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| Sunday Worship |
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8:30am-Blended
9:45am-Contemporary
11:00am-Traditional
To hear podcast recordings of our Sunday Sermons
Click Here
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| St. Mark's Staff |
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Pastors
Staff
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.
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Ministry Links
Online Giving
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| Contact Us |
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St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
6730 N. 17th St.
Tacoma, WA 98406
Office: 253-752-4966
Preschool: 253-752-4929
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No Wednesday Night Church Night
5:15pm Dinner:
Taco Bar, Suggested Donation: $5
6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal (S)
6:15pm Midweek Renewal (PCC)
7:30pm Evensong (PC)
Childcare is provided from 5-8pm for children up to 5 years of age while parents attend meetings, Bible Study and worship.
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A New Faith Journey group will begin on Wednesday, April 26
All those who worship with us as guests are invited to join this group hosted by Pastor Ruud. Faith Journey is a series of twelve weekly gatherings at St. Mark's that give visitors an opportunity to hear each other's stories, explore questions of faith, build relationships, hear scripture together, and listen for God's call. It will meet from 6:00-7:20pm. If you are interested, please add your name to the sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center in the Narthex, or contact Pastor Ruud by phone at 253-752-4966 or by email at jruud@smlutheran.org.
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Gathering with Muslim Women
Muslim women from the Islamic Center of Tacoma have invited St. Mark's women to join them again for tea, Turkish coffee and other treats at the University Place Library on Monday, May 1 from 6:30- 8:30 pm. We are eager to share more about our faiths and to learn about their experiences, especially in light of recent anti-immigrant rhetoric and activity. The Muslim women will review what they shared last time, so please don't hesitate to join us. Sign up in the narthex or contact Joan Nelson at 253-208-3307 or joan2nelson@comcast.net.
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Habitat For Humanity in Guatemala
If you are interested in travel, interesting cultural activities, and volunteering with a Habitat for Humanity trip to Guatemala in November please join us on Sunday, April 30th at 12:15. Our team will be working in Tecpán, Guatemala with the Healthy Home Kits to construct smokeless stoves. Depending on the group size we may also work in home construction. We welcome your questions, and your assistance as we gather a team for St. Marks' third Central American trip November 3 - 12, 2017. Gary and Linda Petersen
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March 2017 Financial Update
Fiscal year-to-date financial results through March reflect the same trend we've been seeing for many months: our income continues to fall short of the budget we approved last summer. Even though expenses also continue to run below budget, those savings are not enough to offset the shortfall in income. We now have only 2 1/2 months left in the current fiscal year (ending 6/30/17) to improve these results.
The details are as follows (as shown in the table and graph below): Income through March is below budget by more than $62,000. Expenses are below budget by almost $26,000. This means our "bottom line" income versus expense figure is now more than $36,000 below where we expected to be at this point in the year.
Our church is just completing the pledging stage of Blessing in Abundance, which has been a very successful capital campaign to reduce our mortgage (having reached our goal of $1M over 3 years, with more pledges coming in). The amazing generosity reflected in these gifts is truly a blessing! So while we're significantly behind in current fiscal year giving, we know that God indeed has a plan to work with and through our congregation.
Please take the time to review your pledge or plan for giving for the current fiscal year. If you are able to fulfill your pledge or plan in the remaining 2 1/2 months, please do so. We rest assured, of course, that blessings and grace are present no matter what the "bottom line" financials report at the end of this year.
Thank you for your continued generosity. There are so many ways that St. Mark's ministry is visible, both inside our church walls and out into our community! Please feel free to contact Jennifer Droubay or Mike McKeller in the Church office with any questions. Thank you!
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One Great Song: The Book of Psalms
As we explore this year's congregational theme, "One Great Song", we turn our attention to Israel's songbook. The Psalms are a collection of 150 songs and poems that have been sung and recited for more than 3,000 years. They are beloved by both Jews and Christians and have shaped the imagination and strengthened the faith of people. Together we will drink from this deep well as we spend 5 weeks studying the Book of Psalms.
Note-There will be two opportunities to be part of this study: Wednesdays at 6:15pm (beginning April 19th) or Sundays at 11:00am (beginning May 7th). Questions? Contact Pastor Shjerven
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A huge thank you to everyone who was able to be part of this year's Easter Choir. The Hallelujah Chorus is always a favorite for Easter Sunday, and this year was no exception. Many blessing to you all this Spring, perhaps with that song stuck in your heads (and hearts!)
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St. Mark's Scholarship
St. Mark's Scholarship applications for the 2017-18 academic year will be available beginning Sunday, April 30th. The congregation received a generous gift from the estate of Art and Bernice Bowers which will allow more students to apply for congregational scholarships. If you are an undergraduate student at a or enrolled in a degree program at a Community or Technical College, please stop by the Scholarship table in the narthex, beginning April 30th, or contact Pastor Shjerven or Ingelaurie Lisher for an application. Completed applications are due Sunday, May 28th.
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L'Ache Plant Sale
Join us the morning of Sunday, April 30th for the Annual L'Arche Plant Sale!
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Fair Trade Bazaar!
Just in time for Mother's Day!
Spring Fair Trade Bazaar
April 30 & May 7, 2017
9am - 12pm
When you buy Fair Trade, you are helping to reduce poverty, support environmentally-friendly production practices and safeguard humane working conditions for people around the world.
Shop for beautiful handcrafts and fine food products:
Hand-woven baskets
Stylish women's accessories and jewelry
Unique home and kitchen wares
Delicious coffee, tea, chocolate and spices
And more!
Cash and check sales only.
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Small Grants Program
Applications are now being accepted for the Small Grants Program from St. Mark's Endowment Fund. This Fund has grown over the years to the point where we are now able to make yearly disbursals from the annual distributions. The Small Grant Program is intended to extend the mission of our congregation beyond expenditures supported through regular offerings (e.g., to ministries and other work of the church at home and abroad). This year, proposals for small grants up to $500 will be considered by the Endowment Committee. More detailed instructions and an application form can be found on the
Church website (www.smlutheran.org) under the "Giving" tab (Mission Endowment section) or a hard copy may be picked up in the Church Office. The deadline for submission is
April 28, 2017. Please contact Jennifer Droubay at the Church Office
(253-752-4966) with any questions. Thank you!
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Peace Community Center Benefit Dinner
You are cordially invited to attend the annual Peace Community Center benefit dinner, Learners to Leaders, April 29th, to be held at PLU's Olson Auditorium. Table hosts from St. Mark's this year are John and Carol Avery and Don and Barb Haueisen. Join us for an evening of good food and fellowship and an opportunity to learn more about what is happening with this Tacoma Hilltop organization providing vital support for area students. St. Mark's has had a long and rewarding history with Peace Lutheran and Peace Community Center. As a congregation, we recently reaffirmed that relationship by allocating 5% of pledged funds in the Blessings in Abundance campaign to go to PCC. Tickets for the dinner are available at peacecommunitycenter.org. For those attending the dinner for the first time, please be our guest. Let one of us know and we can take care of dinner tickets. In either case, be a part of a St. Mark's table supporting this ministry. Please contact one of the Haueisens at 360-329-6880 or dhaueisen@mailaps.org, or one of the Averys at 253-759-6365 or
johnavery@gmail.com
with questions or to confirm you interest in attending.
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WPC NEPAL: Returns to St. Marks on April 23
Visit the Friends of Women Protection Center, Nepal table on April 23, 2017 and learn about their work in the "Fight Against Human Trafficking". Beautiful scarfs and jewelry created
by
Nepali women in the safe house vocational program will be available. Learn more about the permanent safe house construction progress, their appreciation of St. Mark's 2016 donation towards furnishing their kitchen and the Gala Fundraiser on September 16, 2017. For more information, visitwww.friendsofwpcnepal.org.
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Elbe Church Annual Meeting
You are invited to attend the Historic Elbe Lutheran Church Annual Meeting to be held on Sunday, April 23, at 1:30pm in Elbe. The monthly worship service will be held at 2:30pm, followed by a coffee hour.
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Preschool Needs
Business owners, we are looking for some sponsorship for our first annual St. Mark's Preschool Golf Tournament
on May 13th. If you are able to make a tax-deductible donation to our preschool (which will go toward much needed new playground equipment) in exchange for some advertisement and recognition (plus a golf entry) at a 9-hole tournament at Highlands Golf Course, please contact Anne Zimmerman: (253) 752-4929 or
anne.zimmerman@smlutheran.org
. Tickets for golfing will go on sale later in April.
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Our Daily Bread: A day to celebrate and cultivate congregation hunger programs
Join the Synod Hunger Committee on Saturday, April 22nd at The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd in Olympia from 10am - 3pm. This free educational event will include worship, panels, sharing, learning, breakouts sessions and lunch (free-will offering for lunch). This Free program supported by grants from ELCA World Hunger and Thrivent Financial. Contact the office on how to register.
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Congregational Care
St Mark's Caregiver Support Group
meets the first and third Friday of each month at 10:30am in the Fireside Room. Please talk to Pastor Shjerven or Parish Nurse Patty Reinkensmeyer if you are interested in learning more about this group.
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Family Housing Begins May 6!
Many thanks to those who have already volunteered for our Family Housing host week. The signup process is going well and is resuming this Sunday. We still need some help with setup and takedown on May 6 and 13 and with overnight hosting on May 8 and 10. If you received volunteer paperwork when you signed up, please complete it and return it either to the church office or to the signup table. These forms need to be on file with FHN before our host week begins.
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More Family Housing Network Needs:
Family Housing Network is in desperate need of hygiene items for men, women, and children who access their services. Their supply of both regular and travel size items is nearly depleted. This is a list of the types of things they normally keep on hand:
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Dental floss
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Body wash & soap
- Combs & brushes
- Lotion
- Feminine pads (maxi & mini)/tampons
- Feminine panty liners
- Deodorant
- Razors/shaving cream
- Tips
- Mouth Wash
- Finger nail clippers/files
- Ear plugs
- Shower shoes
- Toilet paper
Donations can be brought to the FHN signup table or dropped off at the church office.
Thank you!
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In support of St. Mark's 2017 Mexico Mission trip, our annual Cinco de Mayo Festival will be held on Friday, May 5th beginning at 5:30. Tickets will be on sale in the Narthex between services on April 9, 23 and 30 ($5 per person or $20 for a family). Please plan to join us for a fun-filled evening that includes dinner, crafts, games and door-prizes!
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St. Mark's annual mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico will take place this year from
June 23- July 1. If you are interested in being part of this mission team, please return a completed Interest Form
(available at Welcome Center) to either Melanie Summerour or Sarah Moore Sherry by March 19
th. All team members should plan to attend the following meetings:
Sunday, April 23rd at 12:15; and Tuesday, May 2nd at 6:30. We will meet in the Youth Room.
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Join us for Interfaith Encounters!
Come hear and discuss how Jews, Muslims, and Christians view Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed in each of our faith traditions. Each gathering will include presentations by Rabbi Bruce Kadden of Temple Beth El, Imam Ahmad Saleh of the Islamic Center of Tacoma, and either Pastor Sarah Wiles of Bethany Presbyterian Church or Pastor Jan Ruud of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows. There will also be ample time for conversation and interaction between participants from all our faith communities.
Tuesday, April 25, 7:00 p.m.at St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows: Topic: Jesus
6730 North 17th Street, Tacoma
Monday, May 15, 7:00 p.m. at the University Place Public Library: Topic: Mohammed
3609 Market Place West, University Place
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TEAM WORLD VISION GLOBAL 6K FOR WATER - May 6, 2017
Join World Vision on May 6, 2017, at Gas Works Park in Seattle, where your registration fee provides CLEAN WATER to 1 PERSON! You will be with
over 11,000 other runners at 740 locations around the world that are running/walking a 6K on the same day to change a life!
Visit the table in the Narthex for information and sign up at www.teamworldvision.org/Seattle6K. Questions? Contact Catherine Terrill, 253-732-3479.
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LWR Supply Drive - Two More Sundays!
Would you consider providing items to make a Personal Care Kit and help us exceed our annual give of 100 kits to help those in need around the world?!
We have supplies for nearly 40 kits and two more Sundays to collect. Kits will be lovingly built, followed by a potluck dinner on April 23, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Visit the table in the Narthex for more information. ITEMS NEEDED: Bath towels (52"×27"), Bar soap (3oz +), Toothbrushes, Sturdy combs, Metal nail clippers. Questions? Contact Catherine Terrill at 253-732-3479. Thank you for your support of this mission!
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Vacation Bible School 2017
Mark your calendars! VBS July 31-Aug. 4
Maker Fun Factory!
For children 4 year old (by July 1, 2017)-5th grade (2017-2018 school year). Registration opens April 30. Taking youth and adult volunteers who want to teach or lead. Contact Ingelaurie with questions or for more information.
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St. Mark's Preschool Enrollment
St. Mark's Preschool has begun 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
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Children and Youth Faith Formation
High School Servant Trip:
July 6-9 (Thursday to Sunday). Cost: $100.00 We are headed to the Columbia River for a weekend of service and leaning more about the Native American community who live on the river. See the youth board for more information and how you can sign up to go.
Montana Servant Trip meeting! Sunday, April 30th 12:15-1:00pm in the Youth Room.
2018 ELCA Youth Gathering!
June 26-July 2, Houston TX. Details are on the youth board. Registration opens September 15.
High School graduates pick out Quilts Sunday, April 30th
. Graduates will be blessed on Sunday, June 11th at all 3 services.
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Adult Faith Formation
Adult Forum-Sundays 9:45am in the Parish Commons Classroom
April 23rd - The series entitled "Painting the Stars" concludes with a session that explores Mysticism as an expression of evolving faith. All are welcome. Thank you to Pr. John Rosenberg for leading this engaging series throughout the year!
Adult Class- Sundays 11am in the Parish Commons Classroom
April 23rd -
"Healing the Heart of Democracy: the Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit".
If you have not had the chance to discuss Parker Palmer's book, please join the conversation over the next two Sundays at 11:00. The first week we will discuss the ideas found in the Prelude and Chapters 1-3. The second week we will discuss the remainder of the book. (If you have not read the book but are interested in hearing about Parker's ideas, you are welcome to attend).
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
We begin March 29 exploring God's will for us as stated in the Third Petition of the Lord's Prayer, using Greg Laurie's As It Is in Heaven, a thought-provoking book. We are ladies of varying faith experiences who share insights and questions. Please join us! For more information, contact Linda Durant, 253-363-8202
hotdouug@harbornet.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.
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Member Notes and News
Member, Leischen Moore, will be presenting a recital of music theatre song entitled "From Gold to Platinum" on April 28th at 7pm in the Atrium of the University Place Library. For more information visit, www.upforarts.org
A Memorial Service for Ed Bushnell will take place at St. Mark's on Saturday, April 22nd at 2:00 pm. You are invited to gather to give thanks for Ed's life and for the promises that are his in Christ Jesus.
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| 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!
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