For the Week of February 16 - 23, 2023

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In the media today, when a significant event occurs, reporters will often search diligently to find an eyewitness. Why is that? Well, it helps to give their story credibility, right? Peter was an eyewitness to the Transfiguration of Jesus, and it changed his life forever. Has your life been “transfigured” by Jesus? Worship with us Sunday to learn more! ~ Pastor Todd

HONOR SOMEONE WITH A CROSS


The Aesthetics Committee will be accepting crosses during Lent. If you would like to donate a cross to be hung in memory of or in honor of someone, please turn it in to the church office with a note attached stating the name of the donor and name of the honoree. The crosses will be placed on one of the church's three cross walls by Easter. Please contact Kathy Graves 864-364-0648 or Joyce Carney

864-723-5622 with any questions.

SPRC HOSTS VALENTINE'S DAY

BRUNCH FOR STAFF


On Tuesday, February 14, after their staff meeting, Saint Mark staff members were treated to a special appreciation brunch hosted by the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC). Pat Reynolds and Sue Crane represented the committee, although additional SPRC members also contributed food and beverages for the occasion. The Commons Room tables were beautifully decorated, and the food was delicious! Pastor Todd sent a thank you note on the staff's behalf:


Dear Saint Mark SPRC members,


Sending a special thank you to all of you for making the staff feel so loved and special on Valentine’s Day.

The meal was wonderful, and we appreciate all your efforts to make us feel much appreciated. May God bless each of you! ~ Pastor Todd

Photo by John Glenn

  • Prayer for Prisons with Pilgrim Seminary

The Elderberries Ministry not only promotes fun, food, and fellowship among our senior disciples -- we also offer opportunities to serve our community. Join us at the Ann Hope Feeding Ministry in Seneca on Wednesday, March 1 as we prepare and serve dinner to those in need. We plan to serve 150-200 people and need volunteers to help cook in the kitchen and to serve the food. We will meet at Ann Hope UMC at 3:30 pm. For more information or to sign up, contact Tom Brackett or Kristine Montgomery. All ages welcome!

This CPR class is a community refresher and is not for full recertification. You may sign up in the atrium between Celebrate! Worship Service and Sunday School, or you can call/text/email Sandra Lowe to sign up at 864-888-7755.

ASH WEDNESDAY begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline. Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality.  Throughout scripture, ashes are used as part of rituals when people seek forgiveness and mourn their sin. Traditionally, the Imposition of Ashes on the foreheads of Christians marks the beginning of Lent. As the ashes are placed on the forehead, words such as these are spoken: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return," recalling God's words to Adam in Genesis 3:19.


You are invited to join us for a 6:30 pm Ash Wednesday worship service in the Saint Mark UMC Sanctuary, which will include the Imposition of Ashes. Our sister church, New Harmony UMC will be joining us for worship. You are also invited to join us for a “Gathering Meal” beginning at

5:30 pm in the Saint Mark Center (gym). Breakfast will be served for dinner that evening - $6/adult; or $15/family. Thank you for making a reservation with Donna Jaynes.


We will live-stream the Wednesday evening service, and a link will be emailed approximately ten minutes before. You may also access the live broadcast via the church homepage.

A recording of the service will also be available.

  • Life Line Screening at Saint Mark 2/28

Join in the fun as we go snow tubing and ice skating at Highlands Outpost at Scaly Mountain! While the Children & Youth Ministries are organizing this fun adventure, it's open to all ages! We will meet at Saint Mark at 8:30 am to caravan, or you can meet us at Highlands Outpost at

9:30 am. Discounted rate is $35 for groups of twenty or more. Please RSVP by February 18 to Andy Campbell

or Lisi Campbell.

Please join us in Celebrate! Worship at 9 am in the Saint Mark Center as we celebrate Scouting Ministry at Saint Mark UMC. Scouts and families from Saint Mark’s Scouting groups will be with us, and the Scouts will be helping Pastor Todd lead worship.

Rev. David Surrett (top right) with wife Donna (bottom row, second from right) and his family.

A message from former SMUMC Pastor Rev. David and Donna Surrett 

(shared with permission)


After being ill for 1-1/2 yrs., going on disability from my ministry, I have been diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I am being cared for by the Atrium Neurological Institute in Charlotte. This is a devastating diagnosis, yet,

I am surrounded by my amazing wife, family and friends. 

I welcome first, your prayers. Calls are appreciated, but I recommend a quick text first (864-710-3152 or davidcsurrett@gmail.com). We hope that I can remain at our lovely mountain home. I am trying to remain hopeful, as an Easter person, who feels God’s love daily.

  • February Birthdays
  • Disciples Directory 2023 Online
  • Sanctuary Flower Calendar
  • Pickle Ball Mondays
  • Opt-In for Texting
  • Mental Health First Aid Course at Zion UMC
  • Senior Gathering at Shaver Complex (Free Lunch)
A list of (non-weekly) Church meetings and events during the next two weeks.

CLICK HERE to read all the news relating to Saint Mark's Children and Youth Ministries!

Saint Mark’s Church and Society Team encourages you to actively participate in Black History Month. 


1) Take advantage of these events offered by Seneca City Museums:


Friday, February 17 - Showing of the documentary film, When They Could Fly, at 1:00-2:30 at the Seneca Water Filter Plant. For more information click on this link.

https://www.senecacitymuseums.org/events/dfsfeb17


Saturday, February 18 - African American Read-In from 11:00-12:00 at the Lunney Museum. For details, click here:

https://www.senecacitymuseums.org/events/african-american-read-in


2) Read a book by an African American author, a book about racism, or about African Americans. Here are some ideas:


I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m Methodist. edited by Rudy Rasmus

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson 

Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman

A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice and Freedom by Brittany K. Barnett

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin Diangelo

Cousins: Connected through Slavery, a Black Woman and a White Woman Discover Their Past—And Each Other by Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby 


CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW SAINT MARK DISCIPLES ARE HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

CLICK HERE to read about this webinar and how to register.

2023 Environmental Stewardship Challenge

Reduce . Reuse . Recycle . Rethink


The Saint Mark Church & Society Team hopes that you will join us in the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Challenge!


CLICK HERE to link to our web page for details and to sign up to participate (and possibly win a prize!)

Our current COVID safety policy while on campus.

Saint Mark UMC

616 Quincy Road

Seneca, SC 29678


Call us:

9 am - 5 pm (M-Th)

(864) 882-2603


 Click here to

send an email


Pastoral Care

Emergencies or after regular office hours

call or text

(864) 882-2603

extension 104 

Have you moved, changed your phone number or email address?
Let us know!
Click on the icon above.

February 19, 2023


TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY


9:00 - 10:00 am

Celebrate! Contemporary Worship @ Gym


10:00 - 10:15 am

Fellowship


10:15 - 11:00 am

Sunday School


11:00 - 11:15 am

Fellowship


11:15 am - 12:15 pm

Traditional Worship

@ Sanctuary


Worship services are LiveStreamed!

CHILDREN & YOUTH

SUNDAY SCHOOL


Children meet at 10:15 am in Room A101 off the atrium. Youth meet in the Youth Center.


Youth Group meets at 5 pm in the 

Youth Center.

Have Information to Share with Your Church Family?


Click here to email Director of Media & Communications, Kristine, or call her at (864) 882-2603 to have your info included in the next edition of the Heart Beat. The deadline is 3 pm Wednesday before the Heart Beat goes out Thursday at 5 pm.

Link to The Advocate for free! Click the icon above.

The Disciples Directory is password protected due to personal information. You should have received an email containing the password. Printed directories can be obtained by contacting the church office.


If you would like to submit a photograph or update your contact information, please email Kristine Montgomery. Click on the icon above to access the full directory.

The Saint Mark 2023 Ministry Guidebook contains information about church structure, leadership and ministries. Click on the icon above to access the complete document.

Saint Mark United Methodist Church

616 Quincy Road

Seneca, South Carolina 29678-3820

kmontgomery@smumcsc.org

864-882-2603

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

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