2012 STEWARDSHIP RESPONSE FORMS:

Thank you to the 25 households who returned their Learn, Serve and Grow response forms with their 2012 Plan for Financial Giving last weekend. All other families are asked to spend time in prayer and reflection this week and BRING YOUR FORMS with you this Sunday to be brought forward during the Hymn of the Day at all services. As you think about how you will use your time, talent and treasure to serve God this coming year, we invite you to view this short online video (titled "God Pie"):  http://www.youtube.com/user/thatjustinguy 

Children's Faith Formation

Children's Lesson for Sunday, October 23--This week's Bible story is from Matthew 22:34.  "Loving God and loving our neighbors." 

 Spark Family Page

Children's Sunday school takes place in the Children's Faith Center from 9:45-10:45am, with gathering for making connections with children's teachers and leaders and conversations with one another starting at 9:30am in C4 (K-5th) and C6 (3's and 4's).  Please see Char Leone if you would like to register your child for Sunday school.

Adult Faith Formation

Tuesdays

• 5:15pm Fully Alive Women's Bible Study (Fireside Room).

Wednesdays: 

• 9:30am -- Women's Bible Study (PCC1)
• Noon Lunch and Bible Study (PCC1)
• 6:00pm (Fireside Room) Come for a time of visiting, sharing stories and reflecting on scripture with Pastor Shjerven. This month's topic is, "Spirited Sisters: Stories of New Testament Women."  Stop by the narthex to get some dinner or dessert and bring it to the Fireside Room for warm conversation and connection! 

Sundays:

• 9:45am--Adult Forum Schedule for October -- "Christian Environmental Ethics and the State of Commencement Bay" (Parish Commons Classrooms)
• October 23 -- Leslie Ann Rose will continue her analysis of the state of the Bay with a focus on the Ruston Site.  The controversial project to covert this highly polluted site to a small town of high-end condos will be the focus.
• 11:00am Adult Class (PCC1)
• Making Sense of the Christian Faith:  Using materials by Dr. David Lose, we will examine the major classical teachings of Christianity, focusing on one topic each week. 

Ecumenical Book Discussion Group -- it is not too late to attend -- Join neighbors from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church as we meet to discuss Rev. David Beckmann's book, "Exodus from Hunger" and enjoy refreshments and community with one another.  We will meet on three more Monday nights from 7:00-8:30pm:  October 24 (at St. Charles), November 7 and November 14.   this week we will discuss Part I of the book.  Questions?  Contact Pastor Shjerven:  rebecca@smlutheran.org

Next week, October 30, throughout the morning, we will have our Bread for the World Offering of Letters.  Please raise your voice to encourage our elected officials to reform foreign aid programs so that they genuinely help people out of poverty.  Learn more by attending the Adult Forum at 9:45am or the 11:00am Adult Class.

"Life Together" is the theme of a book study at Mortvedt Center, Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Comunity, on Tuesdays, at 11:00am through November.   Leading the study is Dick Rodning, whom you may call for more details at 761-9198.

Youth  and Family News   --

SR ALYVE (9-12th grade):

• SR ALYVE Youth Group Thursdays, 6:15-8:00pm in the Youth Room. The faith life and story of Martin Luther with Ingelaurie and Bruce.
• Sunday School  9:45-10:45am in the Fireside Room with Mike and Zach.  "Can it be proven that God exists?"    
• Confirmation--9th grade 
• Faith statements and Life Maps due TODAY by 7:00pm
• Please meet at St. Mark's at 4:30 on  Weds., Oct. 26 to serve at Peace Community Center.
• RSVP by Oct. 23 for the Brunch on Sat., Oct. 29. 

JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):

• 6th grade Sunday School  9:45am in the Purple room (Youth Wing) "Living in Love"  NO CLASS Oct. 30.
• 7/8th grade Confirmation,  9:45-10:45am in the Youth Wing-- Guys will meet in regular class room with Bruce and Carl.  Girls will meet in the Youth Room with Ingelaurie.  Theme:  Food  in your Way to Live book.      

JR/SR ALYVE (6-12th grade) -- LOL Thursday night Music and Arts   5:30-8:00pm.

FRIDAY, October 21 --Family Fun Night -- 5:30-7:30pm  Movies, games and goodies!  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.  Fun for the whole family!  Hosted by Mike Trygstad in the Fireside Rm.

Entertainment Books are on sale!  $25.00 each.  Discounts to Pomodoro, Steamers, The Hob Nob and much more. 

Women of St. Mark's

HOLIDAY BAZAAR (Saturday,Nov. 5--9:00am) -- 

The bazaar will be here soon! 

• Carol Paulson is again our lefse chef  (call her if you can help with any of the following):
  • Wednesday evening, November 2 -- bring 10 lbs. cooked russet potatoes
  • Thursday morning, November 3 -- we need mixers, rollers, bakers, and packaging people
• Finish your handmade items:  bring them to the church before Friday, November 4.  Need help with your felting projects?  Call Patty Reinkensmeyer or Jan Pence. 
• Plan your baking list.  We need all kinds of baked goods:  cookies, breads, cupcakes, candies, fudge, caramels, etc.  (There is a delicious recipe for fudge on the marshmallow creme jar.)  We especially need pies for our luncheon.  Bring your baked goodies to church Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning.
• Bring your used books, collectibles and used jewelry to the church before November 4.
• Set-up will be Friday, November 4 at 9:00am -- we need help with pricing and set-up.  We will take down the Bazaar after the 11:00am service on Sunday, November 6 (helpers needed).

Thanks to all who have already volunteered and have brought items to the church office.  We look forward to a wonderful time together of friendship and fellowship.  Questions?  Contact Bonnie Wascher (bwascher@mac.com or 253-503-6765) or Carol Paulson, Helen Conroy, or Mimi Graves.

Secret Pals -- Have you contacted your Secret Pal lately?  A note now and then is appreciated!

December 3 -- Advent Brunch --9:30am  "Christmas in Norway"

LWR-Update

A big THANK YOU to all who donated to or participated in the LWR OKTOBERFEST on October 16.  A total of 90 Personal Care Kits were assembled and good bratwurst and sauerkraut were had by all!  The shipment to Lutheran World Relief this week will include the following and weigh 938 lbs!  Thank you to all who donated time and supplies to make these gifts to others possible...

• 68 Baby Care Kits
• 94 Personal Care Kits
• 110 School Kits
• 90 Quilts
• 24 lbs. of Soap
• 8 Blankets

If you would like to help with shipment costs, please make a check out to Women of St. Mark's and indicate it is for LWR shipping costs.  Checks can be dropped off in the office or placed in the offering. 

Also, congratulations to Maren Tobaissen who was honored this past week for her work with the LWR quilts!  A brick with her name will be added to the LWR Quilt Plaza along with a check for $500.

Church Pictorial Directory 

To all who have participated in our church directory project, thank you!  IF you elected to have your complimentary 8x10 photo sent back to St. Mark's for pick up, some of the portraits are now in the church office.  Please stop by to pick up your portrait. 

 Submissions to the weekly Bridge are due in the church office by Tuesday of each week!