The Bridge
         
The weekly newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
   October 12 , 2016 
        
 
Sunday Worship      
8:30am-Blended
9:45am-Contemporary
11:00am-Traditional
 
 
To hear podcast recordings of our Sunday Sermons
Click Here
St. Mark's Staff
Pastors
Phil Rue, Visitation
Staff
Ingelaurie Lisher, Youth and Family
Music Ministry
Contemporary Music Ministry
Manager of Finance and Operations
Office Coordinator
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Just Shopping

Just Shopping is an Internet Fundraising Program at St. Mark's. It's part of a three-tiered plan to eliminate our building debt by 2023. On-line purchase made through our website with affiliate companies helps pay off our building loan. Thank you for your support and please share this internet shopping opportunity with your family and friends! For more information, click here to visit our website. 


 
Ministry Links

 

Online Giving

 


 
       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
Join our mailing list.
Wednesday Night Church Night Tonight!

5:00pm Little Angels Choir (CR)
5:15pm Dinner: 
Twice Baked Potatoes, Suggested Donation $5
5:30pm Joyful Noise Choir (CR)
6:00pm Praise Team Rehearsal (S)
6:00m Jubilation Choir, grades 3-5 (CR)
6:15pm Holy Moly (YR)
6:15pm Midweek Renewal (PCC)
7:30pm Prayer Service (PC)

Childcare is provided from 5-8pm for children up to 5 years of age while parents attend meetings, Bible Study and worship.

Luther 500 Festival Opportunity

We have two spots left for our trip to Wittenberg, Germany on June 19th-26th.  Please speak with or email Ingelaurie Lisher if you are interested.  Deposit of $300 per person to reserve spots.  Payment schedule can be negotiated since it is to full up two spots that have recently been opened up.  Total cost per person is approximately $1200.  Airfare not included. 
Wanted:  Lunch Buddies for DeLong Elementary!

You can make a difference in the life of a child!  The counselor at DeLong Elementary School has asked St. Mark's to provide more Lunch Buddies for this school year.  Each adult is matched with 2 fourth grade students whose teachers have identified as needing the gift of time from a caring adult.  You choose if you prefer to have girls or boys.

Volunteer chooses Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.  DeLong Elementary is near South 12th and Orchard Street.

Eat lunch with Buddy at 12:40 and spend recess time together until 1:30.   The relationship is limited to this time at the school and volunteers must pass a Volunteer Background Check with the Tacoma School District. 

About one hour each week seems "tiny."  I asked the counselor if she thought it really made a difference to the students.  "Yes!, you probably don't "see" the influence you have, but the teachers keep asking if there can be more Lunch Buddies."

You may be thinking that a school year is a large commitment.  And it is.  However, every Lunch Buddy for the past 4 years has missed some weeks because of travel.  They just let the teacher and students know in advance.

Consider this opportunity.  Contact me with questions and to volunteer.

Mary Olsen
253 752 2844

Crafters It Is Time!

The Holiday Bazaar is fast approaching.  Please bring your handicraft donations starting this Sunday. There will be a table in the Narthex, or you can drop them by the office). 

Handicraft ideas: aprons, pillows, hats, gloves, scarves, greeting cards, table top items, Fall and Christmas decor, Seahawks & college spirit items. 

Bakery containers & info will be available Sunday, October 30th. 

Due to storage space "collectable" donations will be accepted starting October 30th. 
Quilting is Back!

Come join the Quilters on Monday mornings from 9am-12pm.  No sewing or quilting experience required.  If you are unable to join there are always quilt tops to sew t home.  Questions? Call Katie Cootsona at 206-484-9195
Women of St. Mark's

Mark your calendars for the following events: The annual Bazaar will be held on November 5th this year and the Advent Brunch will be on December 3rd.  We will need lots and lots of baked goods along with all of the wonderfully creative items I know you are already making for sale at the Bazaar.  We need all congregation support to make these events happen.

Look for sign-up sheets for Bazaar help and the Advent Brunch.  It takes a congregation to make these events successful.  Please contact Barbara Meyers at 253-756-9352 or email  barbstitch@gmail.com  with questions or ideas.  

Children and Youth Faith Formation

Holy Moly  for children continues every Wednesday evening from 6:15-7:15pm in the Youth Room.
 
Children's Faith Formation-9:45-10:45am in the CFC
 
5-12th grade Faith Formation-Sunday mornings
  • 5/6th grade class with Mary and Linda in Teal Room-Unit 6 Authority
  • 7/8th grade Confirmation with Bruce in the Youth Room-The Reformation  
  • 9-12th grade in the Fireside Room with Clara Eickoff-LWR Kit building with Catherine Terrill
Thursday, October 13 at St. Mark's for youth grades 6-12
  • 3rd year confirmation youth 5:30-6:30p.m. in the PCC with Pastor Rebecca
  • Youth choir 6:30-7:30p.m. in the Sanctuary with Cooper
  6-8th grade Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch!  Saturday, October 22 12:30-4pm.  $7.00 per person plus any $$ for pumpkins and treats. Sign up by October 16th if you are attending. 


Adult Faith Formation

Adult Forum-Sundays 9:45am in the Parish Commons Classroom
October6 and 16-Pastor's Forum
Declaration on the Way: Here in the United States Lutheran and Catholic Christians have strongly affirmed that there is more which unites us than divides us. One expression of this is the joint "Declaration on the Way" which draws together a litany of 32 consensus statements. Join Pastor Ruud as he introduces this document and leads a discussion on its relevance for us today.  

Adult Class- Sundays 11am in the Parish Commons Classroom
September 25 - October 23-  "Embracing a Life of Meaning", DVD series with poet/author Kathleen Norris (5 week series).

Wednesday Midweek Renewal;  6:15pm in the Parish Commons C.
We will begin our year with Diana Butler Bass as our guide.  Her newest book, "Grounded: Finding God in the World" is an excellent entry into our congregational theme, "Let All Creation Praise!".  Pastor Shjerven will be summarizing the main themes and thoughts of the book, and inviting everyone into reflection and conversation. (You do not need to buy the book.) All are welcome to be part of the discussion.
 
Tuesday "Fully Alive" Bible Study; 5:15pm in the Fireside Room
led by Sherry Maiura

Women's Bible Study; 9:30 am in the Parish Commons Classroom
Will be studying the Book of Acts.  For more information contact Ida Hagen, 253-759-0569 ( idaputs@gmail.com)

Noon Wednesday Text Study Luncheon in the Parish Commons Classroom
 Gather for lunch and conversation 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. 
Member Notes and News

Poetry Workshop: "Studying the Shadows, Exploring Elegy." Saturday Oct 15, 2-4pm at St. Mark's.  Northwest Renaissance Poets is holding their annual fall poetry workshop at St. Mark's this year, for poets of all levels. The workshop is led by Michael Schmeltzer, poetry editor at Floating Bridge Press.  "Much like Peter Pan's shadow, grief has a life of its own. In this workshop we'll not only examine various elegies, but we'll write our own using techniques borrowed from poets who've wrestled with their own loss."   Space is limited. $25/person. For more information or to register:  www.nwrpoets.org/events  or speak with Emilie Shimkus.

Boy Scout Wreath sales will be begin on Sunday, October 9th, and continue through October 30th.  Look for their table in the Narthex. 


Have an item for the bridge?
Send it to communications@smlutheran.org by 8am on Tuesday. All items will be run for 2 weeks prior to the relevant date and will be edited for length. Don't forget to send your member notes and news!