June 4, 2017

PENTECOST
Today's festival derives its name from the Jewish festival of Pentecost, observed fifty days after Passover. On the fiftieth day of Easter we celebrate the Holy Spirit as the power of God among us that heals, forgives, inspires, and unites. In the reading from Acts, images of wind and fire describe the Spirit poured out on disciples of all nations. In John's gospel the risen Christ breathes the Spirit on his followers on Easter evening. In the one Spirit we are baptized into one body, and at the Lord's table the Spirit unites us for witness in the world.

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 - Parents with Kidlettes - Heritage Hall
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service
 with Confirmation of Youth - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall

2:00 pm - SF Choral Artists Concert - Sanctuary

NEW DIRECTORY - THIS SUNDAY!
The new St. Mark’s Directory comes out this Sunday so make sure to get a directory from one of our ushers or pick one up in Heritage Hall during coffee hour.

PENTECOST/CONFIRMATION SUNDAY – THIS SUNDAY!
On Pentecost Sunday, at the 11:00 a.m. worship service, 5 young people of our congregation will be affirming their faith and renewing their baptismal vows.  Many of the youth from the congregation will be participating in the leadership of this worship service, which will include hymns from different parts of the world.  Members of the congregation are encouraged to wear “red” on this day in which we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  We also join with these 5 youth (Signe Bohlig, Grace Ekdale-Hoch, Emma Gray, Evan Schieber, and Tayte Sall) in celebrating their decision to be confirmed and become confirmed members of this body of Christ.  Please keep these young people in your prayers as they prepare for this day of confirmation.

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 June our groups will meet on:

Evening Gathering – June 6 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Conference Room in the Urban Life Center.  All women are invited to come for dessert and fellowship for the first half hour and then discussion until 8:30.   This month we will discuss Coming Home to Tibet by Tsering Wangmo Dhompa. . 

Second Tuesday – June 13 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Fireside Room
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 focus on “All Anew- Ready or Not,” the theme for the Women of the ELCA Triennial this summer in Minneapolis beginning with session one, “Say Goodbye to Nice.” .

If you have any questions, please contact Suzanne Smith at 415.285.7438 or
suzathome@comcast.net.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SENIOR LUNCHEONS
We need a couple of volunteers to help set up the place settings and serve the meal to our guests on Thursday, June 8.  Please let Pr. Elizabeth know if you are available.  We would ask that you arrive at 11:00 a.m. and would be finished by 1:00 pm.  And, we will happily feed you a lunch. ekdale@stmarks-sf.org or 415 928-7770 ext. 2300. 

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, June 10

Old First Church

Corner of Sacramento and Van Ness

Free Parking in Old First Church Garage on Sacramento St.

Sign up for any or all shifts, by emailing Diana Gomez dianamrsgomez@mindspring.com

7:30 AM – 9:00 AM nload
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM      Distribute
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM    Clean up

Future dates:  July 22, August 26, October 21, and December 2.

ST. MARK’S YOUNG ADULT GATHERING
If you consider yourself to be a young adult (single, couple, or parent) and would like to connect with other young adults in the congregation, a lunch gathering has been scheduled for Sunday, June 18 at 12:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room.  Along with getting better acquainted with one another, we will be in conversation about how we might want to be in fellowship with one another on a more intentional basis.  Please let Pastor Ron know if you are interested in participating in this gathering. 

THANK YOU ST. MARK'S CHOIR MEMBERS!
Let’s take a moment today to express our appreciation to the our choir members for their service in music ministry this past year.  This group of volunteer musicians has helped lead worship at our 11 am worship and at special liturgies throughout this program year.  In the past 9 months they have sung approximately 150 hymns, 50 psalms, and 75 anthems.  Thank you singers, for your dedication, hard work, and willingness to share you’re gifts with the St. Mark’s community.

A POOL PARTY!!
The Foster’s have invited all middle-school and high-school youth from St. Mark’s to their home in Lafayette (3756 Highland Road) for a pool party on Saturday, June 24, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Along with swimming, you can play hoops, soccer, ping pong, badminton, or croquet.  Bring appropriate attire and sunscreen.  Food and drinks will be provided.  Parents and siblings are welcome.  Please RSVP to the on-line invitation or by calling (650) 867-7012 by Saturday, June 3.  Let’s get together and have some fun this summer!

 ANNOUNCING THE START OF ST. MARK’S ENDOWMENT GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD
This Sunday, the grant application period opens for the St. Mark’s Endowment Fund. 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 Cordero de Dios Lutheran Church, St. Mark’s WELCA ministry, and the “Humans of Palestine” photography exhibition.  Visit http://www.stmarks-sf.org/endowment/ to learn more and apply.

ST. MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH SEEKS EVENT HOSTS
We are currently hiring Event Hosts! The Event Host is a part-time paid position, who is on duty for meetings and events taking place on St. Mark’s Square. 

As a representative of St. Mark’s, the Event Host serves as the liaison between St. Mark’s and the event taking place, providing quality customer service and hospitality to groups and attendees utilizing the facility. This includes providing facility access, monitoring the use of the spaces, ensuring the safety and security of the facilities during events, and upholding and communicating the facility use rules and regulations as needed. The Event Host may be required to assist with set-up of facility spaces, handle emergencies that may arise, and is responsible for securing facilities after events.  Evening and weekend hours (often until 10 or 11 PM) required.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Deidre Rettenmaier at events@stmarks-sf.org or 415-928-7770 x2290. 

SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE 2017
It’s June, and that means Pride is just around the corner! Please mark your calendars and RSVP for Sunday, June 25th for the 2017 San Francisco Pride Parade. We want YOU to come walk with us! We need marchers to represent St. Mark’s and to carry our congregation’s placard and other banners in the parade, letting parade viewers know our message of God’s welcome and inclusion! Let us know you’re coming—we’ll update you on the exact gathering time/place. Families with strollers welcome.

How to RSVP: Email rose@stmarks-sf.org (you can also talk to Cora Rose or Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero), or join the Sierra Pacific Chapter of ReconcilingWorks on Facebook for late-breaking updates on parade day: www.facebook.com/groups/reconcilingworkssp

JUNE 21 AT 6:30: HELPING REFUGEES TODAY
St. Mark’s hosts a briefing from Bay Area refugee resettlement agencies and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service about the changing landscape for refugees seeking safety and freedom in the U.S., what agencies are doing to respond, and how to help. Come to “Helping Refugees Today: What we need to know, what we need to do” on Wednesday, June 21 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Heritage Hall. Refreshments provided. 

SHORT TERM HOUSING NEEDED FOR VISITING LUTHERAN STUDENTS
Two Danish students are searching for housing August 15 - November 15.   They are studying Scandinavian language and literature with a minor degree in Art and Visual culture.  As a part of their study from the University in Aarhus, Denmark, they are attending Creativity Explored on 3245 16th street in San Francisco.  Please contact the father of one of these students - Rev. Dr. Bjarne Gertz Olsen at bgo.office2@gmail.com if you are able to host or know of any housing options for them. 

Another Lutheran student from Papua New Guinea is in search of housing from July 03 to September 22 while she attends the Hackbright Software Engineering school for women. Please contact her directly at amanda.waninga@gmail.com if you are able to host or know of any housing options for her. 

JOIN ST. MARK’S AMMPARO EMAIL LIST!
This spring our church joined the roster of ELCA Welcoming Congregations that provide pastoral (and sometimes physical) accompaniment to migrants. The Welcoming Congregations program is a part of AMMPARO, the ELCA’s effort to serve migrant children and families who are forced to flee their communities because of violence, poverty, environmental displacement, or lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. You can stay informed of learning, advocacy, and service opportunities by getting on St. Mark’s email list for AMMPARO. How? Email ammparo@stmarks-sf.org or rose@stmarks-sf.org, or talk to Cora Rose at coffee hour.

DONATE FLOWERS IN 2017
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
Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Sharon Reinbott(9); Nora Hurley, Katja Jackson (11)
Lectors...Liv Beck (9); Emma Gray, Evan Schieber (11)
Banner Bearer...Grace Ekdale-Hoch
Acolytes...Meghan Foster, Emily Chernock
Communion Assistant... Katherine Lam, Mila Sall
Altar Guild...Cora Rose, Cory Schoolland, Jane Borg
Ministry of Welcome....Kimberly and David Lam (9); Pam Cheung, Linda R. Jackson (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Susie Smith, Frederick Blickle
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Brandee Marckmann, Bill Mooney, Kathy Lautz