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

Have you ever wondered about the white and gold ornaments adorning our Christmas trees in the sanctuary? These special decorations, called Chrismons, are rich in meaning and tradition. Chrismons—short for Christ monograms—use ancient Christian symbols to represent the life, ministry, and promises of Jesus Christ. Each one is a visual reminder of the hope, peace, joy, and love that we celebrate during Advent.

At St. Mark’s, we believe faith can be experienced, not just talked about. In years past, we have decorated these ornaments, inviting our children and youth to decorate the simple white symbols. This year, we invite you to make your mark on our trees! Church member Jim Johnson has made another selection of ornaments that match the Sanctuary campus. Come use your hands to help decorate our new set of ornaments. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or simply curious about this tradition, there’s a place for you!

Come connect with your church family, learn more about the meaning behind these beautiful symbols, and help bring our space to life with the spirit of the season. Details about the event can be found below.

Let’s celebrate the love of Christ as we prepare our space—and our hearts—for Christmas!

See you soon,

Pastor Lynn

December 4 This week's dinner is Cheesy Chicken and rice.

Chrismons. What do you know about Chrismons? We will talk about the meanings of these special ornaments, decorate new ones that our own Jim Johnson has made, and hang them on the Fellowship Hall tree. Come ready to be glittered!

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

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

Meeting ID: 810 7448 5416

Passcode: 016308

A Memorial Service for Shane Brewer, Clara Campbell's grandson, is scheduled tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 5, at 2:00 p.m. in the Magee Campus sanctuary. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall

A Memorial Service for Scott Bauman will be held on Saturday, December 7 at 1 p.m. in the Magee Campus sanctuary with a reception following.

St. Mark’s Worship Committee invites you to purchase plants in memory of a loved one for the Christmas Season. These flowering plants will be displayed around the Christmas trees of our church to brighten our décor even more for the festive season. This year we will have both poinsettias and Christmas cactus plants available! Poinsettias will be $17 and Christmas cactus plants will be $20.

Thank you to our youth and our Marksmen for putting up all of our outdoor lights around the campus.

Coming Up

7PM 12/7 Magee Campus

The Sonoran Bells of Tucson, Arizona will present their Holiday Concert, "Joy!" Come get in the holiday spirit! This group is celebrating their 25th anniversary.

3PM 12/15 Magee Campus

Come experience this year's Cantata, a piece that brings Advent to life, capturing the season’s promise and the gradual dawn of hope. The work reflects the image of a small but determined light breaking through darkness—a symbol of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. Receive this gift from our choirs and instrumentalists.

St. Mark's next blood drive is taking place on Sunday, December 8th, from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in our Fellowship Hall. You can sign up now to reserve your spot at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=stmarks

Contact Cheri Schwartz for additional details

Marana Winter Festival and Tree Lighting

Love people? Love Festivals? The Growth and Outreach Committee needs you! Signups for helping at the St. Mark’s booth are now open. This is an easy way to tell people about the exciting things going on at St. Mark’s. You may sign up online at https://umcstmarks.breezechms.com/form/TreeLights.

Questions, talk to Chris Shafer at 214.729.6399.

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 December) 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!