St. Mark is excited to send 4 high school students and 2 adults to the 2015 ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit, Michigan on July 15-19. The theme of the gathering is “Rise Up!” The ELCA Youth Gathering for high school-age youth takes place every three years and is about faith formation, worship, study, fellowship, service…
In today’s Gospel Lesson (Mark 4: 21-45), Jesus healed a hemmorhaging woman and Jairus’ daughter. For the sermon, Pastor Beth wrote a dramatic reading which was shared by two women in the congregation–Amy B. and Joyce B. In Pastor Beth’s creative interpretation of these stories, we dig a little deeper and see how, although life…
In 2014, the St. Mark Website Team created an On-Line Giving opportunity for members who wanted to make their monetary offerings electronically. Initially, there were a few brave souls who tried it out and decided to stick with it. Over time, we have seen the numbers grow. Recent statistics show that there are now 17 giving units…
The Gospel lesson in Mark 4 is essentially about “crossing to the other side”. Jesus was traveling to the “other side” in a boat with his disciples. As Jesus slept, the storm brewed, and the disciples woke him for help. Jesus rebuked the wind and there was calm. Jesus asked, “Have you no faith?” Whether…
Mark 4:26-34 is the mustard seed parable gospel. Pastor Beth pointed out that we hear hopeful images in all our readings today. She spoke of the Redwood trees in California that have a shallow root system but the roots spread out widely and intermingle with other Redwood tree roots to support each other. We need…
Today’s sermon, as Pastor Beth described it, was “fraught with F words”. And each scripture reading and the Gospel were portrayed as examples of “keeping it honest and real”. The first reading from Genesis shows the fall of Adam and Eve, each finding fault with someone else, fearing being honest with themselves, with each other…
The 2015 growing season at the St. Mark Community Garden has commenced. The garden is starting to look absolutely beautiful! Thanks to our new garden intern, Grace, and Haldor, the potatoes are weeded and hilled, thanks to the volunteers at our two work parties, most everything is weeded and looking wonderful. We are growing 10…
An update of the Liturgical Art page has been completed. A slideshow of the recent Easter – Pentecost Art has been added. A Huge debt of gratitude is owed to Retired Pastor David I. Nelson for continuing to bring our church alive with art during all seasons of the year! God Bless you David!
On this, Holy Trinity Sunday, Pastor Eric gave us many images of the trinity. There is the familiar “Father, Son and Holy Ghost”. But what about “Creator, Liberator and Advocator”, or “Baker of the Bread, the Breadstick, and the Server”? We all have powerful images of God and we use those things around us as…
The celebration at St. Mark on this fiftieth day of Easter, Pentecost Sunday, was four fold: Pentecost and the church was ablaze with the color red acknowledging God’s Holy Spirit that is sent to all people baptized in His name, the Confirmation of Drew and Nick, recognizing the high school graduation of Grace, and reaffirming St Mark’s love…