February 21, 2024

From the Pastor

On Ash Wednesday last week, I looked out into the congregation and saw Michelle. I was privileged to serve as her parents' pastor twenty years ago.

Michelle's mother died of cancer while I was their pastor. I will never forget her mom's unwavering faith as her body deteriorated and I'll never forget the way Michelle's father loved her mother. It was a love that even cancer couldn't break.

We're in the midst of a Sunday morning Lenten series that I'm calling "Unbreakable Love." As beautifully and powerfully as Michelle's parents loved each other, it pales in comparison to the way God loves us.

May we be so touched by the unbreakable love of God that we seek to embody it in the way we love others. 

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

Tommy

In the context of scripture, a covenant is often an agreement between God and human beings, where God makes promises to God's people and in turn expects a certain type of behavior or commitment from them. But even when people fail to uphold their end of the covenant, God remains faithful, a powerful testament to God's unbreakable love.

February 25: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

March 3: Exodus 20:1-17

March 10: Ephesians 2:1-10

March 17: Jeremiah 31:31-34

March 24: Mark 11:1-11

TONIGHT

6:00 p.m.

SOULFULL Worship Plus Children, Youth, & Adult Ministries

Adult Ministries February 7th

The Grand Sweep Reflection Group

In the Banquet Room

or

Not participating The Grand Sweep Bible Study or SOULFULL

after the meal on Wednesday Nights? 

Join Rev. Martha Touchton to consider options

for future WNT programs and ministries.

Adult Ministries

THE PENTATEUCH

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION EVENT

Sunday, March 17, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

in the Sanctuary with

The Reverend Rebecca Abts Wright, Ph.D.

The Rev. Dr. Wright, C. K. Benedict Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Sewanee School of theology, will lead us in an overview and wrap-up of the first five books of the Old Testament Sunday, March 17, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. While this special presentation is especially for those participating in The Grand Sweep, all adults are invited and encouraged to attend.

Dr. Wright, who holds degrees from American University, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Yale University, is an ordained United Methodist minister whose primary objective is for students to encounter and enjoy the depths of biblical study. She uses a variety of teaching methods, introducing her students to a wide range of perspectives, both ancient and contemporary, "traditional" and "non-traditional," for encountering biblical texts. Her teaching style not only helps students understand the Old Testament in its historical context, but also how it is relevant to the church today. Her presentation at St. Mark’s will be interactive, and you are invited to submit questions ahead of time to martha@stmarkstn.org.  

FREE ONLINE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

Prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct, for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  1 Peter 1: 13-16, NRSV

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of devotion and scripture reading, self-examination and reflection for all ages.

Because so many in our congregation are using The Grand Sweep for their daily devotion, we will not be providing many paper devotional booklets during Lent. A helpful list of links for online devotionals, Lenten calendars, and other activities to help individuals and families practice spiritual discipline during the season of Lent can be found here.

Attend the TWK Conference “Day on the Hill” 



Our United Methodist Social Principles call on us to advocate for laws that prevent or reduce gun violence. Now is the time to speak up! Church and Society invites laity and clergy in both KY and TN to join them for a Day on the Hill Tuesday, February 27^th.

Members of St. Mark’s Clergy and Staff plan to attend and other adults are welcome and encouraged to participate. Plan to wear good walking shoes as there will be considerable walking and standing involved! If more than 5 people attend, we will take the church van, leaving St. Mark’s at 9:00 a.m. and returning around 3:00 p.m. 

To register for the event and lunch, follow the QR code below or register here. To reserve your seat on the St. Mark’s bus or meet up with St. Mark’s clergy, email martha@stmarkstn.org. 

The SAGES Ministry Team will meet on Monday, March 11, at 9:30 am in Room 503-505. Our guest for the first half of the meeting will be Joy Ash-Galland, who will discuss matters such as health care, memory care, etc.

The Alzheimer's/ Dementia caregivers will meet on February 22 at 1:30 with guest Joy Ash-Galland at 2714 Tower Dr., Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

A trip is planned to Bell Buckle with lunch at the Bell Buckle Café on March 8 at 11:00 AM. Lunch is Dutch Treat. The church bus will leave St. Mark’s at 10:15 AM. Please make your reservation in the office or the narthex. Look for the Sages registration book. Please sign up in the church office or the narthex. Look for the book!

Upcoming events include a tour of the historic Asbury-Babb House in Lebanon with lunch at Sammy B’s, a visit to Granny Fishes, and a show at the Cumberland County Playhouse.

This year we are again offering worship experiences at five different SAGES Assisted Living and Memory Care Centers.

We are sending cards and delivers flowers and gifts. We make hospital calls and home visits. We support grandparent ministries. We attend Sunday School and worship.

The Sages had a wonderful trip to Granville last week. We all enjoyed the Mayberry luncheon and play. Please join us for an outing. We believe you will enjoy it.

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:15*!

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.

* On Sunday’s when the Children’s Choir is rehearsing, Children’s Sunday School will begin at 9:30.

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 Room 202 in the Children’s Wing.

Be Retreat is March 2^nd-3^rd!

An email containing important information about the Be Retreat has been sent to all registered children’s parents. All 3^rd-6^th grade children will explore what it means to BE like Jesus through music led by Cedar Crest staff and worship led by Rev. Sarah Jo Adams-Wilson. If you haven’t paid yet, please do so before we leave on March 2^nd.

Save the Date for the Children’s Easter Events!

• Sunday, March 24th- Palm Sunday Parade during the 10:30 AM Worship Service

• Sunday, March 31st- Children’s Sunday School Resurrection Scavenger Hunt at 9:15 AM

• Sunday, March 31st- Butterfly Parade during the 10:30 AM Worship Service

• Sunday, March 31st- Easter Egg Hunt following the 10:30 AM Worship Service

Help St. Mark’s be a Safe Sanctuary to all people entrusted to our care!

Ways you can help:

• Keep empty rooms locked
• Sign children in and out of classrooms
• Supervise your children at all times
• Accompany your children to the Restroom
• Help us observe the two-adult rule at all times by serving as a Safe Sanctuaries helper
• If you see any behavior that seems abusive or inappropriate, inform a ministry leader

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!

If you are interested in playing softball for St. Mark’s Co-Ed Adult Softball team, please contact me at louis@stmarkstn.org  

• Congratulations to Kyle on wrapping up a successful run of performances with the Oakland High School Drama Department's production of Mamma Mia!

• Congratulations to Aidan on receiving a priority scholarship offer to play soccer at Indiana Wesleyan University - way to go Aidan!!

• Congratulations to me on winning the 5th Annual Breakfast Battle at MTSU’s Wesley Foundation! This is actually my second consecutive championship title, though I’m beginning to suspect that the large contingent of St. Mark’s members in attendance may have stacked the deck in my favor by their generous contributions to MTSU Wesley’s annual fundraiser ... 

• Wednesday Night Bible Study continues this week (2/21) beginning at 6:00 pm in the Library (just off the Narthex) and ending at 7:30 pm; Youth & friends in grades 6-12 are invited to join us as we explore the question of, “How does the Old Testament differ from the New Testament?”. Dinner (baked fish, field peas with snaps, whole kernel corn, salad bar, hush puppies, and cookies) will be served in the banquet hall at 5 pm, and is free for Children, Youth and College Students.

• Sunday February 25th is Game Night at St. Mark’s Youth, with dinner (BBQ pulled pork, buns, baked potatoes, baked beans, and salad) provided by our friend Tammy Howell beginning at 5 pm in the Banquet Hall. After dinner, we will move to the Youth Wing, where our Game Night activity will commence.

• Sunday March 3rd is Karaoke Night at St. Mark’s Youth, with dinner provided by Mrs. Becky Luse beginning at 5 pm in the Banquet Hall. Youth & friends in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for an evening of joyful noise and not taking ourselves too seriously (all ability levels welcome!). 

There is ALSO no school for RCS Students on Monday March 18th due to a Parent / Teacher Conference Day, so St. Mark’s Student Ministry will be leading an outing to Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain to visit either Rock City (if the weather is clear) or Ruby Falls (if the weather is bad). As with the Stone Door outing, St. Mark’s Youth (as well as any friends in grades 6-12 that you may want to invite) are invited to meet us at 8 am by the St. Mark’s Youth Wing, where we will assemble a bagged lunch for the road and hope to depart by 8:30 and return by mid-afternoon. Blackman UMC will be joining us for this outing, so please let me know ahead of time if you plan on coming along so that we can have an accurate headcount for transportation and ticket purchasing (louis@stmarkstn.org).

• Any and all Youth or rising Youth who have not yet completed Confirmation in the United Methodist Church are invited to join us for Confirmation Class during the Sunday School hour in the Banquet Hall, continuing through May. For more information, please contact louis@stmarkstn.org or hannah@stmarkstn.org

• 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 by St Mark’s Student Ministry, please communicate this information to Louis Toedt and he will follow up with further instructions. Graduation Sunday will be observed on May 5th, 2024.

You can find a printable version of the Spring 2024 St. Mark’s Youth Programming Calendar via this link:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-AZc7QprlSM_JRgk_Tao3jLciH2yvtQAk_EITGXUA8/edit?usp=sharing . You can also follow us on Instagram @stmarkstn_youth, or visit the Youth Ministry landing page for all things related to St Mark’s Student Ministry: https://st-marks-umc-student-ministry.mailchimpsites.com/

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 available Sunday is:

March 3 (one or both bouquets)

March 24 (one or both bouquets)

March 31 (one bouquet)

April 7 (one or both bouquets)

April 14 (one bouquet)

Many other 2024 dates are available. Call 615-893-3455 for more information.

Wednesday, February 21

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

6:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #1 - Banquet Room

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

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

Thursday, February 22

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

1:30 p.m. Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group

6:00 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, February 23

10:00 a.m. Grand Sweep #2 - RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

Saturday, February 24

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

9:00 a.m. Council on Ministries Meeting - Banquet Room

Sunday, February 25

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Family Ministries Team meeting

2:00 p.m. Dr. Arthur Ford, Jr. Visitation - Narthex

3:00 p.m. Dr. Arthur Ford, Jr. Celebration of Life - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

4:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #4 - RM 504

4:15 p.m. SONlight Youth Choir - RM 1119

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

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

Monday, February 26

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Preschool Lobby

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, February 27

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Preschool Lobby

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

10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Woodworkers - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Women's Chorale - RM 1119

Wednesday, February 28

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Preschool Lobby

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

6:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #1 - Banquet Room

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

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

Thursday, February 29

8:00 a.m. Preschool Registration - Preschool Lobby

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

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

6:00 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, March 1

10:00 a.m. Grand Sweep #2 - RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

Saturday, March 2

Be Retreat at Cedar Crest Camp

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

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

Sunday, March 3

Be Retreat at Cedar Crest Camp

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

4:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #4 - RM 504

4:15 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119

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

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

Monday, March 4

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

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

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, March 5

8:00 a.m. Youth Ministry Outing to Stone Door - 2018 Van

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

10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505

In Other News:

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar 

Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermon's media page.

St. Mark's UMC | (615) 893-3455 | stmarks@stmarkstn.org