"The Messenger" Online Newsletter
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Last Sunday, I preached on 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1. As a way of continuing to reflect on that passage and what it might have to say to us, I invite you to join me in the following:
1. Read the passage in a translation other than what you currently use. You can find any number of translations here. To the left of the burgundy magnifying glass in the top right corner, choose a translation.
2. If I were to ask someone close to you what you're really passionate about, what would they say?
3. Recall a time when you could not remain silent about something, even though you knew that saying something might make life more difficult for you.
4. What, then, gave you the courage to speak up?
5. How can we be misled if we only focus on what we can see with our own eyes? Why is it important to pay attention to what our eyes can't see?
This passage of scripture reminds us that Paul spoke about Jesus because he was passionate about Jesus; he could not keep silent, even knowing that his testimony would lead to persecution and death.
Paul's courage came from his conviction that there is more to life than what happens on this side of eternity; he believed that, whenever he drew his last breath, he would be raised with Christ. His courage also came in knowing that his testimony was changing the lives of people around him, resulting in them understanding God's grace and responding to it with grateful hearts and a desire to glorify God.
Paul knew that what one can see on the outside often doesn't tell the whole story, or even the most important part of the story. What is visible isn't always a reliable indicator of what's really going on!
May God grant us the grace to be passionate about the things that are of greatest importance today.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
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SAGES News
From the Director Of Encore Ministries: June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 serves as a call-to-action for individuals, churches, and communities to bring attention to the issue of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has put older adults at risk for more than just a deadly disease. It has also increased their risk of experiencing physical, emotional, and financial abuse.
Social distancing and self-isolation have been good ideas to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus and to protect the health and well-being of older adults. However, older adults who are already socially isolated are more susceptible to fraud or abuse.
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Children’s Christian Education Is Back!
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 excited to have all the children back to indoor Sunday school! These classes begin at 9:45 a.m.:
• Preschool (Age 2 – Age 5/Pre-K) – Room 305
Leaders: Trish Clardy, Leta Hood, Lori Gray, Matt Rogers
• Young Elementary (Kindergarten - Grade 2) – Banquet Hall
Leaders: Pam Forrest, Eudora Hargis, Dana Harvey, Bobbie Damron,
Tracy Read
• Older Elementary (Grades 3 – 5) Room 212
Leaders: Becky Latta, Cindy Flippin, Bernie and Rene Sharkey, John
Wilson, Sean Gilliland
Please Note! Children will be attending the Christian education class that matches the class or grade they will attend in the Fall of 2021.
Since children are unable to be vaccinated at this time, COVID protocols will remain in place. For more information, CLICK HERE.
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St. Mark’s Nursery Facilities Now Open |
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St. Mark’s Nursery is now available during the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services and during 9:45 a.m. Christian education.
The nursery is open on Sunday mornings 8:15 a.m. –12:00 p.m. for children aged 3 months to age 4. COVID safety protocols and procedures are in place; you can read them here. All nursery staff are fully vaccinated. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Raymond (615) 218-1338 or Rev. Martha Touchton (615) 893-3455.
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A new family experience of worship, Bible study and interaction with God’s beautiful creation!
Friday and Saturday
June 25th - June 26th
at Baker Farm
“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name
in all the earth!” Psalm 8:1
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BIBLE STORIES
GAMES
FISHING and HIKING
BIBLE CRITTER PETTING ZOO
COOKING OUT
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CAMPFIRE and SINGING
S’MORES
SCAVENGER HUNT
NATURE CRAFTS
TENT CAMPING (optional)
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AND S'MORE!!!
T-shirts Available for $10
Children must be accompanied by a parent or grandparent.
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All St. Mark’s children and their parents and/or grandparents are invited to participate in weekly gatherings for fun and fellowship.
Friends and Newcomers are Welcome!
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
June 9th Getting to Know You! Bike and Playground Fun, BYO Bike/Trike and Picnic to Playground Circle, Drinks and Popsicles Provided. Rain Plan: Balloon Blast in the Gym!
June 16th Water Fun and Inflatables at St. Mark’s + Kona Ice
June 23rd Mission “Hill o’ Beans” at St. Mark’s
June 30th Bowling at Murfreesboro Strike & Spare on Old Fort
July 14th Arts and Crafts at St. Mark’s
July 21st Sky Zone on Broad Street
July 28th Pool Party – Location TBA
Watch St. Mark’s Children’s Ministries Facebook page, Newsletter, and your email for more detailed information!
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CLASSES and GROUPS NOW IN SESSION IN PERSON:
Cornerstone, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 407/409
Dimensions of Faith, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 403 beginning July 11th
Genesis Network, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 1204
Good News, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the Library beginning June 13th
In His Steps, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 406
Mixed Blessings, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 1203
New Horizons, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 1205
Pathfinders, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 503/505 beginning July 11th
Spares and Pairs, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 402/404 beginning June 13th
Woman to Woman, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 405
Young Adults, Sundays, 9:45 a.m. in Room 504
Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Support Group, 4th Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. in Room 1203
Knitters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Room 503/505
Watercolor Painting,
Beginners Mondays, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the Banquet Room. Space Available.
Advanced Mondays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the Banquet Room. Full.
GROUPS MEETING ONLINE:
Pastor’s Class, Sundays at 9:45 a.m. on Zoom thru June
Women’s Bible Study, “God is Closer than You Think,” by John Ortberg, Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Zoom.
Unless otherwise noted, newcomers are welcome in all classes and groups. For more information about these or other Adult Ministries, contact Claudia Hunter or Rev. Martha Touchton.
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Sunday, July 4th Special Schedule
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9:30 a.m. CHURCH WIDE POTLUCK BREAKFAST
Helping Hands needed!
Volunteer to Martha Touchton
10:30 a.m. ONE WORSHIP SERVICE
Click HERE for more information!
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Sunday, June 20th
in Honor of Our Dads
In response to the economic hardships many students face, the MTSU Marketing Department operates “Career Closet,” that helps students acquire professional attire so they can put their best “nonverbal” foot forward
when seeking that internship or first job post-graduation.
Please bring a new or gently used tie
to donate to the “Career Closet”
in honor of the special men in your life.
All ties will be laid on the prayer rail.
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Father’s Day Photomontage |
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June 20, 2021
To have a “Dad” photo included, email your digital photo to mike@stmarkstn.org or bring it to the church office by Monday, June 14th.
Sponsored by St. Mark’s Family Ministries Team
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Virtually awesome! Serve and give from home.
Project Transformation (PT) campers are coming back in person this summer at two host sites in Rutherford county, but St. Mark’s members will serve and give from home. PT campers will participate in a variety of activities designed for literacy, social-emotional learning, and personal enrichment. Please help share the love of Christ with campers!
Serve
Read virtually with PT campers during one or both weeks St. Mark’s will provide mentors:
• June 8-10 Smyrna First UMC campers
• July 12 – 15 First Cumberland Presbyterian campers (Main St., Murfreesboro)
You will receive a link in an email to log-on and read online with campers between 9:45a.m. and 12:15p.m. You simply need a computer with a video camera, internet access, and a willingness to genuinely interact with campers.
Click SERVE to email a coordinator with your name, cell phone number, and which week or days you will serve. Or, contact Dorothy Murphy (615-519-0669) or Jennifer Marlatt (615-631-9877)
Give
Donate the cost of supplies ($20) for at least one camper, or give one or more shares ($100) toward the purchase of a computer. As a partner church for PT, St. Mark’s will provide 60 sets of camper supplies, and at least two computers to enable online reading and interaction among campers and mentors like you.
Click GIVE, then choose MISSIONS and then PROJECT TRANSFORMATION from the list of funds. Or, send a check this week to St. Mark’s marked “PT”. Any and all support is helpful!
Please pray for PT campers, interns, staff and churches throughout the summer. Thank you for helping share Christ’s love with children in Rutherford County through Project Transformation.
Contact for questions: St. Mark’s PT coordinator Dorothy Murphy at 615-519-0669.
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Wednesday, June 9, 2021
10:00 AM Wonderful Wednesdays
Thursday, June 10, 2021
Annual Conference Online
9:00 AM Women's Bible Study on Zoom
10:30 AM Knitting - RM 503/505
4:30 PM Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center
6:30 PM ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Friday, June 11, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center
Saturday, June 12, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Cedar Crest Camp - Van 2018
Youth Mission Trip - Van 2008
8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 AM Christian Education
11:00 AM Worship - Sanctuary
5:00 PM Chancel Ringers - RM 1117
Monday, June 14, 2021
9:30 AM SAGES Meeting - RM 1203
10:00 AM Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
12:30 PM Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
10:00 AM Wonderful Wednesdays
Thursday, June 17, 2021
9:00 AM Women's Bible Study on Zoom
10:30 AM Knitting - RM 503/505
6:00 PM Soul-Full Worship - Sanctuary
6:30 PM ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Friday, June 18, 2021
6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center
Saturday, June 19, 2021
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, June 20, 2021
8:30 AM Worship - Sanctuary
9:45 AM Christian Education
11:00 AM Worship - Sanctuary
5:00 PM Chancel Ringers - RM 1117
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In Other News:
Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.
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