December 6, 2022

From the Pastor

Time is always a precious commodity, but especially during the holiday season. So I'll be brief.

Lots of Advent experiences have been planned with you in mind as we ponder the many ways that Christ comes to us. Check them out below and make plans to attend some or all as you are able.

Thank you! Thank you for your financial support of St. Mark's in 2022. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer. Thank you for your presence in worship, small groups, and service opportunities. Thank you for every expression of love and support you've shown to our church staff throughout the year. Thank you, St. Mark's family.

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

Tommy

Please join me in sending a big THANK YOU to the St. Mark’s staff for their dedication and service to our church. Each member of our staff performs a vital role that supports the many missions of St. Mark’s. Their day-to-day efforts are a key part of what makes us one of the great churches in our community!

In addition to cards and notes of encouragement, please consider sending a financial gift. To designate a gift for the staff, just write “Staff Gift” on the memo line of your check. Your check can then be placed in an offering plate or mailed to the church office. All gifts received by Monday, December 19, will be distributed prior to Christmas.

Please keep the St. Mark’s staff in your prayers during this holiday season, and let’s keep working together to make 2023 our best year ever!

Rev. Tommy Ward, Senior Pastor

Dr. Jim Clardy, Executive Pastor

Rev. Martha Touchton, Minister of Education

HyeLan Pearce, Director of Worship & Music

Dr. Louis Toedt, Director of Youth and Recreation

Sherrie Gilliam, Preschool Director

Janet Morse, Assistant Preschool Director/Custodial Care

Buddy Howell, Business Administrator

Mike Rose, Administrative Assistant/I.T. Coordinator

Dr. Adam Clark, Accompanist

Tony Henry, Custodial Care

This Sunday, we begin the season of Advent with a new sermon series entitled "Songs of Advent." Each week, we'll look at a different "song" in Luke's gospel and what those songs might have to say to us during this holy season.

December 11: The Angels' Song (Luke 2:1-14)

December 18: Handel's Messiah

December 25: Simeon's Song (Luke 2:25-33)

You’re encouraged to worship with us unless you’re sick or out of town. And if you’re out of town, consider finding a place to worship while you’re away!

SOULFULL worship is for those who can’t be in church on Sunday, for those who are looking for a different approach to worship, or for those who are looking for other opportunities to worship. It’s also great for friends and neighbors who don’t have much of a church background.

SOULFULL is now a part of our Wednesday Night Together ministry and is one of several wonderful opportunities available each night.

The SAGES Senior Serenity Worship, Program and Luncheon is Saturday, December 10. We begin with worship and communion at 11:00 in the Sanctuary. Lunch will be served at 11:30 in the Banquet Room. Other activities will follow. This is one time during the year when we can honor our homebound members and their families.

Thanks to the SAGES Ministry Team and SAGES for a wonderful year.

Merry Christmas.

5:00 p.m. Dinner

(Reservations Required)

6:00 p.m. Worship and Mission

Wednesday, December 7: Packing Christmas gift bags for the children in Grades Kindergarten – 2^nd at Reeves Rogers Elementary School. Menu: Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans, Cucumber/Watermelon Salad, Blueberry/Pineapple Caramel Parfait.    

Wednesday Night Together will be on Holiday Hiatus

December 14 – January 11

And resumes January 18, 2023 with the Youth Choir

“Bringing our Gifts” Talent Show

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.  

This December in Celebrate Wonder Sunday School, preschool children are exploring the stories of the Advent of Christ, including the angel’s visits to Mary and Joseph and the Nativity account from Luke 2. Our theme word is “HOPE,” and our memory verse is, “Look! I bring good news to you – wonderful, joyous news for all people,” Luke 2:10. See you in Room 305 at 9:15 a.m.!

This Winter, children in the Kindergarten – 2^nd Grade are exploring 4 Advent and Christmas Stories.  

12/11 Jesus Is Born Luke 2:1-20

1/8 The Magi Matthew 2:1-12

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

Grades 3 – 5 Studies the Birth of Christ

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 through a new curriculum called “Connect.”

This Winter, children in Grades 3 – 5 are exploring 4 Advent and Christmas Stories

12/11 Consecration- Luke 2:25-35  

1/8  Herod - Matthew 2:13-18

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

Note: Due to the Holiday schedule, Christian education classes will not meet December 18, 25, and January 1, 2023.

Merry Christmas Fellowship Brunch

FULL BRUNCH! 9:15 a.m. Sunday, December 18

Bring a Family-Size Breakfast Food to Share!

Coffee, Juice, and Milk Provided.

(See FLYER here.)

Elves needed in the Kitchen!

See Rev. Touchton for More Information.

Our Chancel Choir and Chamber Orchestra presents Handel's “Messiah,” Part 1, during worship Sunday, December 18^th at 10:30AM in the Sanctuary.

UPCOMING dates for Children’s Ministries

Saturday, December 24, 4:00 p.m. – “A Night Like No Other” Christmas Eve Worship Especially for Families with Children Including Candlelight Communion.

Sundays, DECEMBER 25 and JANUARY 1 – 10:30 a.m. worship, No Christian education. Children are welcome to wear their pajamas to worship!!!

We have a new experience for Children’s Choir on Sunday mornings, 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Parents are asked to sign their children into these rooms at 9:00 a.m.:  

        Preschoolers – Grade 1, Room 304 with Jan Crossett

        Grades 2 – 5, Room 211 with Kathy Edwards

then go directly to Sunday school 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.  The children will be preparing special Christmas vocal and instrumental music to share in the 10:30 a.m. worship Sunday, December 11^th. This schedule will be in place November 13^th – December 11^th.  There will be no Children’s Choir rehearsals or Sunday school December 18, 25 or January 1.  

If you have questions about this change, please feel free to reach out to Rev. Martha Touchton or HyeLan Pearce.  

Thanks for all you do to support the ministries of St. Mark’s! Year-to-Date Giving as of 12/4/22 = $1,203,139. YTD Budget Need = $1,173,000. An additional $81,861 is needed to fully fund the 2022 operating budget. Please keep St. Mark's in your year-end giving plans.

Thanks to all of our wonderful vendors and to everyone who came out to shop!  We had a wonderful market with excellent sales over $6000!  Look for a more complete report in the next newsletter!

Thank you for signing up for the Altar Flowers and adding the beauty of God’s creation is a part of our service. The calendar is full through the remainder of 2022.  

The 2023 Calendar is now open for signup. The notebook is at the reception desk. Please consider selecting your special day early. For 2023, the price will increase to $30 per arrangement or $60 for both arrangements. 

A Blue Christmas Service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays.

Some come because they are mourning the death of a loved one. Some are far from home. Some suffer from illness, addiction, or estrangement. Some are lonely, struggling financially, or in conflict with another. Some hurt because of the great pain, need, and violence in our nation and world. The reasons for coming are many.

We gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good. God is strong. God is near.

We are not alone, and we have every reason to hold on to hope.

• The landing page for all things related to St Mark’s Student Ministry can be found here, including opportunities to serve as volunteers for Youth and College activities, classes and events: https://st-marks-umc-student-ministry.mailchimpsites.com/ 

• St Mark’s Youth Group visited the “Dancing Lights of Christmas” Lights Display on the evening of Sunday December 4^th, an outing made possible by YOUR generous contributions to Youth fundraising events such as Merry Mission Marketplace! 

Celebration of Retirement

For Sherrie Gilliam, Director

St. Mark’s Preschool

Sunday, December 11^th

Following 10:30 a.m. worship, St. Mark’s UMC and St. Mark’s Preschool will join in a reception to honor and celebrate the ministry of Sherrie Gilliam.  Please plan to stay for this special event!  

Wednesday, December 14

 6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship

Sunday, December 18

9:15 a.m. Holiday Potluck Brunch – No Christian Education

• 50th Anniversary Celebration for John and Millie Dawkins

10:30 a.m. Worship with “Handel’s Messiah”

4:00 p.m. Blue Christmas Worship - in the Chapel

Wednesday, December 21

6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship

Saturday, December 24

4:00 p.m. “A Night Like No Other” Christmas Eve Worship Especially for Families with Children, Candlelight & Communion

7:00 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Worship with Candlelight and Communion

Sunday, December 25

9:15 a.m. No Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship

Sunday, January 1

9:15 a.m. Expanded Coffee Bar, Bring a Goodie to Share

No Christian Education

Sunday, January 8

 9:15 a.m. Christian education resumes

 10:30 a.m. Worship 

Please make payments payable to

St. Mark’s UMC and designate for Poinsettia.

Bring order form and check to the church office or email and pay online. Order Deadline: Monday, December 12^th. Cost: $20 per plant.

Poinsettia is ______ in memory OR ______ in honor

Of: __________________________________________________________

By:__________________________________________________________

Wednesday, December 7

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

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

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119 

Thursday, December 8

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

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505 

11:30 a.m. Rutherford Health Fair - Rec Center 

6:300 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505 

Friday, December 9

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505 

5:00 p.m. Woodworkers Dinner - Banquet Room/Kitchen 

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - RC 

Saturday, December 10

8:30 a.m. AA Group – RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. pm Senior Serenity Luncheon - BR/K 

Sunday, December 11

9:00 a.m. Children’s Choirs – RM 304 & RM 211

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship – Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Sherrie Gilliam Retirement Celebration - Narthex 

4:15 p.m. SONlight – RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers – RM 1117

Monday, December 12

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. PEO - RM 501

Tuesday, December 13

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

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

Wednesday, December 14

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

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

Thursday, December 15

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

6:00 p.m. ACOA Meeting – RM 503/505

Friday, December 16

10:00 a.m. Altar Guild - Sanctuary

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

12:30 p.m. UMW Lois Shipp Circle at Through the Grapevine 

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - RC

8:00 p.m. Cub Scouts Lock-in - Rec Center 

Saturday, December 17

8:30 a.m. AA Group – RM 503/505

10:00 a.m. Spares & Pairs SS Class Event 

Sunday, December 18

9:15 a.m. Dawkins Reception - Narthex 

9:15 a.m. Fellowship Brunch 

10:30 a.m. Worship – Sanctuary

12:00 p.m. Youth Event

4:00 p.m. Blue Christmas Worship - Chapel

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers – RM 1117

Monday, December 19

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

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

Tuesday, December 20

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

In Other News:

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar 

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