Recent Posts

• 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
  14 Jun 2026
  

  Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry.

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• 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
  7 Jun 2026
  

  Though Jesus was a devout Judean who practiced his faith, he was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners—the religiously nonobservant. Jesus criticizes the self-righteous and reminds us that mercy is to be at the heart of our religious practices. God continues to be made known in those on the margins of society, like Matthew the tax collector and the hemorrhaging woman. As we gather each Lord’s Day, we receive the healing that makes us well and sends us forth to be signs of God’s mercy for the world. Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe with your email and you’ll be the first to know when a new post goes live—no spam, just the good stuff.

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• Akuma Jennings, Nursery Attendant
  3 Jun 2026
  

  Akuma grew up in St. Mark’s nursery! She recalls that as an early teen, she wanted to work in the nursery. When an opening for Nursery Attendant became available, her grandmother (St. Mark Member Kristina Tamm-Finnerud) told her about it. Akuma quickly applied, was interviewed and was hired. She has been on the job about 7 months and truly loves “being ‘swarmed’ by the kids” when she arrives at work! Akuma is a very busy 20-year-old. In addition to her Sunday morning work at St. Mark, she is attending a 3-month Barista training program, and is enrolled in the Automotive Service Technician program at New Market School. After completing that two-year program, her plan is to continue on to South Puget Sound Community College to earn a degree as an Automotive Services Technician. As a young teen, Akuma attended a two-week Art Camp one summer then worked as an assistant for the following two summers. The Camp Director became one of Akuma’s mentors, remembering her as her “supportive auntie”. This woman gave Akuma her “spark” for life, and her love of art, music, and nature. When her “auntie” passed away, Akuma spoke at her memorial about “her being full of love and life and caring for people”. Akuma says she is trying to walk in her footsteps in these ways. Akuma’s hobbies are pottery, jewelry-making, leatherwork and clothing design, adding, “I’m interested in anything that allows me to be creative!” Some of Akuma’s best memories as a child were from the St. Mark Nursery; it was the highlight of her week. When she first came to work, she found her favorite toy was still there, which made her feel a warm welcome back! Akuma says she wants the kids to have similar good memories and is happy to have the opportunity to help them with that. Akuma’s message to the congregation is, “I want people to know I’m friendly and I don’t bite! I welcome people to come talk to me and am happy for new conversations and acquaintances.”

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• The Holy Trinity
  31 May 2026
  

  Though the word trinity is not found in the scriptures, today’s second reading includes the apostolic greeting that begins the liturgy: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. In the gospel Jesus sends his disciples forth to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. More than a doctrine, the Trinity expresses the heart of our faith: we have experienced the God of creation made known in Jesus Christ and with us always through the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the mystery of the Holy Trinity in word and sacrament, as we profess the creed, and as we are sent into the world to bear witness to our faith.

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• Day of Pentecost
  24 May 2026
  

  Pentecost derives its name from the Judean festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai fifty days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the world.

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