"The Messenger"
Online Newsletter
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Communion This Sunday
We have not gathered at the Lord's Table at St. Mark's since March 1. While many of my colleagues decided to encourage people to celebrate communion from their homes in April, I did not. First of all, our worship experiences are not live-streamed (we don't have the technology to do that in our sanctuary at the present time) so we wouldn't all be gathering "together" at the Table at the same time. My other concern was that, while it would be meaningful and special to celebrate communion with our families, for the people who are widowed, single, or alone, it could be a very lonely feeling and time.
My hope and prayer was that we'd all be back together by now, worshipping God and gathering at the Table our Lord. Since our episcopal leader has advised us that it will at least be June 7 before that's possible and because I know that many of you would like to celebrate communion, we have come up with an alternative about which I have some peace.
This Sunday at 11 am, we will offer a live-streamed Service of Word and Table on our church YouTube channel (StMarksTN). You're invited to get some grape juice or wine and some bread and join us. We've placed some pre-filled cups and wafers outside the office door if you don't have what you need at home and don't want to go to the store. Supplies are limited, however, so we ask that you take only what you need.
I look forward to virtually gathering together at the Lord's Table with you Sunday.
Tommy
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SAGES News
The Face to Face Encounter which was to be held at St. Mark’s in July has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for 2021. Thank you for all your interest.
God bless you all as you stay safe and healthy.
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ST. MARK’S CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES TEAM continues to help your children grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in fellowship with one another! Be sure you are connected to our private facebook page, St. Mark’s UMC Children’s Ministries.
STORIES FOR OUR CHILDREN
Many of St. Mark’s Sunday school teachers and children’s ministries leaders are making videos of themselves and/or their families reading stories that are then posted on St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries Facebook page every day. If you would like information about how to video and send a story for posting via DropBox, please email Rev. Touchton (
martha@stmarkstn.org).
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Deep Blue Virtual Sunday School
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Deep Blue Virtual Sunday School for children is provided Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. on St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries Facebook page. All children are receiving their weekly activity sheets for Sunday mornings by mail.
“As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)
This month your children will hear stories about the ministries of Peter, John, and Paul after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. These disciples lead the spread of the good news with bravery despite the worries about being imprisoned for sharing their faith in Jesus. Your children will hear the story of Peter and John and the healing of a man who was paralyzed, the story of Peter’s miraculous release from prison, and the story of Paul’s transformation and his escape from harm by the help of his friends. The month ends with the celebration of Pentecost—the time when the Holy Spirit was given to the followers of Jesus. The Church still celebrates this day as the birthday of the Church.
5/3 Peter and John (Acts 3:1-4:22). We can tell people about Jesus like Peter and John did!
5/10 Peter in Prison (Acts 12:1-17). Sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways.
5/17 Paul is Changed (Acts 9:1-19). Jesus can change anyone’s life! Following Jesus changes the way we act.
5/24 Paul Escapes (Acts 9:20-25). It is good to have friends to help us out.
5/31 Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41). The gift of Holy Spirit is for all of Jesus’ followers, including us!
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Mother’s Day Photomontage - May 10, 2020
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or bring your photo to the church office by Monday, May 4
th
Sponsored by St. Mark’s
Family Ministries Team
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After Easter Cross Art Project for Children
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All children of the church are invited to join in decorating the church for our next worship service, whenever that will be, with beautiful crosses. Here’s how the art project will work:
Print the 8.5” x 11” cross (
Cross.pdf) at home or draw your own cross. Then make it beautiful using one of the suggestions below or your own creative idea.
- Add a Bible verse that you love
- Add a personal sentence of faith such as
• I know God Loves Me because…
• I love my church because...
• I see God’s love whenever…
- Decorate it however you like:
• with crayons, markers, or paints
• cut small bits of colored paper or magazine photos and create a mosaic
• use dried leaves or flower petals
• use whatever you can find at home!
The crosses will be displayed in the church the very first Sunday we are able to return to worship together! A drop box is available inside Door #1, or you are welcome to mail your creation to Rev. Touchton or bring it in after our local social-distancing requirements are lifted.
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Ways to Be in Mission during this Pandemic
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Food Bank St. Mark’s Food Bank has been very active in the past few weeks, preparing food boxes and distributing them to individuals and agencies. The Food Bank needs monetary gifts or food donations to meet the needs of our greater community. To drop off a donation of food at church, please call 615-893-3455 to arrange a time.
Cards and Calls We would like to be able to reach out to persons who are alone with weekly cards or calls. If you are willing to reach out to persons in this way, email
martha@stmarkstn.org for more information.
Daily Tasks If you are willing to help a neighbor with day-to-day tasks or errands, please call the church office and leave a message or email one of the clergy.
Journey Home - It’s hard to stay safer at home when you have no home! The Journey Home is in need of volunteers who are willing to prepare and serve meals for homeless persons at their facility during this pandemic. Email
sfoster@LoveGodServePeople.org for more information.
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How to Stay Connected to St. Mark’s Activities
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Much of St. Mark’s weekly ministry is being communicated via social media and email, so be sure you are connected:
- St. Mark’s UMC – Murfreesboro, TN is our church’s public facebook presence where daily postings, updates and resources are provided. Be sure you are a member of this page.
- St. Mark’s UMC Children’s Ministries is a private facebook group for families with children where daily postings include stories, resources for children, Virtual Sunday school and at home Sunday school lesson plans.
- Find us on Instagram and Twitter at stmarkstn
- If you are not receiving regular emails from St. Mark’s, sign up today in one of these ways:
- Visit St. Mark’s website (www.stmarkstn.org) and click on the link at the bottom of the home page inviting you to join our email list
- send an email with your preferred email address to mike@stmarkstn.org
- leave a message at church office, (615) 893-3455.
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In Other News:
If You Are in Need
- If you need help with day-to-day tasks, such as obtaining groceries or supplies, picking up a prescription, getting a ride to a medical appointment, have a pet that needs to be walked, or if you have other needs due to unemployment, sickness or isolation, contact the church office for assistance.
The St. Mark’s Spring Golf Tournament has been cancelled.
Missed a Sermon? Click
HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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