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

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

January 19, 2021

From the Pastor

On this 20th day of January, 2021, in our nation's capital, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as our next President and Vice President of the United States. Regardless of our individual politics, it is appropriate for us to pray for them and for the outgoing administration:

Good morning, God. It seems as if we often find ourselves saying, "This is a critical time in our nation's history." A new administration is being inaugurated today. There are many things about this inauguration that make it different. A man who was one of the youngest senators ever elected will be the oldest person to be sworn into the presidency. It marks the first time that a woman will be our Vice President. There will be no parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. There will be no large crowds gathered to witness the new administration being sworn into office. There will be additional barriers in place, additional roads closed, and a large National Guard presence on hand because of concerns about violence. And all of this happens against the backdrop of a pandemic that has killed more than 400,000 Americans. It is a critical time in our nation's history. Have mercy, O Lord.

We pray for a peaceful transition of power today. We pray that President Biden and Vice President Harris will see the office to which they've been elected as a sacred trust from you. We pray that they will look to you for wisdom and strength as they make decisions that will ripple throughout our nation and the world. We pray that they will look for common ground on which to stand with all Americans and not just those of their own party, especially in these first few weeks and months of their tenure. We pray that they will champion the things that are most important to you. We pray that they will sense your abiding presence during the highs and lows of their term in office and that they can take comfort in that presence as they serve. We pray that you would work through them to accomplish your will for our country and world.

We also pray for the outgoing administration. As they begin a new chapter of their lives, may President Trump and Vice President Pence find ways to utilize their unique gifts and graces in ways that will honor you and make America and the world a better place. May they walk with you and live for you in all their future endeavors.

Bless our other leaders (federal, state, county, and city), those re-elected and those recently elected, with a vision of what America and the world can be and should be. Remind us to pray for these leaders regularly and faithfully. We thank you for their willingness to serve.

We ask these things in the name of Jesus, your son and the Savior of the world. Amen.

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

Tommy

SAGES News

St. Mark’s has experienced the death of several Sages during the past Advent and Christmas season. Our Sages Ministry team expresses sympathy to each family.

For some us this experience has brought some reflections upon the meaning of this part of our existence.

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and a well-known Stoic philosopher, spoke of confronting the challenge of human mortality. He indicated that death is but a passage from one state to the next, not an annihilation but a different state of being. The Apostle Paul said that whether he lived or died - in life or in death - Jesus Christ is what brought him meaning and purpose.

Death is a reality. As Sages we understand it. But we are not beaten down by it. Through the resurrection power of our Lord we live with this knowledge. But by faith we know we will conquer death and live victoriously.

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 learning our scripture stories and interacting with each other! Join us at https://zoom.us/j/98397352418?pwd=ekFWcVFoYXQwMlcrN2NFQitRZWNRUT09.

This month, our faith word is INCLUDE. We are discovering how God includes all people in God’s story, and how we are encouraged to include others in God’s love as well.

• Sunday, January 24 – Showing Love, Matthew 5:43-48

• Sunday, January 31 – God’s Kingdom, Luke 13:18-21

“The Lord is good to everyone and everything;

God’s compassion extends to all his handiwork!” Psalm 145:9

BUFFET OF CONVERSATIONS

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.

JANUARY OPPORTUNITIES:

• THE BOOK OF SUSANNA led by Dr. Jim Clardy. The Story of Susanna is placed at the beginning of the Book of Daniel in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament. The events occur while Daniel is still a young person. The contents of the book reveal a summation of the false accusations about a person’s innocence, the person’s dramatic vindication, and the turning of the tables on the accusers. You can find the NRSV of this text at https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Susanna%&version=NRSV

• DISMANTLING RACISM led by Greg Van Patten and Jennifer Marlatt. Over the past year, our nation has experienced a series of tragic events that have drawn new attention to the issue of racial justice and equality. Individual and systemic racism are still present in our world, and it is up to caring individuals like us to drive the change that is needed.

At the most recent annual conference, our bishop issued an invitation for United Methodists in Tennessee and Kentucky to initiate conversations on racism within our own congregations. In this series of classes, we will take up this invitation, reflect on our duty as Christians to love all our neighbors, and examine the roles we can/should/do play in either enabling or challenging racism in our midst. Discussions will be centered on short videos or reading passages.

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

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

6:00 p.m. Greetings, Announcements, Prayer

6:15 p.m. Class begins

7:10 p.m. Class ends

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrce-tpjgqGtzMjCSEJQQ-BTb3RCEo5B6W. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email that includes the sign-in link for the ZOOM gathering.

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

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

6:00 p.m. Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom

9:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, January 21, 2021

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study Banquet Room and on Zoom

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

7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom

Saturday, January 23, 2021

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

10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary

Sunday, January 24, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom

9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School on Zoom

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

4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Class on Zoom

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

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

5:00 p.m. Youth on Zoom

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

6:30 p.m. Cornerstone Class on Zoom

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

6:00 p.m. "Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, January 28, 2021

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study Banquet Room and on Zoom

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

7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom

Saturday, January 30, 2021

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

10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary

Sunday, January 31, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School on Zoom

9:45 a.m. Children's Sunday School on Zoom

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

4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Class on Zoom

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

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

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.

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar

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