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St. Mark's Lutheran Church by The Narrows
| December 14, 2011
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A blessed Advent Season to all - please join us . . .
Sunday, December 18 -- Lessons and Carols - our St. Mark's music groups will present music of the Advent season during the morning services.
Wednesday, December 21-- 5:15pm Dinner; 6:00-7:15pm All Congregation Christmas Caroling--followed by cookies and refreshments (please bring cookies to share); 7:30pm Holden Evening Prayer
Saturday, December 24 -- Christmas Eve Candlelight Services with Holy Communion; 4:00pm (family worship service in the Parish Commons), 5:30, 9:00 and 11:00pm (worship in Sanctuary)
Childcare available in the Nursery at 4:00 and 5:30pm services.
Sunday, December 25--Christmas Day Service at 10:00am (no Sunday School or Adult classes)
Sunday, January 1, 2012 -- 8:30, 9:45, 11:00am worship -- (no Sunday School or Adult classes)
The Church Office will be closed Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2. The office will be open from 8:30am--noon December 27-30.
Note: all hand-delivered year-end gifts must be received by noon on December 30. |
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Children's Faith Formation
Sunday School schedule for December and January:
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.
January 1 -- No regular Sunday school classes
January 8 -- Classes resume.
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-- |
Memorial Committee
St. Mark's Memorial Committee has approved funds to purchase the following: a new silk banner designed for the Narthex featuring the theme for the year; purchase of an art print from the illustrations in the St. John's Bible to be framed and hung in the adult classroom, and installation of a new super hot water spigot in the kitchen. |
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Women of St. Mark's
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. 18: Jesus and Epiphanies -- Dr. Lora Gross leads the discussion
- Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 -- NO forums
(All Forums will be in the Parish Commons Classrooms, 9:45-10:45am)
- 11:00am Adult Class -- "Making Sense of the Christian Faith" --Join the continuing conversation on Christian theological claims and their meaning for our daily lives. (Parish Commons Classroom) (no class on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1)
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 --Thursday (Dec. 15) Christmas party (5:30-7:00pm) in the Youth Room. Bring a dinner dish to share.
- Sunday School 9:45-10:45am --Dec. 18 Breakfast -- please bring something to share.
JR ALYVE (6-8th grade):
- 6th grade Sunday School Sunday, Dec. 18 "Jesus of Nazareth" with Mark Meade.
- 7/8th grade Confirmation, Dec. 18, The Story, 9:45-10:45am in the Youth Wing.
Dec. 15-- LOL Thursday night Music and Arts 5:30-7:00pm. Christmas Party. Bring a dinner dish to share. Witness Choir will rehearse at 5:30pm.
Post-Confirmation Retreat--January 18-20 at Mt.Hood. All 9th graders talk to Ingelaurie by Dec. 18 if you plan to attend. $25.00 deposit due. |
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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
Careful listening is difficult and takes practice to improve.
We can speak at a rate of about 125 words per minute, yet we can listen to about 400 words per minute. We are left with extra space in our minds and may find ourselves drifting off or planning your next statement.
Here are some ideas to learn to listen well.
Pay attention Hear the words and let their meaning in. If your mind wanders, bring your attention back to the conversation.
Be receptive You are not going to fully hear what the other person issaying if you come with an agenda. Again, careful listening is hard work and takes practice to improve. Try harder to understand the other person's perspective.
Focus on the speaker Notice body language, tone of voice, and rate of speaking. Then look beneath the words to see what feeling and needs are being communicated.
Show Interest Maintain comfortable eye contact, uncross your arms, sit up and lean forward a little. Ask questions that take the conversation deeper. Find out what really matters to the other person.
Try using this formula to listen for deepening levels of conversation.
- Cliches Everyday greetings, slogans, sayings, jokes that can act as non-threatening introductions and may or may not encourage conversation.
- Facts Comments about traffic, weather, sports. Safe topics that may not reveal deeper level of involvement but shares information and interests.
Next two levels may reveal deeper levels of the person speaking. Handle with care and confidentiality.
- Thoughts and beliefs
- Feelings and emotions
If we can master the art of listening, we can deepen our friendships, learn something new, solve problems more effectively, experience less loneliness and frustration and feel happier and more relaxed.
More on Listening next week.
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)
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
January 1, 2012
Services at 8:30, 9:45 and 11am
(no classes)
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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 12/11 | | | | | | | | | | | | Month To Date | Year To Date | | Attendance | | | Actual | Budget | Diff | Actual | Budget | Diff | | Last Week | 416 | | General Fund | $30,760 | $42,514 | ####### | $620,160 | $646,121 | ($25,962) | | Year to Date | 18,481 | | GUG-Mortgage | $10,431 | $10,725 | ($294) | $206,899 | $247,225 | ($40,327) | | YTD-Last Yr | 17,803 |
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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