Regular Programs
Children, Youth & Family Ministries
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Children’s Faith Formation
Each week during the program year (mid-September – early June), at 9:45am in the Children’s Faith Center, children ages 3 through 4th grade are invited into a time of age-appropriate faith formation that brings Bible stories to life. Through music, hands-on activities, storytelling, and crafts, children explore the foundations of faith in fun and meaningful ways. Positive interactions with peers and caring adults help children understand how they, even as the youngest members of our community, can live our God’s Word in everyday life.
Youth Faith Formation
Each week during the program year (mid-September – early June), at 9:45am in the Youth Wing, students grades 5-12 are invited to be a part of our Youth Faith Formation classes:
5th & 6th Grade Faith Formation
Students meet with adult faith leaders to explore core questions of faith and what does it mean to be a Lutheran Christian-this class sets a foundation for the 7th/8th grade class.
7th & 8th Grade Affirmation of Faith (Confirmation)
Students meet with adult faith leaders to ask and work through the question “What does this mean?” What is the bible saying, who are our ancestor of faith, how does God show up in my life and others, and how do I strive to live a life of meaning and purpose through various faith practices?
Students affirm their baptism the fall of their 9th grade year on Reformation Sunday (last Sunday in October) after a 4-week course held on Wednesdays in the fall.
9th–12th Grade Faith Formation
Students gather with adult faith leaders for a tie of exploration and discussion using poetry, the bible and more.
Contact Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher or Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator Celesta Smith to learn more and register.
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St. Mark’s values opportunities for all ages to come together in faith and fellowship. Our annual cross-generational events (such as our Shrove Tuesday celebration, Advent wreath-making, Illuminated Walks, and Epiphany celebration) are designed to bring children, youth, and adults into shared experiences that deepen our understanding of the seasons of the church year. Through storytelling, music, interactive stations, and moments of wonder, these events create space for meaningful connection, reflection, and celebration as a whole church community.
Contact Celesta Smith to learn more and get involved!
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Throughout the year, we offer regular opportunities for our middle school and high school students to gather for fellowship, activities, and spiritual practice.
To be the first to know about upcoming youth events, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
Contact Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher to learn more and get involved!
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Childcare in our bright and kid-friendly nursery is provided Sunday mornings from 8:15am–11am for infants to children age four.
If you have any questions about our nursery, or would like to learn more, please contact Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher.
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St. Mark's provides multiple opportunities for children and youth during the summer months.
Vacation Bible School: VBS at St. Mark’s is typically held the first full week in August, and is a great opportunity for students 4 years old (as of July 1) to 5th grade (incoming school year) to engage in worship and activities catered specifically to their age groups. If you'd like to learn more or have a passion for leading VBS please contact Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher to share your ideas and interest.
Summer Camp: St. Mark's participates in a Lutheran summer camp for children and youth. This serves as an opportunity for students to grow in faith and community, as well as connect with other Lutheran communities from across the state. For more information and to get involved, contact Deacon Ingelaurie Lisher.
Adult Faith Formation
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During the program year (fall–spring) we hold a Bible Study Luncheon where we read and discuss the scripture texts appointed for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher for that Sunday guides the conversation.
Participants may join in-person or via Zoom (check with the church office for a Zoom link). This group meets Wednesdays at 12pm in the Parish Commons Classroom. All are welcome, no sign up or prior experience needed. Feel free to bring your lunch!
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Faith Journey is a series of weekly gatherings hosted by our pastoral staff that give participants an opportunity to hear each other’s stories, explore questions of faith, build relationships, hear scripture together, and listen for God’s call. Faith Journey is designed for seekers and visitors to St. Mark’s but is always open to St. Mark’s members as well. Typically, we host both a fall series and a winter-spring series.
Contact Pastor Briana Merkle to learn more about Faith Journey.
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During the program year (fall–spring), we hold regular forums on Wednesdays at 6pm to explore and deepen our faith. These forums cover a wide variety of topics. Check out our events calendar to preview what’s coming up for Midweek Renewal this month!
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During the program year (fall–spring), we hold regular forums on Sunday mornings. These serve as opportunities to reflect on Christian faith in light of current events and the daily decisions we need to make. Topics vary, leadership is shared, and the conversation is lively. Check out our events calendar to preview what’s coming up for Sunday Forum!
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Throughout the year, we also offer faith formation opportunities that are outside of our usual programming schedule. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when these opportunities arise.
Music Ministries
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Celebration Ensemble
Rehearsals: Thursday Nights from 7:30-9pm during the program year (fall–spring)
Service Leadership: Blended Liturgical Service
Celebration Ensemble is a ministry of vocal musicians who serve as liturgical hosts for the 8:30am worship service. The eclectic nature of that service’s global music emphasis offers the group a wide range of musical styles and skills that they develop over the course of each year, often involving various percussion instruments and complex rhythmic patterns. As such, the group sings a wide range of choral music, influenced by many cultures.
Canticle Choir
Rehearsals: Select Sunday Mornings at 10am during the program year (fall-spring)
Service Leadership: Traditional Service
This choir offers experienced choral singers the opportunity to create ministry and music without being part of an evening weekly rehearsal. This group sings once or twice a month at the 11:00 am service, using a quick morning rehearsal to prepare. Bring your sight-reading skills and we’ll have some joyful fun!
All are welcome, and please contact Cooper Sherry if you are interested in joining the group.
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Bells of St. Mark’s
Rehearsals: Tuesday Nights from 6:00–7:20pm during the program year (fall–spring)
Service Leadership: All Sunday Services
Handbell ringing, as an expressive outlet and common ground for ministry, has a powerful and unique way to bring together people of all experience levels, backgrounds, and interests into one cohesive musical ensemble. This is a mid-level bell choir, welcoming visitors or members who have a willingness to learn a new skill. Ability to read music is useful, but not required, and most essential factor is weekly attendance that the group can rely on. Goals include the experience of hope and personal transformation through the language of music, and the satisfaction of good work together in this ministry as a team. The group is active September through May, playing typically once a month in worship.
For more information about Bells of St. Mark’s, contact director, Karen Moats.
St. Mark’s Chamber Music
Rehearsals: Select dates once-a-month
Service Leadership: Traditional Service
Instrumental group that works once a month to provide classical music for our traditional worship services and other special events.
Contact Cooper Sherry if you are interested in joining this group.
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Praise Band
Rehearsals: Wednesday Nights from 6:00-7:30pm., Sunday Morning at 9:00am
Service Leadership: Contemporary Praise Service
The Praise Team is for adults 18 years and older with a desire to lead worship and praise God through contemporary Christian popular music. Their repertoire of music also reaches to other music genres, including blended, gospel and global. This group leads worship at the 9:45am service and rehearses every week, year-round. Praise Team members also collaborate several times a year with other St. Mark’s ensembles for special music.
Contact Karen Moats to learn more and get involved!
Evening Prayer Service Musicians
Rehearsals: Wednesday Nights from 6:45-8pm
Vocal and Instrumental musicians for solo leadership and small-ensemble work.
Contact Cooper Sherry for more information on how to get involved.
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Kids Choir
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5-6:30pm during the program year (fall–spring)
Ages: Kindergarten–5th Grade
Early Elementary age is the perfect time to begin enjoying and growing into loving to sing in a choir. As children begin to learn to read, they also can begin to learn to read music, and appreciate how music works. They also love to share what they know how to do, and will have opportunities to perform in worship services throughout the year.
Youth Choir
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6:30–7:30pm during the program year (fall–spring)
Ages: 6th–12th Grade
Youth Choir is a vocal ensemble for 6th-12th graders that rehearses weekly. The group builds skills toward singing 4-part a cappella music, and welcomes people of all skill levels.
Kid’s African Instruments
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:30-7:15pm during the program year (fall–spring)
Ages: Kindergarten–5th Grade
After the Kid’s Choir on Wednesday nights, local artist Jeff Brahe, a scholar and performer of the music of Zimbabwe and other African countries, brings his knowledge of African Music and traditions to our youth with 45 minutes of song, dance, marimba, drumming, and other skills.
Youth Marimba Ensemble
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:30–8:30pm during the program year (fall–spring)
Ages: 6th–12th Grade
Also led by Jeff Brahe, this group builds skills toward playing and performing intricate marimba compositions, and welcomes people of all skill levels.
Contact Cooper Sherry to learn more and to get involved in these ministries!
Volunteer and Ministry Opportunities
Scholarships & Educational Opportunities
St. Mark’s offers scholarships and continuing education opportunities for students in various stages of life. Use the drop-down menu to learn more about what we have to offer.
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High school students planning on attending a four-year college, technical college, trade school, or other post-high school institution of learning in the coming academic year are invited to apply to the St. Mark’s Scholarship. While the forms below are designed for new High School seniors, these scholarships are also available for other adults embarking on new educational enterprises. You may use these same forms and adapt them for your circumstances.
Read more about the application requirements and access the application materials here.
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Current students planning on continuing in a four-year college, technical college, trade school, or other post-high school institution of learning in the coming academic year are invited to apply to the St. Mark’s Scholarship.
Read more about the application requirements and access the application materials here.
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Our Southwest Washington Synod of the ELCA has a rich program for training congregation members who have discerned a call to more intentional and public lay leadership in their congregation and community. St. Mark’s strongly supports this program. The Path for Strengthening Active Lay Ministry (PSALM) is a two-year small group program that takes place over four terms. Information on PSALM can be found on the SWWA Synod’s website.
PSALM has its own application process, and its own timing. Applicants contact the synod office (psalm@plu.edu). Applications are due in mid-August before the fall semester and must be accompanied by a pastoral recommendation (early summer) and approval by St. Mark’s council (by the July council meeting). Once a candidate has been approved by council and accepted into the program, the St. Mark’s Scholarship Fund will offer up to half of the tuition for students seeking support. To make sure that our scholarship team knows of your plans, send us an email at scholarships@smlutheran.org and let us know where you are in the process.