SEPTEMBER 3, 2017
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering, yet finds in God's words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn't grasp Jesus' words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.
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
11:00 am - Holy Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
5:00 pm - Wedding - Sanctuary
NEW TO ST. MARK'S? WELCOME!
If you are interested in learning more about St Mark’s, we would love to talk with you! All questions are welcome. Contact Liv Beck (beckliv@gmail.com; 415-205-3292).
LUTHERAN DISASTER RELIEF
Please stand by our neighbors as we begin the long road to recovering from Hurricane Harvey, one of the most catastrophic storms to hit the country in more than a decade.
Lutheran Disaster Response’s affiliate is actively present, collaborating with community leaders and officials to initiate the proper responses, particularly the long-term recovery efforts. Together, we have a strong history of working with disasters in the Gulf Coast area. Recovery efforts are expected to take years, and Lutheran Disaster Response will be there to accompany those affected through every phase of this disaster.
We invite you to stand by our neighbors on the Gulf Coast during this time. Your gifts ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those left homeless or otherwise affected by this disaster for years to come.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response, designated for "Hurricane Response – United States" will be used entirely (100 percent) for this disaster until the response is complete. Together, we can help provide immediate and long-lasting support. Give today to support the needs in this response and others like it.
Help by making a gift at https://community.elca.org/USHurricaneRelief?erid=29096396&trid=02ae6b0f-a8ac-4bd9-a3ea-9d8417cdc714
DONATIONS OF GIFT CARDS FOR MARTIN LUTHER TOWER RESIDENTS
Pr. Elizabeth, in consultation with the Social Services Coordinator at Martin Luther Tower, is seeking donations of Starbucks, Peet’s and AMC Movie ticket gift cards in the amounts of $20.
There are some residents who can not afford to get out of their apartment and purchase a cup of coffee or attend a movie around the corner at AMC 1000. Isolation leads to depression for these seniors.
If you are able to donate gift cards, give them to Pr. Elizabeth and she will pass them on to the Social Services Coordinator who will distribute them directly to those Seniors who could use them the most. Thank you for your generosity and support of our residents at MLT!
“TRAVELERS TO EL SALVADOR”
MEETINGS AUGUST 27, SEPT 24, OCT 22 AND NOV 19
Twelve St. Mark’s members have made a commitment to visit our sisters and brothers at Cordero de Dios November 21-26, 2017. It is not too late to join the group. Please contact Mary Ritter mlrpeds@aol.com or Matt Helland helland@nka.com if you have questions.
Travelers will meet monthly before the trip to discuss accompaniment, the growth of our relationship with Cordero de Dios, and travel and safety concerns. We hope all travelers can attend all the sessions. Save these dates and times: August 27 at 12:30, September 24 at 12:30, October 22 at 12:30, November 19 at 12:30. The meetings will be in the Conference Room.
UPCOMING MOSAIC TELEVISION PROGRAM WITH PR. ELIZABETH
Sept. 10, 5:00 a.m. on KPIX (channel 5) will view Pr. Elizabeth’s latest Mosaic program: Changes in American Protestantism in the last 100 years.
In this program, Pr. Elizabeth interviews Dr. David Hollinger, Preston Hotchkiss Professor Emeritus from UC Berkeley and Faculty Affiliate with the berkeley Center for the Study of Religion.
Dr. Hollinger taught history at UC Berkeley for many years and specifically
known for his scholarship in the area of American Protestantism and their missionary work. His latest book, Protestants Abroad (due out in October) explores the influence of the missionary communities on the landscape of American life and politics.
WELCOME TO ST. MARK’S TERO VAARNA!
Tero is from Finland and studying to become a Lutheran pastor in the Finnish Church.
He is a second career student (his first career is in accounting) and is now awaiting call for a pastoral position. He has visited St. Mark’s this past week to experience an ELCA congregation in the United States. Please introduce yourself to him today.
GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS – SUNDAY STREETS, SEPTEMBER 10
One planned activity for God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday is staffing a St. Mark’s outreach booth at Sunday Streets in Western Addition. The booth will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and will be located near Geary and Fillmore. For the first two hours, we hope to offer family-friendly activities like arts and crafts. From 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., we would like to present a few musical offerings. In addition to volunteers to help with our activities, it would good to have one or two other members present to chat about St. Mark’s. To participate in this great opportunity to make St. Mark’s more visible in our neighborhood, please sign up on the back of the bulletin insert, indicating your interest and availability. Contact Pr. Ron at moe-lobeda@stmarks-sf.org or Marisa Lee (marisalouie@gmail.com, 650-303-3111) if you have questions.
CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY|
The church office will be closed for Labor Day on September 4 and we will resume our normal business hours (Monday-Friday (9:00AM - 5:00PM ) on Tuesday September 5.
HYMNFEST AND OKTOBERFEST, OCTOBER 28|
Save Saturday October 28 for St. Mark’s 500-year Reformation celebration: Hymnfest starting at 1:00 pm immediately followed by Oktoberfest on the Square at 2:30PMLet’s have a big party!
This will be a special celebration of the 500-year anniversary of the Reformation, 50 years of our Martin Luther Tower ministry and a special celebration to highlight our Stewardship efforts and unique ministries.
Hymnfest
Please join us at 1:00PM for a festival of Reformation music. Sponsored by St. Mark’s choir with honored guests, choir members from all over the Sierra Pacific Synod - and co-sponsored by San Francisco Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
The choir will gather in our beautiful sanctuary to sing beloved hymns of the Reformation which will include music by Martin Luther and Johann Walter, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Johannes Brahms.
Many talented Bay Area Organists will lead the hymn-singing from the magnificent Taylor and Boody organ. It will be a performance worthy of a 500-year anniversary.
Oktoberfest
Invite a friend and come join us for this fun German inspired fall festival. It is a wonderful celebration of life on the square and a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better. There will be plenty of beer, apple cider, wine and German food; vegetarian options as well. Entertainment for all: Polka style band, games and a bouncy house for the children. Wear your lederhosen too.
Don’t miss this family friendly community event. Join St. Mark’s and Martin Luther tower members during this magical time of year. Free for Martin Luther tower residents and suggested $10 donation for St. Mark’s and community members.
Volunteers are needed to assist with Oktoberfest preparation, service, crafts and bouncy house supervision; many hands make light work. Please contact Cristin Owens or e-mail cristinowens@gmail.com if you are available to help.
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Sharon Reinbott (9); Phil Krikau, Steve Ernst (11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9); Nadine Robinson (11)
Chalice Bearers...Cristin Owens (9); Steve Ernst (11)
Acolytes...Katherine Lam, Nora Hurley
Sacristans...Ed Chitty, Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Ministry of Welcome ...Kimberly and David Lam (9) Pam Cheung, Linda R. Jackson (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Cal & Gayle Culp, Philip Krikau
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...John Elford and Marge Okuley