"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
|
|
From the Pastor...
On behalf of my mother, Opal Ward and our entire family, I thank you for the wonderful outpouring of love and support that you have shown following my mother's death. So many of you came to the visitation and/or funeral, so many of you have made donations to the church in her memory (these funds will be used to make improvements to the audio, video, and acoustic needs in our Ed Voorhies Recreation Center), and so many of you have sent cards and notes (over 150 so far). Bless you for being such a blessing!
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
|
|
Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram |
|
If you're not using it to read this newsletter, pull out your cell phone right now and follow St. Mark's on Facebook and Instagram. Following us helps get the word out about church news and events and it also boosts our engagement on those platforms.
Need some help? Don't hesitate to contact the church office at 615-893-3455 or just ask a teenager. They can show you what to do!
|
|
SAGES News
The late Dr. Ellsworth Kalas wrote these words: “So I’m here to tell to, whatever your age, that there is much land yet to be possessed, and it is located in our own souls. Ultimately, no achievement in life is more crucial, more significant, and more fulfilling than taking this land for God and for grand, holy, happy, living. So, put on the whole armor of God and become one of God’s happy warriors. Because this land of your soul is the land God wants most of you and me to conquer.”
J. Ellsworth Kalas, I Love Growing Older but I’ll Never Grow Old
|
|
Children’s Christian Education Is Back!
Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. In Celebrate Wonder, we hear and reflect on God’s Word, experience spiritual practices, play games, ask big questions, and help each other claim our spiritual identity as children of God.
We are excited to have all the children back to indoor Sunday school! These classes begin at 9:45 a.m.:
• Preschool (Age 2 – Age 5/Pre-K) – Room 305
Leaders: Trish Clardy, Leta Hood, Lori Gray, Matt Rogers
• Young Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 2) – Banquet Hall
Leaders: Pam Forrest, Eudora Hargis, Dana Harvey, Bobbie Damron,
Tracy Read
• Older Elementary (Grades 3 – 5) Room 212
Leaders: Becky Latta, Cindy Flippin, Bernie and Rene Sharkey, John
Wilson, Sean Gilliland
Please Note! Children will be attending the Christian education class that matches the class or grade they will attend in the Fall of 2021.
|
|
All St. Mark’s children and their parents and/or grandparents and/or babysitters are invited to participate in weekly gatherings for fun and fellowship Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m..
Friends and Newcomers are always Welcome!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
July 14th Arts and Crafts in St. Mark’s Banquet Hall
We have two projects; you can do one or both, to keep or to give away! We have fabulous rocks to paint, and wooden vehicle kits to assemble, paint and decorate. Bring your own small hammer and Phillips screwdriver!
July 21st Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 1220 NW Broad St.
$15/person for 5 & under
$19/person for 6 & up
$3/person for socks (or BYO grippy socks)
July 28th July 28th Pool and Pizza Party at the Beckman’s
1920 Higgins Lane. Bring a 2-Liter Drink or Dessert to share.
Watch St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries Facebook page, Newsletter, and your email for more detailed information!
|
|
All Children are Invited to Meet the Challenge!
Games, Inflatables and Prizes
Sweet Treats Ice Cream Truck
Sunday, August 8th
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC
|
|
A Special Invitation to St. Mark’s UMC
“Back to School Blessings”
St. Mark’s UMC is proud to be the spiritual home of many students and teachers! We want all our students and teachers to feel God’s presence and peace during the coming school year and experience the prayers and support of their St. Mark’s UMC family.
Teachers and students of all ages are invited to take part of one of St. Mark’s special “Back to School Blessings” and receive a “Be Loved. Be Kind. Be You.” backpack tag, Sunday, August 8th during the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. All are welcome, bring a friend!
|
|
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” ~ Ephesians 4:32
|
|
Thanks to the faithfulness of St. Mark’s teachers and leaders in helping us maintain our connections to God, to one another and to the church, and to our faithful class and group members,
All ADULT CLASSES and GROUPS are NOW IN SESSION!
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, 9:45. a.m. every Sunday
|
|
Cornerstone, Room 407/409
Dimensions of Faith, Room 403
Discussion Class, Room 506
Genesis Network, Room 1204
Good News, Library
In His Steps, Room 406
Minerva Harrell, Room 501
|
|
Mixed Blessings, Room 1203
New Horizons, Room 1205
Pathfinders, Room 503/505
Spares and Pairs, Rm 402/404
Woman to Woman, Room 405
Young Adults, Room 504
|
|
|
ADULT MINISTRY GROUPS
Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Support Group, 4th Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. in Room 1203
Knitters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Room 503/505
Watercolor Painting,
Beginners Mondays, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the Banquet Room. Space Available.
Advanced Mondays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the Banquet Room. Full.
Coming This Fall: Disciple Bible Study, GriefShare and Wednesday Night Together
Unless otherwise noted, newcomers are welcome in all classes and groups. For more information about these or other Adult Ministries, contact Claudia Hunter or Rev. Martha Touchton.
|
|
COMING THIS FALL!
Wish you understood more of the Bible, or got “the big picture” of God’s word a little better? DISCIPLE is one of the best, most comprehensive Bible studies available to today’s Christians. This in-depth, 24-week study focuses on spiritual transformation and discipleship, not just the mastering of information. DISCIPLE groups prepare individually during the week, then meet weekly to grow and learn as a community of faith. DISCIPLE is life-changing and faith-growing!
This course will cover the Old Testament in the Fall and the New Testament in the Spring. Participants read 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings. In addition to St. Mark’s members, this DISCIPLE I class will include student leadership and participants from the MTSU Wesley Foundation. Manual cost $25/person, scholarships available.
Sundays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Beginning September 12 in St. Mark’s Room 405
led by Beth Morris and Andi Barker
To register or for more information,
“If you make my Word your home, you will indeed be my disciples.”
- John 8:31, New Jerusalem Bible
|
|
What a wonderful summer it has already been and we are only half way done! This summer we have had the opportunity to meet almost every Tuesday and Thursday! On Tuesdays we have had a game night where we played floor hockey and some board games and we have also gone to Top Golf in Nashville and most recently we have gone Hiking at Barfield Park! On Thursday nights we have been having our weekly Bible Study focusing on the Disciples and our Underground Bowling League (think mini golf with giant bowling pins) So far it has been an absolute BLAST! |
|
Along with our regular summer programming we had the opportunity to have our first mission trip since 2019! We chose to stay in Nashville and serve our sisters and brothers in the city. We served with organizations like Franklin FUMC’s giving garden, People Loving Nashville, and The Boys & Girls Club of Nashville. We were took 20 total people and 15 students. ALL of our students were able to go on the mission trip for free thanks to your generosity during our Fundraiser this year. In two weeks, July 13-15, we will have our second service opportunity of the summer! We will be serving here in our local community, giving our students different perspectives on the city that they call home. We will be working with Nourish Food Banks, MTSU’s Wesley Foundation, and our Furniture Ministry here at St. Mark’s. |
|
Here is what the rest of the youth calendar has in store!
July:
13-15th: MISSION DAYZ!
20th: Movie Night
22nd: Underground Bowling League
27th: Bowling
29th: Underground Bowling League Finale!
August:
3rd: End of Summer School’s a Bummer Party!
|
|
Lend a Hand with Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Build |
|
Any day is a GREAT DAY to build affordable homes in Rutherford County! Legacy Pointe is a 77-home subdivision just around the corner from St. Mark’s, and you are invited to help build it! St. Mark’s is a BluePrint Sponsor for two houses this fall, one for Desmond his children and one for Lecia.
We are blessed to have opportunities to help in this Habitat neighborhood. Volunteers have the option of working one or two shifts per day. When you respond, please let us know if you prefer the morning shift (8:00 - 11:30 a.m.), afternoon shift (12:00 - 3:30 p.m.), or both. Also indicate which day or days you would like to work; the July dates support a build for Desmond and his children, the September dates support a build for Lecia . Volunteers are asked to respond by Monday, July 26th.
|
|
July Opportunities
July 29th (Thursday)
July 30th (Friday)
July 31st (Saturday)
|
|
September Opportunities
September 9th (Thursday)
September 10th (Friday)
September 11th (Saturday)
|
|
|
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
10:00 a.m. Wonderful Wednesdays - Banquet Room
1:30 p.m. Face to Face Meeting - Library
Thursday, July 15, 2021
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
5:30 p.m. Brigade Basketball - Rec Center
6:00 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
6:30 p.m. Eagle Board of Review - RM 506
Friday, July 16, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center
Saturday, July 17, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, July 18, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Christian Education
11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
Monday, July 19, 2021
10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
5:30 p.m. Brigade Basketball - Rec Center
6:30 p.m. Stamped Book Club at Touchtons'
7:30 p.m. Youth Movie night - Outside
8:00 p.m. Young Adult Volleyball - Rec Center
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
10:00 a.m. Wonderful Wednesdays
Thursday, July 22, 2021
8:00 a.m. Preschool Meeting - Banquet Room
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
1:30 p.m. Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group - RM 506
4:30 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center
5:30 p.m. Brigade Basketball - Rec Center
6:00 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Friday, July 23, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - RC
Saturday, July 24, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, July 25, 2021
8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 a.m. Christian Education
11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
|
|
In Other News:
The St. Mark’s Furniture Ministry is now open. Anyone who is wishing to donate furniture can do so by calling or texting the furniture telephone at (615)707-3166; photos of furniture will be requested. We will not be accepting any furniture “drop-offs” at the warehouse unless prior arrangements have been made with Karen Alexander or Paul Givens.
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
