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| Sunday Worship |
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8:30 a.m. Blended
9:45 a.m. Contemporary
11:00 a.m. 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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| 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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Wednesday Church Night Tonight
5:00-6:30 p.m. Dinner: Tacos, chips and salsa, black beans, salad
5:00-5:30 p.m. Little Angels Choir (Preschool-K)
5:30-6:00 p.m. Joyful Noise Choir (Grades 1-2)
6:00-6:45 p.m. Jubilation Choir (Grades 3-5)
6:00 p.m. Praise Team Rehearsal
6:15-7:20 p.m. Midweek Renewal
6:15-6:45 p.m. Holy Moly
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Weekly Giving Update
We are tracking weekly giving to the General Ministry Fund very closely in February, because we gave below our budget in the first half of this fiscal year and now we need to see that trend reversed. Our budget for offering income in February is $79,562 and we are trying to go above that so that we can get things on the right track again. As of this week, we have about
$17,000
to go to meet our monthly budget, and hopefully more so that we can make up some of the shortfall from previous months. If the snow has kept you away from worship this month, please remember to get caught up on your giving by this coming Sunday. Let's do this together, now and in all the months to come!
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January 2019 - General Ministry Fund Financial Update
Offerings for January were $7,734 below budget ($80,803 versus budgeted offerings of $88,537). This is
~$5K or ~6% lower than actual giving last January. Fiscal year-to-date (FYTD), we are now $60,485 below
budgeted offerings of $621,380 and 2.3% below last year actual offerings over the same time period. As
mentioned in prior financial updates, we need to be 7.8% above last year's actual to make budget this
year.
Expenses for January were $5,111 below budget, spending $83,163 versus a budgeted $88,274. There
are two things we'd like to highlight here. First, our new lower monthly mortgage payment of $7,332
took effect in January! While this doesn't help us versus budget (because we "knew" the lower payment
was coming), it is a great accomplishment. Second, new staff benefits costs (e.g., medical, disability) also
took effect in January. We saved ~$1K versus budget in January from these line items and will
accumulate budget-relative savings in these line items each month through June. FYTD, we are $22,477
below budgeted expenses of $620,753.
The bottom line for January is that we spent $2,058 more than we brought in versus our projection to
bring in $513 more than we spent. This puts us $2,571 "behind" budget for the month. On a FYTD basis,
we are $35,976 "behind" budget on a "net" basis (i.e., looking at total inflows and outflows). We have
spent $33,599 more than we have brought in versus a projection to bring in $2,377 more than we spent
at this point in the fiscal year.
We are hopeful for a financially-strong February, given the messaging at our congregational meeting the
last Sunday in January (which was subsequently also shared in letters and temple talks). Please feel
free to contact Jennifer Droubay or Mike McKeller in the Church office with any questions. Thank you.
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Note From Pastor Ruud
Thank you for all the love and support I have received since the death of my mother, one week ago. It is so good to belong to a caring community like ours! It was a blessing to be with my mother in her last days of life and then return to St. Mark's for worship and communion with all of you!
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Thanks Mystery Shovelers!
Many thanks to those of you who made the trek to church in the snow to help shovel (on multiple occasions!). We are pretty sure there are more than one of you unnamed shovelers, so please accept our sincere thanks.
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Annual Peace Community Center Benefit Dinner
The annual Peace Community Center benefit dinner, Learners to Leaders, will be held this year at the Tacoma Convention Center on
Friday, March 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m. John and Carol Avery and Don and Barb Haueisen will again be St. Mark's table hosts. 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 many local disadvantaged students. 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 253-222-2175 or
dhaueisen@mailaps.org, or one of the Averys at 253-759-6365 or
johnavery@gmail.com with questions or to confirm your interest in attending.
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Lenten Walk to Jerusalem
Join us for a virtual trek to Jerusalem during Lent. This year we plan to travel west to reach our destination. Each week you are asked to report in miles of exercise (walking, running, biking, etc.). Distance traveled and highlights of rest stops will be reported in The Bridge. Please stop by our table in the church hall after worship to sign up and receive your copy of "Walking to the Cross, a Lenten Devotional."
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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).
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Women's Interfaith Tea
Now is the time to try coming to the Women's Interfaith Tea. The Tea needed to be rescheduled because of the snow. It is scheduled for
February 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m. to be held at: TEMPLE BETH EL,
5975 S 12th St, Tacoma, WA 98465. (Close to TCC.) The discussion is Shanghai-Ghetto.
You could have fun expanding your knowledge of other faiths as well as strengthening your own faith.
You can register at:
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Children and Youth Faith Formation
Sunday morning classes for children and youth take place at 9:45 a.m.
Thursday Nights for youth at St. Mark's (6 12th grade):
February 21: Youth Group 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the PC; Youth Choir 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room
Come to
The Well: 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, beginning February 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Meade's home. A time for highs and lows and reconnecting with friends and God.
Coming up in March:
- Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feast: Tuesday, March 5, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (youth and parent volunteers needed to help out at this annual congregational event). Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B45A4AA2FABFE3-shrove2
- Synod Youth Retreat: for 9th grade youth! Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 10. Details and info have been sent out in a previous email to 9th grade families.
- JR/SR ALYVE (6-12 gr.) Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey against Portland: Saturday, March 16, 4:45 p.m.- 9 p.m.-ish. Cost: $20.00 per person (includes all fees), plus whatever you purchase at the concession stands. Sign up by March 3 with payment to guarantee your spot. Parents are welcome to attend.
Summer is only 4 months away so it is time to turn in your forms for either the
Middle School Service
week July 28-July 6 to the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana OR the High School service week to Shoshone, Idaho, July 14-19. Forms on youth board. We need to start booking vans and making travel plans for both trips soon.
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Adult Faith Formation
Sunday Adult Faith Formation
Adult Forum:
Parish Commons Classroom #2 (West)
Special Guest in Adult Forum.
We are honored to have Oklahoma Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle with us! Tingle's 2014 book, How I Became a Ghost, won the American Indian Youth Literature Award. His first book, Crossing Bok Chitto, won over 20 awards and was an Editor's Choice in the New York Times Book Review. Due to flight schedule, Adult Forum will begin at 9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Crossways Bible Study
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:
We will watch Part 2 of Martin Doblmeier's documentary, Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story, which chronicles the influence of this American Civil Rights leader.
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.
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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. 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.
Sign up in the Narthex and receive your devotional book on Sunday, February 23, or Sunday, March 3.
A free devotional book is available when you sign up. 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
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St. Valentine's Celebration Rescheduled:
Saturday, February 23, 6:00 - 8:00
p.m.
at St. Mark's
Elegant desserts
, a
silent auction
, a marimba concert, and an opportunity to learn more about how 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.
Jekesa Marimba
Band
$15.00 - suggested donation. Auction item donations are appreciated.
Make your reservation at the 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 180
3, Gig H
arbor, WA 98335 with the number in your party.
Witnessing to God's Grace by Working with Incarcerated Women and their Families
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St. Mark's Preschool Registration for 2019-2020
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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.
Please read
here about the connection between our faith and speaking up for justice, including the ELCA advocacy priorities for 2019.
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Cora Voce Winter Concerts - Dark Night of the Soul
Saturday, February 23, 7:30 p.m.
Mason United Methodist Church, Tacoma
(Spanaway Lake High School Choir will also perform Saturday)
Sunday, February 24, 3:30 p.m.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
Several St. Marks members are in the choir and we invite you all to come to one of the concerts this weekend. Additional information about the concerts and Cora Voce, as well as online ticket purchasing is available via the website,
www.coravoce.org. Tickets are also available at the door.
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Chase the Chill
The temperatures are falling and the seasons are changing which means it's time for us to Chase the Chill
again this year. All knitters and crocheters are invited to create warm hats and scarves to be donated to shelters in Tacoma and to distribute to those who are living outdoors. Yarn has been donated for this project and is free to anyone who would like to make a hat or scarf to contribute. Please stop by the church office to pick up yarn or to pick up a Ziploc bag filled with a hat and scarf to keep in your car to give to anyone you see on the streets who might need some warmth. You could add other things to the bag that you think might be useful to someone, i.e. a bottle of water, a granola bar, a small gift card to McDonald's for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, whatever you choose. For more information talk with Eleanor Sherry or Linda McKeller
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Women's Interfaith Conference
WHEN
: Saturday, March 9th, 8:00am-5:00 p.m.
WHERE
: Curtis Junior High School, University Place
HOW MUCH
: $49 pre-register ($59 at door, includes lunch)
Our theme this time around is "Seeking Peace: Our Journey." You can look forward to:
- pre-conference morning yoga or meditation
- an opening ceremony with words from Tacoma's Peace Laureate Melannie Denise Cunningham
- 3 sessions of workshops (36 workshops to choose from led by 42 amazing local speakers!)
- 50+ vendors (retail, non-profit and faith communities)
- hands-on service project opportunities supporting the YWCA and Days for Girls
- Lunch, networking...and new friendships!
- Additionally, AM is also proud to present "An Evening with Elizabeth Smart" at the Rialto Theatre the night before the conference
Register today...and bring a friend! We look forward to seeing you in March!
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Lutheran Community Services Northwest Fundraising Luncheon: Real People. Real Solutions.
Sunday, March 3, 12:30-3:30 p.m., STAR Center, 3878 S 66thSt., Tacoma
Join the St. Mark's table for food, philanthropy, and fun! Sign up at the table in the narthex before February 17, or talk to Pastor Shjerven. There is no cost, but there will be a chance to donate.
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The PLU Religion Department welcomes you to the 13th Annual David and Marilyn Knutson lecture at 7 p.m. in the Chris Knutzen Lecture Hall in the Anderson University Center. Dean Douglas will speak from her book, Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (Orbis, 2015). "Stand Your Ground law signals a social-cultural climate that makes the destruction and death of black bodies inevitable and even permissible. . . . This book is an attempt to untangle the web of social, cultural, and theological discourse that contributes to stand-your-ground culture as well as to provide a theological response." The lecture is free and open to the public.
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Pierce County Family Caregiving Film Series
August: Osage County is the next film in the family caregiving series offered by Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources. The 2014 movie stars Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in powerful performances as an acid-tongued cancer patient and her stressed-out daughter. In the film, caregivers will recognize the challenges of balancing caregiving roles among family members and the spectrum of emotions faced as caregiving becomes a necessity.
Memories, old hurts, and raw emotions surface to pull families apart even as caregiving needs continue to increase.
The film is recommended as one of the top five caregiving films by SeniorAdvisor.com. The film is Rated R for very strong language, sexual references and drug use.
August: Osage County
will show on Saturday, March 9. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the film begins at 10:45 a.m. at the Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma. Complimentary popcorn will be provided by Advanced Home Care. Free tickets must be obtained in advance at
www.PierceADRC.org
(Click on News & Events) or by calling the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 253-798-4600.
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Memorial Service for Richard Moe Rescheduled
A Memorial Service for Richard Moe will take place on
Saturday, March 2, at 2 p.m. at Lagerquist Hall on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University. All are welcome to join in celebrating Dick's life!
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Church Office Hours
The church office is open
Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m
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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!
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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!
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