FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The mustard seed becomes a great shrub that shelters the birds, recalling ancient images of the tree of life. We'd expect a cedar or a sequoia, but Jesus finds the power of God better imaged in a tiny, no-account seed. It's not the way we expect divine activity to look. Yet the tree of life is here, in the cross around which we gather, the tree into which we are grafted through baptism, the true vine that nourishes us with its fruit in the cup we share. It may not appear all that impressive, but while nobody's looking it grows with a power beyond our understanding.

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 - Intergenerational Event - Auditorium
10:00 am - Adult Education Team Meeting - Pr. Elizabeth’s Office
11:00 am - Holy Communion Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall

INTERGENERATIONAL THIS NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 10:00 AM
Come and be a part of the fun activities for all ages in-between worship services next Sunday, June 17 in the ULC auditorium. Pastor Ron will facilitate a number of simple, but interactive activities and games that will give people a chance to get to know one another, and have fun doing so. This event also is an opportunity for the people from the 9:00 a.m. service and from the 11:00 a.m. service to bridge that gap of not knowing who each other is. We also will have the opportunity to celebrate the fathers among us during this event.

JOIN RECONCILINGWORKS SIERRA PACIFIC AT THE SF PRIDE PARADE
The annual San Francisco Pride Parade occurs in less than a month on Sunday, June 24. We want YOU to come and walk with us. This year we’ll be led by the three California ELCA bishops.

Parade participants can meet with ReconcilingWorks in the parade lineup on Sunday morning. This year we are contingent # 40! Everyone needs to be in place between 10:15 and 11:15 am. We are scheduled to step-off at 11:20 am. We will gather on Spear between Market and Mission (loading group J1). We’ll make our way down Market Street spreading welcome and inclusion for everyone!

Dress colorfully and comfortably; expect to walk 8+ blocks
Wear sunscreen, a hat, and bring water
There is no parking; take public transportation (BART will pop you up to our meet-up site!)

RSVP to kschiefelbein@ses.gtu.edu to let us know that you’ll be joining us.

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.

JUNE SENIOR LUNCHEON - THURSDAY, JUNE 21
St. Mark’s Seniors! You are invited to the next MLT monthly luncheon in Heritage Hall, from 12:00-1:30pm! Please join us for a delicious meal prepared by MLT’s very own Delvone Anderson. Entrées options are Beef Brisket and Eggplant Parmesan. All entrées come with Sautéed Cabbage, Loaded Baked Potato with sour cream, butter, bacon, chives and green onion, Garden Salad, French Bread and Butter. Hot Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream will be served for dessert. The cost is $5. Please call the MLT Office to reserve your seat. You can pay at the door. Come and be among friends. Hope to see you there! Volunteers are needed - please contact Pr. Elizabeth (ekdale@stmarks-sf.org) if you can help.

COMMUNITY MEETING REGARDING PROPOSED MUNI’S 38 GEARY/38R BUS STOP CHANGES NEAR ST. MARK’S
If you utilize the 38 Geary to travel to and from to St. Mark’s, you will want to know about proposed bus stop changes.

Attend a community meeting either Thursday, June 21 6:00 - 8:00 at the Tenderloin Community School (627 Turk St.) or Saturday, June 23 2:00 - 4:00 at the Hamilton Recreation Center (1900 Geary Blvd) for information and to voice your concerns.

Pr. Elizabeth plans to attend the meeting on Thursday, 6/21 at 6:00. We’ve heard that the bus stop on O’Farrell near St. Mark’s will be moving across Gough street toward the Cathedral. Nearby westbound bus stops are also moving. You can learn more and provide input at www.sfmta.com/gearyrapid

Members from the First Unitarian Universalist Society are also concerned about these changes and plan to give feedback to the SFMTA. Please share your feedback too along with Pr. Elizabeth.

APPLY FOR A GRANT TO FURTHER ST. MARK’S MISSION
The 2018 grant application period for the St. Mark's Endowment Fund is now open. Do you have an idea for a ministry project that is not part of the St. Mark's budget? Are you involved in a service activity with a similar vision to the core beliefs of St. Mark's? Previously, grants were provided in support of St. Mark's WELCA ministry, a choir retreat, and our ministry partners in Rwanda and El Salvador. Visit www.stmarks-sf.org/endowment/ to learn more and apply.

SEND KATHERINE AND GRACE TO HOUSTON
This summer our high school youth will be joining 30,000 other Lutheran teenagers in Houston for the triennial ELCA Youth Gathering! They’ll hear from inspiring speakers, do interactive learning activities with ELCA ministries and programs, participate in community service projects, do Bible studies, and participate in nightly worship. The cost is about $1500 per youth for the Gathering registration, transportation to and within Houston, food, and lodging. Can you help sponsor our students?

1) By check made out to St. Mark’s (or cash in an envelope) in the offering plate, being sure to note it for “Youth Gathering”

2) Online at www.stmarks-sf.org/give-a-gift (enter the preferred amount in the bar marked “other”, then enter “Youth Gathering” in the memo box to the right and click ‘continue’ to proceed on through with payment).

Thank you! The students appreciate your help and look forward to sharing their experience in Houston with you!

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. If you are interested in contributing to the publication, please contact Stefani Lawrence (Lawrence@stmarks-sf.org) for details and information. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Warmly, Pr. Elizabeth

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY
Guest Musician...Gary Schilling
Assisting Ministers...Barbara McCormick (9); Linda Jackson, Steve Ernst(11)
Lectors...Suzanne Smith (9); David Fabie (11)
Acolytes...Pam Cheung, Katja Jackson
Altar Guild...Cora Rose and Cory Schooland
Sacristans...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero
Ushers...Omer Voss, Jerry Lundblad (9); Debra Varian, Larry DeSpain (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Eva & Matt Dober, Kate Knickerbocker
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Barbara Bock