"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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There are two Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services planned for Thursday night. One is outdoors at 4 pm and one is indoors at 5:30 pm.
Reservations are necessary so that we can have an adequate supply of candles and communion elements and because seating is limited at the 5:30 indoor service. If you have not yet made a reservation, please do so now by clicking here, emailing us here, or calling the church office at 615-893-3455.
For those worshiping at 5:30, please be advised that our ushers will be marking your name off the reservation list as you enter. Masks and social distancing are required. Anyone without a reservation will be invited to go to the banquet room for a live video feed of the service (if space is not available to worship in the sanctuary). Ushers will help with seating and with dismissal following the service.
On behalf of our entire staff, I pray God's best for you and your family this Christmas and in the year ahead.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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Please note the following church office hours for the holidays: the office is closed December 25 and 28 in observance of Christmas and January 1 in observance of New Year's. On December 29-31, the office will be open 8am-12 noon each day. Our regular office hours will resume on Monday, January 4.
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SAGES News
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year from Noel and Laura Hinote and all the St. Mark's SAGES Ministry Team.
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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 – 10:15 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. We have the best time! Join us at https://zoom.us/j/98397352418?pwd=ekFWcVFoYXQwMlcrN2NFQitRZWNRUT09.
Please Note: Celebrate Wonder will not meet Sunday, December 27th. We will reconvene Sunday, January 3rd.
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Thanks to our Children and Families!
One of the things missed most this Christmas was the spontaneous Christmas pageant that the children participate in at early Christmas Eve worship service. In lieu of that opportunity, St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries produced a Virtual Pageant that will be released in worship on Sunday, December 27th. Many of our children participated as animals, angels, shepherds, stars, and kings, playing one part or as many parts as they wish. There were also reading parts performed by several children, and Tabetha, Clay and baby Mason Sweeney played the Holy Family. Thanks to all the parents and families who took time out of their busy lives to make this happen! Special thanks to the talented Mike Rose for putting it all together!
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BUFFET OF CONVERSATIONS Offers
ADVENT Study
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“INCARNATION” ADVENT STUDY HAS FINAL SESSION THIS WEEK
His parents gave him the name Jesus, but the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh.
In Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, we have studied the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth. Thanks to Claudia Hunter and Jim Clardy for leading this study, and to all who have taken part. Our final Zoom for this 4-week Advent Study will be at 6:00 p.m. December 23. The schedule is as follows:
6:00 p.m. Greetings, Announcements, Prayer
6:15 p.m. Class begins
7:10 p.m. Class ends
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
The Buffet will take a holiday hiatus and reconvene Wednesday, January 20 with a new slate of opportunities. For more information, 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
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Thanks to all who have participated
IN THE LIGHTING OF
ST. MARK’S OUTDOOR ADVENT CANDLES!
We pray these outdoor candles are a blessing of
Hope, Peace, Joy and Love through Jesus Christ
to all who pass by our church!
Many children and families have participated in the services and been in attendance, and we appreciate them all! Special Thanks to Mike Warren, Claudia Hunter and Phyllis Kittle for constructing and painting our beautiful outdoor candles!
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
Thursday, December 24, 4:00 p.m.
A Brief, Informal Outdoor Service of Worship on the Front Lawn
Especially for Families with Children
Including the sharing of the Nativity Story,
Candlelight/Glow Stick Singing, Holy Communion
And Christmas Ornaments for all the Children.
Dress warmly, wear a mask, bring your lawn chairs, flashlights and blankets.
(In case of inclement weather, this service will be indoors)
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A Message from Buddy Howell... |
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St. Mark’s is blessed to have a staff that has many talents, years of experience and a dedication to service. One might think the COVID pandemic reduced their workload, but the opposite has been true. We can all be very proud of the way each member of our staff stepped up to provide safe worship opportunities and mission leadership during these unprecedented times.
Excellent job performance is often rewarded with a pay increase. Unfortunately, that will not be possible this year. Contributions to the General Fund are trending well below the budget need, making it necessary to reduce spending wherever possible. Accordingly, there will be no salary increase for any member of the St. Mark’s staff.
As an alternative, we are asking for staff Christmas gifts. With everyone’s help, we can provide a nice bonus for our staff and affirm our appreciation for the many things they do to support the work of our church. Cards, letters and notes will also be appreciated.
Please pray for our church and keep St. Mark’s in your year-end giving plans. In addition to a gift that will support all of our missions and operating needs, please consider submitting a “Staff Gift” by December 24th.
There are many ways to give and designate a gift. If writing a check, just note “Staff Gift” on the memo line. If giving online, select “General Budget” and type “Staff Gift” in the note space that pops up. While online, please consider setting up a recurring donation to fulfill your financial pledge to St. Mark’s next year.
This past year has been challenging in many ways, but we can still be optimistic by relying on our relationship with God. Thanks for all you do to make St. Mark’s a great church!
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Congratulations to St. Mark’s College Graduates! |
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Two of St. Mark’s members recently graduated from college:
Macey Howell, daughter of Buddy and Tammy Howell, graduated from Belmont University with a double major in Publishing and English.
James Touchton, son of Butler and Martha Touchton, graduated from MTSU with a major in Audio Production and a minor in Journalism.
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Poinsettias have been donated in memory of:
Al Saleeby by Dr. Amelia L Sokalski and family,
Albert and Delene Stone by Cyndy and Layne Allen,
Bob Lasater by Sarah and Judd Lasater,
Claude Hinote by Noel and Laura Hinote,
Mr. Clyde Hicks by the Touchton family,
Frank and Bobbie Goodman by Noel and Laura Hinote,
George Beers by Mary Leigh Beers,
Herman Johnson by Jeanette and family,
Jackye Carey by Bill Carey, Sr.,
Mr. Thomas B. Touchton by the Touchton family,
Matt Poynter by Libby and Steve Poynter,
Michael Cates by Bill and Juanita Greer,
Our Parents by Bill and Juanita Greer,
Sue Saleeby by Dr. Amelia L Sokalski and family,
Vivian Pierce by Sarah and Judd Lasater.
Poinsettias have been donated in honor of:
Bill Carey, Jr. and Libby Carey by Bill Carey, Sr.,
Cindy Flippin by Faye Chellman,
Marrie Lasater by Sarah and Judd Lasater
Mattie, James, and Ike by K.K. and Pa,
Mrs. Rachel Touchton by the Touchton family,
St. Mark's Staff by Jackie and Juel Clevenger
Trey and Abbey Carey, William IV and Lilly Broox.by Bill Carey, Sr.,
Mrs. Virginia Hicks by the Touchton family.
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Season of Sharing with Reeves Rogers |
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Last week, four families from Reeves Rogers who needed assistance for Christmas picked up their gifts at St. Mark’s. Thanks to the Cornerstone, Mixed Blessings, Pathfinders and New Horizons adult classes for adopting these families and making their Christmases merry and bright! We also had some private donations of time and money that allowed us to adopt one additional family. What a blessing!
Sharing with our neighbors is one way we practice being the incarnation of God’s love and the church in the world. The extravagant giving and generosity shown to these families is a witness to God’s extravagant love and blessings in our lives. Hallelujah!
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Response from the Conversation on Racism |
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When I first felt called to explore the issue of racism, I thought surely I was not racist, because I’m a good Christian who seeks to be kind and caring toward everyone. During these past months as our group has studied and struggled together, I have found my eyes opened to the difference between acting racist and living in a society grounded in on systemic racism, a society that I partake in and benefit from that consistently elevates white people and puts down persons of color. This is contrary to the Gospel and Christ’s call to love our neighbor. And while it may make me uncomfortable to seek to interrupt our racist thoughts and systems, as one who is called to meet the needs of the world through the ministries of the church, there is no doubt I am called to this work, and to invite others to join me on the journey toward anti-racism.
– Rev. Martha Touchton
October 20, 2020
To learn more about the Conversation on Racism, or to join the conversation, email any member or martha@stmarkstn.org. |
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Wednesday, December 23
6:00 p.m. "Buffet of Conversations" Online
Thursday, December 24
4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship - Outside
5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship - Sanctuary
Sunday, December 27
8:30 a.m. Worship
4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Zoom (Claudia Hunter)
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Zoom (Sherry Galloway)
Tuesday, December 29
6:30 p.m. Cornerstone Zoom (Claudia Sherer)
Sunday, January 3
8:30 a.m. Worship
4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Zoom (Claudia Hunter)
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Zoom (Sherry Galloway)
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In Other News:
Food Bank Needs - Our food bank is in need of your donations for our food box program. We are especially in need of items like green beans, corn, mac and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, mixed vegetables, and canned meats like tuna and chicken.
We celebrate the birth of Harper James Boland, born Dec. 16, 2020 to Parents Kelly and Kevin Boland. Grandparents are Sandy Benson and Laurie Boland.
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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