Final Instructions

We’re in the midst of our “Final Instructions” sermon series based on the closing chapters of Hebrews. This letter was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were wavering in their faith, in the hopes that they would hang onto their faith during difficult days. These words can also be encouraging to us today. Join us this Sunday as we focus on Hebrews 12:18-29 and consider a kingdom that cannot be shaken. 

As part of your preparation for the sacrament of Holy Communion,

you are invited to donate to St. Mark's Food Bank every 1^st Sunday.

Collection tubs will be located just outside the Sanctuary.

or bring your donation to the Narthex collection bins.

The next Communion Sunday is September 7th!

Please bring small packages of feminine hygiene products,

small packages of diapers, and travel-size toiletries.

"For I was hungry, and you gave me food..."  Matthew 25:35

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.

5:00 p.m. Free Meal – Pulled Pork BBQ, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Salad Bar, Banana Pudding. 

Reservations Requested!

Wednesday, August 27, 6 – 7 pm

CARING FOR GOD’S

CREATION

St. Mark’s UMC Gym and Outdoor Campus

"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" Landfill 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
• Local Nature Stewardship with Jo VerMulm, M'boro Parks & Rec
• Creation Care Scripture Tree with Kathy Edwards and Sherrie Gilliam
• 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
• St. Mark’s Tree Tour with Dale Slagle

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

• Called to Journey, Called to Welcome: A Biblical Perspective on Immigration - September 3-24
• 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

SAGES News

The SAGES enjoyed a wonderful outing recently to Carrabba’s.

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.

The Annual Adventures in Learning Program is coming up on these dates: September 8,15, 22. AIL in always celebrated in memory of one of our own, Florence L. Williams. Jeff Henry from St. Mark’s is the Chairperson of AIL. Adventures in Learning will be held at First United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro. There are many offering this year including “Seniors- Shape Up”. Reverend Martha Touchton, St. Mark’s Minister of Adult Discipleship and Mission, is offering a course of “End of Life Planning.” Registration blanks can be found in the church office.

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.

Thanks to Wayne and Nancy Bradshaw, who continue to offer worship services at Adams’ Place on Mondays and Saturdays.

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

Thank you, Sages!

Music Ministry

Music Ministry Kick Off Schedule 2025-2026

It is time to resume St. Mark’s Music Ministry for this fall! I hope you are excited to come back to join or re-join the ministry. If you feel music calling, please come!!!

Dr. Clark Performs at MTSU

Dr. Adam Clark will offer a program on Friday, September 12 at 6:00pm in MTSU's Hinton Hall as part of the MTSU Keyboard Artist Series. He will perform Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto in a new arrangement for piano and string quintet. The program will also include Bach's Piano Concerto in D Major. He will be joined by MTSU professors, Bryan Hayslett and Andrea Dawson, along with local artists, Emily Walsh, Katja Yeager, and Tiffany Freeman. Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto is one of the most challenging and celebrated works in the piano repertoire. It is well known for its dazzling virtuosic displays and sweeping lyrical themes. The performance is FREE and open to the public. 

Recognition of Director of Children's Music Ministry Mrs. Kathy Edwards

With mixed emotions, we announce that Mrs. Kathy Edwards, our distinguished Director of Children’s Music, will be retiring on September 28^th after 33 years of serving our church. While we are sad to see Mrs. Kathy go, we honor her contribution to the growth of our children’s music program through her excellence and leadership.

On September 28^th during the Sunday Worship, the children’s choir/SONlight Youth choir will sing one of her favorite songs “I Am A Small Part Of the World”

I Am a Small Part of the World (2-Part), by Sally K. Albrecht & Jay Althouse – Score & Sound - YouTube

If you sang under her direction in past years, please come and join us and sing this beautiful song with our children’s and Youth choirs to honor Mrs. Kathy Edwards’s ministry.

Here are the rehearsal dates and times:

• September 14^th (Sunday)
• 11:30am to Noon
• September 21^st (Sunday)
• 11:30am to Noon
• September 28^th (Sunday)
• Warm up at 8:45am
• Sing at the 10:30am Worship Service

If you see her around, be sure to say Thank You for her Ministry!

Missions Updates

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!

The preschool has been very busy the last couple of weeks. The children have been learning all about their new friends and their new teachers. Some of the fun activities have included the children sharing about their families. We had a class that made a friendship fruit salad on Friday. After talking about what friendship means to them, the children placed their fruit in the bowl while the teacher mixed it and the class enjoyed their fruit salad they made. As you can see, friendship and relationships are very important during these early years. We are so thankful for our children and each of the families they represent and pray God's blessings upon each one.