| |
| Sunday Worship |
|
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
|
| |
| Contact Us |
|
St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
6730 N. 17th St.
Tacoma, WA 98406
Office: 253-752-4966
Preschool: 253-752-4929
|
|
| |
|
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
7:30-7:50 p.m. Evensong
|
|
St. Mark's Preschool Registration
|
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feast
Tuesday, February 25, 5:30-7:00 p.m. here at St. Mark's! Live Jazz Music, pancakes with all the toppings, and activities for children of all ages. The annual pancake flipping race will take place at 6:40 p.m.
|
|
Congregational Care Ministry
Two weeks ago we commissioned six new care ministers to add to St. Mark's care minister team which now totals fourteen. In an effort to get the word out about the availability of Care ministers and what kinds of care we offer, we will occasionally be posting "Congregational Care Stories" (see below).
I am writing to highlight a ministry that has touched my heart at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. My husband, Bob, is in skilled nursing care at the Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community. This past year I wanted to spend Christmas in Canada with my brother, his wife and my nephews. I felt guilty leaving Bob until Pastor Sigi Helgeson organized members of the Care Team to visit Bob once, and sometimes twice a day while I was gone. They brought him a Christmas tree, flowers and newspapers. I can't express what it meant to Bob and me to experience this wonderful ministry at St. Mark's. I encourage members who also are in need of some extra care in their lives to call upon the Care Team and the fine ministry they offer. Lora Gross
For more information about Care ministry, contact Pastor Sigi.
|
|
Nursery Worker Needed
Part time adult nursery caregiver needed: Wednesday evenings 5:30-7:30 p.m. through May 20. Please see Ingelaurie Lisher for job description and expectations.
|
|
Lenten Devotions
This year's Lenten devotional explores the theme of courage! When we find ourselves in the midst of so much fear and division in our world how do we practice courage?
Living Well Through Lent 2020: Practicing Courage With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind will provide a daily reading paired with the texts for each Sunday in Lent and some suggested practices to (en)courage you!
Wednesday nights starting March 4 at 6:15 p.m. during midweek renewal.
Group discussion on the readings facilitated by Pastor Sigi
Sign up in the Narthex and receive your free book.
|
Women of St. Mark's
Thank you to all who turned in a survey, we had 59 responses overall and several comments that give us direction for our future.
We used the survey comments and statistics to discuss future structure and focus at our meeting on January 29- thank you to those who attended.
Good news we have a committee established to support the 2020 Advent Brunch!
Are you interested in joining a committee to support traditional events; including a Spring Luncheon, or the Bazaar?
Are you interested in creating a committee to launch new events?
Suggestions:
Book Club,
Evening Socials,
Craft events,
Non-Craft events,
Moms connections,
Working Women connections,
Projects with the kiddos
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, February 12, at 6 p.m.
Please join us as we discuss our mission and how we support the social needs of our community.
|
Urgent Need for Tomato and Pasta Products!
Tomato and pasta products have been mostly unavailable at the Northwest Nourish Food Bank in the Proctor District. At a recent meeting of the Steering Committee for this location, I learned of the need and the complicated series of events that has led to this shortage. Canned tomato products of all types are needed (sauce, diced, stewed, etc.). The most useful to clients are cans with 14.5, 15 or 24 ounces. Plain pasta (in all shapes) in packages less than a pound give clients the best flexibility for cooking. They often do not have the extra ingredients required for the "boxed pasta dinners."
There will be a display and collection box after services on Sundays, February 9, 16, and 23. Every can and package will help our neighbors in need! Over 200 families a week depend on the food bank located at the Mason Methodist Church. Family members range in age from infants to senior citizens. This is the location where many of you have volunteered to help distribute food.
Mary Olsen, St. Mark's representative to the NW Nourish Steering Committee
|
Lutheran Community Services Annual Fundraising Luncheon
Theme: The Road Home, (Helping refugees and seniors find a sense of home.)
Sunday, March 15
Social Hour: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch and program: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
UW Tacoma, William Philip Hall
RSVP by March 5, contact Pastor Sigi for more information.
|
|
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. Learn more about Peace Community Center and purchase tickets for the dinner 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 the Haueisens at 253-313-3215 or
dhaueisen@mailaps.org
, or the Averys at 253-759-6365 or
johnavery@gmail.com
with questions or to confirm your interest in attending.
|
Gig Harbor Walkers
For some time a group of us have been meeting in the Gig Harbor vicinity on Wednesdays at 10:30 for a walk in the area, sometimes on sidewalks and sometimes through the woods. The meeting point and the route vary, usually walking about an hour, and covering 2.5 to 3 miles. If you'd like to join us, send your email address to
Patty Reinkensmeyer
,
pardcr@comcast.net
, so you can be on the email list and receive the notice each week about where we'll be meeting.
|
Habitat for Humanity
This year St. Mark's is once again supporting our local Habitat affiliate's Building on Faith project - a house built by and with the support of the faith community. Each year we provide a stud with our signatures, which gets incorporated into a wall in the house. Please stop by the Habitat display in the narthex on Sunday to add your signature to the board!
The construction of the Building on Faith house will not begin until later this year. Once the dates are set, we will make an announcement to recruit volunteers for a St. Mark's workday - stay tuned for that information! In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Tom Geary, 253-549-2668.
|
Third Quarter
Those in the "3rd Quarter" of life are welcome to join others age 50ish-75ish to share hope, laughter and love through monthly active events.
Thursday February 20 - 5:00 happy hour dinner and 6:00 brewery tour at 7 Seas, 2101 Jefferson Ave, Tacoma. If you are taking the one-hour tour at 6, you need to sign up at the bar when you arrive.
SAVE THE DATES: Thursday March 19 - we will serve the Seeds of Change community meal at Mountain View Community Center, Edgewood. Prep at 4:00, serve 5:00-6:00, then clean up.
Thursday, April 16 - potluck at church Fireside Room at 6:00 with thoughtful discussion.
Saturday, May 16 - carpool on the Vashon ferry midmorning - optional walk in Vashon Forest and lunch at the Hardware Store.
|
Mexico Mission Trip 2020
On Sunday, February 23 at both 9:45 (Library) and 11:00 (FR), we will host a Mexico 2020 Mission Trip Information/ Interest Meeting. This meeting is for those who would like to learn about the annual house-building trip members of St. Mark's make each year to Tijuana, Mexico. Dates for this year's trip are June 26 - July 4.
|
Children and Youth Faith Formation
Sunday School
for children 3 years old to 12th grade meets each Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
No class Sunday, February 16 (President's Day weekend) for
grades 5-12, t
he Middle/High School students are encouraged to attend worship with their families.
Next week in the High School class (February 23)
9-12th grade students will attend the Adult Forum to hear from women clergy.
As the ELCA celebrates 50 years of Lutheran women being ordained in the United States, 40 years of women of color being ordained, and 10 years of LGBTQIA+ individuals being able to serve freely.
Thursdays at St. Mark's
for youth grades 6-12! February 13 Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.; Youth Marimbas 7:30 p.m. February 20 Youth Group 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.; Youth Marimbas 7:30 p.m. February 27 Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.; Youth Marimbas 7:30 p.m.
The Well
2nd
& 4th
Sundays of the month (Feb. 23, Mar. 8 & 22) 6:30-7:30 p.m. for high school students at the Meades' home.
1st grade Lord's Prayer Milestone:
Sunday, February 23, 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the CFC classroom for students and parents. RSVP to Ingelaurie by February 16 if you plan on participating.
Middle School Game Night-
Friday, February 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. here at St. Mark's. Dinner provided. Bring your favorite board/card game to share. Sign up by Feb. 23 if you are attending.
All registration forms are available on the youth board for Spring/Summer youth events and trips. Sign up soon to reserve your spot.
- Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp July 12-17 (travel dates 11 & 18) grades 4-9 (going into 2020 school year). Youth grades 10-12 talk to Ingelaurie about your options for that week. Registration is open at www.flbc.net
- High School Summer Service Immersion Trip-August 13-18 Stevenson WA. Cost: $125.00. We will be spending a week in service at a Native American community on the Columbia River.
|
|
Adult Faith Formation
Sunday Adult Forum
9:45 a.m. Join us this Sunday at 9:45 to learn more about the history of women's ordination in the Lutheran Church and current leadership in the ELCA.
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 Proverbs.
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.
Midweek Renewal
Music can be an inspiring and connective force in the world. This week, we'll talk about people who have used music to reach across cultures and borders, and listen to songs that have drawn people together.
Lydia Circle meets the first Tuesday of the month at noon in the Parish Commons Classroom. Everyone is welcome to bring a sack lunch and join us.
Fully Alive Bible Study: Fully Alive Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m. in Fireside Room. On February 18 we will begin a new study on the Names of God. Please feel free to join us.
|
|
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.
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. This past Sunday we heard from Isaiah 58:9b-10 :
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday."
One of the most effective ways to reduce oppression and hunger is to change the laws and systems that cause it. We, as Christians, are called to act in faith. One opportunity to speak up in Olympia is to increase availability of free school meals in HB 2660, the Hunger Free Schools Act, a bill with bipartisan support. This gives schools additional options to ensure all eligible children receive free school meals. Please contact your state representatives with your opinion on this bill. More about how to contact them may be found
here.
|
Donations for SHS Youth Program
It is a great time for sales! Please think of donating for youth 15-22 year olds served by Shared
Housing Service's
(SHS)
Host Home Family Program in Tacoma.
SHS box is outside the church office.
Items most needed for young men & women:
deodorant
disposable razors, shave cream
hand and face creams, chapstick
face wash, soap & body wash
shampoo, conditioner
toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss
feminine hygiene
socks, blankets
Travel size are also ok and distributed to others in need by the SHS center.
|
Member Notes and News
Thank you to all of the musicians and the people who attended the Benefit Concert for the Humane Society. It was wonderful to have the support of the St. Mark's community. -Carl Reese
---------
Shared by Lydia Circle:
Please click
here to read a paraphrase of the hymn "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," shared by Lydia Circle.
|
|
Church Office Hours
The church office is open
Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m
. and
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!
|
|
| 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!
|
|
|
