6:15-7:20 p.m. Living well Through Lent: Practicing Forgiveness
6:15-6:45 p.m. Holy Moly
7:30-8:00 p.m. Evensong
Lenten Compline
Weekly Giving Update
Offerings in February exceeded budget by approximately $8,700. That's great news, because it means that we've modestly decreased our "Catch Up by June 30th" target to $51,770 instead of more than $60K. Our goal is still to exceed our budget for offering over the next four months (through the end of this fiscal year), so that our General Ministry Fund can recover lost ground and fully support the mission of our congregation. Please join us in this important endeavor! Thank you!
Unidentified Offering Checks from Financial Institutions
When you send an offering to St. Mark's directly from your financial institution (thank you!), they often do not include your name on the check. That means we have no way of knowing who sent it and can't give you proper credit on your giving statement. The financial institutions will generally not tell us your name even when we call with the check information. Please always let our Financial Recording Secretary, Pat Buck (pat.buck@smlutheran.org; 253-752-4966), know if you will be sending an offering this way (dollar amount and designation). Thank you! If you recently had Fidelity send a check, please give Pat a call...
Thrivent Choice Dollars - Don't Let Them Expire!
Are you a member of Thrivent Financial who's eligible to direct Choice Dollars? Would you like to designate them for St. Mark's? If so, simply go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more or call 800-847-4836and say "Thrivent Choice" after the prompt. Our church is listed on the Thrivent webpage as "St Marks by the Narrows Lutheran Church." Every dollar directed to St. Mark's will be applied to our Mortgage Principal Retirement Fund, unless specified otherwise in an email to Pat Buck pat.buck@smlutheran.org (detail the dollar amount and designation). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jennifer Droubay in the church office. 2018 Choice Dollars expire on March 31, 2019.
Lenten Walk to Jerusalem
And we are off! This year we are heading north and west to get to Jerusalem. Get your passport ready! Up I-5 to Vancouver, B.C., then on Canada Route 1 and eventually to Highway 97. We have passed through picturesque communities such as Chilliwack, Hope, and 100 Mile House on our way to Soda Creek (about 470 miles from Tacoma). Soda Creek is located on the east bank of the Fraser River. Soda Creek prospered in 1863 and again in 1909 during the days of gold fever. It was a major stopping point for sternwheelers on the river and stage coaches traveling on the "Cariboo" Road. The 2006 census records 47 souls living here, it is quiet! After arriving we were directed to dig potatoes and pick sweet corn! These were prepared for lunch at the Soda Creek Emporium along with beef for a grand meal. We then toured the Xatsull First Nation Heritage Village. Fortunately we planned in advance and were able to arrange for accommodations in a teepee, meals provided. Our tour and program time was spent visiting with the Elders. Sunday morning we worshiped at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Parish. If you need WIFI, they have it at the church.
Prayer Shawl Knitters
We will meet Wednesday afternoon 3/20 at 1:30 in the Fireside Room. All are welcome.
National Quilt Day
Trinty Lutheran in University Place will be hosting a quilt show this Saturda,y March 16th, 2pm-5pm in Thompson Hall. Over 70 quilts will be displayed for this centennial event.
12115 Park Avenue South, Tacoma WA 98444; 253-537-0201
Third Quarter
Those in the third quarter of life, ages 50-75ish, are invited to share hope, laughter, and love through active events.
Thursday, March 21, at 6:00 p.m. we will meet in the Pacific Ave lobby of the Tacoma Art Museum for free museums night. You are also welcome to join those who can come to Zeek's Pizza on Pacific for Happy Hour at 4:45 p.m. ($3 off pizza; $3 off some beers; $1 off wine).
Next Month:Friday April 26 Potluck at 6 pm in the Parish Commons with our Fourth Quarter friends to share wisdom, faith, and laughter together. If you are in your 80s or 90s and would like to join us, please let the Church Office know.
Children and Youth Faith Formation
Thursday Nights for youth at St. Mark's (6-12th gr.) March 14 Youth Choir 6:30-7:30pm in the Choir Room; 7:30-8:30pm Youth Marimbas in Youth Wing.
1st grade Lord's Prayer Milestone Event-Sunday, March 24 9:45am for students and parent/s. RSVP to Ingelaurie by March 17 if you are attending.
Middle School (JR ALYVE 6-8th gr.) Dinner and a Movie Friday, March 29 6-8:30pm at St. Mark's Sign up by March 24 if you plan on attending.
Coming up in April!
SWWA Synod Annual Lock-Out-Friday April 12-13 grades 9-12 Cost: $30.00 per person. Sign up by March 31 if you are attending-Adult volunteers are needed for this event. Time slots coming soon.
3rd grade Bible Milestone Event-Sunday, April 14 9:45am (presentation) with 11am family & student learning event. RSVP to Ingelaurie by March 31 if you plan on participating.
Easter Breakfast-Sunday, April 21 8am-11am (food served) in the Parish Commons.
Adult Faith Formation
Sunday Adult Faith Formation
Adult Forum 9:45 a.m.: Parish Commons Classroom #2 (West)
11:00 a.m. Crossways Bible Study
11:00 Braving the Wilderness, the Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown-this Lent discussion group begins March 10 at 11am in the Fireside Room. Join Ingelaurie Lisher as we explore the wilderness and how in this untamed and unpredictable place we find belonging and the sacred. Books can be purchased through www.amazon.com This group will meet through Sunday, April 7.
Wednesday Adult Faith Formation
Morning Bible Study: The 9:15 a.m. Wednesday morning Bible study meets in the Parish Commons #1 Classroom. We begin gathering at about 9:15 for coffee and visiting. Newcomers are welcome and would best arrive at 9:15. We are people with varying faith and Bible experiences, who help each other by sharing our questions and insights. We are studying the book of Romans. For more information, contact Linda Durant at 253-363-8202 or hotdouug@harbornet.com.
Noon Text Study Luncheon, Parish Commons Classroom: Come for this lively discussion of the texts for the upcoming Sunday, hosted by the preacher.
Wednesday Midweek Renewal, 6:15 p.m., PCC:
Lydia Circle: Meets first Tuesday of the month at noon. Bring your own lunch. We use the Lutheran Women's
Gather magazine. We welcome NEW members! Come join us.
Fully Alive Bible Study, Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Our topic is Women of the Bible, The Beautiful and The Ugly. Please join us.
New Adult Faith Formation Class on Forgiveness during Lent
Living well through Lent: Practicing forgiveness with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. This five-week class will begin Wednesday, March 13. Class meets in the Parish Commons Classroom at 6:15pm. Participants will receive a Lenten devotional book with a reading for each day during Lent starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter. The class will focus on scripture and readings from the book around the topic of practicing forgiveness. Each participant will be encouraged to take a FAITH step towards the practice of forgiveness. Commitment to being at each of the Wednesday nights is optimum for getting the most out of this study and Lenten practice. Giving up bitterness and resentment (for Lent) while practicing forgiveness as a faith practice is the intention.
A free devotional book is available when you sign up. Books are still available and can be picked up Ash Weds. or Sunday March 10 at the Welcome Center. There is also an e-book available for those who would prefer that option and anyone can read the book without being a part of the class.
Pastor Sigi will facilitate the class discussion, some time will be spent in small groups. Contact Pastor Sigi for more information or questions at sigi.helgeson@smlutheran.org
Speak Up: Moral Voices
IT'S A FACT: WIND ENERGY IS PUTTING PEOPLE TO WORK
The Peace and Justice Committee at St. Mark's suggests we all consider using our moral voices to advocate for justice in the following areas: food, housing, creation, and immigration.
Aging into the Future: Pierce County 2020-2030
Aging into the Future: Pierce County 2020-2030 will inform, challenge, and inspire the audience to look toward how we can prepare our community for a future when up to 25% of our residents will be older adults and a significant percentage of people with disabilities living at home. This conference is intended for seniors, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, families, service providers, professionals, and others. The program will include speakers on eight different topics: Aging in Place, Housing, Transportation, Long Term Health, Personal Wellness, Legislative, Threats to Independence, and Financial Security. Our audience will have generous opportunities to provide feedback, suggestions, and additional comments by way of instant electronic polling. Come and help us share a vision where all can thrive. Held
Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McGavick Center, Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd in Lakewood. Information and registration at
www.PierceCountyWA.gov/Future.
Church Office Hours
The church office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
*The door to the office is locked during preschool hours (8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.); please knock or ring the doorbell and someone will let you in promptly!
Have an item for The Bridge? Send it to communications@smlutheran.org by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. All items will run for two weeks prior to the relevant date, and will be edited for length. Don't forget to send your member notes and news!
