THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Wisdom prepares a feast, sets her table, and invites all to come and eat her bread and drink her wine. The first chapter of John’s gospel owes much to the biblical tradition that imagined Wisdom as existing before anything was created and having a role in the work of creation. Christ, the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24), today invites us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. John’s gospel includes no account of the institution of the Lord’s supper, but here we can’t help hearing Jesus’ words as an invitation to the meal of bread and wine we share.
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 - Orientation for Neighborhood Groups - Heritage Hall
11:00 am - Holy Communion Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:20 pm - Orientation for Neighborhood Groups - Heritage Hall
ST. MARK’S NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS ORIENTATION THIS SUNDAY
Everyone is invited to an orientation about our proposed neighborhood groups this Sunday following both worship services. The orientation is especially for those people who have agreed to be coordinators of these neighborhood groups. However, the more that everyone is informed about the purpose, objectives, and fellowship opportunities of these groups, all the better. We will gather in the back of Heritage Hall at 10:00 a.m. and 12:20 a.m. for anyone interested in this conversation. Bring your ideas and contribute to the formation of this renewed program.
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!”
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
NEXT INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY ON AUGUST 25 AT 7:30AM
St. Mark’s members staff this food pantry on several Saturdays throughout the year at Old First Church in the SF from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. You could help for any length of time by unloading the food from the truck, setting up the distribution sequence, or handing out food to over 300 people. Please contact Diana Gomez if you are interested at dianamrsgomez@mindspring.com
BLESSINGS ON OUR NEW COLLEGE STUDENTS
At our 11:00 a.m. worship service this Sunday, we will offer a blessing on our two high-school graduates who will be heading off to college this fall.
Nora Hurley will be attending The Boston Conservatory at the Berklee School of Music this fall to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre. Founded in 1867, Boston Conservatory is the nation’s oldest performing arts conservatory to offer fully accredited programs in dance, music, and theater. In 2016, the Conservatory merged with Berklee to become the most complete and comprehensive performing arts institution in the world.
Yang Luo, one of our regular worshipers and a participant in our high-school youth program, will be heading off to Tufts University this fall to study Electrical Engineering. Tufts School of Engineering is located in Medford, Massachusetts, just north of Boston.
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 25, 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.
MINISTRY TEAM LEADERSHIP MEETING - AUG. 30, THURSDAY, 7:00 - 8:30
All leaders of St. Mark’s ministries, teams and committees are invited to gather with the Pastors on Aug. 30 in the conference room (ground floor of the Urban Life Center). We will be focusing on our fall ministry plans, finalizing the Ministry Fair displays, and sharing information about St. Mark’s events. Please join us!
MINISTRY FAIR ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
The entire community of St. Mark’s is gearing up for an exciting day when all of the ministry teams of the congregation will put on display in Heritage Hall what they are doing within and outside of the church. Many members will be involved in presenting their ministry displays, and everyone else is encouraged to peruse the displays to learn more about all of the ministries and programs that are a part of our faith community. As you visit each display, you will have an opportunity to sign up to participate in that ministry, either in some leadership capacity or as a participant. Also, the Stewardship Team will have an updated Time and Talent Form for you to fill out on this day. Come and celebrate all that our community is doing, and you will discover the many ways that your gifts and talents could benefit our various ministries—gifts and talents that are both needed and welcome.
THANK YOU TO OUR OUTSTANDING OFFICE VOLUNTEERS!
Jane Borg, Phyllis DeSpain, Jeremy McClain and Steve Ernst serve in the church office throughout the week greeting visitors, answering phones, assisting staff, organizing mailings, filing choir music and many other “office” duties. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and service. St. Mark’s staff appreciates their presence and help in the office. Next time you call the office, it is very likely you will be speaking with one of our wonderful volunteers! Thank you Jane, Phyllis, Jeremy and Steve. And a special thank you to Jane Borg who has coordinated the schedule of our office volunteers for many years. Jane is in the office several days a week faithfully and quietly serving St. Mark’s in this special way. Thank you Jane. Thank you all.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR ELBERT "SIG" SIGAFOOS - SEPTEMBER 23 at 1:00PM
The St. Mark’s community is invited to celebrate the life and faith of long-time member Sig Sigafoos at a Memorial Service held at St. Mark’s. There will be a reception in Heritage Hall following the service.
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Sharon Reinbott (9); Sharon Reinbott, Phil Krikau (11)
Lectors...Dianne Velleno (9); Matthias Will (11)
Communion Ministers...Cristin Owens, Kate Knickerbocker (9); Nadine Robinson, Greg Jahnke (11)
Acolytes...Katherine Lam, Qingfan Jiang
Sacristans...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero, Ed Chitty
Ushers...Marisa Lee, Tapio Boles (9); Debra Varian, Larry DeSpain (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Donna Dindia, Chuck Lewis
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Barbara Bock