The Trustees will meet on the 1st of this month at 6:30 p.m..

Thursday, February 3rd, the UMW will have

their monthly meeting at 10 a.m.

The Finance team will meet on Feb. 8th at 6:30 p.m.

Join us for dinner at February’s FOOD, Fun & Fellowship,

the 9th from 5:30-7 p.m.

Come celebrate February birthdays with the UMW on the 17th at 11 a.m.

It’s all fun and games at our monthly Game Night,

Thursday, February 17th, 7-9 p.m.

The UMM is serving breakfast and a devotional

at 8 a.m. on February 19th.

See what’s going on in the life of St. Marks and have your voice heard

at the Administrative Council meeting February 22nd at 6:30 p.m.

On the 27th, St. Marks will host a guest speaker, Rev. Zan Holmes,

during our regular worship service.

During the worship service on February 12th, St. Marks will celebrate

our future leaders by honoring the scouts in our congregation.

St. Marks is

a welcome sanctuary

for “all!”

We are deeply rooted

in the saving grace

of Jesus Christ and

infused with

power of

the Holy Spirit.

We aspire

to make disciples

of Jesus Christ

for transforming

our community.

We are

spiritually nurtured

by worship

and undergirded

with study,

fellowship and

support.

Page 2 Marker

FEBRUARY is a month advertisements are dominated by Candy companies, Hallmark and other card

companies, Jewelers, and whoever has unique gifts representing “I LOVE YOU!” Have you given a gift of love

lately? It is my hope that we remain mindful about the Spiritual reflections of LOVE.

I Corinthians 13:3-7 reads,

“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr,

but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere.

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others. Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything.

Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

(The Message Translation, Peterson)

HAVE A HAPPY MONTH WITH LOVE FROM ME…

Page 3 Marker

Venture Crew 90 has participated in many events

ranging from lounging on the beach to hiking four miles to

a campsite. Venturing is all about discovering leadership

skills and having fun.

In August of last summer, our crew traveled to

Galveston beach and spent some time with our feet in

the ocean. We also visited a planetarium with a telescope

that allowed us to see Mars and a few other planets very

clearly! Adding to the excitement, we took a stroll in an

alligator swamp. We saw several large alligators – the

smallest was about 8 feet long, and the largest was

approximately 15 feet! We learned some information

about the alligators, including that they can only run for

short distances; after about 30 feet, they get tired. Lesson

learned – it is best to stay at least 30 feet away so they

don’t feel threatened (and you can escape). Just a few months ago we attended Camporee in

Dallas, which is a big get-together for Venture Crews and

Boy Scout Troops. The sights this year included a tee-pee

with people performing an actual Native-American dance, a

racecar that was available to take pictures in, and, on the

last night, the staff presented a fireworks show. They were

amazing!

Venturing is so much fun! Anyone who loves the

outdoors and isn’t afraid to get a little mud on their shoes

should definitely give it a shot

We are currently planning some events. If anyone

would like to join or just get more information, please email

our crew advisors, Mr. or Mrs. Newby at

venturingcrew90@yahoo.com

“Congratulations and special thanks to the 260

churches in the North Texas Conference who paid In

the North Texas Conference, we have determined that

the most effective use of our conference

apportionments is to align them with the four strategic

initiatives of the church, i.e. leadership development,

new church starts and transformation, ministry with

the poor, and global health.” (Reporter Jan. 2011)

We did it! Again: I too thank you for your

financial commitment to the Finances of our church.

Pastor Jackye

The Rev. Zan Holmes will join us in worship on

February 27. We are looking forward to this celebration

of African American achievement in the United

Methodist Church.

Rev. Holmes has been involved in the church

and the community for decades, teaching as an adjunct

professor at SMU Perkins and serving on the Texas

State House of Representatives from 1968-1972. He also

served as District Superintendent for St. Marks years

ago. We are glad to welcome him.

Page 5 Marker

The meeting for November 4 was held in the Fellowship Hall with 14 members in

attendance. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and accepted. The treasurer’s report was given by

Mary Mumaw and was also approved and accepted with a motion by Gayle Jones and Ann Harris. Sunshine

Chairperson, Mazelle Ross, sent cards to all the birthdays for the previous months. Betty Leslie had nothing

to report on attaining any new members. Many coats were purchased and delivered to the Elementary

schools by the first week of December. We discussed our Craft Fair. We were asked to bring cakes for the

cake sale, pies for the contest and the men will make chili for that contest also.

Our December meeting was held in the beautifully decorated home of Betty Marks. Finger foods

were brought by the members and we collected toys for Christmas to be given to Mesquite’s Santa Cop

program for the children.

Pastor Jackye dismissed the meeting with a prayer. No business was discussed at our Christmas

lunch.

The UMW always welcomes any and all women in the community to join them in their meetings and

birthday celebrations. Please, feel free to invite those in your life who are not previously engaged to join our

United Methodist Women in their ministries. The more the merrier!

Page 5 Marker

In previous articles, we have looked at

several of the fruits of the spirit that are

freely offered to us as we accept the Holy

spirit into our lives. Now we will begin to

see how these attributes build together to

change our lives and to act as a defense

against the temptations we face daily. This

understanding is laid out in many of the

letters to the early churches but most

pointedly by Peter in his second letter to

the Jewish Christians driven out of

Jerusalem into Asia Minor and to all

believers everywhere.

2 Peter 1 (NIV) His divine power has given

us everything we need for a godly life

through our knowledge of him who called

us by his own glory and goodness. 4

Through these he has given us his very

great and precious promises, so that

through them you may participate in the

divine nature, having escaped the

corruption in the world caused by evil

desires. 5 For this very

reason, make every effort

to add to your faith

goodness; and to goodness,

knowledge; 6 and to

knowledge, self-

control; and to self-

c o n t r o l ,

perseverance; and to perseverance,

godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual

affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8

For if you possess these qualities in

increasing measure, they will keep you

from being ineffective and unproductive

in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus

Christ. 9 But whoever does not have

them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting

that they have been cleansed from their

past sins.

We each come to a faith in God through

a different path and those unique

experiences produce a community of

believers who have vastly different abilities

to handle temptations that Satan places

around all of us. Peter knew this as he

wrote the letters to his flock that had been

scattered about in communities across

Asia Minor. In the passage above he

begins to lay out a path that allows them

to build on their faith using the strengths

and attributes that are a part of God’s

Holy Spirit that now resides in them. The

foundation is their faith in God which

many of the early Christians had received

first or second hand through the ministry

of Christ the risen Messiah. In his

message, he tells them that their faith will

lead them first to goodness directed at

their fellow man.

Mark 12:29-31 (NIV) 29 “The most

important one,” answered Jesus, “is this:

‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the

Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God

with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your mind and with all your

strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your

neighbor as yourself.’ There is no

commandment greater than these.”

Then he invokes them to add

knowledge of God and his teachings. That

is why we congregate to hear his message

and to study his word. The early churches

received letters and visits from the

apostles and we still study the same

messages today. With knowledge, your

faith is strengthened and you are able to

speak with authority to share your faith

and to speak against those who may try to

lead you or others away from God.

With a faith in God supported by his

very words given through Jesus Christ his

son, we are able to build up our self-

control and grow in our efforts to be like

God in our actions. Self-control is much

easier when we realize that we are not

doing it alone. In fact, we only have to let

go of the things around us and let the

Holy Spirit that is there as a gift from God,

take control. Pray daily, recognizing

God’s authority in your life, asking for

forgiveness and seeking his presence in all

that you do. Then we can operate on

“Spirit-control”.

Page 6 Marker

Bernard Kelly

The Anderson Family

The Stephens Family,

Mary Ann Barton,

Rick & Nita Sanders,

Tommie Cowling, Danny Weaver,

Clara Green, Ronnie Henson, Beau Turnipseed,

Rusty Walker, Tony Freiley, Bill Woodall,

Phil & Helen Halliday, Jessie Elrod, The Hamil Family,

The Ross Family, The Harwell Family, Ginger Gish,

St. Marks KIDZ KLUB, Our Military Troops Worldwide

2/6

David Scott

2/9

Billy Bragg

2/10

Paula Holder

2/24

Oleta Ischy

2/25

Thelma Aleshire

2/27

Michael Radde

2/29

Cynthia Miller

On Thursday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m., New Covenant

will host the Bishop’s wife, Leslie Jean Bledsoe.

She is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University,

licensed in social work, has served on the US Marine

Corps, and has served the homeless and families-in-

crisis populations. She served as a member of the St.

Joseph Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and

the Family Promise Homeless ministry Board of

Directors. Leslie speaks at many functions of how to

choose to be “Blessed in a Mess.”

Come and see Leslie Bledsoe for a powerful and

inspirational time with this encouraging lady.

Dear Friends at St. Marks United Methodist Church— Mesquite ISD is so appreciative of all that you do to help families in our community during the holiday season. Your donation of 50 food boxes at Thanksgiving and Christmas shows the generous and considerate heart of your ministry. We also recognize and appreciate all of the hard work and organization that goes into an undertaking of this nature. Our counselors strive to distribute the boxes to families that are desperately in need and report back the gratitude of these families. You r contribution of food to their holiday meal helps to reduce some of the stress associated with trying to provide during this special time of year. The members of your organization are so wonderful to provide for those less fortunate. Thank you for all that you do and for helping the children and families in Mesquite ISD.

Sincerely—Debbie Shewmake, Adm. Officer/ Instruction MISD

Page 6 Marker

Doris was born May 1, 1925 in Kemp, TX to Izora and William Stevens. She grew up on a farm, missing school occasionally to pick cotton. She graduated from Kemp high school, moved to Dallas, and worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” to help with the war effort. After the was, she worked at City National Bank. A coworker who shared a similar name introduced Doris to her brother R.W., or Steve, who was serving in the Marine Corps. Doris and R.W. corresponded by mail and married on April 2, 1949. Doris was an officer’s wife and beloved mother of four children. Her survivors include her husband of 61 years, R.W. Stephens, children Gary and his wife Sally (whom she loved as a daughter(, Jam Milligan, Judy Grubbs, and Jennifer Vidovich and husband John;

grandchildren Emily, and Michael Ward, Ben Stephens, Mike Milligan, Brian and Lynsey Milligan, Sarah and Ryan Lycans, Amanda Grubbs, Samantha Vidovich, and Alex Vidovich; and seven great-grandchildren (with another on the way). She also leaves behind her sister Frances Tarpey and brother William Stevens. Doris possessed a generous, creative, and compassionate spirit. She treasured and cared selflessly for family, children, and animals of all kinds,. She was a friend to all and helped anyone in need. We celebrate and give thanks for the life of Doris Ruth Stephens and will cherish our memories of her forever.

On behalf of the Dallas Bethlehem Center I want to thank you for your recent donation to the Dallas Bethlehem Center. Your donation is an affirmation that kindness and humanity still exist in the world. Your generous contribution to our organization is helping to “ensure that no child is left behind.” Research chows that children who grow up in d i s a d v a n t a g e d n e i g h b o r h o o d s a r e disproportionately at risk for poor school performance, drop out, and delinquent behavior. These children need early childhood intervention programs to help: fill the gap, provide support structures, and build bridges toward educational success. Once again, thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity. Petrella Booker

Your financial investment in our programs help provide: Quality, affordable early childhood education After-school and summer enrichment programs Nutrition and preventative awareness Parenting skills classes Community outreach programs

St. Marks Chancel Choir will combine efforts with

Hope Community Fellowship

for a special Lenten season celebration.

Save the dates:

3/27 at 3:30 p.m. @ Hope Community Fellowship

4/3 at 3:30 p.m. @ St. Marks UMC

(more information in March marker)

1

10:30-11:30 Bible Study

6:30 Trustees

7-8 Boy Scouts

2

6:30-7:45 Choir

Rehearsal

3

10 UMW

Meeting

4 5

6

9:45 Sunday school

9:45 KIDZ KLUB

11 Worship

7 8

10:30-11:30 Bible Study

6:30 Finance

7-8 Boy Scouts

9

5:30-7 FOOD,

Fun & Fellowship

6:30-7:45 Choir

Rehearsal

10 11 12

13 Scout Sunday

9:45 Sunday school

9:45 KIDZ KLUB

11 Worship

14 15

10:30-11:30 Bible Study

7-8 Boy Scouts

16

6:30-7:45 Choir

Rehearsal

17

11 UMW Birthday

Luncheon

7-9 Game Night

18 19

8 UMM

Breakfast

20

9:45 Sunday school

9:45 KIDZ KLUB

11 Worship 12 African American Luncheon

21 22

10:30-11:30 Bible Study

6:30 Admin. Council

7-8 Boy Scouts

23

6:30-7:45 Choir

Rehearsal

24 25 26

27

9:45 Sunday school

9:45 KIDZ KLUB

11 Worship-Rev. Zan Holmes

28

3117 Motley Drive

Mesquite, TX 75150

Phone

972-279-8042

Fax

972-613-5959

E-mail: stmarks-office@att.net

Web: stmarksumcmesquite.org

Pastor Jackye Waiters-Lee

Pastor, Ext. 101

Lindsey Radde

Adm. Assistant, Ext. 1

Tish Davenport

Music Director

Kathy Logan

Organist

Mark Bailey

Custodian

JaJauna Scott

Treasurer

Steve Stephens

Photographer/ Asst. Treasurer