Weekly Newsletter | May 3, 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: Acts 10:44-48; 1 John 5:1-6, and John 15:9-17.
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, May 8, will be a potluck for the kids' choir final night and performance.
| 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: Your St. Mark’s Call Committee is proud to bring forward Pastor Bri Merkle as candidate of choice for the lead pastor position. Pastor Merkle is currently the associate pastor at Mountain View Lutheran Church in Edgewood. In her ministry so far she has had a focus on youth and family ministry, and has also developed excellent preaching, teaching, and administrative skills. She currently serves on Synod Council. We look forward to communicating more about Pastor Bri to the St. Mark’s community in the days to come.
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Cooper Assisting at Holden Village: Recently, the Holden Village community's full-time village musician received an unexpected cancer diagnosis which necessitated them leaving immediately to begin treatment. Cooper Sherry will be providing four weeks of leadership for the village as musician from May 20 to June 17 to support the community during this time. Steve Wolbrecht will provide service music in Cooper's absence.
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The LWR Quilters continue to create many beautiful quilts to be sent around the world to areas of need. If you have a sewing machine and would like to help from home, please drop by the church, pick up a packet of cut quilt squares ready to be sewn together, and then return when finished. Questions? Contact Linda McKeller in the office at 253-752-4966.
Labyrinth Planning Meeting: Over the last few months, a group of people have visited different labyrinths in the area. On May 8, we will share pictures and explore the next steps on how to create a labyrinth here at St. Mark's. You are invited to join the gathering after the potluck at 5:00, hear the kid's choirs, then be part of our meeting at 6:30 p.m.
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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: A jello tribute: Sunday, May 12, following the 11:00 service: As a way to make Sigi's retirement jello reception even more fun and memorable, you are invited to create a dish that celebrates Sigi's ministry. Perhaps a scene from an episode of the Good News Network, a campfire out of jello, a jello tambourine... be creative!
May 15 Pastor Sigi’s “Last Wednesday Supper” and “Dance Party” 5:30-8 p.m. 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.
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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.
Scholarship Applications Due May 12: Graduating HS seniors, the deadline for your scholarship applications is approaching: Sunday, May 12. Check our website for details.
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Ice Cream and Alliances! Inviting all who have participated in one of our Peace and Justice alliances -- and anyone else who is interested and likes ice cream -- to gather for an end-of-year celebration: Wednesday May 22 at 6:30 p.m. We'll share the experiences of 2023-2024, dream dreams, and enjoy. Come!
Meals for Oasis Youth Center: St. Mark's is partnering with Oasis Youth Center to provide meals once a month for LGBTQ+ youth, beginning the first Friday of June. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to prepare a family-style dish for about 20 youth. If you'd like to sign up or are interested in learning more, please reach out to Amy McKnight (ashafer124@gmail.com) or Karis Crocco (a.crocco@comcast.net). Click here for more information.
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.
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.
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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Endowment Grants Awarded: The Endowment Committee has awarded $4,000 in grants for 2024. Such grants are for projects or expenses that are not part of the congregationally-approved operating budget. This year’s grants:
• helped restart the Women’s Retreat by paying the speaker’s expenses,
• helped pay for a solar panel as part of the congregation’s solar energy project,
• helped buy supplies for the labyrinth project,
• provided a scholarship to help expand participation in the Mexico Mission, and
• helped St. Mark’s Preschool teachers with travel expenses for a national training conference.
For further information about these grants, click on this link.
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Update on Contribution Statements: We are called to be good stewards of God's gifts. The Council has accepted the recommendation from the Stewardship Committee to send out giving statements twice a year, rather than every quarter. Please contact Pat Buck or Pastor Audrey if you have any questions.
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Coming up for Children and Youth at St. Mark's: Sunday, May 5: 1st Sunday Family Worship Sunday, no faith formation classes for students PreK-12th grade. Please attend worship with your families.
Sunday, May 12, 9:45 a.m. classes for all ages. 7-12th grade students will begin in the Fireside Room to meet representatives from the Hunger Alliance Team.
And the Winners of the High School Scavenger Hunt last Sunday are... Team 1(Annabelle, Mercy and Elizabeth) Most Interactive and Creative; Team 2(Rowan and Kai) Most Thoughtful and New Challenges! Way to Go!!!
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Inviting Silence is now Drop-In: Looking for more peace and joy in your life? Come join us in Inviting Silence on the 1st and 3rd Sundays in the Fireside Room from 4:30 to 5:40. It’s a time to pause – enjoy quiet and sharing. You may find this practice of pausing/sitting down when sensing anxiety or stress is quite helpful. Opening to Spirit, if only for a few moments makes all the difference. -Candyce Rennegarbe
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:
May 5 Mexico Mission (Cinco de Mayo)
May 12 Celebrating Sigi!
May 19 Bread for the World
See this link for a bit more information.
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Support groups in May: Caregiver support group meets Friday, May 3, at 11 a.m. in the Fireside room.
Grief support group meets Friday, May 10, 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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