August 8, 2023

From the Pastor

A loving church is defined by the quality of caring. A loving church is a place where our fears, our joys, our yearnings, and our aspirations can be shared without fear of condemnation and rejection. A loving church is a place where God's love is experienced in concrete ways though God's people. A loving church is unconditional in its acceptance of people...providing them with opportunities for worship, service, and fellowship. A loving church facilitates growing closer to God and to all of God's people. Thanks, St. Mark's, for being a loving church.

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

Tommy

This Sunday, we continue our sermon series, “Broken: Good News for Tough Times.” We're looking at some of the most intriguing and inspiring passages in Romans and how God sustains God’s people in the midst of their brokenness.

Upcoming sermon Scriptures:

August 13: Romans 10:5-15

August 20: Romans 11:1-2, 29-32

When it comes to your relationship with Christ, would you say that you're a follower of Jesus or merely a fan? Join us for a new series where we consider what it really means to call ourselves Christian. 

The SAGES Ministry Team will meet Monday, August 14 at 9:30 in regular session.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, August 24, at 1:30 PM. at the home of Cindy Flippin, 2714 Tower Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129-1176.

On Tuesday, August 15 the SAGES are going to the Cumberland County Playhouse to see “All Shook Up.” Lunch will be at the Cumberland Mountain State Park. Tickets are $29.00. The bus will leave at 8:30 AM. If you are on the waiting list, please check to see if there are ay cancellations.

A very special Encore Event for SAGES is coming October 26. It will be held at Franklin First UMC. Please watch this newsletter for further announcements as this date nears and at the appropriate time register for the event.

Coming activities: September 22 – Senior Potluck Luncheon at 11:30 AM; September 24 - Senior Appreciation Day; October 30 – Loveless Café; November 17 – Midway Diner; In December – Christmas at Beersheba; Dec 9 - Senior Serenity at 11:00 A.M.  

The SAGES will host services at Adams Place Tuesday, August 15 at 10:30 AM and at Rutherford Senior Care (Wednesdays 11:00 AM); Rutherford Assisted Living (Fridays at 1:30 PM); and American House Senior Living (Tuesdays at 2:30 PM) each week. We have been asked to consider services at Parkview Meadows and to offer Sages’ Care at the Stones River Manor..  

A schedule of SAGES activities for 2023 is posted on the SAGES Bulletin Board outside the church office.

STARTING THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 13!

Our Preschool (Ages 2 to PreK 5), Younger Elementary (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade), and Older Elementary (3rd Grade to 6th Grade) children will join together for Sunday school at 9:15 A.M. to explore Spark: Activate Faith lessons. An activity-filled Sunday school curriculum that follows the salvation story from start to finish, helping kids explore key Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments.

Spark helps kids learn at their level

Interact with the Bible in every lesson, helping kids navigate the story and begin to compare what they learn to their own life.

Focus on hands-on learning

Engage kids in the Bible story with lessons packed with activities, interactive games, and creative crafts.

Experience the Salvation Story arc

Help kids experience the Salvation story each year by exploring the Old Testament in the fall, and the New Testament in the winter and spring.

Our Preschool (Ages 2 to PreK 5), Younger Elementary (Kindergarten to 2^nd Grade), and Older Elementary (3^rd Grade to 6^th Grade) children will meet for Sunday school at 9:15 A.M. to explore Spark: Activate Faith lessons. An activity-filled Sunday school curriculum that follows the salvation story from start to finish, helping kids explore key Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments. The preschool class will meet in Room 305, the younger elementary class will meet in Room 214, and the older elementary class will meet in Room 212.

Frolic Nursery: Little Steps, Big Faith

Our Nursery-aged children (Birth to 1 year) will begin exploring Frolic Nursery lessons. Drawing on brain science as well as theology, Frolic was designed by early childhood experts to build faith through play in babies, toddlers, and young children from birth to age five. Frolic uses Bible lessons, music, and play to help build a firm Faith foundation. 

Start faith formation at birth

Uses a curriculum-based on early childhood best practices to help your little ones to take little steps to big faith—starting at birth.

Focuses on learning at their level

Frolic’s curriculum focuses on helping young children explore faith concepts in the way they know best— through play!

Equips caregivers to nurture faith

Equips leaders and parents to nurture faith in many ways—through storytelling, prayers, and music.

Thank you to our children and youth who participated in our Back to School worship service! Your service is an inspiration to us all. Please receive this special blessing.

Child of God, may you know that even Jesus, though He was fully God, lived a life of service.

May you know the joy of service and spread it to those around you. May you have eyes to see the needs around you, a compassionate heart willing to respond, and the humility to serve even in secret and unglamourous ways.

Keep serving, keep inspiring, and keep leading us to know God’s love in deeper ways.

Blessings,

Mrs. Hannah

Please contact Hannah Pratt at hannah@stmarkstn.org

if you have any questions.

Follow our St. Mark’s Children’s Ministry Facebook page and Instagram @stmarkstn_kids for more information!

-St. Mark’s Youth, family & friends had a great time at our Back to School BBQ on Wednesday 8/2

-St. Mark’s Student Ministry hosts a weekly "Bible Study Hall" beginning at 6:00 pm (starting with the Wednesday night “SOULFULL” Worship Service in the Gym, and moving to the Library around 6:30), and ending at 7:30 pm. 

-The latest edition of our 'Bear Fruit' Mission Series took place on the afternoon of August 6th, as St. Mark’s Youth helped to move and pack boxes for our food box ministry. If you have nonperishable food items to donate or if you know of someone in need of a food box delivery, please contact Louis Toedt (louis@stmarkstn.org or 615-893-3455, Ext. 20.) for more information.  

-On Sunday August 13th, parents / guardians of St. Mark’s Youth are invited to a brief Fall Youth Orientation Meeting immediately following our Sunday Evening Youth Gathering. At this meeting, parents will be given a paper copy of our Fall Event Schedule, and asked to complete the annual Activity Waiver which enables Youth to participate in St. Mark’s events and outings.

-To stay informed about what St. Mark’s Student Ministry is up to, follow us on Instagram @stmarkstn_youth, or visit the landing page for all things related to St. Mark’s Student Ministry: https://st-marks-umc-student-ministry.mailchimpsites.com/

-To make your voice heard in shaping the future direction of St. Mark’s Student Ministry, please click here for the link to a brief survey that takes an average of 3 minutes to complete - your answers will be shared anonymously, so feel free to be completely honest! 

-Attention College Students: St. Mark’s is proud to host College Volleyball Night on Monday evenings this summer from 7:30-10 pm in the gym. No RSVP required - just come as you are!

-St. Mark’s Recreation is seeking softball players for our Co-Ed Softball team, which will play a season of about 7 games beginning in mid-August. If you are interested in joining the Co-Ed Softball team, please contact Mr. Wendell Philpott or Dr. Louis Toedt (louis@stmarkstn.org) 

The flowers on the altar each Sunday are available to be sponsored in honor of in memory of loved ones. To reserve a date, please call the church office or sign up on the Flower Calendar at the receptionist desk in the church office.

Each bouquet (there are two per Sunday) is $30 which can be paid by placing a check in the offering plate with "Flowers" on the memo line or contacting the church office for other arrangements.

The next four available Sundays are:

October 15 (one or both bouquets)

October 29 (one bouquet)

November 5 (one or both bouquets)

November 12 (one or both bouquets)

Grief Support Group Available At St. Mark’s UMC This Fall

Looking for help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member, or friend?  Grief Share is a special weekly seminar designed to help persons rebuild their lives after losing a loved one. St. Mark’s group is led by caring individuals who have experienced grief and want to help others through the difficult days ahead.

Sundays, 4:00 – 6:00 pm for 13 Sessions

Led by Cyndy Stone Allen and Paul Givens. Limit 10 participants. Open to the public. $20.00 Materials Fee; Scholarships available. Class begins Sunday, August 13. To register, click here.

Almost everyone knows someone going through grief: it might be a friend or a family member, a neighbor, or a coworker.  You are encouraged to invite them to GriefShare!



To learn more about GriefShare, click here: https://vimeo.com/70809708

Habitat for Humanity continues to make a difference in our community by providing affordable housing in our neighborhood! You are invited to help with the framing of a new Habitat House in Legacy Pointe sponsored in part by St. Mark’s members Tom and Robbie Hooper. 

Workdays are Wednesday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 26th.

Shifts for these workdays are 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 – 3:30 p.m.  Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and can work one or both shifts. Thanks to those who serve faithfully! 

We are blessed to be working alongside the homeowner, Leah, from Smyrna. You can read more about her HERE.

Need more information about serving or want to volunteer? Contact meg@megvanpatten.com or martha@stmarkstn.org.

As a Body of Christ seeking to be in ministry to and with our neighborhood (rather than just being a landmark!), how well do we know our neighbors? How much would learning more about our neighboring community help us love God and love our neighbors better, and influence our mission and ministries for greater outreach in our neighborhood?

Join us for a panel discussion about our neighborhood, including educational, creation care, housing, and employment concerns.  Children and Youth will also have an opportunity to attend the panel or explore our neighborhood in a fun and creative way.

Wednesday Night Together Kick-Off, August 30^th

5:00 p.m. FREE MEAL, 6:00 p.m. “HEY NEIGHBOR” Panel

plus Alternative Activities for Children and Youth. 

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “ 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” ~ Matthew 22:34-40

St. Mark’s is offering a Baldwin Acrosonic upright piano for sale to the highest bidder among our church members, friends, and their families.  

Baldwin is a very reputable American piano maker, and this model was top of the line when it came out in 1959. The piano has been in use at St. Mark’s for a very long time. Even so, all of the keys work, none of the keys are sticking, and all three pedals are functional. The outer cabinet is in reasonable condition, with only a few scratches and dings.  

This would be an excellent beginner’s piano. Prospective buyers are welcome to inspect and play the piano in the chapel across from the office. Offers will be accepted in the church office until October 1, 2023.  

Wednesday, August 9

6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center

6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Youth Center

Thursday, August 10

10:00 a.m. Quilting Bee - Banquet Room/Kitchen

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 506

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

Friday, August 11

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - RC

Saturday, August 12

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

9:00 a.m. Stones River District UWF - Banquet Room

Sunday, August 13

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

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

Monday, August 14

9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 503/505

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

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

Tuesday, August 15

8:30 a.m. SAGES to Cumberland Playhouse

9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

Wednesday, August 16

3:00 p.m. Youth Back-to-School BBQ - Back yard

6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center

6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Library

Thursday, August 17

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

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

Friday, August 18

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

Saturday, August 19

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

9:00 a.m. Proclaim Rehearsal - Rec Center

Sunday, August 20

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

4:00 p.m. UMW Brave Women of Faith - Library

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

Monday, August 21

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

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

Tuesday, August 22

9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

6:00 p.m. Woodworkers - Banquet Room

In Other News:

Thank You Note - To the St. Mark's Disaster Team, Mere words cannot express the appreciation from the city of Millington and its citizens for the assistance after the recent June 2023 storm which decimated parts of our city. The individuals you served has nothing but praise for your groups and the city concurs. Without your assistance, many citizens would have had to either borrow money or use their savings to assist them in removing trees and debris.

May God continue to bless your group as you seek out those who are unable to help themselves or who do not have the funds available in times of need.

Ed Haley, City Manager, City of Millington

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