January 24, 2024

From the Pastor

For several months, we have been taking photos of church members and friends for a new pictorial directory. This Sunday is the last opportunity for you to have professional looking photographs made. No appointment is necessary and there is no cost or sales pitch. Just stop by between 9:15-10:20am in the chapel (room 502).

After church, make plans to stick around for some hot cocoa provided by the Family Ministries Team.

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

Tommy

This Sunday, we continue our series, "Jesus, Man of Mystery." As Jesus began his public ministry, he was somewhat of a mysterious figure. Gradually, Jesus reveals more and more about himself and reveals more and more about us. 

Upcoming Sermon Texts in This Series:

January 28: Mark 1:21-28

February 4: Mark 1:29-39

February 11: Mark 9:2-9

A lot of people start the new year with resolutions of one kind or another. And chances are, you may have even already broken some or all of them. This three week series is not about losing weight or spending less time on social media; rather the focus will be on three concrete ways that Jesus invites his disciples to live. How would the world be different if followers of Christ...

Resolved to be less judgmental? (1/24/24) Matthew 5:1-2, 7:1-5

Resolved to use our time better (1/31/24) Matthew 5:1-2; 7:6

Resolved to pray more (2/7/24) Matthew 5:1-2, 7:7-11

Resolve to join us for dinner at 5 pm each week (reservations required) and then SOULFULL worship at 6 pm.

The SAGES will be going to Carrabba’s, 544 North Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, Friday, January 26, at 11:30. The bus will leave the church at 11:15. If you are going, please sign the SAGES’ book in the narthex or the church office. If you choose to drive, please let the SAGES know.

The SAGES provide services at American Home Senior Living on Tuesdays, at Rutherford Memory Care on Wednesdays, an at Creekside Senior Living on Wednesdays. The Sages provided a service at Adams Place on January 16. They will also offer a service at Parkview Manor on Wednesday, January 25. They also will offer a service at the Rutherford Assisted Living on Friday, January 26.

On Wednesday, February 7, the SAGES will be going to Mayberry’s Valentine Play and Lunch in Granville, TN. The Play and Lunch are $35, and the bus is $5. The bus will leave at 10:00 AM. Please sign up in the church office or the narthex. Please look for the book! Ticket is limited.

The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry Team is 9:30 AM, Monday, February 12 in Room 503-505.

WNT Resumes

January 24, 2024

5:00 p.m. Dinner: Sweet ‘n Spicy Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Green Beans, Salad Bar, Dinner Roll, Cobbler

Reservations due Monday, January 22

$10/Adult, Children, Youth and College Students eat FREE!

W.N.T. offers a discounted permanent reservation, allowing participants to pay for the entire season at once rather than paying every week, purchasing 14 meals for the price of 12!  For more information, click here.

6:00 p.m. Adult Ministries

The Grand Sweep Week #4 Reflection

In the Banquet Room

THE PENTATEUCH

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION EVENT

Sunday, March 17, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

in the Sanctuary with

The Reverend Rebecca Abts Wright, Ph.D.

The Rev. Dr. Wright, C. K. Benedict Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Sewanee School of theology, will be our first plenary speaker for The Grand Sweep Sunday, March 17, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. While this special presentation is especially for those participating in The Grand Sweep, all adults are invited and encouraged to attend.   



Dr. Wright, who holds degrees from American University, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Yale University, is an ordained United Methodist minister whose primary objective is for students to encounter and enjoy the depths of biblical study. She uses a variety of teaching methods, introducing her students to a wide range of perspectives, both ancient and contemporary, "traditional" and "non-traditional," for encountering biblical texts. Her teaching style not only helps students understand the Old Testament in its historical context, but also how it is relevant to the church today. Her presentation at St. Mark’s will be interactive, and you are invited to submit questions ahead of time to martha@stmarkstn.org.

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30!

Our Preschool (Ages 2 to PreK 5), Younger Elementary (Kindergarten to 3^rd Grade), and Older Elementary (4^th Grade to 6^th Grade) children will meet for Sunday school 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.

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.

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.

All children are invited to attend the Wednesday night children’s study, “Joining God at Work in the World”! Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm in Room 202 in the Children’s Wing.

Warmth in Winter Hot Cocoa Bar this Sunday!

The Family Ministries team will be providing a “Warmth in Winter: Hot Cocoa Bar” this Sunday, January 28^th following worship in the Narthex. Come enjoy a warm beverage and a time of fellowship!

Confirmation Classes start this Sunday!

All children in 5^th-12^th grades are invited to attend the Confirmation classes starting Sunday, January 28^th at 9:15-10:15 AM. Classes will be located in the banquet hall. Please contact Hannah Pratt or Louis Toedt to register if you haven’t already!

Adult Confirmation 2.0 Classes start this Sunday!

Confirmation 2.0 is intended for parents whose children are participating in Confirmation or adults who wish to know more about our United Methodist beliefs and heritage. They will be led by the Clergy and other faithful leaders. Classes will be located in room 406, from 9:15-10:15 AM.

Register for Be Retreat now!

All 3^rd-6^th graders are invited to attend the Be Retreat at Cedar Crest Camp on March 2-3, 2024. Please email Hannah Pratt at hannah@stmarkstn.org to register. The cost is $100 per child if paid by January 29^th. Please make checks out to St. Mark’s UMC or pay online. In the memo line, write your child’s name and Be Retreat. If paying online, please select the “other” category. Don’t let the cost stop your child from attending. Contact Hannah to discuss payment options. 

Children’s Church starting February 4, 2024!

This worship readiness program is for children ages 3 years-2nd Grade. Following the children’s sermon, children will go to the Narthex for an interactive, play-based time to explore the weekly Scripture reading in a deeper way. Children will return to their parents at the end of the sermon. Adult volunteers are needed to serve as helpers! If you are interested in serving, please contact Hannah Pratt.

Wonderfully Made Sexuality Seminar is February 8^th-10^th!

All 4^th-7^th grade students and their families are invited to participate in the Wonderfully Made sexuality seminar.

The deadline to register is January 31^st!

Please contact Hannah Pratt for more information.

Children’s Lent Event is Sunday, February 11^th!

All children and their families are invited to come make Lenten Activity Eggs to help your family prepare for the coming of Easter. This event will be in the Banquet Hall from 2-4 PM. 

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 @stmarkstnkids for more information!

For many years, the leadership team of St. Mark's Reeves Rogers Church/School Partnership has been concerned about the lack of secure access entry and inadequate administrative facilities at Reeves Rogers. Last Spring following the mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, the team spearheaded a significant letter-writing campaign in our community, requesting the Murfreesboro City School Board be intentional in moving forward with these much-needed improvements at Reeves Rogers.



At its January 9^th meeting, the MCS Board approved a $2 million addition to Reeves Rogers, to include 4000 sq. ft. of new space with upgraded administrative and student support, 600 sq. ft. of renovation for a secured access entry point into the school, and a new exterior entrance canopy. The project was approved by the Murfreesboro City Council at its January 18^th meeting. Groundbreaking for this project will occur later this summer, and St. Mark’s has already been invited to participate.

-If you’d like to join us for an evening of MTSU Blue Raider Basketball on Thursday, February 15th, St Mark’s Recreation Ministry is currently offering tickets in our group block for the discounted (47% off) price of $8 apiece. Tipoff is at 6:30 pm, and tickets include access to free bounce houses and carnival games for the kids, as well as the opportunity for the whole family to participate in a post-game group photo on the court. Ticket orders and cash or check payments should be submitted to Louis Toedt by Sunday 2/11/24; contact louis@stmarkstn.org for more information. Link to the ticket order form is: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a_Ghlzm_3Tt0aJw4b-P2TXTwMISFbIQKJMmy8Ilfzeo/edit?usp=sharing

- Youth from St. Mark’s & Blackman UMCs had an amazing experience at Resurrection ‘24 in Pigeon Forge this past weekend as part of this year’s Winter Retreat! Thank you for the generous financial support of this ministry which continues to make trips like this possible, and a very special thanks to John McDaniel, Hannah Pratt & Zach Pratt for volunteering to chaperone.

-The Spring 2024 St. Mark’s Youth Programming Calendar is now here. To stay informed about St. Mark’s Youth events, please click the link below and add these dates to your personal calendar / planner: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-AZc7QprlSM_JRgk_Tao3jLciH2yvtQAk_EITGXUA8/edit?usp=sharing

-You can also follow us on Instagram @stmarkstn_youth, or visit the Youth Ministry landing page for all things related to St Mark’s Student Ministry: https://st-marks-umc-student-ministry.mailchimpsites.com/

-Any and all Youth or rising Youth who have not yet completed Confirmation in the United Methodist Church are invited to join us for Confirmation Class during the Sunday School hour in the Banquet Hall, beginning on 1/28/24 and continuing into May. For more information, please contact louis@stmarkstn.org or hannah@stmarkstn.org

-If anyone is aware of any loved ones who will be graduating from High School, College or Graduate School this May and would like to see them honored by St Mark’s Student Ministry, please communicate this information to Louis Toedt and he will follow up with further instructions.  Graduation Sunday will be observed on May 5th, 2024.

WE ARE FED

THAT WE MIGHT

FEED OTHERS

As part of your preparation for

the sacrament of Holy Communion,

you are invited to donate canned and dry foods to

St. Mark's Food Bank every 1st Sunday.

Collection tubs will be located just outside the Sanctuary,

or you can bring your donation to the

bins in the Narthex or Room 407/409.

The next Communion Sunday is February 4^th

Please bring cans (not glass jars)

of Pasta Sauce

"For I was hungry and you gave me food..."

Matthew 25:35

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 available Sunday is:

February 4 (one or both bouquets)

February 18 (one bouquet)

February 25 (one or both bouquets)

March 3 (one or both bouquets)

Many other 2024 dates are available. Call for more information.

Wednesday, January 24

5:00 p.m. WNT Dinner - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #1 - Banquet Room

SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119

Thursday, January 25

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

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

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

Friday, January 26

10:00 a.m. Grand Sweep #2 - RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. SAGES to Carabba's

Saturday, January 27

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

10:00 a.m. Angie Smith Visitation - Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Angie Smith Funeral - Sanctuary

Sunday, January 28

9:15 a.m. Confirmation Class - Banquet Room

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. Grand Sweep #3 - RM 504

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

11:30 a.m. Food Bank Ministry Team - RM 407/409

11:30 a.m. Hot Chocolate Bar - Narthex

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

4:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #4 - RM 504

4:15 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

5:00 p.m. Finance Meeting - RM 503/505

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

Monday, January 29

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

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center/Youth Center

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

6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117

Tuesday, January 30

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

Wednesday, January 31

5:00 p.m. WNT Dinner - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #1 - Banquet Room

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

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119

Thursday, February 1

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

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

Friday, February 2

10:00 a.m. Grand Sweep #2 - RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

Saturday, February 3

7:30 a.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Room

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

Sunday, February 4

9:00 a.m. Confirmation Class - Banquet Room

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. Coffee with the Clergy - Banquet Room

9:15 a.m. Grand Sweep #3 - RM 504

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:45 a.m. Children's Ministry Leadership - Library

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

4:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #4 - RM 504

4:14 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

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

Monday, February 5

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

10:00 a.m. Wings of Hope - Banquet Room/Kitchen

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center/Youth Center

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

6:00 p.m. Stratford Hall HOA - Sanctuary

Tuesday, February 6

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

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.

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