TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Jesus says that the bread he gives for the life of the world is his flesh, and whoever eats this bread has eternal life now and will be raised on the last day. In Ephesians Paul tells us what this life Jesus gives us looks like, this life we live as those marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit in baptism. We live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. The whole purpose of life is giving yourself for the other.

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 with Music Director Tim Zerlang - Fireside Room
11:00 am - Holy Communion Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:30 pm - Adult Education Team Meeting - Pastor Elizabeth’s Office

ADULT FORUM WITH MUSIC DIRECTOR, TIM ZERLANG
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 AT 10:00AM
Flues, reeds, stops and trackers? Join our own Director of Music, Timothy Zerlang in the Balcony for a demonstration of how the Taylor and Boody organ works and what is involved in playing it. You might even get a chance to play the organ and pump the bellows. All are welcome - free elevator rides for all!

ADULT FORUM ON SEPTEMBER 2: REPORTBACK FROM THE ELCA YOUTH GATHERING IN HOUSTON
Thank you for your generosity toward Grace, Katherine, and Cora attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in June! Come see photos, and hear stories from their experiences and how God’s call, grace, hope, love, and gift of Jesus “changes everything!”

APPLICATION PERIOD FOR GRANTS CLOSES THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday the grant application period closes for the St. Mark's Endowment Fund. Do you have an idea for a ministry project that is not part of the St. Mark's budget? Get your proposal submitted by August 12. Visit www.stmarks-sf.org/endowment/ to learn more and apply. Thank you to everyone who has donated to our fund to make these distributions possible.

DONATE TO LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE
A rage of more than a dozen wildfires has consumed parts of California in recent months, with one of the most ferocious in recent history erupting in Northern California. The explosive Valley fire has led to at least one death, displaced more than 10,000 residents and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Lutheran Disaster Response, working with the Sierra Pacific Synod and Lutheran Social Services of Northern California, is monitoring the situation and communicating with those impacted. We stand ready to provide assistance in the long-term recovery efforts once the fires subside. Together, we can provide immediate and long-lasting support.

To donate please go to: https://community.elca.org/uswildfires

AUGUST 2018 MLT & ST. MARK’S SENIOR LUNCHEON
St. Mark’s Seniors, Thursday, August 16th 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. Entrée options are chicken, pork or vegetarian tacos. All entrées come with Spanish Rice, Refried Beans, Taco Salad and Garden Salad with dressing. Tres Leches cake will be served for dessert. MLT resident, Tom Berg, will grace us with his musical talents at the piano. The cost is $5. Please pay in the MLT Office by Friday, August 10th. Come and be among friends. Hope to see you there!

Volunteers are needed to help with the set up and serving. Please contact Pr. Elizabeth (ekdale@stmarks-sf.org) if you are available. Thank you!

ST. MARK’S NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS ORIENTATION
In preparation for the Neighborhood Groups for St. Mark’s members that are being organized by the Outreach Team, there will be an orientation for the people who have agreed to be coordinators of these groups on Sunday, August 19 at 10:00 a.m. and 12:20 a.m. in Heritage Hall. In addition, ANYONE who would like to learn more about the purpose and organization of these Neighborhood Groups is welcome to participate in this orientation.

JOIN THE KNITTING / CROCHET / HANDICRAFT RETREAT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 25TH
The Knitting Ministry at St. Mark’s will gather for a retreat in Heritage Hall on Saturday, August 25th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Participants are encouraged to bring a project to work on, your lunch, and snacks to share. Coffee will be provided. All are welcome, so this is a great opportunity to invite friends to check out the community at St. Mark’s.

Are you interested in learning how to knit? Experienced teachers with starter projects will be on site to provide instruction during the retreat and on-going help and encouragement as your skills develop.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SHARE A DEVOATION
Advent is a time of preparation, faithful waiting, and hopeful anticipation for the arrival of the Christ-child. This year St. Mark’s will publish its own devotional book for the seasons of Advent and Christmas to help the community prepare for and celebrate these rich seasons. Each devotion will be written by members and friends of St. Mark’s. We will need 33 volunteers. Families are encouraged to write a devotion together.

Guidelines:

Devotions may be 250 words reflecting on the scripture or hymn text and Advent/Christmas images.
Please conclude each devotion with a brief prayer.
Families are encouraged to create a devotion for the booklet
Email devotion in a word doc to Stefani Lawrence (lawrence@stmarks-sf.org) by Oct. 15.

Please sign up at the link below with your name and email address. Contact Stefani (lawrence@stmarks-sf.org) if you have any questions.

If you are interested in contributing to the publication, please visit
www.stmarks-sf.org/advent-and-christmas-devotions/

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY

Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Rachel Boles (9); Greg Jahnke, Katja Jackson (11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9); Robert Rathmel (11)
Communion Ministers...Beth Dioli, Mark Semonian (9); Steve Ernst, Nadine Robinson (11)
Acolytes...Grace Ekdale-Hoch, Jesse Peirce
Sacristans...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero, Ed Chitty
Ushers...Randy Schieber, Jerry Lundblad (9); Donna Dindia, Linda Jackson (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Lisa Gray, Mari Tuominen
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Donna Dindia, Chuck Lewis