EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

When Amos told what he saw when God held up the plumb line of justice next to Israel—that the poor were being trampled—he was a threat to the power of priests and king. John the Baptist also spoke truth to power, and Herod had him beheaded. In Herod’s fear that Jesus is John returned from the dead, we may hear hope for the oppressed: that all the prophets killed through the ages are alive in Jesus. We are called to witness to justice in company with them.

THIS SUNDAY AT ST. MARK'S

9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - JIF Room
11:00 am - Holy Communion Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall

SUMMER ADULT FORUMS ON JEREMIAH
Jeremiah certainly is a prophet for our time. He was an outspoken critic of the kings who did what was evil in God’s sight, and called to task all of those who were complicit with these evil rulers. His prophetic ministry spans some 44 years and the reigns of 6 rulers of Judah. He witnessed the horror of the conquest of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and remained in Judah until such time that he fled to Egypt. Pastor Ron will be presenting the historical context for Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry and reviewing the content of the Book of Jeremiah during 3 Sundays (July 22 & 29, and August 5) at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Come and hear more about Jeremiah’s challenging ministry and the process by which his words and perspectives were documented by those who followed in his stead.

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS IN THE SUMMER?
Why not? It is never too early to begin planning ahead! Advent is a time of preparation, faithful waiting, and hopeful anticipation for the arrival of the Christ-child. This year St. Mark’s will publish its own devotional book for the seasons of Advent and Christmas to help the community prepare for and celebrate these rich seasons. Each devotion will be written by members and friends of St. Mark’s. We will need 33 volunteers. Families are encouraged to write a devotion together.

Guidelines:

Devotions may be 250 words reflecting on the scripture or hymn text and Advent/Christmas images.
Please conclude each devotion with a brief prayer.
Families are encouraged to create a devotion for the booklet
Email devotion in a word doc to Stefani Lawrence (lawrence@stmarks-sf.org) by Oct. 15.

Please sign up at the link below with your name and email address. Contact Stefani (lawrence@stmarks-sf.org) if you have any questions. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

If you are interested in contributing to the publication, please visit
www.stmarks-sf.org/advent-and-christmas-devotions/

INFORMATION SESSION FOR NEXT JOURNEYS IN FAITH GROUP - JULY 15
New to St Mark’s? Thinking about your faith journey and a community to support it? What does it mean to be a member of a church? How do you become a member of St Mark’s?

All are invited to come to an information session for our Journeys in Faith group. We will meet in the Urban Life Center in the Journeys in Faith room at 10:00 on July 15th. For more information, contact Liv Beck (beckliv@gmail.com).

NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS AT ST. MARK’S
As you may have noted in the latest newsletter, the Outreach Team is organizing the congregation into neighborhood groups beginning next fall for the purpose of building community and creating a local support network for our members. During the next month, members of the Outreach Team will be approaching people in the congregation and asking them to be Coordinators of their neighborhood group. Coordinators will receive a lot of support from the Outreach Team in this endeavor, and will be invited to an orientation later in August. If you would like to learn more or would like to volunteer to be a Coordinator for your neighborhood, please contact any member of the Outreach Team: Cora Rose, Steve Ernst, Geri Bailey, Bertie Brouhard, Andrew Sallach, or Pastor Ron.

INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY
St. Mark’s members staff this food pantry on several Saturdays throughout the year at Old First Church in the SF from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. You could help for any length of time by unloading the food from the truck, setting up the distribution sequence, or handing out food to over 300 people.

The next food pantry will be on Saturday, July 21. For more information contact Diana Gomez at dianamrsgomez@mindspring.com

UPDATE ON STEVEN KREFTING - FORMER MEMBER
Steven is receiving long-term care at the Santa Fe Care Center. You are encouraged to send him cards and greetings.

Steven Krefting
c/o Santa Fe Care Center
635 Harkle Rd
Santa Fe New Mexico, 87505