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St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
| November 30, 2011
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A blessed Advent Season to all -
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.
3A voice cries out:
"In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Isaiah 40: 1-5 |
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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. |
Fireside Chat
"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 "fireside chat" 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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Adult Faith Formation
Sunday:
- 9:45am Advent Forums -- "Epiphanies: The Spirit of Christ Coming to Life"
- Dec. 4: Understanding and Sharing our Personal Epiphanies -- Dr. Bob Stivers leads the discussion
- Dec. 11: Epiphanies: God Coming to Life -- Dr. Bob Stivers leads the discussion
- Dec. 18: Jesus and Epiphanies -- Dr. Lora Gross leads the discussio
(All Forums will be in the Parish Commons Classrooms, 9:45-10:45am)
- 11:00am Adult Class -- "Making Sense of the Christian Faith" -- What does it mean that Jesus died for us and was raised from the dead? Join the continuing conversation on Christian theological claims and their meaning for our daily lives. (Parish Commons Classroom)
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. (December 29) We are studying the Gospel of Mark. Questions? Call Sonja Yeager (761-3018)
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Children's Faith Formation
Children's Christmas Program -- December 11. Children from our 3's and 4's classes, together with the 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 Joyful Noise and Jubilation Choirs, will present "Camel Lot" in the sanctuary.
Sunday School schedule for December:
December 4 - Children will have class time from 9:45-10:15am followed by Christmas program rehearsal from 10:15-10:50am - Will not be participating in Communion.
December 11 - 3's and 4's will prepare for program from 9:45-10:30am; Class activities from 10:30-10:45am.
K-5 class from 9:45-10:30am, with preparation as needed from 10:30-10:45am. Will not be participating in Communion.
December 18 -Classroom activities and stories in anticipation and celebration of Christmas. All will be attending Communion.
December 25 - Christmas Day. No regular Sunday school classes.
Weekday Preparations for Christmas program involving Sunday school children:
Wed. December 7 6:00-7:15pm (Choir Rm.) - all children with
"parts" speaking or non-speaking
Sat., December 10th 9:00-10:30 a.m. in Sanctuary - K-5th grade all children; 10:30 - 11:00 in Sanctuary - All 3's and 4's
Please note:Potluck meal assignments for December 11 (A-K: side dish; L-S: main dish; T-Z: dessert) Please help to make this a welcoming, hospitable and fun event for all! Thank you.
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Youth and Family News --
SR ALYVE (9-12th grade):
- SR ALYVE Youth Group This Thursday in the Youth Room. Faith life and story of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce.
- Sunday School 9:45-10:45am -- December 4 with Ingelaurie Lisher -- "Am I supposed to believe Mary was a virgin?"
JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):
- 6th grade Sunday School Sunday, Dec. 4 "Jesus of Nazareth" with Michelle and Paul Marshman.
- 7/8th grade Confirmation, Worship December 4 as a class.
- JR ALYVE Youth Group -- Dec. 7 -- 6:00-7:15pm in the Youth Wing.
Dec. 1st LOL Thursday night Music and Arts 5:30-8:00pm. Witness Choir, Culinary Arts, and JAM -- Regular schedule. Dinner at 6:15pm. Photography Showcase 7:00-8:00pm in the Parish Commons--parents are invited to attend.
Entertainment Books -- we only have 1 left. $25.00 each. |
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THANK YOU St. Mark's Members-- for the many Children's Coats you donated. Many children and families at Skyline Elementary will be warm this winter, because of your generosity.
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 Christmas Tree in the narthex. Instructions on the gift purchase and return process are near the tree 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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Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar-Sunday-Dec 4!
There is one Sunday left to shop at our annual Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar! Continue your holiday shopping by purchasing unique gifts that support farmers and artisans from around the world... Festive ornaments, Unique jewelry, and Chocolates, teas, and coffees are some of the items you'll see for sale!
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). |
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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. Leading the study is Dick Rodning, whom you may call for more details at 761-9198. |
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You are cordially invited to attend the Pacific Lutheran University Christmas Celebration
"Magnificat"
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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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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Upcoming Events | |
Wednesday Night Church
Activities and Worship
(every week)
Fair Trade Bazaar
December 4
Women's Advent Brunch
December 3
Children's Christmas Program
December 11
Fireside Chat
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 11/27 | | | | | | | | | | | | Month To Date | Year To Date | | Attendance | | | Actual | Budget | Diff | Actual | Budget | Diff | | Last Week | 432 | | General Fund | $50,937 | $50,096 | $841 | $589,400 | $603,607 | ($14,207) | | Year to Date | 17,663 | | GUG-Mortgage | $16,724 | $19,500 | ($2,776) | $196,468 | $236,500 | ($40,033) | | YTD-Last Yr | 17,060 |
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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