All the baptized have a calling in God’s world. God calls not just the clergy but also the youngest child, like Samuel. The story of the calling of Nathanael plays with the idea of place. Nathanael initially dismisses Jesus because he comes from Nazareth. But where we come from isn’t important; it’s where—or rather whom—we come to. Jesus refers to the story of the vision of Jacob, who called the place of his vision “the house of God, and ... the gate of heaven” (Gen. 28:17). Jesus says he himself is the place where Nathanael will meet God.

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S

9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
9:50 am - Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - JIF Room
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Fireside Room
10:05 am - Confirmation - Youth Room
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:30 pm - Choir Advance - Sanctuary
1:30 pm - Polina Rushinsky Piano Recital - Sanctuary
5:00 pm - Landahl Funeral Service - Sanctuary
6:00 pm - SF Interfaith Shelter - Auditorium

ADULT FORUM THIS SUNDAY - THE FIRESIDE ROOM AT 10:00AM

THIS SUNDAY’S ADULT FORUM: The Gospel of Mark with Pr. Elizabeth
This gospel has a number of distinctive features that make its study not only important but surprising! Come and learn about what is unique about this gospel and how learning about Jesus through this gospel can transform your faith. Mark’s gospel will be featured in our lectionary calendar. On many Sundays, the gospel appointed for the day will be from Mark.

NEXT SUNDAY - A preview of the Annual Meeting held on Jan. 28
Come and receive a copy of the Annual Report, Budget proposal, and other reports. Meet leaders from the Church Council and Martin Luther Tower board for conversation about ministry and development on St. Mark’s Square.

ST. MARK’S ANNUAL MEETING
Everyone is urged to attend St. Mark’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 28 in the sanctuary immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. We will receive the Annual Report from the leaders and staff of the congregation, adopt the 2018 budget, and elect new council members. Those in attendance also will hear reports from the Governance Task Force and those in the development of St. Mark’s Square. Plan to attend this very important meeting as we chart the course of our mission and ministries for this next year.

NOMINATIONS FOR CHURCH COUNCIL
On Sunday, January 28, the members of St. Mark’s will gather for the Annual Meeting. One agenda item is to elect four people to the St. Mark’s Church Council. Four incumbents whose terms are ending have agreed to run for another term. They are Mark Semonian, Kate Knickerbocker, Greg Jahnke, and Cristin Owens. However, as this election is meant to be an open process, any member of St. Mark’s in good standing can be nominated for a position on the Council. If you would like to nominate any member with their permission or be placed in nomination yourself, please inform Greg Jahnke, convener of the Nominating Committee, prior to the Annual Meeting.

VOICE NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
The Spring edition of St. Mark’s Voice Newsletter will be in production soon and is scheduled to go out in February. The content will cover February, March, April, and May. Please send any Voice submissions to me by Monday, January 22 to be included in the newsletter. Feel free to contact Stefani if you have any questions at lawrence@stmarks-sf.org.

INTERFAITH HOMELESS SHELTER AT ST. MARK’S
St. Mark’s will be hosting the San Francisco Interfaith Council Winter Shelter Jan. 14th-Feb. 4th for 65 homeless men. Members of St. Mark’s will be preparing at 5:15 am and serving breakfast at 6:00 am every morning, and helping other groups to serve supper in the evening. If you are available for this very important ministry any morning or early evening during this week, please contact John Elford at 415-490-7966, or jbruceelford@gmail.com, or catch him after either service this morning. You can also sign up at: http://www.stmarks-sf.org/serve/

ATTENTION KNITTERS
When you have finished all your Christmas knitting, we need 30 more scarves for our guests at the shelter by the end of January. If you need yarn, Marge can bring out the “Yarn Closet on Wheels” from its hiding place.

JANUARY 2018 LUNCHEON
St. Mark’s Seniors, Thursday, January 18th, is the next MLT monthly luncheon in Heritage Hall from 12:00-1:30pm! Please join us for a delicious meal prepared by MLT’s very own Delvone Anderson and his family. MLT resident, Tom Berg, will grace us with his talents on the piano! Entrée options are 1.) Baby Back Ribs, or 2.) Eggplant Parmesan. Both options come with Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Collard Greens and Bread & Butter. Dessert will be Pineapple Upside Down Cake. The cost is $5. Please pay in the Office by Friday, January 12th. Come be among friends. See you there!

YOUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS ARE IMPORTANT TO ST. MARK'S MINISTRIES!
Please turn in your 2018 financial commitment today if you have not already done so. Every gift helps support St. Mark’s ministries locally and globally.

Your generosity and participation will help our ministries thrive in this New Year! Thank you, St. Mark’s Stewardship Team

YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP
All young adults are invited to gather for lunch on Sunday, January 21 at 12:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room to share a common meal, be in conversation with each other, and discuss any other ideas for getting together in the New Year. This fellowship is open to single people, couples, or parents, as well as to members and friends of St. Mark’s, and is a great way to nurture the community that we desire and can have at St. Mark’s.

ST. MARK'S ELEVATOR UPDATE
You may be thinking...the elevator looks finished, but why isn’t it working? Well, that’s a good question! The project is essentially complete, but San Francisco Authorities - the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and the Fire Marshal - have not yet closed out our project. These officials have recently required that we update the emergency signage throughout the building to comply with current life safety codes, a good thing in principle, but a delay nonetheless. To meet this requirement, our architects (Architectural Resource Group) and contractor (Plant Construction) are preparing emergency egress signage drawings to submit to DBI for review and approval. With approved drawings, St. Mark’s will then have new signage fabricated and installed, and we hope, quickly obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for the elevator project. Patience may be a fruit of the Spirit, as Paul wrote to the Galatians, but joy is also one of those gifts. We look forward to reporting that we have completed this long-awaited project.

SAFEWAY CARDS AND HEALTHY SNACKS NEEDED
On any given day, someone arrives at the doors of St. Mark’s needing a snack, a warm pair of socks, and some human kindness. St. Mark’s staff and volunteers offer these gifts of hospitality. We could use your donations of Safeway gift cards ($10 - $25) and healthy snack packs: cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers, etc,. Please drop off your donations to the church office or give to Pr. Elizabeth. Many thanks for your generosity and hospitality to our brothers and sisters living on the streets.

INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY
If you would like to participate in a solution to the World Hunger problem, right here in San Francisco, there’s an easy way to make a big difference in 300 local families’ lives. Join the St. Mark’s Food Pantry Distribution group. We’re a fun intergenerational group that bond together over the business of distributing food from the SF/Marin Food Bank to qualified participants. There’s a job for every age and body type. We would love to have you. Our next distribution date is:

Saturday morning, January 27 at Old First Church, Corner of Sacramento and Van Ness
Free Parking in Old First Church Garage on Sacramento St.

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

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
The church office will be closed on January 15 and will reopen with our normal business hours on Tuesday Jan 16.

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY - INTERFAITH ACTIVITIES
The San Francisco Interfaith Council invites faith leaders and their congregants to join in the 2018 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebrations to be held on Monday, January 15, 2018 at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens. The 2018 March/Parade will begin promptly at 11:00 am (arrive early) from the Caltrain Depot at 4th and Townsend. Once the March/Parade arrives at the Yerba Buena Gardens, the 8th Annual Interfaith Commemoration Ceremony will commence.

A host of other activities and programs that will take place to mark the occasion may be found on the San Francisco Interfaith Council partner organization’s website: http://norcalmlkfoundation.org/Events.html

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Barbara McCormick (9); Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero, Steve Ernst (11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9); Robert Rathmall (11)
Acolytes...Evan & Alison Schieber
Sacristans...Ed Chitty, Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Ushers...Viknesh Silvalingam (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Calvin & Gail Culp, Philip Krikau
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Lisa Gray and Mari Tuominen