St. Mark's Weekly E-blast

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

Rev. Deborah Christine

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Greetings,


Next week we have our first Grace at the Table! On Wednesday, June 25 at 11:30 we will meet in Fellowship Hall to share lunch, have prayer, communion, read scripture, and talk about grace and table fellowship. Sandwiches will be provided, and you are invited to bring something to share*.


When we gather to share a meal, we always begin with grace. We thank our God for the ability to create community, we are grateful for the delicious food and for those that prepared the food. We are thankful to have such a community. 


Methodists (and pretty much all church people) love to share a meal. We are known for our potlucks and picnics! Why is food such a magnet for gathering? 


The Bible speaks powerfully about table fellowship—the practice of sharing meals together—not only as a physical necessity, but as a sacred act of hospitality, unity, grace, and community. Meals in Scripture are often moments where relationships are built, barriers are broken, and God’s presence is made known.


Here are some key themes in Biblical table fellowship.

·       Hospitality as a spiritual practice

·       Inclusivity—welcoming all, especially outsiders

·       Community formation—shared meals build bonds

·       Reconciliation and forgiveness often happen at the table

·       God’s presence is experienced when we eat together


Come join us on Wednesday! 



Blessings,

Pastor Deb


*In the spirit of inclusivity, please label homemade items with the ingredients used, paying special attention to commonly known allergens. With store-bought items, please keep the ingredients list with the item. If you have questions about this, please call the office.

Potluck this Sunday, June 22 at Sanctuary Campus. Bring a dish to share and join us for food and fellowship.


*In the spirit of inclusivity, please label homemade items with the ingredients used, paying special attention to commonly known allergens. With store-bought items, please keep the ingredients list with the item. If you have questions about this, please call the office at 520-297-2062.

This summer, step into the gallery of grace.

We invite you to a new worship series—Grace Changes Everything—where we’ll explore the joy-filled, life-changing messages of Paul’s letters to the Romans and Corinthians. Like walking through a museum, each week we’ll frame one “masterpiece” of grace: stories of welcome, transformation, community, and joy.


Whether you're staying in town through the heat or finding peace in the pause of summer, come celebrate with us as we discover:

  • The Frame of Grace
  • Love is the Masterpiece
  • Strength in the Cracks
  • and much more...


Sundays beginning June 22

St. Mark’s UMC – both campuses

All ages welcome. All gifts celebrated. All people included.

Please join us for "On Your Mark's Walking Group".  We will meet Monday, June 23, at 7:45 am in the church's North parking lot. Bring water, layer clothing, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen. Plan 3 hours, (includes travel time) for 3 miles.  Walking in all weather.  Contact Cheri Schwartz.  

Summer book study: We will meet at 9:30am on Thursdays June 26, July 24, and August 21 to discuss the book The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer. David is a member of the Ojibwe tribe in Minnesota. He covers the history of indigenous people in America up to the present day.


The class will be led by Art Ragland. Register will be available soon at: St. Marks Adult Spiritual Growth and the Zoom link will be sent to you. Parts one and two of the book will be discussed on June 26th.

Click the image above or Click Here

July

Please help us bless Nash and Estes Elementary students again this year with donations of school supplies. Look for donation tubs at both campuses every Sunday in July. Check out the June & July Messengers for a complete list of requests, and how to make a monetary donation. The most asked for items are always Expo Markers (black, chisel tip), white copy paper (Estes only), glue sticks, and hand sanitizer (Nash only). 

Registration is now open for Summer Camp! Visit HERE to register your student and EMAIL Jane to volunteer as an adult!

Indigenous Season of Learning

This picture of bison skulls is from our book study The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee. For thousands of years, Native Americans relied heavily on bison for their survival. They used every part of the bison for food, clothing, shelter, tools, and in ceremonies.





Did you know…

  • The bison is our national mammal.
  • Bison once roamed over two thirds of the United States.
  • The bison population was decimated from over 40,000,000 to under 500 in the 1800s. They were almost extinct.
  • Most bison are crossbred with cattle and are not genetically pure. Genetically pure bison mostly come from Yellowstone Park.
  • In 2014 the first treaty in over 150 years was signed by 13 tribes in the U.S. and Canada to restore bison to 6.3 million acres of land.
  • Today there are about 500,000 Bison in the United States.


-from Church and Society

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

8:30 and 10 am Traditional service in Magee Campus sanctuary and child care in Rm 15

10 am Modern service at Sanctuary Campus with Children's Sunday School and childcare

10 am Magee Campus youth and children's Sunday School (except fifth Sundays) and child care

 

The 10 am worship service on the Magee Campus is live-streamed on Sundays on our website or on YouTube UMC St. Mark's AZ. You can also watch the service at a later time. 


The June Messenger is available HERE!


Office Hours – 9 am to 3 pm Mon-Thurs, closed Friday - Sunday

Staff may be available by appointment at other times; email them using their first name followed by @umcstmarks.org

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