For the Week of December 15 - 22, 2022

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When you are a kid, it seems as though Christmas is never going to come. For adults, however, it always comes too soon! In fact, doesn’t it seem as though Christmas comes earlier every year? We know Christmas is coming every year, so it’s never too early to prepare. We also know that Jesus is coming – are you prepared? Worship with us Sunday to learn more!  ~ Pastor Todd

The children's musical "A Shepherd's Story" will be presented during the traditional worship service on Sunday, December 18. This cute musical tells the story of Jesus' birth through the eyes of the shepherds (all of whom are in elementary school and anxious to share with the congregation their costumes, songs, and speaking parts!)

RESHAPE UPDATE –


Modified Sunday Morning Schedule coming in 2023




During our congregation’s participation in the Reshape Initiative, the Sunday morning schedule was identified as an area to be further studied and addressed. It was designated as Reshape Pathway #28. A multifunctional group was formed from members of the following ministries: Tech Team, Hospitality, Faith Formation, Worship, Family Ministries, the Pastor, and Reshape Support Team. 


This group began meeting in June, reviewed feedback from the original Reshape groups, developed and discussed thirteen options for the sequence of Sunday School and the two worship services, surveyed young families for input, reviewed the sequences with the teams represented and heard their feedback, heard from SPRC Chair Debbie DuBose about the possibilities and issues surrounding returning to a two-pastor church, and received input from Laura Ritter and John Glenn from the Worship Staff. 


After narrowing the options down to three, the team decided to survey the congregation to get input to help formulate a recommendation. One hundred eighty-three responses to the survey were received and were helpful in reaching a conclusion. 


The team’s conclusion was that we should keep the same sequence of the Sunday morning schedule but “tweak” the times, especially to include more time for fellowship. That led to the following proposed Sunday morning schedule:


9:00 – 10:00 Celebrate! Contemporary Worship

10:00 – 10:15 Fellowship

10:15 – 11:00 Sunday School

11:00 -- 11:15 Fellowship

11:15 – 12:15 Traditional Worship



This proposal was presented to the Council of Stewards on October 27th and was approved. This schedule is planned to begin on January 8, 2023. Other improvements to enhance our Sunday morning time together are also being discussed. 


Sally Boggs, Worship Committee Chairperson

  • Drivers Needed for Golden Corner Food Pantry
  • Advent Giving Project: Flood Buckets for UMCOR

Saint Mark disciples, in week six of our 2023 Pledge Campaign we received 4 pledges, bringing our total received so far to 158 totaling $822,000. Based on the last 3 years of pledge campaign history, we should end the campaign with around 180 pledges, so we still have about 22 families who have not submitted their pledge. We hope to complete this campaign by Christmas, so if you have not yet pledged but plan to do so, please submit your pledge as soon as possible. Remember, you can put your pledge card in the offering basket on Sunday at church, or you can mail your pledge card to the church, or you can fill out the pledge card online at the Saint Mark UMC website. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. 


Peter Salis, Stewardship Team Leader

UWF CHRISTMAS FAIRE A SUCCESS!


Thanks to your faithful support and sharing the information about the United Women in Faith Christmas Faire 2022 with your neighbors and friends, we had a great turnout for the fundraising event. In eight days, we grossed $10,257.30 in sales! The proceeds from sales will be distributed over the winter to local Oconee County missions selected by the UWF members.


If you missed the transformation of the atrium into a festive venue reminiscent of European Christmas Markets, you really have to make plans to attend next years’ event! Thanks to Joyce and Basil Carney, Jan and Jeff Weicksel, Linda and Roger Chapman, Janet and Steve Figueroa, Linda and Trip Jones, Nancy Evatt, Gary Baker (for taking leftover resell items to Wilderness Way Girls’ Camp thrift store), circle leaders and the UWF Leadership Team and membership for helping with the set up, sale, and packing up after the event. And a special thank you to each member who worked over the last 9-10 months to assemble crafts, prepare Pear Honey, jams, “Chicken Bog," pumpkin bread, donate goods for the “resell”, and other activities to support the event. The fun and fellowship was a special byproduct of all the hard work!


By the way, if you are in need of a nice, little pre-wrapped Christmas gift for a friend or neighbor, “Let There Be Food!” cookbooks are available for purchase ($13/each or two/$25). Contact Becky Hazelwood to arrange pickup.

SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS


On Sunday, December 11, the Saint Mark Chancel Choir, Festival Ensemble, and guest harpist Kari Novilla, conducted by Music Director Laura Ritter, presented a glorious Service of Lessons & Carols to a fully packed sanctuary. Click on the video link below to watch again or to enjoy for the first time!

COME SUPPORT OUR SAINT MARK

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS


It's that time of year-- the Salvation Army's little red buckets are all over town, with cheerful bell ringers standing next to the buckets, hoping to see a few dollars dropping through the slot. Those dollars add up to rent, utilities, food and clothing for low-income families right here in Oconee County. If you weren't able to sign up to ring the bell, can we ask you to make an effort to stop by and encourage our Saint Mark bell ringers by dropping a donation into the bucket while they are on duty? Look for Saint Mark disciples standing by the buckets on the following date:


Saturday, December 17 at the Ingles in Seneca


CLICK HERE to see more photos of our volunteers!

STAFF CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

This past Tuesday, Pastor Todd and Cara hosted a Christmas luncheon at the parsonage for the Saint Mark staff. Cara's cooking is always delicious and appreciated, and everyone enjoys the mid-century modern decor. After lunch, the staff had a "dirty Santa" gift exchange. Thanks to Pastor Todd and Cara for this opportunity to fellowship!

In the dining room: Laura Ritter, Lisi Campbell, Andy Campbell,

Cara Davis, Jens Holley, Pastor Todd Davis, Bob Stillwell.

At the kid's table: Karen Holcombe, Becca Williams, Donna Jaynes, John Glenn, Steve Compton. Not pictured: Laura Wagner,

Kristine Montgomery.

A list of petitions for our church family and others.

Santa's Secret Shop is all set up and ready for parents to come select gifts for their children on Saturday, December 17th in the Saint Mark Center. Our Youth and other disciples will help during this fun and meaningful event. Contact

Nell Hodge if you'd like to join in!

Above: Just a sample of the many, many gifts donated to the Santa Shop this year!

  • December Birthdays
  • Pickle Ball Mondays
  • Opt-In for Texting
A list of (non-weekly) Church meetings and events during the next two weeks.

FRIENDSGIVING WITH SAINT MARK YOUTH


Last Sunday we were treated to a video by Lisi Campbell highlighting the Youth Ministry's recent holiday event. Click on the video below:

Events for 2023 are being planned. Stay tuned!

Our current COVID safety policy while on campus.
Click here to view the entire Saint Mark 2022 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership and ministries.

Saint Mark UMC

616 Quincy Road

Seneca, SC 29678


Call us:

9 am - 5 pm (M-Th)

(864) 882-2603


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send an email


Pastoral Care

Emergencies or after regular office hours

call or text

(864) 882-2603

extension 104 

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December 18, 2022


4th Sunday of Advent


9:00 am

Celebrate!

Contemporary Worship

@ Gym


10:00 am

Sunday School

(Adults, Children & Youth)


10:15 am

Destiny Christian Center

@ Commons Room


11:00 am

Traditional 

Worship Service

@ Sanctuary



Worship services are LiveStreamed!

CHILDREN & YOUTH

SUNDAY SCHOOL


Children meet at 10 am in Room A101 off the atrium. Youth meet in the Youth Center.


Youth Group meets at 5 pm in the 

Youth Center.

Have Information to Share with Your Church Family?


Click here to email Kristine Montgomery, Director of Media & Communications or call her at (864) 882-2603 to have your info included in the next edition of the Heart Beat. The deadline is 3 pm Wednesday before the Heart Beat goes out Thursday at 5 pm.

Link to The Advocate for free! Click below:

Saint Mark United Methodist Church

616 Quincy Road

Seneca, South Carolina 29678-3820

kmontgomery@smumcsc.org

864-882-2603

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

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