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Over 3,000 years ago God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments. What do they mean to us in the 21st century? ~ Pastor Alex

What is World Communion Sunday?

World Communion Sunday is one of six churchwide Special Sundays designated to support ministries and causes important to the entire United Methodist Church. On this Sunday, United Methodists join Christians around the world in celebrating Holy Communion, remembering that we are one in Christ, no matter our background, language, or culture.

The special team tasked with discussing ways to collect data and structure conversations about how we may want to change our Sunday Morning Worship Services/Schedule has made a survey to get YOUR INPUT! Please take a few minutes to carefully fill out this anonymous survey. (You have the option to include your name, but it or your email are NOT required). We are seeking every Saint Mark disciple to fill out this survey so we can get a snap shot of what the collective thoughts/ideas of the congregation are. You can find the paper copies of the survey in the Narthex, Atrium and Church Office. Please return print surveys to the office or Sally Boggs. To complete the survey digitally

click here: https://forms.gle/RuhwmP65FNYhbbky5  

or scan the QR code.

CONGRATULATIONS, ALLYSS!

Dr. Allyss Haecker has been named SDOC District Teacher of the Year! We at Saint Mark know how fortunate we are to have her as our Chancel Choir Director. Imagine how fortunate are the students whose lives she touches throughout the school year!

The following is an excerpt from Seneca Senior High School's Facebook page:

We are thrilled to announce Dr. Allyss Haecker as the 2026 SDOC Teacher of the Year. Dr. Haecker is the best there is, and now we are so excited for her to have the opportunity to compete amongst the best in SC.

The work that Dr. Haecker does with our chorus program is phenomenal, as anyone who has seen our students perform well knows. She works tirelessly with our students, pushing them to be their best in the arts, and in life. Congratulations to Dr. Haecker. This award is so deserved. We are so proud of you, and so fortunate you’re one of us.

SAINT MARK YOUTH SING

AT ALL-COUNTY CHORUS CONCERT

Congratulations to Saint Mark Youth members Owen Campbell,

Thomas Evatt, Sophia Keese, Hayleigh Schulz, and Rosalind Spoelstra, who sang in the School District of Oconee County All-County Choral Concert on Tuesday evening, September 29 at Seneca Baptist Church. (Brooke Wylie, also a member of the chorus, is the granddaughter of Scott and Beverly Wylie

and implementer of the Blessing Box at Saint Mark).

The prestigious all-county chorus is comprised of high school and middle school choral students from across Oconee County, with Seneca High School representing 48 of the 84 singers chosen after solo auditions. We're proud of our talented youth!

• Golden Corner Food Pantry
• Ann Hope UMC Feeding Ministry
• Collins Children's Home
• The Dignity Project

The Wilderness Way Girls Camp Thrift Store is seeking a volunteer at the Seneca location to work in the book section. The volunteer can set their own hours and number of days to work. The staff is fun and there is lots to do! Contact Billy Boggs 864-723-7667.

THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF EPWORTH

Our 2026 Epworth Workday Offering totaled $2595. Thank you for your generous support of The Epworth Children's Home! Additional donations may be mailed to Epworth Children's Home, PO Box 50466, Columbia, SC 29250.

PECAN SALES FOR MISSIONS:

The United Women in Faith are selling extra large Georgia pecan halves. Each one-pound bag is $15. These will also be sold at the Mission Faire in December, but we are having advanced sales to give a head start to holiday baking!

Pre-orders will be taken via email by Ilene Lund (click on the blue link) now until October 20. Pick up will be on Sunday, November 1 and Sunday, November 8 in the atrium after the Celebrate! service and in the narthex before and after traditional service.

We prefer cash or check, but credit cards will also be accepted.

CHRISTMAS FAIR UPSCALE RESALE!

It's that time of year again ... time to start thinking about our Christmas Fair for Missions! And a very important and popular part of our Fair is always the Upscale Resale shop. Please start collecting treasures you are willing to donate and set them aside. You can begin bringing your donations to Room 208 on October 1 and can continue to donate until December 1. 

We do not accept clothes, books or DVDs. Our best sellers are always the Christmas-related items -- anything Christmas is always the first to go. We also love to get jewelry and novelty items. We don't accept any computer or other electronic items. We also won't accept anything that is not brought upstairs to Room 208. 

Anything that does not sell will be donated to the Wilderness Way Girls Camp Thrift Store. In advance, thank you for your generosity and for helping us raise money for worthy mission projects in our community.  If you have questions, please reach out to Nancy Evatt or

Mary Jane Duggins.  

What Does Stewardship Mean to You?

As part of our “It Takes All of Us” Stewardship Campaign, we would like to hear from you!

We invite members of our church family to share a brief personal reflection about what stewardship means to you. 

Your reflection does not need to be long or polished—just sincere and from the heart. The Stewardship Committee will be happy to edit submissions for length and clarity before they are shared in our newsletters or bulletins.

Send your story to mitchcrisp@outlook.com

It Takes All of Us — Different People.

Different Gifts. One Mission.

Church Finances through the Month of August 2026

Expected Contributions to Date $ 651,341.54 

Received Contributions to Date $ 636,731.65 

Expenses Paid to Date $ 626,182.48

Uplifting Campaign Status through the Month of

August 2026



Amount Pledged through 5/31/28 $ 364,702.00 

Outstanding Amount to Date $ 146,012.81

A detailed Analysis of Revenues & Expenses is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.



Planned gifts allow us to do tomorrow what we cannot afford to do today.

CLICK HERE to email Pastor Alex with your prayer concerns.

SERMON SERIES ON EXODUS

The Exodus was a formative event in Israel’s history and an important part of our faith story. God redeemed Israel out of slavery in Egypt and led them to the Promised Land.

On August 23 we began a sermon series on the Exodus. We will be continuing this series into mid-October. The remaining dates of these sermons are below:

October 4: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 “Exodus:Commandments”    

October 11: Exodus 33:12-23 “Exodus: God”

Come share your talent at the annual Recharge! Talent

Show or simply enjoy dinner and observe the show.

The menu will include baked ziti with meat sauce, baked

chicken Alfredo, garden salad, steamed broccoli, dinner

rolls, and dessert.

RSVP to Donna Jaynes by noon Tuesday, October 13 for dinner; to perform in the show, email Rodger Chapman (or phone 404-578-0611). It's a guaranteed good time!

BE A PART OF LESSONS & CAROLS

The Music Ministry invites all those who enjoying singing to

join the Chancel Choir for this year's Christmas concert of

Lessons & Carols, which will be held Sunday, December 13

at 4 pm in the sanctuary. Practices for this special event will

begin Wednesday, October 14 at 6:30 pm in the music

suite. We will meet each Wednesday at 6:30 for 45 minutes.

Please contact Allyss Haecker if you are interested or have

questions.

SAVE THE DATE:

GREENVILLE HISTORY TOURS

A Berries Event

Join the Berries on Tuesday, October 27 for a guided tour of Greenville. There is a morning walking tour of Falls Park and/or a bus tour of historic neighborhoods and architecture in the afternoon. Sign up for one or both. We will have a group lunch between tours.

Details coming soon! Contact DiAnne or Mitch Crisp with questions.

All Saints' Sunday, celebrated the first Sunday of November every year, is a time to honor the memory of loved ones in the faith who have passed before us. This year we will mark the occasion with displays of red roses for our worship. You are invited to remember your loved ones by reserving and naming roses for the displays. Roses must be ordered by Sunday, October 18. Please fill out the insert provided in the church bulletin to place an order.

TRUNK CONTEST!

CANDY & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Our largest community outreach event is coming!

Fall Festival is Wednesday Oct 28 at 5:30pm. Saint Mark Family Ministry, in partnership with the CDC, hosts this amazing event and regularly sees hundreds of people come through our trunk or treat lines and enjoy a hotdog dinner and family friendly fun. You can do your part to support and participate by signing up to host a trunk, donate candy or small toys, serve food, greet and direct traffic, set up or clean up. This year there will be prizes for the best

trunk decorations, so work with family, friends, or a

church committee to try and win!

For all other details about the event and how to be involved, please contact Julie.

FAMILY MINISTRY BULLETIN

CLICK HERE to see what's happening with children and youth!

A New Musical

Special Workshop Presentation 

October 9–10, 2026 at Centre Stage Theater in Greenville

La Zafra (The Harvest) is a powerful new musical by playwright Mario Suarez that explores family, sacrifice, identity, and the enduring hope that drives generations of immigrants to pursue the American dream. Rooted in the experiences of Mexican immigrants in the American South, this moving story invites audiences into a deeply human journey of resilience, belonging, and love.

This special workshop presentation marks an exciting new chapter in the musical’s development, featuring a newly revised script and brand-new arrangements and orchestrations by Greenville-based Cuban-American composer-arranger Iliana Rose. Performed by a professional cast in a semi-staged format, the workshop offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience a new work as it continues to grow and evolve.

Following each performance, audiences are invited to stay for a facilitated community talkback with members of the creative team. These conversations offer a chance to explore the themes of the musical, learn more about its development, and share feedback that will help shape the future of La Zafra.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Jolley Foundation, whose investment is helping advance the creation of this new American musical.

Tickets are $10 General Admission. CLICK HERE for ticket information.

Click on www.swu.edu/refresh for details and to register.

• October Birthdays
• Pickle Ball Mondays
• Church Directory on Your Mobile Device
• Need a Replacement Name Tag?
• Blessing Box

FLOWERS NEEDED

We have several vacancies on the sanctuary flower calendar for October through the remainder of the year. Please consider donating flowers to beautify the sanctuary during worship service. And remember, our Caring Ministry will share those flowers afterwards with disciples who are homebound or in medical facilities. Please contact Sarah Boylston with any questions.