FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
The gift of new life, of eternal life, is the gift of the risen Christ. It is the promise of Jesus. It was true for Dorcas in Joppa. It was true for those “who have come out of the great ordeal” in the Revelation vision. It is true for us and for all the baptized: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
This Sunday at St. Mark's
9:00 am - Holy Communion and Children’s Time - Sanctuary
9:50 am - Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Adult Forum with Pr. Elizabeth and voting members - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - JIF Room
10:00 am - Confirmation - Youth Room
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:30 pm - Adult Education Meeting - Pr. Elizabeth’s Office
12:30 pm - Teaching Parish Committee - Conference Room
4:00 pm - SF Early Music Society Concert - Sanctuary
ADULT FORUM - SUNDAY MAY 12, 10AM IN HERITAGE HALL
May 12
The Adult Forum today will be a report on the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly which met on May 11 in Lodi. Come and hear what our Synod is doing and planning in God’s name. Our voting members will share their perspectives and thoughts on this year’s Synod Assembly. We are thankful for their service: Nadine Robinson, Jane Borg, Cora Rose, Cory Schoolland. Pr. Elizabeth will facilitate this conversation. Note, the Introduction to Liberation Theology part 2 forum will be rescheduled to a later time.
May 19 - No Adult Forum
May 26
Experience “The Holy Land: Israelis and Palestinians Today” with Rick Steves. Sharing his television special DVD, travel with Steves to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Hebron, Bethlehem and Ramallah as he relates both Palestinian and Israeli narratives. Learn about the persistent challenges facing the Holy Land today and some of the recent events continuing to shape those narratives. The program will take place in Heritage Hall.
EDUCATION AT ST. MARK’S IN THE FALL - YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!
You are invited to participate in a one hour planning meeting regarding Adult Education at St. Mark’s. We will meet in Pr. Elizabeth’s office on Sunday, May 12, from 12:30 - 1:30. Come and be part of lively conversation and planning regarding St. Mark’s Adult Forums. Questions? Speak with Pr. Elizabeth or e-mail her at ekdale@stmarks-sf.org Thank you! All are welcome.
JOIN THE ST. MARK’S DELEGATION TO EL SALVADOR!
St. Mark’s is sending another delegation to visit our sister parish, Cordero de Dios, in El Salvador this Thanksgiving. Let this be the year you join! The traveling delegation will meet at 12:30 pm on Sunday, May 26 and Sunday, June 23 in Heritage Hall. All are welcome to join these meetings. We hope to purchase tickets before the end of June! If you cannot make the meetings or would like more information, please see Mary Ritter or the Helland family.
VOICE DEADLINE
The next Voice deadline is May 15, 2019, and will cover June, July, and August. Please send all submissions to Stefani at lawrence@stmarks-sf.org by May 15 to include your submission in the Newsletter. Thank you!
RETURN YOUR LENTEN OFFERING BOXES
Please bring them to church and turn them in with your regular offering. Thank you!
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
May 19: Bay to Breakers, no Sunday School
May 26: Last day of Sunday School PARTY!!
OPEN QUESTIONS “GLOBAL CAFÉ” CONVERSATION – SUNDAY, JUNE 9
As you may know, the Church Council has decided upon 3 questions that would guide congregational discussion throughout this year. They are:
How shall we make St. Mark’s more visible in the community?
How shall we grow as a congregation while deepening & maintaining relationships?
How shall we engage with the dramatic changes in our neighborhood?
YOU have an opportunity to participate in exploring some ideas about answers to these questions on Pentecost Sunday, June 9. After each worship service, the Church Council will host a “Global Café” in Heritage Hall where we will gather around tables and engage in guided conversations that will focus on these 3 questions. Your thoughts, ideas, and opinions are very important and would be welcomed as a contribution to this discussion. There will be plenty of “café” food to share during the process. You can anticipate an 80-minute session, so if you normally worship at the 11:00 a.m. service, you probably want to plan on attending the session following that worship service. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Greg Jahnke at gregory.jahnke@thrivent.com.
SABBATICAL APPROVED FOR PR. ELIZABETH - JUNE 3 - SEPT. 4
St. Mark’s Council approved in March Pr. Elizabeth’s proposal for her sabbatical during the upcoming summer months.
Over 10 years ago, the council established a Clergy Renewal Sabbatical Policy for all rostered leaders and the Director of Music at St. Mark’s.
Pr. Elizabeth’s sabbatical will focus on time away for spiritual renewal, retreat time, travel to England and Ireland to explore Celtic Spirituality, and
study time focused on anti-racism resources. While she is on sabbatical, Pr. Ron and our Pastoral Intern, Sonja Pilman will be present throughout the summer months.
The staff and Church Council are prepared to support St. Mark’s ministries alongside all of our Ministry Team leaders. Please hold Pr. Ekdale in your prayers during this time of study, travel, reflection, and renewal.
NO NURSERY SUPERVISION NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 19
Given that next Sunday is Bay to Breakers and Sunday School will not be in session, our Nursery staff will not be present as well. The nursery will be open for parents to supervise their own children if they need a plan to play. Be sure to straighten up the room afterwards.
MARTIN LUTHER TOWER AND ST. MARK’S SENIOR MAY LUNCHEON
St. Mark’s Seniors, Thursday, May 23 is the next MLT Monthly Luncheon in Heritage Hall, from 12:00-1:30pm. We will be serving Soup and Sandwich, Etc.: Chicken Sandwich (1/2) or Avocado, Veggie & Cheese (1/2) with Italian Wedding Soup and a Garden Salad with vinaigrette dressing. We will be serving Fruit Pie for dessert. MLT resident, Tom Berg, will grace us with his musical talents at the piano. The cost is $2 at the door. Please sign-up in the MLT Office by Friday, May 17th. Come be among friends. Hope to see you there!
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Liv Beck (9); Matthias Will, Phil Krikau (11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9); Cora Rose (11)
Communion Ministers...Cristin Owens, Kate Knickerbocker (9) Geri Bailey, Jesse Peirce (11)
Altar Guild...Sharon Reinbott
Acolytes...Evan Schieber, Grace Ekdale-Hoch
Sacristan...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Ushers...Randy Schieber, Evan Schieber, Alison Schieber (9); Donna Dindia, Linda Jackson (11)
Fellowship Hour Chairs...Diana & Greg Gomez
Next Week’s Fellowship Hour Chairs...Calvin & Gail Culp, Philip Krikau