank you note for jobs well done. Why stop at National Pizza Day? National Banana Bread Day is February 23 and National Chili Day is February 25! There are all sorts of days and ways to express kindness to others.
Anyone in our church interested in introducing our church to our neighbors?
Northampton United Methodist Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, hosts an Archery Night in conjunction with Valentine's Day. People come together to learn how to use a real bow and arrow, giving Cupid a run for his money.
Anyone in our church interested in getting creative in an effort to spread the good news of God's love?
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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Sunday, February 7 is Communion Sunday. If you will be joining us for worship from home, please plan to have communion elements available. If you would like pre-filled communion elements, please stop by the church office this week to pick them up. |
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SAGES News
Many of our SAGES have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination. (Yes, some have already taken the second shot.) Our prayers are that for the rest who chose to get the vaccine, things will go well with getting your an appointment and the shot.
God bless you all as we continue to move through this pandemic together.
Your SAGES Ministry Team
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Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. St. Mark’s offers a Sunday morning children’s experience via Zoom, 9:45 – 10:15 a.m., including spiritual practices, opportunities for reflection, giving children a small space to ask big questions, and helping them claim their spiritual identity as children of God. We have the best time learning our scripture stories and interacting with each other! Join us at https://zoom.us/j/98397352418?pwd=ekFWcVFoYXQwMlcrN2NFQitRZWNRUT09.
For the month of February, our faith word is GUIDE. We ask the Lord to be our guide, and we discover how we can help show the way, like the light of Christ.
• Sunday, February 7 – The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:5-15
• Sunday, February 14 – Jesus Calms the Storm, Mark 4:35-41
• Sunday, February 21 – Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42
• Sunday, February 28 – Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10
Our Bible memory verse for this month is from Psalm 119:18:
“Open my eyes so I can examine the wonders of your instruction!”
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ST. MARK’S CHILDREN INVITED TO OBSERVE A HOLY LENT!
The Children’s Ministries Team will offer a brief LENTEN OUTSIDE WORSHIP service on the front lawn of the church each Sunday in Lent at 11:00 a.m. beginning February 21st. Everyone is invited to attend; children are especially invited to serve as greeters and readers at these services.
The Children’s Ministries Team is assembling beautiful LENTEN BAGS full of resources to help children and their families observe Lent together at home. These bags will be personally delivered to homes February 12 – 15 and will include the following:
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AT-HOME ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY - An at-home liturgy for Ash Wednesday will be provided to families with children and youth, including small ash cross tattoos that are simple to apply. Note: If you are not part of a family with children or youth but would still like to receive the ASH WEDNESDAT AT HOME LITURGY and its accompanying ash tattoos, email martha@stmarkstn.org by Monday, February 8.
“ALLELUIA” to color and bury in your yard or at church on the 1st Sunday in Lent, February 21st
“ALL ABOUT LENT” giant poster to color
“PRAYER PRETZELS” snack and baking activity
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL CALENDAR for Families
ALLELUIA BUTTERFLY to color and decorate for Easter Cross
And a few other special treats and resources!
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Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and ends on Holy Saturday (April 3). Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The season is a time of preparation for celebrating Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday (April 4).
Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. On Ash Wednesday, Christians confront their own mortality and confess their sin before God within the community of faith. While Ash Wednesday focuses on the dual themes of sin and death, it's done through the lens of God's redeeming love made known to us in Jesus Christ.
The first Sunday in Lent describes Jesus' temptation by Satan. The last
Sunday in Lent (Passion/Palm Sunday) depicts Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his subsequent passion and death. Because Sundays are always little Easters, the penitential spirit should be tempered with the joyful expectation of the Resurrection.
Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday and the community of faith journeys with Jesus from the upper room, to the cross, to the tomb, and to the garden to discover the empty tomb.
The following are just a few ways to focus and prepare during the season of Lent:
1. Give It Up. Consider giving up something that distracts you from your
important relationships: like too much spent time on social media, sports, etc.
2. Plug In. Consider adding in something that helps you connect with God. Read a book of the Bible or begin a daily devotional.
3. Serve. Start a new routine of service. Volunteer regularly as a mentor, step up to volunteer at St. Mark's or in the community.
4. Share It. Make it a communal event. Share your Lent practices with others via a small group and/or attending worship.
(adapted from The United Methodist Book of Worship, and
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Additionally, we will be offering drive-thru imposition of ashes under the office door portico (Door #1 on the south side of the church) at three different times of the day for your convenience:
7-8 AM
12-1 PM
5-6 PM
All you have to do is roll down your window and we'll place the sign of the cross on your forehead or hand using a Q-Tip cotton swab. Don't worry: we'll be masked and gloved and we ask you to be masked as well. Anointing oil will also be available.
ALTERNATIVE ASH WEDNESDAY OPPORTUNITY
An at-home liturgy for Ash Wednesday will be provided to families with children and youth, including small ash cross tattoos. These will be mailed out in time for Ash Wednesday, February 17.
If you are not part of a family with children or youth but would still like to receive this liturgy and its accompanying ash tattoos, email Rev. Martha Touchton at martha@stmarkstn.org by Monday, February 8.
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While we cannot gather in person for a shared meal and classes at Wednesday Night Together, this creative online ministry gathers adults who wish to help one another maintain connection to God, to the church, and to one another through a variety of short-term courses and activities.
CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES, February 3 and 10:
• THE BOOK OF SUSANNA led by Dr. Jim Clardy.
• DISMANTLING RACISM led by Greg Van Patten and Jennifer Marlatt.
• COFFEE TALK – discussion of current events and topics, led by Butler Touchton
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UPCOMING LENTEN STUDY - WHY DID JESUS DIE?
led by Rev. Tommy Ward beginning Wednesday, February 24
The cross is God's action to set right what has gone wrong in human life -- to heal the estrangement in our relationships with God and with one another, and to restore wholeness to this sin-damaged creation. As we make our way toward the cross, we’ll discover God's power to transform our lives through Christ’s death and resurrection.
• 2/24 - To Show the Way (1 Peter 2:21; Philippians 3:7-17)
• 3/3 - To Redeem (Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 8:18-39)
• 3/10 - To Cleanse from Sin (Luke 5:12-13; Ephesians 5:25-26; 1 John 1:5-2:2)
• 3/17 - To Take Our Place (1 Peter 2:24-25; Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
• 3/24 - To Set Us Free (Mark 10:42-45; Romans 7:14-8:17)
Buffet of Conversations Weekly Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Greetings, Announcements, Prayer
6:15 p.m. Class begins
7:10 p.m. Class ends
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
PLEASE NOTE: We will observe Ash Wednesday on February 17th; there will be no Buffet of Conversations. Please partake in the online Ash Wednesday worship service.
“And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
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Hoping to Become a Parent is a webinar that covers the challenges of dealing with infertility. Grief and loss, marital communication, and friend's and family's reactions will all be discussed. Additionally, there will be suggestions for self-care and surviving gatherings with family and friends, even virtual ones!
This webinar will be presented by Lee-Ann Higgins, LMSW. Lee-Ann serves as the Director of Program Services for Miriam's Promise. Lee-Ann earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from The University of Tennessee. She has over 15 years of pregnancy counseling and domestic adoption experience.
The webinar will be presented at 6:30 pm on Thursday, February 11. The webinar is free to Miriam's Promise Hopeful Families, and $25 for all others.
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St. Mark’s Preschool and Parents’ Day Out |
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2021-2022 Registration
March 1 & 2: Currently Enrolled Families
March 4: St. Mark’s UMC Members and Former Families
March 5: Open to the Public
Preschool registration information can be found on the
St. Mark’s UMC website
or call Sherrie Gilliam @ 615-895-1803
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Wednesday, February 3
9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study Banquet Room and on Zoom
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom
Saturday, February 6, 2021
7:30 a.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Room/Zoom
10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary
Sunday, February 7, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom
9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School on Zoom
4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Youth - RC/YC
Monday, February 8, 2021
9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting on Zoom
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
6:30 p.m. Cornerstone Class on Zoom
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
6:00 p.m. "Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, February 11, 2021
9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study Banquet Room and on Zoom
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom
Saturday, February 13, 2021
10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary
Sunday, February 14, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom
9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School on Zoom
4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom
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In Other News:
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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