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

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

August 13, 2025

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Children's Ministry News

From the Senior Pastor...

Did you know that nearly 60% of moves happen between May and August? That means there's a really good chance that you've got some new families in your neighborhood. And since moving consistently ranks as one of the most stressful life events, those families are probably more than a little overwhelmed.

If you see new people moving into your neighborhood, reach out with a warm welcome. Here are a few simple ways to do that:

Introduce yourself with a smile and a quick hello—sometimes a friendly face is all it takes to feel a little more at home.
Bring over a small gift like cookies, a potted plant, or a handwritten note.
Share local recommendations—your favorite pizza place, the best park for kids, or which grocery store has the shortest lines.
Invite them to a neighborhood gathering or a local event. And don't forget to invite them to worship with us at St. Mark's.
Offer practical help, like watching for a delivery, helping carry a heavy box, or loaning a lawn tool.
Include kids by introducing yours or sharing info about local playgroups or schools.
Follow up—check in a week or two later just to ask how they’re settling in.

A small gesture can go a long way in making someone feel seen, supported, and welcomed into the community. Let's all be good neighbors to our new neighbors this summer.

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

Tommy

New Sermon Series: Final Instructions

Parting words often capture what matters most. In the final chapters of Hebrews, we find a powerful summary of the Christian life—filled with encouragement, warnings, and practical guidance. These verses not only highlight the heart of the book, but also invite us to reflect on how we’re living our faith today. Join us for our new sermon series beginning this Sunday...and invite a friend.

From the Office...

Printed Directories

There are copies in the office ready for pick up for those who reserved a copy of the printed directory. They are free; however, a small donation of $5 from each person would cover the costs involved with printing.

You can still request to join the online directory. Please email directory@stmarkstn.org if you need assistance getting plugged in to the online directory. If there are updates to your contact information, or if you would like to opt in or out of the directory, please send those requests to directory@stmarkstn.org before next year's printing in July 2026.

What's Next?

In the coming months, we will send more information on how to use the online directory to those who opt in.
Email any questions or concerns to directory@stmarkstn.org.

Wednesday, August 27, 6 – 7 pm

CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION

Wednesday Night Together Opening Event

St. Mark’s UMC Gymnasium and Outdoors

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too." - Psalm 24:1a CEB

Celebrate God’s wonderful creation and learn how you and your family can be a part of caring for it in our community and our own backyards through these hands-on experiences. Sponsored by St. Mark’s Stewardship Team.

Project WET Water Tables, Clean Water and more with Heather Bennett
Murfreesboro’s Mount Trashmore with Candida Layne and SOCM
What is a Green Team? with TWK’s Creation Care Team
Painting birdhouses with Becky Waldrop and St. Mark’s Youth
Caring for God’s Critters in our own Backyard with Harmony Wildlife
Cedar Crest Camp’s Environmental Education with Russell Casteel
Prayer Garden Walk with Jan Crossett and Lisa Chappel
Creation Care Scripture Tree with Kathy Edwards and Sherrie Gilliam
St. Mark’s Tree Tour with Dale Slagle
Fall Garden Care and Pollinators with Shelley Briggs
Children’s Nature Scavenger Hunt with Hannah Pratt
Monitoring Backyard Bluebirds with Bob Ingle
Beginning Composting with Beverly Touchton

5:00 p.m. Free Meal – Pulled Pork BBQ, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Salad Bar, Banana Pudding. Reservations are due Sunday, August 24^th.

ADULT FELLOWSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT TOGETHER, FALL 2025

Called to Journey, Called to Welcome: A Biblical Perspective on Immigration - September 9-24
Line Dancing! - September 3-17
Saving Grace: A Guide to Financial Well-Being - October 5-November 12
New Adventures in Baking - September 24
Investment Cooking for Two with Freezer Friendly Recipes - October 1

Get Excited for Wednesday Nights!!! FALL 2025 SCHEDULE HERE

News!

Please register for the St. Mark’s Summer Blood Drive Today!

Did you know that of the 38 million people in the U.S. living with diabetes, around 8.7 million are undiagnosed? The hemoglobin A1C test is commonly used to screen for prediabetes or diabetes, both serious but treatable conditions. In August, the Red Cross will perform free A1C testing on successful donations (do not fast before you donate; one test result per donor in a 12-month period). You can help save lives and empower your health!

Darryl L. Chaney 40th Anniversary Ministry of Music Concert - Sunday, August 17, 2025

Darryl Chaney is the Director of Christ Fellowship Chorale, which sang at St. Mark’s “Unity in Love” Service in January. St. Mark’s is pleased to host this special concert, and everyone is invited!

Summer Stewardship

Summer Time

Summer Fun

SUMMER VACATION

Vacation on the road again. What a feeling!

Relieve the stress for a while and enjoy. Every moment can be a memory.

Please remember St. Mark’s while you are away with your tithes, offerings, and donations. It’s easy with online giving.

Online Giving

College/Young Adults Come Play Volleyball!

All College students and Young Adults are invited to play Volleyball in St. Mark's Gym this Wednesday, August 13, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome!

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!

Summer Office Hours

Beginning in June and continuing through August, the church office will be closed on Fridays. This change, approved by the Staff Parish Relations Committee, is designed to offer our staff greater flexibility during the summer months. When possible, staff may complete their weekly responsibilities earlier in the week and enjoy a longer weekend. Others may choose to work on Fridays in a quieter setting, using the day for planning, study, or preparation without the need to keep regular office hours. As always, a clergy person will be available and responsive (by phone or appointment). The SPRC appreciates your understanding as we take this small step to support the health, focus, and effectiveness of our ministry team.

Save the Date!

If you don’t already have a copy of the 2025-2026 Children’s Ministry Calendar, you can access it here. We hope your family will join us at these upcoming events!

2026 Children's Ministry Calendar

Little Lights and G.L.O.W. Kids Kick-off August 24^th!

Little Lights

This service/fellowship group is for families with children age birth to 2^nd grade. This is a family friendly group! Adults must remain with their child throughout the duration of the event. Invite a friend! Click here for the Fall 2025 schedule.

Little Lights Kick-Off- Pool Party at 1920 Higgins Ln. @ 4-6 p.m. on August 24^th. Pizza will be provided. Please bring a drink or dessert to share.

G.L.O.W. Kids

This service/fellowship group is for children in 3^rd – 5^th grade. Invite a friend! Click here for the Fall 2025 schedule.

G.L.O.W. Kids Kick-Off- Boat Day from 2-6 p.m. on August 24^th. Please meet at the church van by 1:45 p.m. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and a snack to share. Drinks will be provided. Thank you to Noland and Jeanette Noffsinger for hosting us!

SAGES News

SAGES are going to Carrabas, 544 N. Thompson Lane E., Murfreesboro, TN 37129 at 11:30 AM, August 18. Make your own way there or let Cindy Flippin you need a ride. Hope to see you then!

The next meeting of the Sages Ministry Team is Monday, September 8 at 1:30 PM in Room 503-505.

The Alzheimers/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, August 28 in Room 503-505. If you are caring for someone who has dementia, or if you just want to learn more about the disease, or to be supportive, you’re invited.

Please check out all our Wednesday evening programming. The Study of the Book of Luke is now available on Wednesdays at 6 PM., Fridays, (10:00 AM), Sunday, August 3, 9:15.

We look forward to the delivery of Communion to our homebound members in the month of September. That will continue monthly with the support of our Sages.

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

Thank you, Sages!

Missions Updates

HELP BUILD A HOME—AND A FUTURE WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

We’re picking up our hammers again—and we’d love for you to join us!

St. Mark's will be back at work in August and October with Habitat for Humanity at nearby Victory Pointe neighborhood, helping build the home sponsored by our own church community with wall panels our members built in May!

Note: Only one opening remaining for each of these days, so sign up today!

Saturday, August 23 - Installing Insulation
Saturday, October 11 - Installing Door and Bathroom Hardware

8 a.m. - 12 p.m. only each day!

This is a tangible and joyful way to live out our call to serve Christ—building not just a house but hope and stability for a deserving family.

Let's come together as a church family to put our faith into action—one wall, one room, one home at a time.

👉 Sign up here via SignUpGenius!

Let’s come together as a church family to put our faith into action—one wall, one room, one home at a time.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer in another way, contact Meg Van Patten (615-956-9676 or meg.vanpatten@compass.com).

2026 MISSION TRIPS

January 11-16, 2026

or March 8-13, 2026

Disaster 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 ministries around the globe.

The work includes:

Processing and shipping donated supplies such as flood buckets and relief kits
Local home repair projects
Serving in the Women’s Shelter or Food Bank
Tutoring young children

The cost for these TWK Conference trips is $300/person for lodging and meals at the Depot, plus transportation, lodging and meals from the trips there and back, half of which is due September 20^th.

Two St. Mark’s members have registered for the January trip! To join them, a $50 non-refundable deposit must be paid by September 15^th. For more information, click here or contact Rev. Martha Touchton.

Preschool Updates

Welcome Back to Preschool!

Preschool is back in session. What a joy it has been to see all of our children and their families. We still have some openings, so please spread the word. St. Mark's Preschool is a great place to grow, play, and learn! If you have any questions you can call the preschool office at 615-895-1803 or email preschool@stmarkstn.org.

St. Mark's Preschool Brochure

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:

August 31 (one bouquet)

September 7 (one bouquet)

September 14 (one bouquet)

September 28 (one or both bouquets)

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

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, August 13

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

6:00 p.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - Banquet Hall

7:30 p.m. Young Adult Volleyball - Gym

Thursday, August 14

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

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

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

2:30 p.m. Quilting Bee Administrative Meeting - RM 503/505

6:00 p.m. Sorority Meeting - Banquet Hall/Kitchen/Narthex

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

Friday, August 15

Church Office Closed

Office Workroom being cleaned

10:00 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 503/505

3:30 p.m. Visitation for Linda Popplewell - Narthex

Saturday, August 16

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

Sunday, August 17

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 504

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Brave Women of Faith - McAllister's on Medical Center

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

4:00 p.m. Darryl L. Cheney 40th Music Ministry Anniversary Concert - Sanctuary/Banquet Hall

4:00 p.m. Griefshare - RM 405

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

Monday, August 18

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

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

Tuesday, August 19

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 - RM 212

6:00 p.m. St. Mark's Softball Game vs. Bench Mob - Starplex Field #3

Wednesday, August 20

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

6:00 p.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - Banquet Hall

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

Thursday, August 21

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

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

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

Friday, August 22

Church Office Closed

Cleaning the Stairwell Floors

10:00 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 503/505

Saturday, August 23

Habitat Work Day

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

Sunday, August 24

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 504

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Birthday Buddies - Narthex

2:00 p.m. GLOW Kids Lake Day - Van 2018

2:00 p.m. Ministry Council Meeting - Banquet Room A

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

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

4:00 p.m. Little Lights Pool Party - The Beckman's Pool