St. Mark's Weekly E-blast

We gather, connect, and serve so all may experience the love of Christ.

By Rev. Lynn Bartlow

Lead Pastor

Earn. Save. Give. Commitment Sunday

Over the past few weeks, we have been exploring together John Wesley’s surprising advice to earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can. We’ve talked about money and how we can earn, save, and give it in ways that help others and honor Christ. 

The final week of our program will culminate this Sunday, on what we are calling Commitment Sunday. We ask you to return your commitment cards as we look forward to what God will do through our church this coming year. I’m writing to say thank you to those members and attenders who gave last year. Without your support, our church’s ministry could not happen. You heard some of those ministry celebrations at Church Conference last night.

There are two reasons we ask you to fill out and return a commitment card each year. First, it allows the church to plan accurately for ministries, since we can base our ministry budget on the dollar amount our members plan to give. Second, the act of filling out a card is a way of inviting you to set a goal for giving during the coming year.

I encourage you to give the biblical tithe, 10 percent of your income, to the church. If you can’t take that step this year, perhaps you can move toward a tithe by increasing your giving. 

I know that some of you are struggling financially and may not be in a position to give right now. Know that we care, and if there is any way we can be of support to you—by praying with you, praying for you, talking with you, or providing other assistance—please contact us by replying to this email or reaching out to one of the pastors in another way.

We sent you a commitment card at the beginning of this month; we will have more cards available on Sunday if you need one. Please take a few minutes to pray about your giving for next year and fill out the card. Then bring the card with you on Commitment Sunday, when we will collect commitment cards at the end of the worship service. If you are unable to be with us on Sunday, you can carry or mail the card to the church office or bring it to worship the following Sunday. You can also use THIS LINK to fill out your card online.

Thank you for all you do to further the mission and work of our church. You make a difference! 

In Christ,

See you soon,

Pastor Lynn

This week's dinner is Chicken Fajitas with beans and rice, and a salad.

Prefer to join us online? Use the zoom link below. Bring your own communion elements! 

Want to join online instead of in person? Use this zoom link:

https://dscumc.zoom.us/j/81074485416?pwd=QBaxQm2tB3AhW9ot1aSqW6ov2WOlhe.1

Meeting ID: 810 7448 5416

Passcode: 016308

Don't Forget!

Tonight is the final night!

Ukulele lessons tonight at 4:30pm in Room 20!

The Meet the Pastors gathering on Saturday, October 26 at Jeff and Sheli Gray's home has been cancelled. Please call the church office if you need help rescheduling 520-297-2062.

Meet The Pastors Upcoming Dates:

10 AM 10/26 at the home of Jeff & Sheli Gray.

1 pm 10/27 at the home of Lisa & Adam DaDeppo

10 AM 10/29 at the home of Cara & Bill Zermuehlen

10AM 11/2 at the home of Carol & John Cecilia

Ask a pastor for details!

It's Spooky Season for all our little friends! We have 2 Trunk or Treat opportunities for you (see below) We can help decorate your car or you can join us at one of our cars! Come to one or come to both, there are never too many trunks and the kids in their costumes are so cute!

5-7:30PM Friday, October 25

Members of Nash Neighbors and our Family Ministries team will join Nash Elementary School for their annual Trunk or Treat. (Major crossroads: Oracle/Grant)

4-6PM Saturday, October 26

Join our Growth and Outreach Committee at the NW YMCA for another Trunk or Treat!

(Major crossroads: Magee/Shannon)

Our next New Member class will be 9am-12pm Saturday, 10/26 in the church office.

Want to know more about St. Mark's? Or what it means to be Methodist? Want to spend time with Pastor Lynn and Tricia? You are invited! Sign up by emailing Tricia@umcstmarks.org

At General Conference in April, the United Methodist Church removed language from the Book of Discipline that had harmed our LGBTQ sisters and brothers for over 50 years. This long awaited change opened the door for local churches to become a place of healing to all. On Sunday, October 27, coinciding with Tucson Pride month, St. Mark’s will celebrate this decision at Magee Campus, with special prayers in worship, hospitality provided by Rainbow Fellowship, and a celebration of music at the Desert Voices concert at 3:00pm. We hope you will join us, opening our hearts and arms in love for all. 

~Church and Society and Rainbow Fellowship

Coming Soon!

9am - 32pm Saturday, November 2

Saturday, November 16

Red Volunteer Shirts!

Do you need a red volunteer shirt to wear when you are out volunteering? Do you already have one and don't like how it fits? ...Or does it just plain not fit? How frustrating!

Bring Your Red Shirts To The Office!

• Turn in the ones that don't fit for someone else to use or borrow
• Bring in a red shirt of your choosing with your name on the tag or safety pinned to the collar. Give us a week to heat press the logo onto your shirt and pick it up the following Sunday or during office hours.
• Don't want to wait a week? Stop by during office hours to take home a transfer sheet and instructions to press your shirt at home! (Please note that transfer may last longer when pressed using a heat press as opposed to a clothes iron)

There are 13 propositions on the Arizona ballot. All but two were proposed by our state legislators and many give state legislators more control.

Here are a couple questions you might consider in deciding your vote on each proposition.

1. Who may be hurt or have less control if this proposition passes? Who will gain control? 
2. These constitutional changes and laws apply regardless of the party controlling the state legislature. Would you want legislators to have this power independent of which party has majority control?
3. Voting "no" will keep things as they are today.

For more information about specific propositions, view the recording of the League of Women Voters Info Session hosted by United Women in Faith and Church and Society here:

https://dscumc.zoom.us/rec/play/bDe31JUVuMqKfU9e-2s7phYuR8OjounFbBlXE239e5IeaybGMd_52dcU1dJymdttFq8ciurk0FwhadRX.yTrKdPxQrVNTJS3A

For the United Methodist guide to Vote for the Common Good, click here:

https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/501?emci=ce7da1ad-0888-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&emdi=9ff61b74-238a-ef11-8474-6045bda8aae9&ceid=11863846

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

·    8:30 and 10 a.m. Traditional service in Magee Campus sanctuary and child care in Rm 15

·    10 a.m. Modern service at Sanctuary Campus with Children's Sunday School and childcare

·    10 a.m. Magee Campus youth and children's Sunday School (except fifth Sundays) and childcare

·    10 a.m. Traditional service and Modern Service live stream airs on YouTube and our Website

Worship online at 10 a.m. on Sundays at YouTube UMC St. Mark's AZ. You can also watch the service at a later time. 

Office Hours – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon-Thurs, closed Friday - Sunday

Our monthly Messenger newsletter (for October) is available here: LINK

*For our friends who worship with us online, you will see on the front page an invitation to worship online, and it gives you the option for each campus. We have the bulletin, a section for prayer requests, sign-ins, and more right there on the same page. Please go check it out before Sunday!