Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Invited and inviting—that is the nature of the church. By God’s grace in holy baptism we have a place at the banquet table of the Lord. When, by the power of that same Spirit, humility and mutual love continue among us, the church can be more inviting still.
This Sunday at St. Mark's
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Auditorium
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour- Fireside Room
10:00 am - Report on ELCA Churchwide Assembly - Auditorium
11:00 am - Holy Eucharist Worship Service - Auditorium
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Fireside Room
Report on the ELCA Churchwide Assembly - This Sunday!
Join Pr. Elizabeth, Jeremy McLain, and Ed Chitty to hear about their experiences at the Churchwide Assembly and Grace Gathering in New Orleans in August. Our church made passed resolutions and memorials on significant social issues.
Come and hear what we are doing as the ELCA.
Flooring, Elevator, Windows Update (FEW Committee)
The FEW Committee met Tuesday, August 9th, with elevator Architect ARG and the landscape consultant. Minor revisions to the elevator plans were presented and discussed. The plans will be submitted to the Building Department by the end of August. The landscape consultant presented a plan for the addition of 3 rows of attractive planters over the stairs on the west side of the church near the proposed elevator. Construction of the elevator to begin by the Spring of 2017. The flooring project is moving ahead! The pews are downstairs in Heritage Hall and Plant Construction is now framing the Chancel platform and installing plywood protection for the walls. Plant is leaving a clear path through Heritage Hall to both the Women and Men’s restrooms, so they will be available for use by the Nursery attendants and children. The art glass window restoration continues with work proceeding on the southeast and southwest windows.
Clayton Fire in Lake County Claims 268 Structures
Less than a year after the fires in Lake and Calaveras Counties, on August 13th 2016, Lake County suffered the loss of 268 structures, including 175 homes, after a major fire tore through 4,000 acres. The number of damaged and destroyed structures may continue to rise as additional data is confirmed. This time, the fire was man-made. A man from Clearlake, CA, has been arrested and charged with 17 counts of arson.
LSS of Northern California is part of the Lutheran Disaster Response Network. LSS responds to disasters by assisting in long term rebuilding efforts.
If you would like to help support families in Lake County, you can donate to fire relief efforts on our website: https://lssnorcalorg.presencehost.net/get-involved/. All proceeds go directly towards helping fire victims rebuild their homes. The Red Cross has been very clear that they do NOT want donations of food, clothing, or other household items. Please donate money or gift cards only.
For more information on LSS of Northern California, visit www.lssnorcal.org
Interested in planning activities for St. Mark’s related to the Holy Land? Let’s meet and discuss ideas and new developments, education, arts, books, information, service opportunities - connect with others who share your concerns - time and place TBA soon! Meantime, let Linda Krauskopf know of your interest. Email: jklmk@comcast.net or call the church office.
Save the date for God’s Work Our Hands Sunday
Sunday September 11, 2016
Join us as we serve our community together with thousands of other ELCA congregations during the ELCA wide day of service. Come to worship on this Sunday with opportunities to participate after each service.
- Personal Care Kits Assembly and Honoring our First Responders
Everyone is welcome to join us on the square after each service, Sunday school children too, as we assemble personal care kits that will be distributed to San Francisco citizens in need. This September 11 marks the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States. A station to offer prayers and make thank you cards will be set up after each service to remember those first responders who rush in to protect us. The cards will be delivered to our local first responders after the event.
- Service Project at Lutheran Social Services in the Tenderloin
Join us after the 11 o’clock service as we walk over together and provide grounds clean up and painting for LSS. LSS provides much needed case management, financial management, housing services and training for those in need. Help us support this wonderful organization.
Please contact Cristin Owens (cristinowens@gmail.com) or Clovis Curl (clovisameliahs@gmail.com) for more information
Help Wanted and Needed!
Presently we are in great need of more Assisting Ministers and Acolytes. If you are interested in serving in either or both of these important ministries of worship please speak with either of our Sacristans. Sacristan Richard Boyle will be available after both worship services this month to train anyone interested in participating in these ministries. Don’t be shy. The training is not difficult, and the view from the chancel is lovely!
Two new user friendly electronic resources are recommended by your Pastors
The Small Catechism is available from Augsburg Fortress as a free app for your phone.
Presiding Bishop Eaton has encouraged congregations to study the Small Catechism as we move into the 500th anniversary commemorating the Reformation.
In addition, there is a free digital download titled Together by Grace - Introducing the Lutherans which is a study guide on the history of Lutherans and who we are now in the 21st century. Enjoy!
https://www.augsburgfortress.org/media/downloads/TbG_StudyGuide.pdf
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.
Interfaith Calendar and Activities in the Bay Area
Check out the websites - www.interfaith-presidio.org and www.sfinterfaithcouncil.org which highlight Interfaith events and activities throughout the Bay Area. There are many to choose from as we continue to take the first steps in getting to know our Interfaith neighbors.
Donate Flowers in 2016
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
Guest Musicians...Stacy Cullison, Greg Jahnke
Assisting Ministers...Liv Beck (9); Kyle Schiefelbein, Richard Boyle (11)
Lector...Suzanne Smith (9); Matthias Will (11)
Chalice Bearers...Cristin Owens (9); Steve Ernst, Viknesh Silvalingam (11)
Acolytes...Katherine Lam, Nora Hurley
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Richard Boyle, Ed Chitty
Ministry of Welcome...Marisa Lee, Louis Gutierrez (9); Gail and Cal Culp, Larry DeSpain, John Elford (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Susie Smith and Fred Blickle
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chair...Brandee Marckmann, Bill Mooney, and Kathy Lautz
Prayers of the Parish
Cassie Allen
Michael Aune
Debbie Brant & Ted Bernardi
Pastor Raymond H. Birkel
Diana Bock
Natalie E. Bock
Riley Brooks
Ed Chitty
Corrine Cottrell
Marilyn Desmond
Indar Dutt
Bonnie Elliot
Jack Heiter
Carolyn Johnson
Dennis Jones
Taylor Jones
John Krauskopf
Stephen Krefting
Arnold Lehmann
Margaret Massialas
Roderick Mobley
Stan Moeller
Lee & Irma Opitz
Ryan Parker
Cassie Pili
Marc Randall
Travis Schwartz
Matt Seiples
LaVonne Strutz, mother of Geri Bailey
Dana Utz
Carl Velleno
Jerry Witherspoon
Brent Wolfe
For the family of Renee Ransom, Jane Borg’s niece who passed last weekend
For all military personnel, especially Will Lehmann
For the growing families of St. Mark’s, especially those who hope for and those who are expecting children
For the Kigali Parish of the Lutheran Church of Rwanda
For the Cordero de Dios congregation in El Salvador
For our Missionary, Pastor Kate Warn, YAGM coordinator in Rwanda
For all Christians in the Holy Land, especially Bethlehem
For the people of Papua New Guinea, the Islands of the Indian Ocean
For the Kindergarten Cynthia Espinoza in Paraguay
For MLT Residents who are hospitalized or in hospice care
Every effort is made to keep the Prayers of the Parish current.
Please email Lawrence@stmarks-sf.org to add, remove or update a name on the prayer list.