Your St. Mark's Newsletter is Here

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

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

November 9, 2021

From the Pastor

One of my November disciplines is to identify people or things each day that I'm grateful for, but for which I have never (or not often) expressed gratitude. So far this year, I've written to the funeral home in charge of my mother's burial to express appreciation for their work and to a woman in Maine who shared a story about my mother that I had not previously heard. The goal is to remind myself each morning that I have much to be grateful for and to hopefully inspire others to look for gratitude in their lives as well.

Today, I'm grateful that you're reading our church newsletter. I told someone the other day that I wasn't sure how many people read it. After all, our inboxes are flooded every day with emails and texts... who has the time to read them all? Jokingly, I said that I could offer a gift card in the middle of a newsletter article to the first person who contacted me, only to have that gift card go unclaimed.

Anyway, I'm grateful for you taking the time to read about the ministry opportunities shared here. And I'm grateful for every instance when you take advantage of these opportunities. Thank you. And God bless you.

What might you do to cultivate a spirit of gratitude in yourself and others this month?

It is a privilege to serve God as your pastor.

Tommy

Because of YOU: Youth

Charge Conference

The St. Mark's Charge Conference with District Superintendent Rev. Chip Hunter will be Sunday, November 21, 2021, immediately following the 11 am worship service. The meeting will take place in the banquet hall.

Anyone is invited to attend but the following leadership positions comprise the Charge Conference and are expected to be in attendance: all Church Council members as well as retired ordained clergy and diaconal ministers who elect to hold their membership is said charge conference.

The Charge Conference is the connecting link between the local church and the general Church; at our November meeting we will receive reports and hear about objectives and goals for 2022. We do not anticipate a long meeting.

Lunch will be provided. If you are not a member of the church council and plan to attend the charge conference, please call the church office and make a lunch reservation. Church council members will receive an email with a link to make lunch reservations.

We're looking for people in our church family who, in addition to worshiping on Sunday mornings, would agree to temporarily serve as planted "seeds" to help us reach new people with an alternative worship experience.

Join us on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. and hear how you can help us help others get their Soul Full.

Pledge Cards Mailed

By now, you have hopefully received a 2022 Pledge Card in the mail. If you did not receive one or have misplaced it, please contact the church office and we will be happy to supply you with another one.

On November 21, as an expression of worship, you're invited to bring your pledge card with you to church as we estimate our giving for the coming year. Your commitment will help us discern how to be good stewards of our resources as we seek to be in ministry in the coming year. St. Mark's needs you now more than perhaps at any time in the history of our church.

You can also mail in your card or bring it to the church office, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm.

Thank you for all the ways you support our church.

SAGES News

The SAGES Ministry Team met this week to plan for the upcoming months. The team asks for your prayers for guidance.

The SAGES will host Christmas at Beersheba on December 9. The bus will leave St. Mark’s at 8:00 AM. The day will include a program, worship and a meal. Please sign up in the church office.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet at 1:30 PM in Room 1203 on Thursday, November 18, and Thursday, Dec. 18.

The SAGES had a wonderful trip last week on Friday. They stopped at the Simply Southern Restaurant in Pelham for lunch (including bread pudding and blackberry cobbler), travelled the old road to Monteagle, and then on to Sewanee. There the SAGES were treated to a historical journey through the University Chapel by the Music Director at the University. Yes, he pointed out the Volkswagen in one of the stained glass windows. He concluded the visit with a demonstration of the “abilities” of the huge pipe organ. Finally, the Sages went out to what is called The Sewanee Cross. Then the journey brought everyone back to the church. It was a great day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Don’t forget the food drive, the sweet potato drop, WNT and the Thanksgiving service on November 23.

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.

We are continuing our study of the wonderful story of Moses in November - how he led the Egyptians across the Red Sea, how they received manna from heaven during the Exodus, and how Moses received the Ten Commandments. Our theme word is Trust, we trust God!

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

• Young Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 1) - Room 212

Leaders: Julie King, Bobby Damron

• Older Elementary (Grades 2-5) – Room 214 “Learning to Use my Bible”

Leaders: Dana Harvey, Tracy Read

“Learning to Use my Bible,” helps children become familiar with the Bible and know how to use it for their own spiritual growth and understanding. This special study helps lay a foundation for each child’s future use and knowledge of the scriptures.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THIS UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENT:

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

“A Heart That Grew Three Sizes”

Advent Celebration with the Grinch

for children and their families.

Thanks to everyone for helping with the Fall Festival and all who came out! It was a wonderful evening of

food, fun and fellowship!

Special Thanks to all these participants:

“The Dentons” - Greg, Marcia, Jim and Martha

Youth Pumpkin Painting

Many Volunteers from Adult Christian Ed classes

Children’s Ministries Team

Food Trucks – Sweet Tea’s BBQ and Kona Ice

Project Transformation Summer Internship for Young Adults

Project Transformation believes that relationships can transform communities. Without relationships, neighbors are disconnected and communities are fractured. At PT, young adults are part of the solution, bridging the gaps between communities and neighbors.

Interns work hard- really hard- as they love God and neighbor. Locations include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, and Memphis.

For more information, see FLYER HERE.

APPLY by January 15th at www.tinyurl.com/PTApplyNow.

Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey

Boy Scout Troop 398 is smoking turkeys again for Thanksgiving to help fund our backpacking high adventure trip to Philmont Scout Reservation in Cimarron, New Mexico this coming summer.

We will take orders for boneless cherry wood smoked turkey breasts to be picked up (still warm out of the smoker) Wednesday, Nov. 24^th in time for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 25^th.

We sell half or whole breasts only. There will be no sliced pounds or sides or sauce offered. Our smoked turkey will keep well if frozen for 6 months or more, so order extra.

Scouts don’t believe in inflation – our prices remain the same this year even though everyone will be paying more at the store for turkey. A boneless (half) breast (averages 3 1/2 pounds and yields ten 6-ounce servings) sells for $35.00. A whole breast or 2 half breasts (averages 7 pounds and yields twenty 6-ounce servings) sells for $65.

Orders will be ready for pick-up at the Eagle’s Nest behind St. Mark’s UMC from 4 to 7 PM on Wednesday, November 24^th.

Order from one of our scouts or adult leaders, Kyle Anderson, Nathan or Fred Daniel, Steve Dix, Jesse Hofer or contact Scoutmaster Mike Warren mike11345@aol.com or (615) 473-7076. An order sheet will also be in the church office and in the Narthex.

All orders need to be turned in by Wednesday, November 17.

Pay when you pick-up your order. Card, cash or check to “BSA Troop 398”.

5:00 p.m. Fellowship Meal, 6:00 p.m. Mission

Reservations Required, Donations Appreciated

Wednesday, November 10 – Service³

1) Make simple birdfeeders to take home

2) Make cards of encouragement for persons experiencing homelessness with Murfreesboro Cold Patrol

3) Assemble Christmas cards for inmates at Rutherford County Jail to mail out to a loved one.

Wednesday, November 17 – Packing Thanksgiving Food Boxes. We will pack food boxes in preparation for a drive-thru give-away Saturday, November 20^th.

Menu: Pulled Pork Sandwiches with potato salad, cole slaw, mac-n-cheese, and chocolate chip cookies

Vegetarian/Vegan option: Mushroom BBQ Sandwiches

Tuesday, November 23 - Thanksgiving Meal and Worship by Soul-Full

Menu: Turkey, Dressing and Gravy, Sweet Potato Mash, Green Beans, Rolls, Salad Bar, Pumpkin Cheesecake.

ST. MARK’S TAKES 3^RD PLACE AT HABITAT’S

“COOKING TO BUILD!”

Butler Touchton’s award-winning chili took 3rd place out of almost 40 entrants at last weekend’s “Cookin’ to Build” fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Sponsored by the Mixed Blessing adult Christian education class, Butler’s chili included smoked sausage and home cooked burnt ends, and was served with home-baked Fire Crackers. More than $32,000 was raised for Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity!

Thanks to everyone who came out, tasted chili, and voted for St. Mark’s!

Christmas Card Ministry

at Rutherford County Jail

Last May, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church completed a very successful book drive for the jail, spearheaded by St. Mark’s member, Robin Stone.

For Christmas, Mr. Stone has arranged for St. Mark’s to give every inmate at the jail a blank Christmas card with the postage paid. We will provide 750 stamped cards.

Wednesday, November 10^th at 6:00 p.m., we will affix stamps, place each card in an envelope, and also include a scripture card wishing the inmate a Merry Christmas from St. Mark’s UMC. Your help is needed!

November 3 – 17, St. Mark’s is having a special Food Drive in preparation for a Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Food Give-Away Saturday, November 20th. These donations are needed and can be brought to in the Narthex by November 17th:

Hot or Cold Cereal

Dried Beans

Peanut Butter

Grape Jelly

Canned Fruits

Canned Vegetables

Canned Potatoes

Rice

Macaroni and Cheese

Canned Meats (tuna, chicken, stew)

Pasta

Pasta Sauce

Cake or other Dessert mix

Youth News

What an INCREDIBLE weekend we have had! This past weekend the Student Ministry went on our Fall Retreat! This is the first Fall Retreat in 2 years! We were incredibly blessed to have this time together. We were able to have fun and learn about seeing a different perspective by with Christ in the forefront of our view. We used the example of a Prism. When you turn a prism it refracts the light and allows for us to see a different and sometimes more beautiful perspective than the ones we have currently. Here are a few pictures from the weekend!

This upcoming week we will meet Sunday at 5 p.m. and will finish up at 7:00 p.m. in the youth room! We will also be resuming our Sunday school hour!

Lionheart Orchestra Free Concert

Saturday, November 13, 2:00 p.m.

St. Mark’s UMC Narthex

Free Will Offering for The Journey Home

Come enjoy a family-friendly performance by Murfreesboro’s

premier amateur string orchestra!

The orchestra will play a variety of pieces

including classical, jazz, and modern.

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

9:15 a.m. Bible Study Fellowship

5:00 p.m. WNT - Rec Center, Kitchen

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Office Closed

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

4:30 p.m. Delta Kappa Gamma - RM 407/409

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:00 p.m. Beta Sigma Phi Meeting - Banquet Room

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

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

Friday, November 12, 2021

9:00 a.m. Altar Guild - Sanctuary

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

12:30 p.m. UMW Lois Shipp Circle at Flippins'

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

Saturday, November 13, 2021

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

1:00 p.m. Sweet Potato Drop

2:00 p.m. Lionheart Orchestra - Narthex/Kitchen

Sunday, November 14, 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. Bible Study - RM 1203

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

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

Monday, November 15, 2021

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

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

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

9:30 a.m. BSF Leaders - RM 1203, 1204, 1205

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

9:15 a.m. Bible Study Fellowship

5:00 p.m. WNT - Rec Center, Kitchen

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

6:30 p.m. Disciple - Banquet Room

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 18, 2021

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

5:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - RM 1203

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

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

Friday, November 19, 2021

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

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

Saturday, November 20, 2021

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

Sunday, November 21, 2021

8:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. Christian Education

11:00 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

12:00 p.m. Church Council/Charge Conference - Banquet Room

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

4:15 p.m. SONlight - Music Hallway

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

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

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

Monday, November 22, 2021

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

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

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

9:30 a.m. BSF Leaders - RM 1203, 1204, 1205

5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Dinner and Worship - Rec Center, Sanctuary

6:00 p.m. Woodworkers on Zoom

In Other News:

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar

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

Visit our Website

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