"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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In my newsletter space today, I want to let you know about two important events:
Wesley Foundation Golf Tournament
The Wesley Foundation Golf Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, October 17th at Old Fort Golf Course. For information on how to support this ministry fundraiser either as a golfer or as a partner, please click here. In addition to the opportunities listed there, small groups can donate water, gatorade, snacks, or gift cards to area stores so that these items can be purchased.
Thank you for supporting campus ministry. Your senior pastor is a product of a quality campus ministry experience; Wesley profoundly impacts the lives of college students.
Charge Conference is November 15
We have been notified by the Stones River District that the St. Mark's Charge Conference has been scheduled for Sunday, November 15th at 6pm. Our conference will be conducted via Zoom.
The Charge Conference is the connecting link between the local church and the general church and has general oversight of the church council. The primary responsibilities of the Charge Conference is to review and evaluate the total ministry and mission of the church, receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals of the Administrative Council. Voting members of the Charge Conference are Administrative Council members but anyone may attend.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.
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SAGES News
In Missy Buchanan’s book, Talking With God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms, she speaks to SAGES. She says: “There is no use in skirting the truth: if you live long enough, aching bones and slow steps will come. So on this long journey, O God, let my heart be youthful though my body is not. Give me a thriving spirit until the very end.”
Then Missy quotes Psalm 92:12-15: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
May God bless all SAGES -- Senior Adults: Growing, Exploring Serving!
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New Children’s Newsletter Begins!
St. Mark’s children and their families 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.
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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 – 10:30 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!
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You are Invited to Savor a
“BUFFET OF CONVERSATIONS”
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While we cannot gather in person for a shared meal and classes at Wednesday Night Together, this creative online ministry gathers adults who wish to help one another maintain connection to God, to the church, and to one another through a variety of short-term courses and activities.
October offerings include:
• Philippians: led by Revs. Tommy Ward and Martha Touchton (3 Sessions)
Things don't always go the way we intend. It's easy to feel discouraged when what we hope for is badly thwarted, or because life is difficult. Paul, writing to the Philippians from prison, certainly knew what it was like to have plans interrupted. But he maintains confidence in God's power, even when everything seems to be going wrong.
• 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
PLEASE NOTE: THE BUFFET OF CONVERSATIONS WILL NOT MEET WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
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
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We are pleased to announce that St. Mark's has recently upgraded its church management software. It is our hope that this software will assist us in engaging our church family with greater simplicity and nurturing our church family more effectively.
Now is the perfect time for us to update our church records. Maybe you no longer have a home phone number or an email address that we have on file for you is no longer valid.
You can verify and/or update your information in two ways:
1. Call the church at 615-893-3455. We'll be happy to review your records over the phone and make any necessary changes.
2. Once the church management software is live, you can be given access to your records and make any changes that need to be made remotely.
Thank you for your help. As always, we promise to safeguard your information and we will not share it with others without your permission.
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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
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Lend a Hand With Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Build |
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It’s 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 first work days are Friday and Saturday, October 16 & 17, and volunteers are needed to frame up one of the first houses. Anyone age 16 and older who can swing a hammer is welcome to put their skills to use framing and erecting these walls! Work shifts are 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 – 3:30 p.m.; ten volunteers per shift are needed. See the attached flyer for more information.
Experience hands-on missions right here in our own back yard! Volunteers may serve one or both shifts on either or both days, and are encouraged to sign up by Thursday, October 1st. For more information or to say YES to serving, email meg@megvanpatten.com or martha@stmarkstn.org.
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Looking for Singers and Musicians for the Praise Team! |
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The Praise Team is looking for singers, and musicians! This is a great opportunity for serving God! We practice weekly on the weekend (usually Saturday @10am-11:30am) in the sanctuary with social distancing. We have been practicing/recording a variety of styles, contemporary songs, gospel, and hymns. Please contact Molly Gilliland Mollygilliland@bellsouth.net or me Hyelan@stmarkstn.org if you are interested in joining this awesome group.
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Tuesday, September 29th
3:30 p.m. Conversation on Racism via Zoom (Martha Touchton)
6:30 p.m. Cornerstone Zoom (Claudia Sherer)
Wednesday, September 30
6:00 p.m. Buffet of Conversations (Martha Touchton)
8:00 p.m. Children’s Ministry Team on Zoom (Martha Touchton)
Thursday, October 1
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Zoom (Natalie Beckman)
Sunday, October 4th
8:30 a.m. Worship
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday school via Zoom (Tommy Ward)
9:45 a.m. Children’s Celebrate Wonder Zoom (Martha Touchton)
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Zoom (Sherry Galloway)
6:30 p.m. Woman to Woman Zoom (Claudia Hunter)
Tuesday, October 6th
3:30 p.m. Conversation on Racism via Zoom (Martha Touchton)
6:30 p.m. Cornerstone Zoom (Claudia Sherer)
Wednesday, October 7th
6:00 p.m. No Buffet of Conversations Due to Fall Break (Martha Touchton)
Thursday, October 8
9:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study “Surrendered”- In Banquet Hall or on Zoom (Patti Daws)
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Zoom (Natalie Beckman)
Sunday, October 11
9:45 am. Celebrate Wonder Children’s Sunday School Zoom (Children’s Ministries)
Sunday, October 18
9:45 am. Celebrate Wonder Children’s Sunday School Zoom (Children’s Ministries)
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In Other News:
FURNITURE NEEDED - A member of our church family has a sibling who is going through a divorce and will have custody of his four teenage children. He is in need of a dining room table with six chairs and a couple chests of drawers. If you have some furniture that is in good shape and that you'd be willing to donate, please respond below and we'll contact you on this family's behalf and arrange for it to be picked up by the family.
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.
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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