Recent Posts

All are welcome to attend the new “Rock Vespers” at St. Mark on Saturday, May 14 at 6pm in the sanctuary.  Terry Shaw, John Martin, Benjamin Martin and other community musicians will offer this welcoming service filled with a variety of popular rock music.  Although the service will be primarily music, Pastor Beth will also …Read More

Welcome to today’s service! We learn about what it means to give love and how we can love others. If you would like to join in for communion, please have your bread and wine ready.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJoL2_nyXUw

Welcome to this week’s service. Today we learn to follow Jesus in his teachings of love and worship. If you would like to join for communion, please have your bread and wine ready. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyGK0u0tIwk

Welcome to today’s service! We celebrate the ministry and faith of our retiring accompanist Rae Corbin. If you would like to join during communion, please have bread and wine ready to do so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inOxIwPqtrQ  

Thanks to a Thrivent Grant received for our St. Mark Community Garden, we now have a new section called a “pollinator garden”. This garden was designed and planted with specific nectar and pollen producing plants that will attract certain insects known as “pollinators”. Both plants and seeds were planted, including milkweed plants for Monarch butterflies. This …Read More

After service on Sunday April 22, members of the St. Mark Social Justice Team produced a wonderful display in the Parish Hall to celebrate Earth Day and our recent ministry of Caring for Creation. Tables were filled with examples and information available to peruse on composting, recycling, tree conservation, books on environmental topics, transportation options, …Read More

Welcome to today’s service! It is Creation Sunday. We look into the readings and see that the light comes from the darkness. Spread this newfound light to all who need a nice reminder of God’s grace. If you would like to participate in communion please have your wine and bread ready. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmNRv1uGDYo

Welcome to today’s service! It is Easter Sunday and Jesus has risen from the dead. We celebrate today with kindness and joy. If you wish to join in on communion, please have your wine and bread ready. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLEIKtCcZmI

Dear Friends, Our Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton offers the church this Easter greeting:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1p8iOOar4E

We welcome you to our Holy Week services at St. Mark!   Maundy Thursday, April 14 at 7:00pm – with a simple soup supper at 6:00pm in our Parish Hall Good Friday, April 15 at 12noon and 7:00pm Easter Sunday, April 17 at 8:00am and 10:00am   God bless and be with you this week!

Welcome to today’s service. Today is Palm Sunday and this is the day when Jesus becomes crucified for our sins. If you wish to participate in the Holy Communion then please have your wine and bread ready to do so. Have a great week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHhSJlgqJCE

After 2 years of pandemic isolation, St. Mark Community Garden held its annual Potato Planting event.  1000  row-feet  of potatoes are grown each year for the Thurston County Food Bank.  Over thirty people, large and small showed up for some gardening, some visiting, some refreshments, and some joy.  Please enjoy the pictures from the predicted …Read More

Welcome to today’s worship service. In this fifth Sunday in Lent we learn how Jesus taught about the poor during Mary’s anointment. If you wish to participate in communion please have your wine and bread with you. Have a great day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ0blHdDHIk

Calling all Volunteers!!  Saturday April 2nd we will plant 200 pounds of seed potatoes in the St. Mark Community Garden.  This has been an annual event since 2011 but the last two years the pandemic prevented us from gathering. Last Sunday,  a group of members, including some darling children, planted our four pea beds.  The rain …Read More

Welcome to today’s service. We come together on this fourth Sunday in Lent and learn about how Jesus’ grace reaches to all those who look for it. If you wish to participate in communion, please have your bread and wine with you. Have a great day!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXwsdZYhY_Y

Welcome to today’s worship! This Sunday we learn about the value of second chances and the values of patience that Jesus taught. If you wish to participate in communion, please have your wine and bread ready for that. Have a great week! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffp80V7Ly_Y

Welcome to worship! On this second Sunday in Lent we learn about how Jesus gathers his children of God together. Just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings. If you wish to join during the time of communion, please have your bread and wine ready. Have a blessed day.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8yqIaMvO9s

Welcome to worship! These forty days called Lent are like no other. It is our time to return to the God who rescues and to receive the gifts of God’s grace. If you would like to join during communion time, please have your bread and wine ready.  God bless you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T_UNAy6kFY

In the fifth and final summary offering of the “Climate Diet”, suggestions revolve around systems, policies and educating others about causes you personally identify with. As you’ll see below, small and local action can result in national change. Be specific. Ask for change within your legislator’s scope of authority. In Washington State right now is …Read More

Welcome to worship! This morning we hear how Jesus was transfigured on the mountain top and we are reminded to listen to him. If you would like to participate in Holy Communion, have your bread and wine ready. God bless you.   https://youtu.be/AuV9F7bp-s8

“Money is the Oxygen on Which the Fire of Global Warming Burns” ~ Bill McKibben. Money, property, investments. All have a part to play in “going clean”. In the fourth summary of “Climate Diet” you’ll find tips to save and spend in ways that can help mitigate climate-related issues. Pressure your financial institutions to be …Read More

We often ask new St. Mark members to share about themselves so the congregation can get to know them better.  Jim and Nancy J joined St. Mark in October 2021 and they graciously provided the following. Jim, a retired teacher, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended church as a child. His parents are …Read More

Welcome to worship on this 7th Sunday of Epiphany!  Today we hear the story of Joseph and his brothers and listen to Jesus’ teaching to love one another–even those difficult people!  Terry Shaw sings “Peace in the Valley” along with accompaniment on the saxophone by Ben Martin.  Today’s service includes Holy Communion.  Please have your …Read More

It is said, “The space between home and the rest of the world is the hole into which we pour most of our emissions”. FUEL is a huge consideration when trying to make changes in the preservation of the environment. In this, the third installment of the “Climate Diet” summary, consider the following ideas. Trade …Read More

Welcome to worship on this Sixth Sunday after Epiphany! Today we hear the Beatitudes according to Luke.  These teachings of Jesus challenge us to look at ourselves and our lives.  PraisRing Bell Choir offers two beautiful anthems with MacKenzie Kennedy accompanying one of them. Our musicians Terry Shaw and Benjamin Martin create music that touches …Read More

This second and continuing episode of “Climate Diet” includes climate consciousness relating to families and homes. A child born today in the US will generate 16 tons of CO2- per year for the rest of their life.  Families are also one of the greatest joys humans have – how to reconcile the two?? Here are …Read More

Welcome to worship!  It is good to be together as the people of God.  This morning we hear Jesus call Simon to fish for people.  We are reminded Jesus often calls us to take a step of faith and trust God is faithful.  There is wonderful music today!  If you would like to participate in …Read More

Throughout his life, Jesus reached out to the most vulnerable and offered healing and hope.  As followers of Christ, St. Mark believes service with others is a fundamental way to live out our faith. This post announces a new page recently added to our website which offers a brief introduction to many of our social ministries …Read More

The US emits 16 metric tons of CO2 per person per year!  Almost 2 times all other Western countries. The UN goal is 3 tons. We need a climate diet, but diets fail. In January 2022, Pastor Eric and Gail F facilitated a 4-week book study on the book “Climate Diet” by Paul Greenberg. Rousing …Read More

Welcome to worship this morning!  We are delighted to have you join us for this Fourth Sunday of Epiphany and Beatle’s Sunday!  All of our worship music is composed of Beatles tunes.  Our scripture lessons remind us love is all we need!  Love is patient and kind.  God bless you as you live with kindness …Read More

Welcome to worship!  It is good to be together as the people of God!   This morning, Pastor Beth tells the story of Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Jewish people’s return to Jerusalem from Babylon.  She reminds us: God is faithful!   The music today will lift your spirits!  If you would like to participate in …Read More

Welcome to worship!  It is good to be together as the people of God!  Today’s service is filled with inspirational music.  We hear the story of the first miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John.   Today’s service includes Holy Communion.  Please have your bread and wine (or something similar) ready if you would like …Read More

Did you know that as outdoor temperatures fall, tire pressure goes down? Low tire pressure can decrease your car’s fuel efficiency, wear down the tire tread unevenly, and make your car harder to handle on the road. In the bigger picture, if 40% of 5 million cars on the road don’t have properly inflated tires, …Read More

Welcome to worship!  Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus and reflect upon our own baptisms.  PraisRing offers two beautiful bell anthems.  Our worship includes Holy Communion.  Please have your bread and wine (or something similar) ready so you can participate.  God bless you as you worship! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diQR3Oqhd6M

Welcome to worship on Epiphany Sunday!  This service is full of festive music and lessons that reflect the “light” of Christ!  We are thankful you are here!   Today’s service includes Holy Communion.  Please have your bread and wine (or something similar) ready if you would like to participate.   God bless you as you …Read More

Welcome to worship on this First Sunday after Christmas. We are thankful you are here.  Today’s service was a Lessons and Carols service.  We hear 7 different readings and sing many of our favorite Christmas Carols.  Pastor Beth’s sermon was quite “wordy” where she explores what it means that Jesus is the Word of God.  …Read More

Welcome to worship on this holy night as we celebrate the birth of Christ!  Tonight’s service is Choral Candlelight Communion Service.  We give thanks for the musical offerings of our Chancel Choir and PraisRing Bell Choir.  Merry Christmas!   (We apologize for the quality of the video.  Due to technical difficulties in processing, we are …Read More

Welcome to worship on this Fourth Sunday in the Season of Advent.  We celebrate the baptism of Rylee and join our hearts and voices with Mary as we sing the Magnificat! If you would like to participate in Holy Communion, please have your bread and wine (or something similar) ready. God bless you as you …Read More

Marilyn and Jerry Shackelford were received as new members of St. Mark in October. They transferred from Twin Harbors Lutheran Church in Grayland, Washington. Prior to that they attended Emmanuel Lutheran in Venice, Florida. Marilyn grew up in Minnesota and Jerry was raised in Illinois. Jerry is a graduate of Oregon State University. He was employed …Read More

Welcome to worship on the Third Sunday in Advent!  We are thankful you are here!   Welcome to the Third Sunday of Advent! Today, we hear another scripture reading about John the Baptist who is calling us to repentance in preparation for Christ. We sing and rejoice at the coming of the Lord! The bells …Read More

Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has sent a message for this, our second Christmas touched by the pandemic. As we are actively waiting for the coming of the baby Jesus, we can pause and remember the hope that is given to us, especially in times of uncertainty. …Read More

Welcome to worship on the Second Sunday of Advent! This week we light two candles in our Advent wreath and hear John the Baptist’s call to “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” Pastor Beth encourages us to reflect upon what this means for us and our lives. Our service includes Holy Communion. Please have your …Read More

St. Mark, it’s time for our Giving Tree for children at Hawks Prairie Head Start and Friendly Grove Preschool! Please look in emails sent from the church office for the link to sign up on SignUp Genius. We still have names available. Gifts can be brought to church on Sundays December 5 and 12. Volunteers …Read More

Gary D, our Chief Gardener, two garden interns and a handful of volunteers somehow managed to get 13,216 pounds of produce to the Thurston County Food Bank – in spite of a record breaking heat wave and drought conditions. For two years rabbits have ravaged the garden in early spring – in spite of our …Read More

Welcome to worship! As we light the first candle in our Advent wreath today, Pastor Eric encourages us to wonder:  “For what am I waiting?”  Also, the choir sings two beautiful anthems and sends us out with an Advent Benediction. Please have your bread and wine ready if you would like to share in Holy …Read More

Pastoral message on the verdicts concerning the murder of Ahmaud Arbery 11/24/2021 3:20:00 PM In response to the verdicts in the trial of Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael and William Bryan in Brunswick, Ga., for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, we offer a word of prayer and healing. We pray for Arbery’s family because no verdict can ease the …Read More

A pastoral message on the Rittenhouse acquittal 11/19/2021 4:00:00 PM Dear church, In the book of Leviticus we read: “You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor” (19:15). Our social message on Community Violence urges us to become …Read More

Welcome to worship on Christ the King Sunday!  We had wonderful music this morning from 4 students representing the Music Department at Pacific Lutheran University–Benjamin Martin-saxophone, Felix Halvorson-guitar, Josh Hansel-drums, and Josh Green-bass.  Listen to Pastor Eric’s sermon and reflect on what it means that Christ is King in your life!    If you would …Read More

Getting to know our new members is always a joy. Doug and Brenda recently joined St. Mark and have shared some background information to help us with that. Doug grew up in Lakewood, Washington and Brenda in central California. Both were raised in Christian families and have attended church all their lives. Doug has always …Read More

Welcome to worship today!  The Chancel Choir sings a beautiful spiritual, “Hold Me, Rock Me” and PraisRing Bell Choir offers the spectacular anthem, “Grazioso.”  Pastor Beth preaches on Jesus’ teachings about end times.  Please have your bread and wine ready and join us for Holy Communion .  God bless you as you worship! https://youtu.be/DR6STtktwvA   …Read More

Welcome to worship on this All Saints Sunday!  Today we light candles to remember and give thanks for all the Saints in our lives. We hear the promise from Revelation of a new heaven and new earth where there is no more death, crying or pain.  Yet we recognize that time is not yet. Pastor …Read More

Most of you have heard of the ELCA’s goal to engage 1 million new, young, and diverse members by the end of the decade. But what about the rest of us, the ones already engaged? Bishop Eaton has your answer. Listen to her video in this post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cg7lJUN-zI&list=PLNDmVwhz-M34mAvgx5orNFsbAebN1MskR&index=3&t=8s  

Welcome to worship on this Reformation Sunday!  We are thankful you are here!  The Chancel Choir sings a lively anthem and Pastor Eric preaches a thought provoking sermon. If you would like to participate in Holy Communion, please have your bread and wine (or something similar) ready. God bless you as you worship today.   …Read More

Today you will hear about the healing of Bartimaeus. We also bless quilts that will be send around the world. Ken Anderson offers some special music that he wrote with Terry Shaw. Have your communion elements ready as we celebrate communion. Enjoy worship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkhOQx0Ph4w

The pews throughout our church were adorned on Sunday, October 24 with beautiful handcrafted quilts created by our St. Mark Quilters. Once a year, the group’s quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief for distribution across the world, helping those effected by poverty, war and natural disasters. Annually, 300,000 quilts from various sources are sent …Read More

On October 17th, 15 new members were received into the St. Mark congregation. Some of these new members began attending St. Mark before  all churches were closed due to the Governor’s COVID 19 mandates. Others started attending after viewing our video-taped church services on line during the pandemic! New members include Jim and Myrna S., Inge …Read More

Once again, our St. Mark traditional Blessing of the Animals was held on Sunday the 3rd of October. In celebrating our beloved pets, we mark this day in honor of the great peacemaker and lover of all creation, St. Francis of Assisi. Click on the images to enlarge.

Ever wondered what a carbon footprint really is? Or how about the green house effect? In an article published by FutureLearn, those and other climate related terms are explained and suggestions made for everyday steps we can take to care for God’s creations. FutureLearn offers these brief definitions: Carbon footprint. A measure of the total amount …Read More

Welcome to worship!  This morning we celebrate the reception of 15 new members and the return of the Chancel Choir!  In her sermon, Pastor Beth explores what it means when Jesus says “Whoever wants to be great among you, must be servant of all.”   Worship includes Holy Communion.  If you would like to participate, …Read More

Welcome to worship on this 20th Sunday of Pentecost!  Pastor Eric preaches on Jesus’s challenging teaching about riches and the reign of God. PraisRing offers two beautiful musical pieces. This service also includes Holy Communion. Please have your bread and wine (or something similar) ready if you would like to participate. God bless you as …Read More

Welcome to worship as we celebrate St. Francis and the Blessing of the Animals!  Pastor Beth also offers a special blessing and message for our children.   The sermon tackles Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees about divorce and the blessing of children. Jesus is always concerned about the most vulnerable. The service includes Holy Communion. …Read More

On September 11, the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA installed Bishop Megan Rohrer.  Rev. Rohrer, the first openly transgender pastor on the ELCA roster, was ordained by the Extraordinary Candidacy Project (which became Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries) in 2006, when the ELCA did not yet allow LGBTQIA+ rostered ministers to serve openly. In 2010, Rohrer …Read More

Welcome to worship on the 18th Sunday of Pentecost! This morning we are reminded how Jesus values and welcomes the good being done in the world.  Worship includes the celebration of Holy Communion. Please have your bread and wine (or something similar) ready if you would like to participate. We pray this service feeds you as …Read More

Just two ways the generous people of St. Mark chose to make a positive impact in the community this week. The Social Justice Team spearheaded an effort to put together care packages for homeless people as a part of “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday.  There was an amazing response from our congregation over the last several …Read More

Welcome to worship on this 17th Sunday of Pentecost! Today we bless the harvest from the St. Mark Community Garden and are challenged to grow and harvest peace, welcome, and humble service in our lives. This service includes Holy Communion. If you would like to participate, please have your bread and wine available. God bless …Read More