Weekly Newsletter | July 27, 2021
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Welcome Back to In-Person Sunday Morning Worship
We will continue to gather each Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 a.m. in our sanctuary. Please click here to watch a Video Message from Pastor Ruud about what to expect when you come for in-person for worship and other events at St. Mark’s. The same Video Message is also posted on our church website on the Community Messages page.
Also, please remember that we will continue to offer an online worship service every Sunday at 10 a.m. As in the past, this will be a livestreamed on our Facebook page and also available on our St Marks website.
Share prayer requests with us by sending them to prayers@smlutheran.org. If you would like us to include them in the Prayers of the Church during Sunday worship, please make note of that.
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Worship Volunteers Needed |
Would you like to volunteer to be a part of worship services as a greeter, usher, lector, or communion assistant? We need you and would love to include you in this important ministry. Call the office at 253-752-4966, email linda.mckeller@smlutheran.org, or drop by the office any morning from 8:30-12:30 to sign up to be involved in the worship service of your choice. Thanks!
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Summer Marimba Camps for both adults and youth are happening at St. Mark's this August, lead by our local Tacoma expert in the traditional music of Zimbabwe, Jeff Brahe.
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Adult Saturday Workshop: August, Date/Time TBA
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Youth Marimba Camp: M-F August 16-20 (9 a.m.-noon)
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Youth Camp Ages: 3rd - 12th grade
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Cost: $50 per individual (adults and youth)
Registration is available in the Narthex following worship services.
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Would you like to donate flowers for the altar in honor or memory of a person, event, or special occasion? You can sign up on the flower chart calendar on the board outside the office door. Questions? 253-752-4966. Thank you! |
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Tiny House Build at St. Mark’s this Week |
There’s much activity this week in our Upper Parking Lot! A team of 40+ volunteers, in partnership with Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), are constructing 4 Tiny Houses as part of a larger initiative to provide transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness. Thanks to all who came to the fundraising picnic on Sunday! If you’d like to make a donation, you can do so online from the church’s website under the “Give” tab, or drop-off your check/cash contribution at the church office.
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Day One of Building Tiny Houses Went Very Well |
Thanks to all the people from St. Mark’s who are volunteering to build four Tiny Houses this week, we are off to a great start. Floors and walls are coming together, and we saw a lot of progress toward the goal of having all the houses completed by Friday. The houses will then be moved to one of the Tiny House villages that are created and supported by the Low Income Housing Initiative (LIHI). Members of our St, Mark’s Building Team will be visiting one of the Tiny House villages today to get a good picture of what life is like for the people who reside there while they are in transition from homelessness. |
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Join Us for the Blessing of Tiny Houses on Friday, July 30 at 5:00 p.m. |
Everyone is invited to come to our St. Mark’s Upper Parking Lot this Friday for a special blessing of the four homes that are being built for people in transition from homelessness. It will be a short ceremony with scripture, songs, prayers, and a blessing of the houses. All are welcome. |
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Thank You to All Who Joined Us for Our Church Picnic and Fundraiser on Sunday! |
We had a great time together with lots of food, games, activities, socializing, and mutual enjoyment of a beautiful summer evening. And, with the generous donations we received, we raised almost $16,000 for the building of Tiny Houses. That its far above what we expected, and it will enable us to build more tiny houses in addition to the four houses that are being built by St. Mark’s members this week. We are truly experiencing the abundance of God in this mission endeavor. |
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Volunteers and Produce Needed for Produce Palooza |
What a wonderful first Sunday for Produce Palooza on July 25. Gardeners brought in a variety of fruit, vegetables, flowers, and edible herbs. Everything brought in to share was distributed to others. They were thankful for garden fresh produce.
We’re getting ready for another successful Produce Palooza Sunday. We continue to need your support in two ways.
1. Do you have produce in your garden that you could share with others? We welcome flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and seeds.
2. Are you able to help us distribute this bounty at an outdoor table on Sunday mornings between 9:30-11:00 a.m.? If so, please contact Linda McKeller in our church office.
We hope to continue to share produce throughout the summer.
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Children, Youth, and Family Faith Formation |
Summer Adventures Continue:
High School Nature Walk Thursday, August 5 1-2:30 p.m.
Point Defiance Park--meet at Fort Nisqually by the bathrooms and picnic area
3/4th grade Family Picnic at St. Mark's Thursday, Aug. 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Mark's (exact location will be sent out in an email to all who sign up). Mac and Cheese, corn dogs and cookies will be provided. Sign up by Aug. 9 if you plan on attending. We will follow all Covid-19 protocols for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
2021-2022 Medical Release form can be found here.
Please complete this for all children and youth activities/events--including walks and Marimba Camp.
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Adult Faith Formation
Wednesday noon Bible study: We will take a break from the pattern of weekly Bible study during the summer. We will resume Bible study again in the fall.
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Wellness Wednesday podcast: "Stories from the Pandemic." A new episode drops every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. You can listen to it any time. Just go to the St. Mark's website and click on Podcasts, scroll to Wellness Wednesday, and click on the episode, or you can listen on Podbean.
Wellness Walks at Peninsula Dunes Park every Wednesday. Meet at 5:15 at the end of the parking lot by the restrooms. We will go for a short walk at varying distances...all ages are welcome! (Don't forget your water and sunscreen!)
If you are interested in the caregiver support group or the grief support group, contact Pastor Sigi.
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Care of Creation Hikes 2021 |
Our third Care of Creation hike will be Saturday, August 7, to Pinnacle Saddle in Mount Rainier National Park. We will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the church parking lot to carpool. Bring water, lunch, a change of clothing, sunscreen, bug repellant, and funds for gas and admission. It's a short hike of 3 miles round trip, 1000 foot elevation gain, and high point elevation of 5900 feet. The hike provides wonderful views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams too.
Recent trip reports from Washington Trails Association can be found here.
Afterward, we'll stop for refreshments near the national park entrance.
If you plan to participate, please contact Tom Hulst at thulst@live.com or 253-227-9665 and let us know you are coming; and if you are willing to drive. We hope you can join us.
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Clothing Ministry Needs Donations! UPDATED |
We are currently collecting donations for Peace Community Center’s clothing ministry serving the Hilltop neighborhood. They have a ongoing need for useable clothing, shoes, blankets, and towels. Items can be delivered to the church office weekdays between 8:30 and 12:30 or during church on Sunday. If you have any questions, contact Teresa Handy at 253-752-4966 x112 or teresa.handy@smlutheran.org. Thanks!
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St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
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