April 4, 2023

From the Pastor

Easter is a refreshing time filled with pastel colors, jellybeans, PEEPS, chocolate-covered eggs, and bouncing bunnies. All around us are lilies, lilacs, tulips, and pansies in bloom. And for the Christian church, Easter is of course the time when we celebrate Christ's defeat of death and his resurrection from the dead. Easter, then, is a time of "new beginnings": new birth, rebirth, and renewal.

I invite you to be in prayer for this season of "new beginnings" in our church. Perhaps God longs for you to consider making a "new beginning" of your own. Maybe it's time for you to return to in-person worship. Maybe it's time for you to find a small group with whom to study God's word and pray together. Maybe God is calling you to lead such a group. Maybe it's time to exercise your muscles and volunteer for a particular ministry in the church or community. Maybe it's time to join the church. Maybe it's time for you to ____________(fill in your own blank). 

If it's time for a new beginning in your life, why not begin on the ultimate Sunday of New Beginnings...EASTER! We'll welcome your new beginning with encouragement and grace.

Until then, I pray that you have a meaningful Holy Week.

It is a privilege to serve as one of your clergy.

Tommy

The next meeting of the SAGES Ministry Team will be Wednesday, April 12, at 9:30 AM in Room 503-505.

The monthly Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, April 27 at the home of Cindy Filppin, 2714 Tower Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Guest presenter for this gathering is Joy Ash Garland. This is open to all who are caring for those dealing with Alzheimer’s/Dementia.

The next trip of the SAGES will be Friday, April 28, to Cahoots in Fayetteville, Tennessee, for a Dutch treat lunch. The bus leaves at 9:15 AM and the bus fee is $5.00. Please sign up in the Narthex or the church office. Look for the book!

Upcoming events for Sages are as follows: May (Bluebird Café); June 15 (Granny Fishes); July 12 (Smithville, Cheryl’s Beau Bees). Please RSVP in the Narthex or the church office. 

The SAGES continue to host services at Adams Place each month (April 18 at 10 AM) , and at Rutherford Senior Care (Wednesdays 11:00 AM); Rutherford Assisted Living (Fridays at 1:30 PM); and American House Senior Living (Tuesdays at 2:30 PM) each week.

A schedule of SAGES activities for 2023 is posted on the SAGES Bulletin Board outside the church office.

Holy (Maundy) Thursday is April 6. On Holy Thursday, Christians commemorate the supper that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, when Jesus washed the disciples' feet and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. 

You're invited to join us for a shared fellowship meal at 5 pm (reservations required), after which we will also experience elements of a Seder Meal, being reminded of what a Passover meal looks like and symbolizes.

Our worship service will include opportunities to confess our sin, receive pardon from God, hear God's word proclaimed, an optional foot-washing opportunity, and Holy Communion.

Please be mindful that we may have guests or people returning to St. Mark's after a long absence.

"It's great to see you" is a better way of greeting them than, "Where have you been?" And "let's sit somewhere different" is a better thought than "who do they think they are sitting in our pew?"

Let's practice hospitality and a spirit of welcome as we gather to worship the risen Savior on Easter.

The Easter Season, also known as the Great Fifty Days, begins at sunset on Easter Eve and continues through the Day of Pentecost. It's the most joyous and celebrative season of the Christian year. It focuses on Christ's resurrection and ascension and on the giving of the Holy Spirit on the first Easter (John 20:22-23) and the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The liturgical color for this season is white; the color red is used on Pentecost.

Do you have the desire to spend time alone with God and be more attentive to how God might be speaking to you through scripture? Then join us for the new SOULFULL series that begins on April 12.

Called "Guided to God", each week we will read a passage of scripture, reflect on it, respond to it, and rest in it. The goal is to be guided to a deeper relationship with God and God's word through this immersive experience. 

Children have a natural sense of awe, wonder, curiosity, and imagination that helps shape their spiritual lives. In Sunday school, we hear and reflect on God’s Word, experience spiritual practices, play games, Learn Bible skills, ask big questions, and help each other claim our spiritual identity as children of God.    



PRESCHOOLERS EXPLORE THE RESURRECTION



The Sundays after Easter in Celebrate Wonder Sunday School, our preschool children will explore the events that followed Jesus’ resurrection, including the walk to Emmaus, doubting Thomas, and Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  Our theme word for April is “Resurrection,” and our memory verse is, “He isn’t here, but has been raised,” Luke 24:6a.

The Preschool children meet in Room 307 Sundays at 9:15 a.m.

GRADES K – 2 STUDIES THE RESURRECTION

The Sundays after Easter, children in the K – 2 Young Elementary Class will explore the events that followed Jesus’ resurrection:

April 9 – Easter, Luke 24:1-12

April 16 – Thomas Believes, John 20:19-29

April 23 – Breakfast with Jesus, John 21: 1-14

April 30 – The Great Commission, Matt. 28: 16-20, Mark 16:14-18

The Young Elementary children meet in Room 212 at 9:15 a.m..

GRADES 3 – 5 STUDIES PAUL, THE APOSTLE

Children in Grades 3 – 5 are continuing a journey through the Bible, connecting with God’s big story through videos, engaging Bible exploration, and hands-on projects.

After completing the study of Jesus’ death and resurrection, children in Grades 3 – 5 will begin getting to know the Apostle Paul and his writings.

April 9 – Jesus’ Resurrection, John 20:11-18

April 16 – Rewind: Jesus, The Savior

April 23 – Paul’s Conversion, Acts 9:1-6

April 30 – The Gospel – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

The Older Elementary Class meets in Room 214 Sundays at 9:15 a.m..

Make plans to join in a truly unique family event for kids and kids-at-heart, a walk through the Easter Story!

Each STORY WALK station is interactive, including actors, items to touch, explore, or create, and other hands-on opportunities that connect with the Easter story. Each child should bring an Easter basket for collecting items from the stations.  The walk will be open 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 8^th and will take about 20 minutes to complete.

Brunch will also be provided 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the Banquet Hall, and will include biscuits, sausage and bacon, fruit, juice, and coffee prepared by Butler Touchton.   The brunch is free and donations are welcome. To help in planning, please make a reservation for your family by emailing [email protected] with your family name and number expected to attend by Thursday, April 6^th.

At 11:00 a.m., the children will gather in the Sanctuary for an Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn. Lots of photo ops with the Easter Bunny will be available!

Donations Needed for Egg Hunt!

Donations of Small, Individually Wrapped,

Nut-free Candy and Prizes are Needed!  

Bring your Donations

to the Easter Egg Hunt Display

in the Narthex by Wednesday, April 5^th.     

“HERO HOTLINE: CALLED TOGETHER TO SERVE GOD,” is based on Romans 14:19, “So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up.”  This verse reminds us that peace comes from God, and as God’s people we are called to help create that peace and share it with the world. God has called us to live in community with one another, so we work together, help one another, and encourage one another, in both expected and unexpected ways, to bring peace, love, and justice to the world!

HERO HOTLINE Vacation Bible School will be held Monday – Thursday, June 26-29, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for children Age 4 – Grade 5 and younger children of adult volunteers.

We can’t do VBS without YOU!!! The Children’s Ministry team is now recruiting team leaders. Leadership is needed in worship, music, recreation, snacks, storytelling, science, missions, and crafts, and we’ll need people to serve as class shepherds, helpers, and more. 

Please prayerfully consider how you can support and serve St. Mark’s VBS ministry. If you would like to be a HERO to some wonderful kids, send a quick email to [email protected] and let Rev. Martha know how you’d like to serve.

JOIN US EACH WEEK FOR

FAMILY FELLOWSHIP,

GOOD FOOD,

FAITH, & FUN!

5:00 p.m. Dinner

(Reservations Required)

6:00 p.m. Groups and Classes

THURSDAY, APRIL 6^TH - HOLY THURSDAY MEAL AND WORSHIP

On this special evening, we commemorate the supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, when Jesus washed the disciples' feet and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion.

Our 5:00 p.m. meal will be shared around tables in the gym, after which we will experience elements of a Seder Meal, being reminded of what a Passover meal looks like and symbolizes.   Worship at 6:00 p.m. will include opportunities to confess our sin and receive pardon from God, hear God's word proclaimed, an optional foot-washing opportunity, and Holy Communion.

Menu: Chicken and Dumplings, Biscuits, Green Bean Casserole, Fried Okra, Salad Bar, Apple Crisp and Ice Cream.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 - BEGIN AGAIN BOXES

Begin Again Boxes help individuals and families begin again after disaster, health crises, financial hardship, or domestic violence.  In the midst of worship with SOULFULL, we will pack dishes, cooking utensils, kitchen necessities and other items for displaced individuals and families who find it necessary to begin again. This project is suitable for all ages! 

Menu: Taco Bar – Taco Beef, chopped tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, Tortilla Chips.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19 – ENCOURAGEMENT BAGS

April is a stressful month for students and teachers. We will fill gift bags and write notes of encouragement to students at the MTSU Wesley Foundation and teachers at Reeves Rogers Elementary School.  This project is also suitable for all ages!

ONE BOOK is an initiative to promote reading and unity in our community. Each year, the One Book Committee reads dozens of books to narrow down to just one choice to recommend. This literacy initiative is a partnership between Read To Succeed, Linebaugh Library and other Middle Tennessee non-profits and businesses.

This year’s selection, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is revolutionary in its candor, offering a deeply personal yet universal tour of our hearts and minds and providing the rarest of gifts: a boldly revealing portrait of what it means to be human, and a disarmingly funny and illuminating account of our own mysterious lives and our power to transform them.

Butler Touchton will lead a discussion on this book 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, in the Narthex. To sign up, email [email protected]. 

New Sunday Morning Series Starts April 16

At Easter, we celebrate Jesus' resurrection; but this is no ghostly apparition. Jesus returns in the flesh to be close once again with his friends and to bring them closer to each other and to God. Beginning April 16, we'll lift up stories of our faith as we seek to grow "Closer and Closer" during the Easter season.

April 16: John 20:19-31 "Reach Out and Touch"

April 23: Luke 24:13-35 "Walking with Jesus"

April 30: John 10:1-10 "Someone to Watch Over You"

Big thanks to our Adult Sunday School classes for stepping up to provide Safe Sanctuary coverage for Youth Sunday School, particularly Pathfinders, Woman to Woman, Spares & Pairs, Cornerstone, Dimensions of Faith, Seekers, Genesis Network and Mixed Blessings …. Your support of the Youth Ministry is greatly appreciated!!

Please note that there will be no Sunday evening Youth Gathering on 4/9 so that Youth may spend Easter Sunday with their families.

The latest edition of our 'Bear Fruit' Mission Series took place on the afternoon of April 2, as St Mark’s Youth helped to move and pack boxes for our food box ministry. If you have nonperishable food items to donate or if you know of someone in need of a food box delivery, please contact Louis Toedt ([email protected] or 615-893-3455, Ext. 20.) for more information.  

Confirmation Class will continue on Maundy Thursday (4/6) in the St Mark’s library after WNT dinner;  Current 6th graders and older Youth who may have missed confirmation for whatever reason may still join, even if they missed the orientation. Contact Louis Toedt for more information.

If anyone is aware of any loved ones who will be graduating from High School, College or Graduate School this May and would like to see them honored during our "Graduation Sunday" service, please communicate this information to Louis Toedt and he will follow up with further instructions.

The landing page for all things related to St Mark’s Student Ministry can be found here: https://st-marks-umc-student-ministry.mailchimpsites.com/

As reported in our last newsletter, St. Mark's is looking for a full-time Children's Ministry Director and a small group of parents and grandparents have begun that search. As part of the process, we're hosting Listening Sessions to hear the hopes and dreams of our parents, grandparents, and those with a heart for children.

There are two opportunities remaining: 

1. This Saturday, April 8th (after our Story Walk and Easter Egg Hunt) in Room 502 and 

2. Thursday, April 13 at 7pm (Zoom Session). 

We'd love to know if you're coming so please message us on social media, call the church at 615-893-3455, or email us here. 

Spring is here, and the grounds at St. Mark's are calling for some TLC so that we can be as welcoming as possible to visitors, worshipers, and all our neighbors in the community. If anyone or any group is interested in helping with some small projects such as planting flowers, developing a butterfly garden, etc. please contact Jan Crossett, 901-326-6246 or [email protected]. 

The flowers on the altar each Sunday are available to be sponsored in honor of in memory of loved ones. To reserve a date, please call the church office or sign up on the Flower Calendar at the receptionist desk in the church office. Each bouquet (there are two per Sunday) is $30 which can be paid by placing a check in the offering plate with "Flowers" on the memo line or contacting the church office for other arrangements.

April 30 (one or both bouquets)

May 28 (one bouquet)

June 4 (one or both bouquets)

June 11 (one or both bouquets)

Wednesday, April 5

1:00 p.m. Waking to God's Dream - RM 405

Thursday, April 6

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 503/505

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. Dinner - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class - Library

6:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship - Rec Center

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, April 7

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, April 8

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

Sunday, April 9 - Easter Sunday

9:15 a.m. Waking to God's Dream - RM 501

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

Monday, April 10

Office Closed - Easter Monday

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

7:00 p.m. Waking to God's Dream - On Zoom

Tuesday, April 11

9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

10:00 a.m. UMW Mary Martha Circle - RM 501

6:30 p.m. SPRC Meeting - RM 503/505

Wednesday, April 12

9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. WNT Dinner - Banquet Room

6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class - Library

6:00 p.m. SOULFULL Worship - Rec Center

7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir - RM 1119

Thursday, April 13

9:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study - RM 1203

10:00 a.m. Quilting Bee - Banquet Room

10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505

1:00 p.m. Waking to God's Dream - RM 405

6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505

Friday, April 14

10:30 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Pickle Ball - Rec Center

Saturday, April 15

8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505

Sunday, April 16

9:00 a.m. Children's Choirs - RM 211, 304

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. Waking to God's Dream - RM 501

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

5:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

5:00 p.m. Finance Meeting - 503/505

5:00 p.m. – Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center

5:30 p.m. Disciple - RM 405

Monday, April 17

10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room

5:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Room/Rec Center

5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505

6:45 p.m. Scouts - Sanctuary

7:30 p.m. Scouts - Banquet Room

Tuesday, April 18

9:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

In Other News:

View Our Current Prayer List

See Our Full Event Calendar 

Missed a Sermon? Click HERE to go to our sermons media page.

St. Mark's UMC | (615) 893-3455 | [email protected]