April 17, 2024

From the Pastor

In Sunday's sermon, I suggested that when Jesus eats with people in the gospels, it's more than just a meal. It's a way of deepening relationships, creating and sustaining unity, and reminding people of the power of communal belonging. I invited you to look for opportunities to break bread together with fellow followers of Jesus.

On Monday, I was at a new restaurant in town with some of my ministry colleagues and we ran into a table of women from our church enjoying "more than a meal." It was a beautiful sight.

It is a privilege to belong to this community of faith and to serve 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 21: Psalm 23

April 28: Acts 8:26-40

May 5: Acts 10:44-48

SOULFULL Worship Series:

This Wednesday is the final week of our "Alive" series. We'll be thinking about how the resurrection of Jesus 2,000 years ago continues to change our lives today. We'll talk more about how in SOULFULL worship, Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. See you there.

TONIGHT

6:00 p.m. Ministries

SOULFULL Worship Plus Children, Youth, & Adult Ministries

Adult Ministries, Wednesday, April 17, 6:00 p.m.

The Grand Sweep Reflection Group, Week #16

With Rev. Lenoir Culbertson in the Banquet Room

Next Wednesday Night

A Big Thank You from the Chancel Choir

Our Spring Art Sale to benefit the Chancel Choir Robe Fund was a huge success! Thank you so much to all of you who purchased beautiful watercolors by Kris Whitt. A hallmark of St. Mark’s UMC has always been the generosity of its people. You all certainly gave evidence to that generosity in your response to the Art Sale.

On the day of the Art Sale, we raised a whopping $2900. Since then, other donations have been added. With what the choir had previously raised and the St. Mark’s finance committee’s commitment of funds, we now have enough to go forward. We will be measuring each choir member and ordering our new robes and stoles soon. We hope to have them sometime in late summer.



Thank you all so much for your support of our Music Ministry here at St. Mark’s UMC. We all feel so blessed to be a part of this choir. We are grateful that we can offer our anthems and hymns each Sunday to the glory of God in a vital, loving congregation. Remember, it is always a good time to join the Chancel Choir. You will love it, and we will have a new choir robe waiting for you. We are ordering extras with you in mind.

General Announcements

July 7 – 13 Mission Trip

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 due now, payable to St. Mark’s UMC.  Scholarships for all ages are available! For more information about the trips or available scholarships, contact Louis Toedt, Martha Touchton, or Hannah Pratt.

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

• Attention all Adults, Youth & Children: St. Mark's Recreation Ministry wants to hear your thoughts about what kinds of activities you would like us to offer in the coming year, and we would be most appreciative if you would share them with us by Monday April 22nd, as our Recreation Ministry Survey will close on that date. This survey is open to all ages; to access the survey, you may click below, or alternatively, you can find a printed copy in the music suite hallway and return it to Louis Toedt by 4/22. https://forms.gle/JQXWdP7UZhQK9NJG7  

• 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 May 5^th

Please bring cans of Chicken

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

Matthew 25:35

The Sages had a wonderful trip on Monday to the historic Asbury-Babb House in Lebanon. Lunch was at Sammy B’s.

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, May 13, 9:30 AM in Room 503-505. 

On May 15 the Sages will be going to Falcon Rest in McMinnville for lunch and a tour. The bus will leave at 9:45 AM. Cost of the bus is $5. Please make your reservations in the church office or the narthex. Look for the book!

Upcoming events include a visit to Granny Fishes, a show at the Cumberland County Playhouse, and to Leiper’s Fork.

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

The Sages continue deliver flowers and gifts to the homebound. We continue to send cards, make hospital calls and home visits. We support grandparent ministries. We attend Sunday School and worship. And we are 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.

The Children’s Choir will meet April 21^st, April 28^th, and May 5^th from 11:30 AM – 12 PM in the Sanctuary!

They will perform on May 12^th. 

Email your Mother’s Day pictures to Bethany Cardenas by Monday, May 6^th. Please include the names of those in the picture. 

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!

• Wednesday Night Bible Study continues this week (4/17) 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, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Broccoli Casserole, Bread, Salad Bar, Dessert) will be served in the banquet hall at 5 pm, and is free for Children, Youth and College Students ($10 for adults).  

• Congratulations to Audrey Hindley and the Siegel Middle School Drama Department for their excellent performance of “Harry’s Hotter at Twilight”. 

• On Sunday April 14th, St. Mark’s Youth joined with the Youth from Blackman UMC to travel to the Grundy Lakes in South Cumberland State Park for our first annual Youth Fishing & Hiking Outing. Special thanks to John McDaniel for chaperoning!

• 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.

• On Sunday April 7th, we had our first St. Mark’s Youth Campfire Night of 2024. In addition to allowing us to roast s’mores for dessert, these Campfire Nights highlight a new series of Bible lessons, aptly entitled “Campfire Stories”, which distill multiple chapters of scripture into a more Youth-friendly narrative format. 

• 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:

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 to hold your spot, payable to St. Mark’s UMC. 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 28 (one bouquet)

May 5 (one bouquet)

May 26 (one bouquet)

June 2 (one or both bouquets)

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

Wednesday, April 17

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 18

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 19

8:30am 3 Piggy Opera - Sanctuary

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

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

Saturday, April 20

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

Sunday, April 21

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Family Ministry Team Meeting - RM 503/505

11:30 a.m. UMW Brave Women of Faith - Meet in Narthex

12:30 p.m. Church Council Meeting - Banquet Hall

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 Committee Meeting - RM 503/505

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

Monday, April 22

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

11:30 a.m. Youth Worker Gathering - Youth Wing

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 23

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

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

6:00 p.m. Woodworkers - Banquet Room

Wednesday, April 24

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

6:00 p.m. Talent Show!!! - Sanctuary

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

Thursday, April 25

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

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

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

Friday, April 26

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

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

Saturday, April 27

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

Sunday, April 28

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

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

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

Monday, April 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, April 30

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