ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
In Isaiah we hear that God's house shall be a house of prayer for all people and that God will gather the outcasts of Israel. The Canaanite woman in today's gospel is a Gentile, an outsider, who is unflinching in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. As Jesus commends her bold faith, how might our church extend its mission to those on the margins of society? In our gathering around word and meal we receive strength to be signs of comfort, healing, and justice for those in need.
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 - High School Gathering - Youth Room
11:00 am - Holy Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:30 pm - Young Adult Lunch - Heritage Hall
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).
HIGH-SCHOOL GATHERING – THIS SUNDAY
The high-school youth of St. Mark’s are encouraged to gather on Sunday, August 20 at 10:00 a.m. in the Youth Room in order to brainstorm and discuss possible programs and activities for the school year. All high-school youth are invited to participate in this conversation so that everyone’s input might be considered for this ministry.
YOUNG ADULT LUNCH – THIS SUNDAY
On Sunday, August 20, the young adults at St. Mark’s will gather in Heritage Hall at the conclusion of the Fellowship Hour (@ 12:30), and walk to Mel’s Diner (1050 Van Ness) for lunch and some great conversation. If you are single, a couple, or a parent, and self-identify in this age group, you are invited to join this newly-formed fellowship group. Please let Pastor Ron know of your intent to participate (moe-lobeda@stmarks-sf.org) so that he can reserve enough seating.
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 today. Visit http://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.
“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.
ST. MARK'S 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, August 26
Old First Church
Corner of Sacramento and Van Ness
Free Parking in Old First Church Garage on Sacramento St.
Sign up for any or all shifts, by talking with Diana Gomez.
Phone (415) 533-5205 dianamrsgomez@mindspring.com
7:30 – 9:00 AM Unload
9:00 – 10:30 AM Distribute
10:30 - 11:30 AM Clean up
Future St. Mark’s Food Pantry distribution dates in 2017 are as follows:
October 21, December 2
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.
CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION
Next Sunday, August 27, all youth in confirmation and their parents will be gathering with Pastor Ron in order to hear about the curriculum for this next year, along with any expectations that may be a part of this ministry. This gathering also is a good time for youth and parents to ask questions about this important ministry. We will gather in the Conference Room at 10:15.
AMMPARO WORKSHOPS
AUGUST 26, SEPTEMBER 30 AND OCTOBER 14, 2017
AMMPARO stands for “Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities”.
All Sierra Pacific Synod congregations are invited to become AMMPARO Welcoming Congregations. Three workshops will be offered in the Synod to introduce the AMMPARO strategy, give participants information from community experts about accompanying and advocating for migrants, and tell the story of an asylum-seeker and her sponsor and the congregation that is accompanying her through that journey.
Workshops will be the following dates and locations.
- August 26, 10am-2pm at Faith Lutheran Church, 20080 Redwood Road, Castro Valley, CA
- September 30, 10am-2pm at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1550 Meridian Avenue, San Jose, CA
- October 14, 10am-2pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 701 S. Pleasant Avenue, Lodi, CA
Pre-register and state your lunch requests at the Sierra Pacific Synod AMMPARO website at www.SPSAMMPARO.org. Registration fee will be $10 per person if pre-registered online by August 23, September 27, or October 11 prior to each workshop. After those dates, registration will be $15 per person. Checks can be written to the Sierra Pacific Synod, noting “AMMPARO” in the memo line. All checks will be accepted at the door.
All are welcomed and encouraged to attend. If you would like more information about the workshops, please contact a member of the planning committee: Mary Ritter, mlrpeds@aol.com, Ruth Cruddas cruddasruth@gmail.com, or John Allured (jwalaw@sbcglobal.net). Thank you!
Sierra Pacific Synod AMMPARO Committee
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero (9); Sharon Reinbott, Steve Ernst (11)
Lectors...Randy Schieber (9); Kathy Lautz (11)
Acolytes... Meghan Foster, Eli Foster
Sacristans...Ed Chitty, Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Ministry of Welcome...Omer Voss, Amy Brendel (9); Debra Varian (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Brandee Marckmann, Kathy Lautz
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Diana and Greg Gomez