THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE
November 23, 7:00pm -- Join our neighbors from Skyline Presbyterian and Grace Baptist Churches for our annual Thanksgiving Eve service. This year Grace Baptist Church will be hosting the event. |
|
The "Winter Blues"
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Workshop
Saturday, November 19th, 2-4:30pm
St. Mark's Fireside Room
Like many people, you may develop "cabin fever" during the winter months. Or you may find yourself eating and/or sleeping more when the temperature drops and darkness falls earlier. While those are common and normal reactions to the changing seasons, people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) experience a much more serious reaction when summer shifts to fall and on to winter. Feelings of depression, lethargy, fatigue and other problems may be triggered. Don't brush this off as simply a case of the "winter blues." Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression, and it may severely impair one's daily life. Treatment can help you successfully manage seasonal affective disorder--you don't have to dread the fall and winter seasons! Learn how to recognize the symptoms, the possible causes and most importantly effective treatment. (There is no cost for this workshop, but donations will be accepted).
Presenters: Associates of Pacific Pastoral Counseling Service
Doug McLemore, M.Div., M.Ed., Bremerton, WA
Joanna Robinson, M.Div., M.Ed., Tacoma, WA
Doug is a pastor in the United Methodist Church, a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), and has been in practice as a pastoral counselor for over 30 years. Doug has discovered healing therapies that draw on the individual's personal and spiritual resources to bring about healing by resolving trauma and childhood hurts on a deeply spiritual and personal level.
Joanna is an ELCA pastor, also a Fellow in AAPC, and has been in practice for 19 years. She has also worked as a parish pastor, hospital chaplain, and campus minister. Joanna works with a variety of people in her pastoral counseling practice in Tacoma, including those who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, spiritual issues, and relational problems. |
|
Deck the Pews
All are invited to help decorate the church for the Advent season...no skills needed, just your Christmas spirit. We'll start in the sanctuary, and those interested will head for dinner following the festivities. If interested, contact Darren Kerbs at darren.kerbs@smlutheran.org or 253-573-9999. God Jul!
Saturday, November 26, 1-5:00pm
|
| Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar-Save The Date!
TWO SUNDAYS! November 20 and 27, 2011
8:00am-12:30pm in the Parish Commons
St. Mark's Fair Trade Committee is hosting our annual Holiday Bazaar the last two Sundays in November! Start your holiday shopping by purchasing unique gifts that support farmers and artisans from around the world! Shop for:
- Festive ornaments, Nativity sets and holiday decor
- Unique jewelry, hand-crafted baskets, textiles and ceramics
- Chocolates, teas, and coffees-and a limited number of chocolate Advent calendars.
Jubilee Traders will again join us for an added selection of jewelry, scarves and handbags, along with items from L'Arche! By buying Fair Trade, you are helping to build a more just economic system for artisans and farmers in third world countries, supporting stewardship of the earth, and subsidizing St. Mark's commitment to serving only Fair Trade coffee and teas at all events. We purchase our Fair Trade products through Lutheran World Relief (LWR). For questions, contact Christine Harris (Christine@raincity.com), or Susan Newsom (susan_newsom@comcast.net). |
Fireside Chats
"For I was hungry and you have me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you gave me clothing, sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me." Gospel Reading for Reign of Christ Sunday, Matthew 25:35
"A group of people equivalent to the population of Sumner probably will be homeless in Pierce County by the end of this year." Tacoma News Tribune, Viewpoint, November 1, 2011
How do we, as followers of Jesus Christ, live faithfully in these difficult and uncertain economic times? Pastor Shjerven and Pastor Ruud invite you to a series of "fireside chats" where we can explore this question together as a community of faith. We will gather in the Fireside Room at St. Mark's at 7:00pm on Tuesday, November 22 and Tuesday, December 13. During our time together, we will listen to one another, share our own thoughts and experiences, and seek to discern where God is leading us as individuals and as a community. |
|
Women of St. Mark's
The Women's Thank Offering will be taken at all three services on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Bring your offering and place in the special basket in the sanctuary during the service.
Women's Advent Brunch- Christmas in Norway
December 3 --9:30am
This year's program will feature Aase Running of Gig Harbor, native of Norway, speaking of Christmas in Norway. If you have a bunad, a national costume, please feel free to wear or bring it. We are also asking women to bring an unwrapped new toy for the children at Mary Bridge Hospital. After our program, we will make a Christmas decoration and have door prizes. Tickets ($7.00) will be on sale between services on November 20 and 27.
|
|
Adult Faith Formation
Tuesdays
- 5:15pm Fully Alive Women's Bible Study (Fireside Room).
Wednesdays:
- 9:30am -- Women's Bible Study (PCC1) This study will NOT meet on Wednesday, November 23.
- Noon Lunch and Bible Study (PCC1)
- 6:00pm- Midweek Renewal (Fireside Room) This study will NOT meet on Weds., November 23.
Sundays:
- November 20 (9:45 and 11:00am) -- Congregational Core Values Exercise -- As the Church Council deliberates on the 2012 budget, you are invited to offer your input on what is most important in our life together as a congregation. All people and ideas are welcome!
|
|
Advent season cross-generational event for all ages . . .
"Let every heart prepare him room..."
Sunday, November 27, is the first Sunday of the Advent season. To encourage households to create spaces for receiving the Christmas message, all ages are invited to preparation activities starting at 11:00am in the Parish Commons. We'll make manger candle holders, assemble Advent wreaths, sing together, offer devotional resources, AND enjoy a potluck meal together. There will be NO regular Sunday School classes for children; families are encouraged to worship together and then come for the cross-generational event. Don't forget the Fair Trade Bazaar that day also--a great resource for devotional and seasonal gifts! Please sign up or RSVP so we will have enough supplies available. charleneleone1@aol.com
Children's Christmas presentations-- December 11. Sunday School children are practicing songs as part of their Sunday school hour in preparation for their presentations of the Christmas story during the Advent Music Festival and Potluck on December 11. Our 3's and 4's will be presenting "My First Story of Christmas," at 4:30pm and the K-5th grade children will help present "Camel Lot" at 6:00pm. Children will join together with the Little Angels, Joyful Noise, and Jubilation children's choirs to share the message of Christ's birth in song, word, and drama. All are invited to experience this joyful presentation! (All children and families should have received practice and program information. If not, copies are available in the Children's Faith Center from Char Leone.
Help is needed for CHRISTMAS MUSICAL! - The Children's Christmas program this year, presented on Sunday, December 11, at 6 PM will be a fun little production called Camel Lot.
- ARTS & CRAFTS HELP- making costumes as well as some art for the background set. Skills in sewing, making masks, and painting/drawing are needed!
- LEADERSHIP HELP-adult and youth to help facilitate costume changes, character entrances into scenes and help with line prompting. Anyone can do this, but you will need to attend the dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 10 from 9:00-10:30 AM in the Sanctuary.
- CONTACT-Danielle Lemieux, Director of Music Ministry for Children and Youth, if you can help (danielle@smlutheran.org or 253-752-4966 x105).
Children's Faith Formation
Children's Lesson for Sunday, November 20--This week's Bible story is from Matthew 25: 31-46.
Spark Family Page
|
|
Youth and Family News --
SR ALYVE (9-12th grade):
- SR ALYVE Youth Group Thursdays, 6:15-8:00pm in the Youth Room with Ingelaurie and Bruce. The faith life and story of William Wilberforce. We will be watching the movie Amazing Grace.
- Sunday School 9:45-10:45am. (November 20) "Does God still create stuff today?" Led by Ingelaurie Lisher. No class, Sunday, Nov. 27.
JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):
- 6th grade Sunday School 9:45am in the Purple room (Youth Wing) The Lord's Prayer with Derek Smith and Mark Meade.
- 7/8th grade Confirmation, Theme: Stuff with guest presenter Carol Guenther. No class Nov. 27. Worship December 4.
JR/SR ALYVE (6-12th grade) -- LOL Thursday night Music and Arts 5:30-8:00pm. Thanks to Lisa Hutson for teaching us how to make Sushi!
Entertainment Books -- we only have 2 left. $25.00 each. |
|
"Life Together" is the theme of a book study at Mortvedt Center, Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Comunity, on Tuesdays, at 11:00am through November. The book "Life Together" was writen by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in 1938. Leading the study is Dick Rodning, whom you may call for more details at 761-9198. |
|
Children's Coats Needed - Skyline Elementary, our neighborhood school, is in need of winter coats for children. If you have coats, sizes 4-14, that your children have outgrown and you are willing to share, please bring them to the box outside the church office. Thank you!
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'll see it covered with 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 an individual or individuals 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 two 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).
|
|
Local Arts --
St. Mark's is blessed to have so many different artists in the congregation. Over the next couple of weeks, we will give a nod to St. Mark's musicians and their arts venues--feel free to contact them about these different groups and organizations and/or visit the websites (when available):
- Cynthia Iverson (violin / orchestra teacher) plays professionally with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and various other orchestras and ensembles in the Tacoma/Seattle community. www.tacomasymphony.org
- Danielle Lemieux (French Horn) plays professionally with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, the Auburn Symphony and substitutes with many other Tacoma / Seattle orchestras and ensembles, including the Northwest Sinfonietta and Tacoma Symphony. (www.pnb.org and www.auburnsymphony.org )
- Jennifer Wolbrecht and Steve Wolbrecht will be performing in FootFalls, a dance production with the BareFoot Collective. It will be presented at the BareFoot Collective's Tacoma Spaceworks space (311 S. 7th St. -- next to Puget Sound Pizza). Shows are Nov. 19 & 20 at 3:00pm and 7:30pm both days. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/206748
|
|
From the Parish Nurses--
Type 2 Diabetes
Risk Factors
Researchers don't fully understand why some people develop Type 2 diabetes and others don't. It's clear that certain factors increase the risk, however, including:
Weight. Being overweight is a primary risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. The more fatty tissue you have, the more resistant your cells become to insulin.
Inactivity. The less active you are, the greater your risk of Type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps you control your weight, uses up glucose as energy and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.
Family History. The risk of Type 2 diabetes increases if a parent or sibling has Type 2 diabetes.
Race. Although it's unclear why, people of certain races--including blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans--are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
Age. The risk of Type 2 diabetes increases as you get older, especially after age 45. That's probably because people tend to exercise less, lose muscle mass and gain weight as they age. But Type 2 is also increasing dramatically among children, adolescents and younger adults.
Content from mayoclinic. com
Parish Nurse Hours --
Wednesdays -- 5:15-7:00pm; Thursdays -- 9:00-noon;
or by appt.
Blood Pressure checks -- the last Sunday of each month. |
|
You are cordially invited to attend the Pacific Lutheran University Christmas Celebration
"Magnificat"
November 30 -- Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR
December 3 and 4-- Lagerquist Concert Hall, Mary Baker Russell Music Center, Pacific Lutheran University
December 5 -- Benaroya Hall, Seattle WA
December 9 -- Lagerquist Concert Hall, PLU
For details about these concerts and how to obtain tickets, please visit www.plu.edu/christmas or call 253-535-7787
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events | |
Wednesday Night Church
Activities and Worship
(every week)
"Winter Blues" Workshop
November 19
Women's Thank Offering
November 20
Fireside Chats
November 22, Dec. 13
Thanksgiving Eve Service
7:00pm
November 23
at Grace Baptist Church
Fair Trade Bazaar
November 20 & 27
Cross-Generational Advent Event
November 27
Deck the Pews
(church decorating)
November 26
First Sunday of Advent
November 27
Women's Advent Brunch
December 3
Children's Christmas Program
December 11
|
|
St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows | 
| As a diverse community of people drawn together by God's Spirit, we give thanks for the gifts of all those who join us for worship and witness.
Sunday Services:
8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m.
Prayer Around the Cross Service 7:30pm Wednesdays |
Staff Listing
| |
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
by The Narrows
6730 N. 17th Street
Tacoma WA 98466
Office Phone: 253-752-4966
Email: office@smlutheran.org
website: www.smlutheran.org
Jan Ruud- Pastor, ext.101
Rebecca Shjerven- Pastor, ext. 102
Phil Rue - Visitation Pastor, ext. 109
Ingelaurie Lisher,A.I.M.- Youth & Family, ext.104
Danielle Lemieux-Music Ministry, ext. 105
Jan Pence- Office Manager, ext 100
Carol Guenther - Stewardship Development, ext. 110
|
|
