Update for the week of November 12 - 18, 2015
In This Issue
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Saint Mark UMC
616 Quincy Road
Seneca, SC  29678
(864) 882-2603
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 Click here to see what is going on at Saint Mark this week and the weeks to come.
Nov 15, 2015

Silent Auction for Missions

(click the passage
to read the text)  
 
Scripture Lesson:
Mark 6:31-44
  
"Compassionate Stewardship" 
 
Rev. Jeff Childress   
8:45 am 
Traditional Service

9:00 am
Children's Chapel

9:15 am
Celebration Service

9:30 am
Children's Chapel

9:45 am
Coffee & Conversation

10:00 am
Leaders Coffee

10:15 am
Sunday School

11:15 am
Traditional Service 

4:00 pm
Interfaith/cultural Covered Dish Meal

4:30 pm
Wings 'n Things


5:00 pm
Financial Peace - Commons Room

6:00 pm
In His Eyes


Click here to view the information in our Saint Mark 2015 Ministry Guidebook. Information will include our mission statement, helpful flow charts, 2015 planning calendar. Administrative Committees and Ministry Teams with contact information, a summary sheet describing all teams and committees, and the 2015 Annual Budget.  

Quick, easy and available HERE 
Listen to Last Week's Sermon Today

If you were not able to attend worship on any given Sunday, you can still listen to the sermon.  Click here to select and listen to sermons that you may have missed.
Got News for Next Week's Heart Beat?
Click here to send your Heart Beat post to us by no later than 12:00 noon next Wednesday.  On the subject line, please type in "Heart Beat" so that we can easily find your article among the other emails.
Got News for the new monthly 
Heart Line newsletter?
Click here to send your  Heart Line 
article to Sande no later than 12:00 noon Thursday, December 10 for the January edition.  Please note the early deadline! 
Got Good News To Share With Your Saint Mark Family?  
Good news lifts our spirits. Share your good news with us. We will publish your good news in our "People 'Neath Our Steeple" feature. Your news will be sent out as an email. Click here to share your good news (births, achievements, awards, etc.). Include pictures if you have them. 
Got Pictures? 
 
We are creating an archive of pictures taken at Saint Mark events and activities. If you have taken pictures and want to share them, please click here and send them to us.
Interested in LGBT Inclusion?

Click here for more information. 
Prayer Focus for This Week 

Pray for all of the veterans of our armed forces. For all men and women who have served our country in both peace and in war. For those who suffer from the effects of war - injuries, amputations, PTSD, grief, etc.   

Submit Your Prayer R
equests
Saint Mark is pleased to receive your prayer requests . . . for yourself or for friends or loved ones.  Click here to submit your request.
THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARK . . .

 Memorial Service
Van Fair
Saturday, November 14
3:00 pm
Sanctuary

The family requests that you wear orange and/or purple to celebrate Van's passion for Clemson University.

 Extravagant Generosity Sermon Series: Part 2 
THIS Sunday, November 15 
all three services 
 
Message 
Compassionate Stewardship  
(from the gospel story of Jesus feeding the 5000 with the 5 loaves and 2 fish) 
Bringing the message
Rev. Jeff Childress

Wings for the Lord Presents
"For Unto Y'all" 
A Christmas Dinner Theater Fundraiser
come and enjoy this comical  
and meaningful musical
Sunday, December 6 at 5 pm Saint Mark Center  

Tickets are now on sale  
  through November 29!   
Adults/$8 and Children/$5

Menu: Cowboy Chili

Purchase your tickets in the Narthex and Atrium
after the worship services.
Click here to contact Donna Poston
for more information.

 
Table Talk
Sunday Morning Discussion Group
Sundays at 10:15 am
Bess' Table Room (B212) in the Music Wing
 
"Seeing Gray in a World of  
Black and White"
by Adam Hamilton
 
"Some things are black and white, but so many things require a willingness to recognize the complexity and nuances in between. There have to be people of faith who look at the questions and the complex issues from this perspective."

November 15
What Would Jesus Say to America?

The auction is almost here-- we start accepting bids on Sunday morning! Many people look upon these silent auctions as a place to get bargains on some great stuff. Well, you've got the great stuff right-- we've got all sorts of wonderful items for you to bid on-- but we hope you will bid as generously as you can, remembering that all the proceeds go to support projects such as the Eleuthera mission trip and the feeding program at Ann Hope UMC, where we feed between 120-150 people on the first Wednesday of every month.

Thank you for support. Bid early and often! Any questions? Contact Jane Harlin at (864) 401-8350 or [email protected] or look for Jane in the atrium before, between and after services on both Sundays.

Extravagant Generosity 
Stewardship Campaign
November 15 and 22
  

This sense of generosity goes beyond the often talked about 10 percent tithe. It even goes beyond financial giving
 . "Generosity aligns one's life with God's purposes." It is a giving from the heart instead of a sense of obligation. Why do you give?

Please Note: There will be a gathering of all ministry and administrative chairpersons from 10 to 10:15 am THIS Sunday, November 15 in the Commons Room. Please bring your pledges with you.

 Rethinking Relationships
THIS Sunday, November 15
4:00 - 6:00 pm 
Saint Mark United Methodist Church
616 Quincy Road
Seneca, SC
Commons Room

3 days until . . .

Good Food

Meaningful Conversation

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!
Bring a Friend


Saint Mark UMC 
Annual Charge Conference 
conducted by Rev. Susan Leonard-Ray 
Anderson District Superintendent 
Monday, November 16 
7:00 pm 
Commons Room
All Council of Stewards and area/ministry chairs  
are needed and expected to attend.
Thank You! 
Contact: David Surrett 

Wednesday Recharge
Saint Mark
Child Development Center Night
  Wednesday, November 18  
6:30 pm 
Saint Mark Center

Join us for a very special program put on by our Saint Mark Child Development Center. The children will perform for you. In addition, you learn more about this important outreach ministry of Saint Mark.  
LOOKING AHEAD . . .


Cost: $13.50 

Entertainment - Saint Mark Gospel Choir 
 
Make Your Reservations in the Atrium
Sunday, November 15, 9:45 - 10:15 am
Sunday, November 22, 10:45 - 11:15 am

Click here to contact Nell Hodge  
for more information 

A Christmas Adventure
for Families with Children 
Tom Sawyer Tree Farm and Elf Village 
Glenville, NC just north of Cashiers 
12:00 pm - Meet for lunch at Wendy's in Highlands 
1:00 pm - Meet at Elf Village

Click here to learn more about Elf Village 
Click here to make your reservations
with Lydia Dever.

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!!!! 

Children's Christmas Musical 
"Away In a Manger"
Wednesday, December 9 
6:30 pm 
Sanctuary
Click here to contact Lydia Dever  
for more information 
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES  

For more information call the Clemson UMC Church Office at (864) 654-5547 

Our Multi-Faith Society: Exploring Its Gifts and Opportunities 
featuring Rev. Steve Doughty 
Presbyterian USA minister 

Tuesday, November 17 at 6:30 pm 
Clemson United Methodist Church 
Clemson, SC 

Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 pm 
Hughes Main Library 
Greenville, SC
Sponsored by the Atlantic Institute 

Click here to RSVP 

Volunteers Needed for  
Christmas Tree Festival 

The Hospice of the Foothills Christmas Tree Festival, December 1-3, at St Paul's Catholic Church, is in need of some volunteers.  If you would be willing to work a shift (2 to 3 hours) in the Holiday Craft Market, please contact Debbie DuBose at (864) 247-0189 or [email protected]   Volunteers help welcome shoppers to the craft rooms and assist them with their purchases. 
Events Calendars 
Wednesday Recharge 2015-16

Five Alive Communion
Weekly at 5:15 pm
Commons Room
Led by Rev. Tony Medlin and Rev. John Evatt

Wednesday Recharge Supper
Weekly, beginning at 5:30 pm
Saint Mark Center
(Click the image above to see the meal prices
and to make your reservation
or to place your name on our Master List
that reserves your meals for the entire year.)

"Charge"
for Children through 5th Grade
Weekly at 6:00 pm

R.A.K. (Random Acts of Kindness)
for Youth grades 7 - 12
Weekly at 6:15 pm

Below is the schedule of programs for adults:

 November 18
CDC Children's Thanksgiving Program

November 25
NO RECHARGE 
Happy Thanksgiving!

December 2
Seneca High School Madrigal Singers

December 9
Children's Musical 
"Away in a Manger"

December 16, 23, 30 and January 6
NO RECHARGE UNTIL JANUARY 13 
ATTENTION "SEENAGERS"  
(formerly M.E.T.S) 
(for 50 and older)

December Event
Celtic Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 13
4:00 pm
Saint Mark Sanctuary
Cost: FREE
immediately following the event
Seenagers will host a Reception
for all of the Musicians
Saint Mark Commons Room
Seenagers, plan to bring Christmas Cookies
or Desserts.
We will be serving between 60 and 70 people.
Contact: Jim Morrison or Florence Hanzel

January Event
Covered Dish Luncheon
and Bunco
Friday, January 22
11:30 am
Commons Room
Contact: Marla Fuller

February Event
Dinner and Live Theater
Dinner - Location To Be Determined
5:00 pm
The Musical - "She Loves Me"
Thursday, September 18
7:30 pm
Brooks Center for the Performing Arts
Clemson University
Cost: $15 per person
Other Dates to Note . . .
 
 Wings for the Lord 
sing at Reedy Fork Baptist Church
morning worship 
Sunday, November 15 
Contact : Donna Poston

Annual Charge Conference
 Monday, November 16 
7:00 pm
Watch for Details 

Monthly Divorce Discussions
(last Sunday of each month)
Sunday, November 29
5:00 pm
Room A206 
Contact: Lydia Dever


Celtic Christmas Festival 
Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 13
4:00 pm
Sanctuary
performed by the Saint Mark Chancel Choir
The Gospel According to Saint Mark Singers
and Emerald Road Celtic Musicians 
Contact:
David Wilcox
 
Emergency Christmas (for children)
Sunday, December 13
6:30 pm
Watch for details
Contact:
Lydia Dever 

Moravian Love Feast 
Sunday, December 27
ONE service only at 11:15 am
Contact: David Surrett
FOR YOUR INFORMATION . . .

Fill out the form and turn it in at the Welcome Center in the Atrium

Transportation Needed for One Week

Mimi Yonker is in need of transportation next week, November 16-20 to visit with her husband, Rev. Ron Yonker, who is in rehab at Lila Doyle.  She would like to arrive at 11:30 am to have lunch with Ron. She will have a ride home.  If you can help, click here to contact Jeff Childress.

 2016 Disciplines Are Here!  

Are you looking for a good devotional to use in 2016? You may want to consider purchasing a copy of Disciplines: A Book of Daily Devotions. The Disciplines invites us to "engage in daily periods of prayer, attention to scripture, and consideration of God's activity in our lives."

Copies are available for you to purchase. If we run out, we will order copies for you.  We have them in regular print for $17 each and in large print for $19 each. Click here to place your order with Marla Fuller. 

Did You Miss Out on Our Usborne Children's Book Sale? 

It's not too late to shop for the children in your life. Books are a great gift for any occasion. Here is what you can do: 
  • Click here to open our Usborne Books distributor's website.
  • Then click on the link to "St. Marks United Methodist Church."
  • Then shop away! By shopping through Saint Mark, you will avoid paying for shipping.
  • The deadline to get this special deal is Friday, November 27.

 By ordering through our Saint Mark link, not only is your shipping free, our Saint Mark Library will be able to select free books to put in our children's section. Your books will be shipped to the church and you will be able to pick up your books at the church. 


Christmas Outreach to  
Seneca Residential 

Looking for a hands-on Christmas outreach this year? Seneca Residential, right down the road from us, is in need of our love and support. Last year our children and families packed over 40 boxes and delivered them to the residents as well as the staff of this nursing home type facility. We would ask for shoe sized boxes to be packed and wrapped in festive paper and perhaps even a homemade card or ornament placed on top. The boxes can contain things like puzzles, games, books, snacks, new tooth brushes, candy, blankets, warm socks.... Filled boxes can be left outside of Lydia's office where we will stack them like a tree until delivery day Wednesday, December 23. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help deliver, click here to contact Lydia Dever. 

ONE DAY LEFT 
CDC Cookie Dough Fundraiser
 
ONE DAY LEFT to order your 2 pound tubs of cookie dough for $10 each. The order deadline is tomorrow Friday, November 13. You can place your order with Lydia Dever, at the church office, or click here to email Becca Williams, CDC Director.

Order Your Poinsettia(s) for Advent/Christmas

Click here
to find an order form to order your poinsettia(s) that will decorate Saint Mark for Advent and Christmas. The cost is $10 for a 6" plant.  Please turn in your order by no later than Sunday, November 22.

SAINTS IN SERVICE
HELPING YOU PLUG IN . . . 

Marvin's Kids Volunteers
We need lots of volunteers to help out with our Marvin's Kids Ministry to provide Christmas for needy children in our community. See the link above to see all the ways you can help.

Wednesday Morning Prayer Group  
We are looking for persons who have a passion for intercessory prayer and would like to meet weekly at 10 am with a group of about 8 people to pray for Saint Mark members and friends and other concerns as they arise.
Contact:
Marla Fuller
 


Saint Mark United Methodist Church

616 Quincy Road
Seneca, South Carolina 29678-3820
[email protected]
864-882-2603
    

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors