The Bridge
         
The weekly newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
   January 11 , 2017 
        
 
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 Coordinator
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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. 


 
Ministry Links

 

Online Giving

 


 
       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.
No Wednesday Night Church Night Tonight 

Regular Wednesday Night Church Night Activities will resume January 18th.  Please join us tonight for the Epiphany Event!

Epiphany Event Tonight!
 
The family fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with chili, hot chocolate, hot cider, cookies and more. We will follow the star with the wise men to find Jesus. You will also have an opportunity to hear about and support our St. Mark's Youth. Some of their events coming up include the ELCA Youth Gathering, mission trips and camp. Please sign up so we know how much chili to prepare. Questions contact Jean Steingrebe 360-275-8111.


No Quilting Next Week

The Quilters will not be meeting on Monday January 16th in observance of the holiday.  Quilting will resume, January 23rd. 

Offering of Letters

On January 22 we will be  writing letters advocating for policies that create both more living-wage jobs and also a strong Safety Net to meet hunger needs. Please join us!

Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting

All those interested in being part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry are invited to meet on Wednesday 1/18 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  Bring your projects and join us.  Coffee, tea and cookies will be provided.  Questions Torun Parker 253-749-7830, tsparke@aol.com.

St. Mark's Preschool Enrollment

St. Mark's Preschool will begin accepting enrollment paperwork for the 2017-18 school year in February. Current preschool families and children or grandchildren of St. Mark's Church members can register beginning February 1st; registration for the surrounding community will open on February 15th. Children must be two-and-a-half by Sept 1st to enroll in the 2/3s class; age 3 by Sept 1st to enroll in the 3/4s class; or, age 4 by Sept 1st to enroll in the PreK class. Please turn in paperwork as well as a non-refundable $75.00 registration fee to Anne Zimmerman. Registration paperwork can be found online ( www.smlutheran.org/smlcpreschool) or in the church office. Please contact Anne with questions (253) 759-4929


Empowering Life's St. Valentine's Celebration
 
Saturday, February 11th from 6-8pm.
 
Piano bar entertainer Kacey Evans will be back for Empowering Life's annual fundraiser. Join us for elegant desserts, a silent auction and an opportunityto learn more about how (beyond backpacks with school supplies) we at St. Mark's are helping women incarcerated at the Washington Correction Center for Woman (Purdy) and Mission Creek Correction Center for Women in Belfair... and their families.
            $15.00 is the suggested donation. Auction item donations are appreciated.
            Make your reservation at table in the narthex or contact Joan Nelson at joan2nelson@comcast.net or 253-208-3307. Or, send your check to Empowering Life, PO Box 1803, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.


Make Your Shopping Dollars Go Further

If you shop on Amazon for the holidays, please consider designating St. Mark's (or your other favorite charity) to receive the money Amazon donates from each purchase. Login through www.smile.amazon.com and type in "St. Mark's Lutheran by The Narrows" to select our church. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same prices, selection and shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. 

Chase the Chill!

This is our second fall/winter of knitting and crocheting scarves and hats to give to those who are living outdoors or in shelters. We have an abundance of donated yarn for this ministry.  Please stop by our overflowing yarn table in the Narthex to pick out a skein or two to take home, then bring back your finished gifts and we will distribute them.  If you have any questions about this project, please talk to Eleanor Sherry or Linda McKeller.  You will find us at the yarn table!  Thanks for helping us keep others warm.   

Children and Youth Faith Formation
 
Coming up...
  • 9th grade Post Confirmation Retreat-Sunday, Jan. 15-Monday, Jan. 16 Cost: $20.00 per person. Sign up by Jan. 8th if you are attending.
  • Synod Youth Gathering (grades 7-12)-Feb. 3-5th Cost: $130.00 per person. Sign up with a $60.00 deposit by Jan. 8th if you are attending.  Registration forms on the youth board now.  
Adult Faith Formation

Adult Forum-Sundays 9:45am in the Parish Commons Classroom
January 15th- Racial Reconciliation- We come together for our third learning session with our friends at Peace Community Center.  Gerdon Jones and Kerry Pedrick have been our guides as we explore our own attitudes and assumptions, and strive to grow into Christ's vision of the Kingdom of God. 

Adult Class- Sundays 11am in the Parish Commons Classroom
January 15-February 26: "Matthew for Everyone" Guided by the work of N.T. Wright and our own insights, we continue exploring the Gospel of Matthew.  What is the wisdom, the challenge and the promise that Jesus shares in this story?  How do we incorporate it into our lives?
 
Wednesday Midweek Renewal;  6:15pm in the PCC
Returning January 18th! Our Muslim Neighbors - Using the work of seventeen Muslim and Christian scholars, we will examine reliable information about what Muslims believe, how they live out their faith, and how we can all participate in building relationships across the lines of faith. 


Tuesday "Fully Alive" Bible Study; 5:15pm in the Fireside Room
led by Sherry Maiura.  

Women's Bible Study; 9:30 am in the Parish Commons Classroom
In the new year they will be studying Martin Luther's Small Catechism  For more information contact Ida Hagen, 253-759-0569 ( idaputs@gmail.com)

Noon Wednesday Text Study Luncheon in the Parish Commons Classroom.  
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.

Fred Meyer Giving

Did you know that Fred Meyer stores has a Community Rewards Program?  For more information on how to connect your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to giving at St. Mark's, click here. 
Flower Chart 2017

The flower chart for 2017 is on the bulletin board outside the office.  You are invited to sign up for a Sunday to place flowers on the altar to celebrate, honor or remember special people and occasions in your life.  You have a choice of providing the flowers yourself or paying $40 for an arrangement to be delivered by Safeway.  Thank you.


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!