FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
In today’s gospel many people take offense at Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh and drink his blood; even many of Jesus’ disciples peel off. This is the backdrop in John’s gospel for Peter’s confession of faith. “To whom can we go?” asks Peter, in words we sometimes sing just before the gospel is read. “You have the words of eternal life.” In order to take such a stand, as Peter and Joshua did, Paul tells us to arm ourselves with the word of God. We pray in the Spirit that we might be bold ambassadors of the gospel.
THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
9:00 am - Endowment Committee Meeting Break - Room
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
11:00 am - Holy Communion Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:15 pm - El Salvador trip planning meeting - Heritage Hall
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!”
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
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.
EL SALVADOR MINISTRY AND TRIP PLANNING MEETING AUGUST 26
The next meeting of travelers to Cordero de Dios will be this Sunday August 26 at 12:30pm. Watch for information about meeting location. Others interested in St. Mark’s El Salvador Ministry or still thinking about traveling with the group are invited also.
Contact Mary Ritter mlrpeds@aol.com if you have questions about the meeting.
WOMEN'S MONTHLY STUDY GATHERINGS
All women are welcome to come and study together at our evening and/or morning Women of the ELCA Gatherings. In September our groups will meet on:
Book Group – Saturday, September 8 from 10:00am to noon in the Conference Room in the Urban Life Center. All women are invited to come for discussion and fellowship. This month we will discuss The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander.
Second Tuesdays – September 11 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Fireside Room. All women are invited to come for study at 11:00 and at noon to bring their sandwich or salad and share fellowship. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Our Bible study will center on “Repentance” and particularly “Time after Time: Turning to God.”
If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Smith at 415.285.7438 or suzathome@comcast.net.
MARCH FOR CLIMATE, JOBS, AND JUSTICE
Many environmental groups, unions, faith communities, and human rights groups have planned a march for Saturday, September 8, starting at the Embaracadero Plaza in San Francisco at 10:00 a.m. This march is in preparation for the Global Climate Action Conference in SF, September 12-14. With the care of the Earth as one of our faith-based priorities, everyone is encouraged to join this march. For more information, go to www.ca.riseforclimate.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT ENDOWMENT TEAM LEADERS
We are grateful to them discerning which grants will be funded and for what amount. St. Mark’s Endowment received a wonderful variety of applications - 20 were received.
Please hold our Endowment Team in your prayers for the time and energy they are giving to this ministry: Randy Schieber, Chair; Jane Borg, Allana
Helland, Becky Burad, Marisa Louie, Nathan Francis and Catherine Hurley
BENEFIT CONCERT TO AID REFUGEES
Interfaith Refugee Welcome (of the SF Interfaith Council) and Zion Lutheran Church (495 9th Ave.) will co-host a concert on Friday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. The LeRoi Nicket Duo, the acclaimed organ duet team from the Pacific Northwest, will delight lovers of organ music with their performance. A suggested donation of $15/person and $25/family will all go directly to the Sea of Solidarity to assist refugees on Lesbos, Greece. Street parking is available, or take the 38 bus. Come and enjoy the fine music for a great cause.
WEEK OF ACTION AND ADVOCACY FOR REFUGEES
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) reminds us that this week (August 27-31) has been designated as a time to make a special effort in speaking with our congressional representatives in support of our government’s robust continuation of refugee settlement as part of the world community. LIRS serves refugees and migrants world-wide as well as resettling people in the U.S. in partnership with other volunteer organizations. For more information, you can go to www.lirs.org.
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
The church office will be closed for Labor day on Monday, September 3 and will reopen on Tuesday, September 4.
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
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.
Guest Organist...Gary Schilling
Guest Vocalists...Tom and Liz Benson
Assisting Ministers...Jennifer Sun (9); Greg Jahnke, Steve Ernst (11)
Lectors...Matthias Will (9); Greg Gomez (11)
Communion Ministers...Aaron Greig, Mark Semonian (9); Jesse Peirce, Matthias Will (11)
Acolytes...Linda Jackson, Rommel Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Sacristans...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero, Ed Chitty
Ushers...Omer Voss, Louis Gutierrez (9); Gail Culp, Larry DeSpain (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Barbara Bock
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Eva & Matt Dober, Kate Knickerbocker