st marker december 2012 edition
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NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
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THE ST. MARKER
DECEMBER, 2012
St. Mark United Methodist Church 413 Geddes Avenue, Charleston, SC 29407 Church Office Phone: 843-5-766-5239 Email [email protected]
Rev. Jonathan Holston, Resident Bishop Rev. Patty Parrish, District Superintendent Rev. Scarlett Hester, Pastor Mr. Dale Wilson, Director of Education Ms. Michele Russell, Director of Music Mrs. Libby Massalon, Administrative Assistant
SUNDAY Worship services 9:00 & 11:00
Sunday School 10:00 UMYF 6:30
MISSION STATEMENT
St. Mark United Methodist church seeks to live as a witness to the Kingdom of God through worship, teaching and evangelism. Our purpose is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by reaching up to God in worship, prayer and spiritual disciplines, reaching down into the scriptures and the Christian faith in study and obedience and reaching out to each other and our world in service, witness and friendship. We rely on the guidance, gifts and power of the Holy Spirit as we carry out the mission of this congregation. *********************************************
CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Before you make all of your Christmas party plans, here are many of the dates you may want to reserve to celebrate and rejoice in the birth of our Lord with your St. Mark family and friends. Dec. 1 – 9:00 Help decorate the church for Advent season
Dec. 9 – 4:00 Children’s Musical & Birthday Party for Jesus Dec. 16 – 5:00 Handbell Concert followed by spaghetti supper Dec. 20 – 7:00 Hope for the Holidays service Dec. 23 – 11:00 Cantata 3:00 Caroling Dec. 24 - 7:00 Worship 11:00 Worship
Children's Musical Birthday Party for Jesus
Come see our Children's Musical, "Tell Me The Story of Christmas" on Sunday, December 9 at 4:00pm. Following the musical, we will have a birthday party for Jesus!! Come celebrate with us as we decorate cupcakes, sing happy birthday, and enjoy a visit from Santa Claus!! We are in need of bakers to bake vanilla cupcakes...no frosting needed, as we will be decorating these at the birthday party. We need around 75 cupcakes. Please contact Lisa Richberg at 814-5516 or [email protected] if you are able to contribute.
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LADIES NIGHT OUT
All United Methodist Men and their guests, as well as any men at St. Mark UMC are invited to attend our annual LADIES NIGHT OUT. December 2 at 6:00 we will enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship at Ryan’s, St. Andrews Blvd. There will be a special visit from St. Nick, so bring a camera (and your wish list). Door prizes will be given out, including two pairs of tickets to Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and will be available after services through Sunday Dec. 2nd. **************************************
HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS SERVICE Advent is such a special and busy time of year. There are parties and meals and concerts and worship services, and opportunities to experience the wondrous joy of the season. It is fun, but it is also a tough time for many people whose hearts are broken by grief, broken dreams, relationships and sadness. God meets us in our brokenness and abides with us. At 7:00 on Thursday, December 20, we will draw close to God in a service of Hope for the Holidays. *****************************************************
CHRISTMAS EVE AT ST. MARK Christmas Eve is a beautiful night or family and church traditions. There are things we do every year, no matter what. In our families, it may be a special meal or ritual after worship or special pjs. For our church, we look forward to singing the familiar songs and easing toward the manger and the glow of candles as we sing "Silent Night." This year, we will celebrate Christmas Eve at St. Mark in the same way, but with a new twist: we will have two services, one at 7:00 PM and another at 11:00 PM.
Oh come let us adore Him!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Emily Lanter and Christian Leprettre were recently selected for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) 2013 Honors Choirs and will travel to Dallas, TX March 13-16 to perform. Over 18,600 singers auditioned for the honor choirs this year and Christian and Emily are among the approximately 300 chosen for the Jr.High/Middle School Honor Choir. WAY TO GO EMILY AND CHRISTIAN!!!! ********************************************
CRAFTING FOR CHRISTMAS
Children and adults enjoyed special time as they made Christmas crafts.
FOOD PANTRY Gwynette Hatcher and Jo Ann Pelham
express a huge THANK YOU for the donations for
the Thanksgiving baskets. Each of the 7 baskets
given had a turkey, dressing, rolls, fruit, green
beans, corn, rice, cranberry sauce, macaroni and
cheese, rice and a pie.
For Christmas they are planning on
providing soup baskets. Please watch the weekly
bulletins for more information on how you can help
with these.
“And Jesus said, ‘Whatever you did for the
least of these, you did for me’. ”
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Our sympathy and prayers are expressed to:
Evelyn Boyd and family on the death of her husband Robert Boyd. Dawn McMillan and family on the death of her mother Bette Bennett. Linda Shealy and family on the death of her brother-in-law, Jerry Cypress.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Jody Igou 3 Sophie Weiss 6 Katie Brown 7 Philip Paggi 9 Maxey Edgerton 10 Ernie Seel 11 Mike Todd 12 Lee Ropp 12 Hannah Smith 15 Claire Withrow 15 Stewart Scott 16 Anna Todd 16 Sherry Brown 17 Jill Droze 18 Chris Linker 18 Jacki Ratledge 18 Mike Gooch 20 Elizabeth Weesner 24 Christian Leprettre 24 Greg Shealy 27 Robert Edgerton 27 Jordan Tarbell 27 Victoria Collins 28 Amanda McFann 29 Deloris Elsey 29 Meg Capps 29 April Malone 29 Carolyn Kuder 29 Bernell Shuler 30 Sandra Strickland 30 Ty Seel 30 Gwynette Hatcher 31
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Jeremy & Whitney Schneider 4 Dale & Betsy Petit 16 Ryan & Jean Brown 20 Jim & Jacki Ratledge 28 Steve & Christine Smith 29 Michael & Shawn Barfield 30 Bill & Alice Gaither 30 Randy & Tiffanie Rogers 31 John & Stephanie Davis 31
MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH MANY
MORE Note: If you have a birthday or anniversary in December and we omitted it, please let us know so that we can correct our records.
IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Home: Dean James, Joan McCambridge, Lillian McLean, George & Thelma Muckenfuss, Mary Lu Piersol (with daughter Jackie Brinson), Bob & Maureen Ratcliff, Robert & Mary Jane Scaffe, Leila Shealy, Bernell & Margie Shuler, Margaret Skinner, Ann Smith, Lib Way Roper St. Frances – Brenda Malone Ashley Park – 1451 Tobias Gadsden, C’ston 29407: Betty Beach (Apt. 307), Dot Connor ( Apt. 111), Tommy & Margaret Johnson Ashley River Plantation: Shirley Kaiser (P.O. 81133 C’ston 29416) Ashley Hall Plantation: Dot Caulder (2600 Elms Plantation Blvd. North Charleston, SC 29406) Summit Place of Daniel Island: Gordon (Newt) Cummings Victory House Walterboro: Robert McKenna Military & their families: Sgt. Tim Duncan – Afghanistan, Master Sgt. Jay Piersol, SFC Mark Elsey, Sgt. Maj Chris Barnard & Susan Barnard, LTJG Edward Dawson, LCDR Spencer Baker. New Mailing
New Mailing Address for Mary Lu Piersol: 687 Lakeside Drive Moncks Corner SC 29461
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Please remember our St. Mark UMC young
people currently serving in the military - especially
during Christmas when they are away from their
families :
Edward Dawson is in Japan. Please contact him at
Mark Elsey is serving in Afghanistan:
SFC Elsey, Mark A
173rd ABC T HHC/STT
FOB AIRBORNE
APO AE 09364
Betsy Donoho Rousch is here in Charleston serving at the Charleston Air Force Base.
VOLUNTEERS
Children’s Church Children’s Sermon Dec. 2 Kerri Weiss Communion Dec. 9 Jandi Withrow Susan Brooks Dec. 16 Jacki Ratledge Melissa Peterson Dec. 23 Andrea Dolan Jacki Ratledge Dec. 30 Lisa Richberg
Nursery Volunteers: Dec. 2 Abbie O’Toole Dec. 9 Vanessa Seel Dec. 16 Andrea Dolan Dec. 23 Amy Alexander Acolyte/crucifer Dec. 2 Emily O’Toole/ Sadie Weiss Dec. 9 Abigail Brown/ Logan Leprettre Dec. 16 Brandon Weesner/ Cameron Smith Dec. 23 Ryan Capps/ Sydney Brown Dec. 30 Sophie Weiss/ Emily Lanter Advent Wreath Lighters 9:00 11:00 Dec. 2 Motley Family Jarvis /Massey family Dec. 16 Dean Bays Ruth Smith Dec. 23 Daniel Seel family Pratt & Frances Shaw Dec. 24 7:00 Newell Cummings family 11:00 Matthew & Katie Warren
IN THE MIDST OF THE SEASON
Kneeling in Bethlehem by Ann Weems, is one of those poetry books I have on my desk that speaks to me throughout the year. Each poem is soul searching, and I wish I could give each of you the book, but in lieu of that, here is one I like for the beginning of Advent. Blessings to you all, Jacki
IN SEARCH OF OUR KNEELING PLACES
In each heart lies a Bethlehem, an inn where we must ultimately answer whether there is room or not. When we are Bethlehem-bound we experience our own advent in his. When we are Bethlehem-bound we can no longer look the other way conveniently not seeing stars
not hearing angel voices. We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily tending our sheep or our kingdom.
This Advent let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us. In the midst of shopping sprees let’s ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts. Through tinsel let’s look for the gold of the Christmas Star. In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos, let’s listen for the brush of angels’ wings. This Advent, let’s go to Bethlehem And find our kneeling places. *********************************************
FAMILY DEVOTIONAL “The Adverbs of Advent” is a devotional booklet by David Mead designed for children and families. Each day, an adverb that describes the HOW, WHERE and WHEN of Advent, and will be the starting focus of the devotional. These devotionals are available in the narthex. Please take one as a part of your Advent journey.
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Thoughts to Ponder this Holiday Season The following is an article printed in Nov. 25 Post and Courier, and is reprinted with permission from Norris Burkes and the newspaper. I think it can remind all of us what is really important. Jacki A Prayer in Frenzy of Season
November is a month in which most of us express thanks for all we have: home, family, friends, faith. But that was "so yesterday!" Today, Thanksgiving seems to be only a speed bump slowing us before our holiday buying frenzy, while turkey and stuffing fuel our race toward the season's sales. If this holiday track meet leaves you frazzled, I offer you a choice of two very different running lanes. First, you can align yourself with denial and tell yourself that you are only spending more this year so that you'll have more to be thankful for over next year.
Choice No. 2 is to pause before you get trapped in the StuffMart and recite a prayer. While you'll likely recognize it as "The Lord's Prayer," let's reframe it to rescue us from our manic materialism. The opening, "Our Father," is best read in the tone of a child asking a loving parent for help. The words assert that God alone is the giver of all good things, not credit cards. "Who art in heaven." These words may sound like a description of a detached deity, but in truth, God contains the world. Our money can't buy our world, so why do we try? "Hallowed be thy name." There seems little that is hallowed today, but when we find that hallowedness in God, it should reflect something outside of our own name and holiday wish lists. "Thy Kingdom come" doesn't mean that we're sitting around waiting for God to come to us. It means that we must invite the presence of God
into our own lives. It means that God's presence always outshines the pretense of presents. "Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven." This part means that seeking God's will in my life is not seeking an earthly plan. Simply put, I've never seen a U-Haul on a hearse, so I don't think God wants me to accumulate much more earthly goods than are useful for heavenly purposes. Reciting this part of the prayer makes it nearly impossible to exceed your credit card limit. "Give us this day our daily bread." A recovering alcoholic knows this as the key to living "one day at a time," but the recovering shopper should see this as a way to express gratitude for the gifts we find in today, not the presents we'll return tomorrow. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." This plea for forgiveness reminds me that God forgives me my selfish ways and that my overspending transgressions of the past don't have to be repeated today. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This phrase reminds me that I am powerless before my shopping addictions, and I can overcome them with God's help. While Protestants add the closing line, "For thine is the Kingdom, the power, the glory forever," both Catholic and Protestants end with "Amen," which means, "Let all of this be so!" I have to believe the last phrase is the best part of prayer as the word "This" points to the holiness God bestows in our lives through the fulfillment of this prayer. Norris Burkes is a syndicated columnist, national speaker and author. His website is www.thechaplain.net and his email address is [email protected] .
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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Thanks once again to our loving, caring St. Mark Family. Because of your generosity, 164 children around the world will receive a shoebox and feel God’s love in their lives. Please continue to pray for these children and the Operation Christmas Child ministry. May God bless you all, -Peggy Edgerton and Patty Barfield
FROM PASTOR SCARLETT
Robert Hereth remembers that one year his son wanted a guitar for Christmas. He says, “We gave our son the gift he asked for -- a guitar -- but then it was up to him to practice if guitar playing was ever to be a part of his life.” Similarly, God’s people have asked for a Savior, and God has responded with the gift of Jesus Christ. Now, it is up to us to draw close to God’s great gift, and learn how wonderful He is. Advent is the season of drawing close. For those of you who like knowing such things, the first clear reference to a season of Advent is in the sixth century. In its beginnings, Advent was patterned after Lent, though not as strict. It is a time to prepare our hearts by taking a look at how we live and what we value. It is a time set apart to do as Jesus himself said as he began his ministry, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe the good news.” Repent and believe the good news. That is the real work of Advent, not shopping, wrapping, cooking, looking, etc. There are so many wonderful things that will happen and that we will participate in during the next few weeks, but do not forget: at the center of all the lights and wrapping paper, there is a Savior. Scarlett
YOUTH NEWS UPCOMING EVENTS Dec. 15 – 6:30 – 8:30 Christmas Party at home of Christian & Logan Leprettre Dec. 16 – Spaghetti Supper following Handbell Concert Dec. 30 - End of Year Blast THANKS TO ALL THE YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SERVICE November 18! It was FABULOUS! ******************************************
PLEASE HELP US The St. Marker is published each month
and is distributed primarily by email. We will be mailing copies to our shut-ins and providing copies in the Narthex to those who do not have Internet access. Please give us your email address if you have one and are reading a hard copy of this. You may do this by sending your email address to the church office [email protected] or Jacki at [email protected]
Also, if you have any information, pictures or praises to share in our newsletter, please email them to Jacki Ratledge at [email protected] or call her at 843-571-0054. We would appreciate having all items to Jacki no later than the 20th of each month if at all possible.
If you see errors within, particularly anniversary/birthday dates or information, please let us know so that we can make corrections. (Typos – please forgive us – we’re trying our best.)
MERRY CHRISTMAS
& HAPPY NEW YEAR
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St. Mark United Methodist Church 413 Geddes Avenue Charleston, SC 29407 Return Service Requested
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December 2012
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 9:00 Decorate
Church for Advent Season
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1st Sunday in Advent
10:00 Louise Massalon Circle
7:30 Shawn Ramsey Circle
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10 11 12 13 14 15 4:00 Children’s Musical & Birthday party for Jesus
2nd Sunday in Advent
10:00 Susannah Wesley Circle
6:30 Youth Christmas Party
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 5:00 Handbell Concert & Spaghetti Supper
11:30 Good Neighbors at Trotter’s Restaurant
7:00 Hope for the Holidays Service
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 11:00 Cantata
3:00 Caroling
Christmas Eve
Worship
7:00 & 11:00
Crisis Ministries
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31 Youth – End of Year Blast
Crisis Ministries