Epiphany Sermon Series: Gifts That Keep on Giving

With the commercialized “gift giving season” behind us, let’s focus on some of God’s unexpected gifts that we can enjoy long after the Christmas tree has been hauled away—gifts that reveal themselves in new ways as time goes on. This sermon series is about recognizing the often-surprising gifts that are extended to humanity and are ours to receive if we are bold and loving enough to accept them.

January 4: The Gift of Unexpected Gifts (Matthew 2:1-12)

January 11: The Gift of Committed Community (Matthew 3:13-17)

January 18: The Gift of Unbridled Curiosity (John 1:29-42)

January 25: The Gift of Bold Action (Matthew 4:12-23)

February 1: The Gift of Poetic Challenge (Matthew 5:1-12)

February 8: The Gift of Public Witness (Matthew 5:13-20)

February 15: The Gift of the Unpredictable Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9)

Epiphany Ring Celebration

On January 10th at 4:00 p.m., 6 hand bell choirs will join together in performance to ring in the new year! Featuring players from St. Mark's UMC, Belmont UMC, Forest Hills UMC, 1st UMCM, 1st UMCS, and Trinity UMC, this concert will take place at First United Methodist Church here in Murfreesboro, at 265 W. Thompson Ln.

Food, Fellowship, Faith,

and Fun for All Ages!

WNT returns January 21^st!

Featuring food preparation and service by

THE SWEET ADDICTION catering and

St. Mark’s United Methodist Men.

Next WNT Menu, 1/21:

Poppyseed Chicken over Rice, Glazed Carrots, Biscuits, Salad Bar, and Strawberry Tres Leches Cake

“Hope is being able to see that there is light 

despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu

St. Mark’s United Methodist & True Victory Church

Invite You to Celebrate God’s Hope that Unites Us

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at St. Mark’s UMC

5:00 p.m. “Pay as You Can” Dinner,

6:00 p.m. Worship, Shawn Moses Preaching

Coming in the weeks ahead:

Practicing Hope

How can Christ-followers cultivate hope that is honest about our current conditions, hope that is restorative when everything feels urgent, and hope that is possible even when we transgress?  Through scripture study and group discussion, this study will explore what it means to practice hope in God even when hope seems hard to find.

Wednesdays, January 28 – February 11

Led by Robbie Hooper in Room 405

What’s Special about the Olympics?

As we anticipate the kick-off of the Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb 6^th in Milano, Italy, we’ll welcome our local Special Olympics coordinator to share with us about Rutherford County’s Special Olympics.

Wednesday, January 28

In Room 402/404

SAGES News

The Sages Ministry Team will meet at 9:30 AM on January 12 in Room 503-505.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, January 22 in Room 503-505. If you are caring for someone for who has dementia, or if you just want to learn more about the disease, or to be supportive, you’re invited.

The Sages will be going to Cracker Barrell on Chaffin Place, January 19. Please meet there at 9:00 AM. If you need a ride please call Cindy Flippin. Please sign up in our gathering room or in the office to let us know you are going. Look for the book!

And remember, each Monday SAGES deliver the Sunday altar flowers to our homebound and nursing home residents.

Happy New Year to all from The Sages.

Missions Updates

Disaster - Thank You Note

Paul recently received the thank you note below for disaster work conducted this year in South Carolina:

“Dear Mr. Givens and the whole Disaster Team,

Words cannot express how blessed and grateful we felt when you knocked on our door this year in Newberry, S.C. and offered to clear the many trees that Hurricane Helene had felled. We had been unable to find anyone that was affordable or had time on their calendar to clear all the trees. Your team was wonderful to say the least. St. Mark’s ministry in disaster relief is a shining example to not only other Methodist churches but to the world. My husband, Scott, worked for USAID for many years so we were touched by your international work as well. I also love that you work with Red Bird Mission! I’m originally from Kentucky and have always been familiar with Red Bird Mission. As life-long Methodists, we are heartened to see what a light you are to the world. Enclosed is but a small token of our appreciation. Merry Christmas! 

Sincerely, Susan & Scott Bellows”

Disaster - Red Bird Food Boxes

Members of the St. Mark’s Disaster Team delivered 144 food boxes to Red Bird Mission-Community Outreach on December 15, 2025. 

During 2025, a total of 1,296 boxes were assembled and delivered to Red Bird by St. Mark’s UMC, Cookeville FUMC, and Murfreesboro FUMC. Our thanks to all the volunteers who picked up the food, helped assemble and deliver the boxes, and financially supported the Red Bird food box ministry. If you are interested in volunteering or financially supporting this ministry in 2026, please contact Paul Givens at 615-542-0568.

Disaster Team Annual Breakfast

St. Mark’s Disaster Team at their annual Cracker Barrel Christmas breakfast on 12/17/2025. We were happy to include members of the Cookeville Disaster Team, Chaplain Debbie Church and Brother Jim Clardy at this year’s breakfast!

Disaster Team - Santa Christmas Assistance

After a last-minute call from Santa Claus who needed help distributing some coats and toys that had been collected in Middle Tennessee, members of the St. Mark’s Disaster Team made an additional trip to Red Bird on December 20, 2025. (Click the button below for more pictures.)

Red Bird Christian School Christmas

This year St. Mark’s UMC and friends sponsored 34 children for Christmas. Each child received school supplies, hygiene items, blankets or quilts, clothing and toys.

On December 10, 2025, we delivered the kids’ Christmas bags to Red Bird Pre-School and Christian School and had two Christmas parties for the 34 children who are in pre-school through third grade. 



Thank you to all who sponsored kids financially, helped shop and/or wrap, and who went with us to Red Bird!! (Click the button below for more pictures.) If you are interested in helping with Red Bird kids’ Christmas for 2026, please contact Karen Alexander at 615-477-4244.

Furniture Ministry Family Adopted for Christmas

One of the families from our Furniture Ministry waiting list was adopted this Christmas by the Pathfinders Sunday School Class with additional designated local mission funds. The mom has five children. They received a Christmas tree, furniture, comforters/sheets, sweatsuits, games and a tub of craft items for the family and individual toys/gifts. (Click the button below for more pictures, including the family thank you cards.)



Thanks to all who financially supported this family and helped us deliver everything to the family!!

Year End Stats for Furniture Ministry & Begin Again Ministry

FURNITURE MINISTRY- Our St. Mark’s Furniture Ministry helped 96 individuals/families with furniture in 2025. If you are interested in donating furniture, volunteering for the furniture ministry, or supporting the furniture ministry financially in 2026, please contact Karen Alexander at 615-707-3166.

BEGIN AGAIN MINISTRY- Our St. Mark’s Furniture Ministry also distributed 34 begin again boxes for the kitchen and 18 bath in a box (donated to St. Mark’s by Murfreesboro FUMC) to individuals/families who received furniture. Thanks to all who shopped for the contents and assembled the boxes in 2025!! If you are interested in supporting the begin again ministry in 2026, please contact Sherrie Gilliam at 615-406-2121.