April 3, 2024

From the Pastor

Last Sunday's sermon was about the importance of belonging. Studies have shown that when individuals feel a sense of belonging, the experience lower levels of anxiety and depression, show greater levels of happiness and well-being, and have a stronger sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. In a spiritual context, these benefits are magnified. Feeling that we belong strengthens our faith, encourages us to share our gifts, and empowers us to support one another in times of need.

I'm so grateful that you're a part of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. It's a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.

Tommy

Easter Sermon Series

When we think about what makes someone a Christian, we typically begin with belief: someone confesses faith in Christ. This belief then changes our behavior as we find belonging in the church. What if we started with belonging first, with belief and behavior following? Join us for our Easter season sermon series entitled "The Power of Belonging."

Upcoming Scripture texts:

April 7: John 20:19-31

April 14: Luke 24:36b-48

April 21: Psalm 23

April 28: Acts 8:26-40

May 5: Acts 10:44-48

New SOULFULL Worship Series:

Alive

The resurrection of Jesus changed the course of human history over two thousand years ago -- and it continues to change our lives now. We'll talk more about how in SOULFULL worship, Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. See you there.

This Sunday:

TONIGHT

6:00 p.m. Ministries

SOULFULL Worship Plus Children, Youth, & Adult Ministries

Adult Ministries

Wednesday, April 3, 6:00 p.m.

The Grand Sweep Reflection Group, Week #14

With Rev. Lenoir Culbertson in the Banquet Room

General Announcements

Wesley Foundation Golf Tournament

Registration and Sponsorships

The MTSU Wesley Foundation Golf Tournament is April 12, 2024. Lunch begins at 12pm and Shotgun Start at 1pm. $100 per person. Click here to register (check back later if the link hasn't been activated yet). You can also call 615-390-5585.

You and your business are also invited to be a sponsor for the day:

Title Sponsor: $7500; Club Sponsor: $5000; Shirt Sponsor: $2500; Sign Sponsor: $2000; Lunch Sponsor: $1500; Cart Sponsor: $1000; 19th Hole After Party Host: $700;

Putting Contest Sponsor: $500; Driving Range Sponsor: $400; Hole Sponsor: $150; Sponsor a Student to Play: $65.

Cedar Crest Camp: Spring Service Day!

Children, Youth, and Adults invited to attend!

Cedar Crest Camp is hosting their annual Spring Service Day on Saturday, April 13th. Children, Youth, and Adults are invited to attend! We will leave St. Mark’s at 7:45 AM and return by 1:00 PM. If you are interested in attending, please email Hannah Pratt by Thursday, March 28th.

INTEREST MEETING: July 7 – 13 Mission Trip

Sunday, April 14, 11:30 a.m.

Pastor John Newman from Henderson Settlement will be at St. Mark’s Sunday, April 14^th. He’ll be available during Christian education, have an informational booth in the music suite hallway 10:00 - 10:30 a.m., and be present after worship as needed.

If you’d like to learn more about the mission trip, see the following: 

Henderson Settlement Slideshow Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1h0EwtK48CdpiRmby6RRVbplKeBkWcLDio24Bp-ffFUc/edit?usp=sharing  

Mission Trip Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfy1STNm6tgsghpZQRGjGw3y7yyRKLwj14NTGrzlQ3BF1WpvA/viewform?usp=sharing

A $50/person deposit is required, payable to St. Mark’s UMC and due Tuesday, April 2^nd.  Scholarships for all ages are available! For more information about the trips or available scholarships, contact Louis Toedt, Martha Touchton, or Hannah Pratt.

St. Mark's Church-wide Talent Show

April 24th at 6:00 PM

Bring your gifts and talents and participate in St. Mark's Church-wide talent show! All ages are welcome to participate! This will be held on the last Wednesday Night Together gathering, April 24th, at 6:00 PM. Bring your donations to vote for your favorite act! All proceeds will go towards the Children's Ministry Designated Funds. To register, please email HyeLan Pearce at hyelan@stmarkstn.org by April 10. 

Save the Date for VBS!

Children's Registration is OPEN!

St. Mark’s Vacation Bible School will be June 24-27 from 9 AM – 12 PM. This year’s theme is Camp Firelight! Children ages 4 through 5^th grade and younger children of VBS volunteers are welcome to attend. Click here to register your child for an unforgettable summer camp adventure with God!

Adult and youth volunteers are still needed! If you feel God calling you to serve in this ministry area, click here to register online or email Hannah Pratt at hannah@stmarkstn.org

Invitation to Men to join St. Mark's Men's Chorale

All vocal ability levels welcome

The St Mark's Men's Chorale invites all men of the church to join our group. 

• The group participates in the worship service approximately 4 times per year.
• Rehearsals are held in a 10-day window prior to each performance. 
• Choir membership is not required.
• We welcome all levels of vocal ability and experience.

Contact HyeLan Pearce or Tim Tackett for more information.

You enjoy St. Mark's music ministry ... IT'S TIME TO JOIN IN!      

Recreation Ministry

• We want to hear your thoughts on the future direction of St. Mark’s Recreation Ministry! Click the following link to be redirected to a brief Recreation Ministry Survey where you can tell us what you’d like to see more of from your Recreation Ministry in the future: https://forms.gle/JQXWdP7UZhQK9NJG7

• Our friend Bob Ingle will be leading a Spring Migration Bird Watching Walk at Cedars of Lebanon State Park on April 13th, 7 a.m. (2-3 hour walk). Participants will meet Bob at the Visitor’s Center, which is the first building on the right side of the road after entering the park. Limited spaces available! Contact louis@stmarkstn.org for more info or to reserve your spot.

• If you would like to come out and support the St. Mark’s Men’s Softball Team. you can find a link to their schedule of upcoming games here: https://www.allprosoftware.net/murfreesborosoftball/aplsteam347.htm  

Adult Ministries

THAT WE MIGHT

FEED OTHERS

WE ARE FED

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 April 7^th

Please bring cans of Green Beans

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

Matthew 25:35

Congratulations to Elizabeth Huff Bennett, a faithful member of our Sages’ Team, who has received the 2024 Adult Volunteer of the Year for Jackson County. Liz has facilitated many of our outings in Granville and all the wonderful sites and programs there.

Thanks to Dr. Sherry Galloway for facilitating the most recent gathering of the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group.

The next meeting of the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Group will meet at 1:30, Thursday, April 25 at St. Mark's in room 503/505. All those caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s are welcome.

The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry team will be Monday, April 8, 9:30 AM in Room 503-505. 

On April 15, the Sages will tour the historic Asbury-Babb House in Lebanon with lunch at Sammy B’s at 11:30, and a stop at Bay’s Southern Bread in Lebanon. The bus ($5.00) leaves at 9:00. Please sign up in the narthex or the church office. Look for the book!

Upcoming events include a visit to Granny Fishes, a show at the Cumberland County Playhouse, the Falcon Rest Tour and lunch in McMinnville.

This year we are again offering worship experiences at five different SAGES Assisted Living and Memory Care Centers.

The Sages would like to thank everyone for their welcoming spirit as we deliver flowers and gifts. We continue to send cards, make hospital calls and home visits. We support grandparent ministries. We attend Sunday School and worship. And we are in always in the process of life-long learning.

Please join us for an outing. We believe you will enjoy it.

SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:15*!

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.

* On Sunday’s when the Children’s Choir is rehearsing, Children’s Sunday School will begin at 9:30.

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.

THANK YOU!

St. Mark’s children had a fantastic Easter Sunday thanks to our many faithful volunteers! During the Christian Education hour, all children traveled to youth and adult classes for a Resurrection Scavenger Hunt. They discovered symbols that related to Jesus’ life/ministry, death, and resurrection. During worship, they participated in the annual Butterfly Parade and filled the front steps for the children’s message. Then, the highly anticipated Easter Egg Hunt! Thank you for sharing your time and gifts with our children. None of these events would have been possible without you!

Ways you can help:

• Keep empty rooms locked
• Sign children in and out of classrooms
• Supervise your children at all times
• Accompany your children to the Restroom
• Help us observe the two-adult rule at all times by serving as a Safe Sanctuaries helper
• If you see any behavior that seems abusive or inappropriate, inform a ministry leader

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!

• On Sunday April 14th, following shortly after the conclusion of the 10:30 worship service, St. Mark’s Youth (along with the Youth from Blackman UMC) will be traveling to the Grundy Lakes in South Cumberland State Park for our first annual Youth Fishing & Hiking Outing. Youth participants are welcome to invite friends (provided that they are students in grades 6-12), and may choose to hike, fish, or just hang out and enjoy some fun and fellowship with our extended United Methodist Youth family. Prior signup is requested by Saturday April 6th; please follow this link for the RSVP form: https://forms.gle/fX9z2NXNDTZmCNn3A  

• Wednesday Night Bible Study continues this week (4/3) beginning at 6:00 pm in the Library (just off the Narthex) and ending at 7:30 pm; Youth & friends in grades 6-12 are invited to join us as we explore the question of, “How do we put on the whole armor of God?”. Dinner (Meatloaf, Baked Potato Bar, Broccoli Casserole, Salad Bar, Desserts) will be served in the banquet hall at 5 pm, and is free for Children, Youth and College Students ($10 for adults).  

• Congratulations to Sam McElroy on representing Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School at the recent Track & Field meet on Thursday 3/21; Sam competed in the shot-put and discus throw events, achieving a new personal best in the discus throw. Way to go Sam! 

• On the evening of Friday May 10th and continuing into the morning of May 11th (Sat), our 2024 Confirmands will be traveling to Cedar Crest Camp for our Spring Confirmation Retreat, where they will present the results of their service projects (and be back in time for Mother’s Day!). St. Mark’s Student Ministry is seeking Youth members to serve as Big Brothers / Big Sisters for our incoming Confirmands, so please email louis@stmarkstn.org if you (or your Youth-age child) are willing to serve as a Big Brother or Big Sister. Responsibilities are fairly minimal, and will mostly involve welcoming our new Confirmands to the Youth Group and checking in on them periodically.

• We are looking to re-establish a proper Youth Council, so please email louis@stmarkstn.org if you (or your Youth-age child) may be willing to serve as a member and would like more information. Responsibilities would include giving input on spiritual needs and programming priorities for St. Mark’s Student Ministry; we are specifically seeking at least 1 middle school student, 1 high school underclassman (9th or 10th grade student), and 1 high school upperclassman (11th or 12th grade student). 

• If you’d like to learn more about the multi-generational mission trip that St. Mark’s Youth will be participating in during the week of July 7-13th, see the following:

Informational Slideshow Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1h0EwtK48CdpiRmby6RRVbplKeBkWcLDio24Bp-ffFUc/edit?usp=sharing 

Mission Trip Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfy1STNm6tgsghpZQRGjGw3y7yyRKLwj14NTGrzlQ3BF1WpvA/viewform?usp=sharing

Scholarships for all ages are available! For more information about the trips or available scholarships, contact Louis Toedt, Martha Touchton, or Hannah Pratt.

• Our Sunday Worship Team is seeking Youth Communion Servers (1 volunteer needed for the first Sunday of every month) and Youth Ushers (4-6 volunteers needed on the 5th Sunday of every month which contains 5 Sundays). To volunteer for these service opportunities, click on the following link and follow the prompts. SignupGenius will generate reminder emails shortly before the date of your service, so don’t be afraid to sign up months in advance: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A8A823ABFFCE9-48490698-youth

• 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.

• You can find a printable version of the Spring 2024 St. Mark’s Youth Programming Calendar via this link: 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/

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:

April 7 (one or both bouquets)

April 14 (one bouquet)

April 21 (one bouquet)

April 28 (one or both bouquets)

May 5 (one bouquet)

Many other 2024 dates are available. Call 615-893-3455 for more information.

Wednesday, April 3

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

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

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

Thursday, April 4

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

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

6:00 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, April 5

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

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

Saturday, April 6

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

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

2:00 p.m. Manna Ministry Meal for Doris Mills Service - Kitchen/Banquet RM

Sunday, April 7

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

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

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Spring Art Sale - Narthex

11:45 SPRC Meeting - RM 503/505

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. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

Monday, April 8

9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 503/505

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. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117

Tuesday, April 9

10:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505

10:00 a.m. UMW Mary Martha Circle - RM 501

Wednesday, April 10

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

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

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

Thursday, April 11

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

6:00 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

7:00 p.m. Usher/Greeter/Welcome Center Training - Sanctuary

Friday, April 12

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

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

Saturday, April 13

8:00 a.m. Cedar Crest Camp Spring Service Day - Van 2018

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

Sunday, April 14

8:00 a.m. Youth Ministry Outing to Grundy Lakes - 2018 Van

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Summer Mission Trip Interest Meeting - Banquet Room

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

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

4:15 p.m. SONlight Youth Choir - RM 1119

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

Monday, April 15

9:00 a.m. SAGES to Asbury Babb House - Van 2018

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, April 16

10:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505

In Other News:

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar 

Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermon's media page.

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