2012 STEWARDSHIP RESPONSE FORMS:

Thank you to the 82 households who returned their Learn, Serve and Grow response forms with their 2012 Plan for Financial Giving so far. 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.  Last year, we had 89% of our registered households respond to this annual renewal.  We need 280 more households to respond this year to reach that same level of participation!  Thank you for your attention to this important work.   

What I Love About You...Growing in Gratitude:  A cross-generational event on Sunday, November 13, 11:00am-1:00pm.  All are invited.  Lunch will be provided.  Please RSVP at the Welcome Center or to Carol Guenther at carolg@smlutheran.org.

Children's Faith Formation

Children's Lesson for Sunday, October 30--This week's Bible story is from Matthew  23 -- "Be Humble"

 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 - Midweek Renewal  (Fireside Room) Take a "time out" each Wednesday night for sharing stories, praying and exploring scripture, art and whatever else is on your mind.  Bring your dinner or dessert up to the Fireside Room. All are welcome! 

Sunday (October 30):

• 9:45am and 11:00am--Bread for the World Offering of Letters.  (Parish Commons Classrooms) 

Our congregation has a rich tradition of using our power and privilege on behalf of hungry people locally and all around the world.  One way that we do this is to contact our elected officials and advocate for specific programs that help lift people out of poverty. 

This Sunday, as part of both adult classes, you have the opportunity to learn more about US Foreign Aid Reform.  If you feel so moved, you are invited to write to Senator Murray or Cantwell or to your US Representative in support of more poverty-focused foreign aid.  Sample letters will be provided, along with addresses. 

If you would like to watch Bread for the World's informational DVD, it will be shown in Parish Commons Classroom 1 at the beginning of each class, with follow-up discussion.  If you would like to write letters ONLY, please go to Parish Commons Classroom 2, where all of the supplies you need will be available.

Thank you for raising your voice on behalf of those in need!

Next Sunday, November 6: 

• 9:45am Adult Forum, Parish Commons Classroom -- "What is a Saint?" -- hosted by Dan Conroy
• 11:00am Adult Class, Parish Commons Classroom --  "Making Sense of the Christian Faith"  God Con Carne -- discussion of the Incarnation continues...

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 two more Monday nights from 7:00-8:30pm:  November 7 and November 14.    Questions?  Contact Pastor Shjerven:  rebecca@smlutheran.org

"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 Ingelaurie.      
• Confirmation--The following 9th grade students will affirm their baptism this Sunday, October 30. 
• Lauren Balerud
• Jenna Comstock
• Elliott Crenshaw
• Bennett Fors
• Maia Grudzien
• Nick Merriman
• Joseph Newsom
• Whitney Pederson
• Elizabeth Postovoit
• Eric Spear
• Catarina Terrill
• Alesia Torres

JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):

• 6th grade Sunday School  --  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 Mary Jo.  Theme:  Stuff in your Way to Live book.      
• JR ALYVE meets November 2 (6:00-7:15pm)

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

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 in one more week!  This is a fun and festive community event...

• Carol Paulson is our lefse chef  (call her if you can help):
  • Wednesday evening, November 2 -- bring 10 lbs. cooked russet potatoes
  • Thursday morning, November 3 -- we need mixers, rollers, bakers, and packaging people
• Bring your handmade items, books, collectibles, and used jewelry to the church before Friday, November 4. 
• Plan your baking list.  We need all kinds of baked goods:  cookies, breads, cupcakes, candies, fudge, caramels, etc.  We especially need pies for our luncheon.  Bring your baked goodies to church Friday afternoon or early Saturday morning.
• 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"

From the Parish Nurses--

Attention All Seniors, Caregivers, and Children of Older Parents! Join us on Sunday, November 13, 3:00-5:00pm at St. Mark's for a panel discussion.  Getting old isn't as simple as it used to be:

• How can you best protect your assets so you can actually give you children an inheritance? 
• How much does long-term care really cost? 
• Is your spouse able to make important decisions? 
• What new laws affect the elderly? 
• And then there are the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid. 
• Are you really as prepared as you should be? 

The Parish Nurses are sponsoring a panel discussion that will provide some of these answers for you.   We hope to have some local professionals available in an informal setting to help you make some of the necessary decisions you will soon be facing. 

Parish Nurse hours: Wednesday evenings (5:00-7:15pm), Thursday -- 9am-12noon or by appointment (call the church office @253-752-4966).  

Blood Pressure Sundays are the last Sunday of each month in the Parish Commons Classroom #2.

Flu Shot Clinic -- Sunday, November 6 (PCC2) 

Adopt a Family for Christmas

Again this year St. Mark's will be sponsoring families in our midst and in our community who are in need of food for Christmas dinner and gifts for family members. Please prayerfully consider giving two gifts to an individual (or individuals, if you wish) or a cash contribution to help purchase food.

Toward the end of November, look for the wooden Christmas Tree.  You will see it covered iwth paper ornaments.  Each ornament shape denotes a family and each individual has a number (for privacy reasons).  Each ornament has information on one family member and a "wish list" of gifts that person would enjoy.  These are suggestions only.  If you wish to buy gifts for one or more individuals, please take the top ornament sheet off the tree.  Put your name and phone number on the ornament underneath and place it in the manila envelope on the wall.  If you would like to donate money to buy food for the families, there are ornaments on the tree with varying dollar amounts.

Buy and wrap the gifts and be sure to TAPE the person's ornament number on each gift.  We will put tags on your gifts with the person's name on it.  We will deliver all food and gifts on the morning of December 21.  Please have gifts to church no later than Sunday, December 18.  Questions?  Judy Droubay (253-759-6720) or Mary Jo Holum (253-752-3304). 

Our Members. . .

Our sympathy to the family of Bernice Bowers who died Sunday, October 23.  Services for Bernice will be on Saturday, October 29 at Mountain View Cemetery.

From Nadine Carroll -- Thank you for the WARM and comforting (prayer) shawl.  I feel the arms of LOVE around me.  My arm is slowly healing.  Thanks be to God--