October 24, 2023

From the Pastor

The response to Sunday's sermon has been especially gratifying to me. I hope all of us will spend this week reflecting upon the people who have generously poured into our lives and helped us to become the people we are.

I also pray that we will look for opportunities to pour into the lives of others, not only in our church but in our community, helping them to discover the beauty of God's purposes for their lives.

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

Tommy

New Sunday Series: The Good News About Death

Beginning on November 5, a new Sunday morning sermon series begins. At the core of the Christian faith is a word about death and life beyond death.

"The Good News About Death" is a conversation about death through the lens of resurrection. Invite a friend without a church home and make plans to join us.

Upcoming scripture texts:

Nov 5: Revelation 7:9-27

Nov 12: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Nov 19: Psalm 90:1-12

New SOULFULL Series: Front Porch Tales

Perhaps you are old enough to remember, or perhaps you've just heard the stories, but there was a time when people sat on the front porch after supper and just talked. Typically the conversations were about the events of the day, about family, and yes, about faith.

On Wednesday, November 1st, a new SOULFULL worship series begins. We're calling it "Front Porch Tales" and we trust that these tales will help prepare us the Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas season.

Nov 1: The Table (Philippians 1:6)

Nov 8: Family (Matthew 22:34-40)

Nov 15: God Remembers (Mark 15:33-37)

Nov 21 (Tuesday): Traditional Thanksgiving Worship in Sanctuary*

Nov 29: Merry Mission Marketplace*

Dec 6: Expectation (Luke 1:46-79)

Dec 13: Gifts (Romans 12:6-8)**

Dec 20 and 27*

* No SOULFULL worship

** Our annual charge conference with District Superintendent Chip Hunter immediately following SOULFULL worship.

St. Mark's will observe All Saints Sunday on November 5, 2023. On that day, we will name and remember those from our church family who have joined the Church Triumphant since All Saints Sunday 2022.

Remembering those we love is an expression of our love for God and our commitment to further the ministry of the church they loved. If you would like to make a special contribution in memory of any of our recently departed saints, please use the pew envelopes and indicate your gift in memory of the person(s) named.

We invite you to check the list below and let us know if someone in our church family has died since November 6, 2022 (last year's observance of All Saints Day) and is not listed:

Mary Frances (Fran) Hughes 11/25/2022

Delores Mitchell 11/29/2022

Karen Sue Miller 1/9/2023

Mae Blansett 1/31/2023

Troy Festervand 3/2/2023

Jon Hall 3/16/2023

Kay Penny 5/25/2023

Larry McFarlin 6/25/2023

Families of these saints should receive a letter in the mail this week about specific plans to honor these women and men of God.

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

Tommy

The SAGES begin services at Parkview Manor on Wednesday, October 25 at 3:00 P.M.

On Thursday, October 26 representatives from the SAGES will attend “Building Community with Older Adults”, an informative event designed for anyone interested in issues and concerns of our aging population. It’s sponsored by ENCORE Ministry in partnership with engAGING Communities TN, UT Chattanooga’s School of Nursing’s older adult initiative. This event is in Franklin. Our St. Mark’s bus leaves at 7:45.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, October 26, at 1:30 PM. at the home of Cindy Flippin, 2714 Tower Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129-1176.

On Monday, October 30, the SAGES are going to the Loveless Café and journey down the Natchez Trace Parkway. The bus will leave the church at 9:30 AM. There is a $5.00 fee for riding the bus.  Breakfast/lunch will be Dutch treat.

The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry Team will be Monday, November 13, at 9:30 AM in Room 503-505.

Coming Activities: November 17 – Midway Diner.

Coming Activities: In December – Christmas at Beersheba ( December 4); Senior Serenity at 11:00 A.M. (December 9)

The Friday class at 10:30 AM is viewing “The Chosen” series. Several SAGES are attending. All are welcome. The class meets in Room 505-505.

The SAGES will host services at Adams Place Tuesday, November 21 at 10:30 AM and at Rutherford Senior Care (Wednesdays 11:00 AM); Rutherford Assisted Living (Fridays at 1:30 PM); and American House Senior Living (Tuesdays at 2:30 PM) each week.

A schedule of SAGES activities for the remainder of 2023 is posted on the SAGES Bulletin Board outside the church office.

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30!

Our Preschool (Ages 2 to PreK 5), Younger Elementary (Kindergarten to 3^rd Grade), and Older Elementary (4^th Grade to 6^th Grade) children will meet for Sunday school to explore Spark: Activate Faith lessons. An activity-filled Sunday school curriculum that follows the salvation story from start to finish, helping kids explore key Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments. The preschool class will meet in Room 305, the younger elementary class will meet in Room 214, and the older elementary class will meet in Room 212.

Spark helps kids learn at their level

Interact with the Bible in every lesson, helping kids navigate the story and begin to compare what they learn to their own life.

Focus on hands-on learning

Engage kids in the Bible story with lessons packed with activities, interactive games, and creative crafts.

Experience the Salvation Story arc

Help kids experience the Salvation story each year by exploring the Old Testament in the fall, and the New Testament in the winter and spring.

Frolic Nursery: Little Steps, Big Faith

Our Nursery aged children (Birth to 1 year) will begin exploring Frolic Nursery lessons. Drawing on brain science as well as theology, Frolic was designed by early childhood experts to build faith through play in babies, toddlers, and young children from birth to age five. Frolic uses Bible lessons, music, and play to help build a firm Faith foundation.  

Start faith formation at birth

Uses a curriculum-based on early childhood best practices to help your little ones to take little steps to big faith—starting at birth.

Focuses on learning at their level

Frolic’s curriculum focuses on helping young children explore faith concepts in the way they know best— through play!

Equips caregivers to nurture faith

Equips leaders and parents to nurture faith in many ways—through storytelling, prayers, and music.

All children are invited to attend the Wednesday night children’s study,

“Joining God at Work in the World”! Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm

in the Children’s Choir room.

JAM Session is November 4 from 8 a.m. to 12p.m.!

All 4^th-6^th graders are invited to attend the Jam Session mission opportunity at Second Harvest Food Bank. We will depart from the church at 8 a.m. All participants must register on the provided link by Wednesday, November 1. https://secondharvestmidtn.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/stmarksumc/

2 adult chaperones are still needed!

Please contact Hannah Pratt if you can assist. 

Mark your calendars! JAM Session calendar for 2023!

Please contact Hannah Pratt at hannah@stmarkstn.org

if you have any questions.

Follow our St. Mark’s Children’s Ministry Facebook page and Instagram @stmarkstnkids for more information!

Thank you to Marrie Lasseter and Susan McElroy for chaperoning our Youth outing to Fall Creek Falls last week!

On Wednesday, October 18th we hosted the Youth from Blackman UMC and Fellowship UMC for a special joint worship service in the St. Mark’s Youth Wing.  

Additional thanks to our super-volunteer Carrie Henderson for leading our Youth in what may have been the most epic game of Sunday School Jenga in Methodist history!  

-St. Mark’s Youth will be designing and leading faith-based programming for children from local nonprofit Endure Athletics on the evening of November 15th … If you are interested in volunteering to help with these ministry efforts, please contact Louis Toedt at (773) 699-2973 or louis@stmarkstn.org

-St. Mark’s Youth Fall Retreat ‘23 will take place during the first weekend in November (11/4 & 11/5). We will plan on departing in the Church Bus for the Barefoot Republic Retreat Center in Allen County, KY at 10 am on Saturday 11/4 and will return by approximately 2 pm on Sunday 11/5. For more information, contact Louis Toedt at (773) 699-2973 or louis@stmarkstn.org.

-You can find a printable PDF version of the Fall Events Calendar for St. Mark’s Student Ministry by clicking here.

-St Mark’s Student Ministry hosts a weekly "Bible Study Hall" beginning at 6:00 pm (starting with the Wednesday night “SOULFULL” Worship Service in the Gym, and moving to the Library around 6:30), and ending at 7:30 pm.

-To stay informed about what St Mark’s Student Ministry is up to, follow us on Instagram @stmarkstn_youth, or visit the landing page for all things related to St Mark’s Student Ministry: https://st-marks-umc-student-ministry.mailchimpsites.com/

-St. Mark’s Fall Golf Tournament will be held at 1 pm on Saturday October 28th at the Old Fort Park Golf Course. Signup sheets can be found in the hallway connecting the Sanctuary to the Narthex, or you may register using the Google Form linked here: https://forms.gle/cucQGun68LTQM8hm8

J.S. Bach “Magnificat”

Dec. 17th at 10:30am Worship

• Rehearsal every Wednesday from 8pm-8:30pm in the choir room.
• In December, there will be extra rehearsal days and extended time on Wednesday evenings.
• If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact HyeLan Pearce (hyelan@stmarkstn.org).

St. Mark’s UMC is developing a new online church directory to help us get to know one another better and stay connected! This directory will be easy to access and can be updated as needed.

Individual and family photos will be taken in Room 407/409 by Noel Hinote on Sundays during the Sunday school hour. Adult classes are assigned a particular Sunday when their members and families can come one at a time to have their photo taken, thus no appointments beyond that are needed at this time.  Thanks to the Cornerstone class for moving to Room 502 (Chapel) for the time being to make this possible.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

      October 29 – Spares and Pairs, New Horizons, Genesis Network

Individuals and families who are not part of a Sunday school class are invited to come this Sunday, 10:00 – 10:20 a.m. to have their photos made.  

Additional dates will be made available. As families are having their photos made, they will also be asked to update their contact information.

The flowers on the altar each Sunday are available to be sponsored in honor of in memory of loved ones. To reserve a date, please call the church office or sign up on the Flower Calendar at the receptionist desk in the church office.

Each bouquet (there are two per Sunday) is $30 which can be paid by placing a check in the offering plate with "Flowers" on the memo line or contacting the church office for other arrangements.

The next four available Sundays are:

November 12 (one or both bouquets)

December 10 (one or both bouquets)

December 31 (one or both bouquets)

January 27 (one or both bouquets)

Wednesday Night Together

provides a delicious, healthy meal along with opportunities for children, youth, and adults to grow closer to Christ and to one another. Nursery is available 5:45 – 7:00 p.m.

Dinner Reservations are requested by 12:00 Noon each Monday and can be noted on the attendance pads in the pews or called in to the church office.   The regular price of WNT meals remains at $10/adult, CHILDREN, YOUTH, & COLLEGE STUDENTS EAT FREE EVERY WEEK in 2023!

This Week’s Menu (10/25): Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Pumpkin Soup, Salad Bar, and Cheesecake.

Adult Opportunities, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

BOOKWORMS, October 25: A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life by John Kralik.  Group discussion on this book Led by Butler Touchton in the Narthex. 

The Journey Home, October 25: As we prepare for a special churchwide offering for The Journey Home, join Dr. Russ Galloway, St. Mark’s volunteers, and other special guests to learn more about the mission of this Christian outreach serving the homeless and disadvantaged, and the expansion planned for its ministry. Led by Russ Galloway in Room 402/404.

Planning Your Own Funeral, November 1: There is no greater gift you can give your family than to plan your Service of Death and Resurrection so they can know and abide by your wishes. This workshop will guide you in the process.  Bring your own laptop or notepad. Led by Dr. Jim Clardy and Rev. Martha Touchton in Room 503/505.

MOVIE MOJO, November 1: The Descendants (2011). A masterful and emotionally rich movie about the grief of parting, the agony of separation, and the beginning of healing. Group discussion of this movie and its message about death and dying Led by Butler Touchton in the Narthex.  

A new ministry exploring ways to connect and expand each Sunday Sermon Series into our Monday – Saturday discipleship! 

Look for the Cross Connections logo which identifies upcoming events, including group experiences and studies, spiritual practices, service projects, books, movies, and more.

OCTOBER SERMON SERIES: THE ENEMIES OF GRATITUDE

Fall is typically the season in which most churches make their case for financially supporting their ministry while also teaching the biblical principle of giving. This series offers the opportunity to teach gratitude by calling out the things that keep us from being truly grateful. In each sermon, we see how a misplaced focus—on how things could be or used to be better, how we’re not getting what we think we deserve, or simply how life’s struggles are keeping us down—prevents us from seeing all the blessings that are right there in front of us.

BOOKWORMS: A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life by John Kralik. A group discussion on this book will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, in the Narthex led by Butler Touchton.

TREE OF GRATITUDE:  Throughout October, you are invited to write something you are thankful for on a leaf and attach it to the tree in the Foyer.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES: You are invited to journal about gratitude each day of October. Small journals are available in the Narthex near the Tree of Gratitude.  And/or, write a thank you note to someone every day this month.

“Rejoice always, pray continually,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  

I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

United Methodist vow to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church by their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. A new ministry which will offer our congregation more frequent and creative opportunities for prayer based on the liturgical seasons and other spiritual themes is now being formed. Persons who have an affinity for prayer, including artists, writers, and others seeking new and deeper expressions of prayer, are encouraged to become involved. For more information, contact Rev. Martha Touchton at martha@stmarkstn.org.  

The 16^th Annual Cookin' to Build benefiting Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity will be held Saturday, November 4^th, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm. at the Murfreesboro Public Square.

The $30 admission includes: a souvenir hand-painted stoneware bowl, a tote bag, all you can eat chili, soup, and stew from 30+ cooking teams, drinks, desserts, and live entertainment by Memory Train.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite HERE.  Come out and support a great cause!

One Can, Two Can!

Who Can? You Can!

Help feed our neighbors by donating to St. Mark’s Food Bank October 29 – November 19!   Click here for more information.

As part of your preparation for

the sacrament of Holy Communion,

you are invited to donate canned and dry foods to

St. Mark's Food Bank every 1st Sunday.

Collection tubs will be located just outside the Sanctuary,

or you can bring your donation to the

bins in the Narthex or Room 407/409.

The next Communion 1st Sunday is November 5^th!

Please bring cans of fruit!

"For I was hungry and you gave me food..."

Matthew 25:35

Wednesday, October 25

5:00 p.m. WNT Dinner - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center

6:00 p.m. WNT Programming

6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Youth Center

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119

Thursday, October 26

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 1203

10:00 a.m. Quilting Bee - Banquet Room/Kitchen

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 506

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, October 27

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - RC

Saturday, October 28

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

9:00 a.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119

1:00 p.m. Golf Tournament at Old Fort Golf Club

5:00 p.m. Cub Scout Halloween Party - RC/K

Sunday, October 29

9:00 a.m. Children's Choir - RM 211

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:15 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

5:30 p.m. Disciple - RM 503/505

Monday, October 30

9:30 a.m. SAGES to Loveless Cafe

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center/Youth Center

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117

Tuesday, October 31

9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

Wednesday, November 1

9:30 a.m. Preschool Training - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. WNT Dinner - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center

6:00 p.m. WNT Programming

6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Youth Center

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119

Thursday, November 2

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, November 3

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, November 4

7:30 a.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Room

8:00 a.m. JAM Session to 2nd Harvest

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

2:00 p.m. Narthex Reserved

Sunday, November 5

9:00 a.m. Children's Choir - RM 211

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:15 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

5:30 p.m. Disciple - RM 503/505

Monday, November 6

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117

Tuesday, November 7

9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

In Other News:

View Our Current Prayer List

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