Good Friday, April 10, 2020

In recent years for Good Friday services at St. Mark’s, we have invited members of the St. Mark’s community to share reflections on the seven last sayings of Jesus, uttered during the crucifixion. These ‘words’ are collected from the various gospels, and the order we follow is one that has been commonly practiced in the Church. We will livestream the service, but most of the reflections have been recorded. We hope that you find this a brief contemplative time meaningful for your faith.

TO CONNECT TO OUR LIVESTREAM GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE:
FRIDAY EVENING AT 6:55PM, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE

SMUMC.CHURCH

AND CLICK ON THE LIVESTREAM BUTTON.

Maundy Thursday, April 8,2020

Hello, St. Mark’s Family and Friends! For the last few years, it has been our tradition, on Maundy Thursday, to gather around tables and enter into the story of the Last Supper with word, music and the Celebration of Communion. This year, we will do the same, but virtually though livestream. Bishop Trimble has blessed the sharing of the Sacrament of Communion virtually, during this necessary time of social distancing. 

You are invited to have some bread (or crackers, etc.) and juice (or what you have on hand) to serve as the communion elements. If you are living with others and gathering around a table, or at a table alone at home, we will all be part of one community of faith. United Methodists practice open communion, and are welcome around the table. We look forward to sharing this special evening together.

TO CONNECT TO OUR LIVESTREAM MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE: THURSDAY EVENING AT 6:55PM, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE SMUMC.CHURCH AND CLICK ON THE LIVESTREAM BUTTON.

ST. MARK'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MAUNDY THURSDAY
APRIL 9, 2020

Soup Lunch This Sunday, February 9

OPERATION FRIENDSHIP (OF) SOUP LUNCH
Enjoy a soup lunch in support of Operation Friendship to be held after Worship on February 9 in Garton Hall. Choose from a variety of delicious soups, grilled cheese sandwiches, and baked goods. All eat-in orders include a roll and a drink. Stay to eat your soup lunch in Garton Hall, with drinks provided by OF. You may also pre-order and take lunch home with you. Order forms are available at the Welcome Desk in Garton Hall. Operation Friendship (OF) is a travel exchange program for youth with which St. Mark’s has participated for generations.

Sign Up for MLK Day of Service 2020

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020, 9:00-11:00am (with light breakfast at 8:30am)
See the sign up for a few afternoon opportunities as well. 
BE A PART OF "DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE!"

Extend the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through acts of service with others. All ages are invited to participate in our day of service opportunities in collaboration with other faith communities and non-profits. Children need to be accompanied by adults.  Permission and liability forms must be signed for everyone under age 18.  

The day begins 8:30am with a light breakfast at St. Mark's. Participants can choose a number of volunteer options at St. Mark's, and some opportunities in the community.  

Click this link,  MLK Jr. Day of Service 2020, to sign up online, or sign up in Garton Hall. For more information, contact Mary Beth Morgan or the church office at 812-332-5788.

Christmas Eve at St. Mark's

Tuesday, December 24

EARLY SERVICE WITH CANDLE LIGHTING, 3:00PM
Join us mid-afternoon at 3:00pm in the sanctuary for a service of lessons, carols, communion and candlelight.

CHRISTMAS EVE PAGEANT, 5:30PM
Plan to be here for this wonderful service for all ages! It is a special ministry of our children and youth to share the story of Jesus’ birth on Christmas Eve. Children and youth will also share special music; the congregation will sing hymns; the angels will bring good news; the sheep will baa; the cows will moo; the camels will say whatever camels say; the shepherds will keep watch; the innkeeper will have no room; the magi will bring gifts. We will all welcome Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus (and their donkey). As we end our celebration, we will light candles as we sing “Silent Night” together.

LATE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE, 11:00PM
Carols, liturgy, and the story of the very first Christmas as told in Luke’s Gospel will guide us through the final hour of Christmas Eve and into Christmas morning. We will all share in the singing of hymns and light candles as we join our voices in the verses of “Silent Night.”

CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING
This year, the offering from the three Christmas Eve services will be divided evenly between The Bishop’s Christmas Offering for Children and an offering to support building needs and ministries at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. The Bishop’s offering supports Indiana Outdoor Camp Ministries, Children and Youth Homes, and United Methodist ministries which help feed, clothe, and educate children locally and globally. The offering that supports building needs and ministries will help us continue to offer hospitable outreach to many non-profits during the year. It will also help insure that we will be able to continue our ministries of care, Christian education and missional connection inside and outside our building. We deeply appreciate your generosity to these important ministry causes at this special time of year.

2019 Advent and Christmas at St. Mark's

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1: THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

10:30am: Sanctuary Worship

5pm-7pm: Advent Night & Hanging of the Greens

Light Supper, Activities for Children

Decorating the Sanctuary and Building. All are welcome.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8: THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

10:30am: Sanctuary Worship

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15: THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

10:30am: Sanctuary Worship

3:00pm: Bloomington Chamber Singers Messiah Sing-Along

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17

7:00pm: Blue Christmas Service

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22: THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

10:30am: Sanctuary Worship

3:30pm: All Ages Christmas Caroling

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24: CHRISTMAS EVE

3:00pm: Early Service with Communion and Candle Lighting

5:30pm: Christmas Pageant and Candle Lighting

11:00pm: Late Service with Candle Lighting

IN OBSERVANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAYS,
THE ST. MARK’S BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED AS FOLLOWS:
Wednesday, December 25-closed
Thursday, December 26-closed
Tuesday, December 31-closed
Wednesday, January 1-closed

There will be no staff members in the building and there will be no events planned at the church. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please call the church office. More information is provided in the answering machine message.

United Methodist Women’S Cookie Shoppe

Saturday, December 7 (8AM-12PM) & Sunday, December 8 (9:30AM-12PM), Room 8

Sales of cookies and candy will be 8am-Noon on December 7 & also from 9:30am-Noon on December 8. For best selection, variety, and quantity, plan to shop on Saturday morning. Cookies and candies are sold by weight at $15 per pound. Free gift boxes and ribbon are provided. All proceeds go to local and global missions.

Tuesday, November 26, 7:00pm

Multi-faith Thanksgiving Celebration
at St. Thomas Lutheran
3800 E 3RD St, Bloomington

St. Mark’s is joining with other local faith communities for a wonderful Thanksgiving Celebration. This includes friends from Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, and Christian traditions. St. Thomas Lutheran is hosting the service this year. All are welcome. Mary Beth Morgan will be offering the reflection. If you can bring a snack for a gathering after the service, please contact Mary Beth.

PUB THEOLOGY ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 6:30-8 PM

PUB THEOLOGY RETURNS TO NICK'S THIS MONTH
NICK’S ENGLISH HUT, 423 E KIRKWOOD AVE

Pub Theology provides a place to relax with food and beverage and a fun group of thinking disciples to talk a little theology. The theme for this month’s discussion is an article from the New Republic (September 20, 2018) titled “The Struggle for a New American Gospel: A liberal's search for God and faith in a divided country”. You may contact Jimmy Moore for a copy. There will also be copies on the registration desk at church. We would love for you to join us at Nick’s on November 18 at 6:30.

Retirement Celebration for Dennis Morgan

Save the date! October 13, 2019

Since 1983, Head Custodian Dennis Morgan has been a faithful and reliable presence on the St. Mark’s Staff. Each morning he is a friendly face greeting nursery school children and families. He has supervised our custodial staff and works to keep our building and grounds safe, clean and welcoming. And he has partnered with our trustees on many capital projects of improvement.

Dennis will be retiring from St. Mark’s on October 13. Plan to come to the service that morning during which we will recognize Dennis, and stay for a reception following. We look forward this time of honoring Dennis for his thirty six years of service to St. Mark’s.

Schedule your Directory photo session

It’s time to schedule your photo session for the Church Directory! All in the St. Mark’s community are welcome.

In order to develop an up-to-date church directory, St. Mark's will offer professional photo opportunities in October. You do not need to be a member of the church to be in the directory. All who are part of the St. Mark's community are welcome. Please contact Claire in the church office to help with this project or to ask questions.

Photo Dates

Wednesday, October 9, 2pm-8pm
Thursday, October 10, 2pm-8pm
Thursday, October 24, 2pm-8pm
Friday, October 25, 2pm-8pm
Saturday, October 26, 10am-4pm