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Join us at St. Mark for a free community dinner, no RSVP required. This “all are welcome” meal is offered in honor of a member’s son and in the spirit of Luke 14:12–14: sharing food, community, and grace with anyone in need.

In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be …Read More

Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in …Read More

Bishop Curry Issues Statement on Iran War MARCH 4, 2026 Dear siblings in Christ, They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more (Isaiah 2:4). In our Lenten journey, we are reminded of our dependence on …Read More

In today’s gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God’s grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation …Read More

During Lent we journey with all those around the world who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil. In today’s gospel Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born of water and Spirit. At the font we are a given a new birth as children of God. As God made a covenant with Abraham, in …Read More

oday’s gospel tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. In the early church, Lent was a time of intense preparation for those to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. This catechetical focus on the meaning of faith is at the heart of our Lenten journey …Read More

Join us at St. Mark for a free community dinner, no RSVP required. This “all are welcome” meal is offered in honor of a member’s son and in the spirit of Luke 14:12–14: sharing food, community, and grace with anyone in need.

Today’s festival is a bridge between the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle that comes to a close today and the Lent-Easter cycle that begins in several days. On a high mountain Jesus is revealed as God’s beloved Son, echoing the words at his baptism. This vision of glory sustains us as Jesus faces his impending death in Jerusalem. …Read More

Isaiah declares that when we loose the bonds of injustice and share our bread with the hungry, the light breaks forth like the dawn. In another passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, the light of the world, calls his followers to let the light of their good works shine before others. Through baptism …Read More

Who are the blessed ones of God? For Micah, they are those who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. For Paul, they are the ones who find wisdom in the weakness of the cross. For Jesus, they are the poor, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who …Read More

Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by sickness, …Read More

Today’s gospel opens with further reflection on Jesus’ baptism. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the one anointed by the Spirit. In the liturgy we come and see Christ revealed among us in word and meal. We go forth to invite others to come and worship …Read More

Beloved Members of the Southwestern Washington Synod, I find myself at a loss for words in this moment. I sit shocked and heartbroken, crying out to God, asking where we are to turn in a time as our divisions continue to grow and what has become normalized is so shocking and startling. As your bishop, …Read More

Learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17). Alongside our siblings in Christ in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota and all who have been impacted by aggressive immigration enforcement and violence by federal law enforcement agents, I mourn the shocking shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an …Read More

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism, we too are washed by the Word, anointed by …Read More

January 7, 2026 Dear siblings in Christ, There is concern across this church about the Jan. 3, 2026, U.S. military action in Venezuela and what has or will follow. I believe that this Sunday’s celebration of Jesus’ baptism, and our own, can provide understanding, guide our prayers and promote faithful action at this time. The …Read More

Join us at St. Mark for a free community dinner, no RSVP required. This “all are welcome” meal is offered in honor of a member’s son and in the spirit of Luke 14:12–14: sharing food, community, and grace with anyone in need.

Jorgen grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin. Most of his family still lives near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Aubryn grew up in Wenatchee, WA. Currently, Aubryn’s family is generally local, around Lacey and Harstine Island.  Aubryn is a caregiver while going to school. Jorgen has been working for the Army since 2008.  As leisure time activities, Aubryn enjoys …Read More

Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day, we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word …Read More

At the turn of the year, we meditate on endings and beginnings, knowing that all the world’s time begins and ends in God. We watch and keep vigil for the coming of God’s justice.

On a long winter evening we gather to proclaim the coming of the light. Isaiah announces that the people who walked in darkness have been a great light. Paul reminds us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. In the familiar account of Christ’s birth, the evening sky is bright with …Read More

On a long winter evening we gather to proclaim the coming of the light. Isaiah announces that the people who walked in darkness have been a great light. Paul reminds us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. In the familiar account of Christ’s birth, the evening sky is bright with …Read More

Today Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. During these final days of Advent we pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed …Read More

A note of joyful expectation marks today’s worship. Isaiah announces that the desert shall rejoice and blossom, and Jesus points to the unexpected and transforming signs of God’s reign. We wait with patience for the coming of the Lord, even as we rejoice at his presence among us this day: in word and holy supper, …Read More

I grew up in Canada, mostly in B.C., and moved to the U.S. as an adult in 1999. I first lived in Portland, Oregon, then moved to Renton, Washington in 2012 for a new role at my organization. While I’m new to St. Mark, I’ve been part of various church communities since the 1980s. I’m …Read More

At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases, we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. …Read More

The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will …Read More

Jeremiah’s promise of the execution of “justice and righteousness in the land” finds ironic fulfillment in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It appears utterly contradictory that a king should be crucified with a criminal. This victory appears for all the world as humiliating defeat. Yet through the gate of …Read More

The end is near. There is no doubt about it. The warnings are dire. The tone of today’s texts is ominous. But the baptized know how to live in the meantime. The baptized are strengthened for the living of these days in word and sacrament.

Mary and Rick became new members of St. Mark in October of 2025. Mary grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and Rick grew up in Portland, Oregon. They have attended multiple churches during their lives.  Most recently, they attended LCMS Lutheran churches in the San Francisco Bay area in California. Both Mary and Rick are …Read More

In October 2025, Debora was welcomed into St. Mark as a new member. Debora was raised in a variety of locations as her father was serving in the military. Her early years were spent in Germany, Texas, and Washington, her adolescent years in Hawaii and Washington again. Both of her parents were from Tacoma, so …Read More

We worship on the first day of the week because Jesus was raised on that day. Every Sunday is a little Easter. This Sunday feels more like Easter than many as the appointed texts celebrate the reality of the resurrection. Live it up this Lord’s day. Our God is the God of the living.

In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for all the saints “who from their labors rest.” In the same breath we petition our God for the strength to hear and to heed the admonitions of Jesus …Read More

Rooted in the past and growing into the future, the church must always   be reformed in order to live out the love of Christ in an ever-changing world. We celebrate the good news of God’s grace, that Jesus Christ sets us free every day to do this life-transforming work. Trusting in the freedom given to …Read More

Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.

It’s a miracle! Multiple miracles! The waters of holy baptism have healed us. The body and blood of Jesus in holy communion have made us clean. We have died with Christ and been raised with him. For all this we have returned to offer thanks. From this place we are sent on our way rejoicing …Read More

St. Mark Community Garden was established in 2010.  It is a tranquil yet busy, dusty and sometimes dirty, fun and rewarding, beautiful and weedy acre of land behind our church.  When spring is cold and wet it can feel like it takes forever for crops to start growing and the weeds take off WAY BEFORE …Read More

A land acknowledgement is a formal, living statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as historic stewards of this land and the enduring sacred relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. A land acknowledgement is a simple, yet powerful step toward ongoing awareness and correcting the stories and practices that diminish Indigenous …Read More

A little faith goes a long way is Jesus’ point in the gospel. A mustard seed’s worth of faith has miraculous potential. The patience, tenacity, and endurance required for the life of faith are the blessings received in holy baptism, holy communion, and the word read and proclaimed in this assembly. Anticipate them. Receive them …Read More

Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom death could not hold—who comes to us risen …Read More

As we are invited today to consider what it means to be managers (rather than owners) of all that we have, it is crucial to recognize that we are bought with a price. “Christ Jesus, himself human, . . . gave himself a ransom for all.” Apart from the generosity of God we have nothing—we …Read More

The grumbling of the religious leaders in today’s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God seeks and saves the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As the writer of 1 Timothy reminds us, “The saying is sure and worthy …Read More

Called to contemplate the cost of discipleship, we might be helped by translating Paul’s request to Philemon into our prayer of the day: Refresh my heart in Christ. Strengthened by the company and forgiveness of Christ in holy communion and recalling God’s grace in remembrance of baptism, we can be strengthened in this hour to …Read More

Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism, we have a place at Christ’s banquet table. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.

Remember the sabbath day. Call the sabbath a delight. This is the Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us, help and heal us. Rejoice at all the wonderful things God is doing.

The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter …Read More

We welcome our new Southwestern Washington Synod Bishop Keith Marshall!  He was elected to serve a 6 year term during our Synod Assembly on June 13-14 at the Olson Auditorium at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Siblings in Christ of the Southwestern Washington Synod, Grace and peace to you all! As I officially begin serving …Read More

The Rev. Yehiel Curry was elected July 30 to serve a six-year term as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly being held July 28–Aug. 2 at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Convention Center. Curry was elected on the fifth ballot. There were 799 …Read More

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 …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so.

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so.

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://www.youtube.com/live/8W3qaQFBCdc?feature=shared

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://youtube.com/live/dUvL2CdBNLY

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://youtube.com/live/QzC6T6qbtYw

On Sunday July 6 during worship, Pastor Beth formally installed our new council members and officers and recognized those members continuing on to serve as well. New members Kate Delozier and Vicki Powers were elected at last month’s annual congregational meeting. Both of these have served on the council in the past.   Members are …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://youtube.com/live/JunoyNq9ztg

“Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all and especially for those of the family of faith.”  —Galatians 6:10 Dear church, Today the U.S. Congress passed a budget package that will have a monumental impact on many in the country and on our ministries and communities. The scope of the …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://youtube.com/live/npXbGHkNUQ8

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://youtube.com/live/brkvvv3dKmg

[Please forgive the Video missing at the start – OBS Streaming Software Glitch] Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. “O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Today we celebrate the holy Trinity. Paul writes …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his disciples they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. Now, amid signs of fire, wind, and a variety of languages, the people were amazed and astonished …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. It is possible to hear in Jesus’ high priestly prayer, a prayer he offered shortly before his death, the petitions of the ascended Christ for his own throughout history—to our day—and beyond. Jesus prays …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. Visions abound in the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Paul has a vision about what to do. John has a vision of what will be. Jesus provides visions of peace that surpasses …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so. https://youtube.com/live/5srUyonk1rs