THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
The glory of the Lord is revealed in the reading of scripture. People stand at attention. People weep. People prostrate themselves in prayer. The unity of the church is another reflection of the glory of God. Most gloriously, the promises of God are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Gather round. Listen up. Glimpse the glory of God.
This Sunday at St. Mark's
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
9:50 am - Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Confirmation - Youth Room
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - JIF Room
10:00 am - High School Youth Group - Conference Room
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:00 pm - Annual Meeting - Sanctuary
1:30 pm - Lunch and Fellowship - Heritage Hall
4:00 pm - Emily and Vicente Gomez Wedding - Sanctuary
ST. MARK'S ANNUAL MEETING, JAN. 27 12:00PM IN THE SANCTUARY
We encourage all members and friends of St. Mark’s to participate in this Sunday's Annual Meeting by asking questions, voting on the annual budget and Council members, hearing about the Annual Vision of Ministry for 2019, and celebrating our mission and ministries.
Elect Council Members
Reports and updates on Development, Governance work, Martin Luther Tower, and more.
Receive the Annual Report from leaders and staff
Adopt a mission plan (budget) for 2019
Learn about St. Mark’s impact in the community
Vote on whether St. Mark’s should become a Sanctuary Congregation
Come and meet other members of the congregation and participate in this important meeting.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GATHERING
The high-school youth will be gathering this Sunday, January 27 at 10:00 a.m. for their monthly conversation and fellowship in the Conference Room.
ST. PAULUS LUTHERAN CHURCH GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY
Please join the St. Paulus community and Mayor London Breed on the site of the old church building destroyed by fire 24 years ago, on Sunday, January 27 at 2:00 pm. The congregation is constructing a new home and community space, built in its historic location. In addition, condominiums will be built on the site at 950 Gough St.
ANOINTING STATION AT 11:00 AM WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
During the distribution of Holy Communion at our 11:00 a.m. worship service, the Anointing Station will be open for anyone who desires a special prayer for oneself, for someone else, or for some situation. The Anointing Station is located in the back corner of the sanctuary. Share your name with the person at the Station, and make your prayer request. You will receive a prayer and the sign of the cross with oil on your forehead.
2018 GIVING STATEMENTS
The church office will be mailing out 2018 End of Year Financial Statements on January 30th. If you have any questions regarding your statements, please contact the church office either via email at give@stmarks-sf.org or by phone: 415-928-7770.
ADULT FORUM WITH DR. KYLE SCHIEFELBEIN-GUERRERO AT 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM, FEBRUARY 3-NEXT SUNDAY
“It’s ALL Greek (and Hebrew, etc,.) to Me”: The Art of Translating Scripture What does it mean to translate the Bible into the vernacular -- the language of the people? Some historians have argued that Christian history is nothibng but discussions on how to translate and interpret the Bible. In fact, Luther had to “invent” early modern high German to proclaim Scripture to 16th-century Lutherans. This adult forum journeys through the two-millennia task of figuring out how to speak about God and humanity through the multiple genres of the biblical witness.
HOW ARE YOU DOING TO NUTURE YOUR FAITH IN THE NEW YEAR?
New to St Mark’s? Thinking about your faith journey and a community to support it? Thinking about becoming a member of St Mark’s? You are invited to join in on the newest group of Journeys in Faith! We meet on Sundays at 10:00 in the Urban Life Center in the Journeys in Faith room. Join us as we reflect together on our lives of faith. For more information, contact Liv Beck (beckliv@gmail.com; 415-205-3292)
INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY, SATURDAY JAN. 26
St. Mark’s members staff this food pantry on several Saturdays throughout the year at Old First Church in 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. To sign up contact Diana Gomez at dianamrsgomez@mindspring.com
INTERFAITH HOMELESS SHELTER
St. Mark’s is participating in the San Francisco Interfaith Council Winter Shelter program and is hosting January 13 to February 2.
Please consider volunteering for this very worthwhile ministry. Volunteers will be needed to serve during both Breakfasts and Dinners. Please contact John Elford at 415-490-7966 or jbruceelford@gmail.com if you would like to participate in this ministry, which helps so many people in need at this time of the year.
JOYOUS GENEROSITY COMMITMENTS - PLEASE TURN YOUR COMMITMENT IN!
As of this week, we have received $439,821 in commitments for 2019 with a total of 113 commitments out of a possible 186 giving units, totaling 61% participation. Thank you for everyone who has made a commitment! Our goal is to have everyone participate by sharing their commitment to St. Mark’s ministries. Please bring your commitment card to worship and place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or go online and fill out your commitment card on the website: stmarks-sf.org/giveagift. Every commitment has a direct impact to St. Mark’s ministries in 2019 and our goal is to have 100% participation!
CONCERT TO BENEFIT REFUGEES
REFUGEES stranded in limbo in Lesvos, Greece - having fled war in their homeland but now stuck in an overcrowded refugee camp - MUSIC LOVERS can help! SAVE THIS DATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 7:30 PM to enjoy another CONCERT TO BENEFIT REFUGEES overseas. San Francisco’s Interfaith Refugee Welcome again co-sponsors a concert with our wonderful friends at Zion Lutheran Church, featuring highly acclaimed pianist Sarah Cahill and virtuoso violinist Kate Stenberg performing contemporary chamber music. Watch them perform together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd0k3d4F-bw Zion Lutheran is located at 9th Avenue and Anza in San Francisco. (Take MUNI’s Geary Bus #38; limited street parking also available.) The unique and inventive non-profit Dirty Girls of Lesvos Island meets basic clothing and bedding needs of refugees on the island of Lesvos, Greece by salvaging, washing and redistributing tons of items. Come - enjoy wonderful music and learn about this fascinating approach in refugee aid. Suggested donation: $15., $25 for families. If you cannot attend the concert, you may wish to learn about this aid organization and contribute directly online through its U.S.agent CardiaCenterforWomen.org.
WISE WOMEN AND WISE MEN OF ST. MARK'S
SHINE the LIGHT OF EPIPHANY on Bethlehem’s youth! Our contributions - large or small - for scholarships to Dar Al-Kalima University help educate future leaders of Palestine. ( Did you know? Dar Al-Kalima means “Home of the Book” in Arabic.) A full one-year scholarship is $4000; together we can aim for that, or for a partial scholarship, joining other Bay Area donors. Donations are tax-deductible. Let’s support these eager, talented young people in their quest for knowledge and a peaceful society in the Holy Land! Please make checks payable to BRIGHT STARS OF BETHLEHEM and send to: Bright Stars of Bethlehem, c/o Mazza Foundation, P.O. Box 14700, Pacifica, CA 94114. NOTE in the MEMO line: St. Mark’s-San Francisco so we can track our St. Mark’s gifts as they grow. Thank you - SHUKRAN - for your generosity! Questions? Contact Linda Krauskopf: jklmk@comcast.net.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
February 10: Big Group: Valentines for MLT and Lenten Box art.
March 10: Big Group: Mardi Gras/Lent observance.
March 24: Big Group: Pastor led lesson on the Sacraments
April 14: Big Group: Palm Sunday lesson and activity.
April 21: Easter: No Sunday School
April 28: Big Group: Passover meal and lesson.
May 19: Bay to Breakers, no Sunday School
May 26: Last day of Sunday School PARTY!!
You're Invited!
Please join the San Francisco Interfaith Council and local civic leaders as we explore together the interconnections of faith, financial empowerment, and community strength. Co-hosted by a planning committee of women of faith and action, including Congregation Emanu-El Senior Rabbi Beth Singer, Human Rights Commissioner Hala Hijazi, St. Mark's Lutheran Church Lead Pastor Rev. Elizabeth Ekdale, and Grace Cathedral’s The Rev. Canon Dr. Ellen Clark-King, this special "mini-summit" will feature nationally recognized leaders, San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros and Commissioner on the Status of Women Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz.
Financial Capabilities: A Social Justice Issue
Thursday, January 31, 2019
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Latino/Hispanic Community Room of the San Francisco Main Public Library
*Refreshments will be provided*
This event will help raise awareness about the vast inequities in pay and wealth impacting our diverse San Francisco community, pioneering local efforts responding to this challenge and strengthen economic security and mobility for our families, and ways we can support this important work. The program will feature faith leaders on social justice, a keynote from Commissioner Schwab-Pomerantz on the importance of financial capability, and a vibrant discussion led by Treasurer Cisneros about the San Francisco Office of Financial Empowerment’s programs, and powerful roles the faith-based community can play to expand this work. We will be joined by a strong delegation of peers from amongst San Francisco’s various faith-based congregations, community associations, labor organizations, and social service organizations. We look forward to seeing you in the new year.
San Francisco Interfaith Council
P.O. Box 29055
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 474-1321
office@sfinterfaithcouncil.org
DONATE FLOWERS
St. Mark’s members and friends can sign up to donate flowers for the chancel on a Sunday by placing your name on the chart for the Sunday you wish. We still have dates available in December for Advent so please sign up!
Your donation can be in memory of a loved one or in honor of a particular occasion. Please go to www.stmarks-sf.org/flower-donations/ to sign up on our online chart. If you are unable to sign up online please call the office (415-928-7770).
The donation is $50 and can be paid via check in the offering plate. Please note “Flowers” in the memo of the check. If you would like to submit your payment online please click on the donate tab on the main page on St. Mark’s website and enter your flower donation under the “other” option and write flowers in the box.
WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Megan Foster (9); Greg Jahnke, Katja Jackson
Lectors...Robert Rathmell (9); Margaret McLean (11)
Communion Ministers...Cristin Owens, Mark Semonian (9) Sonja Pilman, Geri Bailey, Matthias Will (11)
Altar Guild...Cory Schoolland
Acolytes...Linda Jackson, Katherine Lam
Sacristan...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Ushers...Louis Gutierrez, Marisa Lee (9) Larry DeSpain, Gail Culp, Cal Culp, John Elford (11)
Fellowship Hour Chairs...St. Mark’s
Next Week’s Fellowship Hour Chairs...Barbara Bock