Eucharistic Ministers Training, this Sunday at 12:30
We are developing a ministry of distributing communion to the sick and homebound. If you are interested in this training, please speak with Pr. Elizabeth or Pr. Bekah. The training sessions will be Sundays, March 23, 30, and April 6 from 12:30 - 2:00 in the vestry. Entrusting this special ministry to trained laity enhances the pastoral ministry of our congregation. Those involved will discover that this ministry will enrich your own spiritual life as you share God's love with the sick.
We are a sacramental church and believe in the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion. By bringing these elements to the sick and homebound, you are sharing with them the crucified and risen Christ in, with and under the bread and wine. Thank you for considering whether you are feeling called to this special ministry. Feel free to e-mail Ekdale@stmarks-sf.org or Davis@stmarks-sf.org with your questions.
Screening of The Stones Cry Out, this Sunday at 12:30
Join us from 12:30-2:00 pm in the Conference Room of the Urban Life Building for the film "The Stones Cry Out", plus discussion with Claire Anastas. (Bring your coffee along...) This one-hour documentary by and about Christians in Palestine/Israel presents disturbing and sobering insights into the disappearing Christian presence in the Holy Land - a "Must See" for us Christians on our Lenten journey!
Safe Congregation Training, this Sunday at 12:30
Church council members, ushers, parents, anyone with contact with children - come to training about St. Mark's Safe Congregation policy. We'll meet in the Sunday School rooms of the Urban Life Center. Questions? - contact Mary Ritter at mlrpeds@aol.com.
Night Ministry Spring Song, Today at 4pm
Join the Night Ministry for an evening of classic, operetta-style music to benefit the SF Night Ministry. The concert begins at 4 pm, and a champagne & chocolate reception will follow. Tickets are $20 at BrownPaperTickets.com, $10 for seniors and students, and $25 at the door. To find out more about the Night Ministry, visit www.sfnightministry.org.
Midweek Lenten Activities
Lenten Supper in Heritage Hall at 6:00 pm
March 19 and 26, and April 2 and 9
All are welcome to join us for this simple community dinner prior to worship.
Lenten Midweek Worship every Wednesday Evening from 6:45 to 7:15 pm
March 19 and 26, and April 2 and 9
Refocus your hearts with a lovely sung service of Holy Communion during the season of Lent. There will be childcare for these midweek evening services.
Special Music for the Wednesdays in Lent
Wednesday Evening Lenten Services will feature a new setting of the Communion service for evening time by Aaron David Miller, utilizing a cantor and the voices of the assembled, this will be a lovely musical, contemplative addition to our Lenten journey. Before each service, we will hear music by C.P.E. Bach, the most famous of J.S. Bach's sons, becoming even more famous than his father among their contemporaries. C.P.E. Bach wrote some of the most personal, introspective, and beautiful keyboard music ever written, much of it for the clavichord, a very small, quiet instrument musicians of that time had in their homes for private use. C.P.E. Bach celebrates his 300th birthday March 8, 2014.
Installation of Pr. Beate Chun on March 30th
Please save the date of Sunday, March 30th, when St. Francis Lutheran Church will celebrate the installation of the Reverend Beate Chun. Join them at 152 Church Street for the 2:00 pm ceremony, which will be followed by a reception in Parish Hall.
Lenten boxes to benefit Lutheran Social Services (LSS)
The Sunday School children have prepared Lenten boxes for your home. The recipient of the offerings this year will be Lutheran Social Services. Giving up something for Lent? - put the money you would have spent in the box. Maybe put all your spare change and small bills for the next six weeks. Bring it back at Easter. Remember LSS in your prayers.-St. Mark's Social Ministry
Upcoming Sunday School Big Group Activities
March 30th: Pastor led lesson on Baptism and Communion
April 13th: Palm Sunday, students meet in Heritage Hall and practice for Palm Sunday procession at the 11:00 service
Youth Activities at St. Mark's
*Confirmation class meets weekly at 10:10 in the youth room. 6th-8th graders welcome!
*Registration now open for Vacation Bible School at St. Mark's June 30th - July 4th. Contact Kimberly Hamilton at mjjkmom@yahoo.com for more details.
Support the Interfaith Shelter Walk May 4th at Lake Merced!
St. Mark's confirmation youth invite you to join them to support the Interfaith Shelter. To sponsor a youth or register to walk, visit http://winterfaithshelterwalk.dojiggy.com/.
Do you have any housing leads for members of St. Mark's?
Affordable housing is a concern for all residents in the Bay Area. We have a special interest at St. Mark's. Each year, beloved members of St. Mark's move out of the area due to lack of affordable housing. We'd like to utilize the power of the St. Mark's network to share possible leads with these families. Currently, we have the following affordable housing needs:
An active couple at St. Mark's is looking to purchase a condominium in SF for approx. $600,000.
An active couple at St. Mark's is looking for affordable rent near transit or to buy; their buy budget is no greater than $500,000.
If you have a piece of property that you might be willing to sell or have any leads for these two families, please e-mail Pr. Elizabeth at Ekdale@stmarks-sf.org. She will connect the two parties together. Thank you. (Please refer to article in current newsletter for additional details.)
Malaria Campaign Challenge Grant
An anonymous member of St. Mark's has offered a $10,000 challenge grant for congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod who are raising funds for the ELCA Malaria Campaign! The challenge provides a $1-for-$1 match. To have your gift doubled, please make your check out to St. Mark's and write "Malaria Campaign" in the memo line. Alternatively, you can click on the donate button on St. Mark's homepage and designate your gift to the Malaria Campaign. The challenge grant will be offered until the goal is met or until July 31.
Interfaith Food Pantry Dates for 2014
The Interfaith Food Pantry is held every Saturday at the Old First Presbyterian Church. Here are the St. Mark's dates in 2014: March 29th, May 17th, July 12th, August 16th, October 4th and November 15th. All Faiths Dates in 2014: April 12th, June 21st, August 23rd, October 11th, December 6th. For more info, contact Wendy Figliuolo at Northern.cal@gmail.com.
Let's fill those Food Bank barrels!
Most needed foods are: tuna, canned meat, peanut butter, soup, chili, beans, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables and granola bars. No glass or perishable items; please donate only unopened items that you would eat, and check that items are still within their "Use before" date. Look for the green barrels in the Narthex.
Worship Leaders for this Sunday
Assisting Ministers...Richard Boyle (9); Brach Jennings, Philip Krikau (11)
Lectors...Dale Loepp (9); Dana Utz (11)
Acolytes...Clovis Curl
Chalice Bearers...Liv Beck, Robert Rathmell (9); Margaret McLean, Jo Chadwick (11)
Refreshment Hour Chairs...Susie Smith, Fred Blickle
Join us for Worship this Sunday (Third Sunday in Lent)
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time
10:00 am - Sunday School
10:00 am - Refreshments
10:10 am - Confirmation Class
10:10 am - Journeys in Faith Gathering
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist
12:15 pm - Refreshment and Fellowship Hour
12:30 pm - Eucharistic Ministry Training
12:30 pm - The Stones Cry Out screening
12:30 pm - Safe Congregation Training
4:00 pm - Night Ministry Spring Concert