The Bridge
        
The weekly newsletter of St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows                  
   June 7 , 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 is on hiatus and will resume in the Fall! 

Learn, Serve, Grow

We were thrilled to receive almost 100 Learn Serve Grow Response Forms on Pentecost Sunday, and we look forward to receiving more in the days ahead! This is a great way for each one of us to put our faith into action and join forces with all those who are committed to God's mission in the world. We will place a basket for Learn Serve Grow Response Forms next to the Hunger Basket for the next two Sundays, and you can come up during the offering and add yours to the growing number of responses that we are receiving during these days after Pentecost. Learn Serve Grow Booklets and Response Forms are available at the Welcome Center in the narthex. You can also read and download them from these links on our church website.


Join Us In Celebrating 25 Years of Ordained Ministry

You are all invited to join us this coming Sunday, June 11 at 3:00pm for a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Pastor Rebecca Shjerven's ordination. We will hear from many people who have worshipped and served with her over the years, and we will enjoy many scrumptious treats at the reception that follows our program. We hope you can be with us for this festive event!

Highlights from Our Congregational Meeting on Pentecost Sunday

After beginning the meeting with lively Marimba music, we also took time to celebrate the success of our Blessing in Abundance capital appeal and the 20th Anniversary of the groundbreaking for our sanctuary. We announced grant recipients from our Endowment Fund and told about two large bequests that St. Mark's has received in recent months. Pastor Ruud told about his plans for his upcoming sabbatical, which will be from July 1-September 30, and we thanked all those who have completed their terms of service in leadership roles at St. Mark's. As a voting body, we also:
  • Approved a Treasurer's Report which showed that giving to our General Fund is slightly up from last year but below our goal for the fiscal year that ends on June 30.
  • Adopted a Budget for the next fiscal year which includes a projected increase in giving of approximately 1% over actual giving in the current fiscal year.
  • Elected new leaders to serve on our Church Council. They include Janet Grant as President, Oscar Espinosa as Vice-President, Laura Oellerich as Secretary, and Janai Isaacson, Susan Newsom, Deborah Herforth, and Birger Nelson. 
  • Elected new people to serve on other Boards and Committees. They include Jacki Stenger on the Preschool Board, Tom Hulst and Carol Avery on the Scholarship Committee, and Marcia Sherry, Michelle Marshman, Bruce Sadler, and Cindy Kennedy on the Endowment Fund Committee.

Fiscal Year End Giving

As fiscal year (FY) 2017-2018 draws to a close, we are being very deliberate (as always!) to ensure your offerings are directed as you intend them to be. There are three specific things that will help make sure your gifts are applied correctly:
 
  1. Please indicate to which fiscal year your gift should be applied (either FY16-17 ending June 30th or FY17-18 beginning July 1st). While this obviously does not affect anything from a tax perspective, if you pledged, it does determine to which pledge the gift is applied. If you do not indicate a fiscal year on your check during this transitional month, your gift will be applied according to when it was dated (for a check), when it was charged (for a credit card), or when it was received (for cash).
  2. Please indicate for what purpose (e.g., regular offering, mortgage retirement) your gift is intended. There are many families who have graciously pledged to both causes and our Financial Recording Secretary needs your assistance to ensure your offering is used as you intend.
  3. Finally, if you receive giving envelopes, please try to use these envelopes for your gift whenever it is convenient to do so. It makes it easier for our weekly counters and helps us make sure we acknowledge the correct giver and direct the gift to the correct fund.
 
Thank you so much for your faithful support of the ministry and mission of St. Mark's. Feel free to contact Pat Buck or Jennifer Droubay in the Church office (253-752-4966) with any questions.

PreK Teacher Search

St. Marks Preschool  is in search of a PreK Teacher ! We are looking for someone with a background in Early Childhood Education. If you are interested, or know of a qualified candidate, please contact Anne Zimmerman:   anne.zimmerman@smlutheran.org

Habitat For Humanity Update!

A very big Thank You to everyone who is supporting Habitat's Building on Faith project this year. Thanks to the generosity of many people who made a monetary donation, we have raised enough money to be an official sponsor of the house! And, thanks also to the 45 people who have signed up to work at the house.
 
The start of construction has been delayed a little, but St. Mark's volunteers now have three possible dates to help build the house for Ma Moore and her four young children -- July 22, August 19, and September 9. If you haven't already signed up but would like to do so, it's not too late to join the fun! Please contact Deborah Herforth at  deborahherforth@yahoo.comor 206-372-1433.

Marimba Camp

Marimba Registration is still open for the children and youth camps!
  • Summer Youth Marimba Camp: Mon-Fri, August 21-25 (grades 2-12)
Cost: $50 per person
 
Forms are available on a table outside the church office, and can be turned in to Linda or Nicole in the office. Space is limited, so get your registration in soon!
 
Questions? Send to: cooper.sherry@smlutheran.org

Care of Creation Summer Hikes

The Care of Creation committee is sponsoring four hikes this summer--one per month alternating between Fridays and Saturdays. The heavy precipitation (snow) this year will likely preclude getting above 5,000 feet until late July or early August. We can adjust the destinations as we get closer and know the conditions better.  The dates and tentative destinations are listed below.  

Saturday, June 24:  Rattlesnake Ledge, Packwood Lake, or Rampart Ridge

Friday, July 21:   Summit Lake

Saturday, August 5: Chinook Pass
 
Friday, September 8: Sunrise (Rainier) or Hurricane Ridge (Olympics)

We will meet at the church at 8 a.m. on the appointed days and form car pools.  Hikers should have water, sun cream, sun glasses, lunch, first aide, camera, extra clothing, good hiking shoes, and money to help defray the costs of gas for drivers.  We will not go if it is raining.
For more information contact: Tom Hulst thulst@live.com 

Prayer Chain

We are re-establishing our Prayer Chain at St. Mark's and we welcome your participation.  The mission of the Prayer Chain is to communicate requests for prayers to a network of individuals who are committed to the ministry of prayer for people in need. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please send us your email and we will add you to the list. 
One Great Song: The Book of Psalms

As we explore this year's congregational theme, "One Great Song", we turn our attention to Israel's songbook.  The Psalms are a collection of 150 songs and poems that have been sung and recited for more than 3,000 years. They are beloved by both Jews and Christians and have shaped the imagination and strengthened the faith of people.  Together we will drink from this deep well as we spend 5 weeks studying the Book of Psalms.  Note-There will be two opportunities to be part of this study:  Wednesdays at 6:15pm  or Sundays at 11:00am (beginning May 7th).  Questions?  Contact Pastor Shjerven 

Vacation Bible School 2017

Mark your calendars!  VBS July 31-Aug. 4 Maker Fun Factory!  For children 4 year old (by July 1, 2017)-5th grade (2017-2018 school year). Registration opened April 30. Taking youth and adult volunteers who want to teach or lead. Contact Ingelaurie with questions or for more information.  Click here for the registration form. 

Children and Youth Faith Formation

 
Children and Youth end of year Choir Concert and Potluck Dinner: Wednesday, June 7, 5:30pm
 
Congratulations to the 2017 High School Graduates at St. Mark's! 
Ella Banken, SOTA; Alexandra Jean Bunch, Wilson High School; Caitlyn Daniels, Wilson High School; Katherine DeLorme, Curtis High School; Adelina Duenhoelter, Bellarmine Prep.; Hanna Frazier, Curtis High School; Krissy Gala, Wilson High School; Connor Gormly, Gig Harbor High School; Jonathan Irwin, SOTA; Sydney Larson, Curtis High School and TCC; Olivia Sherry, SOTA; Patricia Stahlnecker, Foss High School.
 
The last day of Sunday school for children 3 years old to 12th grade is today, Sunday, June 11.
 
Thursday Nights at St. Mark's for youth grades 6-12 are done for the school year! 
 
Montana Team Potluck dinner- Everyone from Elementary to the High School campers to the Servant Trip participants and their family.Wednesday June 14 5:30-7:00p.m. Bring a side dish to share, hot dogs, brats and beverages provided.
 
Faith Formation for children Summer 2017!
Summer story time begins Sunday, June 25 through Sunday, August 27 during the "Word" portion of the service at 9:45a.m. Volunteers are needed for the following Sundays: 6/25, 7/16 & 23, 8/6, 13, 20 & 27. Please let Ingelaurie Lisher know if you can lead on one of these dates.
 
Vacation Bible School-Maker Fun Factory will be heldJuly 31-Aug. 4 9:00a.m.- 12:15p.m. See the table in the Narthex for more information and how you can get involved in this fun faith formation program.
 
2018 ELCA Youth Gathering!   June 26-July 2, Houston TX. Details are on the youth board. Registration opens September 15.
 
Annual Music on the Lawn Fundraiser and Event will be held August 19th-youth and parents contact Jean Steingrebe to sign up to help and earn $$ for your trip.
 

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Forum-Sundays 9:45am in the Fireside Room
June 11 -   The Adult Forum provides opportunities to reflect on Christian faith in light of current events and the daily decisions we need to make. Topics vary, leadership is shared, and the conversation is lively. 

Adult Class- Sundays 11am in the Fireside Room
June 11- Adults dig deep into a biblical or theological text, presented as a series. Material is chosen for the season, or in response to the group's curiosity.

Wednesday Midweek Renewal; 6:15pm
Midweek Renewal is done for the year, join us again in the Fall. 

Tuesday "Fully Alive" Bible Study; 5:15pm in the Fireside Room
Fully Alive is done for the year, join us again in the Fall. 

Women's Bible Study; 9:30 am in the Parish Commons Classroom
 Women's Bible Study is done for the year, join us again in the Fall. 

Noon Wednesday Text Study Luncheon in the Parish Commons Classroom.
At Bible Study Luncheon men and women read and discuss the scripture texts appointed for the upcoming Sunday. The pastor who will be preaching on the texts guides the conversation. This group will meet through June 28th.  

Member Notes and News

Wondering what to do with your old jewelry?
Sally Ann McLean can turn it into cash at the
Holiday Bazaar at the Tacoma Lutheran 
Retirement Community. All proceeds go to
the volunteer organization Helping 
Hands which funds campus amenities.
 
Contact her at 253-756-7608 or 

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!