Adult Forum: Hospitality: Welcoming God in Threshold Spaces. Hospitality in ancient Israel often led to powerful moments of encounter both with God and with the stranger. It led to transformed relationships and was a core practice of the Christian faith, much of which has been lost today. How might we reclaim the power of hospitality for genuine welcome, evangelism, and making space to encounter ‘the stranger.’

April 13: Threshold Spaces Today (Pr Bri)

Coming up for Children Youth and Families: Sunday AM Faith Formation Classes 9:45-10:45 a.m.

​April 13​ (Palm Sunday) All students and teachers will begin with the Palm Processional at 9:45 a.m. Please line up in the foyer at 9:40 a.m. to process in. After the song 5-12th grade, students will head to class, PreK-4th grade will stay in the sanctuary for the 3rd grade Bible presentation.

Help is still needed with the annual Easter Breakfast--youth and adults of all ages are invited to help out. Money raised goes to support the children and youth programs. Please sign up here soon so I know who is able to help out.

The 4 F's group is meeting up once again! Friday, April 25, 6-8 p.m. at the E9 Brewing and Tap House: 2506 Fawcett Avenue Tacoma WA, 98042. The church will pay for a few pizzas and salads to get us started and then the rest is on your own. The 4 F's is a group for adults ages 30-50s and is a time for food, fellowship, and fun! If you haven't joined the What's App group for this group, please see Keith Petersen or Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher for the link.

Easter Envelopes: If you will be worshipping at St. Mark's on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday, you may notice special Easter offering envelopes in the pews and at the Welcome Center. Please note that offerings received in these envelopes are for contributions that are above and beyond what you may have pledged for the year. We very much appreciate ALL contributions to St. Mark's but request that you do not use these envelopes for regular, pledged contributions. Thanks for your cooperation!

Debbie Spaulding Memorial Service: Friday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's with a luncheon reception to follow. Memorial gifts may be given to St. Mark's for the Mexico Service Trip.

Scholarships Opening for HS Grads: High School Seniors: The St. Mark's Scholarship for fall is opening up for HS grads on Monday, April 14. Due date for application is Sunday, May 11. Check our website for details and application forms!

Baby Shower: You are invited! Save the date and RSVP here by April 30. All are welcome!

St. Mark's Preschool is hiring! We are looking for an experienced teacher to join our team for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a part-time position, days and hours to be determined based on class. If you are interested please submit your resume and cover letter to Katie Jones. For questions, please contact Katie at 253.752.4929 or preschool@smlutheran.org. Thank you!

Mexico Ministry Trip 2025 - planning meeting: This Sunday, April 13, at 12:00 (Fireside), we will be holding a planning meeting for all people who plan to travel to, or have interest in, this summer's annual Mexico ministry trip. It is not too late to join the group! Please see Sarah or Melanie for more information.

Endowment Grants: Do you have an idea for a project or a ministry at St. Mark’s that needs a little funding to get off the ground? Are you aware of any unfunded need that could enhance our service to others?

$500 for the labyrinth to be placed on church property

$500 was for scholarships for the Mexico ministry trip

$500 was carried to a fund for application to St. Mark’s preschool travel expenses to the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association biennial conference.

$500 puts put forth to help finish the solar panel purchase and installation.

$1000 for the startup of a women’s retreat

Earth Month at St. Mark's and Pierce County: Earth Month Activities in Pierce County: April is Earth Month; and April 22 is Earth Day. The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, with an estimated 20 million Americans participating in rallies, marches, and teach-ins to advocate for a healthier planet. St Mark’s is celebrating Earth Day this year with Christ Church Episcopal on April 22. Gordon Okumo will present the topic "From Field to Fork: Food Choices as Creation Care." The presentation will be at 7 p.m. Wells Hall, Christ Church, April 22. This link provides a calendar of events during Earth Month.

Meals for Oasis Youth Center: Be a VIC (Very Important Cook)! Help underserved youth! Sign up to help us prepare a once-a-month meal for Oasis Youth Center! Cook a main dish for 6-8 youth in your own kitchen. Our driver will deliver for the LGBTQIA+ youth at the Center on the first Friday of each month. Check out openings for main dish, drinks, desserts, and delivery for May-August. To check needs and sign up go here. Questions: contact Karis Crocco or Roz Lueck-Mammen. Special thanks to April cooks! Sponsored by St. Mark’s GSA.

Donate to the Hunger Walk Team: Support the St. Mark's team and the Emergency Food Network by donating to our team! Our strong team of 24 participants is walking on May 3 to support the Emergency Food Network. EFN distributes food to more than 70 food pantries and shelters in Pierce County. With growing demand and the loss of federal funding, this vital organization needs our support now more than ever. Thank you for your support! Donate online.

Back from Nepal: Elizabeth Skarshaug returned from the WPC Nepal trip on March 18, 2025. The purpose of the trip was to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Women's Protection Center, Nepal. Lila Ghising of Puyallup and Nepal was the founder. The Silver Jubilee reflected 25 years of remarkable success in serving survivors and vulnerable people at high risk for sex trafficking. Elizabeth will give a presentation on May 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. with more details about the WPC Nepal Organization and her recent trip to Nepal. St. Mark's Lutheran Church has been supporting WPC Nepal. Save the Date!

Care of Creation Events: The first Care of Creation event this season is slated for Saturday, May 17, at the Billy Frank Wildlife Refuge at Nisqually. We will leave the church parking lot at 2 p.m. for this afternoon event. Also, we are starting to take reservations now for the river rafting trip scheduled for Saturday, September 13 on the Tieton River near White Pass. Cost is $89 per person. Please see further information and sign up on the Google Docs link located here.

Refugee families update! The refugee family we are supporting from Afghanistan, a family of 6, has been in Tacoma since January 2. Unfortunately, the current administration’s freeze on funds continues to prevent access to the balance of their promised government funds. These funds were held by Lutheran Community Services NW (LCSNW) & remain inaccessible. These funds were expected to pay the rent & utilities for February & March. The Global & Refugee Alliance (GRA) is committed to helping with the first 6 months of rent, planning to pay for April, May & June from the DeRek Refugee Fund of the church. We have little hope that the government (continue reading here).

The Afghan and Ukrainian Refugee Families we support are seeking work: In the Afghan family, Samiullah, the father, is seeking full time work and open to odd jobs as he is applying. He speaks English well (having taught it for several years) and has a car and driver’s license. Shogofa, the mother, is an accomplished seamstress & hopes to find regular work as her English skills continue to improve. She wants to start an Alternations and Custom Sewing home business, “Shogofa’s Sewing Services” and is already taking on mending & other sewing projects for some in our community.

In the Ukrainian family, Rostyslav, the father, is seeking odd jobs to supplement his income (continue reading here).

Holy Week Worship at St. Mark's: Holy Week is just around the corner, and with it many opportunities to gather as a community for worship and fellowship. Check out our upcoming Holy Week worship opportunities (above)!

Maundy Thursday Foot Washing: April 17 at 7 p.m. Foot washing is an embodiment of the scripture we will hear in worship on MaundyThursday. Before Jesus serves the Last Supper, he washes the disciples’ feet and gives

them the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you.”

Christians have practiced foot washing on-and-off, in various communities throughout the world, since Jesus first introduced this practice. Continue reading how St. Mark's will offer an opportunity to engage in this practice here.

Easter Flowers: Help us decorate the sanctuary for Easter. Give a plant/s in honor or memory of loved ones. This year there will be a mixture of gerbera, mums, begonias and tulips. Plants will be $15 each. You can pick up your plants after worship services conclude on Easter. A portion of the sales will be used to purchase other Easter/Palm Sunday plants/decorations. You can purchase plants by visiting the table in the Narthex on April 6 or April 13, or by emailing Teresa Handy.

Join us for worship this Sunday at 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 a.m.

Share prayer requests with us by sending them to: prayers@smlutheran.org. 

St. Mark's Podcast Channel: Be sure to check out the St. Mark's podcast channel for weekly sermon recordings and special podcast content published throughout the year. St. Mark's podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, and more. You can also access our podcast feed directly on our website.