The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN | |
"The Messenger" Online Newsletter | |
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From the Pastor
Members and friends of St. Mark's are invited to complete and return a 2024 Estimate of Giving Card (also known as a pledge card) to indicate how they plan to financially support the church in the coming year. If you did not receive a card or if you failed to return a card, please contact the church office to make the arrangements that are best for you. Thank you for your faithful support of our shared ministry.
The Stones River District Superintendent Chip Hunter will be at St. Mark's on Wednesday, December 13 for our Annual Charge Conference. We will meet in the Banquet Room at 6:30 pm. Come early for dinner at 5 pm (reservations required) and SOULFULL Worship at 6pm (in Gym). For those not planning to attend Charge Conference, we have a service project opportunity for you at the same time (in the Gym). See below for more information.
Please note our Christmas Eve schedule. We'll have two worship opportunities, at our regular Sunday morning worship time (10:30am) and one at 7 pm. The 10:30 am service is being planned with children and their families especially in mind. The 7 pm service is a traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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A Message from SPRC Chair Reid Henderson… | |
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Please join me in sending a big THANK YOU to the St. Mark’s staff for their dedication and service to our church. Each member of our staff performs a vital role that supports the many missions of St. Mark’s. Their day-to-day efforts are a key part of what makes us one of the great churches in our community!
In addition to cards and notes of encouragement, please consider sending a financial gift. To designate a gift for the staff, just write “Staff Gift” on the memo line of your check. Your check can be placed in an offering plate or mailed to the church office. To give online, open the Online Giving Form, choose “Other” as the fund, and enter “Staff Gift” as a note. All gifts received by Monday, December 18, will be distributed prior to Christmas.
Please keep the St. Mark’s staff in your prayers during this holiday season, and let’s keep working together to make 2024 our best year ever!
Rev. Tommy Ward, Senior Pastor
Dr. Jim Clardy, Executive Pastor
Rev. Martha Touchton, Minister of Adult Discipleship and Missions
HyeLan Pearce, Director of Worship & Music
Dr. Louis Toedt, Director of Youth and Recreation
Hannah Pratt, Director of Children’s Ministries
Samantha Daniel, Preschool Director
Janet Morse, Assistant Preschool Director/Custodial Care
Buddy Howell, Business Administrator
Mike Rose, Administrative Assistant/I.T. Coordinator
Dr. Adam Clark, Accompanist
Tony Henry, Custodial Care
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"Wait for It" Series Continues
Each Sunday of Advent, we'll see what people such as Abraham, Sarah, Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, have to say to us about waiting.
Dec 10: Isaiah, Micah, and Zephaniah
Dec 17: Mary
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Front Porch Tales Continues
Our ongoing SOULFULL worship series is "Front Porch Tales." Perhaps you are old enough to remember, or perhaps you've just heard the stories, but there was a time when people sat on the front porch after supper and just talked. Typically the conversations were about the events of the day, about family, and yes, about faith.
Come sit for a spell and hear stories that will prepare you for the Advent season.
Dec 6: Expectation (Luke 1:46-79)
Dec 13: Gifts (Romans 12:6-8)**
Dec 20 and 27*
* No SOULFULL worship
** Our annual charge conference with District Superintendent Chip Hunter will take place immediately following SOULFULL worship.
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Our SENIOR SERENITY program will end our calendar of events for 2023. It has been a wonderful year of trips, studies, and ministry with our seniors. Thanks to the SAGES Ministry Team for their steady leadership and guidance.
SENIOR SERENITY is our annual event when families are invited to bring our homebound members and guests for worship, a meal, and a time of gift-giving.
SENIOR SERENITY begins Saturday, December 9 at 11:00 AM. Worship in the sanctuary at that time will include Holy Communion. At 11:30 a delicious meal will be served followed by a time of fellowship and sharing gifts.
If you have not yet registered, please sign up in the church office. Look for the book!
Merry Christmas to all.
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If you would like to order a poinsettia to be displayed in the Sanctuary this Christmas in honor or in memory of a loved one, please use the form below.
Bring order form and check to the church office, or email and pay online (with a comment saying the payment is for poinsettias). Cost: $15 per plant.
Please make payments payable to
St. Mark’s UMC and designate for Poinsettia.
Order Deadline: Monday, December 11th.
Poinsettia is ______ in memory OR ______ in honor
Of: __________________________________________________________
By:__________________________________________________________
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SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30!
Our Preschool (Ages 2 to PreK 5), Younger Elementary (Kindergarten to 3rd Grade), and Older Elementary (4th Grade to 6th 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.
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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.
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Focus on hands-on learning
Engage kids in the Bible story with lessons packed with activities, interactive games, and creative crafts.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Equips caregivers to nurture faith
Equips leaders and parents to nurture faith in many ways—through storytelling, prayers, and music.
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Confirmation Class Is Coming in January | |
Attention all parents and family members of students in grades 6-12: St. Mark’s Confirmation Class is coming in January 2024. Any and all Youth or rising Youth who have not yet completed Confirmation in the United Methodist Church are invited (along with their families) to attend our Confirmation Orientation Meeting, which will immediately follow the 10:30 worship service on Sunday January 7th in the Banquet Hall. Lunch will be provided; if you would like to attend, please be sure to RSVP by the 1st of the New Year by emailing louis@stmarkstn.org, or just pull me aside if you see me walking past you in the hallway. | |
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WNT: Children’s Programming
All children are invited to attend the Wednesday night children’s study,
“Joining God at Work in the World”! This Wednesday, December 6th, is the last children’s lesson for 2023. Join us at 6:00!
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JAM Session is December 17 from 2-4 pm!
All 4th-6th graders are invited to a JAM Christmas party! We will be caroling and spreading Christmas cheer to members of our congregation from 2:00-3:00. A time of fun and games will follow from 3:00-4:00. Please dress warmly and bring one food item to share!
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The Great Christmas Card Exchange!
The Family Ministries team has prepared a space for you to exchange Christmas cards with your church family members. The bookshelf will be in the Narthex throughout the month of December. You are invited to place cards for others in the clear bins which are in alphabetical order by last name. Stop by each Sunday to drop off cards and pick up ones addressed to you!
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Christmas Eve Morning Worship
Join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior on December 24th at 10:30 am. This worship service will feature a special performance from St. Mark’s Youth and Children’s Choir.
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REHEARSALS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE PERFORMANCE
All children and youth who would like to participate in the Christmas Eve mini musical are asked to attend Sunday morning practices from 9:00-9:30 AM in Room 211. There are also 2 scheduled dress rehearsals- December 9th from 8:00-9:00 AM and December 23rd from 10:00-11:30 AM. Please add these dates to your calendars!
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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!
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Attention all parents and family members of students in grades 6-12: St. Mark’s Confirmation Class is coming in January 2024. Any and all Youth or rising Youth who have not yet completed Confirmation in the United Methodist Church are invited (along with their families) to attend our Confirmation Orientation Meeting, which will immediately follow the 10:30 worship service on Sunday January 7th in the Banquet Hall. Lunch will be provided; if you would like to attend, please be sure to RSVP by the 1st of the New Year by emailing louis@stmarkstn.org, or just pull me aside if you see me walking past you in the hallway.
This Saturday (12/9), there will be a rehearsal for the Youth & Children’s Christmas Eve Service from 8-9 am. There will also be a final dress rehearsal on Saturday December 23rd from 10-11:30 am; all Youth who are interested in participating in the Youth & Children’s Christmas Eve Service are asked to attend at least one of these two rehearsals.
If anyone is aware of any loved ones who will be graduating from High School, College or Graduate School this December and would like to see them honored by St Mark’s Student Ministry, please communicate this information to louis@stmarkstn.org ASAP.
| On Sunday, December 3rd, St Mark’s Youth traveled to the Wilson County Fairgrounds for our second annual Holiday Season Outing to the Dancing Christmas Lights. Big thanks to volunteer chaperones Reid & Carrie Henderson and John McDaniel for helping to make this event possible! |  |  | |
- Speaking of Christmas events, the St Mark’s Youth Christmas Party will be held on the evening of December 17th at 5 pm in the Youth Wing.
-Opportunities to Serve: Youth volunteers have been requested to help with serving at the Senior Serenity luncheon on Saturday, December 9th from 10:30 am-1:00 pm.
… Additionally, December of 2023 is one of those oddball months which features a fifth Sunday, so we will be looking for Youth members willing to
serve as Ushers during the 10:30 worship service on Sunday 12/31. Additionally, If you are willing and able to serve at either of these events, please contact louis@stmarkstn.org.
-Because of your support, St. Mark’s Youth will be traveling to Pigeon Forge for their Winter Retreat on the weekend of January 19-21 in order to attend
Resurrection ‘24, an annual event of worship and spiritual growth hosted
by the youth ministry of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist
Church. We are partnering with Blackman UMC for this trip, which allows us to share the cost of housing in addition to providing an opportunity for our Youth to get to know their peers in the broader United Methodist community of Murfreesboro. Thank you for your faithful and continual support of this ministry, and special thanks to John McDaniel for volunteering to serve
as a chaperone!
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St Mark’s Student Ministry hosts a weekly "Bible Study Hall" beginning at 6:00 pm in the Library (just off the Narthex), and ending at 7:30 pm. Participants may attend the SOULFULL worship service from 6-6:30 before joining us in the Library if they choose, or simply come directly to the Library at 6 if they prefer.
You can find a printable PDF version of the Fall Events Calendar for St. Mark’s Student Ministry by clicking here.
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/
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The 2024 Grand Sweep Bible Challenge | |
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As a disciple of Jesus Christ, do you seek to:
- Deepen your spiritual walk with Christ?
- Grasp the Grand Sweep of God’s story as portrayed in the scriptures?
- Listen to and respond to God’s call as an individual, a family, and a church?
In the year ahead, as a means of deepening our mutual walk with Christ, our personal, daily spiritual practice, and our faithfulness, mission, and ministry as the Body of Christ, you are invited to read through the entire Bible in an intentional, systematic, and devotional way.
Beginning this Sunday, this resource will be available for purchase from St. Mark’s for $10, and available to all regardless of ability to pay.
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To say YES to the 2024 Grand Sweep Bible Challenge,
- Scan the QR code, or
- Send an email to martha@stmarkstn.org, or
- Call the church office at (615) 893-3455, or
- Sign up when you purchase your book
Friends, relatives, acquaintances, and neighbors
are welcome to accompany you on this journey of discipleship!
We are excited to move forward with Christ through the Grand Sweep Bible Challenge 2024! To learn more about this Bible reading challenge, Click Here.
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Christmas Special Musical Presentation | |
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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:
December 31 (one bouquet)
January 7 (one or both bouquets)
January 14 (one or both bouquets)
January 21 (one bouquet)
Many other 2024 dates are available. Call for more information.
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Wednesday Night Together
provides a delicious, healthy meal along with opportunities for children, youth, and adults to grow closer to Christ and to one another. Nursery is available 5:45 – 7:00 p.m.
Dinner Reservations are requested by 12:00 Noon each Monday and can be noted on the attendance pads in the pews or called in to the church office. The regular price of WNT meals remains at $10/adult, CHILDREN, YOUTH, & COLLEGE STUDENTS EAT FREE EVERY WEEK in 2023!
This Week’s Menu (12/6): Pork Chop Casserole with Roasted Potatoes, Squash, Chili, Salad Bar, and Chocolate Pudding.
Adult Opportunities, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 6 – Reeves Rogers Christmas Mission with SOULFULL
*We will assemble playground kits for 20 classrooms at Reeves Rogers.
Wednesday, December 13
*We will assemble “Socks of Love” for The Journey Home in the Gym.
*Charge Conference will be held in the Banquet Room,
All Church Council members are voting members.
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Thank you for Making Shopping your Mission! | |
The Merry Mission Marketplace Earned More than $2000 for Missions!!! | |
Opt-In for Advent 2023 Online Devotions | |
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The season of ADVENT calls us to increase our faith and devotion as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. Each day's reading, from Sunday, December 3 to Christmas Day, is based on the Revised Common Lectionary and includes the Scripture, a short devotion, and a brief prayer or suggested spiritual practice. These daily devotions are available via email to guide you in your ADVENT Lenten journey. To receive daily ADVENT Lenten devotions via email, CLICK HERE.
This year’s devotions are written by Reverend Sam McGlothlin, a member of the Tennessee/Western Kentucky Conference and senior pastor at Belle Meade United Methodist Church in Nashville.
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For the past few months, artists of every age in St, Mark's have been creating beautiful ornaments for our new Christ Tree which will go up in the Narthex for the second week of Advent on December 10th. From our youngest children's Sunday School class to the 6th grade, our youth group, the Watercolor Class, the Knitting Group and many other gifted members of our congregation have come with a collection of over 150 ornaments for our new tree. Each one has been lovingly created by hand and is a symbol of Christ and His church. This tree will be uniquely St. Mark's UMC. We believe that it represents our love for the diversity in our midst and a celebration of all God's creative children. | |
Project Transformation Summer Interns Needed | |
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Project Transformation is a program designed to meet the needs of children, provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to develop as young leaders and explore ministry opportunities, and help churches connect with communities. St. Mark's is proud to be a part of this important work.
Are you a college-age young adult looking for a summer internship? Or do you know someone else who might be? If so, please consider PT. Click here for more information about internship possibilities.
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Join in Honoring
MIKE ROSE
with a
RETIREMENT CARD SHOWER
in Celebration of his
Years of Service and Dedication
to the Congregation of St. Mark’s UMC
as the Administrative Assistant
and IT Coordinator
Cards may be sent to the church or brought to the collection baskets in the Sanctuary Foyer and Church Office until Sunday, December 31st.
Enclosures of gifts cards and checks are welcomed.
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Wednesday, December 6
5:00 p.m. WNT Dinner - Banquet Room
6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center
6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Youth Center
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119
Thursday, December 7
9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 1203
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Friday, December 8
10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505
5:30 p.m. Woodworkers Christmas Dinner - BR/K
Saturday, December 9
8:00 a.m. Children and Youth Rehearsal - Sanctuary
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
9:00 a.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119
11:00 a.m. Senior Serenity Luncheon - Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. Senior Serenity Luncheon - Banquet Room
Sunday, December 10
9:00 a.m. Children's Choir - RM 211
9:15 a.m. Christian Education
10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
11:30 a.m. Church Council Meeting - Banquet Room
4:15 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119
5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203
5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117
5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center
Monday, December 11
9:45 a.m. Preschool - Sanctuary
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, December 12
9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506
9:45 a.m. Preschool - Sanctuary
10:00 a.m. UMW Mary Martha Circle - RM 501
Wednesday, December 13
5:00 p.m. WNT Dinner - Banquet Room
6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center
6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Youth Center
6:30 p.m. Charge Conference - Banquet Room
7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119
Thursday, December 14
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, December 15
10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505
3:00 p.m. Cub Scouts Lock-in - Rec Center/Banquet RM/Kitchen
Saturday, December 16
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
9:00 a.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119
Sunday, December 17
9:00 a.m. Children's Choir - RM 211
9:15 a.m. Christian Education
10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
2:00 p.m. JAM Christmas Party
4:15 p.m. SONlight - RM 1119
5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117
5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center
Monday, December 18
9:45 a.m. Preschool - Sanctuary
10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
5:00 p.m. Caroling
5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center
5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505
6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117
Tuesday, December 19
9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506
9:45 a.m. Preschool - Sanctuary
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