FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with Christ that we might also be raised with him to new life. At the Easter Vigil we will welcome new sisters and brothers at the baptismal font, as we renew our baptismal promises.

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S

9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - Fireside Room
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:05 am - Confirmation - Confirmation Classroom
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Auditorium
“This is Most Certainly True”: Living and Praying the Catechism in Daily Life
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
4:00 pm - American Bach Soloists Concert - Sanctuary

APRIL 8 PROPERTY PROJECT MORNING
Please join the Property Ministry Team on Saturday, April 8th, starting at 9 AM for a morning of activities and projects to prepare the church building and grounds for Holy Week and our upcoming elevator project!

ADULT FORUM AT 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM

With New Voices
Studying the Small Catechism with Dr. Kyle Schiefelbein

The Lutheran Community of faith today includes a rich and diverse choir of voices. This Adult Forum series invites you into a fresh engagement with the Small Catechism as a way of embodying the hope and grace from God in dealing with today’s challenging issues. We are not attempting to return to some imagined purified Christianity in the 1500s nor attempting to recapture some nostalgia rooted in the 1900s. We invite you to hear the gospel anew in our time and to be renewed in our voices for this day.

THIS SUNDAY: “This is Most Certainly True”: Living and Praying the Catechism in Daily Life

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

April 2nd: Big Group: Passover. The Sunday School children get together as one big group and celebrate with a Passover Seder.

April 9th: Big Group: Palm Sunday. The Sunday School students and volunteers meet together to make Easter Crosses, learn about Palm Sunday and prepare for Easter.
April 16th: Easter: No Sunday School

MARTIN LUTHER TABBY NEEDS A NEW HOME
Lulu, the Silver Spotted Tabby needs a new home as her human friend is no longer able to take care of her. She is 12 years old, well trained, and in great health. If you would like to give Lulu a new loving home contact the MLT office at 415-885-1084. Thank You!

FRIENDLY USHERS NEEDED - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
Do you like to greet and welcome people? Can you hand out a worship leaflet? We are looking for a few new ushers willing to serve at either the 9:00 or 11:00 services. Our friendly Usher Coordinator, Tapio Boles, will train you. Please contact him at tapio@hotmail.com if you can help. Thank you!

PEOPLE NEEDED FOR THE VIGIL RECEPTION
After the Easter Vigil on April 15, there will be the Celebration of Easter and the Reception for New Members. If you are interested in being part of this important event, whether planning, set-up, bringing finger food, or clean up, please contact Suzanne Smith (suzathome@comcast.net) or (415)285-7438. Thank You.

LENTEN BOXES TO LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES (LIRS)
During the season of Lent, we are invited to remember the poor through our giving. Our Lenten coin boxes are for you to deposit your change or loose bills throughout the 40 days of Lent. The proceeds will be donated to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, who are partners of St. Mark’s AMMPARO Welcoming Congregation program. See the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services at www.lirs.org. Giving something up for Lent? Put the amount you would have spent on it every day into your box. Fill your box with coins or bills, or write a check to St. Mark’s with “Lenten Box” or “LIRS” in the memo line. LIRS thanks you!

EASTER FLOWERS
On Easter Sunday, April 16, we will adorn the sanctuary and the church steps with Easter lilies, and other Spring flowers. You are invited to participate by making a donation of $12.50 per plant in memory or in honor of someone, or anonymously. You can donate online at:
www.stmarks-sf.org/give-a-gift

Please send donations by April 10. Thank you!

SPIRITUALITY AND AGING GROUP
On Mondays from 11:00 - 12:00 Pr. Elizabeth will be hosting a group on "Spirituality and Aging" in the Brockie lounge of Martin Luther Tower. This group is open to the St. Mark's community as well. This group will offer a safe place to reflect on aging issues in light of our faith - whatever our faith may be or wherever we are in our faith journey.

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. In April our groups will meet on:

Evening Gathering – April 4 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Conference Room in the Urban Life Center. All women are invited to come for dessert and fellowship for the first half hour and then discussion until 8:30. This month we will discuss Romero and Grande: Companions on the Journey, by Ana Maria Pineda. .

Second Tuesday – April 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 of Galatians will focus on “For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free” as found in the April issue of Gather Magazine.

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

ST. MARK'S FOOD PANTRY
We’re a fun intergenerational group that bonds together over the business of food distribution. There’s a job for every age and body type. We would love to have you. Next distribution date is:

Saturday morning, April 29th
Old First Church
Corner of Sacramento and Van Ness
Free Parking in Old First Church Garage on Sacramento St.

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Unload
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Distribute
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Clean up

Future dates: April 29, June 10, July 22, August 26, October 21, and December 2.

STREET CLOSURE ACTIVITY NOTICE , VAN NESS CAMPUS HOSPITAL PROJECT,
THURSDAY APRIL 6, 2017 THROUGHMONDAY APRIL 10, 2017
The HerreroBOLDT construction of the new Sutter Health CPMC Van Ness Campus Hospital continues to progress on schedule. The team has reached an important milestone and is preparing to take down one of the project’s two tower cranes. The second tower crane will come down this summer. Exact dates will be provided in the near future.To facilitate the removal of the tower crane, Post Street between Van Ness Avenue and Franklin Street will be closed beginning on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. and will reopen on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 6:00 a.m. To ensure the safety of everyone, there will be no pedestrian or vehicle access through the closure area. The Post Street detour will have no impact on Van Ness Avenue. Alternative routes will be clearly marked during the detour and HerreroBOLDT is working collaboratively with the city’s transit agencies to minimize the impact on public transportation.

YOU CAN HELP WITH SECURITY DURING SPECIAL EVENTS AT ST. MARK’S
We anticipate an increase in musicians and event staff showing up earlier than the contractually-agreed-upon time as we enter St. Mark’s busiest season for concerts. Please do not let these guests into St. Mark’s from either the front doors or Heritage Hall.

St. Mark’s employs Facility Attendants who are responsible for setting up the Sanctuary, opening the doors and monitoring the comings and goings. The name and contact information for the Facility Attendant on duty is posted in the Narthex and in Heritage Hall each Sunday.

We appreciate and honor our members’ passion for hospitality and welcoming guests into St. Mark’s. In the case of concert and event musicians and staff, we absolutely require the Facility Attendant be on site and in control of when and how they enter. We are grateful for your cooperation and assistance keeping St. Mark’s secure.

PRODUCE MARKET ON THE SQUARE
Support our community market! Please come and purchase fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs every Wednesday from 11am-12pm in the Urban Life Center Auditorium! The market is co-sponsored by Episcopal Senior Communities and Martin Luther Tower.

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY

Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Barbara McCormick (9) Linda Jackson, Kyle Schiefelbein (11)
Lectors...Robert Rathmell (9); Hans Hoch (11)
Acolytes...Linda Jackson, Ed Chitty
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
Ministry of Welcome...Marisa Lee (9), Pam Cheung, Kimberly and David Lam, Tina Niu, Pedro Ospina, Linda R. Jackson (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Susie Smith and Frederick Blickle
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Brandee Marckmann, Bill Mooney, Kathy Lautz