The Bridge
        
The Weekly Newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
 July 25 , 2018 
        
 
Sunday Worship      
8:30 a.m. Blended
9:45 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. Traditional
 
 
To hear podcast recordings of our Sunday Sermons
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St. Mark's Staff
Pastors
Sigi Helgeson, Visitation
Staff
Ingelaurie Lisher, Youth and Family
Music Ministry
Contemporary Music Ministry
Manager of Finance and Operations
Office Coordinator
 
       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
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Praying with Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind

Join us on  July 25, August 1, and  August 8 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for this summer series hosted by Pastor Ruud and Pastor Shjerven. We will focus on contemplative prayer practices that engage the whole person and also set apart some time for a simple evening worship service, followed by dessert and conversation. All are welcome, and if you would be willing to provide  dessert one evening, please call the church office or sign up at the Welcome Center in the Narthex.


Thank you to everyone who has filled out Action Team Requests! Over the past few months money has been used for the DeLong Backpack program, Chase the Chill kits, Shrove  Tuesday Pancake Feast, the Easter Breakfast, the Quilters, and the Mexico Mission trip. If you still have Action Team Funds available to use here are some upcoming projects at St. Mark's:  Music on the Lawn Fundraiser,  August 25 (Jean Steingrebe); Prison Ministry backpack program (Joan Nelson); LWR School Kit supplies (Catherine Terrill); and Peace community dinner (John Wascher).

Third Quarter Summer Fun

Those in the third quarter of life, ages 50-75ish, are invited to share hope, laughter, and love through active events.

Thursday, August 9, 5:45 p.m. Happy Hour dinner at Duke's,  3327 Ruston Way. Optional bike ride: meet at Duke's lot at  5:00 for leisurely cycling along Ruston Way before Happy Hour.

Thursday September 13 at 6:00 p.m. Potluck in Parish Commons.  We will review our past year's activities and get your ideas for 2018-2019 monthly events.

June (End-of-Year) Financials

Our fiscal year ended with the combined General and Mortgage Funds spending $6,239 more than what was taken in from total offerings and other income. Offerings were $985,217 - $62,908 below budgeted offerings, and 6.0% less than total offerings for the prior fiscal year. Expenses were $999,426 - $51,781 below budgeted expenses, and 5.4% less than actual expenses for the prior fiscal year. Our "underspending" was not enough to offset the shortfall in income; therefore, we ended the fiscal year "in the red" by $6,239 for our general ministry. Please see the upcoming quarterly statements and annual report addendum for detail underlying these numbers. Or always feel free to contact Jennifer Droubay or Mike McKeller in the Church office (253-752-4966). Thank you!




Walking 4 Wellness
 
All are welcome! We have a fun, social time.  Meet the group for friendship and fresh air.  Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.  (approx).  Meet at the TLRC Art Center, near the fountain. No sign up required. Questions? Contact Pastor Sigi Helgeson, sigi.helgeson@smlutheran.org.




LWR Layettes: Help Needed!

My husband Jim and I are off on  August 11  on an adventure that is taking us to Brisbane, Australia, where he has made a one year commitment with a company there. Jana Skaga, who has partnered with me with this project, has other committments as well, which means we need someone to take this project over. If you are interested or have questions please give me (Randi Holland) a call at 253-905-5693.

Marimba Summer Camp

Back by popular demand, a Marimba experience is being offered this summer for children:
  • Youth Marimba Camp (3rd through 12th grade): August 20-24
  • Registration Fee: $50.00 (cash or check)
Registration is available with Linda or Katie in the church office. There is limited space, so we encourage people to register early.

Women of St. Mark's

Come one, come all! It's Craft Night at church! Friday, July 27 at 6 p.m.  We will be putting tags on the Bath Salts we made last month and assembling the Popcorn Snowmen. Need helping hands to glue, tie, tape, etc. Lots of fun and great conversation! See you all there!

St. Mark's Preschool

St. Mark's Preschool is looking to hire a fun, team-oriented PreK teacher with at least two years of experience teaching 4-5 year olds. PreK teachers work M-Th from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pay will be between $14-$17/hr DOE. Please be prepared to provide a resume as well as three references. We look forward to hearing from you soon! 
Contact: Anne Zimmerman, St. Mark's Preschool Director, preschool@smlutheran.org, 253-272-4929.

St. Mark's Preschool is accepting registration forms for the 2018-2019 school year! 

Children and Youth Faith Formation

Summer Story time:  9:45 hour for children 5 years old to 3rd grade (incoming). Younger children need to bring an adult. Sunday's leader: Mary Casely.

Youth grades 6-12 and parents: it's not too early to sign up to help with Music on the LawnAugust 25 at Bob and Suzy Reynold's home. This is one of our major fundraisers for the year. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0a48aca728aafc1-upcoming

Don't forget to pick up your confirmation Bible if you are in grades 9-12. They can be found located back by the kitchen window.
 
Travel Adventure VBS 2018
Supplies needed: Empty tin cans of any size (soup cans); paper towel and toliet paper rolls (clean please); fake flowers and plants; berry baskets. Thank you for all the donations received so far!

VBS leaders ( youth and adults): Check your email or talk to Celesta about when your next training is planned.
  Backpacks with School Supplies for Mission Creek
We are collecting backpacks and school supplies for moms at Mission Creek Correction Center in Belfair to give to their kids at their "Back to School" event.  We are c ollecting for older kids (5th- 12th grades).  First Lutheran in Port Orchard is  tak ing care of the little kids. Pick up a list at a table in the Narthex (also see below) and let us know what you can bring. Our goal is 35 backpacks with full sets of supplies. Fill a backpack or bring what you can and we will assemble. Donations are needed by Sunday, July 29. Thank you so much for your generosity!
 
Backpacks and supplies for 5th-12th grades:

Backpack +/or:

Composition book(s)
Spiral notebook(s)
3-ring binder(s)
Paper (college rule)  
Subject dividers 
Ruler
Eraser
Glue sticks                                         
Pens (blue/black/red)
Pencil pouch
Pencil sharpener 
Pencils (all wood; cheap ones crumble)
Colored markers                          
Colored pencils 
Highlighter(s)
Calculator with advanced functions ($10-15 type)
 
SUPPLIES NEEDED BY July 29.  THANK YOU!!

Speak Up: Moral Voices

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. 

In Our Backyard is a series of traveling community events that brings people together for a conversation about homelessness, its causes, challenges, and possible approaches. Please choose from these upcoming events to learn more.

Free Pierce County Film Series Focuses on Family Caregiving

Films on Caregiving - Theory of Everything
August 4 - The extraordinary story of Stephen Hawking, a promising young talent who falls deeply in love with a fellow Cambridge student.  At age 21 Hawking is diagnosed with ALS.  But that doesn't stop him.  With his wife fighting tirelessly by his side, he embarks on ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of - time.  Together, he and his wife defy impossible odds, break new ground in medicine and science, and achieve more than they could ever have dreamed.   The film examines the stress on caregiving couples and in-home caregivers.   Free film held at the Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett in Tacoma.  Doors open 10:30 a.m.  Film shows at 10:45 a.m.  Free popcorn.  Tickets at  www.PierceADRC.org (click on ADRC News & Events) or call 253-798-4600. Upcoming dates in the film series are: September 8, October 13, and November 10.

 

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!