Weekly Order of Worship
For those of you worshiping with us from home, just a reminder that we send out the order of worship (bulletin) on both Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. The order is also in the description box below the live stream screen on Sunday mornings. Just click on the link and the complete order will appear.
If you enjoy singing during worship or like to follow the words, please note that the words to all of our songs/hymns are in the order of worship we send out. If you have trouble reading the words on the screen above the chancel, you may want to print out the order of worship and have it in front of you on Sunday mornings. If you don't print it out, you can also open another tab on your computer and have the order available so that you can follow the words to the songs/hymns.
Music is such an important part of worship, and we appreciate so much John Glenn, Laura Ritter, and all of our Saint Mark disciples who lead the music each Sunday. We don't want you to miss out on the joy of having the words available for you to sing or to follow along.
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We Extend Our Sincere Sympathies and Prayers to:
The family of Mr. John Wiggett, who died on Sunday, January 17, 2021. John was hospitalized before Christmas, then sent to a rehab in Anderson. He contracted Covid-19 at some point and was sent back to the hospital where he passed away in the ICU.
Personal Prayer Notes:
Coronavirus – those with virus, those unable to work, healthcare workers, containment, vaccine distribution.
Bishop Rico Aiken - Pastor of Destiny Worship Center (congregation currently worshiping weekly in Commons Room at Saint Mark UMC) - Has Covid-19. Please pray for his recovery.
Nancy Cottingham – Mass located on remaining kidney with pain involved. Undergoing tests to determine treatment
Bob McIntyre - Father of Dawn McIntyre – Entered hospital on Friday, January 8 for Coronavirus. Lives in assisted living facility.
Eddie Perry - Fell from ladder on January 9 and fractured L1 vertebrae. Home from hospital recovering, but in a lot of pain.
Gloria Perry - Step-grandmother of Jane Harlin, in the hospital with COVID. Gloria is 100 years old and lives in Arizona. Her son, Ken, has also been admitted to the hospital with chest pains and a racing heartbeat, and has been tested for COVID as well.
Steve Sippy - Dear life-long friend of Jim and Bunny Hickey. Steve lives in Janesville, Wisconsin and has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that has moved to other parts of his body. He was told there is no known treatment plan.
Lucius Uldrick - Recovering at home from knee replacement surgery on Tuesday, January 19.
Joe Whitmire – Emily Sluder’s uncle from Greer was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in November, and has quarantined judiciously. At Christmas he had a stroke, so he had to be taken to the ER. While there, he contracted COVID. Emily’s aunt and their grandson contracted it as well. By some miracle their granddaughter continued to test negative. Joe has been transferred to North Greenville Hospital because it is a dedicated COVID hospital. Prayers for the entire family.
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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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Saint Mark Child Development Center
Parents' Night Out
Friday, January 22
5:30 - 10 pm
Parents Night Out New Rates
This Year we will have new rates for Parents Night Out.
One Child - $30
Two Children - $50
Three Children - $70
This is a set fee for the night.
We will still provide supper and fun activities.
To make your reservation, click here to contact Becca Williams, Director of our Child Development Center
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This is, of course, "weather permitting." Click here to verify if the group plans to play Pickleball on any given Monday. |
Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study
The Way of Blessedness (9-week study)
New Study Begins Thursday, February 4
10 am
via Zoom
The Way of Blessedness invites readers to cultivate the dispositions of the soul as outlined in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which suit us for the reign of God while drawing us into its realm. Jesus portrays the reign of God in terms that are contrary to social hierarchy — in his time as well as our own. It is a realm of outlandish generosity and uncommon compassion.
This is a 9-week study of the spiritual practices that help us turn away from pride and fill us with God's abundant love. As we're transformed by God's love, we're able to become people who mourn with and for others and our world, who understand and live out Jesus' example of meekness, who hunger and thirst for holiness, who humbly offer and receive mercy, whose hearts are pure and able to see the imprint of God in all things, who seek peace, and who hold strong in our faith through adversity. The Way of Blessedness guides participants along a path that offers clarity to our way of life and the very life of God's kingdom.
For more information, or to sign up to participate in this Zoom study, click here to contact Sandy James. |
Why Do United Methodists Observe Human Relations Sunday Every Year?
Human Relations Day is one way United Methodists participate in Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of “the beloved community.” That vision is for all people, leaders and institutions around the world to collaborate with such love in every community that discrimination, inequality, hunger, poverty and homelessness are no longer allowed to exist. Work toward the bold vision of the beloved community requires persistent, sustained and sustainable on-the-ground leadership. It calls for participation by God's people and communities around the world.
The goal of the Saint Mark Church and Society Team for our celebration of Human Relations Sunday is to bring awareness to that indisputable fact that we are one human family, each person created and equally loved by God. Join us on Sunday, February 7 as we celebrate with our brothers and sisters from Destiny Christian Center what we share in common as God's beloved children.
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Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Drive-thru - 11 am - 1 pm
(Saint Mark Memorial Garden)
Worship Service - 6:30 pm
(Sanctuary)
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality. Throughout scripture, ashes are used as part of rituals when people seek forgiveness and mourn their sin. Traditionally, the Imposition of Ashes on the foreheads of Christians marks the beginning of Lent.
As the ashes are placed on the forehead, words such as these are spoken: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return," recalling God's words to Adam in Genesis 3:19.
You have two opportunities to receive the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021.
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You can receive the Imposition of Ashes by a Pastor via drive-thru in the Memorial Garden circle just off Ben Hilda Drive from 11 am - 1 pm.
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You can also receive the Imposition of Ashes during a worship service for Ash Wednesday that will be held in the Sanctuary at 6:30 pm. All COVID precautions will be observed in our time together.
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Lenten Faith Formation Study
In the life of the church, Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The season of Lent for 2021 begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021, and concludes on Holy Saturday, April 3, 2021.
Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts on Easter, and then became a time for penance by all Christians in preparation for celebrating Christ’s resurrection on Easter.
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.
Sometimes, we have it a little backward. As Christians, we strive to follow Jesus’ teaching to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength which, in turn, we hope will help us better love our family, friends, and leaders…our neighbors. But what if we turned that around and put the emphasis on loving our family, friends, leaders, and, yes, our neighbors? Might we then find that becoming a better neighbor leads us into the deep and loving relationship we’re striving to have with God? In Reckless Love, you will consider how to follow the Greatest Commandment and learn how your love for the people around you can completely renew your faith and give you a new experience of loving God.
You will have two opportunities each week to participate in this study using the Zoom platform.
- The first opportunity will be led by Pastor Todd on Mondays each week from 12-1 pm beginning February 22.
- The second opportunity will be led by SMUMC Ministerial Intern, Victoria Arnold and Pastor Shawna on Tuesdays each week from 6-7 pm beginning on February 23.
If you would like to participate in this study, please click here to contact Pastor Todd. Click here to order your copy of Reckless Love from Cokesbury Publishing. The cost of the book is $8.49.
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Let's Get Our Beautiful Church Grounds
Ready for Spring!!
Please plan on helping with a church workday on Saturday, February 20 at 9 am. We will be spreading mulch and performing some light hedge trimming. Please bring wheel barrows, rakes, pitch forks, blowers, heavy brooms and hedge trimmers.
In case of precipitation, we will move the workday to the following Saturday February 27.
Please call Dal Poston at (704) 641-9521 if you have questions.
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Saint Mark Has a New Website
Today, we launched our new, up-to-date Saint Mark website. The address is the same, but the look is very different. It is very streamlined and user friendly. We will be adding features as we go along.
Click here to open and explore it! If you have questions or suggestions for making it better, please feel free to click here to contact Marla Fuller, Minister of Communications.
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Minister of Media and Communications
Position Available
Just a reminder that we are hiring a full time media specialist to guide us as we bring our technology up-to-date. Click here to see the complete job description. If you know someone who might be interested, please pass it along.
Cover letters and resumes should be sent to Debbie DuBose, Chair of our Staff/Parish Relations Committee. Click here. |
Do You Read the Advocate?
The South Carolina United Methodist Advocate is the monthly print newspaper focusing on the United Methodist church and its people throughout South Carolina. Delivered to your mailbox as a hard copy, and also available online, the award-winning Advocate was founded in 1837 and is the oldest newspaper in Methodism. It is a newspaper ministry with a prayer-driven mission to inform and connect South Carolina Methodists by reporting news, engaging readers, providing a forum for dialogue and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is independent but receives funding from the South Carolina Conference of the UMC and other sources, including subscriptions, ads and donations. It also operates a successful Christian book publishing arm.
You can subscribe at www.advocatesc.org/subscribe, calling 803-786-9486 ext. 335, or mailing a check to Advocate, 4908 Colonial Dr., Columbia, SC 29203. Cost is $15/year print and $8/year online only.
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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 these upcoming events and meetings.
JANUARY 2021
Saint Mark Child Development Center
Parents' Night Out
Friday, January 22
5:30 - 10 pm
Service/Mission Team Meeting
Sunday, January 24
11:30 am
Zoom Meeting
Council of Stewards
Monday, January 25
6:00 pm
Zoom Meeting
FEBRUARY 2021
Faith Formation Team Meeting
Tuesday, February 2
6:30 PM
Zoom Meeting
Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study
The Way of Blessedness
Begins Thursday, February 4
10 am
Zoom Meeting
Human Relations Sunday
with Bishop Rico Aiken
from Destiny Christian Center
Sunday, February 7
10:15 am
In Person in the sanctuary or
live stream
SPRC Meeting
Sunday, February 7
11:30 am
Zoom Meeting
Church and Society Team Meeting
Monday, February 8
5:15 pm
Zoom Meeting
Trustees Meeting
Tuesday, February 9
4:30 pm
Zoom Meeting
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 17
Drive-through Imposition of Ashes
11 am - 1 pm
OR
Worship Service
6:30 pm
Lenten Book Study - Reckless Love
Begins Monday, February 22
12 - 1 pm
with Pastor Todd
Zoom
OR
Lenten Book Study - Reckless Love
Begins Tuesday, February 23
6 - 7 pm
with Victoria Arnold and Pastor Shawna
Zoom
MARCH 2021
Worship Team Meeting
Monday, March 8
5 pm
Zoom Meeting
Mission/Service Team Meeting
Sunday, March 14
11:30 am
Zoom Meeting
Blood Connection Blood Drive
Wednesday, March 17
9 am - 12 noon
For more dates and details, click here to view our church calendar on the Saint Mark website.
We have returned to more stringent restrictions due to the increase in COVID cases in our community. If you would like to schedule a Zoom meeting for your class, group or team, click here to contact Marla Fuller. |
Anti-Racism Dos and Don'ts
United Methodist Deaconess M. Garlinda Burton, interim top executive of the denomination’s Commission on Religion and Race, offers tips for addressing racism.
Do:
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Connect the dots. Preach, teach and say clearly in your church, “What is happening is rooted in systemic, historical, institutional racism. This is not just politics; it is racial violence, and racism is a sin against God.”
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Name the racism you see. Those who attacked the U.S. Capitol Building and protested election results in other state capitals wore Nazi and Ku Klux Klan insignia; they waved nooses and the Confederate battle flag, all of which are long-revered symbols of white supremacy and racist violence. Learn that history.
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Participate in a study or discussion. Learn what you don’t know about racism. Listen to people of color when they speak from their personal experience of racism.
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Develop a thicker skin. Racism is a fact. Confronting and naming it requires you to learn its history and acknowledge its continuing presence in your church and community. Adjust to saying and hearing the word “racist.” Instead of feeling defensive and guilty, choose to become an ally for change.
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Counter with acts of equity and justice. Contact your representatives, encouraging them to support and enact laws that counter historic and current expressions of racism. Send a financial gift to a church or local organization actively working against racism in your community.
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Look for systemic racism. Peaceful demonstrations led by Black activists have been met with aggressive tactics from visibly militarized police, while far-right demonstrators who broke through barricades, windows and doors of the Capitol Building were able to do so without much resistance from law enforcement. This is an example of systemic racism in our policing practices and proportionality of response.
Don't:
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Confuse “not racist” with antiracist. Anti-racism means one is actively confronting and seeking to dismantle racism in one’s faith and daily life. Accepting the status quo and pretending race isn’t a “thing” does not help to end racism. All Christians should embrace anti-racism as part of our walk with God.
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Miss an opportunity to teach. Racism has such a hold on our society because white people are taught to ignore or dismiss it, and to believe “race” is something “they” have. Pastors and teachers in white congregations equip Christians to become anti-racist by naming historic, systemic and even theological racism and seeking ways people of faith can confront and interrupt it.
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Say, ‘I don’t see color.’ Read the Pentecost story in Acts 2. All people of all nations, races and tribes celebrated the coming of God’s Holy Spirit. God made us all colors and intended we celebrate this diversity. The goal of anti-racism is for all of us to celebrate and “see color” as a gift from God, without ascribing greater or lesser value to God’s people based on their skin color.
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Fail to use your white privilege for good. Speak out when you see racism happening. Champion changes in your church, workplace and civic groups that allow wider inclusion of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) folks. White people tend to respect and listen to other white people with greater openness and seriousness. Use that to foster anti-racism.
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‘Over-talk’ People of Color. Even in the work against racism, some white people are so used to being “experts” in the group they may unconsciously overtalk or dismiss the ideas and experiences of people of color. Anti-racism work requires white people listen to and take the lead from people of color.
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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) 888-7072
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,
January 24, 2021
Sunday
Schedule
10:15 am
In-Person Worship in the Sanctuary
AND Online Live Stream Worship
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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 for Unity
God of all creation who called every being into life
who is mindful of humankind in all its diversity
who embodies us with dignity, granting different gifts and talents to shape life in this world
we ask for your Spirit to unite us
where we face lack of understanding and disunity in our churches, in our communities, in our nation.
And in silence we lay before you the burdens of our hearts.
(Silent petition)
We ask for your Spirit to unite us in the face of the conflicts, hatred and violation of life experienced in so many regions of the earth, and especially in our own country that we call "home."
And in silence we bring to you the pain of the victims of conflicts and hatred.
(Silent petition)
We ask for your Spirit to unite us
wherever fear prevents us from caring for our neighbor,
or from treating people of different ethnicities, cultures and faith communities. political ideologies with respect.
And in silence we bring to you the brokenness of human relationships.
(Silence petition)
God of all creation, in Christ we are one human family, and so we ask for your uniting Spirit to help us to overcome all our divisions that we may live together in peace.
In the Name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen
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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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