November 8, 2022

From the Pastor

During the month of November each year, I try to write at least one note a day expressing gratitude to someone for something. Today, I thanked a server at lunch for their attentiveness during my dining experience. Yesterday, I thanked an employee at the doggy day care Dasher frequents for the way she loves on my pup.

What are you grateful for? In what way might you communicate that gratitude? Why not make expressing gratitude a part of your entire November as well, not just on Thanksgiving.?

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

Tommy

This Sunday, we continue a new sermon series entitled "What Disciples Do." Although Christians are often identified by what we believe, Jesus seemed to care most about what his followers do. Faith practices, along with theological beliefs, are crucial to Christianity. This series will offer an opportunity to explore what disciples do: practice generosity, wrestle with God, and take their faith public, just to name a few.

November 13: Disciples Take Faith Public (Isaiah 65:17-25)

November 20: Disciples Give Allegiance to Christ (Colossians 1:11-20)

You’re encouraged to worship with us unless you’re sick or out of town. And if you’re out of town, consider finding a place to worship while you’re away!

SOULFULL worship is for those who can’t be in church on Sunday, for those who are looking for a different approach to worship, or for those who are looking for other opportunities to worship. It’s also great for friends and neighbors who don’t have much of a church background.

SOULFULL is now a part of our Wednesday Night Together ministry and is one of several wonderful opportunities available each night.

Rev. Chip Hunter, Superintendent of the Stones River District, has set the St. Mark's United Methodist Church Charge Conference for Wednesday, November 16, immediately following our Wednesday night meal. Members of the Church Council are voting members of the Charge Conference and are expected to attend.

For those who are not interested in or a part of the Charge Conference, other programming will be available as part of our Wednesday Night Together.

The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry Team will be Monday, November 14, at 9:30 A.M. in Room 503-505. The purpose of this gathering will be a “hands on” completion of projects for the Senior Serenity gathering in December. You are asked to bring a treat to share while we’re working on the Serenity Luncheon.

The SAGES will be going to “Dancing With Lights” in Lebanon on Tuesday, November 15. The bus will leave at 4 PM. We will have dinner in Lebanon and proceed to the light show. Dinner will be Dutch Treat and there will be a $5 charge to ride the bus and a $5 admission fee to see the lights. Please make your reservations in the church office. Look for the book!

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet again on Thursday, November 17 at 1:30 in Room 503-505. This group normally meets on the fourth Thursday. Please notice the change. The group is led by Cindy Flippin, Susan Green and Stephanie Treutlein. Caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s/Dementia are encouraged to attend.

Some of the other upcoming events for the SAGES will be Christmas at Beersheba on Monday, December 5. The bus will leave at 8:30. Please sign up in the church office. There will be a $5.00 charge for the church bus. Registration for this event which includes lunch is $25.00.

Our Senior Serenity Luncheon will be December 10. Worship will be at 11:00 and lunch at 11:30 AM.

The SAGES continue to celebrate birthdays, send cards, deliver flowers, make visits, complete projects, lead worship services, etc. God bless everyone for your participation.



Please remember. We have the opportunity to give memorials for friends who have joined The Church Triumphant. The family always receives notification when those memorials are given.

Please remember to get your turkeys for Thanksgiving from the Scouts. There is a sign-up sheet in the office.

JOIN US EACH WEEK FOR FAMILY FELLOWSHIP,

GOOD FOOD, FAITH & FUN!

5:00 p.m. Dinner

(Reservations Required)

6:00 p.m. Groups and Classes

Wednesday, November 9: Mamii’s Christmas Crafts – We’ll be creating a variety of Christmas ornaments and decorations for our Habitat home family. Menu: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Roasted Zucchini, Dinner Rolls, Apple Pie.

Wednesday, November 16: Packing Food Boxes for the hungry in our neighborhood. Menu: Hamburger Stroganoff, Creamed Corn, Garlic Bread, Salad Bar, Blueberry Crisp with Ice Cream

Tuesday, November 22: Thanksgiving Meal and Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

Menu: Roasted Turkey, Cornbread Dressing, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Dinner Rolls, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie

Wednesday, November 30: Merry Mission Marketplace! Menu: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Mixed Vegetables, Spice Cake

Wednesday, December 7: Packing Christmas gift bags for the children in Grades Kindergarten – 2nd at Reeves Rogers Elementary School

Reservations Due Monday Prior!

Make Plans Now to Give Thanks at 

St. Mark’s UMC Church Family Thanksgiving

Dinner and Worship 

Tuesday, November 22^nd

5:00 p.m. Dinner

6:00 p.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 

Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. In Sunday school, we hear and reflect on God’s Word, experience spiritual practices, play games, learn Bible skills, ask big questions, and help each other claim our spiritual identity as children of God.  

This November in Celebrate Wonder Sunday School, preschool children will explore the Old Testament prophets, including stories of Elijah and the Ravens, Elisha and the Widow’s Jars, The Call of Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Our theme word is “VOICE”, and our memory verse is, “My mouth speaks wisdom; my heart’s meditation is full of insight.” Psalm 49:3.    We hope to see you in Room 305 at 9:15 a.m.!

This Fall, Children in the Kindergarten – 2nd Grade are exploring 12 Old Testament Stories of Naomi and Ruth, David and Goliath, and Solomon, wonderful accounts which are foundational to our faith!  

Beginning Sunday, November 27, we study the Birth of Christ. 

Young Elementary meet in Room 212 at 9:15 a.m.

Grades 3 – 5 Studies the Birth of Christ

The Book of Genesis provides the foundation of our faith. This Fall, children in Grades 3 – 5 are continuing a journey through the Bible, connecting with God’s big story through videos, engaging Bible exploration, and hands-on projects through a new curriculum called “Connect.”

During November, the class is completing their study of Genesis:

• November 20 Rewind – Review of Units 1 & 2

• November 27 – Will begin studying the stories of the Birth of Christ

The Older Elementary Class meets in Room 214 Sundays at 9:15 a.m.

UPCOMING dates for Children’s Ministries

Sunday, November 20, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. "Follow the Star" Advent Beginnings for Children and Families

Monday, November 21, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. JAM Session 

Serve Lunch at the Journey Home

Saturday, December 24, 4:00 p.m. – Christmas Eve Worship Especially for Families with Children Including Candlelight Communion 

Sunday, November 20th 

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

In the Banquet Hall

Join us as we prepare our hearts for the Christ Child

Games, Crafts, Snacks, Door Prizes, and More!

All Ages and Friends Welcome!

Reserve your place by emailing your family name

and # attending to martha@stmarkstn.org

by Wednesday, November 16^th  

Music, Instruments, Singing, Movement, and more!

All Children are Welcome!

We have a new experience for Children’s Choir on Sunday mornings, 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Parents are asked to sign their children into these rooms at 9:00 a.m.:  

        Preschoolers – Grade 1, Room 304 with Jan Crossett

        Grades 2 – 5, Room 211 with Kathy Edwards

then go directly to Sunday school 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.  The children will be preparing special Christmas vocal and instrumental music to share in the 10:30 a.m. worship Sunday, December 11th. This schedule will be in place November 13th – December 11th.  There will be no Children’s Choir rehearsals or Sunday school December 18, 25 or January 1.  

If you have questions about this change, please feel free to reach out to Rev. Martha Touchton or HyeLan Pearce.  

During the month of November we focus on the various aspects of our call to Christian Stewardship. This is a time we can reflect on our past and future participation in the life of our church. Our church is our community and for our community to thrive, we need your gifts of presence, time, talents, and treasury. Letters will soon be mailed to everyone’s homes with additional information, including a 2023 St. Mark’s Pledge Card.

Please be in prayer over how you will share your gifts with your church so that as a community, we can continue to do God’s work through our many ministries and missions. 

Thanks for all you do to support the ministries of St. Mark's! Year-to-Date (YTD) Giving as of 11/6/22 = $1, 063, 954. YTD Budget need = $1, 045, 000. An additional $221,046 is needed to fully fund the 2022 operating budget. Please keep St. Mark's in your year-end giving plans.

What: Merry Mission Marketplace, where your dollar gives twice!

Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Gym

VENDORS NEEDED!

Non-Profits who offer items for sale at the MMM retain 100% of their profits. Crafters and other Vendors must agree to donate 20% of their profits to a non-profit agency.

Need a Vendor Application or Know a possible Crafter who has a heart for mission? Contact Rev. Martha Touchton, martha@stmarkstn.org

Thank you for signing up for the Altar Flowers and adding the beauty of God’s creation is a part of our service. The calendar is full through the remainder of 2022.  

The 2023 Calendar is now open for signup. The notebook is at the reception desk. Please consider selecting your special day early. For 2023, the price will increase to $30 per arrangement or $60 for both arrangements. 

Boy Scout Troop 398 is smoking turkeys again for Thanksgiving to help fund our sailing high adventure trip to Sea Base in the Florida Keys this coming summer.

We will take orders for boneless cherry wood smoked turkey breasts to be picked up (still warm out of the smoker) Wednesday, November 23^rd in time for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 24^th. We sell half or whole breasts only. There will be no sliced pounds or sides or sauce offered. Our smoked turkey will keep well if frozen for 6 months or more, so order extra. Unfortunately, our prices reflect the increase in our cost. Our supplier is confident that he can fill our order in spite of tightening supplies, but please place your order as early as possible.

All orders need to be turned in no later than Wednesday, November 16.

A boneless (half) breast (averages 3 1/2 pounds and yields fourteen 4-ounce servings) sells for $50.00. A whole breast or 2 half breasts (averages 7 pounds and yields twenty-eight 4-ounce servings) sells for $90.



Orders will be ready for pick-up at the Eagle’s Nest behind St. Mark’s UMC from 4 to 7 PM on Wednesday, November 23^rd. Pay when you pick-up your order. Card, cash or check to “BSA Troop 398”. Order from one of our scouts or adult leaders, Kyle Anderson, Nathan or Fred Daniel, Steve Dix, or contact Scoutmaster Mike Warren mike11345@aol.com or (615) 473-7076. An order sheet will also be in the church office and in the Narthex.

You may have noticed the addition of welcome center stations just outside the back doors of the sanctuary. Each week, we invite first-time guests to stop by and receive a small gift as they leave worship. It includes a QR code that takes guests to our church website.

Do you have a welcoming spirit or a gift of hospitality? Would you be willing to be in the rotation to be a welcome center greeter? If so, please contact the church office at 893-3455 or stmarks@stmarkstn.org.

For ten years, St. Mark’s has maintained a wonderful adult curriculum library that not only serves our church’s Christian education needs but is also used throughout the Stones River District.  This Library needs some TLC!  Specifically, we need to weed out some older, out-of-print resources and sell or give them away to make room for newer resources. If you would be willing to serve on a team for this endeavor in 2023, please contact Rev. Martha Touchton, martha@stmarkstn.org.

October 23 – November 16

Foods Needed: 

Canned Chicken and Tuna,

Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned Soups,

Macaroni & Cheese, Oatmeal, Spaghetti Sauce/Pasta 

Canned Fruits and Vegetables

All donations will assist the hungry in the Murfreesboro area via the 

St. Mark's Food Bank!

Food Box Packing Event 

Wednesday, November 16 at WNT 

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Gym

Wednesday, November 9 2022

3:00 p.m. Tech Goes Home - RM 503/505

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

6:00 p.m. “Blessed to Be a Blessing” Mission & SOULFULL Worship – RC

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

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 10, 2022

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 1203

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

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

2:00 p.m. Tech Goes Home - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. DKG - RM 402/404

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

Friday, November 11, 2022

Office Closed - Veterans Day

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

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

Saturday, November 12, 2022

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

Sunday, November 13, 2022

9:00 a.m. Children's Choirs - RM 211, 304

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

12:00 p.m. Church Council - Banquet Room/Kitchen

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

5:00 p.m. Rec Center/Youth Center

Monday, November 14, 2022

9:00 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 503/505

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

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

2:00 p.m. Tech Goes Home - RM 503/505

4:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center/Kitchen

5:30 p.m. PEO - RM 503/505

7:00 p.m. Symphony Chorus Rehearsal- Sanctuary

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

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

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

4:00 p.m. Disciple I - RM 503/505

4:00 p.m. SAGES to Lebanon

6:00 p.m. Murfreesboro Planning Meeting - Banquet Room

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

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

6:00 p.m. “Blessed to Be a Blessing” Mission & SOULFULL Worship – RC

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

6:30 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, November 17, 2022

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 1203

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

1:30 p.m. Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group - RM 503/505

2:00 p.m. Tech Goes Home - RM 503/505

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

Friday, November 18, 2022

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

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

Saturday, November 5, 2022

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

Sunday, November 20, 2022

9:00 a.m. Children's Choirs - RM 211, 304

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Donah Hall Birthday Party - Banquet Room/Narthex

12:00 p.m. Preschool Search Team - Library

3:00 p.m. "Follow the Star" Advent Beginnings for Children and Families - BR

4:00 p.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

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, November 21, 2022

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

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

11:00 a.m. JAM Session at Journey Home

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

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

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

9:45 a.m. Preschool Chapel

5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Dinner - Rec Center/Kitchen

6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Worship - Sanctuary

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