BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God's beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God's healing.

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time - Sanctuary
10:00 am - Adult Forum: AMMPARO - Auditorium
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - Fireside Room
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Parents with Kidlettes - Heritage Hall
10:15 am - Sunday School - School Rooms
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:15 pm - Undercorate Christmas Decorations - Sanctuary

ADULT FORUMS - JANUARY 8 AND 15 , 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM
AMMPARO stands for "Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities". AMMPARO is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)'s initiative to accompany migrants in our midst and throughout the world.

Come on January 8 to hear a recent migrant talk about her experience - from leaving home to arriving in the United States and adjusting to life here. Then on January 15th, we will explore ways we at St. Mark's might "walk with" migrants in our community and in the world.

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. Our next January group will meet on:

Second Tuesday - January 10 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Fireside Room
All women are invited to come for study at 11:00 and then at noon to eat their sandwich or salad and share fellowship. Drinks and dessert will be provided. This winter our Bible study will center on "Galatians: Christian Faith and Christian Freedom." Our program topic for January will be "No other Gospel."

If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Smith at 415.285.7438 or suzathome@comcast.net.

WEDNESDAY COMMUNITY DINNER AND WORSHIP RESUMES JANUARY 11 AT 6:00
All are invited to our weekly community meal at 6:00 and worship at 6:45. Come and relax over a meal with members and visitors of the St. Mark's community. Immediately afterwards, join the Pastors and our Director of Music for a lovely, contemplative worship service at 6:45 in the sanctuary. The service lasts 30 minutes and will include Holy Communion.

This weekly worship service is a wonderful time to receive with open hearts the gifts and presence of God. Come and rest. Come and be refreshed. Come and just be!

We are also looking for volunteers to help make community dinner possible! If you are available to pick up food from Costco, heat/prepare food, or help clean up after the dinner, please contact Winnie Heslin at heslin@stmarks-sf.org or call the church office at 415.928.7770.

OUT WITH THE OLD!
Following the 11 a.m. worship service, please lend a hand to undecorate and remove the trees that have so beautifully graced St. Mark's during the Christmas Season. With your help, the task will go quickly!

ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
Please mark your calendars to attend the St. Mark's annual meeting held on Jan. 29, 2017 immediately following the 11:00 service in the sanctuary. An agenda of the meeting will be forthcoming next week.

SEEKING CHURCH COUNCIL NOMINEES
The Nominating Committee (Marisa Lee, Mark Semonian, Suzanne Smith, Pr. Elizabeth) seeks St. Mark's members with a love for ministry and an interest in leadership to serve on Church Council in the upcoming year. Please contact Marisa Lee (marisalouie@gmail.com, 650-303-3111) if you would like to learn more about Council service and explore running for Church Council during the annual meeting in January.

CONFIRMATION CLASS
Confirmation class resumes on January 15th and we will join the volunteers at the interfaith Shelter on January 20th at 6:00PM in the Auditorium.

CALLING ALL BRIGHT STARS OF BETHLEHEM TO CELEBRATE EPIPHANY THIS SUNDAY FROM 2-5:00 PM AT MAZZA CASTLE IN PACIFICA!
Come celebrate all the scholarship monies donated this fall for students of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, Palestine. Donations can still be made and raffle tickets are still available from Linda Krauskopf on Sunday downstairs at Coffee Hour to benefit this Holy Land ministry. You need not be present to win, but come for fun, food, fellowship and more! Become a Bright Star!

NEW JOURNEYS IN FAITH GROUP STARTING IN THE NEW YEAR
All are invited to join this newest group of Journeys in Faith. Take advantage of this opportunity and set aside time this winter and Lent for faith reflection and renewal. Together, we journey to Easter, learning more about our faith and faith community. And, together we consider and prepare for joining St Mark's, being baptized, or affirming our baptism. Weekly meetings begin Sunday, January 8th at 10:00AM in the Fireside Room. If you are interested or have questions, contact Liv Beck (beckliv@gmail.com) for more information.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE INTERFAITH SHELTER
St. Mark's will be participating in the San Francisco Interfaith Council Winter Shelter program and will be hosting and Jan. 15th - Feb. 4th.

Please consider volunteering for this very worthwhile ministry. Volunteers will be needed to serve at 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.

HEAR YE, HEAR YE!!!!!! A VERY NEW AND VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AND OUR CONGREGATION: WHAT WOULD LUTHER DO TODAY?
ave you ever wondered what Martin Luther would do if he were here today? Join Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and thousands of learners around the world in a free course where you will learn how to apply Luther's thoughts and writings to contemporary issues.

Offered by ChurchNext in partnership with Augsburg Fortress and United Lutheran Seminary, this course or "Big Class" provides a rich learning environment for those seeking to gain a better understanding of how Lutheranism might address current affairs.

The course opens January 16 and is free through January 30. Because you can watch the course anytime, it's perfect for individuals, as well as small and large groups. (Group resources are available here.)

Secure your spot and learn in a community with those around the world and with Presiding Bishop Eaton how Martin Luther might deal with the pressing issues of today.

ORGANIZING FOR PUBLIC MINISTRY, JAN. 15-20
Taught by a team of experienced Industrial Areas Foundation community organizers, this class will cover conceptual studies and practical skillbuilding in how to engage the public mission of the church in the world.

Learn practices for living as Church in the World, with special attention on:

Mission,
Sustainable leadership,
Strategic thinking and acting,
Forming collaborative relationships for missional action.
Taught using presentations, discussions, role-play, readings, and class participation.

The Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers, Dean of Academic Affairs and Hodges-Haynes Professor of Liturgics, will be the assisting faculty member for this course.

Course Fee: $500 (for CEU credits)
Registration fee includes lunch Monday - Friday.
Register at https://ssl.charityweb.net/cdsp/event/IAF2017.htm

DONATE FLOWERS IN 2017
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 to http://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...Richard Boyle (9); Steve Ernst, Richard Boyle (11)
Lectors...Randy Schieber (9); Diana Gomez (11)
Chalice Bearer...Jane Borg (11)
Acolytes...Clovis Curl, Linda Jackson (11)
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
Ministry of Welcome...Tapio Boles, Lew Randall (9); Viknesh Silvalingam, Rachel Letchumanan, Donna Dindia (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Nadine Robinson and Kimberly Hamilton-Lam
Next Week's Coffee Hour Chairs...Andrew Sallach, Tim and Elaine Bohan