The Bridge
        
The weekly newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
   June 16 , 2016 
        
 
Sunday Worship      
8:30am-Blended
9:45am-Contemporary
11:00am-Traditional
 
 
To hear podcast recordings of our Sunday Sermons
Click Here
St. Mark's Staff
Pastors
Phil Rue, Visitation
Staff
Ingelaurie Lisher, Youth and Family
Music Ministry
Contemporary Music Ministry
Manager of Finance and Operations
Office Manager
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Just Shopping

Just Shopping is an Internet Fundraising Program at St. Mark's. It's part of a three-tiered plan to eliminate our building debt by 2023. On-line purchase made through our website with affiliate companies helps pay off our building loan. Thank you for your support and please share this internet shopping opportunity with your family and friends! For more information, click here to visit our website. 


 

 
       Contact Us  
St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows

6730 N. 17th St.
Tacoma, WA 98406

Office: 253-752-4966
Preschool: 253-752-4929
Join our mailing list.
ELCA BISHOPS SPEAK OUT AFTER MASS SHOOTING IN ORLANDO

In her open letter to the Church and the larger community after the mass shooting in Orlando, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton wrote:
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
We are killing ourselves. We believe that all people are created in God's image. All of humanity bears a family resemblance. Those murdered in Orlando were not abstract "others," they are us. But somehow, in the mind of a deeply disturbed gunman, the LGBTQ community was severed from our common humanity. This separation led to the death of 49 and the wounding of 54 of us.
We live in an increasingly divided and polarized society. Too often we sort ourselves into likeminded groups and sort others out. It is a short distance from division to demonization. Yesterday, we witnessed the tragic consequences of this. There is another way. In Christ God has reconciled the world to God's self. Jesus lived among us sharing our humanity. Jesus died for us to restore our humanity. God invites us into this reconciling work. This must be our witness as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The perpetrator of this hate crime did not come out of nowhere. He was shaped by our culture of division, which itself has been misshapen by the manipulation of our fears. That is not who we are. (See II Corinthians 5:17-20)
 
Our work begins now. We need to examine ourselves, individually and as a church, to acknowledge the ways we have divided and have been divided. We must stand with people who have been "othered". We must speak peace and reconciliation into the cacophony of hatred and division. We must live the truth that all people are created in God's image.
 
Bishop Rick Jaech of our ELCA Southwestern Washington Synod added these words:
 
My heart is heavy as I grieve the killing of 50 sons and daughters of God at the LGBTQ dance club in Orlando. Hatred has once again erupted into violence, leaving families shattered and lives torn apart. I urge you to pray for all those devastated by this event: the wounded, the slain, their families, all LGBTQ people everywhere, and our entire nation. As we mark this week the year anniversary of the Charleston Nine Murders, let us pray for all who are victims of violence, including our African- American sisters and brothers. May our grief and horror compel us to advocate for sensible gun legislation and work for peace in our communities. The power of God to bring life out of death is our one hope in this time.

Luncheon for Jan Pence and Becki Christian

You're invited to a luncheon in the Parish Commons on Sunday, June 26 at 12:15pm in honor of Jan Pence and Becki Christian.  Come help us say "thank you" and "farewell"  for the many gifts they have shared with us at St. Mark's!  Please RSVP by signing up in the narthex this Sunday or by contacting us via phone or email . 
Wednesday Church Night is on Summer Hiatus 

Please join us again in the Fall!
Summer Music Camp Registration

St. Mark's Summer Music Camp, featuring Zimbabwe marimba and percussion specialist Jeff Brahe, will be held this August during the week of Monday, August 22nd through Friday, August 26th. Sessions will be divided by morning and afternoon classes as follows:
  • 9-Noon - Elementary camp (for children entering grades 2-5 next Fall)
  • 1-4pm - Youth camp (for children entering grades 6-12 next Fall)
  We cannot at this time offer participation for those outside of these age groups.
 
Each camp is limited to 20 children (20 in the morning, 20 in the afternoon) on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration for the camps will be on Sunday, June 19th in the Narthex, after the 8:30 service, and will involve filling out a registration form and paying the $50.00 registration fee (scholarships are available.)
 
A number of adult volunteers are needed to assist with running the camp each day. Please contact Cooper Sherry if you are available, or with any questions at cooper.sherry@smlutheran.org

 
Music on the Lawn- Save the Date

Back by Popular Demand! Music on the Lawn! Save the date August 13th.
St. Mark's Habitat for Humanity Local Project

Once again this year a team of volunteers from St. Mark's will help build a house at Habitat for Humanity in our own community. We will work on a house that is being constructed by groups from local churches -- appropriately, the project is called "Building on Faith." Our workday will take place on  Saturday, July 23.
 
Please visit the display in the narthex on  June 19 to sign up as a member of our team and to obtain more information about the work of Habitat in our local community. If you are unable to be in church that day, please contact Tom Geary for information or details. You can reach him at  253-549-2668 or by email at  TWGeary@aol.com .

Women of St. Mark's

Region 1 Women's Gathering, June 24th - 26th at the Embassy Suites in Lynnwood, WA.  Information and Registration form at www.lutheransmw.org/synod-women. The theme for this event is "Empowering Women by Grace through Faith".  Listen to women telling their stories in a format similar to "The View" on TV.  
Care of Creation: Summer Day Hikes

Mark your calendars! The Care of Creation Committee is sponsoring three day hikes during the summer of 2016.  The dates of the hikes are listed below:

  • Saturday June 25--Summit Lake in the Clearwater Wilderness
  • Friday July 15-- Sunrise in Mount Rainier National Park
  • Friday August 5 -- Hike in the Olympic Mountains TBD
Each of the hikes is geared to hikes of  all ages and abilities.  The first one--Summit Lake-- is about a 1300 foot gain and extends in 3 miles one way.  A beautiful lake lies near the end of the hike and eye-popping pictures of Mt. Rainier await.  The visit to Sunrise on Friday July 15 should appeal to families and members of all ages.  People can take short nature walks near the parking lot and enjoy the interpretive center and lodge.  Others will be able to take longer hikes, to Burroughs Mountain or Fremont Lookout two to three miles in distance. 

Please meet at the church parking lot at 8am on each of these hikes so that can form car pools.  Be sure to bring water, sun glasses and sun cream, lunch, camera, binoculars, first aid kit; also bring some money to reimburse those who are willing to drive.   We will not go if the weather is wet and rainy.  

Be sure to call/text Tom Hulst at 253-227-9665 (or email thulst@live.com) with any questions.  

Fabric Request for Worship Activity Bags- Thank you!

Thank you to all who donated fabrics for the Children's Worship Bags.  We received a delightful collection of fabrics and will now get to work on preparing kits and sewing them!  Your response has been much appreciated!

Take Them A Meal Volunteer Recruitment

Take Them A Meal: Continuing a long church tradition of providing food to support members who are ill or having a life difficulty, St. Mark's  is compiling  a list of members who would like to be potential meal providers. Potential meal providers would be notified by e-mail of meal requests.  Please call or  e-mail Janet Duris if  you would like to be a potential meal provider or if you would like additional information.  (Telephone: (253)582-4991 / e-mail:  durisjanet@hotmail.com )

St. Mark's Preschool
 
St. Mark's Preschool is accepting registration packets for the 2016-2017 school year. Classes are available for children ages 2.5-6 years old.  To get more information and/or a registration packet, visit the preschool's website, www.smlutheran.org/preschool or contact Anne Zimmerman (253) 752-4929 M-F 8:30-2:00.

Adult Faith Formation

Sunday, 9:45, Adult Forum, Parish Commons Classroom
The  Adult Forum  provides opportunities to reflect on Christian faith in light of current events and the daily decisions we need to make. Topics vary, leadership is shared, and the conversation is lively.

Sunday, 11am, Adult Class, Parish Commons Classroom
Adults dig deep into a biblical or theological text, presented as a series. Material is chosen for the season, or in response to the group's curiosity.

Fully Alive Bible Study,  Tuesdays, 5:15pm, (our last meeting of the year will be June 15 with pizza and we will resume in October)
  Questions? Contact Sherry Maiura (253) 549-4222.

Wednesday Women's Bible Study, 10:30am, Parish Commons Classroom. (NOTE Time Change - for June 8)
We are studying the Book of Acts. Questions? Contact Linda Durant at (253) 363-8202 or hotdouug@harbornet.com. Our last session of this spring will be June 8 (we will resume Sept. 14).

Text Study Luncheon, Wednesdays, Noon, Parish Commons
At Bible Study Luncheon men and women read and discuss the scripture texts appointed for the upcoming Sunday. The pastor who will be preaching on the texts guides the conversation.

Lydia Circle (meets the first Tuesday of each month and will be taking a break during July and August), Noon, Parish Commons Classroom 
A new women's Bible Study/Circle has been organized. Bring your lunch to the Parish Commons Classroom. All are welcome!  Contact: Louise Lindeman, louise223@q.com
 
Midweek Renewal, Wednesday, 6:15pm, Fireside Room
"Worship Matters"-Why do we do what we do when we gather on Sunday mornings for worship?  Together we will explore the roots of the liturgy and how it finds diverse expression in Christian congregations throughout the world.  All are welcome!

Third Thursday" Theology on Tap"- 
for young adults meets at Wingman Brewery at 7:30pm on the third Thursday of each month. Contact Pastor Jan Ruud, jruud@smlutheran.org. 

Cafe Circle- Cafe Circle is on summer hiatus, see you again in September!

Children and Youth Faith Formation             
                                
A huge thank you to volunteer music leaders Diana Busch-Conway and Elizabeth Hirschl for leading children's preschool Sunday school music throughout the year.  Their contributions have been an important part of the 3's and 4's Sunday school experience and are very much appreciated!  

Discapolooza-9-12th grade (2016-2017 school year) Disc Golf event in Poulsbo! Friday, June 24th 1:30pm to 8pm. Cost: $10.00pp. We have 3 more spaces available.    

VBS 2016- August 1-5th 9:00am-12:15pm for children 4 years old to 5th grade(incoming) at St. Mark's-Cave Quest! Registration materials available in the Children's Faith Formation or in the Narthex.  Please try to register your child by Sunday, July 17 so we make sure we have enough leaders and supplies.

Youth and adult volunteers (class leaders and assistants) are needed to help out with VBS. Please see the info table in the Narthex or contact Ingelaurie Lisher at 253-752-4966 ext. 104 ingelaurie@smlutheran.org see how you can lend a hand.
 
Summer Story Time Begins this Sunday at the 9:45am worship service ONLY. Children 5 years to 3rd grade are invited to a brief retelling of the Gospel lesson during the sermon.  Children will be brought back into the sanctuary before the creed. An Adult/mature youth is still needed for Sunday, July 24th.   
 
Regular Sunday preschool to High School Sunday classes are on hiatus June 19-September.

Host an International Exchange Student

Want to teach your family about a new culture? Volunteer to host an international exchange student; it is the best way to teach our children about the world (and they are never to young!). No children in the home? That is ok too, we are never to old to learn! Students are 15-18 and from many different countries! Call or text for more information and to get started today!  Cindy Johnson (253) 245-6641 or Ashleigh Johnson (253) 332-3538 

All placements are made through the STS Foundation, a non-profit corporation dedicated to intercultural student exchange.  
Member Notes and News

Paul Burton's memorial service will be June 25 at 2:00 at St. Mark's. 
From  the Archives

June 15, 1956 St. Mark's became self supporting.  This was a record achievement.  The Home Mission Department of the Evangelical Lutheran Church had paid expenses for the first six months, and ours was the first to become self supporting in so short a time. 

The theme for the Lay Evangelism in 1956 was "Visit one, Bring one, Win one."

The decision was made to pay the visiting pastors $25 and 8 cents a mile for travel.  All meetings were to be opened with prayer, and there were to be no fund raising projects such as bazaars, rummage sales and dinners.  

Each family was encouraged to buy at least one hymnal, and with extra offerings, enough were purchased for the congregation.  

Lovingly compiled by Volly Grande

Have an item for the bridge?
Send it to communications@smlutheran.org by 8am on Tuesday. All items will be run for 2 weeks prior to the relevant date and will be edited for length. Don't forget to send your member notes and news!