The Bridge
        
The Weekly Newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
 May 9 , 2018 
        
 
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
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St. Mark's Staff
Pastors
Sigi Helgeson, Visitation
Staff
Ingelaurie Lisher, Youth and Family
Music Ministry
Contemporary Music Ministry
Manager of Finance and Operations
Office Coordinator
 
       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
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Wednesday Church Night Tonight

5:00-6:30 p.m. Dinner: Mac & cheese, hot dogs, cole slaw, applesauce
   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 
6:15-6:45 p.m. Holy Moly
7:30 p.m. Evensong

Save the Date!

Our next Congregational Meeting for all members of St. Mark's will be on  Sunday, June 10, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at  4:30 p.m. and there will be childcare and fun children's activities during the meeting. Please plan to join us!

Join us for an Interfaith Iftar Meal at St. Mark's on May 20 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

This unique event will be jointly hosted by members of St. Mark's and the Islamic Center of Tacoma. Iftar is the meal that Moslems eat at the end of each day during Ramadan to break fast. We will gather at  7:30 p.m. to learn about the spiritual traditions of Ramadan, hear stories from Moslems who follow this path, and enjoy some time of dialog together. The meal, which is being provided by members of the Islamic Center, will begin at sundown (around  8:45 p.m.). To sign up, please add your name to the list in the narthex or go to this link and add your name to register. Please do not do both, so that we avoid duplication. If you are willing to provide help in the kitchen from  6:30-7:30 p.m. or  9:15-10:00 p.m., please call the church office or add your name to the Iftar Volunteer sign up sheet in the narthex. We hope to see you there!

Learn, Serve, and Grow Booklets for 2018 are Now Available!

These booklets describe all the current opportunities to learn, serve, and grow at St. Mark's. They come with a Response Form which we are asking you to return to us during worship on Pentecost Sunday, May 20. Booklets are available at the Welcome Center in the Narthex.

You Are Invited To a Luncheon Celebrating The Wedding Of Sonja Ruud and Christian Steinbach

Sonja and Christian were married in Europe last Fall, and now we have the chance to wish them well at a luncheon that will be hosted at St. Mark's at  noon on Saturday, May 19. You are all welcome to join us for this festive occasion! Please sign up by adding your name to the poster in the Narthex or by calling the church office. No gifts, please! Just come and enjoy the time together.

St. Mark's Scholarships for High School Seniors

Members of St. Mark's starting an undergraduate degree may apply for a St. Mark's scholarship. Information/applications are on the church website under the "Growing in Faith" tab. Applications from current high school seniors must be received by May 20. Questions? Contact Pastor Shjerven at rebecca@smlutheran.org.

Community Group "Third Quarter"

Christian friends in the "third quarter" of life are welcome to join others age 50ish -75ish in supportive community to share hope, laughter, and love through active events.  

Thursday, May 10,  6:00 p.m.  Potluck and Game Night in the Parish Commons.

Please contact the church office for additional information.

Care of Creation 2018 Hikes

The Care of Creation hike on Saturday, May 19 will be at Point Defiance Park instead of the Nisqually River Delta.  This will enable participants to attend the reception at the church for Sonja and Christian. We will leave the parking lot at 8 a.m. and return between 10:00 and 10:30. We look forward to the time together that day.

Care of Creation Hikes will average 4-7 miles (round trip) and will not exceed 1200 feet in elevation gain. Any questions please feel free to call or email Tom Hulst (thulst@live.com or (253) 460-2683). The June hike will take place on June 22, location TBD.

Women of St. Mark's

Stay tuned for the schedule for our Craft Nights.  We will make items to sell at the Bazaar in November and have a wonderful night of conversations and laughter.  If you have an idea we can create please contact Barbara Meyers at  barbstitch@gmail.com .

St. Mark's Preschool

St. Mark's Preschool is hosting it's 2nd Annual Golf Tournament at the Highlands Golf Course on  June 2.  We'd love to have your support as a golfer or a sponsor! Tickets to golf are $40 each, include lunch, and will be on sale in the Narthex 5/20 & 5/27. Please contact Anne Zimmerman with any questions:  preschool@smlutheran.org

St. Mark's Preschool is accepting registration forms for the 2018-2019 school year! 

Hunger Walk Thank You

Thank you to Ann Bettger, Linda Buhr, Karis Crocco, Kathleen Hasselblad, Robert Hasselblad, Ron Kempe, Ingelaurie Lisher, and Rebecca Shjerven for walking in this year's Pierce County Hunger Walk and to all who made donations to support the Emergency Food Network.  

Children and Youth Faith Formation
  
Sunday, May 13  Regular Sunday AM classes for children 3 years old to youth grade 12. 9:45-10:45 a.m. Sunday AM Classes run through June 10.

Summer Story time begins Sunday, June 24 and runs through August 26 at the 9:45 a.m. hour.  Volunteer sign up available in the Narthex or at  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0a48aca728aafc1-summer.

Thursday Night Youth Programs (gr. 6-12th)-  Schedule until the end of the year:  May 10 Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.May 17 Youth Group 5:30 p.m., Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.May 24 Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.; May 31 Youth Group end of the year party 5:30-6:30 p.m. here at the church.
 
High School GraduatesMay 13 Bring/Submit all pictures to church for the video/slideshow and student's plans for the fall.  St. Mark's Scholarship closes May 20 for all High School graduates-see the website for more info

2018 Houston Meetings  Saturday, June 2, 3-6:30p.m. with our Synod (youth and adult leaders); Wednesday, June 13 5-6:30p.m. BBQ dinner (youth and adult leaders) at the Lisher/Sadler home.



Travel Adventure VBS 2018
Join us this summer for Daniel's Courage in Captivity, August 6-10, from 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. for children ages 4-entering 5th grade. To register or sign up to volunteer, go to www.myvbs.org/stmarks2018.

Adult Faith Formation

11:00 a.m. Sunday St. Mark's Reads in the Fireside Room
Discussion of The Book of Joy continues.

Adult Class, Sundays 11:00 a.m. in the PCC
Crossways Bible Study continues.

Tuesday "Fully Alive" Bible Study; 5:15 p.m.  in the Fireside Room
Questions? Contact Sherry Mauira 253-303-1681.

Women's Bible Study Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. (9:15 for coffee, visiting) in the PCC
We are ladies of varying faith, Bible, and life experiences, who help each other by sharing our questions and insights.  We are currently studying Discovering God's Will for Your Life. Join us! For more information, contact Linda Durant,  hotdouug@harbornet.com or  (253) 363-8202.

Wednesday Noon Text Study Luncheon in the PCC
Gather for lunch, conversation, and study around the texts that will be heard in worship the following Sunday. Conversation will be guided by who will be preaching, and by the insights and questions of the group.

Wednesday Midweek Renewal 6:15 p.m.  
Discussion of The Book of Joy continues.

2018 St. Mark's Reads
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Carlton Abrams.  In 2016 two great friends, Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, spent time together reflecting on their lives of struggle and joy. What are the practices that lead to a joy-filled life, even in the midst of great pain and injustice? This year's Congregational Read is about friendship, faith, wisdom, and, yes, JOY.  Book discussions will take place Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. on May 2, 9, and 16; and Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on May 6, 13, and 20.

Peace and Justice

Family Housing hosts needed...
Thank you to the many volunteers who have stepped up to help with our upcoming week of hosting Family Housing Network. We still need overnight hosts. If you can help or have any questions, please stop by the sign up table in the narthex or contact Paula at  pfzebra@me.com.

Habitat for Humanity
Once again this year a team of volunteers from St. Mark's will help build a Habitat for Humanity house along with groups from local churches -- appropriately, the project is called "Building on Faith." The house is also part of the Thrivent Builds program this year and will be located in the Tillicum neighborhood of Lakewood, near JBLM. Tentatively, our workday will be Saturday, July 14, and like last year, we will probably have additional dates in August and September.  If you missed our display in the narthex on April 29, it's not too late to sign up as a member of our team! Please contact Tom Geary or Deborah Herforth for information or details. You can reach them by email at twgeary@aol.com or   deborahherforth@yahoo.com .

Refugee Resettlement Team
St. Mark's is considering partnering with a refugee family as they get resettled in the Tacoma area.  In order to do this, we would need a team of leaders and volunteers committed to a year of ongoing support. If this is something you feel called to and would like to be part of the team, contact Pastor Shjerven ( rebecca@smlutheran.org) or Kathleen Campbell ( regkathleen@msn.com). 

Global 6K Walk for Water - Saturday, May 19, 9:00 a.m.  
Family fun, Global Impac t! Join World Vision's Global 6K Walk for Water at Gas Works Park, Seattle on  May 19. Race Entry of $50 provides clean water to one person (under 18 is $25).  Grab a postcard in the Narthex and join the Terrill's team "H2O TO GO" and sign up to ride in the church van. Every participant will wear a race bib with a child's photo benefiting from clean water...and go home with a T-Shirt and finisher medal. Last year over 30,000 participated on the same date across 14 countries! 6K: the average distance women and children walk everyday for water. Visit  TeamWorldVision.org /Seattle6K . Contact Catherine Terrill at 253-732-3479 with questions. JOIN THE TEAM and go farther together.
 

SPEAK UP: MORAL VOICES

The Peace and Justice Committee at St. Mark's suggests we all consider using our moral voices to advocate for justice in the following areas: food, housing, creation, and immigration. As Pastor Ruud mentioned in his sermon this past  Sunday, advocating with people who are suffering has a strong Biblical basis. This  Saturday, May 12, there is an opportunity to let the City of Tacoma know why affordable housing is important to you. The community listening session is at Blix Elementary School from  4:00-6:00 p.m. Blix Elementary is located at:  1302 E. 38th St. Tacoma 98404. See the following website for more information:

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!