Christmas Worship Services

Blue Christmas Worship 

All are invited to our Blue Christmas Worship Service on Wednesday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, December 21 is the winter solstice. On this darkest day of the year, we come with our honest yearnings seeking the return of light and hope. We come together seeking healing and room to share grief, sadness, loneliness, or confusion when these emotions often feel out of place during the holidays. Finally, we come in the trust and hope that God meets us here, in the deepest darkness, with love that warms the weary soul and light that shines on every land and race.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Worship

Come celebrate the good news of Jesus’s birth with us on these festival days! 

Saturday, December 24              

4:00 p.m.   Family Christmas Eve Worship with Holy Communion and Candle Lighting. This worship service is especially oriented for children

        6:00 p.m.   Christmas Eve Worship with Holy Communion and Candle Lighting + Childcare. This worship service will also be live-streamed on our website and Facebook page

        9:00 p.m.   Christmas Eve Worship with Holy Communion and Candle Lighting  

       11:00 p.m.  Christmas Eve Worship with Holy Communion and Candle Lighting

Sunday, December 25                       

     10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Worship with Holy Communion

Announcement from Pastor Hallie

Please click here to read an announcement from Pastor Hallie.

Thank You for Your Year-End Giving!

Just a quick reminder that St. Mark's documents year-end gifts in accordance with IRS regulations. Cash contributions are deductible only in the year in which they are made. This means that any contributions you'd like to deduct for tax purposes in 2022 must be received by the church office no later than noon on Friday, December 30th. Per IRS rules, mailed checks will be dated as of the date they were mailed (verifiable postmark); credit card gifts are deductible in the year in which the charge is made. Gifts of securities are considered delivered upon receipt in the St. Mark’s account at Charles Schwab (please contact the church office for account information).

Feel free to contact Steve Johnson or Pat Buck in the church office if you have any questions. Thank you!

Thrivent Members...Time is running out to apply for your 2022 Action Teams!

Did you know that you get one or two action teams every year? There is no cost to you, and it supports St. Mark's or whatever organization/project you choose in a huge way. 

There are only a few weeks left to apply. We have projects and events for all ages inside and outside our doors.  

https://www.thrivent.com/about-us/membership/thrivent-action-teams

Ideas: 

Nativity House--food and supplies for the monthly meal and added sack breakfast. Talk to Melenie Summerour for more information on how and what to donate. 

Backpack program--we are up to over 80 backpacks that are filled each month. Contact the church office for a list of supplies needed. 

Children and Youth Ministry/Events and Fundraisers: Epiphany Event, Mardi Gras Party, Lent at Home, Book discussion guides, Easter Breakfast and more...Talk to Ingelaurie Lisher to see how you can help out. 

Lutheran World Relief Kit builds and Quilting supplies

And so many more...

Advent

Midweek renewal Advent class: Living Well Through Advent 2022: Practicing Simplicity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind. December 14 at 6:15 p.m. in the Parish Commons Classroom.

Heron Apartments Work Party - 12/16 - 10-2 p.m.

The Heron Apartments are a complex in Tacoma at 1624 E 32nd St Tacoma, WA 98404 recently bought by the Low Income Housing Institute, LIHI, St. Mark's partner for our Tiny House project, LIHI is turning this complex around to provide housing for the homeless. Here's an article on the sale.

LIHI needs help in getting the apartments ready for residents, so they have invited us to join them to join them on some final touches. Lunch will be provided. Please come if you can this Friday 12/16 from 10 - 2 p.m. to participate in taking another practical step in solving the housing crisis.  Here's a link to the sign-up.

Children, Youth, and Family Faith Formation

Sunday Morning classes for Children 3 years old to 12th grade. 

Schedule for December 2022:

• December 18--Regular Sunday Morning classes 9:45-10:45 a.m. 
• December 25 and January 1--Holiday Breaks, no classes

Thursday Nights for youth grades 6-12:

• December 15: 5:30-6:30 Youth Group Christmas Party and Potluck--bring something to share for dinner.
• December 22: 5:00-7:00 p.m. 6-12th grade Movie Night--Featuring the movie ELF a pizza dinner and lots of movie treats. Sign up by December 18 if you are attending.
• 
  

Please share with any older students: College age/Home for the Holidays Brunch--Wednesday, December 21 10am in the Parish Commons Classroom. RSVP to Ingelaurie at ingelaurie@smlutheran.org or here by December 18.  

December 24: 4 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Worship Service at St. Mark's with communion and Candlelight. 

All ages Epiphany Party!! Friday, January 6 5:30pm here at St. Mark's. See Table in the Narthex/foyer for more information or sign up here.

Summer 2023--July 23-28 Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, Montana for more information contact Ingelaurie Lisher or go here.

Looking for some book ideas this Holiday Season for your student... Checkout a branch of our publishing house Beaming books from 1517 Media for a Holiday Gift Guide. 

PLU Community Choir Christmas Concert

Can't get enough of the wonderful Christmas music this time of year? Come to PLU's Lagerquist Hall on Friday, December 16th at 7:30 pm for a Christmas concert from PLU's community choir, Choral Union, under the direction of the recently-retired Dr. Richard Nance. Featuring Conrad Susa's "Carols and Lullabies - Christmas in the Southwest," and new works by Choral Union members TJ Wheeler and Daniel Schreiner. Paul Tegels, organ, Elizabeth Landis, harp, and Elizabeth Brown, guitar. Tickets $7-$12, available here or at the door. St. Mark's own Clara and Bergen Eickhoff will be singing!