Blog (Page 68)

Grudge Match

Last week, The St. Mark Championship Trophy-winning Intergenerational Softball Team beat a previously undefeated team with a huge margin (14-2, see post “Magic #14). This week, we played that same team…and they were out to settle the score! Despite the game loss (score of 2-13), we had many “wins”. Amanda C owned an inning as catcher, making all…

Love is sovereign here.

In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus lovingly answers Martha’s concern about her sister Mary. We too have concerns especially after a week or so of truly troubling news. In our county, there have been shootings, killings, the deaths in Nice, France and the political unrest in Turkey. What is going on? Is this violence happening more or…

Sage Joins Our Family

On 10/18/15, the congregation welcomed Sage W into our St. Mark family through the sacrament of baptism and by singing member Trudy H’s song, “A New Kid in Our Family”. Sage is the daughter of members Lara and Dan W, and sister of Cascade, who had previously been baptized into our family. Lara’ father, a retired Lutheran Pastor,…

Magic Number 14

The St. Mark Championship Trophy-winning Intergenerational Softball Team is back on track, turning their 7/8/16 double-header into a double-sweep! Game scores were 14-1 and 14-2. The roster was at a deficit with the U-G family (4 Team Members), the M family (2 Team Members and Head Coach) on vacation, Joe B also out of town and Brad K…

Walk in Another’s Shoes

Pastor Jeanine Dagger filled in for pulpit supply this week and gave us a very timely message about empathy and understanding – in a very graphic way.  The gospel reading was the story of the Good Samaritan.  She started her sermon by asking us to all slip off our shoes.  She then asked us to…

4W & 1L: Just a Hiccup On Our Way

This week’s game was the first loss this season for our St. Mark  Championship Trophy-winning Co-ed Intergenerational Softball Team. But the heart and enthusiasm they played with was still evident! The final score of 7-8 reflected a hard-fought come back. The bats were connecting, many strikes were thrown, the opposing hits were contained in the infield, the double-plays…

CLEAN KIDS — 50 Mile Walk for Learning

INTRODUCTION –  At the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, there were over 600 homeless students in the North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS). This number rose significantly as the school year continued. A student is identified as “homeless” by the McKinney-Vento Act if they do not have fixed, regular, adequate night time housing. During the…

“Carry no purse…”

In today’s Children’s Time, Pastor Beth asked the kids to help her make up a packing list for her trip to a family reunion this summer. Diamonds, boots, swim suit and snacks were among the things suggested. Pastor prompted the kids to think about that in addition to all the “stuff” we pack on a trip, we need…

We are invincible but we are also fragile.

The 6th Sunday after Pentecost’s gospel, Luke 9:51-62, speaks of Jesus being committed to his mission in Jerusalem. Of setting his face to Jerusalem. Of being focused on that path. Pastor Eric, having just completed, the day before, a fifty mile walk from Aberdeen to Olympia to raise money for our Clean Kids project, spoke…