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

"The Messenger" Online Newsletter

May 6, 2025

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Children's Ministry News

A DAY OF BLESSINGS

We know love by this, that Jesus laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

~ 1 John 3:16-18

Thanks to each person who participated in St. Mark’s Habitat for Humanity Panel Build last Saturday! It was a day full of blessings:

Even on a cold, rainy morning, St. Mark’s members and friends kept their commitments and showed up with smiling faces, willing hearts, and hard-working hands, backs, and feet!
The United Methodist Men opened their breakfast to the Habitat for Humanity crew and had several partake in their hospitality, then brought hot coffee to the worksite for all!
Meg Van Patten, St. Mark’s Habitat volunteer coordinator, brought morning doughnuts!
Students from the MTSU Wesley Foundation covered one of our morning shifts!
The SAGES provided a delicious lunch for more than 50 St. Mark’s and Habitat workers!
Even though the weather did not cooperate as we would have liked, all the exterior walls of Elizabeth’s home were completed!

Because of the rain, we had been loading panels onto trailers as they were completed, rather than waiting until the end of the day. The remaining interior walls were completed Tuesday morning at the Habitat facility on Martin Luther King Blvd. As work continues on Elizabeth’s home, we will have additional opportunities to participate in its construction and completion.

Habitat for Humanity provides individuals and families with a hand UP, not a handout, as homeowners purchase their homes from Habitat and also contribute “sweat equity” throughout the build. Home ownership often brings additional blessings – a neighborhood, increased self-esteem, an opportunity to develop generational wealth, and much more. It is a privilege to partner with Habitat and put God’s love into action, building homes, communities, and hope.

Martha

Easter Sermon Series:

Meeting with the Risen Christ

A recurring theme in the gospel of John is that Jesus is victorious in every circumstance. There are no barriers Jesus cannot bring down, no waters he cannot cross, no valleys too dark for his presence, and no dominion that can thwart his power.

Beginning this Sunday, April 27, we'll join the early disciples as they meet with the risen Christ. They were engulfed in doubt, facing their failures, wandering in the valleys of life, and receiving new instruction on what it means to be a follower of Jesus. What will we learn about ourselves from these meetings with Jesus?

Upcoming Scripture Lessons:

May 11: John 10:22-30

May 18: John 13:31-35

Wednesday Night Together

Food, Fellowship, Faith and Fun for all ages!

As Wednesday Night Together comes to a close, we give thanks for a wonderful season of warm fellowship, delicious meals, focused learning about our faith and our community, special seasonal worship experiences, and fun!

Thanks to all who have supported W.N.T. with their prayers, presences, gifts, service and witness! We especially want to thank all those who give of themselves each week to make W.N.T. a success, including:

- Tammy Brown, WNT Adult Coordinator

- The Sweet Addiction: Cooks Melissa and Stacey and C.E.O. Robin Housch

- The UMMen Kitchen Helpers, Servers, & Dishwashers, President Jeff Henry

- Faithful cashier Debbie Eubanks

- The teachers and leaders of our various children, youth, and adult ministries, classes, and groups

- All of St. Mark’s Clergy and Support Staff

- and most important: YOU! All the children, youth, adults, and families who participate in W.N.T.!

Wednesday Night Together resumes August 27, 2025! If you have ideas or suggestions for the next season for children, youth or adults, or if would like to serve in leadership of an adult series, start a small group, or help Tammy and I as we plan and coordinate the year ahead, please let us know!

The study of the Gospel of Mark begins Wednesday, May 7^th, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Banquet Hall, led by retired clergy. Each week’s focus includes examination of the historical, literary, denominational, and devotional focus. Study books are available for $10 each, available from Rev. Martha Touchton.

From the Office...

Directory Launched!

The online directory is open and available for all of the St. Mark's family who have opted in. You can still request to join!

ShelbyNext is an online secure platform where you can view your contribution statements, access and manage your giving, update your contact information, and access our new online directory!

How do you take advantage of this fantastic tool?

Step 1: Request access to your account!

Email directory@stmarkstn.org to request access to your account. Include your first and last name, birthday, and email.
The following Monday, we will email you with your account username and temporary password.
Note: Every individual must sign up with a unique username. Everyone must be 18 years or older to be included in the directory.

Step 2: Access your ShelbyNext Account!

After you receive your account information, go to https://stmarkstn.shelbynextchms.com, then log in to ShelbyNext using your username and password.

Step 3: Join the Online Directory!

On your profile page, click the 3 dots that appear to the right of your name and select "Profile Visibility" from the list that appears. You may then adjust the visibility settings by clicking on the circle that best suits your preference.
Send an email to directory@stmarkstn.org to opt in to the online directory, giving your first and last name and your email - You must opt in to appear in any version of the directory and to view the directory online.

What's Next?

For additional support, attend Directory Tech Support Sessions Sundays after church on May 11 and 18
In the coming months, we will send more information on how to use the new online directory to those who opt in.
Email any questions or concerns to directory@stmarkstn.org.

Want a Printed Directory?

Call the church office during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm) at 615-893-3455 to request a printed copy of the directory. We will take requests until July 14th, at which point this year's copies will be printed and be made available for pick up during the week of July 28th. There will be a couple of printed directories available to consult in the church office upon request.

You can also come by the church office to check your information and make changes in a copy of the printed directory and approve your appearance in the directory.

News!

Email your Mother's Day pictures to photos@stmarkstn.org by tomorrow morning! Please include the names of those in the picture.

Have my picture!

VBS Registration is OPEN!

Get ready for Road Trip VBS: On the Go with God! Registration is now open, and we’d love for you to join the journey.

Children ages 4 through 5th grade are invited to attend. Younger children of VBS volunteers and kids enrolled in St. Mark’s Preschool’s Summer Fun program are also welcome.

👉 Click here to register your child

👉 Adult and youth volunteers can register here

If you feel led to serve in this ministry area, please email Hannah Pratt at hannah@stmarkstn.org.

Calling all graduates!

On Sunday, May 18^th, we will be recognizing our high school and college graduates. Below are the folks we get to celebrate this year! If you or someone you know is graduating and is not on our list, please let David know so they can be recognized.

Lena McDaniel

Molly Gilliland

Alex Weaver

Olivia Caster

Lila Wiley

Laney Marlatt

Nathan Daniel

Kendall Latta

Kaylin Wiley

Kyle Kigar

Anna Waldecker

Aaron Bruner

Anna Hall

Let David know of any other graduating 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!

Family Fun Fest on June 1^st!

We are excited to partner with Moms Loving Moms to host a community wide Family Fun Fest on Sunday, June 1^st from 3-6 p.m.! There will be bounce houses, characters, face painting, food trucks, music, and so much more. The event is donation-based. All St. Mark’s families and friends are invited to attend.

Important VBS Volunteer Dates!

Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the Banquet Hall - VBS Leader Orientation
Tuesday, May 20th at 6:30 - 8:00 PM in Room 503/505 - Safe Sanctuaries Training for any volunteers working with children, youth or any other vulnerable persons. New volunteers and those whose training has expired are strongly encouraged to attend. Safe Sanctuaries training must be renewed every 5 years.
Sunday, June 8th at 2:00 - 4:00 PM in the Banquet Hall - VBS Orientation for Shepherds

ST. MARK’S UMC

PAPERBACK BOOK DRIVE FOR RUTHERFORD COUNTY’S CORRECTIONAL

WORK CENTER

May 4 – 25, 2025

The Rutherford County Workhouse on South Church Street houses over 200 people who have committed minor offenses and are serving sentences of less than one year. This facility houses men and women who go out into the community every day to perform service work within Rutherford County, from picking up garbage on the side of the road to cleaning the courthouse and other County and State buildings.

Offenders return to the facility in the late afternoon to eat, shower, and have recreational time. With 40-50 people in each unit and only two TVs, it can get very loud! Most prefer to select a book to read from the cart and take it to their bunk for the evening.

For many inmates, the books offered at the Workhouse are the first available to them in their adult lives. For some, this is the first opportunity they have had to select and read a book for pleasure, offering an escape from their environment. Many offenders take GED classes while incarcerated; our "Paperback Book Drive" helps increase overall literacy and brings the enlightenment and broadening of perspective that only literature can provide.

In addition to gently used paperback books for adults, we are also collecting paperback books for young people ages 9 - 17 to be delivered to the RuCo Juvenile Correctional Center.

Please bring your donations to the collection bins in the Narthex. Large boxes of books should be brought to the church office. All donations are due Sunday, May 25^th.

SAGES News

The next meeting of the Sages’ Ministry Team will be Monday, May 12 at 9:30 am in room 503-505.

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group will meet Thursday, May 22, at 1:30 PM. That meeting is in Room 503-505.

Thanks to all the SAGES for the wonderful reception after the Easter Cantata and for providing lunch for the workers at the panel build on May 3.

The SAGES will visit the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville on Wednesday, May 28. Please sign up in the church office or the narthex. Look for the book!!

The SAGES will sponsor a potluck dinner at the church on Friday, June 13.

Please check out all our Wednesday evening programming. Starting this week on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM is the Book of Mark.

And thanks, as well, to Donah Hall for the delivery of the altar flowers to our homebound and nursing home residents.

Thank you, Sages!

Missions Updates

Red Bird Delivery

Safety prayers requested for our St. Mark’s volunteers as they carry 144 food boxes and donated wheelchairs and furniture to Red Bird Community Outreach this Thursday, May 8, 2025! Thank you to those who financially contributed to the food boxes, the Mission Team members who assembled the food boxes, and the other donors !!

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:

May 25 (one bouquet)

June 1 (one bouquet)

June 8 (one or both bouquets)

June 15 (one bouquet)

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

Upcoming Calendar

Wednesday, May 7

11:00 a.m. Preschool Staff Luncheon - Banquet Hall A

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

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

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

Thursday, May 8

Cokesbury Filming preparation - Narthex/Gym/Sanctuary/214/212

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

6:00 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting - RM 405

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

Friday, May 9

Cokesbury Filming preparation - Narthex/Gym/Sanctuary/214/212

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

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

Saturday, May 10

Kids join for VBS Filming - Sanctuary

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

Sunday, May 11

9:15 a.m. Christian Education

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary

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

12:00 p.m. Directory Tech Support Session - Banquet Hall

4:00 p.m. SONlight Youth Choir - RM 1119

5:00 p.m. Chancel Ringers - RM 1117

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

Monday, May 12

9:30 a.m. SAGES Meeting - RM 503/505

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

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

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

Tuesday, May 13

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

10:00 a.m. Mary Martha Circle - Chapel/RM 502

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

5:00 p.m. Girl Scouts - RM 212

6:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting - RM 503/505

7:00 p.m. SPRC Meeting - RM 504

Wednesday, May 14

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

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

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

Thursday, May 15

11:00 a.m. Preschool End of the Year Family Picnic - Narthex/Gym

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

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

5:00 p.m. Delta Kappa Gamma meeting - RM 506

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

7:00 p.m. Donna Shearron Spring Recital - Sanctuary

Friday, May 16