Update for the week of January 17 - 23, 2019
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Our Mission Statement

To Be and Make Disciples of  
Jesus Christ 

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Contact Information?
 
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Contact Us?
 
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  

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Saint Mark 2019 Ministry Guidebook 
Click here to view the entire Saint Mark 2019 Ministry Guidebook with information about church structure, leadership, ministries and our 2019 budget. 
Check Out Our Entire Church
 Calendar of Events
Click here to see what is going on at Saint Mark this week and the weeks to come.
 
January 20, 2019
 
Sunday 
Schedule
 
 9:00 am 
  Sunday School
 
9:55 am
Fellowship Time in the Atrium
   
10:15 am
ONE Combined Service of Worship 
Sanctuary
 
11:30 am
Churchwide  
Covered Dish Lunch
Saint Mark Center  
 
4:00 pm 
TREK for Children  
 
4:00 pm   
Wings for the Lord 
 
5:30 pm
In His Eyes
 

Quick, easy and available HERE 
Listen to Last Week's Sermon Today 
If you were not able to attend worship on any given Sunday, you can still listen to the sermon.   Click here to select and listen to sermons that you may have missed.
Got Good News To Share With Your Saint Mark Family?   
Good news lifts our spirits. Share your good news with us. We will publish your good news in our "People 'Neath Our Steeple" feature. Your news will be sent out as an email. Click here to share your good news (achievements, births, awards, etc.). Include pictures if you have them. 
Interested in LGBTQ+ Inclusion?

Click here for more information. 
Prayer Focus for This Week  
A Prayer To Be a Fruitful Disciple 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 
  
O God, we thank you for the lives of great saints and prophets in the past, who have revealed to us that we can stand up amid the problems and difficulties and trials of life and not give in. We thank you for our foreparents, who've given us something in the midst of the darkness of exploitation and oppression to keep going. Grant that we will go on with the proper faith and the proper determination of will, so that we will be able to make a creative contribution to this world.  
 
In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen
 
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.
WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY  

Worship With Us!
A Disciple's Path Kick-Off
ONE Combined Service
THIS Sunday, January 20
10:15 am
Sanctuary
 
This Sunday we will worship all together in one combined service in the sanctuary.  
 
This unique morning of worship will commission each of us for this season of deepening discipleship, and the workbooks for every age will be distributed in the worship service. 

Let's Gather for a Covered Dish Lunch
This Sunday, January 20
11:30 am
Saint Mark Center
 
To truly celebrate the kick-off of our Disciple's Path sermon and study series, join us as we come together for a churchwide covered dish lunch in the Saint Mark Center.  Fried chicken and beverages will be provided.  Bring a dish to share.   
THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARK 

CDC Parents' Night Out
Tomorrow, Friday, January 18
5:30 - 9:30 pm

Our Saint Mark Child Development Center is once again offering childcare service for parents, grandparents or guardians who want an evening out without the children.  Click here to contact Becca Williams for more information - or to make your reservation. 


A Disciple's Path Begins
 
This Sunday, January 20, begins an exciting leg of our faith journey, as we embark on this six-week study exploring  what a life connected to God and connected to others is all about.
 
A Disciple's Path   will aid us as we go deeper in our own discipleship and give us methods for making new disciples, and we hope YOU will participate with us at some level.
 
The design of Disciple's Path is a workbook, so that we can learn and grow while practicing. The workbooks are being distributed in worship THIS SUNDAY, or can be picked up in the church office if you cannot be present Sunday morning.
 
While the timing may not be right for everyone, consider participating through individual study throughout the week, Sunday morning worship, as well as in a Sunday school class or small group.
 
It is a great joy to have ALL of our Sunday School classes (K-2nd grades; 3rd-5thgrades; Middle School; High School; and all ten adult classes) embarking on this journey together! Every one of these classes welcome you to join them for these six weeks and beyond.
 
If you are not already part of a small group, please consider the groups newly forming for this study. If you are interested in becoming part of one of these groups that will begin meeting next week, please email the leader for more information.
 
Wednesday 5:30 pm - 7 pm led by Rev. Bob Stillwell
         Co-Ed group meeting in Bess' Table Room  
         (Room B212 in the Music Suite hallway) 
         Email: restillwell@umcsc.org
 
Thursday 10 am - 11:30 am led by Rev. Todd Davis
         Co-Ed group meeting in the Commons Room 
         Email: tdavis@smumcsc.org
 
Sunday 12 pm - 1:30 pm led by David Wilcox
Men's group meeting at local restaurant  
Email:  dwilcox@smumcsc.org  
 
Ongoing midweek small groups welcome you to join them for this study.
        
         Tuesday 9:30 am - 11 am led by Debbie Barton
                  Women's group meeting in homes
          Email: mamadebbieb@gmail.com
 
Thursday 10 am - 11:30 am led by Sandy James
         Women's group meeting at Saint Mark UMC
         Email: s4e4j4@bellsouth.net

PLEASE NOTE: ALL studies will have
their first gathering next week.

For more information, click here to contact Pastor Shawna.
Are You 50+?
Join Us For Our Monthly Lunch Bunch

January's Lunch Bunch will feature a potato bar with Baked Idaho and Sweet Potatoes with a variety of toppings.  Salad will be also be included. 

For dessert, you will get to make your own Ice Cream Sundae

Stay after lunch and enjoy a special surprise activity!!
 
Click here to make your reservation(s) by tomorrow, January 18.  
LOOKING AHEAD  
Saint Mark Youth Will Attend  
Revolution 2019
Sponsored by the South Carolina Conference
of the United Methodist Church

For more information, click here to contact Donna Poston.
Sign Up to Attend This Important Series   
 
Please join the members of the Saint Mark Church and Society Team for a special 5-part program called Racism and Its Impacts: A Self-Discovery Series.
 
During this program you will become aware of personal behaviors that may be perceived as racist, explore concepts like white privilege and unconscious bias and discuss obstacles to better race relations and what you can do to be a part of the solution. Our goal is to create a movement of Saint Mark disciples who contribute to positive race relations within the church and our community-at-large.
 
Session 1
Self-Reflections and Racism Defined
Sunday, January 27    
Session 2
Historical and Social Impacts  
(Panel Discussion)   
Sunday, February 24
Session 3
Connecting with the Other: Our Stories
Sunday, March 24
Session 4
Saying and Doing the Right Thing
Sunday, April 28
Session 5
Continuing the Dialogue
Sunday, May 26
All sessions will take place from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm and include a light lunch and door prizes! There is no registration fee. All sessions will take place in the Saint Mark Commons Room.
                                               
Attending all sessions is not required but highly recommended due to the sequential nature of the content.                         
 
We look forward to sharing this special experience with you.
 
To sign-up for the 5-part series, click here to register online, or visit the sign-up table in the atrium and Narthex after worship this Sunday, January 20.  

Contact Stacy Keelor at (914) 217-8092 with any questions about the program.
Memory Cafe - February Event
Trip to Kilwin's Chocolate Company
220 N. Main Street Greenville, SC 29601
Saturday, February 2
2:15 - 3:30 pm
Bus will leave at 1:00 pm at the church
 
Memory Cafe, our outreach group for persons with dementia and their family caregivers, will be going to Kilwin's Chocolate Company in Greenville on February 2. Participants will watch how chocolate candies are made, have a snack of ice cream as part of their trip, and be able to purchase chocolate candies of their choice, if they desire.
 
Transportation is available upon request. Please contact Bonnie Holmes at (864) 916-9204.  For more information, click here to contact Bonnie. 
Have you been watching the NFL playoffs? Well, when the Super Bowl gets here on Sunday, February 3, so does the Souper Bowl of Caring! Our Saint Mark youth will be hoping to fill their soup pots with money during the alms offering that day, and they have decided to share the proceeds with the Golden Corner Food Pantry.

But wait, there's more! Because the food pantry is in the middle of a dollar-for-dollar match through the end of February, your alms offering will go twice as far towards feeding your Oconee County neighbors in need. Thank you for your generosity as we try to fill the soup pots on "Souper Bowl Sunday"!

For more information, click here to contact Donna Poston, Minister of Youth and College Discipleship.
Comedian Henry Cho Is Coming to Walhalla!!

Henry Cho is a regular on television and film. His clean comedy is so versatile that he can headline Vegas and then tour with Michael W. Smith in the same month.  Henry Cho's TV credits include appearances on NBC's "The Tonight Show," CBS' "The Late, Late, Show," and NBC's "Young Comedians Special." Henry was co-creator, co-producer, and co-writer of "The Henry Cho Show" on GAC. Henry's one hour clean Comedy Central Special, "What's That Clickin' Noise?" is currently airing as well as being available on Netflix. He can be heard daily on Sirius XM, Blue Collar Radio, and Pandora. He is also a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry.  
 
24 tickets are now available to purchase. Click here to make your reservation(s).  Pay for and pick up your ticket(s) from Marla Fuller at the church office.  
 
TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE. 
Let's Help Alleviate Hunger!
 
Save the date and watch for details about this annual meal packaging event. 
Wings for the Lord
Lunch Theater
Annual Fundraiser
 
As you enjoy your delicious meal, you will become the "live audience" for the WINGS-FM variety show. You are guaranteed to experience light-hearted entertainment, laughter and love.
 
Purchase your ticket(s) in the atrium and Narthex beginning on Sunday, February 10.  For more information, click here to contact Donna Poston.  You may also click here to reserve your ticket(s) online.  You will pay at the door.
It's That Time Again!!

Our Wings for the Lord youth choir is gearing up for their summer tour in July.  One of their biggest fundraisers is their annual ginormous garage sale. But they need lots of items to sell.  Chances are that you have stuff you don't want or need any more.  Start putting these items aside for the sale. Watch for more details.  For more information, click here to contact Cara Davis or click here to contact Donna Poston.
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS 

 
Council of Stewards Meeting 
Monday, January 28 
6:00 pm 
Commons Room
Contact:
 
 

Special Friends Valentine's Day Party
Sunday, February 10
5:30 pm
Contact: Donna Poston
 
The Gathering
Valentine's Dinner and Dance
Featuring SWU Jazz Ensemble 
Wednesday, February 13
5:30 pm
Contact:  David Wilcox 

 
 
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 6  
Gathering Meal
5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center 
Ash Wednesday Service
6:30 pm  
Sanctuary
Contact: Todd Davis   

ELDERBERRIES EVENTS (FOR 50+)   

ARE YOU 50+?
Here are some
Elderberries Events
that might interest you.  Save the date(s) on your calendar. 

Winter Fun Night
Covered Dish Supper and LOTS of Fun!! 
Friday, January 18, 2019 
6:30 pm
At Saint Mark 
 
Lunch Bunch
Potato Bar (Regular and Sweet), Salad  
and Make-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundae Bar 
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
12 noon
Commons Room
 
Memory Cafe
Trip to Kilwin's Chocolate Factory in Greenville
Saturday, February 2
2:15 - 3:30 pm
Bus will leave the church at 1 pm and return by 4:30 pm 

Henry Cho Show  
"Clean Comedian" 
Saturday, February 16
7:30 pm 
Walhalla Center for the Performing Arts
 
Lunch Bunch
at Blue Marble Deli 
Tuesday, February 26
12 noon
 
Memory Cafe
Tie-dyeing Activity
Monday, March 6
1 - 3 pm 
 
Lunch Bunch
Spaghetti and a Speaker 
"Avoid Getting Scammed!"
with Mandy Tinsley  
from the Oconee County Sheriff's Office  
Tuesday, March 26
12 noon
Commons Room
 
For more information about our Elderberries ministry or any of these events, click here to contact Marla Fuller    
CHURCH AND SOCIETY    

FOR YOUR INFORMATION     
 
Saint Mark Family,
 
I want to share with you that I will be out of the office from January 24 through February 2, and unfortunately, will have limited access to email during this time. Please let me know how I can be helpful to you before I go, especially with regard to A Disciple's Path.  
 
I'm grateful for the many who have stepped up to make our journey through these next six weeks possible, and am confident in the leadership of each of these persons!  
 
I'm also grateful for your support that allows me to go and do the work of the Church at large: first to coordinate worship for the weekend of Revolution (a conference-wide event for youth), and then on to represent the SC Annual Conference at the Young Clergy Leadership Forum.
 
I already look forward to being back with you in worship on February 3rd!
 
Pastor Shawna
Welcome Peg Mowrey
Disciple New to Saint Mark 
 
A warm Saint Mark welcome to Peg Mowrey who comes to us by transfer of membership from Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson.  She officially joined our community on Sunday, January 6 in our Traditional Service.  
 
Peg is a former RN, an avid knitter and quilter.  Peg has already plugged into the ministry of Saint Mark by joining a UMW circle and singing in the choir.  She participates in the Knitted Knockers ministry and she plans to join Quilters for Christ. It is clear that Peg takes her discipleship very seriously. It took no time for her to find her place in our faith community - and then she got busy.
 
Please make her feel welcome when you see her.
 


Thank You Saint Mark!!!
 
The decorations have been put away and the Elf on the Shelf has returned to the North Pole, but it is not too late to thank you, the Saint Mark elves, who brought joy this Christmas to over 40 families and 140 children by supporting the Marvin's Kids ministry. However you helped, from creating spread sheets, to visiting families, to shopping at Walmart, to buying toys, to baking cookies, to donating wrapping paper, to working in the Santa Shop, to giving money, to packing food boxes, to delivering gifts, to writing thank you notes, you made a difference in the lives of many people this Christmas.
 
The smiles and the laughter as parents and elves shopped and wrapped together in the Santa Shop were a true manifestation of the Christmas spirit. One of our Marvin's Kids families had 2 young girls who were asking Santa for a Barbie Dream house. Because the father had recently lost his job, the parents were able to only purchase the dream house with no accessories, i.e., no Barbies. Imagine the parents' delight when our Santa Shop had Barbie dolls and other "extras" that would make their daughters' Christmas complete. I'm sure that that was a "joy-full" home on Christmas morning.
 
Thank you for your generosity and for answering the call to love your neighbor. I hope your Marvin's Kids experience was a blessing and that you were able to experience Emmanuel, God with us, as you offered your time and talents. It takes many hands and hearts to do the work of Christmas.
 
See you in September!                                        
Marvin's Kids Ministry Team
Will You Help? 
 
We are looking for "A few good disciples" to step forward and agree to chair a fundraising event for this spring. We do not have a large budget for mission and outreach projects, so almost every financial contribution we make to local agencies such as Our Daily Rest and Safe Harbor comes through alms offerings or the annual mission auction.  
 
This year, in an attempt to move the auction out of the overcrowded fall fundraising season, we had a "mini" auction, which raised $2800, well short of the $5000 we would likely have raised with a full auction. This means that if we are to support our local agencies at the same level as previous years, we need someone (or a small group) to step forward as organizers for a spring auction or other significant event.  
 
Please click here to contact Jane Harlin if you feel called to take this on.
SAINTS IN SERVICE
HELPING YOU PLUG IN . . . 

LET US KNOW HOW YOU WANT TO PLUG IN!
Click here to discover the many ways to serve at Saint Mark. Fill out the form and return it to Marla Fuller in the church office. We will get you plugged in!    
 
 

Saint Mark United Methodist Church

616 Quincy Road
Seneca, South Carolina 29678-3820
mfuller@smumcsc.org
 

864-882-2603
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors