"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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The past two Sunday mornings have been a huge shot in the arm for me...and it's because so many of you have had two shots in your arms. People who have had both vaccines are returning to onsite worship and that makes me happy. I don't know if it has improved my preaching, but it has improved my spirits.
Of course we remain committed to making onsite worship safe; sanitizer is available as you enter and leave, we're still wearing masks and socially distancing, and we have reduced the need to touch anything other than the pew you're sitting on while you're here. People continue to say that they feel safer worshiping onsite than they do anywhere else they might go during the week.
Your church leadership, lay and clergy, have begun conversations about what a post-COVID church might look like and when to begin moving towards our "new normal." None of us have been here before so we ask for your prayers and your grace as these decisions are made.
We'll approach these decisions like the Couch to 5K App on my phone. If you're familiar with the app, it provides a plan to gradually go from sitting on your couch to running a 5K. You don't run a 5K on Day One of your training; you start off slow and you gradually build up to the 5K. While we're anxious to have all of our activities and events back onsite, it may take awhile.
It's possible that some of the activities and events will not look exactly like they did previously. I guess it's possible that some activities and events won't return at all and new activities and events will take their place. There's so much to be considered. Rest assured that your church leaders will keep you posted.
While I can't wait to see all of you back onsite for worship, for Christian Education and for service, I am thankful for those who continue to stay connected through online worship and learning. I'm equally grateful for the volunteers who make such online opportunities possible. Finally, I hope it goes without saying that I appreciate your financial support during this pandemic; we have continued to minister, albeit in different ways, throughout this pandemic.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
Easter Worship Opportunities
Easter Sunday is April 4, 2021 and we have three worship opportunities planned: indoor worship experiences at 8:30 and 9:45 and an outdoor worship opportunity at 11:00 am (see related article).
Registration is required for the two indoor services and space is limited to 100 people per service. Masks and social distancing are required. To register, click here.
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SAGES News
Our SAGES Ministry Team is finding that more of our SAGES have now had both of their vaccination shots. However, if you are still having difficulty getting an appointment, or finding transportation to the site for the shots, please call the church office and asking for Jim Clardy, or Noel and Laura Hinote.
If you are a member of one of the calling teams and find someone who wants to get the vaccine and cannot get an appointment or transportation to the vaccination site, please let these same persons know.
Our SAGES want to be as responsive as possible to our church members and community, as well as faithful in ministry.,
God bless you all.
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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 – 10:15 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.
For the month of March, our faith word is REMEMBER. The definition of remember is to think about and not forget. During March we remember the events in Jesus’ life during Holy Week. Jesus wanted his friends to remember him and to serve others.
• Sunday, March 21 – Luke 22:39-46. Jesus Praying in the Garden
• Palm Sunday, March 28 – Matthew 21:1-11, Jesus Enters Jerusalem (Bring Your Palm Branches at 11:00!)
• Easter Sunday, April 4 – No Celebrate Wonder at 9:45 a.m.
Plan to Outdoor Worship at 11:00 a.m.!
Our Bible memory verse for this month is:
“Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19c
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ST. MARK’S CHILDREN INVITED TO OBSERVE A HOLY LENT!
The Children’s Ministries Team offers a brief and interactive LENTEN OUTSIDE WORSHIP service on the front lawn of the church each Sunday of Lent at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend; children are especially invited to serve as greeters and readers at these services. See FLYER HERE.
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LENTEN DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN
FOR ALL AGES
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Regardless of your age, the primary place for Christian faith formation is the home. Children and youth learn by watching, participating, and following their parents’ lead. As adults, reading scripture at home allows us time to meditate and pray. To this end, Rev. Touchton has created a reading plan for all ages that will guide us through beautiful scripture passages throughout the season of Lent. Rev. Ward will be publishing daily devotions based on this reading plan. You can access the plan HERE.
Any children who complete all the readings and bring/send their signed form back to Rev. Touchton after Easter will receive a gift card for a special treat.
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Easter Sunday, April 4
10:30 A.M. CHILDREN’S
EASTER EGG HUNT
Join us on the front lawn for an Easter Egg Hunt!
Bring your own basket.
All hunters will receive a treat bag
full of safe, allergy-free prizes and candy.
with family name and number attending by Monday, 3/29.
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11:00 a.m. Easter
OUTDOOR Worship
Bring a long-stemmed flower and/or
your Alleluia Butterfly
to place on the Resurrection Cross
Please wear a mask and practice social distancing, bring lawn chairs, blankets, etc. Everyone welcome; invite your friends and neighbors!
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Summer Camp at Cedar Crest
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Cedar Crest is now registering campers for the 2021 Summer Camp Season. After a 2020 hiatus, Cedar Crest is back with camps available for elementary, middle, and high school students! Camps including Adventure Camp, Two Week Camp, and Outpost Camp are open for the season to come as well.
St. Mark's will be coordinating shared transportation the weeks of St. Mark's will be coordinating shared transportation the weeks of June 13-18 and July 18-23. All St. Mark’s children who attend camp receive a generous scholarship. This summer, there are fewer camps available with a lower number of campers, so register early!
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Would you like to dedicate a lily that will be displayed in our Sanctuary this Easter to someone special in your life, past or present?
To place an Easter lily in our Sanctuary in memory of or in honor of someone, please EMAIL or call the church office at (615)893-3455 with your name, the name of the person you are dedicating it to, and whether "in honor" or "in memory". Checks payable to St. Mark's and designated for "lily" can be brought to the office or put in the offering plates this Sunday. Cost is $12.00 per plant. Deadline for orders is Tuesday, March 30th.
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Palm Sunday-Easter Cantata
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The virtual Choir will present the Easter Cantata “Hallelujah! What a Savior!” on Palm Sunday. 25 singers sang 8 pieces of music about the Holy Week story leading to Easter morning. We have practiced and prepared since the middle of January and we hope you will join this special service offering. I am so grateful that we were able to provide choir anthems for our regular worship and two seasonal cantatas during this pandemic.
Thank you to the choir for all of your hard work, dedication, and for sharing your talents. Also a special thank you to Mike Rose for auditing all the recordings we have been making weekly.
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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.
LENTEN STUDY - WHY DID JESUS DIE?
led by Rev. Tommy Ward
Now in Session
The cross is God's action to set right what has gone wrong in human life -- to heal the estrangement in our relationships with God and with one another, and to restore wholeness to this sin-damaged creation. As we make our way toward the cross, we’ll discover God's power to transform our lives through Christ’s death and resurrection.
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• 3/17 - To Take Our Place (1 Peter 2:24-25; Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
• 3/24 - To Set Us Free (Mark 10:42-45; Romans 7:14-8:17)
Buffet of Conversations Weekly Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Greetings, Announcements, Prayer
6:15 p.m. Class begins
7:10 p.m. Class ends
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
“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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Wesley Foundation Golf Tournament
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The Wesley Foundation at MTSU will be holding their second golf tournament on April 24 at Old Fort Golf Course. The cost to play is $75 per person which includes lunch. We will take registrations as individuals or as a team. We are also looking for groups and individuals who will partner with us as a hole sponsor or other partner opportunity. Maybe your Sunday School would consider partnering with us?
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Lend a Hand with Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Build
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Skilled workers needed for stick framing: Friday, March 26th and Saturday, March 27th
Friday, March 26th
8:00 – 11:30 – up to 5 volunteers
12:00 – 3:30 – up to 5 volunteers
Saturday, March 27th
8:00 – 11:30 – up to 5 volunteers
12:00 – 3:30 – up to 5 volunteers
Due to the 2019-2020 outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity is taking extra precautions with the care of every volunteer on a Build site to include a prescreening review and enhanced sanitation/disinfecting procedures in compliance with CDC guidance. Gator masks, work gloves and hard hats will be provided for those who serve; bring your own filled water bottle.
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Dedication for Completed Home Monday, March 22
Gift Donations Welcome for New Homeowner!
St. Mark’s will be recognized at the dedication of the home that our volunteers worked on last fall, to be held Monday, March 22nd @ 4:00 p.m. at the home’s location off Twin Oak Drive. Any St. Mark’s members and especially those who worked on the home are invited to attend.
You are invited to give toward a Wal-mart card which will be given to the new homeowner to help her get started furnishing and caring for her home. Donations of any amount are welcome; please make your gift online, turn it in to Kathryn Wright in the church office or place it in the offering boxes in the sanctuary
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What Other Churches are Doing
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New ministries are birthed every day when there are ideas and church members who are willing to implement them. Here's what one church is doing:
"New groups attract new people" so two pastors in Costa Mesa, California started encouraging people to start new small groups in their homes and inviting social media friends and neighbors to join them. It was a great way of establishing or re-establishing relationships and increasing the sense of community.
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National Infertility Awareness Week
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National Infertility Awareness Week is April 18-24. Christian Education classes could covenant together to pray for those going through infertility, encourage people to participate in the #WearOrange campaign on Wednesday, April 21, to raise awareness of and change the conversation around infertility, send handwritten notes or flowers to people who are experiencing infertility, or connecting couples going through infertility with those who are on the other side of infertility.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2021
6:00 p. m. "Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, March 18, 2021
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom
Saturday, March 20, 2021
10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary
Sunday, March 21, 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
11:00 a.m. Outdoor Lenten Worship
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
7:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting on Zoom
Monday, March 22, 2021
4:00 p.m. Habitat Dedication
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
6:30 p.m. Cornerstone Class on Zoom
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
6:00 p.m. "Buffet of Conversations" on Zoom
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary
Thursday, March 25, 2021
7:00 p.m. New Horizons Class on Zoom
Friday, March 26, 2021
8:00 a.m. Habitat Workday
11:00 a.m. Altar Guild - Sanctuary
Saturday, March 27, 2021
8:00 a.m. Habitat Workday
10:00 a.m. Pinewood Derby - Rec Center
10:00 a.m. Praise Team - Sanctuary
Sunday, March 28, 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
110:00 a.m. Outdoor Lenten Worship
4:00 p.m. Woman to Woman Class on Zoom
5:00 p.m. Mixed Blessings Class on Zoom
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In Other News:
The St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Spring Golf Tournament will be May 15, 1:00 PM, at the Old Fort Gold Course. A sign-up sheet is posted in the banquet room hall. For other information or to register please call Wendell Philpott.
Thank You Note - Thank you for all the calls, meals, and prayers for Trish in the death of her brother Danny and for Jim during his recent surgery and recovery. - Trish and Jim Clardy
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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