Welcome to St. Mark Lutheran Church

St Mark is holding in-person worship services on Sunday mornings at 10:00am! Face coverings are no longer required. However, you are very welcome to wear a face covering if this is your preference.

For those who are not yet comfortable attending worship in person, Sunday morning services are Streaming Live on YouTube and recorded for later viewing with links published here on our website.

Visit from Bishop Keith Marshall
28 Apr 2026

On Sunday, May 17, we are excited to have our new Southwestern Washington Synod Bishop Keith Marshall visit St. Mark. Bishop Marshall will preach during worship and be available at coffee hour to share updates about the synod and the ELCA. Rev. Keith Marshall was elected as our new Bishop at the 2025 Synod Assembly in June after Bishop Rick Jaech retired.
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Visit from Kafika House in Tanzania
28 Apr 2026

On Sunday, May 3, we welcome Sarah Rejman, the founder of Kafika House, and Jean Wahlstrom, retired ELCA missionary in Tanzania. They will offer a brief introduction about the ministry during Sunday announcements before the worship service begins and give a fuller presentation during coffee hour, where we’ll also enjoy a taste of some Tanzanian food and chai. Kafika House is a nonprofit providing life-changing surgeries and rehabilitation for children in Tanzania who lack access to care due to financial and geographic barriers. To learn more, please visit their website www.kafikahouse.org.
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Gavin Ferry, St. Mark’s Media Technician
27 Apr 2026

Gavin Ferry, 17 year-old Junior at North Thurston High School, has been hired as the new Media Technician for St. Mark Lutheran Church. He learned of the job opportunity from his friend and fellow St. Mark member Darrin Labensky. Gavin said he talked it over with his family and they encouraged him to apply. Gavin has been on the job for about 7 months and is enjoying his responsibilities recording the weekly Sunday morning worship service, which streams live on our St. Mark website and is posted on our church YouTube channel. He also attaches a written summary of the day’s sermon and a copy of the weekly worship bulletin. As a student at North Thurston High School, Gavin’s favorite subject is history because he loves learning the “fun facts” about the past! He is also a member of the Knowledgeable Trivia Club. Next year as a Senior, Gavin plans to enroll in Ram Cam, a type of journalism class where students video tape activities and events at the school, write a narrative and post the media to YouTube. In his spare time, Gavin plays video games and Cribbage. He also enjoys hiking. When asked how he feels God’s presence in his life, Gavin said when he is hiking, he takes in the beauty around him in nature and knows that it is all God’s creation. Gavin says he loves his job as Media Tech and feels what he does helps those who cannot attend church in person to feel like they are “going to church, too”. Gavin is enjoying connecting with the people of St. Mark. He is getting a lot of positive feedback from the congregation and feels appreciated for the contributions he is making to his church. Now that you know a little more about the young man who sits behind the monitors and sound boards every Sunday, stop by and say hi!
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
26 Apr 2026

Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.
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Third Sunday of Easter
19 Apr 2026

Today’s gospel begins with two disciples walking to Emmaus, overcome with sadness, loss, and disappointment. They had hoped Jesus, who was crucified, would be the one to redeem Israel! Yet the risen Christ walks with them and then opens their eyes in the breaking of the bread. Each Sunday our hearts burn within us as the scriptures are proclaimed and Christ appears to us as bread is broken and wine is poured. The story of Emmaus becomes the pattern of our worship each Lord’s day.
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Second Sunday of Easter
12 Apr 2026

In today’s gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the new birth and living hope we receive in baptism.
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Easter Sunday
12 Apr 2026

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” God has indeed raised from the dead the one who was put to death “by hanging him on a tree.” Alleluia!! God allows Jesus to appear “to us who were chosen by God as witnesses” in holy baptism and invites us to eat and drink at the table of the risen Christ. Alleluia!!
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