SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
CREATION CARE SUNDAY
with POTLUCK LUNCH & CONVERSATION AFTER WORSHIP
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BREAKFAST IN GARTON HALL
9:30am
Thanks to those who will prepare breakfast for us.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:30am Creation Care Forum (Room8)
9:15
am
Pilgrims (Room 13)
9:15
am
Nomads (Room 10)
9:30
am
Bible Banter (Room 11)
Children & Family Worship
9:30am (Room 22)
INFANT & TODDLER CARE
9:30am & 10:30am
Infant & One-year-old (Room 24)
Two-year-old & Three-year-old (Room 25)
SANCTUARY WORSHIP SERVICE
10:30am
Rev. Philip Amerson, preaching
Psalm 16, John 20:26-31, Acts 2:32
Sermon Title
With Apologies to Easter:
Lament for our Common Home
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
10:30am
Preschool
- 1st Grade
(Room 22)
2nd-3rd Grade (Room 4)
4th-5th Grade (Room 9)
Youth: 6th-12th Grade (Room 1)
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All are welcome to stay for a potluck lunch
and conversation following worship.
If you are able, bring a dish to share
(no nuts or nut products, please).
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RECONCILING MINISTRIES PRAYER VIGIL
4:00pm
ST. MARK'S SANCTUARY
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This
Sunday, April 23rd
Creation Care Sunday
Creation Care Forum, 9:30am, Room 8
In connection with our Creation Care Sunday Worship there will be a Forum to learn about one of the key proposals in front of our nation's leaders to mitigate the impact we are all having on the earth's atmosphere & the resulting costs of climate change. Dr. Richard Durisen, of the local chapter of the Citizen's Climate Lobby, will present an update on the bi-partisan push to gradually add fees on carbon dioxide producing products & services while returning the revenues to the American people.
Rev. Phil Amerson, Preaching, 10:30am Sanctuary
In 2017, Earth Day falls in the week following Easter. Might this be an instructive time to instill an urgency to engage in acts of environmental holiness? We pray together for God's kingdom to come "on earth as it is in heaven." What might this mean in the face of the environmental decay and the threats of climate change? What will this mean if we are to live as Easter People? What if it means moving beyond well-intentioned programs of sustainability and stewardship, and pausing to better hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor?
The Social Principles of the United Methodist Church begins the section on "The Natural World" with this sentence:
"All creation is the Lord's, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it."
On April 23rd, St. Mark's will reflect on this vital aspect of Christian faith. Phil Amerson will preach that day, and his sermon is titled "With Apologies to Easter: Lament for Our Common Home", and his texts will be Psalm 16, John 20:26-31 and Acts 2:32. There will be a lunch following the service and a time for conversation.
Phil Amerson is President Emeritus of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Phil and Elaine lived in Bloomington from 1992 to 2000 when he served as pastor of First United Methodist Church. Recently they returned to Bloomington and now reside in "downtown" Bloomington, and connect with the St. Mark's community of faith. Currently Phil consults with the Wellbeing at Work: Flourishing in Ministry research at the University of Notre Dame and is interim director of the Course of Study School for United Methodist local pastors in Indiana. He writes an occasional blog at philipamerson.com and speaks frequently on issues of faith and justice including a focus on creation care.
Pitch In Lunch and Conversation, 11:30am in Garton Hall
All are welcome to stay for a potluck lunch and conversation following worship. If you are able, bring a dish to share (no nuts or nut products, please).
This
Sunday, April 23rd & Next Sunday, April 30th
Sign Greeting Cards for Our Confirmands
Several of our youth will be confirmed during worship next week on Sunday, April 30th. You are invited stop in Garton Hall and sign cards that will be given to these confirmands.
This Sunday, April 23rd
"Busy Bags" in Sanctuary for Preschool & Elementary Aged Children
There are new "Busy Bags" just inside the sanctuary doors for those who listen best while working with their hands. There are bags for both Preschoolers and Elementary-aged children. They include crayons, coloring pictures, and either Wikkistix or pipe cleaners. Both adults and children are welcome to enjoy them! Please make sure to return the bags with the crayons and/or reusable materials (unless your child wants to take their creation home) to the baskets after service for future use.
This Sunday, April 23rd, 4:00pm, St. Mark's Sanctuary
Reconciling Ministries Prayer Vigil
There is a Reconciling Ministries Prayer Vigil this Sunday In the St. Mark's sanctuary at 4:00pm. Last summer, Rev. Karen Oliveto was elected a bishop of the United Methodist Church, the first openly gay bishop in the church. On April 25-28, 2017 in Newark, NJ, the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church will meet once again to determine the constitutionality of a number of LGBTQ-related actions. Among the cases is the request for a review of Bishop Karen Oliveto's election and ministry as the first openly lesbian bishop. We want to show support for Bishop Oliveto, as well as pray for the health and unity of our denomination in the light of several important issues.
You can find more about the Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization working for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community within the UMC. More info about the RMN can be found on their website:
http://www.rmnetwork.org
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SAVE THE DATE
Next Sunday, April 30th, 10:30am Sanctuary Worship
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY!
Please plan to be here on Sunday, April 30th, to support and celebrate our youth, as a number of them will be confirmed! We are proud of our youth who will have been part of this year's confirmation process, which includes community service, worship leadership, interfaith experiences, mentor relationships, group sessions and a retreat. Thank you to all who are serving as mentors, and to families and friends who have supported our youth during the confirmation journey! Jimmy and Mary Beth have been fortunate to share this journey with the confirmands, and will co-preach on Confirmation Sunday with the youth participating in worship leadership. (Please take a few moments to sign cards for our confirmands on April 23rd and 30th in Garton Hall.)
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
"CREATION CARE FORUM"
9:30am-10:15am in Room 8
"PILGRIMS"
9:15am-10:15am in Room 13
"NOMADS"
9:15am-10:15am in Room 10
"BIBLE BANTER"
9:30am-10:15am in Room 11
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CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CHILDCARE
9:30am & 10:30am
Infant Care (Room 24)
Toddler Care (Room 25)
CHILDREN, FRIENDS & FAMILY WORSHIP
9:30am (Room 22)
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
Preschool - 1st Grade (Room 22)
2nd-3rd Grade (Room 4)
4th-5th Grade (Room 9)
Youth: 6th-12th Grade (Room 1)
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QUESTIONS ABOUT
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES?
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Each Sunday, Before Worship in Garton Hall
Sign In & Name Tags for Sunday School
Before 10:30am Worship, parents are asked to sign children in and get name tags at the Sunday School table in Garton Hall. Please sign in before worship. Children who attend Sunday School are invited to go to Worship and be part of the Children's Moment in Sanctuary Worship; children and youth can then go to Sunday School classrooms with their teachers.
This Sunday, April 23rd
Children, Friends & Family Worship
CELEBRATION!
meets in Room 22. This child-centered worship experience offers families and the young-at-heart a time to experience conversation and activities together based on the sermon topic of the day.
Sunday School Registration Renewal
Complete registration forms here.
Each spring, we ask that you renew your child(ren)'s registration in our Sunday School program. This helps us to better care for your child(ren), allowing us to know who's in the room, updated family contact information, and of any potentially new considerations we should be aware of in helping your child have the best experience possible in our community of faith. Print copies are available outside Sarah Gettie McNeill's office in Garton Hall. This form is an annual requirement for each child (multiple children can be entered on one form). Please complete by April 30.
See God Through the Eyes of a Child This Summer
Do you love to be outside and witness the wonders of God's creation through inspecting the spots on a ladybug? What about building Solomon's Temple in the sandbox? We need your fun and creativity this summer! If you venture toward planned curriculum, we provide that, too! We are looking for Summer Session teachers to teach once a month in June, July, and August. Contact Rev. Sarah Gettie McNeill, Director of Children's Ministries to find out more. Our summer openings
include:
2nd-3rd Grades: assistant 4th Sunday of the month
4th-5th Grades: assistant 1st Sunday of the month
6th-8th & 9th-12th Youth-These are the leaders of tomorrow and they need YOU! There is lots of possibility here. Please see Mary Beth Morgan to help these young men and women develop in their faith as a part of our community.
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"CREATION CARE FORUM"
9:30am-10:15am in Room 8
Adult Sunday School
Bible Banter, 9:30am
The Bible Banter class meets in Room 11 each Sunday from 9:30-10:15am. The Scripture text for the morning's sermon is used as a discussion-starter.
We look at the passage in its larger context, and we sometimes explore a bit of Bible-writing history. We offer some thoughts on what the morning's sermon might look like, based on the Scripture the pastor has selected. We leave time to discuss implications of the Scripture for our own lives, and we often even delve into topics far afield of the morning's original topic. You are invited to bring some breakfast from Garton Hall into Room 11 and join the conversation.
Adult Sunday School
Nomads, 9:15am
The Nomads class is a generally progressive group which meets each Sunday at 9:30am in Room 10 for fellowship and discussion of selected readings on issues related to faith, spirituality, or social justice.
The Nomads class is discussing the book Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, by the contemporary American poet/writer Kathleen Norris, which focuses on the "language of Christianity" and the author's own gradual conversion and faith journey.
All are welcome with no preparation required.
Adult Sunday School
Pilgrims, 9:15am
The Holy Land Revealed
Prof. Jodi Magness,
Univ. North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sunday, April 23rd
The Sectarian Settlement of Qumran
In this second of a subset of 4 lectures, Dr. Magness discusses another sect that emerged during the Late Second Temple Period, the Essenes.
In Lecture #15, she continues her tour of the settlement at Qumran, looking at some of its distinct features. Among the peculiarities of the settlement at Qumran are the many animal bone deposits. Analysis of these bones indicates that all the animals represented are kosher species which is a phenomenon that is unique to Quram.
All are welcome at any point in the lecture series. Come join us for the presentation and the resulting discussions.
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THE ST. MARK'S COMMUNITY IS PART OF THE 2017 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY COMMUNITY INTERFAITH BUILD 2017
This spring, St. Mark's and our friends in other faith communities are partnering with Gustavo and Itzel Diaz and their five children, as we join together to build their home and, in the process, build relationships with one another.
Participating faith communities include: The Bahá'í Faith of Bloomington, Congregation Beth Shalom, First Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Church, St. Mark's United Methodist Church, St. Paul Catholic Center, Unitarian Universalist Church, and the IU Student Interfaith Coalition: Muslim Student Association, Christian Student Fellowship, UKirk, Hillel, Project IMPACT, Indian Student Association.
Here are some ways to become part of this ongoing project.
BROWSE THE COMMUNITY INTERFAITH BUILD SITE: http://communitybuild.kintera.org
On this site you can keep up with events and find opportunities to participate and support the Interfaith Build.
PICK UP A SET OF THE BEAUTIFUL "FACES OF HOME" NOTE CARDS IN GARTON HALL
YOUR DONATION WILL GO DIRECTLY TO SUPPORT THE BUILD
These "Faces of Home" note cards were designed by children and youth during the 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. All donations for the cards support the 2017 CommUNITY Interfaith Habitat for Humanity Build. If you cannot come to Garton Hall, contact Mary Beth Morgan to get a set of note cards.
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AT ST. MARK'S UMC
Each Friday, 12:15pm
Conversations on Life Men's Group
Conversations on Life has been reading and discussing Ten Prayers That Changed the World
by Jean-Pierre Isbouts. The book looks at moments in history where prayers offered by great leaders, from Joan of Arc to Martin Luther King, Jr., have lifted the faith of others in order to change the course of history. A different prayer will be studied each week, so visitors are welcome to join the group in Room 15 on any Friday.
Monday, April 24th, 6:00pm-8:30pm, Room 8
Leadership Council Retreat: All Are Welcome!
The retreat is open to anyone interested in dreaming and planning about ways we, as the St. Mark's community, can live into our mission. In particular, we intend to focus, in work groups, on our areas of focus and planning for summer and fall. A light meal will be provided. Please contact the church office to let us know if you can join us.
Tuesday, April 25, 6:30pm
, Garton Hall Parlor
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Bring your knitting or crochet projects and enjoy time working on yarn crafts. Prayer shawls and blankets are made and given as a celebration of birth, as a comfort in times of health issues, and to mark special occasions.
Each Wednesday, 1:00pm-3:00pm
St. Mark's Quilters & Crafters
Bring your quilting or crafts to Room 10 and spend time with others who enjoy these activities. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, April 26th, 7:00pm
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) Meeting
A meeting for everyone participating in ASP this summer will be held on Wednesday, April 26th, at 7:00pm at St Mark's UMC in Room 8. We will be discussing plans for this year's trip (July 2 thru 8, 2017), spring car wash dates, and providing required information for participants. If you have questions, please contact James Thomas at 812-361-8193.
June 5th-8th, 9:30am-12noon, 3 years old through rising 6th Graders
St. Mark's Vacation Bible School (VBS)
"Heroes & Heroines: Character Traits of Everyday Greats"
Monday: Love & Integrity; Tuesday: Courage & Conviction; Wednesday: Listening & Flexibility; Thursday: Justice & Mercy.
Don your capes and masks! For this week of adventure, we will be learning stories about heroes and heroines of the Bible and exploring the qualities of heroism. VBS attendees will reflect on their own strengths and meet some local everyday heroes. Each day, children will explore these themes through story, song, art, and play. The 4th-6th graders will have their own special activities. All activities will be age-appropriate and fun!
We will share our strengths in an everyday hero act of service to our community. The week will culminate in a special VBS worship service Sunday morning, June 11th, at 10:30am.
Youth (7th-12th Grades) are welcome to volunteer as leaders. Adult volunteers are needed so we can provide this program free of charge for all children. Sign up online now to register participants and to volunteer your time. Also, this liability form is required for all children and youth to participate. Paper forms are likewise available in Garton Hall. For more information, contact Sarah Gettie McNeill at
[email protected]
or call the church office at 812-332-5788.
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UPCOMING @ ST. MARK'S
is published once each month as an information resource and guide to the activities and events within and around
the St. Mark's church community. Copies are distributed the first Sunday of each month along with the Sunday worship bulletin, and thereafter are available at the Welcome Center Desk, at the main entrances to the building,
or upon request by contacting the church office.
SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR FUTURE PUBLICATIONS:
All ministry areas, church committees, and interest groups
are encouraged to submit articles for the next edition of UPCOMING @ ST. MARK'S.
Deadline Extended! Articles for MAY 2017 may now be submitted through MONDAY, APRIL 24
For more information, and to submit articles for publication, please contact the church office:
[email protected]
or 812-332-5788.
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ST. MARK'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH STAFF E-MAIL
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