News

Happy Easter! Christ is Risen! The grave could not hold Him and because that is so, He has secured the forgiveness of our sins so that we may live forevermore with Him!

A very special thanks goes to the Sadlers for our floral arrangements this morning to help brighten up our worship area.

And we’re also happy to report that Phil and Leslie did close on their home in a timely fashion as we prayed would happen. And now comes the fun part: moving. They’re looking for volunteers to help with the moving on Saturday, April 17. We hope to have more details as that date approaches.

As some of you may know or remember, just before all the COVID craziness, we had started a men’s choir but had to drop that for a while during our time looking for a place to meet and our transition to TCA. As we look to the future, now more than ever our warfare through music is of great importance. With that in mind, we will be picking up men’s choir rehearsals again starting on April 11.

We hope you have a happy Easter with your friends and family as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ!

Today on Palm Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry. In Bible times, palm branches were a symbol of victory and could be found on coins and important buildings. We read in 1 Kings 6:29 that Solomon carved palm trees into the walls of the temple. It was symbolism the Jews were well aware of when they spread the palm branches on the road before Jesus. We know the rest of the story: how Jesus’ triumph looked very different from what those spreading the branches pictured. Nevertheless, we celebrate the triumphal entry precisely because of Jesus’ triumph over death.

This week is known as Holy Week as we lead into the Easter celebration. We will hold our traditional Maundy Thursday Agape feast on April 1. “Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus’ words “I give you a new commandment.”

We then proceed to the Good Friday Service of Darkness as we “tell the story” of Holy Week and enter into this dark period between Jesus death on the cross and His rising again from the grave that could not hold Him.

Holy Week culminates with the celebration of the resurrection of our Savior! We celebrate this every week, but we mark this time of year in the Church calendar to culminate the telling of the story. Christ is Risen!

Every now and again, we like to highlight some ministries so that you might know how to be praying, and if God lays it on your heart, where you might direct any gifts above and beyond the tithe. This week, we’d like to draw your attention to Peru Mission. They plant churches, provide Christian education to children, help at-risk children, and much more in Peru. They are a commendable ministry and you can learn more about them at perumission.org.

Ministry and mission happens both abroad and nearer to home. The church in Bristol, TN continues to wage both spiritual, and unfortunately a somewhat physical battle with the forces of evil bent on destroying unborn human life. Erica, who helps lead a lot of the protests of abortion, was attacked and thrown to the ground some time back. The lawsuit to bring justice to this situation was, unfortunately, dismissed. A case involving violence against another in their ranks, Sammy, is ongoing. Pray that justice can be brought out of the clearly corrupt court systems there in Bristol.

And to end this newsletter out on a more positive note, we’re thankful to hear that Phil and Leslie are nearing the closing of their new home purchase. Pray that the process will continue without problems and will go smoothly for them so that the closing can proceed at the end of March, as planned.

We’re thankful for the report that Jim and Misty are recovering well from COVID and are getting back into the swing of things and their normal routine. Sickness of any kind can be disruptive to life and means of income, and COVID carries it’s own set of challenges. So we’re thankful for this report.

We’re also thankful this week to have a few of the Sensings with us. Before they moved away from the area they were members of St. Mark and a big part of the life and work of the church here and we’re happy to worship with them once again this week.

Speaking of the life of the church, the Drapers will be hosting their monthly fellowship and hymn sing for March on the 26th. This event starts with food and general fellowship at 5:30. You’re welcome to bring a dish to share, or just come and enjoy the food provided. The singing begins around 7:00 with a mixture of psalms put to tune from various sources, and the great hymns of the faith from the church’s rich musical history. And occasionally, there’s also a chant pulled from the Sunday liturgy.

And just a bit of housekeeping so we can be good guests at TCA: remember to keep any food or drink in the large room we worship in, or in the foyer just outside the room. Classrooms should not have food in them and should generally be considered off-limits. This will help us keep TCA in good shape.

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: