The Bridge
        
The weekly newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
   September 13 , 2017 
        
 
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. 


 

 
       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!
 
Dinner-  5-6:30pm (New Time)
Suggested Donation $5: Macaroni & Cheese, Hot Dogs and Salad
Little Angels- 5-5:30pm
Joyful Noise- 5:30-6pm
Jubilation- 6-6:45pm (New Time)
Holy Moly- 6:15-6:45pm (New Time)
Midweek Renewal- 6:15-7:15pm 
Evensong- 7:30pm 

Church Office Closed Friday Afternoons 
 
The church office will be closed on Friday afternoons through 9/22 while Nikki is on maternity leave.

Construction Update

You may have already noticed the construction lift in the lower parking lot and there will soon be a large dumpster next to the garage. Things are about to get busy! WA Patriot will start work the week of September 18th, repairing sections of our damaged and/or aging siding. When a construction team member examined the siding on the south side of the sanctuary, he said it's really good that we're replacing it now - the old fascia board has actually warped outside the flashing, leaving a large potential for leaks. Thanks to the entire congregation for your commitment to our long-term maintenance program, which is clearly needed to keep our facilities a welcoming (and dry!) place to worship, learn, and serve together. You'll soon see work starting to replace the single pane windows in the offices, too... Please feel free to contact Jennifer Droubay in the Church office (253-752-4966) with any questions.

Hurricane Harvey Challenge

Congregations of the SW Washington Synod-ELCA have been challenged to match the $20,000 gift that will be donated by the Synod.  As members of St. Mark's, we can do this in a couple of different ways.  You can write a check made out to St. Mark's Lutheran Church with the memo "Hurricane".  This money will be passed to the Synod Office.  Or, if you prefer to give online, follow this link to make your donation:
Lutheran Disaster Response , a ministry of the ELCA, may be contacted at  http://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response/
 
Note:  if you make an online donation and let the Synod Office know, they will include it in the $20,000. Challenge.  Email:  swwsynod@plu.edu

Kairos Prison Ministry 

The mission of Kairos Prison Ministry is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

The 2nd Kairos event at Stafford Creek Corrections Center is scheduled for October 12 - 15 2017. Covering all the activities of the  Kairos  weekend , including all inmates and staff as well as the participants and our volunteers, in prayer is always our first and most important  priority.

Refugee "Baby Kits" Thanks You!

Thank you to those who donated diapers, wipes, baby clothes, and toys last month to provide 'baby kits' to newly arriving refugees in our community.  We packed 25 kits and they will be distributed this fall through Lutheran Community Services.   Additionally, a member donated extra plastic bins to pack 25 personal hygiene kits from supplies of toilet paper, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, and feminine products that were given by other churches.     The refugee resettlement ministry of LCS is now located at First Lutheran Church by Wright Park.   If you want to provide direct service with transportation to medical appointments, mentoring, driver education, or cultural orientation, please contact Kathleen Campbell at regkathleen@msn.com or 253.820.3297.   

Tanzanian Bishop to Visit

The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and his wife, Janet, will be guests at St. Mark's on Sunday, September 17. The Rev. Dr. Fredrick Shoo was elected to lead the 6.5 million member church in 2015. He previously served as the Bishop of the Northern Diocese where he earned the title of "The Tree Bishop" for his efforts to plant thousands of trees as a way to save the receding snows of Kilimanjaro (google Bishop Fredrick Shoo and check out the PBS video). He will be available for a Question and Answer Adult Forum and will bring a greeting at our 11:00 AM worship. We are honored to host the Shoos, and invite you to note this opportunity on your calendars.

Family Housing host week just completed...

The message below was left by one of the families who stayed with us last week as part of the Family Housing Network. This is the 11th time we have hosted families in this program.

This time we had a record number of guests: a family of 10, a family of 8 and two families of 3. They occupied the Youth Room, choir practice room, and the teal and purple Sunday school rooms. A total of 44 volunteers from St. Mark's planned, cooked, hosted, set up and took down bedrooms for our guests, for a cumulative total of over 370 volunteer hours.

The week was busy and satisfying for volunteers and guests alike! We look forward to hosting families again the week of of Dec. 30-Jan. 6.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE THIS MINISTRY POSSIBLE! 


Bandage Rolling Group
 
We have a bandage rolling group that meets at the Art Center at Tacoma Lutheran every Wednesday morning from 10 to 11.  If you can spare an hour to help us it would be wonderful.  The bandages are shipped to Global Health Ministries in Minneapolis and from there around the world to Lutheran Hospitals.  They are gratefully received 
as these are very needed.  Elaine Rodning

Women of St. Mark's
 
Our second Craft Night on Tuesday, August 22nd was a fun night of fellowship and sewing.  We created beautiful Periwinkle Table Mats that will be available for purchase at the Bazaar!  Big THANKS to Bonnie Wascher for providing the fabric and instructions for making these wonderful fall and Christmas items!  Thanks to all who attended and helped with this project!

Our next Craft Night is  Friday, September 29th.  Mark your calendars and join us for another fun night making Popcorn Snowmen.  All the supplies will be provided, we need helping hands to assemble the Snowmen.  We will also be assembling the Wood Tags project.  Please plan on joining us!

We have craft schedules available at our table in the Narthex.  Make sure you pick one up to take home! 

If you have an item in mind that we can easily create please contact Barbara Meyers at barbstitch@gmail.com.  We are always looking for new items to sell at the Bazaar.  Hope to see you at one of our Craft Nights!

Continue to work on your handmade items for the Bazaar.  All the wonderful items you create make the Bazaar a success.  I encourage all to participate!


New Community Group "Third Quarter"

Christian friends in the "third quarter" of life are welcome to join a new community group at St. Mark's. Lori Clark and Steve and Martha Ward invite age 50ish -75ish to create a supportive community to share hope, laughter, and love through active events. 

At the inaugural event in early September, we agreed to meet the second Thursdays of each month:
 
Thursday October 12 at 6:00, Mini Golf at Tower Lanes, 6323 6th Ave; food and drink available during/after golf.
Thursday November 9 at 6:00, Pot Luck and Game Night
Thursday December 14 at 6:00, Christmas Pot Luck and Tradition Share
Schedule coming for 2018 based on the many wonderful ideas received

Contact: St. Mark's Church office:  253.752.4966

Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference - September 16

The 2017 Pierce County Alzheimer's Caregiver Conference helps provide useful information and practical skills for individuals and families providing care or seeking more knowledge about Alzheimer's and other dementias.  This free event will be held Saturday, September 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1315 N. Stevens Street in Tacoma.   The featured speaker for the 2017 conference is Laura Wayman, known as "The Dementia Whisperer."  Breakout sessions will examine practical caregiving skills, the power of music, challenging behaviors, legal issues, dementia & social engagement and housing and care options.  Refreshments will be provided.  The conference is free but advance registration is requested at:  www.alzconferencetacoma.eventbrite.com  or by calling (253) 798-8787. 

Lutheran World Relief (LWR):  Fall School Kit Supply Drive! - Reminder

Please bring your filled ORANGE bags or supplies to church by September 17 To date, we have over 100 bags turned in and supplies to make another 100!  Thank you to those who have generously supplied items forProject Promise .  Any questions, please contact Catherine Terrill at 253-732-3479.


Friends of Women's Protection Center, Nepal 

Construction of the Friends of WPC Nepal Safe House has made amazing progress, and plans are for completion in November/December with an inauguration in early March in Heatuda, Nepal!  Through the recent monsoon season, the workers have continued to work to make this dream home a reality to help victims of human trafficking.  St. Mark's generous gifts to the safe house construction and kitchen has help make this possible. The organization sends their sincerest thanks to our congregation! The Friends of WPC, Nepal, will hold their 7th Annual Hope For Freedom Gala fundraiser on September 16, 2017, 5:00 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue. 
For more information visit  friendsofwpcnepal.org or contact Catherine Terrill at 253-732-3479.  

National Lutheran Choir presents "Una Sancta"

The National Lutheran Choir commemorates 500 years of Protestant Reformation, and the transformation of Christ's church, with a concert of choral music-both ancient and modern-that brings the historical journey to life. Under the direction of Dr. David Cherwien, the 64-voice National Lutheran Choir, based in Minneapolis, seeks to strengthen, renew and preserve the heritage of sacred choral music. More information at NLCA.com

Thursday, September 28, 2017 - 7:30pm
Lagerquist Concert Hall
Pacific Lutheran University
12180 Park Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98447
More info: www.nlc.com         
  
Sunday, October 1, 2017 - following 4pm Evensong
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
1444 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR 97302

Children and Youth Faith Formation

Children's Faith Formation:

Sunday School for children 3 years old to 6th grade have begun. 
 
Children's choirs and Holy Moly begin Wed. Sept. 13!   Note some time changes
  • Little Angel's Choir (Preschool age): 5:00-5:30pm
  • Joyful Noise Choir (K-2nd gr.): 5:30-6:00pm
  • Jubilation Choir (3-5th gr.) 6:00-6:45pm 
  • Holy Moly for children 5-8 yrs old 6:15-6:45pm 
 
Youth Faith Formation Classes for grades 7-12 begin Sunday, Sept. 17 at 9:45: 

Confirmation Students (7/8th gr.) Sept. 17:
  • 7/8th grade Confirmation youth in Youth Room with Carl and Bruce
  • 9-12th grade the Fireside Room with Ingelaurie
 
Thursday Nights at St. Mark's begin Sept. 21 for youth grades 6-12!
  • 5:30pm Youth Group-meets the 1st & 3rd Thurs. of each month in the PC.  
  • 6:30pm Youth Choir-meets every week with Cooper in the Sanctuary. 
 
SR ALYVE (9-12th gr.) Parent and Youth Open House and Fall Kick-off Event ! Saturday, Sept. 23rdfrom 2-4pm at Ingelaurie and Bruce's home. Lawn games, snacks and a chance to reconnect after summer break. RSVP to Ingelaurie at 253-752-4966 ext. 104 or  ingelaurie@smlutheran.org  by Sept. 17th if you are attending. 
 
Now is the time to start planning on attending the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering!   June 26-July 2, Houston TX. Details, costs, registration form, etc. are on the youth board and registration opens September 15. We will be registering by October 15, a deposit of $150.00 is due by October 8th to guarantee your spot. Questions? Contact Ingelaurie Lisher at 253-752-4966 ingelaurie@smlutheran.org

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Forum-Sundays 9:45am in the Fireside Room
Sept 17:  We will welcome the Rev. Dr. Frederick Shoo, Presiding Bishop of the 6.5 million member Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.  Dr. Shoo will answer your questions and reflect on his years of ministry in this East African nation.

Adult Class- Sundays 11am in the Fireside Room
Sept 17: This Fall, as our 11am Adult Class, Dr. Traci Drake will offer Year 1 of Crossways, a faith-enriching, life-changing course that serves as your 'road map' for an unforgettable journey through the entire Bible.   To order the set of Learner books, please sign up at the AFF table, or come to the first class on September 17th.  The cost for books each trimester is $20.  Participants are asked to cover whatever part of that cost they are able to pay.


Wednesday Midweek Renewal; 6:15pm
Sept 13th:   "Embracing an Alternative Orthodoxy, with Fr. Richard Rohr".  Our first series this Fall will focus on Franciscan spirituality, as studied and practiced by Father Richard Rohr.  Each week, by the power of DVD, Rohr will guide us through various aspects of Francis' life and wisdom and the hope it holds for modern Christians.  


Tuesday "Fully Alive" Bible Study; 5:15pm in the Fireside Room
The Fully Alive Bible Study will start meeting again on Oct. 3. We will begin with a Biblical search: "Who am I in God's Eye" Please join us.

Women's Bible Study; 9:30 am in the Parish Commons Classroom
Ladies begin gathering about 9:15 for coffee and visiting.  We are ladies with varying faith and bible experiences, who help each other by sharing our questions and insights.  With our current study, As It Is in Heaven by Greg Laurie, a thought-provoking book, we are studying God's will for us here on earth.  We begin this fall on September 20, and books are available - an excellent time to join us!  For more information, contact Linda Durant, hotdouug@harbornet.com , or (253) 363-8202.


Noon Wednesday Text Study Luncheon in the Parish Commons Classroom. 
Begins Sept. 13: Gather for lunch and for conversation and study around the texts that will be hear in worship the following Sunday. Conversation will be guided by who will be preaching, and by the insights and questions of the group.  

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!