FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
The fifth Sunday after Epiphany continues to highlight unlikely instruments and circumstances appointed to reveal the glory of the Lord. “Who will go for us?” queries the voice of the Lord. A man of unclean lips, a former persecutor of the church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising still, perhaps, is the fact that we are also called.
This Sunday at St. Mark's
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children’s Time - Sanctuary
9:50 am - Sunday School - Sunday School Rooms
10:00 am - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
10:00 am - Confirmation - Youth Room
10:00 am - Adult Forum: Let’s Go to Seminary - Heritage Hall
Preaching: A Ministry of the Whole Congregation
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - JIF Room
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
ADULT FORUM AT 10:00AM in HERITAGE HALL
Let’s go to Seminary - February 3 - March 3
The “Let’s Go to Seminary” series features four of the core faculty and one senior adjunct faculty at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Their teaching reflects cutting edge developments in their respective disciplines, a passion for teaching and theological education, and the innovative new curriculum being launched at PLTS. That curriculum prepares future leaders of the church for transformative ways of doing and being church that are centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, generate life-giving relationships and spirituality, and advance social justice and environmental well-being.
Feb 10 - THIS SUNDAY IN HERITAGE HALL!
Dr. Shauna Hannan, Associate Professor of Homiletics
“Preaching: A Ministry of the Whole Congregation”
Location: Heritage Hall
Feb 17
Dr. Luis Menendez-Antuna, Assistant Professor of New Testament
“Dancing with Scripture”
Location: Heritage Hall
Feb 24
Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Professor of Theological and Social Ethics
“Christian Ethics as Radical Love Embodied”
Location: Heritage Hall
March 3
Dr. Carol Jacobson, Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Constructive Theology, “What Neuroscience Teaches us about Faith Formation”
Location: Heritage Hall
HOW ARE YOU DOING TO NUTURE YOUR FAITH IN THE NEW YEAR?
New to St Mark’s? Thinking about your faith journey and a community to support it? Thinking about becoming a member of St Mark’s? You are invited to join in on the newest group of Journeys in Faith! We meet on Sundays at 10:00 in the Urban Life Center in the Journeys in Faith room. Join us as we reflect together on our lives of faith. For more information, contact Liv Beck (beckliv@gmail.com; 415-205-3292)
MT. CROSS SUMMER CAMPS
Registration is now open for the week-long camps at Mt. Cross Ministries--our Lutheran Outdoor Ministry just north of Santa Cruz. There are several exciting opportunities for children and youth of all ages. Brochures are available on the bulletin board and table in Heritage Hall. You also can go to www.mtcross.org for more information, costs, and registration. Register prior to May 1 for an early-bird discount. Think about coordinating your registration with other members at St. Mark’s so that your children can go to camp together.
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 February our groups will meet on:
Second Tuesdays – February 12 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in Heritage Hall.
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 “By Night and Day: Coming to Faith in Jesus..
If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Smith at 415.285.7438 or suzathome@comcast.net.
HIKE WITH ST. MARK'S, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24
St. Mark’s Our Planet is back, celebrating God’s nourishing rains with a California winter hike. Join us on February 24 after the 11:00 worship. The hike planned is in San Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica. Length of the trail is 4.4 miles and 900 feet elevation gain and loss. The Park’s coastal scrub, grassland, and riparian habitats host a diversity of flora and fauna with spawning habitat for steelhead trout. Participants should bring comfortable shoes and clothing, and a snack. Rain may change the hike location and length. Gather at 12:45 in front of the Church to arrange car pools. For more information you may contact Andrew Sallach: andrew.sallach@yahoo.com
HOSPITALITY AT ST. MARK'S
Hospitality: “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.” Christian hospitality: the very same thing except we provide hospitality in the name of Christ! We are putting together a Hospitality Team at St. Mark’s and are looking for volunteers to serve on this important team. We provide hospitality at our fellowship festivities on Sundays, our Oktoberfest celebration, receptions following worship service, and more. Join Pr. Elizabeth to be part of the leadership at St. Mark’s in providing and coordinating our hospitality to guests, visitors, strangers, and friends. We will meet on Sunday, March 3 at 12:30 in Heritage Hall. Questions? Contact Pr. Elizabeth at ekdale@stmarks-sf.org or 415 928-7770 ext. 2300
ST. MARK'S SOUTHWEST SF NIEGHBORHOOD GATHERING
St. Mark’s Southwest SF Neighborhood Group will be gathering at Tower Burger (729 Portola Dr) on Monday 2/11 starting around 6:30PM. They have several types of burgers, salads and other food and drink available for purchase. Please email Shelly Taylor and let her know if you plan to drop by so we can save tables ( Shellymtay@gmail.com.) After dinner, we will go around the corner for dessert at Pr. Ekdale’s home: 185 Evelyn Way. All are welcome!
JOYOUS GENEROSITY COMMITMENTS - PLEASE TURN YOUR COMMITMENT IN!
As of this week, we have received $439,821 in commitments for 2019 with a total of 113 commitments out of a possible 186 giving units, totaling 61% participation. Thank you for everyone who has made a commitment! Our goal is to have everyone participate by sharing their commitment to St. Mark’s ministries. Please bring your commitment card to worship and place it in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, or go online and fill out your commitment card on the website: stmarks-sf.org/giveagift. Every commitment has a direct impact to St. Mark’s ministries in 2019 and our goal is to have 100% participation!
OPPORTUNITY TO ACT ON OUR AMMPARO COMMITMENT!
A workshop to find solutions for housing 1500 unaccompanied immigrant youth in Alameda County schools on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2 - 5:30 PM.
Location: FirstPres Hayward Church, 2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley, CA 94546. Phone (510) 581-6203. Register online at: https://tinyurl.com/uiyhousingworkshop. LET’S DO IT - learn how we can help these youth!
We could carpool from St. Mark’s after 11:00 worship - less than one hour by car; BART is also possible. Who can drive? Who can go? Interested? Talk to Cora Rose or Linda Krauskopf.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
February 10: Big Group: Valentines for MLT and Lenten Box art.
March 10: Big Group: Mardi Gras/Lent observance.
March 24: Big Group: Pastor led lesson on the Sacraments
April 14: Big Group: Palm Sunday lesson and activity.
April 21: Easter: No Sunday School
April 28: Big Group: Passover meal and lesson.
May 19: Bay to Breakers, no Sunday School
May 26: Last day of Sunday School PARTY!!
DONATE FLOWERS
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. We still have dates available in December for Advent so please sign up!
Your donation can be in memory of a loved one or in honor of a particular occasion. Please go to 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
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Sharon Reinbott (9); Greg Jahnke, Katja Jackson (11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9); Matthias Will (11)
Communion Ministers...Mark Semonian, Cristin Owens (9); Matthias Will, Jane Borg (11)
Altar Guild...Jane Borg
Acolytes...Tayte Sall, Violet Battaglia
Sacristan...Libby Pfaff
Ushers...Randy Schieber, Evan Schieber, Alison Schieber (9); Donna Dindia, Linda Jackson, Pam Cheung (11)
Fellowship Hour Chairs...Nadine Robinson, Kimberly Hamilton-Lam
Next Week’s Fellowship Hour Chairs...Andrew Sallach, Elaine & Tim Bohan