Second Sunday in Lent
In-Person and Live Stream
THIS Sunday, February 28
10:15 am
Have you given much thought about the unlikely combination of backgrounds and personalities of the twelve disciples that Jesus selected to be his closest friends, confidants and partner in ministry? Could it have been by design?
Join us this Sunday morning to explore what it means to expand the circle of God's love.
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Dedication of Altar Candlesticks
in Memory of United Methodist Women Member Rita Threatt
This Sunday February 28, new altar candlesticks will be placed into service in memory of Rita Lydia Threatt. Prior to her passing in late 2015, Rita and her late husband Jim were long time Saint Mark disciples, joining the congregation in the late 1980’s.
The candlesticks are donated in Rita’s memory by the Susanna Wesley UMW Circle, of which she was a dedicated member. She is remembered by many of her UMW friends as a “good person, a gracious hostess” and hard worker always volunteering to support fundraisers for local missions. She worked on planning and execution of many of the dinners, fashion shows, teas, and other activities sponsored by the UMW for over 35 years.
As a community member, Rita supported the Seneca Library and Civic Club. Rita was also a member of Saint Mark’s Altar Guild and these candlesticks are a fitting memorial to her many hours of service to worship and beautification of our sanctuary.
Please join the United Methodist Women in a prayer of thanks in memory of the years of Rita’s selfless service as the candles are lit this Sunday.
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We Extend Our Sincere Sympathies and Prayers to:
Tommy and Nell Hodge and their family on the death of Tommy’s beloved Aunt, Jean Smith, who died in Greenville on Sunday, February 21, 2021. The family thanks all who have been praying for Jean since her recent stroke and decline.
Personal Prayer Notes:
Coronavirus – those with virus, those unable to work, healthcare workers, containment, those who are working to distribute and administer vaccines.
Jimmy Atkinson – Stepson of Joyce Atkinson – Diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to other organs. Continues to decline. Please pray for Jimmy, wife Karen, and daughters Alissa and Sarah.
Julie Brown – Julie has been in and out of the hospital since December 16, following a car accident. She needs some help with transportation to and from Greenville for doctor appointments.
Don Callicoat – Had open heart surgery on Tuesday, February 9, but having complications with recovery. Please pray for Don and Debbie.
Nancy Cottingham – Will have surgery to remove cancerous mass located on remaining kidney on March 1, and surgery will be scheduled later for fibroid causing pain.
Patch Haley – family member of Lura and Woody Wyatt - Patch is not doing well after his Stem Cell Transplant. He is in PICU on a ventilator. His little body is so swollen with all the fluid he is retaining after his kidney removal and stem cell transplant. He and his parents are in need of lots of prayer. Patch Hailey is out of PICU, off the ventilator and doing better at the moment. He still has a long way to go. Thanks for all your prayers and continued prayers. This little 2 year old is a fighter. He has been fighting this since July 2020.
Brett Safarik – Brother in law of Polly Fehler’s son who lives in Texas. Brett is battling cancer and has had a heart attack and stroke. He is a 42 year old father. Thank you for your prayers.
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We suspect that there are other needs that we aren't aware of at this time. Thank you for your patience as we get through this time of recovery and social distancing. We are trying to stay on top of the needs as we become aware of them. Click here to send your prayer requests to Pastor Todd.
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Table Talk Class Will Resume Meeting
In Person THIS Sunday, February 28
The Table Talk Class will begin meeting again this coming Sunday, February 28 at 9:00 AM in room A201 (Outreach classroom on the second floor of the atrium). This room is larger and will give the group the ability to maintain better social distance. They will use this room until the Outreach Class decides to reconvene.
Anyone looking for an in-person small group faith community is welcome to join the group. During the first meeting this Sunday, the group will discuss the direction of their weekly Sunday gatherings.
For more information, click here to contact Diane Caster.
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Our Two Lenten Faith Formation Studies
To help Saint Mark disciples prepare for our Easter celebration on Sunday, April 4, 2021, a book study on Tom Berlin's Reckless Love: Jesus’ Call to Love Our Neighbor is being offered during the six weeks of Lent. Click here to order your copy of Reckless Love from Cokesbury Publishing. The cost of the book is $8.49.
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You have two opportunities each week to participate in this study using the Zoom platform.
- The first opportunity is being led by Pastor Todd on Mondays each week from 12-1 pm. The study began on February 22, but it isn't too late to join the conversation.
- The second opportunity is being led by SMUMC Ministerial Intern, Victoria Arnold and Pastor Shawna on Tuesdays each week from 6-7 pm. The study began on February 23, but it isn't too late to join the conversation.
If you would like to participate in this study, please click here to contact Pastor Todd.
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Another Opportunity to Give Blood!
Saint Mark is hosting another Blood Connection Blood Drive. The Blood Connection Blood Mobile will be set up on our campus on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 9 am - 1 pm.
If you have questions, or if you want to make an appointment, click here to contact Saint Mark disciple, Sarah Weaver. |
Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology
presents
Dr. James Tabor
March 21, 2020
3 p.m.
A Zoom Event
“Excavating Jesus: How New Archaeological Discoveries in the Holy Land Are Transforming Our Understanding of the Historical Jesus”
Dr. James D. Tabor is a Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he is Professor of Christian Origins and Ancient Judaism. Tabor served as Chair of the department for a decade. His Ph.D. is from the University of Chicago. He previously taught at the University of Notre Dame and the College of William and Mary. Tabor has combined his work on ancient texts with extensive field work in archaeology in Israel and Jordan—with seventy trips to the Holy Land since 1990. Since 2008 he has been co-director, with Shimon Gibson, of the acclaimed Mt Zion excavation in Jerusalem. He was also involved in the 1993 Waco tragedy, drawing upon his expertise in understanding ancient Biblical apocalyptic ideas, and he testified before Congress in the 1995 Waco Hearings. Among his publications are Things Unutterable (1985), A Noble Death (1992), Why Waco: Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America (1995) and The Jesus Dynasty: A New Historical Investigation of Jesus, His Royal Family, and the Birth of Christianity (Simon & Schuster, 2006). In 2012 he published two books: The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeological Find that Reveals the Birth of Christianity (Simon & Schuster) and Paul and Jesus: How the Apostle Transformed Christianity (Simon & Schuster). Currently he is finishing a new book, The Lost Mary: How the Jewish Mother of Jesus Became the Virgin Mother of God (Knopf 2020). For more information see: Dr. Tabor’s Faculty page: https://pages.uncc.edu/james-tabor/ and Dr. Tabor’s popular blog: http://jamestabor.com.
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Saint Mark Tornado Task Force Featured
on the Front Page of the Seneca Journal
Did you notice the feature article on front page of yesterday's Journal? It is a wonderful testimony to the many ways that our Saint Mark disciples make a difference in our community.
Up to seventeen people showed up in the Adams community (a short distance from our church) to bless three homes. Two belonging to Saint Mark disciples (Robert and Carolyn Harris; Rick and Jane Harper), are under construction after their original homes were destroyed in the EF3 tornado almost a year ago. The third home belongs to a fairly new friend of Saint Mark, Angie Gaillard (pictured above). Her home was terribly damaged, and through the efforts of the Saint Mark Tornado Task Force, and others in our community, her family home has been rebuilt and is now fully in her possession.
At each of the three homes, Pastor Todd led the group in a ritual of blessing that included laying hands on the homes during a time of prayer. Each home owner received a cross that said "God Bless Our Home." In addition, they each received a "grant" to be used toward anything they might need to make the house a home.
We wanted you to know what goes on behind the scenes at Saint Mark. We are much more than just a Sunday church.
Thanks to the Saint Mark Tornado Task Force, under the leadership of Lynn Dobson, and thanks to all who have participated in any way in the healing of our community over the last year. You truly are the hands and feet of Jesus!
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A Note of Thanks
Charlie and Carol VanOver would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, thoughts and kind words regarding the passing of Charlie’s sister Susan VanOver. "Susan’s earthly struggles are over and we find peace knowing that she is now at rest with our Lord."
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Happy Birthday To You!!!
Help us celebrate the March birthdays in our family of faith. Click here to find the list. If your March birthday is not on this list, please click here to contact Jens Holley. He will add your name to the list for next year. |
Funding the Mission and Ministries
of Saint Mark
During a Season of Uncertainty
The giving of your tithes and offerings is as important now as ever. To keep your giving up-to-date, you may mail your checks to Karen Holcombe at the church office - 616 Quincy Road, Seneca, SC 29678.
You may also give your tithes and offerings online. It is quick and easy. Click here to give safely and securely. |
Please note this complete list upcoming events and meetings.
FEBRUARY 2021
Table Talk Sunday School Class Resumes In Person
Sunday, February 28
9 am
Room A201 (2nd floor of the atrium)
Youth Group Meet In Person
Sunday, February 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28
4 - 5:30 pm
Youth Center
MARCH 2021
Faith Circle
Monday, March 1
10 am
Zoom Meeting
Abigail Circle
Monday, March 1
10 am (just this month)
Zoom Meeting
Lenten Book Study - Reckless Love - Davis
Monday, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
12 - 1 pm
Zoom Meeting
Faith Formation Team Meeting
Monday, March 1
6 pm
Zoom Meeting
Deborah Circle
Monday, March 1
7 pm
Zoom Meeting
Lenten Book Study - Reckless Love - Arnold and Darnall
Tuesday, March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
6 - 7 pm
Zoom Meeting
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Thursday, March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1
10 am
Zoom Meeting
Elizabeth Circle
Thursday, March 4
10:30 am
Zoom Meeting
Evangelism Team Meeting
Sunday, March 7
11:30 am
Saint Mark Center
Saint Mark Children Meet In Persons
Sundays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28
2:30 - 4 pm
Room A101
Susanna Wesley Circle
Monday, March 8
12:30 pm
Zoom Meeting
Worship Team Meeting
Monday, March 8
5 pm
Zoom Meeting
Church and Society Team Meeting
Monday, March 8
5:15 pm
Commons Room
CDC Steering Committee
Tuesday, March 9
5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
Stewardship Committee
Sunday, March 14
11:15 am
Room A201
Mission/Service Team Meeting
Sunday, March 14
11:30 am
Saint Mark Center
UMW Leadership Team Meeting
Tuesday, March 16
3 pm
Zoom Meeting
Finance Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 16
5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
Blood Connection Blood Drive
Wednesday, March 17
9 am - 12 noon
Saint Mark UMC Campus
Council of Stewards (COS) Meeting
Monday, March 22
6 pm
Commons Room
Spring Fling
Wednesday, March 24
5:30 pm
Watch for details
APRIL 2021
Holy Thursday Service
Thursday, April 1
6;30 pm
Sanctuary and Live Stream
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 4
Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, April 6
4:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
MAY 2021
Saint Mark Festival and Picnic
Sunday, May 2
If the information above about your class, group or meeting is not correct, please click here to contact Marla Fuller.
Although we have lifted some of our restrictions regarding meeting in-person, Zoom meetings are still an option. If you would like to schedule a Zoom meeting for your class, group or team, click here to contact Marla Fuller.
If your class, group or team plans to return to meeting in person, please click here to notify Donna Jaynes so that she can make sure the room is available and so that she can add it to the building usage calendar. Thanks for your help!
For more dates and details, click here to view our church calendar on the Saint Mark website. |
In the Circle of Love
The poet Edwin Markham, who was born in 1852, and became the poet laureate of Oregon from 1923-1931, wrote a tiny little poem that expresses our Christian understanding of God's big and inclusive love - a love that is big enough to include everyone—and offers a radical understanding of belonging.
The poem, called “Outwitted,” says:
He drew a circle that shut me out—
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!
God's love is "reckless" - big enough to include every human soul. Not because everyone is like us or even necessarily likeable, but because God is Love and that is what Love does - it expands the circle of love. We are all called to love as God loves . . .
Enjoy the voices of the girls living at "Home of Hope" in Johannesburg, South Africa. They sing a song about God's all-inclusive love, "God's Love is Like a Circle."
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Saint Mark UMC
616 Quincy Road
Seneca, SC 29678
Call us:
9 am - 5 pm (M-Th)
(864) 882-2603
Pastoral Care
Emergencies or after regular office hours
call or text
(864) 882-2603
extension 104
send an email
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Have you moved, changed your phone number or email address? Let us know!
Click here to let us know of changes in your contact information.
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Check Out Our Entire Church
Calendar of Events
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Click here to see what is going on at Saint Mark this week and in the weeks to come.
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Sunday,
February 28, 2021
Second Sunday in Lent
Sunday
Schedule
9:00 am
Table Talk Class
Room A201
10:15 am
In-Person Worship in the Sanctuary
AND Online Live Stream Worship
4:00 pm
Youth Group
Youth Center
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Visit our new Saint Mark website! Click here. Check out our "Business of the Church" menu. |
Do You Need to Reserve a Room or Space at Saint Mark?
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Quick, easy and available HERE
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Watch Last Sunday's Service of Worship Today
If you were not able to attend worship on any given Sunday, you can still watch and enjoy the entire service of worship by clicking here.
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A Prayer to Love My Neighbor
Lord, You have said that to truly love You, I must also love my neighbor, which can be difficult when we disagree or our lifestyles clash. Yet in overcoming those difficulties it is possible to see the miracle that You love everyone in this world as much as You love me.
Teach me to love, Lord, as You have loved all of Your children, that this world might be a better neighborhood in which to live and share.
May we look at others through Your eyes . . . less judging and more loving. I want to see others as You see me - Your beloved child, worthy of Your love, grace and mercy.
Bless the paths that cross mine today; the old friends and strangers with whom I might share a pleasant greeting, a smile or a word of encouragement.
I pray for our communities that are a snapshot of humanity with all ages, backgrounds, education, employment status, politics and faith traditions.
Help me to help those who are struggling today - neighbor, relative, stranger or friend. Remind me often, Lord, that I have neighbors in this world who are living in makeshift tents, refugee camps, prisons, subways and shop doorways - neighbors who are hungry, desperate, ignored, in need of the very basics of life, a new beginning, a place to call "home."
I offer You my hands, that You might use them to extend love to my neighbor. I offer You my feet, that You might lead them to someone who could use my help. I offer You my shoulders if You should need them to help lighten someone's load. I offer You my voice that You might use it to speak for those whose voices have been ignored or repressed.
Use me, Lord, to love my neighbor. All I am, and all I have, I offer, Lord, to You.
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Submit Your Prayer Requests
Saint Mark is pleased to receive your prayer requests . . . for yourself or for friends or loved ones. Click here to submit your request to Pastor Todd Davis.
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Saint Mark 2021 Ministry Guidebook |
Click here to view the entire Saint Mark 2021 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership and ministries.
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