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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: Dijon chicken, rice, green beans, salad
(Suggested donation: $5)
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
7:30-7:50 p.m. Evensong
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August 2019 - General Ministry Fund Financial Update
Offerings for August were $3,046 above budget ($69,812 versus budgeted offerings of $66,766). This was 2.9% higher than actual giving last August. Fiscal year-to-date (FYTD), we are $2,183 above budgeted offerings of $136,062, but 2.2% below last year's actual offerings over the same time period.
Expenses for August were essentially "flat" relative to budget, spending $77,574 versus a budgeted $77,210. FYTD, we are $790 below budgeted expenses of $157,861.
The bottom line for August is that we spent $7,247 more than we brought in versus our projection to spend $10,169 more than we brought in. This puts us $2,922 ahead of budget for the month. On a FYTD basis, we are $3,450 ahead of budget on a net basis (i.e., looking at total inflows and outflows). We have spent $17,799 more than we have brought in versus a projection to spend $21,249 more than we brought in at this point in the fiscal year.
Just one quick note related to the close out of Fiscal Year 2018-2019 that ended June 30th... As per St. Mark's policy, the $2,136 positive balance in our General Ministry Fund at the end of FY18-19 was moved into our Operating Reserve Fund at the start of July. The purpose of this reserve, which we established explicitly in 2017, is to ensure the stability of the mission, programs, employment and ongoing operations of our church (i.e., serve as a financial backstop). The balance in our operating reserve is now $66,161.
Please feel free to contact Jennifer Droubay or Mike McKeller in the Church office with any questions. Thank you.
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Sunday Lunches Are Here Again
Join us every Sunday at noon for a delicious lunch in the Parish Commons and good conversation with your St. Mark's family.
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St. Mark's Support Groups
At St. Mark's we want you to feel invited to any of the support groups provided; you are free to come anytime.
Currently we have two support groups offered by SMLC:
Caregiver's support group
1st and 3rd Fridays, meets at 10:30 a.m. and lasts for an hour in the Fireside room.
For those in a caregiving role for a spouse, parent or loved one.
Grief support group
4th Friday of the month, meets from 10:30 a.m.- noon.
For those experiencing any kind of loss and would like support to move through the grief and heal.
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"The Mountains Are Calling" - St. Mark's Men's Retreat at Trollhaugen Lodge
You are invited to join us on
October 4-6 for a weekend of renewal, rest, play, and good camaraderie! Pastor Ruud will lead sessions on the wisdom of John Muir and Tim Sherry will share poems from his newly published book. We will begin with Happy Hour on Friday afternoon and conclude with worship on Sunday morning. Information and Registration Forms are available in the church office and out in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. The cost per person is $120. Scholarships are available.
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Third Quarter
Those in the "Third
Quarter" of life are welcome to join others age 50ish-75ish
to share hope, laughter and love through monthly active events.
Please join us
Thursday, September 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the church Fireside Room for a potluck and time to plan the 2019-2020 Third Quarter events.
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Prayer Shawl Knitters
Prayer Shawl Knitters
have baskets full of yarn to give away. Please stop by their table Sunday morning to pick up free yarn for all of your fall and winter knitting and crocheting projects. They thank you!
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Nadia Bolz-Weber's PLU Presentation
If you plan on attending Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber's presentation "Naked and Unashamed: Sex, Shame and Faith" at PLU on Thursday, October 3, at 7 p.m. please don't forget to register at https://www.plu.edu/lutheran-studies-conference/ This event is free--but they do want to know get an idea of how many people will be attending. Members of St. Mark's community will be attending but not as an "official" group.
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Apocalypse and Ecology: Is This the End of the World?
The community is invited to a Public Lecture by Dr. Barbara Rossing on
Friday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark's. Co-sponsored by Lutheran and Catholic congregations in Pierce County, this event continues a tradition of gathering together in the Fall for learning and growing together.
On the Same Weekend at St. Mark's:
October 12, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Breakfast and Conversation. Join Dr. Rossing for a time of learning and sharing around the "Tree of Life" theme in scripture.
October 13 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. "Cosmos Sunday" Hear Dr. Rossing preach at any one of the morning worship services at St. Mark's.
Dr. Rossing, who is professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, has lectured and preached widely and has published several books, including "The Rapture Exposed" and "Apocalyptic Hope for Today". As a public theologian, her media appearances have included "CBS Sixty Minutes" as well as The History Channel, National Geographic, Living the Questions, and numerous print and radio interviews.
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Children and Youth Faith Formation
Thursday, September 19
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Youth Group for grades 6-12 begins! 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Parish Commons-pizza provided; Youth Choir 6:30-7:30 p.m. Choir Room; Youth Marimbas 7:30-8:30 p.m. lower Youth Wing.
Sunday, September 22:
- Classes for all ages, 3 years old to 12th grade, have begun. 9:45-10:45 a.m. in their designated spaces.
- High School Welcome/Kick off Brunch 11 a.m.-noon in the Fireside Room.
Sunday, September 29: 3 year old Welcome to Sunday School for students and parents, 9:45 a.m. in the classroom.
Sunday, October 6: Middle School (JR ALYVE) Corn Maze
1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Cost: $10.00 per person. Sign up by September 29 if you plan on attending.
Saturday, October 12: 9th grade Confirmation Retreat 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Cost: $10.00pp. Sign up by October 6 if you are attending.
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Adult Faith Formation
Sunday Adult Forum 9:45 a.m.
Upcoming Care of Creation Series:
An exciting slate of speakers will be presenting at the the Care of Creation Adult Forums this fall. This series of forums begins on September 29 and ends on October 20. The sessions are held in the fellowship hall classroom from 9:45 until 10:45 on Sunday mornings. Each speaker will be further introduced in The Bridge the week before their scheduled appearance. The topics and speakers are presented below. All people are welcome and encouraged to attend.
- September 29 "Projected Impact of Climate Change on our Regional and Local Areas," John Doherty, Citizens Climate Lobby
- October 6, "The Impact of Climate Change on the Ocean and Coral Reefs," Jennifer Elliott, Researcher and Teacher
- October 13, "The Importance of Bees and Pollination in God's Creation," John Thomas, St. Mark's Lutheran
- October 20 "Managing Pollinators in Home and Garden" John Thomas continued; and, Introduction to a Care of Creation Study Series by Debby Felnagle
Wednesday Adult Faith Formation
Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets in the #1 Commons Classroom. Visiting with coffee begins at 9:15. We have varying bible experiences, share our insights and concerns, and are now studying Romans. Come and join us! Questions? Linda Durant (253) 363-8202,
hotdouug@harbornet.com.
Wednesday Noon Text Study Luncheon
We gather for lunch and for conversation at noon in the Parish Commons Classroom and study around the texts that will be heard in worship the following Sunday.
Conversation will be guided by the pastor who will be preaching, and by the insights and questions of the group.
Lydia Circle will be taking a break for the summer. We will resume in
October, meeting on the
first Tuesday of the month.
Fully Alive Bible Study
The Fully Alive Bible Study meets Tuesday evenings at 5:15 p.m. in the Upper Fireside Room. We will continue our study of the women of the Bible with the life of Gomer, the wife of the prophet Hosea. She's an interesting woman!
Please join us. All are welcome. For information, contact Sherry Maiura at 253.303.1681.
Fall Film Fridays
Have you ever watched a film that challenged or changed your perspective on life? And then wanted to talk about it with good friends? Join us in the Parish Commons to watch a thought-provoking Hollywood film, followed by great conversation. Please bring either your preferred drink or appetizer to share. This summer, the ELCA churchwide assembly voted to be a Sanctuary Synod, issued an apology to peoples of African descent, and adopted a social statement on Faith, Sexism and Justice. These films help us explore the human side of these issues.
Friday, September 27, 6:30-9:30 La Misma Luna
What would you sacrifice for your loved ones? Under the Same Moon is a touching 2007 Mexican American drama that tells the story of a single mother who immigrates to LA in order to make money so that her son and mother might have a better life. The film puts a human face on immigration politics and has received awards for artistically "expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life."
Friday, October 25, 6:30-9:30. 13th
The US has 5% of the world's population but almost 1/4th of the world's prisoners; the US has the highest prison population in the world. Why? This critically acclaimed documentary directed and produced by Ava DuVernay explores the "intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States."
Friday, November 22, 6:30-9:30 Love, Simon
Simon is a closeted, gay teen navigating the challenging waters of sexual identity, family and friends. If you enjoyed the romantic comedies of John Hughes (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club...), you'll enjoy this heart-warming, up-dated take on the challenges of teen life.
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Moral Voices, Moral Choices
The Peace and Justice Committee at St. Mark's invites us all to use our moral voices to advocate for justice in the following areas: food, housing, creation, and immigration. We are also invited to make moral choices in our personal behavior that impact these areas.
In April 2016, the Tacoma City Council adopted
an Environmental Action Plan
pledging to provide guidance and investments to meet the target goals for the Plan. This support will help Tacoma respond to climate change and make Tacoma a safer, healthier, and more sustainable and equitable city for its residents.
The action plan requires annual performance indicator reports to show what progress has been made and if the city is on track to meet its five-year targets. The Progress Reports give an update for each action, and summarize successes. Among the targeted actions are the following:
- Register 2,000 electric vehicles by 2020.
- Reduce bicycle and pedestrian collisions in low income neighborhoods and communities of color by 50% of 2015 collisions.
- Increase pedestrian counts by 15% of 2015 counts (as measured during annual Bicycle/ Pedestrian Count Week).
- Decrease fossil fuel use by 15% of 2014 levels.
- Increase miles of bicycle infrastructure by 35% of 2015 miles.
- Decrease city employee single occupancy vehicle trips by 5% of 2015 levels. 4% of Tacoman's walk to work, marking a 164% increase between 2005 and 2014.
You may read the full 2018 report of city progress on the Environmental Action Plan here.
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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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| 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!
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