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St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
| November 23, 2011
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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.
A blessed Thanksgiving wish to all! |
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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
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Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar!
SUNDAY, November 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 again on 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. |
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Women of St. Mark's
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 27.
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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 Rm.) "Behold! Cultivating Attentiveness in the Season of Advent." Using a resource from Pamela Hawkins and texts from scripture, we will focus on four Advent themes: Expectancy, Preparation, Faith and Promise.
Thursdays:
- Women's Bible Study meets the last Thurs. of each month, 1:30pm at the Mortvedt Ctr. We are studying the Gospel of Mark. Questions? Call Sonja Yeager (761-3018)
Sundays:
- November 27-- 11:00am -- Please join us in the Parish Commons for a cross-generational Advent event today.
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Advent season cross-generational event for all ages . . .
"Let every heart prepare him room..."
Evergreen Clippings Needed!
We will be assembling Advent wreaths together this Sunday during an intergenerational time starting at 11am. If you can spare some evergreen clippings from your yard, please bring some in with you on Sunday and leave them in the marked box outside of the church entrances. Thank you!
Sunday School -- There is NO regular Sunday school for children this Sunday, Nov. 27. On this first Sunday of the Advent season, children are encouraged to worship with their parents. Plan to attend the "Advent intergenerational" beginning at 11am in the Parish Commons when we'll make a special candle holder as well as assemble Advent wreaths. There will be a potluck meal at noon followed by a time of singing hymns that tell the story of Jesus in Mark's gospel. Let us know if you'll be attending so we can have enough supplies on hand. You may bring your hot or cold dish in earlier on Sunday and keep it in the kitchen facilities.
Please note: Children present on Sunday are invited to the Children's Faith Center to practice songs from their Christmas program from about 10:45am (will be dismissed from worship prior to announcements) until 11:00am.
Children's Christmas presentations-- December 11. Children from our 3's and 4's classes, together with the St. Mark's Children's Little Angels Choir, will present "My First Story of Christmas," at 4:30pm in the Sanctuary. We'll gather for a potluck meal following that at 5:00pm. At 6:00pm children from Kindergarten through 5th grade, together with the St. Mark's Children's Joyful Noise and Jubilation Choirs, will present "Camel Lot" in the sanctuary. Rehearsal time: December 10 -- K-5th grade and choirs: 9:00-10:30am. Preschool 3's, 4's and choirs: 10:30-11:00am.
The Spark Family Page for next week is "Be Ready"
Spark Family Page (download here)
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).
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Youth and Family News --
SR ALYVE (9-12th grade):
- SR ALYVE Youth Group does not meet this week.
- Sunday School No class, Sunday, Nov. 27.
JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):
- 6th grade Sunday School No class, Sunday, Nov. 27.
- 7/8th grade Confirmation, No class Nov. 27. Worship December 4.
JR/SR ALYVE (6-12th grade) -- LOL Thursday night Music and Arts does not meet this week.
Entertainment Books -- we only have 2 left. $25.00 each. |
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"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. |
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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 more 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. 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).
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Local Arts --
St. Mark's is blessed to have so many members involved in local amateur arts groups. Here's a nod to the stewardship that they have within our larger Tacoma community. These are the youth and adults and the groups that they are a part of that we know of - if you are involved in a local amateur group and were not listed, please let Danielle know! (danielle@smlutheran.org):
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From the Parish Nurses--
Parish Nurse Hours --
Wednesdays -- 5:15-7:00pm; Thursdays -- 9:00-noon;
or by appt.
Blood Pressure checks -- the last Sunday of each month. |
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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
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Upcoming Events | |
Wednesday Night Church
Activities and Worship
(every week)
Thanksgiving Eve Service
7:00pm
November 23
at Grace Baptist Church
Deck the Pews
(church decorating)
November 26
Fair Trade Bazaar
November 27
Cross-Generational Advent Event
November 27
First Sunday of Advent
November 27
Women's Advent Brunch
December 3
Children's Christmas Program
December 11
Fireside Chats
December 13
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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
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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
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| Financial Stewardship & Attendance Update | | | | | | | | Data thru 11/20 | | | | | | | | | | | | Month To Date | Year To Date | | Attendance | | | Actual | Budget | Diff | Actual | Budget | Diff | | Last Week | 414 | | General Fund | $38,738 | $38,574 | $164 | $577,200 | $592,085 | ($14,885) | | Year to Date | 17,231 | | GUG-Mortgage | $13,159 | $15,015 | ($1,856) | $192,903 | $232,015 | ($39,113) | | YTD-Last Yr | 16,650 |
Submissions to the weekly Bridge are due in the church office by Tuesday of each week!
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For more information about these activities and more visit our website or contact the church office at 253-752-4966.
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