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God gave us a wonderful world to live in. What can we do to be good stewards of this gift from God? ~ Pastor Alex

This Sunday we will celebrate both the Festival of God’s Creation and Native American Ministries Sunday. The United Methodist Church designates the Sunday closest to Earth Day, April 22nd, or another Sunday near it, as the Festival of God’s Creation.

In the beginning God created the earth and all that is in it and called it good. Then God planted a garden and placed the first human in it to care for and tend the garden. God has given us the beauty of creation. Through the Earth, God provides all we need to live: air, water, food, clothing, shelter, medicines etc. God created it so that it would provide for us and all the other animals of the world in perpetuity. Humans have been given the unique responsibility to care for that creation. On this Sunday we celebrate the gift of the earth and remember that responsibility to care for God’s creation.

Sunday also happens to be Native American Ministries Sunday. This is the Sunday that the United Methodist Church celebrates the cultural and spiritual contribution of its over 20,000 Native American members. We will recognize this heritage and thank God for the goodness of creation in our service on April 19th.

The Great 50 Days: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!” Every time we celebrate Holy Communion, we remind ourselves of this good news. From now until May 24th we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. In the church Easter is actually 50 days long! Jesus rose on Easter Sunday, but he appeared to his disciples for 40 days and then ascended into heaven. Then ten days later he sent the Holy Spirit to anoint the disciples at Pentecost. Make time to celebrate the new life that we have through the resurrection of Jesus, not just today, but every day!

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS EMAILED

First quarter contribution statements were emailed on Wednesday, April 15th. If you did not receive one, please contact Deborah Herrick with your correct email address.

• Golden Corner Food Pantry
• Ann Hope UMC Feeding Ministry
• Collins Children's Home

EPWORTH IS OUR MINISTRY!

Because of our support last year Epworth served 2,230 children and families through its statewide programs in 2025. On Sunday, May 10th, 2026, we will participate in the annual Mother’s Day Offering to benefit the children who call Epworth home, as well as each child and family touched by Epworth’s ministries. Please be in prayerful consideration of what God is calling you to give to help Epworth make a difference in the lives of children and families every day.

For more information about Epworth, visit online at www.epworthsc.org.

CLICK HERE to email Pastor Alex with your prayer concerns.

The Berries Committee and Family Ministries is combining efforts to bring together disciples of all ages for an evening of fun in downtown Seneca. Join us for Jazz on the Alley on Thursday, April 16 at 7pm. It's fun, and it's free! We will meet in front of Mayberry's Restaurant at 6:30. We recommend you bring your own chair. The featured musician that evening is Nathan Angelo. You can contact Karen Suarez or Julie Spoelstra with questions.

RECEPTION FOR STEVE PATTERSON

AT CLEMSON UMC

For the past eight years, Steve has served as our District Superintendent in the Anderson District, guiding us through both challenging and meaningful seasons in the life of our denomination and our ministries. His steady presence, integrity, and compassion have been a true gift to us all. 

A special commissioned painting of Steve’s three favorite birds – now beautifully completed – will be presented to him at the reception.

Saint Mark Festival: The Feast Day of Saint Mark the Evangelist is April 25th. On the following Sunday, April 26th, we will celebrate Saint Mark the church with a combined service followed by a covered Dish Supper. On April 26th we will have one service in the Sanctuary at 10:30 am. Sunday School will be at 9:30 am. Following the worship service we will have a covered dish supper in the Saint Mark Center. Come and bring a friend!

Join us for the first ReCharge! event of 2026. The evening's theme will be Saving Our Earth and the menu will be as follows:

TACOS AND CHICKEN FAJITAS

WITH A SELF SERVE TOPPING BAR

ICE CREAM BAR, DRINKS

The cost is Couples-$16.00, Singles-$8.00, Family of 4 - $20.00 + $5.00 per extra child and $8.00 per extra adult.

Please RSVP to Donna Jaynes by noon Tuesday, May 5th.

PARLEZ-VOUS FRANÇAIS? SPRECHEN SIE DEUTSCHES? ¿HABLAS ESPAÑOL? On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and gave them the ability to speak in different languages.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 24th, we will reenact that event as we read about the day of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-11. We will do this by having different members of the congregation, who speak languages other than English, read aloud the Pentecost account while it is being read in English from the pulpit. Please contact Pastor Alex Stevenson and let him know what language you can read. If you do not have a copy of Acts 2:1-11 in that language, we should be able to obtain one for you.

CLICK HERE for the Family Ministry newsletter

to see all that's happening with children and youth!

Whether you have helped with WACKE Camp in the past or not, you are invited to jump in and join the fun! Attend the volunteer meeting to learn how you can help make this the BEST week of the summer. There are places for station leaders, helpers, preparation and support.

Contact Julie Spoelstra with any questions.

Youth have the chance for a field trip to Greenville on May 31 as a reward for their attendance at Sunday School and Ignite. Since January we have been keeping track on a giant sticker chart in the Youth Center. Youth are entered into a drawing monthly for each time they are present at a youth event.

Our monthly winners have been Sophia Keese,

Connor Simmons and Kensey Simmons. 

Youth earn dinner and a baseball game for attending 20 times (out of approximately 40). Seven students have earned their trip, and about seven more are on track. Those who have or almost earned the trip are: 

Connor 

Kensey 

Rosalind 

Anastasia 

Lily 

Hadleigh 

Charlie 

Eislen 

Ref

Isaac 

Naomi

Sophia 

Clara 

Annabelle

We invite you to congratulate a youth with a "WAY TO GO" certificate by purchasing one for $20 which will help cover their baseball ticket. This is also a simple way for you to show your support of our amazing Saint Mark youth. They all have busy lives with school, sports, theater, chorus, band and other activities and still make time to be at Sunday School and Ignite on a regular basis.

To purchase a "WAY TO GO" certificate, or with any other questions, contact Josh. 

Pat Reynolds highly recommends anyone interested to go along with the youth for Salkehatchie this summer. As the adult chaperone you will be onsite for support and encouragement and be able to attest to the power of the work being done at this camp. You will stay at the same location but with other adults and you are free to participate at the level you are physically comfortable with. Reach out to Josh or Julie for more information.

FOSTER PARENTS NEEDED

In March, Oconee County had nearly thirty children in need of foster parents. Needless to say, our community has a need when it comes to taking care of our greatest resource, our children. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Oconee Foster Care Review Board is asking for you to promote foster care or, more importantly, consider becoming a foster parent. 

For more information, you can call our local DSS office at 864-638-4400, visit https://dss.sc.gov/media/01xj5bkv/dss-brochure-2431-mar-25.pdf, or contact one of the following foster parent licensing agencies: https://dss.sc.gov/child-well-being/foster-care/licensing-partners/oconee



Additionally, our local non-profit, Fostering Faithfully, would welcome an opportunity to speak to your church and/or provide a small informational session.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, contact the SCDSS 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-888-CARE4US or

1-888-227-3487. Contact 911 immediately if the situation is a life-threatening emergency. 

COME SEE

MARIO SUAREZ &

LANCE GLENN!

Support regional community theater at The Historic Ritz in Toccoa, GA and see our own Mario Suarez and

Lance Glenn in Frozen on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26.

CLICK HERE for tickets.

THEN COME TO

CLEMSON LITTLE THEATRE!

Come see a wonderful cast including Saint Mark's

Kristine Montgomery and Lance Glenn in a whacky southern-fried comedy:

In the backwoods of the Bible Belt, the beleaguered Turpin family proves that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious. Despite their earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral, the Turpins’ other problems keep overshadowing the solemn occasion. Amidst the chaos, the Turpins turn for comfort to their friends and neighbors, an eccentric community of misfits who just manage to pull together and help each other through their hours of need, and finally, the funeral.

Show Rating: PG-13 

Run Time: Two Hours

CLICK HERE for ticket information.

SUPPORT

SAINT MARK'S YOUNGEST ACTORS

Saint Mark's Anastasia Spoelstra and Georgia Benito will appear in The Wizard of Oz at the Walhalla Performing Arts Center May 8-10.

CLICK HERE for ticket information.

• April Birthdays
• Pickle Ball Mondays
• Church Directory on Your Mobile Device

Please help to enhance worship service by donating a floral arrangement in honor or memory of a special someone or event. And remember, those flowers are then divided and sent on to disciples in senior living or medical facilities to let them know we're thinking of them. The sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex. Contact Sarah Boylston for more information.