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St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
| December 7, 2011
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A blessed Advent Season to all -
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
Luke 1: 46b-55
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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 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.
Download this week's Spark Family Page here Spark Family Page
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2012 Giving Envelopes are here! Please help us save postage by picking up your 2012 Giving Envelopes this Sunday in the Narthex-- |
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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Women of St. Mark's
Many, many thanks to all who made the Advent Brunch a success. Special thanks to the men of St. Mark's for delicious food and great service, to Aase Running for the program, and Ida Hagan
for the lovely decorations. The folks at Mary Bridge were so appreciative of the donated toys. Thanks to all who attended. We appreciate your support.
Bazaar Funds:
After all bills have been paid, we have $9,667.00 of which 1/2 stays in house and 1/2 goes out into the community and beyond.
The outreach funds have been designated to the following agencies:
$1,500 Lutheran World Relief
$500 Family Renewal Center, Tacoma
$800 Lutheran Community Services
$1,000 Peace Lutheran twice yearly meals
$500 St. Mark's Christmas Baskets
$500 Peace Lutheran Summer Camps
The in house funds have been put on hold pending definite bids. We hope to report these expenditures shortly after the new year.
Spring Luncheon:
We look ahead to our next event, a spring luncheon on May 12, the day before Mother's Day. At this time we will reveal our secret pals. We are looking for ladies to help with planning the lunch, program, publicity, and decorations. Please contact Carol Paulson, Helen Conroy, Mimi Graves, or Bonnie Wascher if you would like to help. We will meet early in February for planning. Our Cluster Churches will be invited.
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Adult Faith Formation
Sunday:
- 9:45am Advent Forums -- "Epiphanies: The Spirit of Christ Coming to Life"
- Dec. 11: Epiphanies: God Coming to Life -- Dr. Bob Stivers leads the discussion
- Dec. 18: Jesus and Epiphanies -- Dr. Lora Gross leads the discussion
(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 willl resume in January
- 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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Youth and Family News --
SR ALYVE (9-12th grade):
- SR ALYVE Youth Group --Thursday (Dec. 8) in the Youth Room. Faith life and story of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce. Dec. 15 Christmas Party (5:30-7:00pm) (note time change)
- Sunday School 9:45-10:45am -- December 11 with Ingelaurie Lisher -- "Why did Jesus go to Hell?" Dec. 18 Breakfast -- please bring something to share.
JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):
- 6th grade Sunday School Sunday, Dec. 11 "Jesus of Nazareth" with Lori and Eric Augino.
- 7/8th grade Confirmation, Dec. 11, The Story, 9:45-10:45am in the Youth Wing.
Dec. 8th LOL Thursday night Music and Arts 5:30-8:00pm. Witness Choir, Culinary Arts, and JAM -- Regular schedule. Dinner at 6:15pm.
Entertainment Books -- we only have 1 left. $25.00 each. |
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Thank you to all who have Adopted A Family For Christmas by taking tags from 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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From the Parish Nurses--
The Art of Listening
Listening is an undervalued art. The skills in learning to listen well start with listening to ourselves. What is on our heart and mind? What is happening in our life that might distract us from listening? When we are not feeling well, are in pain, sad, hungry, cold, tired, lonely, it will be hard to listen well to another person.
We can begin by recognizing our own human needs, fears and feelings and look for sources of help, healing and hope. We can compassionately tend to our needs, ask for help and care for ourselves. We can find ways to nurture our heart and spirit so that we can come to a conversation with a clear desire to listen.
Listening occurs with our ears, eyes and heart. Focus attention on the speaker and put aside our personal frame of reference and judgments Paying attention is the cardinal rule for good listening. Hear the words, and let their meaning in. If your mind wanders, simply re-focus your attention on the conversation.
Careful listening is difficult and takes practice to improve. It may take work to understand the other person's perspective. This caring enough to listen is the gift we give to others and ourselves.
Next Week -- more on listening.
Helen Bache, Parish Nurse
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)
Children's Christmas Program
December 11
Fireside Chat
December 13
Lessons & Carols
during services Dec. 18
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services with Holy Communion
4:00, 5:30, 9:00 & 11pm
Christmas Day Service
10:00am
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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.
Holden Evening Prayer Service 7:30pm Wednesdays (during Advent) |
Staff Listing
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St. Mark's Lutheran Church
by The Narrows
6730 N. 17th Street
Tacoma WA 98406
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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