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St. Mark’s Messenger

OCTOBER 2020 7803 Well Street, Manassas, VA 20111

Phone: 703-368-5790 Fax: 703-369-5799

Web Site: comefollowchrist.net

Bishop Sharma Denise Lewis Minoo Kim Pastor Jeff Mickle, District Superintendent

NEWS FROM PASTOR MINOO KIM Dear Congregation of St. Mark’s UMC, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! I am writing this to you as my family is preparing to move to a new house. We had delayed our move due to the concerns of the coronavirus, but now here we are, packing and cleaning night and day. Every time I prepare to move, I’m always reminded of how unfun moving is. As I am preparing to move, I am reminded that Christians are called to be a people on the move. We are currently reading about Moses and the Israelites moving out of Egypt and into the wilderness from the Book of Exodus. We are familiar with the prophet Isaiah’s answer to the Lord, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). Jesus and his followers always moved from one place to another to do their ministry. And Jesus commissioned his disciples and us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:16-20). And we know about the Apostle Paul doing exactly that as we read from the Epistles. Our Christian faith inspires us and empowers us to move, to go, to follow, and to be sent, all according to God’s plan. Even though I am moving just down the block, I am now understanding this call more intimately as a family man. I am now realizing how countercultural this call is, especially when we are so strongly exposed to the lure of stability and safety. The greatest danger to our spiritual health is being stagnant. And as John Wesley has said, we are going on to perfection, which means being in this

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lifelong process of sanctification or becoming “perfected in love.” And sometimes, our bodies need to move in order to get our spirits moving. The way we move nowadays looks very different due to the pandemic. The pandemic both restricts our movement, and yet also expands our movement through the wonders of technology. We can reach, help, influence, and love people in so many different ways. God always paves the way for us to be moving in accordance with the melody of the Holy Spirit. So, how are you moving? How is God calling you to move this month of October? How is God calling St. Mark’s UMC to move as we approach the end of the year? (Already?!) I pray that God will continue to inspire us and empower us, paving the way for us as we move on to perfection as God’s beloved.

(Sena is ready to move too!)

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LIBRARY NEWS

Do You Like to Read?

We have a library full of books for you to borrow and enjoy? The books are in categories and listed alphabetically. We have a database with all the books. Please make sure you sign the books out. Take the card out of the back of the book and sign your name and the date, then place the card in the pink box on the shelf under the letter of your last name. You may check the books out for three weeks but if you need more time just recheck it out. When you return the books just put them back in the green basket and I will check them back in and reshelf them. If you have any questions or want to check database for specific book see Linda Smith in the office. If you have books that you no longer want, you can donate them to the library. Just put them in the green basket. HAPPY READING AND ENJOY

This Phot o b y Unknown Author is licensed unde r CC B Y - N C - N D

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CARE TEAM NEWS

When I talk about the CARE TEAM, I think of all of us at St. Mark’s. As I listen to different people talking about different situations, I realize that someone is watching out for someone else all the time. We all take care of each other in different ways. Yes, we have designated people who are more actively engaged in the events under the umbrella of The CARE TEAM and those are the ones who plan and attend, but like so many other things at St. Mark’s, we all make a difference. We are all members of the body.

Fox Trail Senior Living Center is the primary focus of the CARE TEAM

outside of the church. One of the recent activities that some of us participated in during the warmer temperatures in September was sing hymns and spiritual songs for nine residents and two attendants sitting outside on the front patio. With Lynn Maletick, a former music director of St. Mark’s, at the keyboard, Saundra Krauser, Mary Mellott, Linda Smith, Lynne Johnson, Mike Maletick, and Lucy Brewer joined their voices in sharing music for about an hour for these people. We had a great time, and the residents thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

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Some even joined with us in singing. The recreational director shared that they were even talking about how much they liked what they heard. We’re hoping to get one more time of singing with them if the weather permits. Another activity we will be doing with the residents of Fox Trail is being pen pals with them. If anyone is interested in becoming a pen pal with someone who is very much isolated from everything, please let me know. Just tell me your preference of a male or female if you have one. I will send out a separate e-mail regarding the exchange. Another activity we talked about is having shoeboxes for the residents. One can take a shoebox or any other small box, decorate it, and fill it with sugar-free candies, snacks, small bottles of hand sanitizers, hand/body lotion, small packs of tissues, book marks, any small items that you can think of. We thought building a box for someone isolated would be fun. I’ll have more specifics to follow later. Continue taking care of each other and staying In touch with each other. Remember, you are never alone. God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. He’s with us every step of the way. God be with you and keep you. Lucy Brewer C0-0rdinator

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Sunday School/Children’s Church News October 2020

By Robin Cameron Happy Fall Y’all! We all have 3 to 4 weeks of virtual learning under our belts. This experience has been met with frustration and gratitude. Frustration as we have all been required to adjust to a “new norm”. I have spent some very frustrating moments next to my grandson trying to figure out how to annotate a PDF file with no initial direction. You tube failed me here. Gratitude to all those who have been working so hard to make learning work without that much needed personal interaction. Yeah Teachers and administrators! Gratitude to all those parents who offer warm hugs and face the challenges of this new and demanding learning system with their overwhelmed students while continuing to struggle to provide. Most of all…thank you Max, Lou, Chris, Christopher, Abbie, Aiden, Vincent, JT, Destiny, Kaitlyn, Shyanne, Justin, Brody and Pat for being our HOPE. You bring you shiny eyes and open minds to each and every task. You refuse to let the challenges of life to get you down. We love you all!!!!! Upcoming lessons with Ms. Robin will be: Reaching for the Prize You are invited Tricky Questions We Are Number 1 Keep Learning and Growing with Jesus. Ms. Robin *Please join us each Sunday to listen to Pastor Minoo and Jacob present Music and the WORD and Ms. Robin for Children’s moments. You can watch us on Facebook or the church website: Come follow Christ.net.

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

The Theme for Vacation Bible School

Under Construction For 2021

Rocky Railway!

Tentative dates are July 2021

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Go Team

Hi all! I miss seeing your faces. I am hopeful that I will see you soon since we are finally being able to think about having activities at the church. As some of you already know, we had our first community dinner in September. The name has changed to “Come to the Table” but it is still our regular community dinner that all are invited to attend. It was different since we still cannot have people come and be in the fellowship hall. We did a drive-in / take out dinner. We served over 25 dinners in “to go” boxes. Many thanks to all the folks who came and helped….BJ, Linda, Lucy, Pam, Holly & Tommy.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

This month we will be doing Spaghetti, salad & garlic bread, water and packaged dessert. Distribution of food will begin on October 19th at 6:30PM. You drive up and stay in your vehicle and the food will be delivered to you. Our Fall Festival is coming soon! We will be having a cookout with games and activities. Join us on October 17th from 3-6pm.

Thi Ph b U k

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We are also planning to do a Trunk or Treat for Halloween. It will be on FRIDAY night October 30th at 6pm. Plan your costume and decorate your trunk, hope to see you there. If you are old enough to remember drive in movies, you will appreciate the “drive in movie night” that will be coming soon! More details will be available soon! Many Blessings Lynne Johnson Go Team Chair

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

Flower Calendar

If you would like to donate flowers for our alter, the new flower calendar is posted on the wall in the office for you to sign–up. The flowers cost $24.00 a week. If the flowers are in Honor or Memory of a loved one or event, please note that on the calendar. If you have questions, please call the church office (703-368-5790). If you want to donate for the flowers you may send it to the church office but mark it flower fund and put in memory of or honor of: The new calendar will be up by December 8th if you want to sign up for next year.

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

MUSIC DIRECTOR NEWS

How many trivia questions about The Faith We Sing (TFWS) hymnal can you answer? Check the answers on the last page.

1. When was TFWS first published? a. 1990 b. 1995 c. 2000 d. 2013

2. What is the first hymn in TFWS? a. Amazing Grace b. We Sing to You, O God c. I’ll Fly Away d. God Will Take Care of You

3. What is the last hymn in TFWS? a. Awesome God b. Wade in the Water c. Kyrie d. Joy in the Morning

4. How many spirituals are in TFWS? a. 0 b. 20 c. 70 d. 100

5. Which composer has the most hymns in TFWS? a. Fanny Crosby b. Charles Wesley c. Jacques Berthier d. John Newton

Jacob

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ST MARK’S WOMEN’S NEWS

Are you ready for things to happen, good things. As a team, we are trying to bring some normalcy back to the church, to continue with the usual activities that we would plan. In the past month, St.. Mark’s Women’s Group collected items for the Yorkshire Elementary School children even though school is not in session as usual, but the supplies are still needed. Thank you for the wonderful support and the donations. Now, we are looking at collecting toys and other items to fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse. The filled shoeboxes travel all over the world to children who are in need. National Leadership teams train pastors and community leaders who are interested in sharing the message of the Gospel and bless children. These trainees reach out to children through outreach events, inviting them on The Greatest Journey. The recipients of the shoeboxes are given the option of committing to a twelve-week program about the Gospel, similar to our Sunday School classes. The children are given booklets called The Greatest Gift to help them learn about God’s Greatest Gift, His Son, Jesus Christ. As a result of what they learn during The Greatest Journey, the boys and girls grow in Christ hearing about God’s Greatest Gift and share with friends and family. They have a graduation ceremony receiving a certificate of completion and are able to invite others to attend and hear about the Gospel as well. By being a part of the graduation, often parents, siblings, and friends accept church

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and become active members in their own local churches. Through a shoebox of gifts and the sharing of the Gospel, families are reached, churches grow, new churches start, and lives are changed. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of sharing God’s love simply through filling a shoebox with God’s love, of your love. Linda has done a good job of informing everyone about the availability of shoeboxes at church for pickup. There is a link below for those who would like to participate virtually. You can go to the site and “fill a shoebox.” The Women’s Group will be paying for the $9.00 postage for each box if sent through the church. I invite you to join in giving not only joy through the shoebox but an opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ also. How exciting is that! Build a shoebox online: www.samaritan’spurse.org Select HOW TO PACK A SHOEBOX, then select BUILD A BOX and follow the prompts. Until next time, Stay safe and God be with you and keep you. Lucy Brewer President

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SAMARITAN’S PURSE

We are doing Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. There will be shoeboxes and a signup sheet in the church office on Monday and Wednesdays from 9:00am-1:00pm. You may take a box and inside the box is instructions on how to pack the boxes and items that are allowed and ones that are not allowed. Here are a few of the items that you can put in them. WOW Items such as doll, soccer ball with pump, or stuffed animal. Other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. Most importantly pray for the child who will receive your gift, a personal note would be a nice gesture. There is a $9.00 shipping fee that goes with each box so if you would like to donate money for this instead of a box it would be appreciated. Please sign the sheet and number of boxes you took. We ask they be returned by November 15, 2020. The women’s group will pack them up on November 16th at their meeting and Lucy Brewer will deliver them.

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EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY The food pantry is currently closed until the church is opened back up. If you have food to donate please hold on until we open.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

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OVER 50 LUNCHEON

The Over 50 crowd will be taking a break from our outing of having lunch at 1:00pm until further notice until a later date when it is safe. NOTE: We are changing the day of the week we will be meeting on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays. Anyone over 50 who would like to join them is welcome. If any questions or want more information, please call Dot Obenchain (703-368-3969) or the church office (703-368-5790). You do not have to be 50 to join us, come out and join the group we always have a wonderful time of fellowship and good food.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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Oct 1 Tabitha Romano Oct 22 Heather Deavers Oct 2 Joel VanPelt Oct 27 Barbara Lanham Oct 8 Lou Goetz Oct 27 Maureen Devery Oct 11 Brenda Knowles Oct 30 Owen Gregory Smith Oct 15 Kadence Crawford Oct 30 Carol Davis Shirley Oct 15 Jacob Williams Oct 30 Debbie Gibson

October 13 Dickie & Jamie Dombrowsky

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

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OCTOBER 2020

SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT 1

2 3

4 Drive in worship with communion

5 6 7 Prayer Mtg 7:00 on Zoom

8 Thursday Night BS on Zoom 7:00pm

9 Fox Trail 10:00am

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11 12 13

14 Prayer Mtg 7:00 on Zoom Admin Council 7:30 on Zoom

15 Thursday Night BS on Zoom 7:00pm

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18 19 Community Dinner Take Out 6:30

20 21 Prayer Mtg 7:00 on Zoom

22 Thursday Night BS on Zoom 7:00pm

23 24 Charge Conference 9”00am on Zoom

25 26 27 28 Prayer Mtg 7:00 on Zoom

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St. Mark’s Messenger is published by the staff of St. Mark’s Church in Manassas, Virginia, who are solely responsible for its contents. It attempts to inform, inspire, and communicate with both membership and friends about programs of the United Methodist Church, the Virginia Conference, the Alexandria District, and the program offerings of St. Mark’s as a connectional member of the United Methodist Church. Deadline for submission of articles is five working days before the end of each month. Worship every Sunday at 8:30AM and 11:00AM, and prayer meeting on Wednesdays at 7:00pm.

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Saint Mark’s Worship Volunteer Schedule for October

Date

Usher

Money Counters

Lay Readers Nursery

Oct 4 NO SERVICE Linda Smith

Oct 11 NO SERVICE Saundra Krauser

Oct 18 NO SERVICE Lynn Maletick

Oct 25 NO SERVICE Marty Powell

Children’s Church

Robin Cameron Robin Cameron Robin Cameron Robin Cameron

Answers

1. 2000 2. We Sing to You, O God 3. Joy in the Morning 4. 20 5. Jacques Berthier