Lent Book Read: Our Lent book group is coming up! Join Deacon Ingelaurie on Sundays, March 9-April 13, from 12:15-1:15 p.m. as we explore Kate Bowler's Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! This Lent devotional book 2024 is packed with bite-sized reflections and action-oriented steps to help you get through the day, be it good, bad, or totally mediocre. Order your book here, or use your favorite book retailer. Sign up here and let us know you are interested in attending.

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.’

March 16: Entertaining Angels? Biblical Grounding in Hospitality (Pr Mark)

March 23: Hospitality in the Ancient Near East (Pr Bri)

March 30: How Hospitality has shifted to the private sector (Pr Bri)

April 6: Hospitality, “Evangelism,” Outreach, and Mutual Welcome  (Pr Mark)

April 13: Threshold Spaces Today (Pr Bri)

Taking Action on Proposed Cuts to Food Programs for Children: Come to the Adult Forum on Sunday at 9:45 on March 9. Learn about Bread for the World and how YOU can influence your elected officials. They need to make good decisions so children and families have adequate food - in the US and abroad. All the info and supplies are ready for YOU to write letters to your elected officials - and we know how to reach them! We even have sample letters to help you get started. This weekend we "spring ahead" - remember to set your clock one hour ahead. YOU CAN DO SOMETHING! JOIN US ON SUNDAY!

You are invited to bring your Commitment Cards to worship on March 16 (any service) when we will gather all the financial pledges for the 2025-2026 year. Pledges help the church to plan appropriately. But most importantly, making a pledge helps each of us practice being faithful stewards by planning for and consistently giving as we are able. St. Mark's appreciates and relies upon your consistent gifts. There will be an online version of the 2025-2026 Commitment Card available next week. Watch for a link in the next Bridge edition.

Meals for Oasis Youth: WE NEED YOU! Signups are open for April-August. Click here for schedule and sign up. Once a month, our cooks bring a refrigerated dinner dish or dessert from their own home kitchen to the Crocco home in Tacoma. Our driver delivers the goodies to OASIS Youth Center to be enjoyed by LGBTQIA+ young people. OASIS reports the kids are loving our food! Shout Out to March cooks Carolyn Petersen, Derek Smith, Kate Compton, Diana Busch, and Karis Crocco! MANY THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED!

For more info contact Karis Crocco or Roz Lueck-Mammen.

Coats for Teens: We are collecting coats for 14-22 year olds youth served by Oasis Youth Center in downtown Tacoma for their March clothing swap. Gently used (stylish pre-loved) clothes can be dropped in the bin by the office until March 7. Thank you to all who have donated! Questions? Text or call Roz Lueck-Mammen (253) 312-1147.

Chase the Chill: Thank you to everyone who continues to knit and crochet hats and scarves--they are beautiful and so very warm. We have distributed over 75 bags this season and continue to assemble more bags as the weeks go by due to your generous contributions. If you would like to help and don't knit or crochet, we would love to include gloves and hand warmers in the bags. If you would like suggestions about where to find inexpensive supplies or have any questions about this project, please call the church office at 253-752-4966. Thanks!!

Journeying Through Lent with a Loss: Stumbling Block or Stepping Stone: All who have experienced any type of loss are invited to attend the Grief Group as we Journey Through Lent. How can this Lenten time of reflection offer stepping stones to renewal and healing? Join us in the Fireside Room, Friday, March 14 at 11 a.m.

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.