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

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

October 23, 2024

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This Sunday, we will conclude our "Upside Down Kingdom" series by looking at the healing of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52. Once again, Jesus challenges the world's assumptions, this time about who is important, whose voices matter, and how blessings are received and used.

Don't forget that we also welcome Dr. Diana Sanchez-Bushong during the Christian Education hour as she leads us in a plenary on the Book of Psalms. This plenary begins at 9:15am in the sanctuary. Please consider downloading the KAHOOT app if you plan to attend.

The following Sunday (Nov 3) is All Saints Sunday and we will name and remember those from our church family who have joined the Church Triumphant since All Saints Day 2023.

Keep reading below for information about October birthday celebrations, our annual Fall Festival, a new sermon series, upcoming WNT programming, and so much more.

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

Tommy

Sermon Series: The Upside-Down Kingdom

This Sunday, we'll finish the series, "The Upside-Down Kingdom," using the lectionary readings from the tenth chapter of Mark's gospel. This collection of Jesus' teaching focuses on the nature of true discipleship, which is often contrary to the perspectives and priorities of the world. Each of our texts will reveal a different way that God inverts the culture at large and calls us to live a life "upside down."

Join us as we learn how to live right side up in an upside-down world.

The Upside-Down Kingdom Series Scriptures:

October 27: Mark 10:46-52

New Sermon Series Begins November 3

In the United Methodist Church, each of us makes a powerful promise when we become members: to support the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. These vows are not mere words, but a commitment to live out our faith in practical and meaningful ways.

Beginning Sunday, November 3rd, we’ll explore what it means to "Keep the Promise." Over four weeks, we’ll reflect on how each aspect of our vow strengthens both our personal faith and the church as a whole.

Join us for this series as we renew our commitment to live out our vows, deepening our relationship with God and each other as we continue to build up the body of Christ.

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.

Sunday, November 3^rdis the next Communion Sunday!

Please bring boxes of Macaroni-n-Cheese

Or plastic jars of grape jelly.

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

Matthew 25:35

Wednesday Night

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.

Menu, 10/23:

Beef Enchilada Casserole, Mexican Rice, Whole Kernel Corn, Mexican Cornbread, Salad Bar, and Tres Leches Cake

October 23 Adult Classes and Groups,

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.:

FROM ACORNS TO OAKS... AND BEYOND!

THE STORY OF A CHURCH

Come travel through the most recent history of St. Mark’s UMC guided by long-term member Tim Tackett. Room 407/409.

LIVING IN CHRIST: LESSONS FROM PHILIPPIANS

This four-session study will focus on how believers can live out their faith in practical ways, drawing lessons directly from Paul's letter. Bring your Bible and a friend! Led by Rev. Tommy Ward in Room 402/404.

THE GRAND SWEEP: A group discussion of the week’s scriptures in the Banquet Hall. Week #39 led by Rev. Dr. Fred Hembree, Week #40 led by Rev. Dr. Lenoir Culbertson

Coming Up this Fall at WNT:

Romans 8 – 16 with Josh Brown

Sewing 101 with Trish Clark

Jail Ministry Christmas Card Project

Triumph over Trauma with Rev. Nancy Neeley Hicks

Chair Volleyball with Pam Sites

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, November 26th

St. Mark's Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner and Worship

News!

THE WISDOM OF THE PSALMS

ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION EVENT

Sunday, October 27th, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. with Diana Sanchez – Bushong

Mrs. Sanchez-Bushong will lead us in an overview and wrap-up of the Psalms. All adults and adult classes are invited and encouraged to attend this informative and interactive presentation in the Sanctuary. For more information about Diana, click here: Grand Sweep Plenary Invitation #4.

Bring your charged cellphone and be ready to respond with the KAHOOT app!

Psalms Plenary Session Details

About Diana

October Birthday Buddies Celebration is this Sunday!

Everyone is invited to celebrate October birthdays on October 27^th in the Narthex! Cake will be provided. We will also celebrate David Cowan, St. Mark’s new Director of Students and Recreation Ministries! Please plan to stop by following worship.

The Non-Profit Green Interchange will be setting up a pickup location for their tree sale program in the northeast corner of the St. Mark's parking lot on November 7 from 4:30-6pm. They plant trees around roadways and waterways. If you would like to participate in their sale, feel free to fill out their order form.

Fill out the form to order a tree, if you like!

Fall Festival Update!

St. Mark’s Fall Festival will be on Saturday, November 2^nd from 4-6 p.m.! All ages are invited to attend. Bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors, and friends! A meal will be provided. Donations will be accepted to help cover the cost of the meal. Please call the church office to RSVP by Monday, October 28^th!

Thank you to the adult Christian Education classes and ministry groups who signed up to host a carnival game!

Fall Festival Donations

St. Mark’s Family Ministries is collecting the following items for the upcoming Fall Festival:

· Candy

· Yum Earth Allergy Free Candy

· Prizes for children

· Monetary donations to help cover the cost of dinner for visitors

Please place all donations in the blue bins located in the Narthex. Thank you for supporting this community event!

All Saints Day

St. Mark's will observe All Saints Sunday on November 3, 2024. On that day, we will name and remember those from our church family who have joined the Church Triumphant since All Saints Sunday 2023.

Remembering those we love is an expression of our love for God and our commitment to further the ministry of the church they loved. If you would like to make a special contribution in memory of any of our recently departed saints, please use the pew envelopes and indicate your gift in memory of the person(s) named.

We invite you to check the list below and let us know if someone in our church family has died since November 3, 2023 and is not listed:

Kenny Luse (11/3/23)

Marilyn Tanner (11/17/23)

Martha Alexander (12/14/23)

Arthur Ford (12/26/23)

Angie Smith (1/16/24)

Larry Ward (2/10/24)

Valera Jones (3/6/24)

Donna Mills (3/14/24)

Chad Reed (5/31/24)

Jack Jolly (6/14/24)

Ken Turner (8/18/24)

Neal Goodwin (9/12/24)

Dan Scott (9/16/24)

Bruce Scoffield (9/25/24)

Norma Ellis (10/7/24)

Honoring Your Loved One with a Memorial Gift

for All Saints Day

This All Saints Day, we invite you to celebrate the lives of those you love who have passed by offering a remembrance gift to the St. Mark’s Memorial Fund. All Saints Day is a sacred time when we reflect on the faith, love, and legacy of the saints among us – our family members, friends, and community members who have gone before.

Your memorial gift will not only honor the memory of your loved one but also support the ongoing missions and ministries of St. Mark’s. It’s a way to give thanks for their life while contributing to the life of the church that meant so much to them. More details to follow in an email soon.

Adult Ministry

Adult Ministries Welcomes the Fall!

• The Wisdom of the Psalms Adult Christian Education Event this Sunday!

• Wednesday Night Together Fall Classes and Groups

• College Ministry Available with Sunday Breakfast

• Family Fun at the MTSU Floyd Arena

Click here for details.

Student Ministry

St. Mark's Student Ministry has a new Youth Director! Learn about him and Fall Retreat within!

Click here for details.

Children's Ministry

Click here for more information about Children's Sunday School, Fall Festival, and upcoming GLOW Kids/Little Lights' Events!

Click here for details.

SAGES News

The next meeting of the Sages Ministry Team will be Monday, November 11, at 9:30 AM in Room 503-505.

The Sages will be painting pumpkins on Wednesday, October 23. Thanks to Patti and Bill Brison for their invitation to lunch and this pumpkin activity. The bus will leave the church at 10:00 AM. Please sign up in the church office or Narthex. Look for the Sages Book.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, October 24, 1:30 PM in Room 503-505. Anyone caring for those with dementia is invited as well as others who want to be supportive and learn more about the disease. Everyone is invited.

We continue to hear from so many who appreciate the ministry of our Sages who re-purpose the flowers from Sunday worship and make visits to share them with our members and others who are homebound, in the hospitals, or in care facilities.

The next Sages’ excursion includes a trip to The Top Of The Rock in Jasper, Tennessee. The bus will leave at 10 AM from the church on Monday, October 28. Lunch is Dutch Treat at The Top Of The Rock at 11:30. $5.00 is requested for the bus fuel. Please sign up in either the Narthex or the church office. Look for the Sages’ Book.

A trip is also planned for the Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro and lunch at The Chop House. To make reservations, please register anytime in the office or the Narthex. Look for the Sages book of activities and you will find all the activities catalogued.

This year each week/month we are again offering worship experiences at five different SAGES Assisted Living and Memory Care Centers.

Please join us for an outing. We believe you will enjoy it.

Preschool Updates

New Preschool Teachers

Please join us in welcoming new staff members to our preschool. Ms. Megan Jones (MWF) and Ms. Essence Tucker (TTh) join our 2’s teaching team. Ms. Megan has previous teaching experience at Lascassas and Belle Aire Baptist preschools and her own son attends here MWF, as well. Ms. Essence, who is a recent MTSU graduate with a degree in Communication Disorders, is currently completing graduate studies to pursue a career in ABA therapy and formerly worked with the YMCA Fun Company. Ms. Robin Bryan, who has worked with the Rutherford County school system administratively and as support with SPED joins our support staff until enrollment grows to support an additional 3’s class Tuesdays and Thursdays. They all bring experience and passion for working with children of diverse abilities. We look forward to the growth of our team in skills and compassion for fostering an inclusive environment.

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:

December 15 (one bouquet)

December 29 (one or both bouquets)

January 5 (one or both bouquets)

January 12 (one or both bouquets)

No other 2024 dates are available, but there are many 2025 dates. Call 615-893-3455 for more information.

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, October 23

9:00 p.m. SAGES trip to Brison's Farm - 2018 Van

5:00 p.m. Sanctuary Ringers - Sanctuary

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

6:00 p.m. WNT Faith Forward: Philippians - RM 402/404

6:00 p.m. WNT Culture Connect: The Story of St. Mark's - RM 407/409

6:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #1 - Banquet Hall

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

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

Thursday, October 24

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

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

Preschool Ministry Board Meeting - RM 405

Friday, October 25

Halloween Fun - Preschool

10:00 a.m. Grand Sweep #2 - RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

Saturday, October 26

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

Sunday, October 27

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

9:15 a.m. Adult Christian Education Event: The Books of Wisdom, Diana Sanchez-Bushong - Sanctuary

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Birthday Buddies - Narthex

11:30 a.m. Children's Choir rehearsal - Sanctuary Front Row

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

4:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #4 - RM 504

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

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

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

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

Monday, October 28

8:00 a.m. Top of the Rock SAGES Event - RM 503/505

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

4:00 p.m. Scouts Halloween Trunk or Treat - Field

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 - Music Room 1117

Tuesday, October 29

10:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

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

Wednesday, October 30

Halloween Fun - Preschool

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

6:00 p.m. WNT Faith Forward: Philippians - RM 402/404

6:00 p.m. WNT Culture Connect: The Story of St. Mark's - RM 407/409

6:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #1 - Banquet Hall

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

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

Thursday, October 31

Halloween Fun - Preschool

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, November 1

10:00 a.m. Grand Sweep #2 - RM 503/505

11:00 a.m. Bible Study - RM 503/505

Saturday, November 2

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

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

4:00 p.m. St. Mark's Fall Festival - Preschool Circle/Gym/Kitchen/Banquet Hall/Narthex

Sunday, November 3

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

11:30 a.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary Front Pew

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

4:00 p.m. Grand Sweep #4 - RM 504

4:00 p.m. GriefShare - RM 405

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

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

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

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

Monday, November 4

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

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

Tuesday, November 5

Election Day - Preschool Closed

6:00 a.m. Youth Outing to Top Golf Nashville - 2018 Van

10:00 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506

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

St. Mark's UMC | 615-893-3455 | www.stmarkstn.org