The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

February 26, 2025

Visit our Website

Prayer List

Event Calendar

Past Sermons

Adult Ministry News

Student Ministry News

Children's Ministry News

From the Pastor...

What is Lent? Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday (March 5) and ends on Holy Saturday (April 19). Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Lenten', which means "spring." The season is a time of preparation for celebrating Easter.

On Ash Wednesday, Christians confront their own mortality and confess their sin before God within the community of faith. And while Ash Wednesday focuses on the dual themes of sin and death, it's done through the lens of God's redeeming love made known to us in Jesus Christ.

Jesus didn't stay in one place for very long; his earthly ministry was one of constant movement. As we encounter Jesus and as we walk with Jesus, we realize that we can't stay in the same place either.

Come journey with Christ during this Lenten season as he makes his way to the cross, to the tomb, and ultimately as he is raised from the dead.

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

"God on the Move" Sermon Series

On Sunday, March 9, we begin a Lenten sermon series, "God on the Move." Jesus didn't stay in one place for long. His earthly ministry was one of moving from one place and encounter to the next. He also moved through every part of the human experience, encountering everything from temptation to joy to suffering and even death. This series will help us reclaim the movement of Jesus’ ministry from temptation to condemnation, through his teaching and miracles and finally through the story of his death and resurrection. As we encounter the life and ministry of Jesus, we cannot stay the same. We ourselves are moved to grow and change as followers and imitators of the gospel. The comforting truth of Lent is that as we delve deeper into our own self-examination, we find that we are not alone. God is still on the move in our lives, walking with us every step as we travel the road to Easter.

Upcoming Sermon Scriptures:

March 9: Luke 4:1-13

March 16: Luke 13:31-35

March 23: Luke 13:1-9

March 30: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

April 6: John 12:1-8

April 13: Easter Cantata

April 20: Luke 24:1-12

As part of our preparation for the sacrament of Holy Communion, you are invited to donate canned and dry foods to St. Mark's Food Bank every 1st Sunday. Collection tubs will be located just outside the Sanctuary, or you can bring your donation to the bins in the Narthex or Room 407/409.

This Sunday, March 2^ndis the next Communion Sunday!

Please bring pop-top cans of Green Beans, Corn, or other Vegetables

"For I was hungry, and you gave me food..."

Matthew 25:35

Family Lent Event is This Sunday!

Join us this Sunday, March 2nd, from 9:00–10:15 a.m. in the banquet hall for a special Family Lent Event! This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together to learn about the Lenten season and participate in meaningful prayer stations. Let’s prepare our hearts for this sacred season through reflection, prayer, and community. Please email Hannah Pratt at hannah@stmarkstn.org to RSVP.

RSVP for the Family Lent Event!

Join us for Ash Wednesday!

Join us on March 5th at 6 p.m. as we begin the season of Lent with a time of prayer, reflection, and the imposition of ashes. Family-friendly prayer stations will also be available. All are welcome. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday Night Together

Food, Fellowship, Faith and Fun for all ages!

Featuring food preparation and service by THE SWEET ADDICTION catering and St. Mark's United Methodist Men.

Upcoming Menu: 3/5

French Dip Sandwich au jus, French Fries, Buttered Corn, Salad Bar, and Cheesecake

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

6:00 p.m. March 5^th in the Sanctuary

Join us on March 5th at 6 p.m. as we begin the season of Lent with a time of prayer, reflection, and the imposition of ashes. Family-friendly prayer stations will also be available.

All are welcome. We hope to see you there!

MARCH IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH at WNT!

Local providers will lead us in exploring concerns for children, youth, and adults, including the pandemic effect, addiction, anxiety, dementia, and more!

March 12: Mind Matters with Dr. Ellen Slicker

March 19: Mental Health with Children and Youth with Dr. Jay Campbell

March 26: The Science of Addiction with Dr. Brian Wind

LENTEN MEDITATIONS

Dr. Jim Clardy leads this special Lenten study on Christian faith and discipleship.

March 12: The Call to Discipleship – Luke 9:23-25

March 19: Repentance and Renewal – Psalm 51:10-12

March 26: The Grace of the Cross – Ephesians 2:8-9

BOOKS OF FAITH: MATTHEW

Join the conversation as we open the scriptures together and dig deeper into Matthew under the leadership of our retired clergy. This focused study allows time to savor and enjoy the stories of Jesus and his disciples more fully.

News!

Information Meeting for 2026 Adult Mission Trip

Relief work goes on year-round at the historic United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Depot in Sager Brown, Louisiana, where most anyone of any age or ability can contribute directly to disaster response around the globe. The work includes processing and shopping donated relief supplies including flood buckets and relief kits, repairing homes, serving in a women’s shelter or Food Bank, and tutoring young children.

Information about a trip in early 2026 will be shared Thursday, February 27th in Room 402/404 with Rev. Gary Wedgewood and Rev. Martha Touchton. Any persons interested in this mission trip are encouraged to attend!

Youth Dinner Sign Ups

Our youth meet on Sunday nights from 5-7 for youth group almost every Sunday. We eat with one another, fellowship and have fun with one another, and grow closer to God with one another. If you would be willing, we need folks to help us with food! I have created a sign-up genius with the dates food is needed. This is a great practice for anyone to do solo, or for families and Sunday School classes to be a part of! Thank you all so much!

Upcoming Dates Needed:

3/9, 4/6, 4/13

Project Transformation Summer Intern Applications

Apply here!

Save the Date for VBS!

St. Mark’s Vacation Bible School will be June 23-26, 2025! Plan to join us for Road Trip VBS: On the Go with God! Registration will open on April 6^th.

Cedar Crest Camp Hiring Young Adults for Summer 2025

If you know a young person looking for a job that will be faith-focused, fun, and relationship-centered, ask them to consider applying to work with Cedar Crest! Positions are open for those who have finished their junior year of high school to college graduates.

Contact Audrey Jordan at

audrey.jordan@twkumc.org for more information. Here is the link to the application: Cedar Crest Camp Summer 2025 Staff Application

Apply here, young persons!

College Ministry

All college students and friends are invited to be part of the College group, meeting Sundays, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. in Room 502 across from the church office. A light breakfast is served, everyone is welcome, bring a friend!

Books of Faith Next Study:

The Gospel of Mark Coming in April!

Join the conversation as we open the scriptures and dig deeper into the Gospels. These focused studies allow time to savor and enjoy the stories of Jesus and his disciples more fully.

Each study use a guide for reading a few chapters of the Gospel each week with a devotional focus. The next study will be the Gospel of Mark, beginning in April. To place your order for a $10 study book, email martha@stmarkstn.org by March 9^th.

Weekly study groups include:

Sundays, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. led by Rev. Martha Touchton in Room 504
Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. led by our retired clergy in Room 405
Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. led by Claudia Hunter in Room 503/505

SAGES News

Last week we lost Mary Evans and Joy Rogers who have been active with the Sages Team through the years. We continue to grieve their passing with deep appreciation for their contributions to the Sages ministry and the spirit with which they have participated.

The Sages Valentine Party was a big success. Everyone seemed to have a great time. The food was wonderful, the fellowship meaningful, and the games fun.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, Feb 27 at 1:30. That meeting is in Room 503-505.

Some of the upcoming SAGES activities include a visit to the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville.

Our trip to “Helen’s Restaurant” in McMinnville is March 14. The bus will leave the church at 10:00. After lunch we will visit the Amish store in Morrison, Tennessee. Sign up in the Narthex or the church office. Look for the book!

The next meeting of the Sages’ Ministry Team will be March 10 at 9:30 am.

Please check out all our Wednesday evening programming. And remember, there is a meal at 5:00 PM before the activities.

Preschool Ministry Updates

We are so excited to be back with the children after our unexpected closure. Samantha and I missed our families so much and it was so joyous greeting them this week.

The Preschool has a couple of fun things planned for March. We will kick off the month of March celebrating Dr. Seuss. We will have different dress up days during the week of March 3-7th. If anyone would like to come read to our preschool classes, please call the preschool at 615-895-1803 to set up a time.

Let's make fossil prints together!

When: Saturday, March 8, 9-11:30 a.m.

Where: St. Mark's UMC banquet hall

Amy Wade will lead this art enrichment activity for parents and children to enjoy together. This is a fundraising event with a portion going for supplies: $30 for each print made. Enjoy donuts and coffee, juice, water during dry time. Prints will be collected the next week at the preschool.

Please see the sign up form at the button below for more information.

Learn more and sign up here!

Mission Team Updates

See below for appreciation from some Begin Again Box & Bath in a Box recipients! Begin Again Boxes are made for people who find themselves building their homes again from scratch. First UMC put together some Bath in a Boxes to supplement this ministry. If you would like to contribute or volunteer in this ministry, call the church office at 615-893-3455 or email karen@stmarkstn.org

Flower Dates Available

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.

The next available Sundays are:

March 23 (one or both bouquets)

March 30 (one or both bouquets)

April 20 (one bouquet)

April 27 (one or both bouquets)

Several more 2025 dates are available. Call the church office at 615-893-3455 for more information.

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, February 26

3:30 p.m. Chair Yoga - RM 1203

3:30 p.m. Children's Wildflower Garden Planting Day - Outside near Columbarium

5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Together Dinner - Banquet Hall

6:00 p.m. WNT Classes

6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Library

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

Thursday, February 27

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

10:00 a.m. Quilting Bee - Banquet Hall/Kitchen

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

1:30 p.m. Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group - RM 503/505

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

Friday, February 28

Bible Study - RM 503/505

7:00 p.m. 18-week Big Book Study

Saturday, March 1

7:30 a.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Hall

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

Sunday, March 2

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. Family Lent Event - Banquet Hall/Narthex

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal - Music Room 1117

2:00 p.m. Sewing Class - RM 503/505

4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203

4:15 p.m. SONlight Youth Choir - Choir Room 1119

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - Music Room 1117

5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center/Banquet Hall

Monday, March 3

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

10:00 a.m. Wings of Hope - Banquet Room/Kitchen

4:30 p.m. Cub Scouts - Banquet Hall/Rec Center/Youth Center

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

6:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - RM 1117

Tuesday, March 4

9:30 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505

5:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop #2408 meeting - RM 212

Wednesday, March 5

3:30 p.m. Chair Yoga - RM 1203

5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Together Dinner - Banquet Hall

6:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service - Sanctuary

6:00 p.m. Youth Bible Study - Library

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

Thursday, March 6

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

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

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

Friday, March 7

10:00 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505