Newest Posts

• 10th Sunday of Pentecost, August 1, 2021
  2 Aug 2021
  

  Welcome to worship today. In this recording Pastor Eric continues the sermon series on the Letter to the Ephesians, looking at chapter 4, exploring what speaking truth in love means for us, as the people of God. Communion is part of this service as well, so have your elements ready. Thank you for watching, and enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4RebeKDWPE

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• Updated Mask Guidelines for St. Mark
  30 Jul 2021
  

  This week Thurston County updated mask guidelines to “strongly encourage” and Washington State to “highly recommend” we mask indoors in public spaces regardless of our vaccination status. These changes were made to be in compliance with new CDC guidelines which state the same.  These updates are a result of newer findings in COVID-19  transmission and increased cases, especially of the delta variant.     St. Mark Church Council discussed these revised guidelines.  We value being able to be together in person and want to do what we can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and the variants.  We also strongly encourage the use of face coverings while we gather inside at church–for worship, fellowship, study, and meetings.      We will have face masks available if you forget yours.  There are many reasons why someone may choose not to wear a mask at church.  We ask that you be kind to one another as we continue to move through these uncharted times.     This Sunday we gather for one worship service at 10:00am.  Our order of service follows the same format we have used since we returned to in-person worship.  This week, immediately after worship, we will have our first Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall hosted by our Church Council.  If you prefer, you are welcome to take your goodies and a chair outside to enjoy the sunshine!  Please thank your Council for their leadership and hard work–especially during this pandemic.

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• 9th Sunday of Pentecost Worship
  25 Jul 2021
  

  Welcome to worship on this 9th Sunday of Pentecost! Today we hear the third sermon in a series on Ephesians. The service includes the celebration of Holy Communion. Please have your bread and wine (or something similar) if you would like to participate. We are thankful you are here! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dZgt3kNtqNo&feature=youtu.be  

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• Turning Congregations Inside-Out
  24 Jul 2021
  

  Professor of contextual theology and ethics Craig L. Nessan, in his article Tear Down Magical Walls, suggests that congregations are summoned to form members who can connect faith and life. This requires adaptive change to turn congregations inside-out. Educational programs for all ages should begin to explore what faith means for daily life. Members should be invited to testify about how their Christian faith makes a difference in the world.  Nessan explains how worship practices are life practices.  “Passing the peace prepares us for everyday reconciliation and peacemaking. At the Lord’s table, we discover radical mercy and hospitality that become our way of life. When we are sent out into the world, our worship practices will have shaped us for discipleship in daily life.” Nessan refers to The Scattering: Imagining a Church That Connects Faith and Life by Dwight L. DuBois, saying congregations need to close the gap between what they do when gathered behind church doors and how they live when sent beyond those doors in Christ’s name. They need to create a universal neighborhood of all believers. To read more, click here.    

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• 8th Sunday of Pentecost
  18 Jul 2021
  

  Welcome to worship!  Today we hear the beloved 23rd Psalm and the second sermon in a series on the book of Ephesians. Our service includes the celebration of Holy Communion. Please have your own bread and wine (or something similar) ready if you would like to participate. We are glad you are here! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lQTc86Q1Nag&feature=youtu.be  

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• Faiths 4 Vaccines
  17 Jul 2021
  

  Love thy neighbor. Get vaccinated. | Faiths4Vaccines: A Multifaith Movement May 11, 2021 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America As part of the Faiths4Vaccines initiative, prominent faith leaders explain how receiving the vaccine is an expression of love for one’s neighbors. Faiths4Vaccines is an inclusive, multifaith movement comprised of local and national religious leaders, as well as medical professionals, who are working together to identify and resolve current gaps in vaccine mobilization, outreach, and uptake. Therefore, the initiative seeks to increase opportunities for faith-based institutions, particularly houses of worship, to engage and support the United States government in its efforts to increase vaccination rates through the advancement of equitable vaccine distribution and combat vaccine hesitancy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33eLPG2xCEc

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