In today's gospel the risen Christ appears to the disciples and offers them the gift of peace. Even amid doubts and questions, we experience the resurrection in our Sunday gathering around word and meal, and in our everyday lives. Throughout the coming Sundays of Easter the first two readings will be from the Acts of the Apostles and the first letter of Peter. Even as the early Christians proclaimed the resurrection, we rejoice in the new birth and living hope we receive in baptism.

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Safehouse Ministry - Auditorium
10:05 am - Confirmation - Confirmation Rooms
10:15 am - Sunday School - School Rooms
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall

ADULT FORUM - 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM
April 23 - Forum on Safehouse Ministry
Come and meet Jessica Li, the Executive Director of San Francisco Safehouse. SafeHouse is a program started by Rev. Glenda Hope who saw the need for homeless prostituted women to have a safe place to heal and recover. Since our founding, we’ve worked with over 300 women, helping them to lead healthier and safer lives. Most of our women are from impoverished communities in the SF Bay Area and many were sexually exploited by family members, friends and those who purported to love them. At SafeHouse, we work with women as they recover from substance abuse and other addictions and help them find a job and affordable housing after graduating.

Faith, Sexism, and Justice
Facilitated by Pr. Elizabeth Ekdale, Pr. Ron Moe-Lobeda and Dr. Margaret McLean
April 30 – May 28
We will study and discuss “Faith, Sexism, Justice” utilizing the study document of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We hope these forums will generate honest and empowering conversations about sexism and how it negatively affects individuals and families in our homes, congregations and communities. These issues can be complex and hard for some to talk about. We trust, though, that when we come together as members of the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is with us and among us. Everyone is invited to these forums – men, women, young, old: ALL are welcome.

On April 30, we will begin our conversation about faith, women and justice by exploring why we need to talk and listen together and why the ELCA speaks in the public square. We will conclude with a discussion of justice and what is required in regard to women. Session leader--Margaret McLean

On May 7th, we will look squarely at violence against women and children and what you can do to address gender-based violence. Session leader--Mary Ritter

CONSTRUCTION AT ST. MARK'S
Containers in the parking lot, scaffolding on the west side of the building, demolition and materials outside the men’s restroom - all of these are signs that the elevator construction is underway! Plant Construction began by removing the concrete paving in the elevator location, giving our soils engineer the opportunity to inspect the foundation conditions. Fortunately, they did not discover any concrete footings or other obstacles that would have complicated construction.

This past week, a crew was on site to inject chemical grout into the sandy soil under the elevator - as was done under the church foundation ten years ago - creating a solid sandstone-like support for the elevator addition. Starting this week, Plant will install the concrete foundation for the elevator shaft and structure.

Please feel free to monitor the progress in the weeks ahead. You can see a lot from the ramp that leads to the church’s front doors! The FEW Committee will provide updates in the Parish Announcements each week. Thank you for your support of this important project!

SENIOR TRIP TO THE OAKLAND ZOO, APRIL 21 AT 10:00AM
We’re going to the Oakland Zoo with Pr. Elizabeth
Leaving Martin Luther Tower parking lot at 10:00 am
Returning approximately at 4:00 pm
Bring a sack lunch

Cost: If you are over 75, your admission is FREE
Seniors 65-75: $15.75
If you are between the ages of 15 - 64: $19.75

EASTER MIDWEEK COMMUNITY MEAL, WORSHIP, AND BOOK STUDY, WEDNESDAYS APRIL 26 – MAY 24

Come and join in our Wednesday evening fellowship beginning April 26 (for 5 weeks of the Easter season) with a simple supper, a meditative worship, and a fabulous book discussion. The book chosen for this study is “When Jesus Became God,” by Richard Rubenstein—a fascinating book about the conversation and controversy regarding the humanity and divinity of Jesus during the 4th century. This book provides an excellent background for understanding how our creeds were formulated and took on such prominence in determining our perception of who Jesus is. You may purchase a book at church for $12.00, or from Amazon.com. Although it is helpful to read the book for this discussion, you certainly do not have to read the book in order to participate.

6:00 Dinner - all are welcome!
6:45 Worship with Holy Communion
7:30 - 8:30 Book study and discussion with the Pastors

SAFE CONGREGATION TRAINING, APRIL 30 AT 12:30PM
Do you know a child at St. Mark’s? Have you seen them in worship? Have you talked to them at Coffee Hour? Have you cheered them on during the Easter Egg Hunt? If you answered “yes,” to any of these questions, Safe Congregation Training is for you! St. Mark’s is home not only to adults but also to children from infants to teenagers. Please come to our next Safe Congregation conversation to learn how we keep our promise to treat all children and youth with respect and consideration and how to provide a safe and supportive environment in which they can thrive. Members who work directly with children, e.g., Sunday School teachers, must take this training every three years but it is open to everyone and all are encouraged to attend. Safe Congregation Training will be Sunday April 30 at 12:30-2:00 in the Fireside Room.

VOICE DEADLINE
The deadline for the next Voice newsletter is Monday, May 1st and will cover June, July, and August. Please send all submissions to Stefani Lawrence
(lawrence@stmarks-sf.org). Thank you!

NEW FILM ABOUT THE HOLY LAND: “OPENBETHLEHEM”
You’re invited to a NEW FILM ABOUT THE HOLY LAND: “OPENBETHLEHEM” willbe shownNEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 30 at 4:00 PM at GRACE CATHEDRAL, 1100 California St.@Taylor St. in Gresham Hall, Lower Level - (Enter from California St.). Discussion with film director Leila Sansour after the film.

For a better understanding of today’s Holy Land and especially Bethlehem, don’t miss this excellent film! Admission is free.

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: June 10, July 22, August 26, October 21, and December 2.

AMAZING GRACE
150 Years of Saint Paulus Lutheran Church
May 19, 20, and 21, 2017

The formal celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Saint Paulus Lutheran Church will take place over the three-day weekend of May 19-21, 2017. On Friday, May 19th, a concert has been scheduled led by our Director of Music, Dustin Hart, of music both traditional and contemporary representing the life of Saint Paulus. Choirs from area churches will be invited to participate as well as volunteers from those who have participated in the great traditions of music which have characterized the history of the congregation. The concert will be held at the present location of Saint Paulus, 1541 Polk St., San Francisco, at 7:30 PM. The public is invited.

On Saturday, May 20th from 1-5 pm there will be an informal Meet and Greet at the Old First Presbyterian Church at Van Ness and Sacramento so people may have conversation together. On May the 20th in the evening a formal celebrative banquet will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral on Gough St, in San Francisco. This invitation only banquet will feature honored guests and former pastors, representatives from past and present, and congregational membership both past and present.

On Sunday, May 21, a festival worship service will be held at the church’s present location at 1541 Polk St. at 10 am. The Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod will participate as well as former and present pastors. All are invited to worship. In the afternoon, beginning at 12 noon until 3 PM, the congregation will host an open house in order to greet well-wishers and interested folks. This event will be open to the public, with local sister congregations receiving specific invitation.

To help in our planning please indicate what event(s) you plan to attend and how many people will be there. Please RSVP to admin@saintpaulus.org.

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY

Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Rachel Boles (9) Phil Krikau, Steve Ernst (11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9), Bertie Brouhard (11)
Chalice Bearers...Cristin Owens (9); Steve Ernst, Nadine Robinson (11)
Acolytes...Pam Cheung, Katherine Lam
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
Ministry of Welcome...Marisa Lee, Louis Gutierrez (9);
Coffee Hour Chairs...Diana and Greg Gomez
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Donna Dindia, Chuck Lewis