One of Saint Mark's seminary students, Adri Bullard, recently joined the 11th

Hour to preach her Commissioning Sermon. In the process of ordination in the

United Methodist Church, every candidate is required at specific points to fulfill

certain requirements. One of those requirements is to preach a sermon that will

later be evaluated and used as a teaching tool by the Board of Ordained Ministry

for the candidate. This typically occurs once they have completed half of their

seminary coursework.

We give thanks for all that choose to dedicate their life to ministry. Part of our

apportioned mission shares go to support ministerial students through the

Ministerial Education fund. Saint Mark's consistently pays 100% of their mission

shares making such wonderful things happen.

Adri, who served as a youth intern at Saint Mark's and has been a part of the

congregation ever since, chose to do her sermon this fall. She gave thanks for all

that the congregation has meant to her and the community. We celebrate all of our

ministerial students and give thanks for those that have come from Saint Mark's.

On November 27

Adri Bullard gave her commissioning sermon at 11th Hour

Adri Bullard at 11th Hour

Salvation Army Angel tree items are pictured here on December 4, the deadline. Toys and clothing for needy children filled

the Narthex, part of the office, the CLC and the Robe Room. The congregation had until 4:00 p.m. that Sunday afternoon to

take more tags from the tree and bring back the requests if they had not done so already. There were quite a few left so Chris

Zachow, coordinator, and Jane Brown, Jerry Klomparens, Karen Reed were among those who purchased the remaining

items so that a total of 144 children received their requested Angel Tree bikes and other toys and clothing gifts this Christmas.

Thanks to all the Sunday School classes and individuals in the church for their generosity to make Christmas brighter for

those families.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

to the Saint Mark's congregation

Holiday Office Hours

The office will be closed Monday,

December 26, and Tuesday,

December 27. It will be open

Wednesday, December 28 and

Thursday, December 29.

The office will be closed Friday,

December 30 and

Monday, January 2, 2012.

Tabitha Circle

will have

its Christmas luncheon at

11:30 a.m. on

Tuesday, December 20,

at Table 100 restaurant

at Dogwood Place

in Flowood, MS.

Sandra Bates is president.

The Saint

Mark's

Preschool/MMO

Christmas

program will be

Tuesday,

December 20,

at 9:00 a.m. in

the Sanctuary.

Trendsetter luncheon

will be a catered

Christmas traditional meal

Wednesday, December 21,

at noon in the CLC.

Providing music will be

well-known personality,

Bill Clark.

Suggested cost: $15.00.

2

.

Jeannie Melton

sang and played

her guitar for the

Communion

music on Dec-

ember 4. Serving

at 8:20 were

Barbara Ragan,

Betty Mabry,

Edna Massingill

and Phil Miracle.

Baptized

Thomas Ray Sharpe was baptized by Rev.

Rob Gill on Sunday, December 11.

Parents are Kathryn and Blaine Sharpe.

Photo by Barbara Jackson

Lighting the Advent Wreath at 10:45 a.m. service on Sunday,

December 11, was the Achord Family that included Jim, Pat,

Andy, Lori, Allie, Sam and Ben and Heather and Ben Bryan and

Ann Achord Burns.

Families lighted the Advent Wreath

Lighting the 8:20 a.m. Advent Wreath and reading on Sunday,

December 11 were the Norton and Embry families: Bill and

Jonnie Norton, Kristy, Scott and Caroline Embry.

Lighting the Advent wreath on December 18:

8:20 a.m. - Harvey family: Rod, Gigi,

Austin and Alex

10:45 a.m. - Ogle family: Bill, Elizabeth

August and Marie

Lighting the candle and

reading on the Second

Sunday of Advent

(December 4) were Kris

and Sherry Zumbrunn.

The Mike Lowery

family lighted the

candle at the 10:45

service

3

On Communion

Sunday,

December 4,

Larry Simons

portrayed John

the Baptist as

part of Rob's

sermon, "Two

Sides of the

Truth."

The last day for 2011 contributions is December 31 The final Sunday of the year is Christmas Day. Contributions for 2011

can be made at the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.

According to the IRS, contributions must be in our possession or

postmarked by December 31, 2011 to be counted for the current year.

The office will be closed on Friday, December 30, so that means they

must be brought into the office no later than Thursday, December 29, or

mailed by December 31, 2011. CONTRIBUTIONS PLACED IN THE

OFFERING PLATE ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012

CANNOT BE COUNTED FOR 2011...NO MATTER WHAT

DATE IS WRITTEN ON THEM.

Children's Choir entertained parents and friends

with "Wise Guys and Starry Skies" on December 7

The Wise Men went on a journey to discover our Savior. All of the children did a

great job. A special thanks to our directors: Currie Gill, Martha Toombs, and Jennye

Case. The Cherub Choir Directors were: Vavra Curran, Ashley May, Christa Payne

and Sandra Thomas.

Photos by Pam Readel

4

Trendsetters enjoyed their

trip to the Smoky Mountains

The trip to the Smokies took

the Trendsetters to Alabama,

Tennessee and North Carolina.

They headquartered in Pigeon

Forge where they saw the Dixie

Stampede, Christ in the Gar-

den, Apple Barn Cider Mill,

and Dollywood, and then the

Biltmore in Asheville, NC.

Meals were special events

that included the Biltmore and

Fiores Italian restaurant in

Asheville, the Apple Barn Cider

Mill and Dixie Stampede in

Pigeon Forge, the Pancake

Pantry in Gatlinburg, TN.

Tours were dampened a bit

by rain on Tuesday and Wed-

nesday but Thursday dawned

bright and clear for the tour and

shows in Dollywood. They saw

the two million lights decorating

the buildings and grounds, the

"Christmas in the Smokies" and

and ice show with twelve New

York skaters. Both shows

focused on the birth of Christ.

It was a memorable trip that

was planned by Rev. Sandra

Thomas. She also provided

Christmas movies on the 50-

passenger Cline Tour bus for re-

laxing entertainment.

The trip was December 5-9.

Group picture was taken by the onsite photographer. Row 1: Jane Becker, Margaret Mayes, Ed and Jean Lancaster. Row 2: Anita Womack,

Jimmie Ray Gordon, Irene Vantrease, Sara Meeks, Forest and Nancy Rousseau, Sherry Essington, Frances Upchurch, Bobbie Thrash, Lura Scales.

Row 3: Jimmy and Judy Norris, Sandra Bates, Rodney Meeks, Mary Carroll, Barbara Glasscock, Sandra Cazier, Jane Oakes, Sandra Thomas. Row

4: Billy Bates, Betty Mabry, Phil and June Miracle, George Carroll, Gary Cazier, Jerry Oakes, bus driver Bobby Rush.

Ed and Jean Lancaster, Judy and Jimmy Norris, Phil and

June Miracle, Mary Carroll - Betty Mabry, Rodney and Sara

Meeks, Margaret Mayes, Frances Upchurch.

Umbrellas were

needed Wednesday

but Thursday and

Friday were sunny.

Left is the Apple

Barn Cider Mill and

at right is at a trolley

stop in Gatlinburg.

(Photos by

Anita Womack,

Gary Cazier,

June Miracle) Jean Lancaster, Frances Upchurch, Rodney Meeks, Anita Womack,

Jimmie Ray Gordon Lura Scales. Barbara Glassock, Lura Scales, Sara Meeks, Phil Miracle, Rodney

Meeks, Sherry Essington, Margaret Mayes.

Some of the 2 million lights at

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. 6

Cast

Narrator - Jeffrey Broocks

Benjamin - Trey Usry

Mordecai - Chad Thompson

Melchior - Larry Simons

Jessica - Kathryn Usry

Mrs. Carlyle - Jane Brown

And members of the Sanctuary Choir and

11th Hour Praise Singers of

Saint Mark's United Methodist Church

Director - Sandra Thomas

"Searching for the King," a dramatic Christmas musical was an unusual Cantata that focused on the desert stars. "Two Different

Worlds Seeking the Truth." It was what the wise men saw on that first Christmas night and what the soldiers of today see as they

serve in the same desert area today. The musical was written from the perspectives of two time periods -- the Biblical times and

now. We are all searching for something in our lives. Let us always look to the one who was born more than 2,000 years ago and

let Jesus guide us to find the answers to all of our needs just as He guided many to God so many years ago. The musical was

intended to move us to find it in our hearts to pray for, give to, and support the troops who are fighting for freedoms all around the

world.May we not only remember them at Christmas, but throughout the year. Websites for contributions: www.soldierangels.org;

wwwtroopcarepack.com; www.anysoldier.com. The Cantata was arranged and orchestrated by David T. Clydesdale, drama by

Walter L. Black.

Sanctuary Cantata featured choir, musicians, and actors as they presented "Searching for the King"

"Searching for the King" "Glory to the Newborn King!"

"Searching for a King"

Solos by Trey Usry and Chad Thompson

"Morning Star" with "Emmanuel" - Solo by Tyler Wilcox

"It Was a Starry Night"

"This is God"

Solos by Kit LaCour and Raymond Hall

"Beautiful One" with "Sing, Sing, Sing"

"What Will You Do" - Children's Choir

"Peace" - Solo by Trey Usry

"Hail to the King!" with "Hark The Herald Angels Sing"

and "Glory to the Newborn King!"

Cast and Choirs

Musicians

Darlene Baker - Piano

Jason Boyd - Organ

Ann Pittman - Flute

Keith Keeton - Baritone

Kevin Keeton - Tuba

Bill Dillon - Percussion

Technical Crew

Sound, photography, props, costumes, programs

Mike Lowery, Greg Ross, Jim Stevenson, Jan Smith,

Susan Weatherholt, Martha Toombs,

Jerry Klomparens, June Miracle

5

Adult Nativity

Mary - Amanda Fontaine

Joseph - Patrick Fontaine

Mordecai - Chad Thompson

Wise Man - Richard Hartung

Wise Man - Jeff Schmitz

Children's Nativity

Mary - Aryanna Bullard

Joseph - Hunter Stanard

Wise Man - Will Broocks

Wise Man - Ben Curry

Wise Man - Cason Gill

Trey and Kathryn Usry represented the military while Chad

Thompson and Larry Simons were the wise men--all who were under

the same Middle Eastern sky seeing the same stars in two different

time periods -- Biblical and modern day.

The Gathering Sunday School Class Front row: Rusty Noak, Beth Williamson, Lindsey Briscoe, Jessica McGee, Kathryn Usry, Jessica Harris. Second Row: Adam Briscoe,

LeeAnne Robinson, Nan Moak, Trey Usry, Brad McGee, Jessica Milone, Nancy Keeton, Jessica Thompson. Back Row: Ward Robinson,

Robbie Harris, Greg Williamson, Chad Thompson. Not pictured: David and Emily Brandt, Steve and Dana Grant, Emily Keeton.

(Photo by Kevin Keeton.)

The Gathering class consist of young families with and without children. Studies include family and marriage, Advent and Lent studies

such as Max Lucado's "Cure for the Common Life." Members are involved in church activities and mission work, attend traditional

and contemporary service, enjoy regular cookouts and fellowship away from the church.

Trendsetters enjoyed a

candlelight tour of Jackson

They saw decorations at the

Governor's Mansion, the Old

Capitol, the State Capitol, William

Winter building plus Christmas

entertainment. They traveled by

trolley to the different places

in Jackson.

Donna Bishop, Anne Reed, Linda Bane, Janice Larson, Patty Campbell, Jane Becker, Anita

Womack, Sherry Essington, Bess Becker. The tour was Friday, December 2. The Governor's Mansion 7

Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church Dated Material NONPROFIT

400 Grant’s Ferry Road December 16, 2011 ORGANIZATION

Brandon, MS U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Phone: 601-992-2131 Parsonage: 601-919-9770 PERMIT 27

Website: www.saintmarksum.org to see the Beacon in color CHURCH STAFF

Rob Gill, Senior Pastor………......................….....x103 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Keith Keeton, Teaching Pastor………….…..........x105

Sandra Thomas, Minister of Worship & Music....x104

Amie Cain, Dir. Age-Level/Family Ministries.......x109

Jeanne Chapman, Youth Director..................992-9554

Church Facility Manager, Jim Readel...........506-4714

Delores Seward, Administrative Assistant...….....x101

Martha Toombs, Business Office………….…......x106

Preschool Office…..………………………….........x110

Darlene Baker…………………………….......…Pianist

Jason Boyd……………………………….........Organist

David Potvin..................... 11th Hour Worship Leader

Check the church website or Sunday bulletin for times of events and further information. See the bulletin for all

on the caring list. Worship is each Sunday at 8:20, 10:45 and 11:00 a.m.; Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m.

Methodist Men to meet December 18

The December UMM breakfast will be Sunday,

December 18, at 7:00 a.m. in the CLC. This will

be the last meeting for 2011. Come for food and

fellowship.

to Kelsey and Kelsey Van Every upon the birth of

their son, Jack Simmons Van Every, December 6.

Grandparents are Tom and Kim Douglas.

to Chris and Maggie Babin upon the birth of

their daughter, Ella Grace Babin, December 6.

Grandmother is Lynda Dutton.

Our sympathy to

Robert Ware upon the

death of his mother,

Mary Ann Ware, in Bruce, MS,

on Monday, December 12.

HOSPITALIZED Joell McBeth - M. D. Anderson, Houston, TX

Rusty Barnes - UMC Jim Ragan - River Oaks

Camille Dumas Henry Laird - VA

Patti Easterling

8