saint mark’s united methodist church the beaconstorage.cloversites.com...carolyn ponder told the...
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Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church
The Beacon
No. 49 Shining Christ’s light in the community May 13, 2011
Seven Saint Mark's
members on Cursillo staff
The next Cursillo religious retreat at
Camp Wesley Pines will be Thursday-
Sunday, May 26-29. Seven Saint Mark's
members will be on the leadership staff.
They are Carolyn Ponder, the main leader
or Rectora, (center) June Bragg and Nancy
LeFors. Standing are Cynthia Morgan,
and Phillip and Jane Brown. Jane is the
registrar and anyone wanting to attend this
retreat should contact her at 601-992-
0932 for an application. Not pictured here
is Mary Bethea. Our group hosted the
half-day session in our Parlor on April 30
where all those on staff trained for their
duties on the upcoming Cursillo weekend.
Many Saint Mark's members have
already participated. Two members who
will attend this session are Jane Dunaway
and Bette Ross.
New information book will acquaint new
members with Saint Mark's
Saint Mark's has a new information book that will be given to new
members to acquaint them with every aspect of our church --
"opportunities for worship, service, study, fellowship and intentional
spiritual growth" as described by Rev. Rob Gill in the letter of greeting.
The 16 pages tells of worship services, staff information, music, art,
drama, youth and children's ministry, adult education, our buildings,
Trendsetters and outreach ministries, United Methodist Women and
Men, events for groups and interests including weddings, anniversaries,
and funerals, stewardship goals and a history of our past 37 years.
It also covers what we are achieving through the Five Practices of a
Fruitful Congregation:--Radical Hospitality, Passionate Worship,
Intentional Faith Development, Risk-taking Mission and Service and
Extravagant Generosity. Newcomers met Sunday, May 1, and A.R.
Williams distributed the books for the first time. Thanks to Kevin
McGee and Service Printers for printing the books.
Honduras Mission
trip is June 16-23
The group that will include
Saint Mark's members will
build a 3-bedroom block
home. We here at home
need to sell 237 blocks at
$30.00 each. The home will
cost $7,100.
We can also feed a family
for a month for $40.00.
Thirty food bags are needed
in the new town where they
will work this year.
Bobby and Julie Blake and
Connie Thompson are
leading the trip and the
whole group
will be here June 15 for a
meeting before they
takeoff.
This was Easter Week at Saint Mark's UMC
Wednesday's Cantata, "The Seven Last Words of Christ"
was sung by nearly 50 Sanctuary Choir members on April 20.
They were accompanied by a String Quintet of the Mississippi
Symphony Orchestra: Milena Rusanova, Isabel Escalante,
Leslie Wood, Starkey Morgan and Qiang Wang.
Sanctuary Choir soloists were:
First Word: Kevin Keeton and Robert Harris
Second Word: Montie Moore and Robbie Harris
Third Word: Ben Thomas, Sharon Clark, Jim Myrick
Fourth Word: Rev. Rob Gill
Fifth Word: Greg Bell and Trey Curry
Sixth Word: Jason Boyd
Seventh Word: Kit LaCour, Ben Thomas, Keith Keeton
It is Finished
Director Rev. Sandra Thomas
was presented a bouquet of
flowers. The choir received a
standing ovation for their
outstanding presentation.
Rev. Rob Gill invited the
congregation to the remaining
events of Holy Week - Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday and
Easter Sunday.
On Good Friday,
the staff led the
service:
Amie Cain, Jeanne
Chapman, Rev. Keith
Keeton, Rev. Sandra
Thomas and
Rev. Rob Gill
delivered the sermon.
Robert Ghoston
brought in the
cross and assisted the
pastors as it was put
in place.
Responsive readings
were from Isaiah and
Psalm 22.
The congregation
sang the hymns,
"Jesus Keep Me Near
the Cross,"
"Just As I Am" and
"At the Cross."
After the Lord's
Prayer, all left in
silence.
Above: Youth Journey to
the Cross experience:
Alex Harvey prayed
before nailing his sin to
the cross.
On Maundy Thursday
Trey Jones and Bill
Dillon sang.
The staff served
Communion to the
congregation.
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On Easter morning, more than 1,000 people attended the three services in the
Sanctuary and CLC. The Easter lilies were arranged in a cross setting. The choir
sang the "Hallelujah Chorus," and the congregation sang "Christ the Lord is
Risen Today," "Up From the Grave He Arose," and "He Lives." The MS
Symphony String Quintet played special music for gathering time and offertory.
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Teresa Humphrey
and Montie Moore
sang " I've Just
Seen Jesus" and
Glenn Thomas
"spoke" the words
in sign language.
The choir sang
"Resurrection
Alleluias."
At the two traditional services the congregation greeted each other in the packed Sanctuary on a glorious Easter Sunday morning. Rev. Rob
Gill wearing his white robe spoke on "Easter Faith." We are reminded that promise of Easter continues through the year.
Watch for Coins for Christ on May 15 The Extravagant Generosity team introduces one of its new ministries on
Sunday, May 15. Resulting from our winter meetings on Five Practices of
Fruitful Congregations, Saint Mark's now has Coins for Christ. What
exactly is Coins for Christ? Most of us have that jar at the house where we
“deposit” our lose change at the end of the day. Many of our jars can get
pretty heavy with change over time. The Extravagant Generosity team
respectfully asks the Saint Mark's congregation to consider donating their
lose change to the church. You will begin to notice a few locations around
the church where you can “redirect” your deposit. The change will be
accumulated and used for a dedicated mission project for the church.
Shortly after announcing this new ministry, two young girls from our
church were committed to getting started. Their relentless desire to donate
their lose change has played a big part in getting Coins for Christ up and
running. Now that’s Extravagant Generosity! Please consider donating
your weekly change to the church. -- Ken Peacock
Betty and Charlie Crowell by the
outside flowered cross.
Easter Egg hunt was fun
for everyone-including animals
Chad Russell greeted everyone and gave instructions for the day. Children's pictures were
taken with the Easter Bunny, then made available to be picked up in the church office.
Carolyn Ponder told the Easter story with eggs
including an empty egg representing the empty
tomb.
It all started in the CLC then moved outside for the Easter Egg hunt and petting zoo which
had chickens, goats, and rabbits. The event was well attended and the children of all ages
enjoyed it.
The food tables had decorated cupcakes, nests and eggs, baskets and filled carrots.
Photos by Greg Ross and Barbara Jackson
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Vacation Bible School is June 19-23 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. The barrel drink contest is here. Children's classes (K5-5th grade) are to see which class can contribute the most
barrel drinks for VBS. The class that collects the most by Sunday, June 5, wins and will have an ice cream party
during Sunday School that day.
VBS Blitz is Sunday, June 5, at noon. Volunteers will have lunch in the Parlor then given addresses to pass out
VBS flyers. It's a great ministry outing for families and a vital tool to get the word out about this year's VBS. Lots of
help is needed. There is a sign up list in the church office so please sign up.
Love was
generated and
responded to
in the petting
zoo set up for
the children
at the annual
Easter Egg
Hunt at
Saint
Mark's UMC
on April 23.
Thanks to all
who helped.
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Children enjoyed the Easter Egg hunt, the petting
zoo with the bunnies, goats, and baby ducks.
Above is the table filled with treats including carrot
shaped containers with pop corn.
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Y O U T H N E W S
Middle School
Great Escape Trip
to Geyser Falls June 28-29.
Cost: $45.00
Water Park Putt Putt
Food Friends Fun
Deadline to Register - June 15
Student Life at the Beach Camp-
Daytona Beach, FL
July 10-17 Cost: $325.00
$60 non-refundable deposit due
NOW. HS only
Worship leader- Chris Tomlin
Speaker-Louie Giglio
The youth raised more than $2,700 at the May 7 garage sale to use for summer camps
and mission trips. The leftover items were donated to Good Samaritan Center, Friends
of Alcoholics, The Courage House, The Learning Center, and Give-n-Go. We'll have
photos of the garage sale in the next Beacon, May 27.
Saint Mark's will
celebrate and honor the
graduating class of 2011
on Sunday, May 15,
at the Graduation
Recognition Brunch at
9:30 a.m. in the Susanna
Wesley Building.
Student Life Camp
Middle School only
Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, GA
July 27-31 Cost: $250
$60 non-refundable deposit
due now- Register by June 15
Special Event Sunday, May 15 - "Soul Surfer" matinee and surf boards. Special Time: 12:15-4:30 p.m.
Theme for summer is "Summer Surf" and is based on the movie "Soul Surfer." All youth are invited to
come to the matinee showing and then go back to the church to paint surfboards and eat BBQ.
Summer Kick-off Beach Party - Sunday, May 22, at the Hollingsworth Pool
100 Woodlands Green Drive - Food - Contests - Prizes - Swimming - Friends
4:00-6:00 p.m. for Middle School students 6:00-8:00 p.m. - High School students
Sign up sheets in Youth building and church office
The children (K-5th) sang Wednesday night, May 4. Songs were
"Precious Lord" in regular then upbeat tempo, "Where He Leads Me I
Will Follow," "He Leadeth Me," and "I Have Decided to Follow Him."
They ended with acting out "The Lord's Prayer" with a conversation with
the voice of God (which was that of Shane Case.)
The Cherub choir sang "Jesus Loves the Little Children,"
"Jesus Loves Me" and "Deep and Wide." They were
coached by Ashley May, Sandra Thomas, Vavra Curran.
Children's News
Acolyte training will be Wednesday, May 25, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Training is for those wanting to be acolytes as well as
those who have experience. Following training they will have lunch at Cock of the Walk. Sign up in the church office.
Wet & Wild will be Sunday, May 29, when all K5-5th graders will have a fun time with fellowship and food from 4:00-
6:00 p.m. Planned are WILD waterslides so children should wear swimsuits and bring sunscreen. No cost but sign up in
the church office is required.
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Relay for Life brings out hundreds on a beautiful night on April 29
Tabitha Circle
Tuesday, May 17,
9:30 a.m.
in the Parlor.
Ruth Circle
will meet
Tuesday, May 17,
at 7:00 p.m. at the
home
of Connie Thompson.
Diane Dean will
have the lesson.
Mother's Day was celebrated Sunday, May 8. The
altar table was decorated with many symbols hon-
oring mothers such as the quilts made by Phillip
Brown's mother, Betty Brown.
Deborah Circle
Tuesday, May 17,
7:00 p.m. in the
Parlor.
All women of the
church are invited.
The Saint Mark's tent offered baked goods and plants.
Below is one of the other team participants following the
theme, "Rockin' for the Cure."
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Members of the Women With Faith Sunday School class were a
part of the Saint Mark's Relay for Life team and helped with a
bake sale and plant sale at the tent. From Left are: Patty
Campbell, Lois Minchew, Caffie Chambers, Jane Wilkerson and
Pam Jeffcoat. Other members were Sharon Clark who headed up
the fundraiser at Saint Mark's, Ellen Jackson who was in charge of
torches and luminaries, and Deb Veeder, who was the Logistics
Chairman of the Relay.
There were 32 teams participating. Also, Saint Mark’s as a team
did incredibly in the amount of money raised prior to the evening.
Deb reported that "We had a beautiful night for the Relay and I
think everyone who came had a good time." The final amount of
money raised will be reported in the near future. Below is the
scene of the lighted luminaries seen as people walked the track to
support the fight against cancer. Photos by Deb Veeder
Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church Dated Material NONPROFIT
400 Grant’s Ferry Road May 13, 2011 ORGANIZATION
Brandon, MS U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Phone: 601-992-2131 Parsonage: 601-919-9770 PERMIT 27
Website: www.saintmarksum.org to see the Beacon in color CHURCH STAFF
Rob Gill, Senior Pastor……….....................….....x103 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Keith Keeton, Teaching Pastor………….….........x105
Sandra Thomas, Minister of Worship & Music...x104
Amie Cain Taylor, Dir. Age-Level/Family Ministries...x109
Jeanne Chapman, Youth Director.................992-9554
Delores Seward, Administrative Assistant...….....x101
Martha Toombs, Business Office………….…......x106
Preschool Office…..………………………….........x110
Darlene Baker…………………………….......…Pianist
Jason Boyd……………………………….........Organist
Check the church website or Sunday bulletin for times of events and further information. See the bulletin for all
on the caring list. Worship is each Sunday at 8:20, 10:45 and 11:00 a.m.; Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m.
We offer
sympathy
to
Jeff and Renee Johnson at the death of
their mother/mother-in-law,
Sarah Johnson, April 26.
Steve Grant at the death of his
stepfather, Roger Terhaar, April 22,
in Grand Rapids, MI.
Julie Blake at the death of her cousin,
Jerry Norris of Collins on May 2.
Anne Reed at the death of her father,
William Fowler, on May 6 in Winfield, AL
Attendance Report for April 2011
Sunday School
April 3 - 510 393
April 10 - 558 329
April 17 - 529 348
April 24 - 1,023 433
Hope House is Second Saturday project
RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED
Joell McBeth - St. Dominic, surgery
Henry Laird - VA then Brandon Court
Rick Dutton - UAB
Hope House is a home away from home for outpatients from throughout the State of
Mississippi receiving cancer treatments at Jackson hospitals. It is a faith-based non-
profit organization that depends entirely on private donations.
It has served seriously ill outpatients from every county in Mississippi since
January 1985 providing meals, lodging and transportation to medical appointments to
those who are Hope House guests. Some have also come from out of state. All
services are free.
Located at 786 E. Northside Dr., Jackson, it now has 32 beds for cancer
patients. "People are needed to do yard work and house maintenance. Anything you
can do will help," Wanda Pitts, the director, encourages. "It blesses us to see the
wonderful things people do." Saint Mark's volunteers will meet Saturday, May
14, at 8:00 a.m. in the side parking lot and return by noon. A complete story
about Hope House can be read in the February 25 issue of the Beacon.
To Brian and Brooke May
upon the birth of their daughter, Molly Grace, on April 28.
Grandparents are Ron and Teresa Humphrey.
To Drs. Graham and Ashley Jones
upon the birth of their daughter, Lydia Laurence, on May 3.
Big sister is Eden and grandparents are Chip and Christy Jones
To Chad and Jessica Thompson
upon the birth of their son, Ethan Grant, on May 5.
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