The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN | |
"The Messenger" Online Newsletter | |
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From the Pastor
Recently, I was talking about how I could use some help with something. The person I was speaking to said, "You have not because you ask not." He was essentially saying that if I wanted his help, all I had to do is ask.
That response prompts me to ask for YOUR help. As of this writing, our financial support of the church is down. We need approximately $130,000 by the end of the year to reach our expected level of giving.
If you're behind in your financial support of the church and can catch up, please do. If you have the means to give more, please do. If you've not previously supported the church financially, I invite you to consider doing so now. The church could use your help. So I just thought I'd ask.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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Thank You from Your Church Staff
We find so many ways to say it. But the old familiar words are best: so from every member of our church staff, we thank you. Thank you for your Christmas gifts to us this year but even more importantly, thank you for all the ways you partner with us in ministry throughout the entire year. We pray that you and those you love have a blessed Christmas and the very best of new years.
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The St. Mark’s SAGES (Senior Adults Growing, Exploring, Serving) send out Christmas greetings to all. And may you have a Happy New Year. | |
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Christmas Eve Morning Worship
Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior on December 24th at 10:30 am. This worship service will feature a special performance from St. Mark’s Youth and Children’s Choir.
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SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30!
Our Preschool (Ages 2 to PreK 5), Younger Elementary (Kindergarten to 3rd Grade), and Older Elementary (4th Grade to 6th 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.
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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.
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Focus on hands-on learning
Engage kids in the Bible story with lessons packed with activities, interactive games, and creative crafts.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Equips caregivers to nurture faith
Equips leaders and parents to nurture faith in many ways—through storytelling, prayers, and music.
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Confirmation Class Is Coming in January | |
Attention all parents and family members of students in grades 6-12: St. Mark’s Confirmation Class is coming in January 2024. Any and all Youth or rising Youth who have not yet completed Confirmation in the United Methodist Church are invited (along with their families) to attend our Confirmation Orientation Meeting, which will immediately follow the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, January 7th in the Banquet Hall. Lunch will be provided; if you would like to attend, please be sure to RSVP by the 1st of the New Year by emailing louis@stmarkstn.org, or just pull me aside if you see me walking past you in the hallway. | |
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The Great Christmas Card Exchange!
The Family Ministries team has prepared a space for you to exchange Christmas cards with your church family members. The bookshelf will be in the Narthex throughout the month of December. You are invited to place cards for others in the clear bins which are in alphabetical order by last name. Stop by each Sunday to drop off cards and pick up ones addressed to you!
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REHEARSAL IS THIS SATURDAY!
All children and youth participating in the Christmas Eve performance are asked to attend dress rehearsal on December 23rd from 10:00-11:30 AM. Youth are asked to arrive by 9:30 AM.
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THANK YOU TO THE FAITHFUL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS
Thank you for serving the children of St. Mark’s and the surrounding community in 2023! The gifts of your prayers, presence, offerings, service, and witness for Christ truly makes a difference in the lives of these children. May Christ continue to bless you in the New Year as we move forward in ministry together!
Blessings,
Hannah
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!
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Attention College Students & Young Adults: St Mark’s is proud to host Volleyball Night on Wednesday, December 27th and Friday, December 29th from 7:30pm –11:00pm in the gym, hosted by Georgia Touchton. No RSVP needed - just come as you are! | |
On Sunday, December 17th, the St. Mark’s Youth Christmas Party was held in the Youth Wing, and a new champion was crowned in our second annual Reindeer Games competition … congratulations to our overall winner Lyla Wiley, as well as runners-up Chelsea Read and Sam McElroy! Also, big thanks to volunteer chef & chaperone Susan McElroy for providing delicious Christmas snacks and a first-rate Hot Chocolate bar, and also to Tracy Read for contributing some wonderful Christmas cookies! | Speaking of Christmastime festivities, apparently all members of our Youth Group made the ‘Nice List’ this year, because Santa Claus himself made a special cameo appearance on the evening of Sunday 12/10 to deliver some early gifts to one and all. Needless to say, much jolliness ensued. | |
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Any and all Youth or rising Youth who have not yet completed Confirmation in the United Methodist Church are invited (along with their families) to attend our Confirmation Orientation Meeting, which will immediately follow the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, January 7th in the Banquet Hall. Lunch will be provided; if you would like to attend, please be sure to RSVP by the 1st of the New Year by emailing louis@stmarkstn.org,
-It was very fun to get to witness 3 different St. Mark’s Youth members doing their thing in one night, as this year’s “Naval Battle of the ‘Boro” Swim Meet saw Chelsea’s Riverdale team facing off against Telmo’s Oakland team. And for the cherry on top of the sundae, it just so happened that Kyle was performing with the school band at the same time in the next room over … thanks again for the invitation!
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December of 2023 is one of those oddball months which features a fifth Sunday, so we will be looking for Youth members willing to serve as Ushers during the 10:30 worship service on Sunday 12/31. If you are interested, please contact Louis Toedt at (773) 699-2973 or louis@stmarkstn.org.
-Because of your support, St. Mark’s Youth will be traveling to Pigeon Forge for their Winter Retreat on the weekend of January 19-21 in order to attend Resurrection ‘24, an annual event of worship and spiritual growth hosted by the youth ministry of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. We are partnering with Blackman UMC for this trip, which allows us to share the cost of housing in addition to providing an opportunity for our Youth to get to know their peers in the broader United Methodist community of Murfreesboro. Thank you for your faithful and continual support of this ministry, and special thanks to John McDaniel, Hannah Pratt & Zach Pratt for volunteering to chaperone!
-St. Mark’s Student Ministry hosts a weekly "Bible Study Hall" beginning at 6:00 pm in the Library (just off the Narthex), and ending at 7:30 pm. Participants may attend the SOULFULL worship service from 6-6:30 before joining us in the Library if they choose, or simply come directly to the Library at 6 if they prefer. However, please note that there is no Wednesday night programming from 12/20 to 1/10 , meaning that the next Wednesday Night Youth Event will be on 1/17, when St. Mark’s hosts its annual Talent Show (Wednesday Night dinners will also resume on the evening of 1/17).
-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/
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The 2024 Grand Sweep Bible Challenge | |
What a blessing that more than 75 people have accepted The Grand Sweep Challenge to read through the Bible in 2024! Thank you to each one who has taken this step on their walk of faith. | |
For those who are still praying about this opportunity, you can register by scanning the QR code, stopping by the registration table, or sending an email to martha@stmarkstn.org. Age appropriate reading plans will be provided for children and youth who register as well.
Each adult reader is invited to be part of a weekly reflection group. These small groups will consider the scriptures read the previous week, address questions that arise from the readings, and support one another’s journey with encouragement and prayer. Please know that there is no reason to opt out of the small group participation because you will miss a week here or there; life happens, and we all will miss a gathering on occasion!
Small groups are available at these times:
• Sundays, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. beginning January 7th, especially for adults not currently members of another Christian education class. Led by Revs. Tommy Ward and Martha Touchton.
• Sundays, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. beginning January 7th. Led by Hannah Pratt.
• Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. beginning January 3rd. Led by a wonderful team of St. Mark’s retired clergy. (Note, this group must begin reading by December 28th!)
• Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. beginning January 5th. Led by Claudia Hunter. (Note, this group must begin reading by December 30th!)
To register for a small group, email martha@stmarkstn.org with the group you’d like to join. If you would like to lead your own small group in your home or at church, please reach out to me so we can discuss that possibility.
More books have arrived and are available in this church office or on Sunday mornings for $10 each!
Again, thank you for your enthusiastic response to this spiritual challenge. I pray it is a great blessing for you and for our life together as a community of faith. God Bless You, and Merry Christmas!
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That We Might
Feed Others
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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 Sunday is January 7th
Please bring 1lb. Boxes of spaghetti!
"For I was hungry and you gave me food..."
Matthew 25:35
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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:
January 7 (one or both bouquets)
January 14 (one or both bouquets)
January 21 (one bouquet)
January 28 (one or both bouquets)
Many other 2024 dates are available. Call for more information.
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WNT is on Holiday Break
and will resume
January 17, 2024.
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Project Transformation Summer Interns Needed | |
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Project Transformation is a program designed to meet the needs of children, provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to develop as young leaders and explore ministry opportunities, and help churches connect with communities. St. Mark's is proud to be a part of this important work.
Are you a college-age young adult looking for a summer internship? Or do you know someone else who might be? If so, please consider PT. Click here for more information about internship possibilities.
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Join in Honoring
MIKE ROSE
with a
RETIREMENT CARD SHOWER
in Celebration of his
Years of Service and Dedication
to the Congregation of St. Mark’s UMC
as the Administrative Assistant
and IT Coordinator
Cards may be sent to the church or brought to the collection baskets in the Sanctuary Foyer and Church Office until Sunday, December 31st.
Enclosures of gifts cards and checks are welcomed.
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Wednesday, December 20
11:30 a.m. UMW Lois Shipp Circle at Through the Grapevine
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119
Thursday, December 21
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
11:00 a.m. Weight Watchers - RM 402/404
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Saturday, December 23
6:45 a.m. Weight Watchers - RM 402/404
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
9:30 a.m. Children and Youth Dress Rehearsal - Sanctuary
Sunday, December 24
10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Morning Worship - Sanctuary
7:00 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Worship - Sanctuary
Monday, December 25 - Christmas
Office Closed
Tuesday, December 26
Office Closed
6:00 a.m. Woodworkers - Banquet Room
Wednesday, December 27
7:30 p.m. College Volleyball Night - Rec Center
Thursday, December 28
10:00 a.m. Quilting Bee - Banquet Room/Kitchen
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
11:00 p.m. Weight Watchers - RM 402/404
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Friday, December 29
7:30 p.m. College Volleyball Night - Rec Center
Saturday, December 30
6:45 a.m. Weight Watchers - RM 402/404
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, December 31
9:15 a.m. Church-wide Brunch
10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
Monday, January 1
Office Closed
5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center
5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505
Tuesday, January 2
9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506
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