On the first day of the week God began creation, transforming darkness into light. On this, the “eighth day” of the week, God acted again by raising Jesus from the dead. We celebrate this new creation in the waters of Holy baptism and in the feast of Holy Communion. With great joy we celebrate this day of days, even as we begin the great fifty days of Easter. Filled with hope, we go forth to share the good news that Christ is risen!

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S

9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
10:00 am - Festive Easter Coffee Hour - Heritage Hall
10:15 am - Easter Egg Hunt - St. Mark’s Square
10:30 am - Easter Cantata - Sanctuary
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Festive Easter Coffee Hour - Heritage Hall

ADULT FORUM - 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM
April 23 - Forum on Safehouse Ministry
Come and meet Jessica Li, the Executive Director of San Francisco Safehouse. SafeHouse is a program started by Rev. Glenda Hope who saw the need for homeless prostituted women to have a safe place to heal and recover. Since our founding, we’ve worked with over 300 women, helping them to lead healthier and safer lives. Most of our women are from impoverished communities in the SF Bay Area and many were sexually exploited by family members, friends and those who purported to love them. At SafeHouse, we work with women as they recover from substance abuse and other addictions and help them find a job and affordable housing after graduating.

Faith, Sexism, and Justice
Facilitated by Pr. Elizabeth Ekdale, Pr. Ron Moe-Lobeda and Dr. Margaret McLean
April 30 – May 28
We will study and discuss “Faith, Sexism, Justice” utilizing the study document of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We hope these forums will generate honest and empowering conversations about sexism and how it negatively affects individuals and families in our homes, congregations and communities. These issues can be complex and hard for some to talk about. We trust, though, that when we come together as members of the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is with us and among us. Everyone is invited to these forums – men, women, young, old: ALL are welcome.

SCAFFOLDING ON THE SIDE OF THE CHURCH BUILDING
Alleluia! The installation of the elevator has begun after months of planning, praying, preparing for this day. The elevator will connect all three levels of the church building - thereby making accessible the building for all to use and enjoy.

We welcome your financial gifts to support this project - checks can be made out to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church c/o Elevator Fund. All gifts large and small are deeply appreciated. The tentative date for completion is end of August.

SENIOR TRIP TO THE OAKLAND ZOO, APRIL 21 AT 10:00AM
We’re going to the Oakland Zoo with Pr. Elizabeth
Leaving Martin Luther Tower parking lot at 10:00 am
Returning approximately at 4:00 pm
Bring a sack lunch

Cost: If you are over 75, your admission is FREE
Seniors 65-75: $15.75
If you are between the ages of 15 - 64: $19.75

EASTER MIDWEEK COMMUNITY MEAL, WORSHIP, AND BOOK STUDY, WEDNESDAYS APRIL 26 – MAY 24
Come and join in our Wednesday evening fellowship beginning April 26 (for 5 weeks of the Easter season) with a simple supper, a meditative worship, and a fabulous book discussion. The book chosen for this study is “When Jesus Became God,” by Richard Rubenstein—a fascinating book about the conversation and controversy regarding the humanity and divinity of Jesus during the 4th century. This book provides an excellent background for understanding how our creeds were formulated and took on such prominence in determining our perception of who Jesus is. You may purchase a book at church for $12.00, or from Amazon.com. Although it is helpful to read the book for this discussion, you certainly do not have to read the book in order to participate.

6:00 Dinner - all are welcome!
6:45 Worship with Holy Communion
7:30 - 8:30 Book study and discussion with the Pastors

SAFE CONGREGATION TRAINING, APRIL 30 AT 12:30PM
Do you know a child at St. Mark’s? Have you seen them in worship? Have you talked to them at Coffee Hour? Have you cheered them on during the Easter Egg Hunt? If you answered “yes,” to any of these questions, Safe Congregation Training is for you! St. Mark’s is home not only to adults but also to children from infants to teenagers. Please come to our next Safe Congregation conversation to learn how we keep our promise to treat all children and youth with respect and consideration and how to provide a safe and supportive environment in which they can thrive. Members who work directly with children, e.g., Sunday School teachers, must take this training every three years but it is open to everyone and all are encouraged to attend. Safe Congregation Training will be Sunday April 30 at 12:30-2:00 in the Fireside Room.

VOICE DEADLINE
The deadline for the next Voice newsletter is Monday, May 1st and will cover June, July, and August. Please send all submissions to Stefani Lawrence
(lawrence@stmarks-sf.org). Thank you!

LENTEN BOXES TO LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES (LIRS)
Please return your Lenten coin box so we may send your offering to LIRS. Thank you!

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: June 10, July 22, August 26, October 21, and December 2.

OFFICE CLOSURES
St. Mark’s office will be closed on Easter Monday, April 17. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, April 18.