The newsletter for St. Mark's UMC in Murfreesboro, TN | | "The Messenger" Online Newsletter | |
From the Senior Pastor...
What does faith look like when it’s not dressed up for Sunday morning?
This week in our Story Worth Sharing series, we’ll explore the idea that our everyday actions—how we speak, serve, forgive, and show kindness—are some of the most powerful ways we share our faith. Jesus called us the salt of the earth and the light of the world—not because of what we say, but because of how we live.
In a world full of noise, people are watching to see if faith makes a difference in real life. This sermon will challenge and encourage us to let our everyday lives reflect God’s grace in quiet but powerful ways.
Join us as we learn how even the most ordinary moments can become part of a story worth sharing.
It is a privilege to serve God as one of your clergy.
Tommy
| For more information on the sermon series, click here. | | |
As part of our mutual 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.
This Sunday, August 3rd, please bring Cereal, Fruit Cocktail, Beef Stew or Campbells's chunky soups! Collection tubs located just outside the Sanctuary.
"For I was hungry, and you gave me food..." Matthew 25:35
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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.
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Email any questions or concerns to directory@stmarkstn.org.
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BOOKS OF FAITH
NEW STUDY:
The Gospel of Luke Begins This Week!
The Gospel of Luke offers a detailed account of Jesus’ life, teachings, and ministry. Its unique perspective offers insights into the early Christian community and its understanding of Jesus Christ. Luke’s narrative is particularly significant for its attention to historical detail and inclusivity, emphasizing themes such as compassion, forgiveness, and social justice, and focused on those living in the margins of Jewish society, such as women and the poor.
This study will explore eight key stories of Jesus’ mission, from the joyous accounts of his birth in a manger to the stark images of his crucifixion at Golgotha. Join the conversation as we open the scriptures and dig deeper into the Gospels, reading a few chapters of the Gospel each week with a strong devotional focus.
Weekly study groups include:
Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. led by our retired clergy beginning July 29th
Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. led by Claudia Hunter, beginning August 1st
Sundays, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. led by Rev. Touchton, beginning August 3rd
All groups will complete their studies before the Thanksgiving holidays.
Study books are available for $10 each; email martha@stmarkstn.org for more information, to join an existing group or to reserve a study book.
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Promotion Sunday is this Sunday!
August 3rd from 9:15 - 10:15 AM! Parents and guardians are asked to sign their children in and out at the computer in the children's wing before dropping them off in the gym and picking them up in their classrooms. There will be fun, games, snacks, large group time, and small group time to get to know their peers and new Sunday school teachers!
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Thursday Women's Bible Study
Thursdays, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
7 Sessions beginning August 7th
ALL WOMEN WELCOME!
Led by Patti Daws in Room 1203
Please order your own book!
A Study of Faith and Practice: Ephesians, by Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, and Melissa Kruger.
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Back-to-School Appreciation and Training Luncheon
Teachers in all Age Groups are Invited to a Back-to-School Appreciation and Training Luncheon for all St. Mark's Sunday morning teachers
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 10 in St. Mark's Banquet Hall
11:30 a.m. Lunch and Fellowship in the Banquet Hall
12:15 Break-Out Groups for Age-Levels
Adult Teachers with Rev. Tommy Ward - Rev. Tommy Ward will be introducing a 4-week course designed to help Adult teachers and leaders reach out with grace and compassion to members who've drifted away from church
Children's Teacher Training with Hannah Pratt - RSVP to martha@stmarkstn.org by Monday, August 4th
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Save the Date!
We will celebrate St. Mark's students, teachers, and school staff on Sunday, August 3rd during the 10:30 a.m. worship service as they prepare to begin the 2025-2026 school year. Students - please bring your backpacks for the blessing of the backpacks!
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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!
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Wesley Pickleball Tournament August 16
The Wesley Foundation of MTSU will be hosting their second Pickleball Tournament on August 16, to be held at St. Mark's UMC. There will be two divisions to choose from - "We are here for the fun of it" and "We're a little more competitive". The cost per team is $50 and you can register your team on the Wesley website at www.wesleyfoundationmt.org. Along with a fun day of pickleball, there will also be snacks, drinks and brisket sandwiches available for purchase. Even if you don't play, you can come and have lunch and watch for yourself!
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New to St. Mark's?
Coffee with the Clergy is Sunday, August 3, 9:15 - 10:00 a.m. in the Banquet Hall.
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St. Mark's Co-ed Softball
Join us to play co-ed softball with St. Mark’s! We will have a team in the Murfreesboro co-ed rec league playing on Tuesday nights beginning on August 12th . If you are 16 or above and would be interested in playing, please scan the QR code or talk to David!
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Children's Ministry Parent Orientation is this Sunday!
All parents and guardians of children age birth to 5th grade are invited to attend our children's ministry orientation this Sunday! It will be located in the Banquet Hall from 9:15 - 10:15 A.M.
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Free Back to School Haircuts for Grades K-12
All children and youth are welcome at this event, co-sponsored by St. Mark's via our July Communion Rail Offering and True Victory Outreach Church.
Two locations:
Stars Barbershop (629-201-5081) at 2445 Memorial Blvd.
and Blue Raider Barbership
(615-900-3241) at 1403 Greenland Ave., both in Murfreesboro.
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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.
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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.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, August 27th
5:00 p.m. Free Meal by The Sweet Addiction
6:00 p.m. "Caring for God's Creation"
A Hands-On Exploration Fair for All Ages!
Join us in the gym and outdoors (weather permitting) as we celebrate God’s Creation and learn how to better care for it through multiple experiences for all ages! Topics include our Biblical mandate, birds, clean water, pollinators, fall garden care, bird house painting, a prayer walk around St. Mark’s, Murfreesboro’s Mt. Trashmore, a nature scavenger hunt, and much more!
"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too." Psalm 24:1a CEB
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St. Mark's Summer Blood Drive...Help Save a Life!
On 8/27/25, St. Mark’s UMC is excited for the opportunity to live out our faith through action by helping to save lives. We are partnering again with the American Red Cross to hold our second blood drive of 2025, and we need your help to make it a success. St. Mark’s has a long history of actively working with the American Red Cross previously hosting 40 events collecting over 838 units of blood!
Whether you support our drive by donating blood or just help spread the word about our drive through social media, you help save lives! Reserve your spot today and help save a life on Wednesday, 8/27, from 2:00-6:00PM. Simply scan the QRC or call log onto www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: StMarksMboro
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Grief Support Group Beginning This Sunday!
The first six months of 2025 brought an unprecedented number of deaths in and close to our congregation. Almost everyone knows someone going through grief: it might be a friend or a family member, a neighbor, or a coworker. You are encouraged to invite them to GriefShare.
GriefShare is a special weekly seminar designed to help persons rebuild their lives after losing a loved one. St. Mark’s group is led by Cyndy Stone Allen and Paul Givens, two deeply caring individuals who have experienced grief and want to help others through the difficult days ahead. You can learn more about GriefShare here.
GriefShare meetings are on Sundays, 4:00 – 6:00 pm for 13 Sessions beginning August 10th. A brief orientation meeting will be held Sunday, August 3rd, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., and books will be distributed at that time.
All meetings will be held at St. Mark’s in room 405. Limit 10 participants, open to the public. A materials fee of $20.00 is payable to St. Mark’s UMC by Sunday, August 3rd; assistance is available, please speak to Rev. Touchton if needed.
To register or for more information, visit here or email martha@stmarkstn.org
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SAGES are going to Carrabas at 11:30 AM, August 18. Make your own way there. Hope to see you then!
The next meeting of the Sages Ministry Team is Monday, August 11 at 9:30 AM in Room 503-505.
The Alzheimers/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, August 28 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.
Please check out all our Wednesday evening programming. The Study of the Book of Luke will be available Wednesday, July 30 (6 PM), Friday, August 1 (10:00 AM), .Sunday, August 3, 9:15.
And remember, each Monday SAGES deliver the Sunday altar flowers to our homebound and nursing home residents.
Thank you, Sages!
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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!
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- 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).
| | Welcome Back to Preschool Families! | |
As we prepare for a joyful season of learning, laughter, and growing together, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this ministry. Our preschool team came together July 28th and 29th for our in-service days and we will have two orientation times on July 30th. The children will have an opportunity to meet their teachers and see their classroom while parents meet with administration for orientation. The teachers have been working very hard preparing their classrooms for the children. The hallways have been so quiet and we cannot wait to hear life and laughter in our hallways again. We are still accepting enrollment applications for all ages! Please spread the word to help us fill our open spots! If you have any questions you can call the preschool office at 615-895-1803 or email preschool@stmarkstn.org.
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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 17 (one bouquet)
August 24 (one or both bouquets)
August 31 (one bouquet)
September 7 (one bouquet)
Several more 2025 dates are available. Call the church office at 615-893-3455 for more information.
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Upcoming Calendar
Wednesday, July 30
Church Staff Boat Day - thanks to Alan and Beth Morris!
8:00 a.m. Preschool Parent Orientation Session - Preschool
3:30 p.m. Chair Yoga - RM 1203
5:00 p.m. Preschool Parent Orientation Session - Preschool
6:00 p.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - Banquet Hall
Thursday, July 31
10:30 a.m. Knitting - RM 503/505
6:30 p.m. ACOA Meeting - RM 503/505
Friday, August 1
Church Office Closed
10:00 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 503/505
Saturday, August 2
7:30 a.m. UMM Meeting & Breakfast - Banquet Room
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
Sunday, August 3
Promotion Sunday
9:15 a.m. Christian Education
9:15 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 504
10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting - Banquet Room A
4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203
4:00 p.m. Griefshare Orientation - RM 405
5:00 p.m. Youth End of Summer School's a Bummer Party - The Beckman's Pool
Monday, August 4
10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room
10:00 a.m. Wings of Hope - Banquet Room/Kitchen
5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505
Tuesday, August 5
9:30 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506
10:00 a.m. Reeves Rogers Teacher Luncheon - Banquet Hall/Kitchen
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505
5:00 p.m. Girl Scout Troop #2408 - RM 212
Wednesday, August 6
9:00 a.m. Optimistic Garden Club - Kitchen/Banquet Halls/Narthex
3:30 p.m. Chair Yoga - RM 1203
6:00 p.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - Banquet Hall
Thursday, August 7
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 8
Church Office Closed
10:00 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 503/505
Saturday, August 9
8:30 a.m. AA Group - RM 503/505
9:00 a.m. District United Women in Faith Mission Study - Banquet Hall/Kitchen
Sunday, August 10
9:15 a.m. Christian Education
9:15 a.m. The Books of Faith: Luke - RM 504
10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
11:45 a.m. Adult Teacher Appreciation Luncheon - Banquet Hall
4:00 p.m. Bible Study - RM 1203
4:00 p.m. GriefShare: Is This Normal? - RM 405
5:00 p.m. Youth - Rec Center/Youth Center/Banquet Hall
Monday, August 11
9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 503/505
10:00 a.m. Watercolor Class - Banquet Room B
5:30 p.m. Big Book Group - RM 503/505
Tuesday, August 12
9:30 a.m. Note Writers - RM 506
10:00 a.m. Mary Martha Circle - RM 502
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting - RM 503/505
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