Newest Posts

• Summer Bible Study
  28 Jun 2022
  

  Pastor Eric will be leading a six-week Bible study based on the book The Difficult Words of Jesus, A Beginner’s Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings written by Amy-Jill Levine.  It will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. on six Wednesday evenings beginning this coming Wednesday, June 29.  No need to worry if you won’t be able to make every class as each chapter is based on a different passage(s) in the Bible.  You will also be watching a video that corresponds to that week’s chapter.  The book is available for purchase on Amazon. Click here for the link: The Difficult Words of Jesus: Levine, Amy-Jill: 9781791007577: Amazon.com: Books The same Zoom link found below will be used each week of the study. Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/9966992175?pwd=V2tMWGRKQXhDZ2l6S1lacE42TG9YQT09Meeting ID: 996 699 2175Passcode: Luther2020

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• Third Sunday in Pentecost
  26 Jun 2022
  

  Welcome to today’s service. On this warm summer day we learn how to bee 😉 connected with Jesus and one another. If you would like to join in on communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://youtu.be/1J__cmqujhQ

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• 2nd Sunday After Pentecost
  19 Jun 2022
  

  Welcome to today’s service. Thank you to Carol Schneider and Vicki Labensky for filling in the role as the worship leaders. We are very thankful for you both! If you would like to join in for communion, please have your wine and bread ready to do so.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI8Vm3rdLko

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• New member Lili Berkley
  18 Jun 2022
  

  On June 5, 2022, Lili Berkley was welcomed as a new member into the St. Mark Congregation. Lili graciously offered to share some information so we could get to know a little more about her. “I was born in Nebraska.  I still have aunts and cousins that live in the Lincoln area, and we remain close. I grew up in LaGrange, Illinois.  I have an older brother and sister and we spent many days in the bleacher seats at Wrigley Field.  My love for the Chicago Cubs has never wavered. My dad passed away 6 years ago but my mom still lives in the house where they retired.  She is 89 years old and is my hero.  She still plays the trumpet in the Community Band, sings in 2 choirs and plays handbells at her church.  She is in good health and lives in Bella Vista, Arkansas where I visit often. My very first church was Highlands Presbyterian Church in LaGrange, Illinois.  When I moved to Washington state, I was confirmed Lutheran at St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Federal Way and was heavily involved in all their choirs and many activities.  My husband’s job brought me out to Olympia and thankfully found St. Mark as my new church home. Once I finished college at Western Washington University, I started working for Dzingle’s Landscaping, LLC as their Business Manager and I am still employed there. I am married to my wonderful husband, Brian Berkley, which you will see occasionally at church.  I have two amazing sons, Zack (32) and Sam (29), and my sweet daughter-in-law, Robbyn.   Brian has two children who I adore, daughter Taylor (22) and son Drew (19). Our shared “children” are our three dachshunds, Tillie, Greta and Paisley. When I am not working from home, you can usually find me on the golf course.  Indian Summer Golf Course has been my home away from home for over 10 years.  I also love to read, sing, walk our dogs, and I play the violin and guitar when I have time. When I first walked into St. Mark for the first time, I felt very welcomed.  Ellen Adams and her son, Mark, sat next to me and were so friendly.  Then Earla Ferry made a point to introduce herself when passing the peace. She invited me to coffee hour and encouraged me to join the choir.  And now I am a part of the Bible study she attends.   When I met Pastors Beth and Eric, they made me feel like I never wanted to leave. My plan was to visit other churches in the area, but I felt called to stay at St. Mark. Thank you for making me feel so welcome and please introduce yourselves so I can meet more of this wonderful congregation.”

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• ELCA Message on Homelessness
  18 Jun 2022
  

  Support Affordable Housing and Homeless Funding in FY23 Budget Tell Congress: Prioritize housing and homeless programs in the FY23 federal budget This spring, House and Senate committee members advanced an annually passed Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) spending bill which would set funding levels for critical housing and homeless programs through the federal budget. As the full Congress prepares to move on our nation’s spending priorities for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), it is a significant time to bring attention to the staggering costs of the housing market and the need to invest more in homeless support programs. Faith groups, including Lutherans, are at the fore of addressing housing insecurity. Many houses of worship and affiliated social ministry organizations offer wrap-around services, shelter and even affordable housing building investments for those of us in the greatest need. This comes as record high inflation and record low levels of available housing have led to surging costs, which also drives homelessness. The growing affordable housing challenges are rooted in policy choices, and the faith community cannot address the crisis alone. Over the last several years, hundreds of Lutherans have urged Congress to make homeless and housing a greater priority in the federal budget – recognizing that housing is a core human need linked with many other realities, including hunger, health, family relationships and economic mobility. Investing in housing today will making meaningful steps in addressing young adult and historic racial wealth disparities, as well as address a significant shortfall in senior housing for older adults. As legislators discuss funding levels in the FY23 budget, what they pay attention to matters. The ELCA social message, “Homelessness: A Renewal of Commitment,” says: “Church leaders are challenged to help create the public will to eliminate homelessness.” It is critical that our public policy makers hear the perspectives, opinions and expertise of the religious community toward ensuring that our nation’s resources reach those of us in the greatest need, including as we address the challenges of homelessness. Send a message to Congress urging support for housing and homeless programs in the FY23 budget, and please consider these additional opportunities: SIGN before June 30, as discerned by your congregation or ministry, a faith-based sign on letter to Congress in support Housing First, a strategic model that helps stop cyclical homelessness and keeps the most vulnerable stably housed. WATCH “Fair Housing for All” (4/22/22), Presiding Bishop Eaton’s 2-minute video message on the need to address discrimination in access to housing. Customize this letter with information from your community, ministry and experience, and adapt it into your own words. Local facts are most influential with your national lawmaker. Thank you for adding your voice!  POSTED 6/14/2022 Recipients Your Senators Your Representative

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• Holy Trinity
  14 Jun 2022
  

  Welcome to Holy Trinity Sunday! Many thanks to Pastor Matt March for doing pulpit supply today and to PraisRing for offering special music! We are thankful you are here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMBXPlSH124

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