Spring Forward on March 9!
Don't forget to set your clocks forward by one hour before you go to bed this Saturday, March 8!
Midweek Lenten Activities
Lenten Supper in Heritage Hall at 6:00 pm
March 12, 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 12, 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.
St. Mark's Square Redevelopment Informational Meetings
9th & 16th of March
Plans to redevelop St. Mark's Square -- providing additional affordable housing, a new Urban Life Center and improved security -- are progressing despite changes in San Francisco's strategy for affordable housing. Jeremy McClain, who with Andrew Sallach represents St. Mark's on the redevelopment team, will lead informational sessions to update members on how plans are proceeding and how plans are hindered.
Opportunities to participate in the discussions will be provided after each service on both this Sunday, March 9th and next Sunday, March 16th. The sessions following the 9 o'clock service will be held in the ULC Auditorium starting at 10:05 am. The sessions following the 11 o'clock service will be in the Conference Room beside the Sunday School rooms, starting at 12:30 pm.
Senior Trip to De Young for O'Keeffe Exhibit on Mar. 11
Join MLT and St. Mark's seniors to visit to the de Young museum to view Modern Nature: Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George exhibit. Pastor Elizabeth will lead the group on Tuesday, March 11, leaving St. Mark's Ellis St. parking lot at 9:30 sharp in carpools. We have a 10:00 am entry into the Georgia O'Keeffe and Lake George exhibit at the De Young. Lunch will be on our own in the de Young cafeteria which has delicious food and is very reasonable. The return to St. Mark's will be at approximately 2:00 pm. All Seniors are welcome - ticket cost is $20. To reserve your spot please pay for your ticket in the Martin Luther Tower office with Sonia, the receptionist. Questions: Pr. Elizabeth 928-7770 ext. 2300 or e-mail: Ekdale@stmarks-sf.org.
Lenten boxes to benefit Lutheran Social Services (LSS)
Please pick up a Lenten Box for your home. The Sunday School children have prepared them. The recipient of the Lenten Box Offering this year will be Lutheran Social Services. Watch for more information about the wonderful work LSS does in San Francisco. 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
Wednesday, March 12 from 7:30-9:00 pm: Screening of "The Stones Cry Out"
This newly released film directed by Yasmine Perni that tells the story of Palestinian Christians since the founding of Israel in 1948. You will recognize Pastor Mitri Raheb and Claire Anastas as participants in this moving documentary film.
Wednesday, March 19 from 7:30-9:00 pm: Claire Anastas from Bethlehem
Claire will illustrate the realities of life for Christians in Palestine today with Power Point and discussion of the making of "The Stones Cry Out". Fair Trade handicrafts from Palestinian artisans in Bethlehem will also be available for purchase.
Come! Learn! Let us accompany and pray for our fellow Christians in the Holy Land as they live and work with steadfast faith for peace and justice at this crucial time.
Friends of Sabeel Conference: Voices for Justice & Peace in the Holy Land, Mar 21-22
Join us for a regional conference to hear from Christian, Muslim, Jewish and secular leaders, scholars and activists about the situation in Palestine/Israel. Sabeel is a grassroots movement founded in East Jerusalem by Palestinian Christians to foster a spirituality based on nonviolence, justice and reconciliation. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Sabeel's Patron. On offer will be exhibits, presentations, workshops, poetry, music, art, and food. This St. Mark's co-sponsored event takes place on Friday, March 21 noon - Saturday, March 22, 4:00 PM at Christ the King Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill. For more info and to register, go to www.fosna.org and click on Pleasant Hill Conference on left side of home page, or call Kate Doherty 925-682-2486 or John Erickson 510-542-4629.
Charles Rus, organist in recital on Sunday, March 16, 7:30 pm
All members of St. Mark's are invited to attend an organ recital on our very own Taylor and Boody organ given by Charles Rus on Sunday, March 16, at 7:30 pm. Charles Rus is Director of Music and Liturgical Arts at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, Washington. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Charles received degrees from the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and, as a Fulbright Scholar, the Folkwang Hochscule für Musik in Essen, Germany. Charles, formerly of San Francisco, actually played at St. Mark's before, but is now back to help us celebrate the completion of the Taylor and Boody organ. This recital is free for members of St. Mark's and SFAGO.
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
Other Youth Activities at St. Mark's
*Confirmation class meets weekly at 10:10 in the youth room. 6th-8th graders welcome!
*Save the date! Vacation Bible School at St. Mark's June 30th - July 4th. Contact Kimberly Hamilton at mjjkmom@yahoo.com for more details.
Women's Monthly Study Gatherings
All women are welcome to come and study together at our morning Women of the ELCA Gathering. In March our group will meet on:
Second Tuesday - March 11 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. Our Bible study will center on "Daughter, an Honest Virgin" using the Women of the ELCA's guide, In Good Company: Stories of Biblical Women.
If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Smith 415.285.7438 or suzathome@comcast.net.
Training of St. Mark's Eucharistic Ministers in Lent
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.
Night Ministry and SF Pride News!
The San Francisco Night Ministry is in the running for the honor of being chosen as the "Organizational Grand Marshall" of the San Francisco Pride Parade. Voting ends on March17...please show your support for voting for them at the website below, and help spread the word! http://sfpride.org/parade/grand-marshals.html.
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:
A long-time and faithful member of St. Mark's is hoping to purchase a condominium in San Francisco or nearby for approx. $200,000
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 upcoming 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.
Worship Leaders for this Sunday
Assisting Ministers...Liv Beck (9); Greg Jahnke, Linda Jackson (11)
Lectors...Deborah Halladay (9); Liv Beck (11)
Acolytes...Erika Taylor, Katharine Lam
Chalice Bearers...Jeremy McClain, Ana Hurley
Refreshment Hour Chairs...Andrew Sallach
Join us for Worship this Sunday (First Sunday in Lent)
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time
10:00 am - Sunday School
10:00 am - Refreshments
10:05 am - St. Mark's Square Redevelopment Meeting
10:10 am - Journeys in Faith Gathering
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist
12:15 pm - Refreshment and Fellowship Hour
12:30 pm - St. Mark's Square Redevelopment Meeting
12:45 pm - Confirmation Class trip to Central Gardens