News

For the last few weeks, we have been blessed by the weekly Sunday School class, which is an overview of the way theology has shaped our history in America. The topic is a timely one, as we attempt to make sense of our modern troubles by studying our past. While we hope everyone can attend, we know that it can be difficult with the amount of driving some have to do, so we’ve been making the series available on the website in MP3 audio format. We have added a short link that will take you to a filtered view of just the audio of Brian’s Sunday School messages. Go to stmarkreformed.com/sms to see this view.

Speaking of how we got here: our brothers and sisters in Moscow, ID are in need of prayer as they face charges for hanging signs and posters deemed offensive. When you have a moment to pray, lift them up.

Please continue to pray for the Pyle family. During the recent winter storm, this family lost their home and most earthly possessions to a fire. While the funding goal has been met (and exceeded), you can visit their GoFundMe page for continued updates and prayer requests. For the ease of use and this newsletter, we’ve made stmarkreformed.com/pyles redirect to their GoFundMe page.

Last week saw a huge community effort to clear a significant amount of snow and ice from the TCA parking lot. A big thanks to all who were able to participate. It was an unexpected but welcome opportunity to serve our community and work alongside our gracious hosts at TCA and it was a blessing for them on Monday as much as it was for us on Sunday.

While our Shrove Tuesday pancakes were quite good, they were only outdone by the talent show, which was also a great success. All of those who participated brought joy, laughter, and a sense of awe at the talent God is fostering within our community. We should not take for granted what God has given us. And many thanks to Marc Hays for his annual antics as Master of Ceremonies.

As a final reminder, the baby shower for the Hollands will be held following the fellowship meal next Sunday, March 7. The theme is books and diapers. If you would like to give a book to begin James’ library, please let Carolyn Thacker know of your choice so that we don’t duplicate titles. If you would like to give diapers, please do not choose newborn size.

Snow, ice, sleet: these things can only delay us, not stop us! This Tuesday, February 23rd, we will feast on the pancakes that the snow deprived us of last week. We realize, of course, that technically, Shrove Tuesday was this past week. But, to borrow Pastor Thacker’s repurposed phrase, “the church calendar was made for man, and not man for the church calendar.” We’ll still have a grand time together as we take liberty with the church calendar.

Given the delay, there’s still time to sign up for the talent show at stmarkreformed.com/talent-show. And if you plan to bring food items or pancakes, let us know at stmarkreformed.com/pancakes.

Following this delicious feast and display of talent on Tuesday, we’ll proceed with our Service of Ashes on Wednesday February 24th at TCA. The service begins at 6:00 PM.

The Ash Wednesday Wednesday service traditionally marks the first day of Lent. While the snow and ice caused us a week’s delay, we will continue forward with this service in the same spirit of liberty with the church calendar. The service is a solemn occasion and dark clothing is appropriate to wear. During the service, ashes are placed on the foreheads of those wishing to receive them. In keeping with the solemnity of the season, this reminds us of our condition after the fall, and our need for Christ.

Some of the best fellowship takes place around tables, food, and drink. And so we hope you’ll make plans to join us next Sunday, February 21, after worship for our twice-monthly fellowship meal.

Also happening next week is our annual congregational meeting which takes place following the fellowship meal. All are encouraged to attend, but we ask that at least one member of the family
be present.

And don’t forget about Fat Tuesday on February 16 where, in time honored tradition, we will consume as many pancakes as possible in preparation for the 40 days of Lent. Accompanying the pancake feast is our annual talent show, emceed by the man, the myth, the legend, Marc Hays, which is a talent show in and of itself. Be sure to sign up to share your talents at stmarkreformed.com/talent-show. And if you plan to bring pancakes or other food items, let us know at stmarkreformed.com/pancakes.

Following all the feasting, we begin the Lenten season with our Ash Wednesday service on February 17. This is a solemn occasion and dark clothing is quite appropriate to wear. During this service, ashes will also be placed on the foreheads of those wishing to receive them. In keeping with the solemnity of the service and season, this reminds us of our condition after the fall, and our need for Christ.

Don’t forget to sign up to perform at our annual talent show, which takes place at the fast approaching date of February 16 and will be emceed by the inimitable Marc Hays (it just wouldn’t be the same without him). Sign up at stmarkreformed.com/talent-show.

And there’s no doubt that one of the stars of the show will be the pancakes. You’ll want to make sure to sign up to bring those or other food, drinks, and/or supplies at stmarkreformed.com/pancakes. Be prepared to leave the diet at the door!

We’re always so excited for the birth of covenant children among our members. We’ve been providing meals for the arrival of James Holland IV and there’s still time to help out. See the sign up sheet on the bulletin table.

And we’re also excited to shower mother and baby with gifts. Date to be announced soon for that shower. We’re wanting to gather books to begin James’ library. Please let Carolyn Thacker know of your book gift choice so we’re not duplicating titles.

And as a reminder, our annual congregational meeting is happening on Sunday, February 21 after the fellowship meal. All are encouraged to attend, but we ask that at least one member of the family
be present.

The talent show on February 16 is fast approaching. We’re excited to welcome back St. Mark alum Marc Hays to emcee the event. If you’d like to participate, go to stmarkreformed.com/talent-show, which will take you to a Google Doc where you can sign up.

Accompanying the talent show is our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake feast. But a pancake feast wouldn’t live up to its name without the titular pancakes. Sign up to bring pancakes or other foods and supplies at stmarkreformed.com/pancakes and be prepared to live up to Shrove Tuesday’s other name: Fat Tuesday.

With the arrival James and Emily’s covenant child, James Holland IV, St. Mark will be providing some meals to help with “new baby life.” If you would like to participate, please see the sign up sheet on the bulletin table.

And at a soon to be determined date, there will be an SMRC baby shower to celebrate this young one. The shower theme will be Books and Diapers. If you would like to give a book to begin James’ library, please let Carolyn Thacker know of your choice so that we don’t duplicate titles. If you would like to give diapers, please do not choose newborn size. More information coming soon.

And don’t miss our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, February 21 after the fellowship meal.

We’re thankful to report the safe arrival of James and Emily’s covenant child, James Holland IV on Thursday, January 14, by C-section. Mother and baby are doing well.

St. Mark will be providing meals for the Holland family. If you would like to participate, please see the sign up sheet on the bulletin table.

While the date has yet to be determined, there will be an SMRC baby shower to celebrate this young one. As a heads-up, our shower theme will be Books and Diapers! If you would like to give a book to begin James’ library, please let Carolyn Thacker know of your choice so that we don’t duplicate titles. If you would like to give diapers, please do not choose newborn size. More information coming soon.

We’re very excited to announce a special musical celebration of Christ’s birth featuring choirs and musicians from Heritage Church of Centerville, TN. One of our members, TJ, was a member of Heritage before he moved to the area and joined St. Mark. Through those connections, he was able to arrange for Heritage to bring their wonderful musical talents, among which are organists, violinists, pianists, a choir, a chancel choir, a children’s choir, and much, much more, for this Christmas celebration.

We hope you will be able to join us for this special occasion of worship and celebration of our Savior’s birth.

To get a taste of the beautiful worship and celebration you’ll experience at this service, here are a couple videos of a similar service Heritage had a couple years ago:

The service will be held at 4 PM on December 23rd.

Wednesday, March 28th: Agape Feast, 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall

Friday, March 30th: Good Friday Service of Darkness, 7:00 PM

Christmas Caroling at Elmcroft of Brentwood
Sunday December 17th, 3;30 PM

Reformation Sunday, October 29th

Worship Service, 11 AM at the church.

Weather permitting, a Reformation Celebration will be hosted from 4:30-7:00 PM at the Thacker home. A bonfire, hot dogs, and s’mores will be provided. Please bring flashlights, camp chairs, chips and/or drinks to share. The bringing of pipes, cigars, and musical instruments is also encouraged.