February 21, 2023

From the Pastor

The season of Lent begins this Wednesday with our Ash Wednesday observance. We'll gather for dinner in the banquet room at 5 pm (call the church for reservations) followed by worship at 6 pm in the sanctuary.

As I shared during worship on Sunday, on Ash Wednesday we confront our own mortality, our sinfulness, and our need for salvation, all through the lens of God's redeeming love made known to us in Jesus Christ. 

Our ancestors used ashes as a sign of repentance, a symbol of the uncertainty and the fragility of human life. On Ash Wednesday, as a part of worship, you'll be invited to come forward to receive the sign of the cross with ashes from palm branches burned after previous Palm Sunday observances. The sign of the cross can either be made on your forehead or on top of your hand. Of course, you may choose not to receive the imposition of ashes; that is entirely up to you.

Finally, let me once again invite you to our Waking to God's Dream experience this weekend as St. Mark's seeks to remain a faithful United Methodist presence in our community and world for years to come. You'll find more information about this weekend further down in this newsletter.

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

Tommy

Thanks to everyone who helped to make the Valentine Luncheon a big success. 

The monthly Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group meets the 4th Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. February 23 is the next meeting, and it will be held at Susan Green’s (615-828-4772) home at 3438 Northboro, Murfreesboro. This is open to all who are caring for those dealing with Alzheimer’s/Dementia.

On Friday, March 10, the SAGES will go to the Bell Buckle Café for a Dutch-treat lunch. The bus leaves at 10:45 AM from the church. Please sign up in the Narthex or the church office. Look for the book!

The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry Team will be Monday, March 13, in Room 503-505.

SAGES are invited and encouraged to attend the Waking To God’s Dream event here at St. Mark’s this weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

The SAGES continue to host services at Adams Place each month, and at Rutherford Senior Care, Rutherford Assisted Living, and American House Senior Living each week.

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

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday (today) and ends on Holy Saturday (April 8). Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Lenten', which means "spring." The season is a time of preparation for celebrating Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday (April 9). 

Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians.

The first Sunday in Lent typically examines Jesus' temptation by Satan. The last Sunday in Lent (Palm Sunday) depicts Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his subsequent passion and death. Because Sundays are always little Easters, the penitential spirit of Lent is to be tempered on those days 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 then to the garden to discover the empty tomb. 

The season of Lenten calls us to increase our faith and devotion to Christ. This year, daily devotions are available via email to guide you in your Lenten journey.  To receive daily Lenten devotions via email, click the button above and enter your email address.

No email? Limited printed resources at the usher’s tables!

Church Council Chairperson Alan Morris invites you to a workshop this weekend geared towards our church waking to God's dream as we seek to remain a faithful United Methodist presence in our community and world. The Rev. Dr. David Chotka will be our leader.

Rev. Dr. Chotka is an author, prayer mobilizer, sought-after-media-guest and also an ordained clergy of more than thirty years. He has a doctorate in Spiritual Discernment and has led seminars/conferences both nationally and internationally. His book, "Hey! Are You There? It's Me, God" has been acclaimed by Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul) as a "great read" and "an incredible book."

The schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Friday, February 24

5:30 Dinner

6:30 Opening Session

Saturday, February 25

8:45 Light breakfast

9:00 Morning Session

11:45 Lunch

12:30 Afternoon Session

1:15 Dismissal

On Sunday, The Rev. Dr. Chotka will preach. Following worship, anyone interested in participating in Lenten Small groups on the theme of listening to God and waking to God's dream is invited to say for a fifteen minute introduction.

If you have any questions, please contact the church office. 

Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. In Sunday school, we hear and reflect on God’s Word, experience spiritual practices, play games, Learn Bible skills, ask big questions, and help each other claim our spiritual identity as children of God.  



PRESCHOOLERS EXPLORE THE PARABLES OF JESUS



During Lent in Celebrate Wonder Sunday School, our preschool children are exploring Jesus’ parables, including The Good Samaritan, The Two Houses, and The Sower and the Seed. Our theme word for March is “PARABLES,” and our memory verse is, “He said many things to them in parables,” Matthew 13:3a.

The Preschool children meet in Room 307 Sundays at 9:15 a.m.

GRADES K – 2 STUDIES THE STORIES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

This Winter, children in the K – 2 Young Elementary Class are studying 12 New Testament Stories:

March 5 – The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37

March 12 – Mary and Martha – Luke 10:38-42  

The Young Elementary children meet in Room 212 at 9:15 a.m.

GRADES 3 – 5 STUDIES JESUS: THE SAVIOR

Children in Grades 3 – 5 are continuing a journey through the Bible, connecting with God’s big story through videos, engaging Bible exploration, and hands-on projects.

During Lent, children in Grades 3 – 5 are studying Jesus’ Stories of Jesus’ final week death and resurrection:

March 5 – Rewind of Jesus’ Ministry

March 12 – Jesus Entry into Jerusalem,

Matthew 21:1-11

The Older Elementary Class meets in Room 214 Sundays at 9:15 a.m..

Children ages 2 – 5^th Grade are invited to join together for special games, crafts, and other hands-on activities that help us think about what it means to walk like Jesus every day.  

Each child will receive a devotional booklet and other items to guide them

on their walk with Jesus throughout the season of Lent. 

Join in the fun as we kick off our Lenten journey!  

Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend with their children!

This conference-wide spiritual life event for 3^rd - 5^th grade children will explore what it means to belong to the kingdom of God. Led by Cedar Crest staff, the retreat will be filled with music and worship, games, zip line time, small group discussions, night games, a bonfire, and free time activities. All participants will receive a retreat t-shirt!  Transportation will be provided by St. Mark’s UMC and all participants will receive a $20 scholarship from the church. Register by Monday, February 27 at https://tinyurl.com/BeRetreat2023 to guarantee your spot!

JOIN US EACH WEEK FOR

FAMILY FELLOWSHIP,

GOOD FOOD,

FAITH, & FUN!

5:00 p.m. Dinner

(Reservations Required)

6:00 p.m. Groups and Classes

LENTEN SERIES FOR SOULFULL WORSHIP

During Lent each year, Christians often give up something as an act of sacrifice and spiritual discipline. Often it's something like chocolate, knowing that after Easter Sunday, they can once again enjoy what they have given up.

Why not give up something that we'd be better off NOT doing? Why not seek God's help to focus on eliminating habits or attitudes that are destructive, things like envy, jealousy, self-pity, apathy, procrastination, gossip, resentment, or negative thinking?

Come be a part of our Wednesday Night Together ministry by enjoying a meal at 5 pm (reservations required) and then choose from among several options to grow spiritually, one of them being SOULFULL worship and this Lenten series.  

Casual conversation around a variety of topics (books, movies, music, current events) and occasional guest speakers. Led by Butler Touchton in the Narthex.

SUNDAY MORNING LENTEN SERIES: BOOT CAMP FOR THE SOUL

We approach the Lenten season with an emphasis on interiority, personal investigation, and contrition--the intentional work of seeking a change of heart or actions. Reflection and change can take work, hard work, just like getting in shape. Lent can be like a boot camp for the soul, a restart in a focused area. We walk this season together, demanding the best of ourselves, ready to support one another, and prepared to see truths that shatter our self-understanding. 

Join us on Sundays in Lent as we get our souls in shape!

St Mark's Student Ministry is in need of volunteers, especially for Sunday School! If you are interested in volunteering to help with Youth Activities in 2023, you can use our SignupGenius form (linked below) in order to choose the date(s) of your service.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A8A823ABFFCE9-youth1

February 19th was Game Night at St Mark’s Student Ministry; big thanks to Noland Noffsinger, Stephanie Treutlein, Zach & Hannah Pratt, Luke Bussey, Cecil Bussey and John McDaniel for coming out to lead our Youth into new frontiers of gamesmanship, and to Roland & Kathy Edwards for providing us with some good eats!  

Our 'Bear Fruit' Mission Series resumes on the morning of Saturday March 4th with a Service Day for St Mark’s Youth, as we will be traveling to Hamilton UMC in Antioch TN to assist with their Food Bank Ministry. If you are able to join us as a volunteer chaperone, please contact louis@stmarkstn.org  

The landing page for all things related to St Mark’s Student Ministry can be found here: https://st-marks-umc-student-ministry.mailchimpsites.com

If anyone is aware of any loved ones who will be graduating from High School, College or Graduate School this May and would like to see them honored during our "Graduation Sunday" service, please communicate this information to Louis Toedt (louis@stmarkstn.org) and he will follow up with further instructions.

On March 5, our communion rail offering will support The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in recognition of UMCOR Sunday on March 19. 100% of your gift will be used by The United Methodist Church to respond to disasters all over the world. Please consider leaving a gift to support this important ministry when you come down to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion on March 5th.

John Lodl is the Rutherford County Archivist. The UMM have asked him to talk about the history of churches in Rutherford County at their March meeting. The meeting will be held in the Banquet Room at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4th. The Archive website can be found HERE. A DNJ interview with Director Lodl can be found HERE.

You're invited to join us for a good time of food, fellowship, and faith.

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.

April 9 (one bouquet)

April 30 (one or both bouquets)

May 14 (one bouquet)

May 21 (one or both bouquets)

"Bible Study with the Bishop" for the Stones River District has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 2nd at 6pm in our sanctuary. Light refreshments will be served as part of the evening. 

Bishop William T. (Bill) McAlilly, episcopal leader for the Tennessee Western Kentucky Conference, will be present to share the Good News of God's great love with United Methodists from all over our area. 

As the host church for this event, let's make sure we have a great showing from St. Mark's. 

Wednesday, February 22

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

6:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship - Sanctuary

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

Thursday, February 23

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 503/505

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

Friday, February 24

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

5:30 p.m. Waking to God's Dream -

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

Saturday, February 25

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

8:45 a.m. Waking to God's Dream - Kitchen/Banquet Room/Narthex

Sunday, February 26

9:00 a.m. Children's Choirs - RM 211, 304

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

3:15 p.m. Youth Praise Band Rehearsal - Youth Center

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 405

Monday, February 27

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Current Families

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

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

Tuesday, February 28

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Current Families

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

6:00 p.m. Woodworkers - Banquet Room

Wednesday, March 1

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Members

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

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

6:00 p.m. WNT Programming

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

Thursday, March 2

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Former Families

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

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

6:30 p.m. Bible Study with the Bishop - RC/BR/Sanctuary/Narthex

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

Friday, March 3

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Public

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

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

Saturday, March 4

7:00 a.m. Youth Service Outing

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

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

Sunday, March 5

9:00 a.m. Children's Choirs - RM 211, 304

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

3:15 p.m. Youth Praise Band Rehearsal - Youth Center

4:15 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119

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

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

5:30 p.m. Disciple - RM 405

Monday, March 6

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

10:00 a.m. Wings of Hope - Banquet Room

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

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

Tuesday, March 7

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

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