Hillary and I were married on Sunday, August 23 and we just returned from a wonderful honeymoon in Jamaica. A special thanks to our church staff for the extra work that they took on during my absence.

We have been so deeply touched by all of your expressions of love and support. All of our thank you notes have been written but a few gifts arrived without an acknowledgement of the gift giver. If you gave us a wedding gift and have not been properly thanked, please let us know, for Hillary and I want to express our gratitude to you.

When it is safer to do so, the Staff Parish Relations Committee plans to host a reception to welcome Hillary to our church family. We applaud the SPRC for exercising caution during this pandemic; it will just make the reception even more enjoyable whenever it takes place.

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

Tommy

St. Mark’s children and their families will soon receive a weekly newsletter, St. Mark’s Kids Connect, that includes a recap of the Sunday school lesson, a daily examen night-time prayer practice, announcements and calendar, and a place to share birthdays, celebrations and prayer concerns, and more!  Look for the newsletter in your email soon!  To be sure your email is included, send it to martha@stmarkstn.org.    

Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives.

St. Mark’s offers a Sunday morning children’s experience via Zoom, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. including spiritual practices, opportunities for reflection, giving children a small space to ask big questions, and helping them claim their spiritual identity as children of God. Check our St. Mark’s UMC Children’s Ministries Facebook page for the Zoom link. See you then!

Bibles for 2nd and 3rd graders were blessed during 8:30 a.m. worship Sunday, September 13th.  Due to heavy rain, the outdoor service has been rescheduled for 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27th.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

The “BUFFET OF CONVERSATIONS” will provide a variety of short-term courses and activities that persons may join online. September offerings include:

• Jonah, a Whale of a Story – Bible study led by Dr. Jim Clardy (4 Sessions)

• The Apostle’s Creed – a study led by Sean Gilliland (7 Sessions)

• Coffee Talk – discussion of current events and topics, led by Butler Touchton

• Fun and Games – Trivia, Jack Box and more led by Beth Morris

• Reel to Real – movie discussion group led by Matt Marlatt

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrce-tpjgqGtzMjCSEJQQ-BTb3RCEo5B6W.

For more information about participating in or leading a group, contact Rev. Martha Touchton at martha@stmarkstn.org.  

“And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:24-25

WHAT: FLU SHOT CLINIC (Bring your Insurance Card)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 19^th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The email that we send out on Sunday mornings with worship and study opportunities for the day will encourage those of you worshiping online to click a link and register your attendance. We'd like to know that you joined us, even if you don't worship with us in real-time.

Be looking for the link on Sunday morning and register your attendance. Thanks

Your church staff is discerning when to resume the 11 AM worship service on Sunday mornings and is requesting your input. Please click here for a brief survey.

Habitat for Humanity is building a 77-home subdivision just around the corner from St. Mark's called “Legacy Pointe,” and our church is seeking to be involved with this new neighborhood. St. Mark’s will have work days on Friday and Saturday, October 16 & 17, 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 – 3:30 p.m., and volunteers are needed.  For more info contact Meg Van Patten at MEG@MEGVANPATTEN.COM, or see the full FLYER HERE.

In our baptismal vows, we are called to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” This is the call of Christ.

In past weeks, a group of seekers have been meeting together online and discussing the book “How to be AntiRacist” in search of understanding our own place, call and response amidst our nation’s current racial tension. It has been a rich and challenging discussion, so much so that the group has decided to continue.

Our next book is “White Fragility,” about the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, including emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors including argumentation and silence.

This groups meets via Zoom Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.; newcomers are welcome.  We will begin our discussion of the Introduction and Chapters 1 & 2 next Tuesday, Sept. 15. For information about participating, email Rev. Touchton at martha@stmarkstn.org today.

Dear Congregation,

We appreciate your sharing your favorite hymns with us. We had over 120 participants voting for your favorites and sharing your story about what made these hymns special. Since the beginning of September, we have been selecting hymns from those you shared and that fit with the service. We will continue to select hymns from the results and hope they renew the special meaning they have to you.

"Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom 6:00 - 7:15 PM

Middle School Youth, Outside 6:00-7:30 PM

Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

"White Fragility" on Zoom 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Middle School Youth, Outside 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Children's Sunday School on Zoom 9:45 AM

"Family Fun Sunday" and Children's Bible Presentation - 5:00 PM

High School Youth, Outside 6:00 - 7:30 PM

"White Fragility" on Zoom 3:30 - 4:30 PM

Drop Box Now Available - There is now a drop box available at Door 1 of the church (Under the portico by the church offices) where you can safely and securely leave offerings and non-stamped letters/notes for the church.

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar

Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.