"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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When I made plans to be out of the office this week, I was reminded that "somebody" needs to submit their newsletter items before he leaves. It reminded me of the following article that I was given years ago:
Somebody is very proud of you.
Somebody is thinking of you.
Somebody misses you.
Somebody wants to be with you.
Somebody wants you to be happy.
Somebody wants to hug you.
Somebody thinks you are a gift.
Somebody is thankful for the support that you have provided.
Somebody admires your strength.
Somebody can’t wait to see you.
Somebody loves you for who you are.
Somebody treasures your spirit.
Somebody is glad that you are their friend.
Somebody wants you to know that they are there for you.
Somebody would do anything for you.
Somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
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Upcoming Sermon Scriptures |
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Here are the texts that our clergy will be preaching from on Sundays over the next few weeks. You're invited to read and reflect on them prior to each week.
August 29: Ephesians 37:1-10, 26
September 5: Mark 7:24-37
September 12: Luke 7:36-50
September 19: John 9:1-12
September 26: Mark 1:40-45
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Sunday School and Worship Schedule Changes |
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Sunday, September 5th
Sunday school for all ages is closed on Sunday, September 5. One worship service at 10:30 a.m. Classes will resume Sunday, September 12 at 9:45 a.m. as will 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services.
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Thursday Night Worship Opportunity |
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Come check out the new worship opportunity that we're creating to reach new people in our community. It takes place on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in the church sanctuary. The service typically lasts about 30-40 minutes. Dress is casual so come as you are. |
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St. Mark’s Financial Update |
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Week of August 23, 2021
As we entered the summer months, most thought we had turned the corner on Covid-19. The Delta variant has shown our expectations were a little optimistic. So too, our hopes for normal levels of church attendance and financial support.
Regarding financial support, St. Mark’s needs your help. As of August 15th, contributions are running $38,000 behind the same time last year. While many have been giving faithfully during these difficult times, the Finance Committee is concerned about the shortfall. We must pay the bills, replace aging HVAC units (more on that subject in a future update), and find ways to support the ministries of St. Mark’s, with a lower level of giving.
Can you please help? If you haven’t given to St. Mark’s this year, please start now. If you’re not meeting your 2021 financial commitment, can you please catch up? And, if you are meeting your commitment, can you please consider giving a little more?
We will be updating you regularly as the year goes on.
May your gifts to St. Mark’s be a blessing to you and your family.
Respectfully, Tom Hooper for the Finance Committee.
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SAGES News
The SAGES had a wonderful trip to the Bell Buckle Café on last Wednesday. Good food, a lot of fun, sightseeing, and stampeding the shops.
The next trip is to the Mid-Way Diner in Deason, Tennessee, just north of Shelbyville on HWY 231 on Wednesday, September 8. The bus will leave the church at 8:00 AM. Reserve a seat by signing The Book in the church office or call to make reservations.
We will celebrate Austin Parker’s 90th birthday on August 30, 2021.
Registration blanks are available in the church office for Adventures in Learning which will held on 9/13, 9/20, & 9/27 beginning at 9:30 each of these days. These “adventures” will be held at First United Methodist Church, 265 W. Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro. Classes include: How Did We Get Here (Racial Injustice), From The Book Shelf, Murder By Six Degrees Of Separation, The German High Command in WW2, Apple IPhone and IPad, The Secret City: Oak Ridge and the Bomb, Rutherford County History, and Plagues and People. Registration is due by 8/24/21 and is $16.00. Meals are available each day for $10 per day. Registration blanks are available in the church office at St. Mark’s.
The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry Team will be Wednesday, September 15, 9:30 AM, in Room 1203.
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Children’s Christian Education
Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. In Celebrate Wonder, we hear and reflect on God’s Word, experience spiritual practices, play games, ask big questions, and help each other claim our spiritual identity as children of God. These classes begin at 9:45 a.m.:
v Preschool (Age 2 – Age 5/Pre-K) – Room 305
Leaders: Trish Clardy, Leta Hood, Matt Rogers, Lane Marlatt, Cassie Cochran
v Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 5) – Room 212
Leaders: Pam Forrest, Eudora Hargis, Dana Harvey, Bobbie Damron,
Tracy Read, John Wilson, Sean Gilliland
Note: All Elementary classes will meet together for the next few Sundays as we transition into a new structure and curriculum in September.
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OLDER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS BEGIN SPECIAL STUDY
During September and October, children in Grades 2 – 5 Christian Education will enjoy a special study that helps them understand how to use the Bible, feel comfortable using the Bible, and build a foundation for studying the Bible. Learning to Use my Bible is a wonderful study for children who have just received new Bibles or are beginning to use their own Bibles more frequently. This class will meet Sundays, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in Room 214. Bring a friend!
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COMING THIS FALL!
DISCIPLE is a life-changing, faith-growing, comprehensive Bible study for today’s Christians. This in-depth, 24-week study focuses on spiritual transformation and discipleship, not just the mastering of information. DISCIPLE groups prepare individually during the week, then meet weekly to grow and learn as a community of faith. You are invited to participate!
This course will cover the Old Testament in the Fall and the New Testament in the Spring. Participants read 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings. In addition to St. Mark’s members, this DISCIPLE I class will include student leadership and participants from the MTSU Wesley Foundation. Manual cost $25/person, scholarships available.
Sundays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Beginning September 12 in St. Mark’s Room 405
led by Beth Morris and Andi Barker
To register or for more information,
“If you make my Word your home, you will indeed be my disciples.”
- John 8:31, New Jerusalem Bible
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WE HAVE HAD AN INCREDIBLE TWO WEEKS OF FALL PROGRAMMING!
The 2 weeks ago was the first time we worshipped in our youth space since February 23rd of 2020…. It was such a great feeling and an incredible God moment for us! We also started Small Groups last week with some incredible volunteers who are pouring into our students. We are so grateful for them!
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Our Fall Retreat dates are November 5-7 at Cedar Crest Camp! WE CAN’T WAIT TO KEEP THIS FALL TRADITION GOING!
It is going to be an incredible semester!
Also please go and follow our Student Ministry's Instagram and encourage your students to do the same!
Student Ministry Instagram handle:
@stmarkstm
This Week!
- Sunday School (8/29)
- 6-8th grade will begin their Confirmation Journey in the banquet hall!
- We will all start in the youth room for announcements!
- 9-12th grade will be in the youth room!
- 9:45-10:45 a.m.
- Sunday Night Youth (8/29)
- Meet back in the youth room!
- Kickoff, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
- BRING A FRIEND!
Next Week!
- Sunday School (9/5)
- 6-8th grade will begin their Confirmation Journey in the banquet hall!
- 9-12th grade will be in the youth room!
- 9:45-10:45 a.m.
- Sunday Night Youth (9/5)
- NO Sunday Night Youth
- Labor Day Weekend!
- Be safe and have fun!
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Last weekend, counties in the Red River and Harpeth River Districts were hit with a devastating flood this weekend. Below are three ways our church can help immediately:
Pray: Pray for those who have experienced devastating loss of property and the loss of loved ones. Pray for the first responders, community leaders, teachers and pastors and other caregivers, and for St. Mark’s Disaster Team as they go to West Tennessee next week.
Donate: Water Bottles, Cleaning Supplies (cleaning products, cloths, trashbags), Bug Spray. These items can be brought to St. Mark’s Collection Center in the Narthex this Sunday, August 29th and the following Sunday, September 5th.
Give: Money can be donated through a special PayPal account located on the TNUMC.com website at TNUMC Disaster Response Donations. Donations to support St. Mark’s Disaster Relief may be given online at www.stmarkstn.org, placed in the Sunday morning offering plate, or mailed in to the church office; please designate for “TN Flood Relief.” We hope to have all these gifts received by Sunday, September 5th.
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Lend a Hand with Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Build |
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Any day is a GREAT DAY to build affordable homes in Rutherford County! Legacy Pointe is a 77-home subdivision just around the corner from St. Mark’s, and you are invited to help build it! St. Mark’s is a BluePrint Sponsor for two houses this fall, one for Desmond his children and one for Lecia.
We are blessed to have opportunities to help build this Habitat neighborhood. Volunteers have the option of working one or two shifts per day. Your service is needed! When you respond, please indicate which day or days you would like to work and whether you prefer the morning shift (8:00 - 11:30 a.m.), afternoon shift (12:00 - 3:30 p.m.), or both. Volunteers are asked to respond by Monday, September 6th .
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September Opportunities
September 9th (Thursday)
September 10th (Friday)
September 11th (Saturday)
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Wednesday Night Together is one of the most social happenings in the life of our church, with people talking and hugging as they wait in line for dinner, going through a serving line, eating dinner around the tables, and then going into various small groups for learning and interaction. Unfortunately, the close contact we enjoy at WNT puts us all at greater risk for spreading COVID to one another, our friends and our co-workers.
In the family of God, we belong to one another, and moral leadership requires making decisions for the good of the whole. Therefore, upon the advice of our church physicians, and due to the very social nature of Wednesday Night Together and the current surge we are experiencing in COVID cases in our community, we have made the difficult decision to wait to begin Wednesday Night Together until after this surge has subsided and cases are decreasing rather than increasing.
In the mean time, we encourage everyone to take good care of themselves and one another, get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so, and wear masks when around others, so COVID and its delta variant can be on its way and out of ours very quickly.
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Wednesday, August 25, 2021
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, August 26, 2021
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
1:30 p.m. Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group - RM 506
6:00 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary
6:00 p.m. Coed Softball - Star*Plex #3
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
7:00 p.m. Coed Softball - Star*Plex #3
Friday, August 27, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center
Saturday, August 28, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, August 29, 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 Ministry Team at Touchtons'
5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center
Monday, August 30, 2021
10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
6:30 p.m. Boy Scout Court of Honor - Sanctuary
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
8:00 p.m. Young Adult Volleyball - Rec Center
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, September 2, 2021
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
8:00 p.m. Coed Softball - Star*Plex #4
9:00 p.m. Coed Softball - Star*Plex #4
Friday, September 3, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center
Saturday, September 4, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
7:30 p.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Room
Sunday, September 5, 2021
10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Monday, September 6, 2021
Office Closed
10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
8:00 p.m. Young Adult Volleyball - Rec Center
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In Other News:
The St. Mark’s Furniture Ministry is now open. Anyone who is wishing to donate furniture can do so by calling or texting the furniture telephone at (615)707-3166; photos of furniture will be requested. We will not be accepting any furniture “drop-offs” at the warehouse unless prior arrangements have been made with Karen Alexander or Paul Givens.
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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