Bring your Bible this Sunday!

St. Mark's Family,

This Sunday (October 18, 2026), we will be presenting Bibles to eight of our young people! This is an exciting time and I am honored to be a part of this memory in the lives of our children.

At one point in the service, the congregation will be asked to hold up your Bibles; therefore, please remember to bring your Bible to church this Sunday. If that slips your mind (life can get busy as you’re heading out the door), no worries, we have pew Bibles. However, I thought you would like to know about what is going on in the lives of our children and support them as they grow in faith and love of God and God’s Word!

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

God bless,

Rick

Our current sermon series:

Pressing On

We will explore our membership vows: prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

October 18: Psalm 99 (A God who Hears) [Prayers]

October 25: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 (Quality not Quantity) [Gifts]

November 8: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 (Choose This Day) [Service]

This series will focus on stewardship with November 1 being All Saints Sunday, and November 15 will be Stewardship Sunday – God bless. Rick

Food, Fellowship, Faith,

and Fun for All Ages!

Featuring food preparation and service by

Chef Bill Bennett & our United Methodist Men.

Next WNT Menu, 10/21:

Bacon-Wrapped Rosemary Pork Loin, with Roasted Red Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Fresh Rolls, Salad Bar, and

Assorted Merengue Pies

Adult Courses and Groups, October 14 - 28

HONORING YOUR LIFE: Obituaries, Funerals, and Body Disposition

led by Rev. Martha Touchton with Josh Brown in Rm 503

Amidst all that occurs leading up to one's death, often the last thing given careful thought and planning is how your life will be remembered and celebrated. We can do better! Join the conversation as we prepare for one of life's ultimate moments and give your family the best gift.

NOT IN MY BACKYARD: Data Centers and Landfills

led by Greg Denton, October 14 and 21 in Room 407/409

Retired environmental scientist Greg Denton will explore the environmental issues associated with two current hot-button topics that have captured the public's attention, data centers and landfills. If you are interested in these topics and would like to learn more, please plan to attend!

FUN AND (CARD) GAMES with David and Hannah in Rm 502

All ages are invited to share, learn, and practice the best family friendly card games around! Bring your competitive spirit and your own games to share, and we’ll bring some new favorites as well. 

COFFEE TALK: Current Events, Music, Culture and Faith!

led by Butler Touchton, October 28 Only in the Narthex

Join Butler Touchton in a lively discussion about what is happening in the larger community around us and how it intersects with our daily discipleship.    

At Wednesday Night Together, we gather beyond the confines of our pews and classes and across generational boundaries to go deeper in our discipleship of Jesus Christ and our relationships with one another, our community, and the world around us.

Table Talk Question: What do you most like to read? 

SAGES News

S enior

A dults

G rowing

E xploring

S erving Christ

People need to know what SAGES stands for. It is a group that meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 9:30 a.m. If you are over 65, you are a Sage! Come to a meeting to help plan an outing, reception or party - all ideas are welcome. All senior adults are encouraged to come check us out. Our next meeting will be November 9th at 9:30 a.m. in RM 503/505.

The SAGES will be going out to eat at Sammy B's Restaurant in Lebanon on Monday, October 26th (senior discount day). SAGES will have a private room and are leaving from St. Mark's at 10:30 a.m. for this Dutch treat! Please sign up in the office or The Gathering Room. Look for the book!

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

Thanks to all the Sages for each and every contribution you make to this ministry.

Preschool Updates

Job Opening:

Preschool Director

Dear St. Mark’s,

With gratitude for the leadership in place during this season of transition with Interim Director Sarah Butler, and in accordance with state childcare licensing policies which require that an Interim Director may only serve for 60 days, St. Mark’s is opening a search process to discern the next permanent Preschool Director who will help us build on our strengths and continue long tradition of providing the highest quality, nurturing care available for young children and their families. We are also exploring ways to expand our program to better serve our neighborhood and community in the future.

Applicants must meet the requirements of the State of Tennessee Licensure Rules for Child Care Agencies. A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field is preferred, along with experience in childcare administration appropriate business acumen, and familiarity with management software.

Application materials and job description for this position are available at https://www.stmarkstn.org/resources. All applications, resumes, and cover letters should be submitted to preschool@stmarkstn.org and jobs@stmarkstn.org by Friday, October 9, 2026.

Please keep St. Mark’s Preschool Ministry Board in your prayers as we move through this important process.

Peace,

Rev. Martha Touchton