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The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

September 28, 2021

From the Pastor

There's a Kelly Clarkson song entitled "Because of You." It's a song about her deteriorating relationship with her father. It's a haunting song that speaks of the brokenness of humanity.

In the video below, I'm "singing" a very different song, if you will, when I consider our impact on humanity "because of you."

Thank you St. Mark's.

It is a privilege to serve as one of your clergy.

Tommy

On Thursday, we'll be discussing sadness. Can sadness really be a gift from God?

SAGES News

Thanks to Noel Hinote for a very thoughtful report to the congregation last Sunday in both services on the work and ministry of the St. Mark’s SAGES.

Since the last newsletter 90^Th Birthday Cakes have been delivered to Jolly Dolly, Austin Parker and Bill Carey, Sr. Phyllis Kinder will be having her 90^th birthday on October 18.

The SAGES Ministry Team will meet Wednesday, October 13 at 9:30 in Room 1203.

Children’s Christian Education

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.

This month, we are studying the wonderful story of Joseph – his brothers, his time in Egypt, and the reunion with his brothers. Our theme word is Reconciliation, which is to bring peace between persons who have disagreed. What a timely word for this day and age!

These classes begin at 9:45 a.m.:

• Preschool (Age 2 – Age 5/Pre-K) – Room 305

Leaders: Trish Clardy, Leta Hood, Matt Rogers, Lane Marlatt, Cassie Cochran

• Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 5) – Banquet Room

Leaders: Pam Forrest, Eudora Hargis

SAVE THESE DATES FOR UPCOMING SPECAIL EVENTS:

Saturday, October 30, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m., at St. Mark’s UMC

o Church Family Fall Festival with Food Trucks, Live Music, Hayrides, Games, Treats, Campfire and more! Volunteers are needed to coordinate and assist with this event! Contact Rev. Martha Touchton if you are willing to serve.

Sunday, December 5, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s UMC

o “A Heart That Grew Three Sizes” Advent Celebration with the Grinch for children and their families.

New Adult Bible Study Offered on Fridays

Jesus instructs disciples to hate members of their own families (Luke 14:26), to act as if they were slaves (Matthew 20:27), and to sell their belongings and give to the poor (Luke 18:22). He restricts his mission (Matthew 10:6); he speaks of damnation (Matthew 8:12); he calls Jews the devil’s children (John 8:44). These are very difficult teachings for us to understand!

Join in the discussion as we discover how these difficult words from Jesus would have sounded to the people who first heard them, how they have been understood over time, and how we might interpret them in the context of the Gospel of love and reconciliation, all presented by the engaging Amy-Jill Levine.

Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., Room 506, beginning October 15^th

Books available for $13.00. Led by Claudia Hunter & Dr. Jim Clardy

Habitat's annual all-you-can-eat "Cookin' to Build" fundraiser on Saturday, November 6^th at the Square lets you sample various soups and chilies from wonderful local cooks and chefs. The soup is served in beautiful hand-painted bowls created by members of the community that you get to take home, and YOU are invited to paint a bowl!

From now until October 15th, stop by the Pottery Place to take part in this awesome fundraiser for the Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity! You can paint a bowl at The Pottery Place OR in the comfort of your own home from now until October 15^th. For more information, see the attached flyer.

To paint in the studios, just pop in to either The Pottery Place at The Avenue or on Memorial Blvd. The cost is $5 per bowl (plus tax), and you’ll purchase your $20 event ticket for "Cookin' to Build" at the same time.

This is a wonderful and COVID-safe event thing for a small group to do! Reservations are required for groups over 8, but smaller walk-in groups are welcome. Cash of Check only. For more information about this or other opportunities with Habitat for Humanity, contact Rev. Martha Touchton martha@stmarkstn.org or Megan at Megan@rchfh.org.

Provide a Meal for Habitat Volunteers

Habitat for Humanity is seeking groups who will provided lunch for 15-17 volunteers working on a rehab project on 11/1, 11/2, 11/4, and 11/5. Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity CHFH developed a partnership with HISS United Methodist Church in Baltimore, MD almost 15 years ago. They have been traveling here every year since to volunteer with in Murfreesboro! If your class or group is willing to provide lunch from them one of these days, please let me know as soon as you can.

St. Mark’s UMC Park and Pray

Monday – Friday, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

September 27 – October 1

Let’s join our hearts together,

taking the Church into the World,

and PRAY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS:

St. Mark’s “Park and Pray” Week will allow each of us, no matter what age, to practice and give witness to our faith without gathering in person or on Zoom. Persons of all ages and families are encouraged to be present together and pray for the needs of our community from the safety of our vehicles. We will gather and pray for these concerns:

St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital & Emergency Room
St. Mark’s UMC & Preschool
Reeves Rogers Elementary School
Murfreesboro City / Rutherford County Government
Habitat for Humanity Legacy Pointe

For a detailed schedule and more information, click here.

Youth News

This week we had our final meeting of September as we prepare for a week off with Fall Break! WHO KNEW THAT LASER TAG AND WORSHIP GO TOGETHER?! We had a great night and we got to have fun with our new and old friends! Our recent series has been on what a disciple is, why we are called to be a disciple of Christ, and finally how we become and how we practice being a disciple of Christ. Then this past week we got to put it all together and practiced our call to grow our community larger.

This upcoming week we will NOT be having youth on Sunday as it is Rutherford County's Fall Break. We will meet again on Sunday, October 10th. Here are a couple of pictures from last night!

THIS WEEK:

Sunday School (10/3)
We will all start in the youth room for announcements!
9:45-10:45 a.m.
9-12th grade will be in the youth room!
6-8th grade will begin their Confirmation Journey in the banquet hall!
Sunday Night Youth (10/3)
NO SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH!
HAVE FUN ON FALL BREAK! SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!

NEXT WEEK:

Sunday School (10/10)
6-8th grade will begin their Confirmation Journey in the banquet hall!
9-12th grade will be in the youth room!
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Sunday Night Youth (10/10)
See you at 5 p.m. for Fun, Small Groups, and Worship!
BRING A FRIEND!

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

4:00 p.m. Park and Pray

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, September 30, 2021

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - Banquet Room

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

4:00 p.m. Park and Pray

6:00 p.m. Coed Softball - Star*Plex #4

6:30 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

7:00 p.m. Coed Softball - Star*Plex #4

Friday, October 1, 2021

4:00 p.m. Park and Pray

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, October 2, 2021

7:30 a.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Room

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

Sunday, October 3, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Christian Education

11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom

Monday, October 4, 2021

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

8:00 p.m. Young Adult Volleyball - Rec Center

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, October 7, 2021

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - Banquet Room

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

6:30 p.m. Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, October 8, 2021

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, October 9, 2021

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

9:00 a.m. Proclaim Rehearsal

Sunday, October 10, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Christian Education

11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

4:15 p.m. SONlight - Music Wing Hallway

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

Monday, October 11, 2021

Office Closed

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

12:30 p.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

8:00 p.m. Young Adult Volleyball - Rec Center

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.

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar

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

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St. Mark's UMC | (615) 893-3455 | stmarks@stmarkstn.org