Please join us in wishing our Facilities Manager Donna Jaynes a Happy Birthday this Friday, February 4th! Donna is still recovering from a lung infection, and we miss her at the church! Please send her healing prayers and wish her a happy day. Click here to say hello. |
LET THE WORK BEGIN!
On behalf of the Council of Stewards and the ReShape Transforming Church Initiative Coordination Team, I
(Jeff Weicksel) am excited to share the GREAT news that the final report on the findings from the ReShape small group meetings at Saint Mark received unanimous endorsement and support at Monday’s COS meeting! It has been quite a journey from the time last April when COS first approved embarking on this church-wide process of reflection, dreaming, and discernment – and we can now tell you that we are ready to move forward along the pathways that you have identified!
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PLEASE DONATE BLOOD
IN DAVID P. GARLAND'S NAME
Many Saint Mark disciples answered the call to donate blood when we first sent a message on January 10th, alerting folks of David Garland's health struggle with a rare blood disorder. We at the church thank you, and we know the Garland family is so very grateful, too. David is on day 39 at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital. He has received 28 units of blood so far and is still fighting to recover.
Blood supplies in general are critically low, and the Blood Connection can always use our help. We ask that blood donations continue to be made in David P. Garland's name at The Blood Connection, 1308 Sandifer Blvd. in Seneca.
Hours are 7 am to 7 pm Monday thru Friday and Saturday and Sunday 7 am to 5 pm. Click here to check your eligibility to donate.
You must mention the Code "7DAB" before donating in order for David to receive credit. Thank you for making a difference!
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Celebrations:
Congratulations to Bob and Debbie DuBose on the birth of their new grandson! Cole Robert Sparks was born on Saturday, January 29, 2022 to Jarred and Brock Sparks.
Personal Prayer Notes:
Coronavirus – those with virus, those unable to work, healthcare workers, containment, those who are working to distribute and administer vaccines.
Gene Bowers – Father of SMUMC Minister of Family Outreach, Maria Bowers – health issues.
Ann Cannon – Sister of Alicia Spivey – Having a hard time recovering from recent knee surgery.
Randy Collins (Ann) - Back surgery successful. Recovering at home.
Lorraine Cosh – Sister of SMUMC disciple Freida Phipps - Has breast cancer and will be undergoing surgery on February 9, 2022.
Sue Crane - Had surgery on January 19 and appreciates prayers as she recovers and rehabilitates.
David Garland - On day 39 at Prisma Health in Greenville. Slowly responding to treatments for Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease. With HLH, the body's immune system does not work normally. Certain white blood cells (histiocytes and lymphocytes) attack other blood cells, collecting in the spleen and liver, and causing these organs to enlarge.
Donna Jaynes – Recovering at home following hospitalization at OMH with pneumonia.
Hilda McCurley (Mother of Sally Boggs) – Surgery for fractured hip successful. Recovering in rehabilitation facility 3-4 weeks.
Karen Suarez – Recovering from eye surgery on
February 2nd.
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Persons with prayer requests may click here to contact Pastor Todd.
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SPECIAL ALMS THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6
It's Super Bowl season - and that means the youth of Saint Mark are preparing for their “Souper Bowl of Caring” special alms offering to benefit a local food pantry!
This month's offering will primarily benefit Our Daily Bread, whose volunteers provide hot meals, Monday-Friday, to anyone who shows up needing something to eat.
Whether you are worshipping in person or via livestream, please consider dropping an offering in the alms basket this Sunday - or in the youth's soup pots - or mailing a check marked “alms” to the church, or even giving online.
Thanks, as always, for your generous support.
Sincerely,
Maria Bowers and the Saint Mark Service Mission Team
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BUY SOUP TO BENEFIT SAFE HARBOR
Have you used up your supply of Harvest Bean Soup and/or the Three Bean Chili purchased from the UMW Christmas Mission Fair? Winter’s not over yet, so you'd better restock those pantries!
The UMW will be selling the few remaining jars of the Soup and Chili mixes on Sunday, February 6 and again on Super Bowl Sunday, February 13 (if we don’t sell out before then!). The cost for each is $10. In addition, we will offer a new selection - (Not too!) Spicy Black Bean Soup Mix, which produces a smaller batch of soup, for $7/bag.
We will sell the soups in the atrium and narthex following both services.
The proceeds from the sale will benefit Safe Harbor, a local shelter for women seeking safe haven from domestic violence.
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JOIN US FOR SHORT STORIES BY JESUS
Join the Thursday Women's Bible Study Group beginning Thursday, February 10 as we study Amy-Jill Levine's Short Stories by Jesus. We meet from 10:00 am to 12 noon and will meet weekly through Thursday, March 24. In this study, we will explore a fresh and timely interpretation of Jesus' most popular teaching parables. Anyone interested in joining can contact Sandy James for more information. Click here to email or call 864-710-6798.
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SCOUTING MINISTRY CELEBRATION
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Please join us for Scouting Ministry Celebration Sunday on Sunday, February 13, 2022 during the Celebrate! Worship Service at 9 am in the Saint Mark Center. Scouts and Leaders from the Troop which meet on Saint Mark’s campus will be helping to lead worship and will share some information about Scouting that make it an exciting ministry in our community.
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COME SEE THIS IMPORTANT DOCUMENTARY |
Please join Saint Mark United Methodist Women to view the documentary, Zero Weeks, which shows real-life examples of the paid leave crisis and how it affects families across America.
Who: Our Congregation and Community
When: February 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Saint Mark UMC Sanctuary, Seneca, SC
“Most Americans agree that family comes first, but we are the only developed country without paid leave. In one of the richest nations in the world, having a baby, a medical emergency or an aging parent can be a trigger into poverty. Weaving powerful personal stories with insightful interviews, ZERO WEEKS, explores America’s paid leave crisis and the cost of doing nothing.”
-- from ZeroWeeks.com
From United Methodist Women and Family Values at Work:
- Paid leave will allow people, regardless of gender, to cherish the first months of a child’s life and enrich the last months of a beloved parent’s; to heal and thrive after their own injury or illness; and to spur the recovery or ease the suffering of a loved one.
- Paid leave boosts productivity, reduces employee turnover and increases consumer spending, which leads to a healthy and competitive economy. It ensures coverage no matter where you live or work.
- Paid leave is critical to a living wage, ensuring no one earns $0 for having a baby, an illness, or a parent with cancer.
- Paid leave is critical for an effective health care system, so people can take the time they need for treatment.
- The question is not if, but when the United States will join the rest of the world in making it possible for people to provide for and care for their loved ones.
We hope to see you on February 15 at 7:00 p.m. for an evening of learning and courageous conversation on the issue of paid family leave in America!
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LENTEN BOOK STUDY/ SERMON SERIES
Our 2022 Lenten book study and sermon series will be based on Rev. Adam Hamilton’s, The Lord’s Prayer – The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught. In this new book, Hamilton boldly wakes us from the slumber of monotony. He shakes up our understanding of familiar passages, shapes our perspective, and invites us to experience The Lord‘s Prayer as more than a model of how to pray. It is a model of how to live. Jesus loves us enough to teach us the words for conversation with God. We hope you will be involved in this meaningful opportunity.
Sermon Series begins the first Sunday in Lent, March 6, 2022.
There are two opportunities to join a 6 week small group study of the book. Pastor Todd will lead an in-person study on campus on Mondays at 10:30 am beginning March 7, 2022. Please let Pastor Todd know if you will participate in this group – [email protected].
Pastor Shawna will lead a Zoom small group study on Mondays at 7 pm beginning March 7, 2022. Please let Pastor Shawna know if you will participate in this group – [email protected].
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Monday, February 21, 2022
beginning 8:30 AM
SAINT MARK CENTER (GYM)
Have you ever thought about the following?
- I want to see my grandchildren grow up.
- I want to continue living independently.
- I don’t want to be a burden on my family.
Preventive screenings can help and we have partnered with Life Line Screening to provide these valuable screenings.
The mission of Life Line Screening is to provide advance, yet affordable and convenient health screenings that supplement your traditional healthcare.
They can help make you aware of a previously silent, unrecognized problem that can now get treated at an early stage, or confirm that you are on the right path and should continue your healthy habits.
Don’t let heart disease and stroke get in your way of the life you love. Call toll free 1-888-653-6441, text the word, “circle” to 797979 or online at https://llsa.social/HSC to schedule your health screening.
A package of 5 vital screenings is offered for only $139.
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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP?
There are many dates yet available in 2022! Please sign up on the calendar outside the sanctuary or click here to contact Diane Taylor or call her at 864-719-0232.
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BLUE RIDGE BOOK FAIR NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Blue Ridge Elementary School is seeking volunteers to help at their Book Fair Friday, February 11 through Thursday, February 17. Shifts are 7:30 am - 11 am or 12 noon to 3:00 pm. Please contact librarian Chambrike Teasley at [email protected]. She would appreciate any help. |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Fostering Faithfully, a support group based in Walhalla that helps local foster families, has lost quite a few Meals Team members during the COVID crisis. We'd love some new folks to help us! We need volunteers who'd like to cook or pick up dinners for foster families when they take new placements, but we are also working with a Seneca-based caterer. So, once a month we need folks willing to pick up meals from Tracy, the caterer and deliver them to families in nearby areas. Our next delivery date is Tuesday, February 8 if you want to help!
If you are interested in delivering or cooking, please contact Susan Pirkle, our meals team coordinator, at [email protected] or at
864-280-4623.
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Memory Café for February will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. We will meet at 2:00 PM in the office building of Saint Luke United Methodist Church. The address is 607 E Main Street, Walhalla, South Carolina 29691.
The special event for the day is Chocolate Bingo. It is a bingo game in which when you win, you get chocolate in commemoration of Valentine’s Day. Come join us and make Memory Cafe a place where you and your loved one with memory loss can get together in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. It is a place where you can interact, laugh, cry, find support, share concerns, celebrate, and encourage friendship and acceptance.
All meetings are free. Please come join us. Call Bonnie Holmes at (864-539-6069) for more information.
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Red = Events
Blue = Meetings
FEBRUARY 2022
CDC Steering Committee
Thursday, February 3
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
A201
Stewardship Team Meeting
Sunday, February 6
2:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
ReShape Coordination Team & COS
Sunday, February 6
4:00 pm
Commons Room
Abigail Circle
Monday, February 7
11:30 am
Commons Room
Deborah Circle
Monday, February 7
7:00 pm
A201
Hospitality Committee
Monday, February 7
5:30 pm
Conference Room
Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, February 8
4:30 pm
A206
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, February 10
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
Scouting Ministry Celebration Sunday
Celebrate! Contemporary Worship
Sunday, February 13
9:00 am
Gym
Service/Missions Team Meeting
Sunday, February 13
12:15 pm
A201
Susanna Wesley Circle
Monday, February 14
12:30 pm
A201
UMW “Zero Weeks” Documentary
Tuesday, February 15
7:00 pm
Sanctuary
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, February 17
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
Elderberries - Bingo/Bunco
Saturday, February 19
3:00 pm
Commons Room
Human Relations Sunday (Rescheduled)
Sunday, February 20
Celebrate! Contemporary Worship
9:00 am @ Gym
Traditional Worship
11:00 am@ Sanctuary
LifeLine Health Screening
Monday, February 21
8:30 am
Gym
Church & Society Team Meeting
Monday, February 21
7:00 pm
Commons Room
UMW Leadership Meeting
Tuesday, February 22
3:30 pm
A201
Boating Safety
Tuesday, February 22
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Gym
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, February 24
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
SPRC Meeting
Sunday, February 27
12:15 pm
A201
MARCH 2022
Boating Safety
Tuesday, March 1
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Gym
Ash Wednesday
The Gathering
Wednesday, March 2
5:30 pm
Gym
Worship Service
7:00 pm
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, March 3
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
Elizabeth Circle
Thursday, March 3
10:30 am
Event Center @ Keowee Key
The Lord’s Prayer Book Study Group
Monday, March 7
10:30 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
Abigail Circle
Monday, March 7
11:30 am
Commons Room
Deborah Circle
Monday, March 7
7:00 pm
A201
The Lord’s Prayer Book Study Group
Monday, March 7
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Zoom Meeting
Worship Meeting
Tuesday, March 8
5:00 pm
A201
Boating Safety
Tuesday, March 8
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Gym
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, March 10
10:00 am - 12 noon
Commons Room
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Hopefully the COVID cooties will dissipate enough that we can gather for food, fun, and fellowship in February! To RSVP, click here. |
*We are carefully monitoring the COVID trend as event dates get closer. The Elderberries committee will use its discretion on whether events should proceed as planned.
Check back to see upcoming events in the months ahead!
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“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.” — Psalm 138:7, NRSV
February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on issues of race and religion and celebrate the important roles African Americans have played in the development of the United States. Recognition of those roles from a historical perspective is an important step in celebrating the contributions of individuals and the collective changes the African American community has accomplished.
“Black History Month is with us because, for a variety of reasons, Black history has been ignored, revised or distorted too often in our history books,” the late Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, who was active in the civil rights movement, wrote in a UM News commentary several years ago. “We find it difficult to explore honestly the reasons a study of Black history makes so many of us uncomfortable.
“We know it is essential to be historically correct about the issues in England that energized the efforts that established the United States,” he said. “However, there is difficulty for some people in admitting the existence of American slavery made necessary the abolition movement and the reality of racial segregation provoked and evoked the U.S. civil rights movement.”
If we do not remember accurately the negatives of the past, he said, we may repeat them. “Failure to remember the negatives deprives us of the opportunity to celebrate the magnificent progress we have made as a nation since slavery and legal racial segregation,” Caldwell explained.
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Saint Mark UMC
616 Quincy Road
Seneca, SC 29678
Call us:
9 am - 5 pm (M-Th)
(864) 882-2603
send an email
Pastoral Care
Emergencies or after regular office hours
call or text
(864) 882-2603
extension 104
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Have you moved, changed your phone number or email address?
Let us know!
Click here to let us know of changes in your contact information.
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Check Out Our Entire Church
Calendar of Events
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Click here to see what is going on at Saint Mark this week and in the weeks to come.
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Sunday,
February 6, 2022
9:00 am
Celebrate!
Contemporary
Worship
@ Gym
10:00 am
Sunday School
10:15 am
Destiny Christian
Center Worship
@ Commons Room
11:00 am
Traditional Worship
@ Sanctuary
Worship services will be LiveStreamed
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Children's and Youth
Sunday School
continues THIS Sunday
at 10 am
Children meet in Room A101, off of atrium.
Youth meet in the Youth Room.
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Visit our Saint Mark website! Click here. Check out our "Business of the Church" menu. |
Do You Need to Reserve a Room or Space at Saint Mark?
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There are multiple ways for you to practice the discipline of stewardship, and experience the joy of generosity. It’s your generosity that supports the many ministries of Saint Mark which are making a difference in the lives of many in our church and community each day.
To keep your giving up-to-date, you may use one of the following ways to make sure your pledge remains up-to-date:
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You can place your donations in the baskets at worship.
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You can mail your checks to Karen Holcombe at the church office -616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC 29678.
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You can set up bank draft by contacting Karen at the church office (864) 882-2603.
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You may also give your tithes and offerings online. It is quick and easy. Click here to give safely and securely. PLEASE NOTE: You may now contribute your alms through the online giving app. It is one of the giving options on the drop-down menu.
Thank you!!
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Watch Last Sunday's Services of Worship Today
Click here to watch last week's Celebrate! Contemporary Service.
Click here to watch last week's Traditional Worship Service.
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Prayer
to leave negativity
behind
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O merciful Lord,
This troubled world wants
to tie me up in knots.
So much anger and pain
make me feel negative
and all alone.
May your Spirit show me
once again, O Lord,
I am not alone.
My God is the living God.
My Lord is Christ Jesus.
His pure love sets me free.
In the name of Jesus,
cast out the lies of the evil one.
Return my focus to where
I find purpose and joy.
You are my salvation
and there is no greater hope
than my soul at rest in God.
Even during dark, tough times,
you are with me and I am yours.
You give me great courage.
I walk with a light, sure step.
I see now with the eyes of Christ
my heavenly destiny,
In the loving arms of my Father.
Your goodness overwhelms me.
I am free. I am home.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
prayerforanxiety.com
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Submit Your Prayer Requests
Saint Mark is pleased to receive your prayer requests . . . for yourself or for friends or loved ones. Click here to submit your request to Pastor Todd Davis.
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Saint Mark 2022 Ministry Guidebook |
Click here to view the entire Saint Mark 2022 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership and ministries.
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Got Information to Share
With Your Church Family?
Do you have announcements, news, thank you notes you want to share with your Saint Mark family?
Send them to Kristine Montgomery, our Director of Media and Communications. She can include it in the next edition of the weekly Saint Mark publication, the Heart Beat. To contact Kristine, Click here or call her at the church office (864) 882-2603. Send your information to Kristine by Wednesday before the Heart Beat goes out on Thursday.
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