THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT

In today's gospel the Samaritan woman asks Jesus for water, an image of our thirst for God. Jesus offers living water, a sign of God's grace flowing from the waters of baptism. The early church used this gospel and those of the next two Sundays to deepen baptismal reflection during the final days of preparation before baptism at Easter. As we journey to the resurrection feast, Christ comes among us in word, bath, and meal—offering us the life-giving water of God's mercy and forgiveness.

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S

9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - Fireside Room
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:05 am - Confirmation - Confirmation Classroom
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Auditorium
“What Does This Mean?” Investigating the Texts of the Catechism
10:15 am - Sunday School - School Rooms
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
4:00 pm - Junior Bach Festival - Sanctuary

INSTALLATION OF PR. RON, MARCH 26, 2017 - NEXT WEEK!
On March 26, 2017 at 11:00AM Pr. Ron Moe-Lobeda will be installed as our Associate Pastor. Dr. Phyllis Anderson will be preaching and Rev. John Kuehner, Dean of San Francisco and the Peninsula Conference will install Pr. Ron. Please note will still have our regular 9:00AM worship service that Sunday.

Everyone is invited to celebrate the Installation of St. Mark’s new Associate Pastor!

ADULT FORUM AT 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM
With New Voices
Studying the Small Catechism with Pr. Elizabeth Ekdale and Dr. Kyle Schiefelbein

The Lutheran Community of faith today includes a rich and diverse choir of voices. This Adult Forum series invites you into a fresh engagement with the Small Catechism as a way of embodying the hope and grace from God in dealing with today’s challenging issues. We are not attempting to return to some imagined purified Christianity in the 1500s nor attempting to recapture some nostalgia rooted in the 1900s. We invite you to hear the gospel anew in our time and to be renewed in our voices for this day.

THIS SUNDAY: “What Does This Mean?” Investigating the Texts of the Catechism
March 26: Rick Steves’ Luther and the Reformation video – part two and discussion
April 2: “This is Most Certainly True”: Living and Praying the Catechism in Daily Life

MARTIN LUTHER TOWER’S ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the Martin Luther Tower Corporation, whose Members are the MLT Board and the St. Mark’s Church Council, will take place on Tuesday, March 21st at 6 pm in Heritage Hall. A review of 2016 and activities for 2017 will be followed by the election of new Trustees of the Board. MLT residents and St. Mark’s members are invited to attend the meeting to hear reports, ask questions, and have dessert.

STANDING UP TO HATE:
A WORKSHOP ON WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU WITNESS RACISM

Sunday, March 19, 2017
2:30 pm - 6:30 pm

At Congregation Sha'ar Zahav
290 Dolores Street, San Francisco

Please join us at a hands-on training to learn and practice ways to deal with hate and harassment against our communities, neighbors, families, friends, and visitors.

We hope that this will be the first of ongoing connections to build a community of concerned and caring people standing strong together against bias and hatred.

For additional information please visit: Standing Up to Hate Workshop Information

WELCA WORKSHOPS - SATURDAY, MARCH 25 WOMEN AND JUSTICE, 10AM TO NOON IN HERITAGE HALL

Women of all ages (especially including teenagers) are invited to learn about and discuss issues addressed in the ELCA’s upcoming Women and Justice social statement titled “Faith, Sexism, Justice”. Pr. Elizabeth will lead a study and discussion on “Mis-representation” - how women and girls are depicted in media . There will also be an opportunity to provide input into the draft social statement.

Childcare will be provided, and light refreshments will be served.

PEOPLE NEEDED FOR THE VIGIL RECEPTION
After the Easter Vigil on April 15, there will be the Celebration of Easter and the Reception for New Members. If you are interested in being part of this important event, whether planning, set-up, bringing finger food, or clean up, please contact Suzanne Smith (suzathome@comcast.net) or (415)285-7438. Thank You.

LENTEN BOXES TO LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES (LIRS)
During the season of Lent, we are invited to remember the poor through our giving. Our Lenten coin boxes are for you to deposit your change or loose bills throughout the 40 days of Lent. The proceeds will be donated to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, who are partners of St. Mark’s AMMPARO Welcoming Congregation program. See the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services at www.lirs.org. Giving something up for Lent? Put the amount you would have spent on it every day into your box. Fill your box with coins or bills, or write a check to St. Mark’s with “Lenten Box” or “LIRS” in the memo line. LIRS thanks you!

EASTER FLOWERS
On Easter Sunday, April 16, we will adorn the sanctuary and the church steps with Easter lilies, and other Spring flowers. You are invited to participate by making a donation of $12.50 per plant in memory or in honor of someone, or anonymously. You can donate online at:
www.stmarks-sf.org/give-a-gift

Please send donations by April 10. Thank you!

SPIRITUALITY AND AGING GROUP
On Mondays from 11:00 - 12:00 Pr. Elizabeth will be hosting a group on "Spirituality and Aging" in the Brockie lounge of Martin Luther Tower. This group is open to the St. Mark's community as well. This group will offer a safe place to reflect on aging issues in light of our faith - whatever our faith may be or wherever we are in our faith journey.

SENIOR CENTER LUNCHES ARE RESUMING
Volunteers needed to help set up and serve (you’ll receive a free lunch!)

All St. Mark’s seniors and their guests are invited to the next Senior Center Lunch on April 13 at 12:00. Cost is $5.00.

Please contact the Martin Luther Tower office to reserve a place for you and your guest and pay for the lunch.

We need a couple of volunteers to help set up the place settings and serve the meal to our guests. Please let Pr. Elizabeth know if you are available. We would ask that you arrive at 11:00 a.m. and would be finished by 1:00 pm. And, we will happily feed you a lunch. ekdale@stmarks-sf.org or 415 928-7770 ext. 2300.

ST. MARK'S FOOD PANTRY
We’re a fun intergenerational group that bonds together over the business of food distribution. There’s a job for every age and body type. We would love to have you. Next distribution date is:

Saturday morning, April 29th
Old First Church
Corner of Sacramento and Van Ness
Free Parking in Old First Church Garage on Sacramento St.

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Unload
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Distribute
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Clean up

Future dates: April 29, June 10, July 22, August 26, October 21, and December 2.

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Sharon Reinbott (9); Kyle Schiefelbein, Phil Krikau (11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9); Cora Rose (11)
Chalice Bearers...Cristin Owens (9)
Acolytes...Katherine Lam, Ed Chitty
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
Ministry of Welcome...Omer Voss (9); Sarah Wentker (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Nadine Robinson andKimberly Hamilton-Lam
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Andrew Sallach, Elaine Lanier-Bohan and Tim Bohan