MESSAGE FROM PASTOR ERIC

As I write this Brian Williams is the latest to fall off a pedestal. Few have come to his de-fense. There have been other celebrities in the past year who have drawn our scrutiny: Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and Robin Williams, to name a few. Lying, abuse, and suicide are all topics that demand our attention. And yet, when we are tempted to cast stones, we need to be very wary. These things are a reminder of why we need Lent. We need Lent because we need each other.

I know, there are many in our society who feel Lent is too negative a season. They don’t like the minor tones or the focus on sin. We come to church to feel better. I understand that sentiment. However, I believe to have any chance at wholeness and health we need to be honest with ourselves, each other, and God. Our culture doesn’t like to talk about sin these days. It is not something that we like to face in our-selves. Think for a second about how you would define sin? Is it doing something wrong? Doing something that we know would garner God’s disapproval?

Pastor types often talk about sin as missing the mark. Theologian David Lose puts it this way: We miss our mark on things “because of our human condition of being lost, confused and insecure and so we act out damaging our rela-tionship with God, with each other, and with cre-ation.” If you were at Ash Wednesday services or have been in the past, you were marked with a cross of ashes. During Ash Wednesday, the pastor marks you with the truth that you are a sinner. By calling you a sinner, we are not trying to accuse you of anything. Rather, we want you to be honest with yourself about what it means to be human. continued page 2

Spokane, WA March 2015 Vol. 2015, No. 3

LENT AND BEYOND

“Spiritual Practices” Wednesdays in LentSoup Supper at 6:00 pmHolden Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm

The meditations by the pastors during the worship time will be on the theme “Spiritual Practices”.March 4 ContemplationMarch 11 RestMarch 18 HospitalityMarch 25 Compassion

Please join us for fellowship and wor-ship at these Lenten mid-week events.

Childcare will be available for our young children beginning at 6:45.

Your soup and bread dishes are appre-ciated for the soup suppers. Watch for the sign-up sheets.

There will be a craft opportunity for our K-6th graders between supper and the start of worship.

Plan to make Wednesdays “Church Night” for you and your family during the season of Lent.

Holy Week and Easter Services

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7:00 pmGood Friday, April 3, 7:00 pmEaster Vigil, April 4, 7:00 pm

Easter Sunday, April 5, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00

PASTOR ERIC continued from page 1

Because of being human, we have a hole in our lives that only God can fill and God does that on the cross. You are marked with a cross to remind you to be honest with yourself. You are not going to be perfect, you are going to miss the mark on what God intends for you, precisely be-cause you are human. Jesus dies because of this. It is on the cross that Jesus meets us where we are most vulnerable, where we are the most insecure, inviting us to leave that stuff with him.

Lent invites us acknowledge our own sin, al-lowing us to be more empathetic to those in the spotlight who are having their human frailties published for the world to see. Robin Williams lost his sense of community and despair took over. I pray the others in the spotlight may know of a loving God and community. Let’s be hon-est, we are always just a step away from being right there with the failings of our celebrities that we love to watch rise and fall. Come to church and entertain the question of how shall we live together. Being human is hard. It is why we need each other. We will miss the mark from time to time. See on the cross that you are for-given. Make that same sign on yourself and on one another knowing that we are in this together and with Jesus we can always start again.

See you in church,

Pastor Eric

ANNOUNCEMENTSDeathChad Rattray

In SympathyThe family of Chad Rattray at the time of his

deathThe family of Lucille Larson, mother of Chris Lar-

son, at the time of her deathThe family of Joseph Long, brother of Martha Ice,

at the time of his deathThe family of Klemens Johnson, a charter mem-

ber of St. Mark’s, at the time of his deathThe family of Warren Helgerson, father of Kurt

Helgerson, at the time of his death

QUICK NOTES

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIMEBe sure to put Sunday, March 8, on your

calendar as the clock changes for Daylight Sav-ing Time. Remember to spring forward one hour on Saturday night!

SOCIAL MINISTRYThe St. Mark’s Social Ministry group will

meet on Sunday, March 8, at 9:30 am in the fellowship hall.

CHURCH COUNCILSt. Mark’s Church Council will meet on Mon-

day, March 9, at 7:00 pm in the conference room.

LUTHERFITSt. Mark’s member and personal trainer Ja-

son Berg is leading a great fitness class at St. Mark’s. We understand that a healthy spirituality includes body, mind and spirit. This class is on Monday and Thursday at 6:00 pm. You may join at any time. Classes will continue through March (no class on Thursday, March 12).

CHURCH SPRING CLEANING after worship on Sunday, March 22.

ORGAN FUNDUnder the recommendation of the church

council, St. Mark’s is establishing an organ fund.

We are truly blessed to have a wonderful or-gan that is worth hundreds of thousands of dol-lars. In order for us to keep this organ in good repair and be able to use this instrument to the fullest of its potential in the future, we would like you to consider making a gift to this designated fund. Or maybe you would like to designate a bequest or memorial to this fund.

In the future, the organ will need some signif-icant work. If you are a lover of music in general and of the organ specifically, consider making a contribution today or designate a gift in your es-tate planning. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of the pastors.

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ADULT FORUM CLARIFIES FAITH“Making Sense of the Christian Faith”

Are you comfortable explaining the Christian Faith to others? Come and take part in a five-week series led by Pastor Kate and Pastor Eric. They will be using material by well known the-ologian David Lose.

Join us each Sunday at 9:45 am in the con-ference room.

March 1 Missing the MarkMarch 8 IncarnationMarch 15 AtonementMarch 22 The End of All ThingsMarch 29 No Adult Forum

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPRING PROGRAMTELLS OF LAST SUPPER“Come to the Table”March 29, 9:45 am in the sanctuary

Please join the children of the Sunday School as we tell the story of the Last Supper and ex-plore the gift of Communion through prayer and song. This short, 30-minute program will feature St. Mark’s kids singing hymns, playing charac-ters and providing the instrumental music. We would love to have you there.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PARENTS: Please plan on bringing your child to the fellowship hall by 9:40 am on Sunday, March 29, so we can get them all lined up. You do not need to provide any costumes, but if your child wishes to dress up a bit for the performance, that would be totally appropriate.

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MONTHLY MONEY TALKYTD - 2015 Operating Budget

These numbers are normal for January. We always go in debt in the General Fund at the be-ginning of the year even though we usually spend less than what was budgeted. You’ll notice that we went over budget in the Mortgage Fund this month. We had some unexpected expenses with the church furnace. But thanks to your generosity, we will get ourselves out of that hole by next month.

Speaking of generosity, an easy way to give to the church is through Simply Giving. Give me a call or drop me an e-mail and I can set you up in 5 minutes. It really is that easy.

Jane Somersfinance@stmarks-spokane.org

January Giving Income Expense Budgeted Net

General Fund

$48,964.87 $48,964.87 $62,560.19 $64,340.32 ($13,595.32)

Mortgage Fund

$6,833.00 $6,833.00 $7,896.97 $5,857.00 ($1,063.97)

SAVE THE DATE!Movin Thru MOTOWN! Auction to benefit the youth who are attending the National Youth Gathering, will be Sunday, April 26, at 5:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Tickets are $25 and will be on sale soon.

PANCAKES AT APPLEBEE’S HELPSEND YOUTH TO DETROIT

It’s always fun to go have breakfast with your St. Mark’s friends and neighbors! Join us on March 15, from 8:00 – 10:00 am at Applebee’s Restaurant (2007 E. 29th Ave.) for pancakes, egg, sausage, juice and coffee.

Tickets are $10 each. This fundraiser will benefit our youth who are attending the National Youth Gathering in Detroit this summer.

“NUNSENSE A-MEN” BENEFITS LCSNIt’s a night at the Spokane Civic Theatre to

benefit Lutheran Community Services Northwest on Wednesday, March 4. The play is Nunsense A-Men! A Habit-Forming Musical Comedy.

The wine social hour begins at 6:30 pm with curtain at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $30 for general seating.

For tickets call or email Christie McKee (509)343-5020 or cmckee@lcsnw.org.

BREAKFAST TO HELP FUND FIG TREE“Sharing Stories To Inform, Inspire, Involve”.

The Fig Tree is a newspaper and website, published in Spokane, which shares stories of people in the Northwest putting their faith and values into action.

A benefit breakfast will take place on Wednesday, March 11. The buffet begins at 7:15 am, with a program from 7:30 – 8:30 am.

A benefit luncheon takes place on Friday, March 13, with a buffet beginning at 11:45 am and program at 12:00 – 1:00 pm.

Both events take place in Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga University. The breakfast and lunch are complimentary. Guests will be invited to do-nate to support the Fig Tree. Call 535-4112 or 535-1813 or email mary@thefigtree.org.

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LENTEN SOUP SUPPERSThe season of Lent has arrived and with it

comes Wednesday soup suppers before our Lenten mid-week services. Soup suppers begin at 6:00 pm followed by the 7:00 pm service.

We will need soup makers, bread bakers, vegetable tray providers and clean-up crews for each meal. Sign-up sheets are on the dining ta-bles each week. We look forward to sharing meals with each of you and enjoying hearty soups and warm fellowship. If you have ques-tions, you can call Gail Heide at 498-6663.

SPRING CLEANINGPlan to join us after the late service on

Sunday, March 22, to clean the church for the Easter celebration and the coming spring sea-son. There is much to be done and we need all hands on deck for this! Come to church ready to work, as there will be jobs for all abilities. We will be serving pizza for lunch. We’d love to have your help!

NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLYThe Messenger newsletter will be assembled

on Thursday, March 26, at 9:30 am. We can always use new hands to get the newsletter into the mail. If you would like more information, just ask me!

HOLY WEEK SERVICES VOLUNTEERSMarch 29 is Palm Sunday. This starts Holy

Week with its many services. We need volun-teers for each service, so please let me know as soon as possible if there is a service at which you would like to help.

THANK YOU

… to all the wonderful people who helped make Fat Tuesday such a memorable beginning to the season of Lent. You are all greatly appre-ciated!

… to the February Messenger assembly crew: Donna Nelson, Marilyn Walli, Sande Paul-son, Mary Dey, Helen and Roy Jeremiah, Janet Ryden, Martha Harvie, Dee Phillips, Ed Winkey and Laren Sunde, Helen Eldenburg, Bill Thor-darson, Del Schueneman, and Ulla Przewolka.

Special thanks to Donna Nelson and Marilyn Walli for the added job of organizing the mailing just the way the post office likes. The hard work and dedication of this group to keeping the con-gregation informed is truly appreciated. You cer-tainly know how to use your hands to do God’s work!

Please use your hands to do God’s work.Blessings,Kris Hendron, Volunteer Coordinator

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Benefit Brunch for SPEAREast Central Neighborhood Children’s Ministry

You are invited!St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

Saturday, March 21, 10:00 am

Breakfast is free with an opportunity to give if you are able

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GIVE UP TO GIVE!What are you giving up during Lent? Be sure

to put the money you would have spent into your Lenten Giving Box. Giving Boxes will be avail-able in the narthex throughout Lent. Please re-turn your Giving Box to the church office by Easter Sunday.

SOCIAL MINISTRY COMMITTEEThere is so much social outreach to be done

on a local, national and international level and we need you to join us! The next Social Ministry meeting is Sunday, March 8, at 9:30 am in the fellowship hall.

ST. MARK’S FEEDS AND CLOTHES PEOPLEMarch Food Drive: Shalom Ministries needs

peanut butter to serve at breakfast with waffles. This extra protein is very much needed by the population they serve. Please leave your dona-tions in the St. Mark’s Feeds and Clothes People basket in the narthex.

March Clothing Drive: Plastic tarps (5x7 or 6x8) to be handed out at Shalom Ministries dur-ing the rainy spring months. You can purchase these at General Store, Harbor Freight or any big box hardware store.

ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN SOUP SUPPERAll Saint’s Lutheran Church serves a soup

supper every Tuesday night and St. Mark’s helps on the fourth Tuesday of the month. This ministry serves low-income downtown and Browne’s Ad-dition residents and homeless people. Our next opportunity to help is Tuesday, March 24. Call Steve Nash at 536-4136 if you are interested.

CROSSWALKSt. Mark’s provides the food and volunteer

cooks for Crosswalk on the fourth Thursday of the month which falls on March 26. Watch for the sign-up sheets in church on March 21 and 22 if you would like to contribute food for this

meal. Crosswalk is a Volunteers of America Program that serves street kids downtown.

DINING WITH DIGNITY (SHALOM MINISTRIES) Volunteers are needed to help with the meal

program at Central United Methodist Church. Helping hands are needed to serve breakfast throughout the month of March. Dining with Dig-nity also needs people to help in other areas. Email Deidre Jacobson at healingpen@com-cast.net to learn about opportunities to help homeless and low-income downtown residents.

NEIGHBORHOOD SUNDAY DINNER AT ST. ANN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

A hot nutritious meal is served every Sunday afternoon at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. St. Ann’s is located in the East Central neighborhood which is one of the lowest income areas in Spokane. Our diners are people from the neigh-borhood and homeless folks. Our next opportu-nity to serve is March 29. If you’d like to help, please call Kathy Hammonds at 990-0167.

NEWS FROM SPEAR East Central Neighborhood Children’s Ministry

W e n o w have an en-dowment ac-count in place and will be focusing on a kitchen and the additional

space needed. A fence, and the beginnings of a garden for the SPEAR kids to plant and main-tain, is also in the works.

We also need four more people to serve on the Endowment Committee. One person from each of the active sponsoring congregations is needed, and one or two people from the neigh-borhood or business community.

A fundraising event, “Helping SPEAR Grow – Planting Seeds of Hope”, has been scheduled for March 21 at St. Mark’s.

Thank you for all your support!

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FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP GROUPS ADD EVENT

GAME DAY AT ST. MARK’STuesdays March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 1:00 pmQuestions: Dick Thiel or Patti Berg, 443-9170

Join this fun group of people as they play an assortment on games on Tuesdays at the church. Great fun, fellowship and snacks.

EAT, PRAY, LAUGHFirst Tuesday, March 3, 7:00 pm Questions: Pastor Kate, 747-6677

All women of the congregation are invited to this women's support group for wine and snacks along with conversation, laughter, and prayer. At the end of the evening Pastor Kate shares some faith reflections around one of the spiritual disciplines.

SATURDAY EVENING POTLUCKFirst Saturday, March 7. 6:30 pm

On the first Saturday of the month you are wel-come to join us for a potluck immediately following the 5:30 service. Bring your favorite dish (serving 8-10 people) and join this fun group for eating and socializ-ing!

GO DEEPER TODAYSecond Tuesday, March 10, 10:30 amQuestions: Pastor Kate, 747-6677

It’s only once a month, so this is not a huge commitment if you are looking for a Bible based con-versation. This women’s group meets with Pastor Kate to study the Scripture texts for the following Sunday. Join us for stimulating discussions!

MOVIE DAY AT ST. MARK’SSecond Wednesday, March 11, 1:30 pmQuestions: Dick Thiel, 443-9170 or the church office, 747-6677

A new group for seniors and anyone free dur-ing the day. The movie for March is “The Hundred-Foot Journey.” Relocating from India to a quiet village in the south of France, chef Hassan Kadam and his family open a restaurant called Maison Mumbai. But when their business starts to thrive, a competing restauranteur launches a war between the eateries.

Stars Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal.

SUNRISE SAINTS AND SINNERSSecond & Fourth Wednesday, March 11 & 25, 6:30 amQuestions: Tim Hansen, 703-2485 or timchansen@comcast.net

For men old enough to know better. This group will continue to meet on the second & fourth Wednes-day of the month at The Chalet restaurant, 30th & Grand, from 6:30 am – 8:00 am.  The men discuss the topic of the day, varying from matters for men to scripture.  Come join us! 

RUTH CIRCLESecond Thursday, March 12, 10:00 amQuestions: Ida Felton, 448-5220 or Pastor Kate, 747-6677

A women’s group meeting, alternating Bible studies and programs. Meet in the conference room.

WALKING CIRCLESecond Friday, March 13, 9:30 am

This group of women will meet at the church on Friday, March 13, at 9:30 am. Gail Heide has arranged a tour of the Shriner’s Hospital for us. Park-ing is very limited so the group will need to carpool to Shriners. Lunch will follow at Picabu Bistro (901 W. 14th).

PARENTS OF INFANTS AND TODDLERSThird Sunday, March 15, 3:00 pmQuestions: Pastor Eric, 747-6677

See four month schedule on the next page.

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MOVIE DAY: We have a new event for St. Mark’s s e n i o r s ( a l t h o u g h e v e r y o n e i s welcome!). On the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 pm we will be showing movies at the church. Beginning Wednesday, March 11, we will meet in the conference room to watch “The Hundred-Foot Journey”. This is a heart-warming story we think you will enjoy.

There will be an intermission, complete with coffee, popcorn, and ice for your favorite beverage. We will conclude with a discussion of your impression of the movie. If you have questions or suggestions for future movies call Dick Thiel at 443-9170, or the church office at 747-6677.

PARENTS OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS, continued

Save the dates! Dustin and I are really excited to host the next two off-site gatherings, (March and May) and get the opportunity to welcome everyone into our home and home away from home. See below for de-tails of the next 4 months! 

March 15 @ 3:00 pm Mt. Spokane State Park Get ready for hiking, swimming, games and BBQ! Details to follow closer to the event. 

April 19 @ 1:00 pm St. Mark's ChurchDiscussion Topic: How to raise our children for lives of service?

May 17 @ 2:00 pm Grosser HomeJoin us for appetizers and kid friendly games at our house. Details to come when we know what Mother Nature has in store for that day. 

June 21 @ 1:00 pm St. Mark's ChurchDiscussion Topic:  Disobedience. 

Looking forward to meeting and enjoying the company of all the other parents with young chil-dren!~ Dustin, Natalie, and Hadley Grosser

THEOLOGY ON TAPThird Monday, March 16, 7:30 pmQuestions: Pastor Eric, 747-6677

If you are 30 years or younger you are welcome to join this group at Two Seven Public House in Lin-coln Heights. One of the pastors will lead the discus-sion and buy a few appetizers to share.

ST. MARK’S MEN’S GROUPThird Tuesday, March 17, 7:30 pm

Long-time Spokesman Review columnist Vince Grippi will be the special Saint Patrick’s Day guest at Men’s Group in March. Come visit with Vince on Tuesday, March 17 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm in what should be an entertaining night. Don’t forget to wear green (or at least bring a green beer!)

STITCHIN’ SISTERSThird Wednesday, March 18, 2:00 – 4:00 pmQuestions: Pastor Kate, 747-6677

This is a very relaxed gathering in the Parish House (behind the church) each month. Along with conversation and all kinds of needlework, we con-clude with a devotional meditation led by Pastor Kate. If you quilt, crochet, knit, cross-stitch, do any oth-er kind of handwork, or just like to sit and visit, you would be most welcome to join this group.

DIAKONIA GUILDFourth Tuesday, March 24, 11:00 am

Diakonia is an auxiliary of Lutheran Community Services. The members meet monthly at various lo-cations with a speaker from LCS. Join the group this month for a meeting and potluck lunch at Redeemer Lutheran Church. All are welcome!

BOOK GROUPLast Wednesday, March 25, 7:00 am

St. Mark’s Book Group will meet at Forza Coffee in Lincoln Heights to discuss “Benediction” by Kent Haruf. For those wishing to read ahead, the group has chosen to discuss “The President and the Assas-sin” by Scott Miller on April 29. All book lovers are welcome to join us for any meeting!

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