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St. Mark Lutheran Church

A Place of Grace

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Sundays: 10am
2109 College St SE, Lacey, WA
Map | 360-491-2052

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Home > Liturgical Art

Liturgical Art

Christmas Eve 2019 Altar Wall-e

Altar Wall Christmas Angels

Shine 1copy

candle and starburst

PXL_20231025_171407528

Christ

Christmas Eve 2019 Altar Wall-c

Christmas 2019 Altar Wall-b

AltarWall 2019

Art Easter 2019

Art Good Friday 2019

Art Maundy Thursday 2019

Art Transfiguration 2019

Art Easter 2018

Art Lent 2018

Art Pentecost 2017

Art Easter 2017

Art Advent 2016

Art Fall 2016

Art01 Christmas 2013

Art02 Epiphany 2014

Art05 Starry Night

Art04 All Saints Day

Art08 Christmas 1999

Art09 Christmas 1998

Art10 Christmas 2010

Art11 Lent Agony of Christ

Art12 Lent Banners & Cross

Art13 Lent Crown of Thorns

Art14 Easter Jesus Lives

Art15 Easter Starburst

Art16 Easter Draped Cross

Art19 Summer 2008

Art18 Lent 2011

Art20 Phillipians 4-8

Art21 Wheat & Grapes

Art22 Spring 2008

Art23 Lent 2007

Art26 Easter 2015

Art27 Easter Music Notes

Art28 Pentecost 2015

Art29 Fall Corn Stalks 2014

Art30 All Saints Day 2014

Art31 Corn & Trees

Art32 Christmas 2014

Art33 Epiphany 2015

Art34 Creation 2013

Art35 Summer 2015

Art36 Christmas 2015

Art37 Lent Banners 2016

Art38 Pentecost 2016

Art39 Easter 2016

Christmas 2013

Epiphany 2014

All Saints Day

Starry Night

Christmas 1999

Christmas 1998

Christmas 2010

Lent Agony of Christ

Lent Banners & Cross

Lent Crown of Thorns

Easter Jesus Lives

Easter Starburst

Easter Draped Cross

Lent 2011

Summer 2008

Phillipians 4-8

Wheat & Grapes

Spring 2008

Lent 2007

Easter 2015

Easter Music Notes

Pentecost 2015

Fall Corn Stalks 2014

All Saints Day 2014

Corn & Trees

Christmas 2014

Epiphany 2015

Creation 2013

Summer 2015

Christmas 2015

Lent Banners 2016

Pentecost 2016

Easter 2016

Fall 2016

Advent 2016

Easter 2017

Pentecost 2017

Lent 2018

Easter 2018

Transfiguration 2019

Maundy Thursday 2019

Good Friday 2019

Easter 2019

Advent 2019

Christmas 2019

Christmas 2019 Starburst

Christ

Liturgical Art

St. Mark Lutheran Church is unique in that the wall behind the altar serves as a huge canvas for artistic creations. St. Mark’s retired Pastor, David Nelson (1996 – 2006) and several other artistically inclined congregation members exhibit their artistry on the wall behind the altar. Every Advent season and every Lenten season, a picture unfolds. Each week something is added until the culmination of Christmas and Easter. Over the years, the wall has been transformed again and again into a beautiful work of art.

Liturgical Art News

Rev. David I. Nelson, Pastor Emeritus
11 Aug 2025

On Sunday, July 13, St. Mark celebrated naming Rev. David I. Nelson as our Pastor Emeritus. What is a Pastor Emeritus? The word “Emeritus” means “retired, but retaining one’s title or rank.” The title of “Pastor Emeritus” is an honorary title given to retired pastors to recognize and show appreciation for the life-long service of a pastor who has made a significant impact on a congregation. Why did we bestow this honor upon Rev. David I. Nelson? David served St. Mark first as an interim and then as a called pastor for 10 years, from 1996 to 2006 when he retired. David was a beloved pastor whose passion for justice and for art gave shape and color and life to his ministry. Among the many things during that time, David and Mary also established the Hope Fund to assist students in the North Thurston Public Schools and the SAFI School Project to help children in Tanzania get an education and better their lives. In addition to preaching and worship leadership, David created art for the various seasons of the church year using the altar wall and the whole sanctuary as his canvas. He assisted with the remodeling of the church building, the construction of our labyrinth, and the creation of our unique rock church sign out front. But this honor has just as much to do with what David has done in the almost 20 years since his retirement. David has continued to enhance our worship and deepen our spiritual experiences through his art. He has shared his creative gifts not only by creating art, but also by encouraging and teaching the next generations of artists, some as young at 10 years old, how to do it. Not only do we have our altar wall, and the sanctuary itself, we also have our art gallery in the hallways. David has created a lasting legacy of faith, art and creativity at St. Mark. In this creativity we all know: the space between heaven and earth, between the creator and the created, between the human and divine, becomes so thin we experience God in our very midst. Pastor Beth stated: “David, when I brought the proposal to church council to name you as Pastor Emeritus, it was not only for this legacy of faith, creativity and art you have established at St. Mark and your continued work with students in Tanzania through SAFI, but it was also because of the love and support you have shown not only to the people and ministry of this congregation, but also to Eric and me. You may not know this, but when Bishop Hoffstad called Eric and me to ask if he could submit our names to the St. Mark call committee, he told us, ‘It is important that you know their retired pastor, David Nelson, who served there for about 10 years, is still a member there. I know this isn’t typical because it is hard to make that work, but I am confident, if anyone can make it work, David and the two of you can.’ Our first introduction to you was during our call process when we came to meet with the people of St. Mark during Lent. We had dinner first and during dinner, you told us you had served as a pastor here and was still attending worship, but that you didn’t want to interfere at all. You said, ‘If it is ever a problem for me to be here, please tell me and I will leave.’ During the service that followed, you got up to speak about the artwork you created on the altar wall. Not only was your art and the commentary on it amazing, I was amazed as I watched you speaking to the congregation in your wonderful, poetic David way. I also watched everyone else listen to you. They were absolutely captivated. On the way home, Eric and I agreed, we would be idiots if we ever thought about asking you to leave. It was obvious to us that you loved this church and they loved you and we would love you too. And we do. As a side note, when we heard you speak about your art that first time, it was like magic. People were spell bound. You weren’t preaching that night, but you were! I said to Eric, ‘I think he is a wizard.’ So, David, from the day we first met you on, between Eric and me, you have been affectionately named “The Wizard.” You are a wizard in the best possible way—and a Wise, Gracious, Creative, Extraordinary Mentor and Friend. Thank you for being our go to person, for Pulpit supply, pastoral care, and for so many other things. You have been unwavering in your support of us as pastors. It is a joy to celebrate you becoming St. Mark’s Pastor Emeritus.” This title honoring David as Pastor Emeritus is also an honor for Mary, his wife. About Mary, Pastor Beth shared: “This celebration would not be complete without also recognizing Mary Nelson. What a gift you are, Mary! What a gift the two of you are together. David wouldn’t be David without Mary. Mary also continues to share her gifts of love and friendship and bringing people together in beautiful and profound ways. And there is also the life giving ministry you have done together with SAFI. You make a fabulous team and we are blessed to have both of you at St. Mark. We love and appreciate you very much. ” Pastor Nelson had an opportunity to speak and he thanked the people of St. Mark, his wife Mary, his daughter Jen and her family, and his long time friend, Pastor Paul Lundborg who were all also in attendance. To the people of St. Mark, Pastor Nelson said, “I have served in several different churches. You are my heart congregation.” The official resolution passed by the St. Mark Church Council which names and honors Pastor Nelson is as …Read More
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Chrismons
8 Dec 2019

Today (12/8/2019) marks the unveiling of the new “Chrismon” Christmas Tree ornaments here at St Mark. St Mark has previously been using “Chrismons” which were several decades old, dilapidated, and sorely in need of replacement. “Chrismons” are handmade by St Mark members. Listen to the audios below to find out more about what “Chrismons” are, and view pictures of some of the new “Chrismons” installed on the Christmas tree. The two audios (one for each service) are similar but each talks about different specific “Chrismons”. A total of 31 new “Chrismon” ornaments were created this year. Also added this year were new crocheted angels, crosses, and stars.
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Good Friday – April 19, 2019
20 Apr 2019

On this day we take time to hear the Passion of our Lord as recorded in the Gospel of John. As we hear the story of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, candles are extinguished as the sanctuary becomes increasingly dark. So then, why do we call it “Good” Friday? When Jesus proclaims, “It is finished!”, we know God is not done. Love triumphs with the resurrection of Christ. The love of God which is stronger than death is certainly GOOD news! We live each day within the promise of resurrection. The sanctuary wall art pictured above was created by David N and John M. You may click on the link below to hear the Passion of our Lord read by members of St. Mark. Also included is a poem entitled “The Prayer of Our Father” written by St. Mark member, Ken L.
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Lenten Banners Slideshow
20 Mar 2018

A series of Lenten banners have been appearing on our back wall behind the altar over the course of the Sundays of Lent and for the Wednesday Lenten services. These wonderful artistic images on banners are the creation of Josh E. We have a long history at St Mark of seeing both artistic banners and hand painted pictures on the back altar wall.
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2109 College St. SE, Lacey, WA 98503
360-491-2052

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