Join Us This Sunday
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time - Sanctuary
9:45 am - Sunday School - Conference Room
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Parents with Kidlettes - Toy and Clothing Swap - Heritage Hall
10:05 am - Confirmation - Heritage Hall
10:05 am - Adult Forum: Confronting Racism - Auditorium
10:10 am - Journeys in Faith Gathering - Fireside Room
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:30 pm - Safe Congregation Training - Fireside Room
4:00 pm - SF Early Music Society Concert - Sanctuary
5:00 pm - Interfaith Winter Shelter - Church
St. Mark's Safe Congregation This Sunday!
Anyone who works with children and families in any way at St. Mark's is encouraged to attend the Safe Congregation training this Sunday, December 13 from 12:30 - 2pm in the Fireside Room. We will review the church policy as well as new information about safety for our children throughout their lives. Parents, ushers, ministry and worship leaders, Nursery attendants, Sunday School teachers and anyone else interested in the well-being of our children is encouraged to attend.
Let Mary Ritter mlrpeds@aol.com or Margaret McLean know if you have questions.
Adult Forum
This Sunday: Viewing of webcast: Confronting Racism.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and William B. Horne II, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla. present a conversation about confronting racism, a conversation grounded by two commitments. One is this church's proclamation of Christ and the confidence this good news brings to set us free from the captivity of racism. The second is this church's enduring commitment to address the complexity of racism and end discrimination. Look for a second webcast with Bishop Eaton and William Horne in January.
Calling All Angels and Shepherds
Our annual St. Mark's Christmas pageant is coming together for 5:00 pm, December 24, 2015, but it will not be complete without you! Sunday School families and all others interested in being a part of the fun will gather to rehearse Saturday December 19, 9:30-12:00.
Don't miss being a part of this fun St. Mark's Christmas tradition. If you are interested in volunteering for a speaking role or helping out behind the scenes, contact our director, Laura Evenson, laura@curl.net.
Holden Evening Prayer
Wednesdays in Advent at 6:45 "My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears for the dawn is near, and the world is about to turn." This is the refrain of a famous paraphrased hymn of the Song Mary from Luke 2 set in an Irish traditional melody. It is powerful and gentle. With this at the heart of our waiting and anticipation in Advent we will gather using the meditative Holden Evening Prayer, while centering our reflection on paintings and essays of current women leaders in the North American Christian communities. This is based on the book, "Holiness and The Feminine Spirit: The Art of Janet McKenzie. Come every Wednesday and worship December 2, 9, 16, and 23 at 6:45 with simple refreshments afterwards. These Advent Mid-week Services with Holden Village Vespers are essential preparation for Christmas. Take a break from your week, take a breath, take time - Wednesdays at 6:45.
Pictures of St. Mark's Events
We are currently working on updating our website and we would like to include some pictures of St. Mark's members, ministries, and events. Please send any photos to Stefani Lawrence at lawrence@stmarks-sf.org.
Annual Interfaith Memorial Service
The San Francisco Night Ministry will be having a memorial service for the homeless who have passed away this year. The service will be held on the City Hall Steps (Polk Street Side), Monday, December 21, 2015 at 5:30pm. Please bring candles.
Donate Flowers in 2015
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. Your donation can be in memory of a loved one or in honor of a particular occasion. Please go tohttp://www.stmarks-sf.org/flower-donations/ for our online chart to sign up or sign up on the flower donation chart posted in the hallway across from the church kitchen.
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.
National Cathedral in Washington, DC and Christmas Lutheran Church in
Bethlehem Simulcast their annual joint service
On Saturday, December 19 at 6 AM Pacific Time, the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem will simulcast their annual joint Christmas service. Prayers, readings and hymns alternate between the United States and Palestine via the Internet, bringing together people of different lands, languages and ethnic backgrounds in celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. To access the webcast, visitwww.nationalcathedral.org
Pr. Elizabeth hosting Mosaic television show
Sunday, Dec. 20 @ 5:00 a.m. KPIX Set your alarm and grab a cup of coffee in order to watch Pr. Elizabeth host the Mosaic Christmas show on television. Her guests include Pr. Maggi Henderson from Old First Presbyterian Church in SF and Mr. Larry Sly Director of the Contra Costa and Solano Counties Food Bank.
What is Journeys in Faith?
We are forming a new group for Journeys in Faith! You are invited to join us. Our Sunday gatherings start shortly after 10AM in the Fireside room. Everyone is welcome to join in! Learn about this opportunity to set aside time this Fall and Winter for reflection on our faith and faith community. Journey with others who are considering joining St Mark's, being baptized, or affirming their baptism. All questions welcome. Contact Liv Beck (beckliv@gmail.com).
Weekly Announcement Inserts
Please click the link below to see the inserts that went into the announcements this week.
Weekly Inserts
Worship Leaders This Sunday
Director of Music...Dr. Tim Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...John Barton (9); John Barton, Kyle Schiefelbein (11)
Lectors...Barbara McCormick (9) Diana Gomez(11)
Chalice Bearers...Marisa Lee, Cristin Owens (9) Jane Borg, Cora Rose (11)
Acolytes...Nora Hurley; Linda Jackson
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
Ministry of Welcome...Omer Voss, Tapio Boles (9) Lew Randall , Donna Dindia,
Rachel Letchumanan, Viknesh Silvalingam (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Donna Dindia and Chuck Lewis
Next week Coffee Hour Chairs...Marie-Jose Baum and Kate Knickerbocker
