Weekly Newsletter | April 19, 2024 | |
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Join us for worship this Sunday at
8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., and 11 a.m.
Our Scripture readings for this Sunday are: Psalm 23, 1 John 3:16-24, and John 10:11-18.
Share prayer requests with us by sending them to: prayers@smlutheran.org.
For recordings of the Bible study, sermons, matins, and more, please check out our podcasts on Podbean. You’ll be able to connect with Apple Music, Spotify, and more on the Podbean website.
Wednesday Night Dinner: Dinner this Wednesday, April 24, will be baked potato bar, chili, and salad.
Good Shepherd Sunday-April 21: Join us for worship this Sunday as it is Good Shepherd.
| Council Approves New Summer Worship Times: Staff, Worship and Music Committee, and Council have recommended new summer worship times for St. Mark's starting June 16 to Labor Day. We return to the current schedule of 3 services beginning September 8. Click here to read the decision-making process to make this change. See Pastor Audrey if you have questions. Thank you. | |
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Call Committee Correspondences: We had another candidate interview last week and we have one this week. We feel we are moving forward in this process and have a candidate we are interested in. There will be a more detailed announcement on Sunday during worship about next steps in the process.
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Thank you to the 127 households that have already made their annual pledge for the ministries of St. Mark's Lutheran. We are so grateful! Pledge cards can be found at the Welcome Table or online at www.smlutheran.org/give by April 30th. Every gift is great, no gift is too small. Please click here to read an important message from your Stewardship Committee. | |
A Special Retirement Message from Pastor Sigi: As we prepare to celebrate Sigi's ministry with this community, Sigi has prepared a special audio message which you can listen to here. | |
Save the date: May 12 Last Sunday with Jello Reception 12 noon
May 15 Pastor Sigi’s “Last Wednesday Supper” and “Dance Party” 5:30-8pm here at St. Mark’s RSVP here.
Any thank you gifts for Sigi's service will be designated towards a Wellness Fund--to provide resources and scholarships in areas of ministry focused on spiritual and holistic wellness.
| Save the date...We invite you to attend one of our three Synod Educational Gatherings. Saturdays: April 20, April 27, and May 4. In the morning, we will discuss together how to prepare for the election of a new bishop in June 2025. For more information and to register click here. | |
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We are hiring! We are hiring for our church nursery, looking for someone over 18 years of age who enjoys working with children in a childcare setting. Also will work alongside middle/high school students and volunteer adult assistant caregivers. All church employees undergo a National Criminal Background check. See QR code for more information on this position.
Thank you! Thank you Elena Espinosa for serving as our Nursery Coordinator since December 2023--we will miss you serving in this position but know you are off to new adventures!
Scholarship Applications Open April 15 for New High School Grads: The application period begins on Mon, April 15, and closes on May 12. This scholarship is open to all high school seniors pursuing higher education at a four-year college, technical college, trade school, or other institution of higher education. For more information, check this link.
Scholarship Due Date! Continuing students, your scholarship applications are due by Sunday, April 21. (New grads and new applicants, yours are due May 12.). Check the website for info, or email: scholarships@smlutheran.org.
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Nativity House Update: A big thanks to everyone who helped prepare the March meal for approx. 350 homeless people. Please consider joining us on Saturday, April 27, when we will make meals again! For questions, please contact Melanie Summerour, or visit our Nativity House program web page.
Black History Month Books: Please place books borrowed during Black History Month into the box at the welcome center.
Mexico Mission Trip 2024 Support! Join the 2024 Mexico team on Sunday morning, May 5, to learn about, celebrate, and support this year’s mission trip as we partner with Lutheran Border Concerns in their house-building work. Food, crafts, games, info, and speakers will run throughout the morning in the Parish Commons and PCC. Donations gladly accepted that day and through St. Mark’s online giving portal.
Journey to a School Culture of Success: April 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Evergreen State College, Tacoma. Our own Cles Mitchell will be a speaker at this event organized by Lutherans Confronting Racism in collaboration with the NAACP and others. It is funded by our synod. The event is free but reservations are helpful. Parents and all those involved with kids will find this practical and helpful. Click here for more information.
Winter Alliance and Ministry Updates: What's happening with the many active ministries and alliances at St. Mark's? Check out the attached update!
Hunger Walk/Run: The St. Mark’s team for the Hunger Walk is growing! Our team will be participating in the Hunger Walk event on May 4 to raise funds for the Emergency Food Network. The demand for the food that EFN distributes through its 75 partner food pantries and shelter sites in Pierce County has doubled since 2019, with more than 249,000 visits per month to the partner sites. This month, the EFN celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting for a beautiful new warehouse, “The Greens.” The new facility, combined with the support of community members, will improve EFN's ability to move its customers from scarcity to abundance. Donations to the St. Mark’s Hunger Walk team can be made online: Hunger Walk Online Donations. Select “Team Fundraiser,” then click on the St. Mark’s team.
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Thank you from the Fedchyk family! Thank you to everyone who joined the forum on Sunday where we were able to meet the Fedchyk family to St. Mark's. Click here to capture an update about this family as we continue to find ways to support them on their journey. | |
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Interfaith Women's Tea: This month's Interfaith Women's Tea will be at St. Marks's on April 23, starting at 6 p.m. Please remember to register using this link. Hope to see you there!
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Coming up for Children and Youth at St. Mark's: Sunday, April 21: 9:45-10:45 a.m. open to students PreK-12th grade.
ELCA Youth Gathering Meeting--4-6 p.m.--we will gather in the Parish Commons--2nd payments of $150.00 are due, 3rd payment of $300.00 will be due June 2.
High School Graduation Quilt pickout begins Tuesday, April 23-28. Please sign up here to pick out your quilt.
High School: 9-12th grade Scavenger Hunt and Ice Cream--Sunday, April 28, 4-5:30 p.m. Sign up/RSVP to Ingelaurie by Wednesday, April 24.
On Earth Week Please See "Our Kairos Moment" An ELCA Study Guide on Earth's Climate Crisis: The ELCA has released "Our Kairos Moment: A Study Guide on Earth's Climate Crisis." The guide is useful for all age groups and is a fitting resource for Earth Day and Earth Week discussions.
Care for Creation Hikes this Summer of 2024: Please note the following dates on your calendar for Creation Care hikes this summer. The hikes are reasonably short (3-5 miles) and are geared to people of all ages. June 29-Lena Lake; July 19--Mount Rainier--Sunrise; August 16 Hurricane Hill; September 7 Mount Rainier Paradise. More information in The Bridge will follow.
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Enneagram Explorations: Part Two! Saturday, April 20, 10:00 – 2:00 (including lunch), in the Commons at St. Mark’s. Join Molly Knutson-Keller as we explore the Enneagram System. Whether you attended the retreat last year or didn't, this retreat is open to everyone! For more info, click this link.
Earth Day Earth Week Speakers: St. Mark's is sponsoring two speakers during Earth Week: The first is Gordon Okumu speaking on "Planting Trees in Africa." His talk is on April 22 at 7 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal; the second is a book talk by Sarah Augustine on "The Land is not Empty" on April 24, 6 p.m. at St Mark's. Click here for more information.
Wednesday Noon Text Study: Noon Bible Studies has resumed. If you wish to connect with us by Zoom, please contact the church office by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, so that we can send you a link and arrange to have a laptop up and running.
Spring Sunday (9:45) Adult Forums:
April 21 Lutheran Disaster Response: Ray Shjerven: Disaster Response and working in an ever-changing climate.
April 28 Medical Teams International: Medical Teams International: Ben Robinson, Chanda Mollenberg, and Krissie Dillin will present on the refugee crisis at Riverton United Methodist Church in Tukwila. You'll learn how St Mark's benevolence was used.
May 5 Mexico Mission
May 12 [no forum]
May 19 Bread for the World
May 26 [no forum]
See this link for a bit more information.
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Support groups at St. Mark's: Caregiver support group will meet the first and third Friday of the month. 11 a.m. in the Fireside room. Grief support group will meet the second and fourth Friday of the month at 11 a.m. in the Fireside room.
If you would like more information about the support groups please contact Pastor Sigi Helgeson.
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