Join us for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time
10:00 am – Refreshments
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist
12:15 pm - Refreshment and Fellowship Hour
Welcome Meistersingers!
At Sunday's 11 am worship we welcome the Oregon State University Meistersingers. The Meistersingers, directed by Russ Christensen, is a 50 voice men's chorus. This auditioned ensemble tours regionally or nationally every spring. In March of 2014, the Meistersingers performed for the Northwest ACDA Convention in Seattle, WA. In May 2013 the Meistersingers toured New York, where they gave concerts in Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle. Currently, the Meistersingers are completing a tour of Southern Oregon and the Bay Area.
Confirmation at St. Mark's
No Confirmation Class this Sunday due to the Bay to Breakers.
Sunday School News
This Sunday: Bay to Breakers, no Sunday School
June 1st: Last day of SS Party!
Spring Assembly of ELCA Congregations in San Francisco, this Sunday
At our District C Fall Assembly, we decided that it would be great to revive the practice of gathering for a San Francisco Conference Spring Assembly. Folks from our ten churches and our social service ministries can get to know one another better. And we can focus on matters that pertain to doing ministry in our city.Our topic of discussion: How do we do outreach in today's "spiritual but not religious" culture? Taking as our starting point Diana Butler Bass' book Christianity After Religion, we'll talk together about our own congregations' ministries. Join us at First United Lutheran Church at 2097 Turk St (at Lyon) from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
On Wednesday, May 21, Jordan and Holy Land Pilgrims present:
Hear a YAGM's experiences in Jerusalem
Hear a what?!? A YAGM. The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program invites ELCA young adults ages 19-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service.
Following the midweek service on Wednesday, May 21st, Paul Kacynski, a seminarian at PLTS, will talk about his experiences serving as a YAGM in Jerusalem. Spurred by his experiences in Palestine and Israel, Paul has investigated the ELCA's investment screening process as a means to create positive change in both countries and other social and environmental issues.
Please join us for the midweek service at 6:45 pm in the sanctuary, then come to Heritage Hall to hear more about this program inviting young people to become the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
From the Church Office
Summer Issue of the Voice
Please submit articles, photos, and whatever else you may have to contribute to our June, July, August "Voice" newsletter by Wednesday, May 21st. Submissions should be emailed to dayton@stmarks-sf.org. Thank you!
Prayers of the Parish
In an effort to keep the Prayers of the Parish current, we are asking that you submit your prayers for a new list starting on June 1. If you would like to add a name or names to the Prayers please let us know via email at dayton@stmarks-sf.org. Thank you!
Summer Hours
The church office summer hours begin on Tuesday, May 27 (the day after Memorial Day), and continue until Tuesday, September 2 (the day after Labor Day). Summer hours are Monday thru Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm, and Friday, 9 am to 12 noon.
Holiday Closures
The office will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26; for Independence Day on Friday, July 4; and for Labor Day on Monday, September 1.
Office Snacks for the Needy
We are running out of snack food items that we bag and hand out to homeless folks who come by the office. If you would like to donate some non-perishable items (granola bars, crackers, etc) it would be greatly appreciated. You can either bring them to the church office, or leave them in the Heritage Hall kitchen with a note saying "For Church Office." Thank you!
Ascension Day Events with the Synod
On Wednesday, May 28 at 7:00 pm all are invited to University Lutheran Church for an evening of hymn singing and conversation with the Rev. Dr. Susan Briehl. Join us at 1611 Stanford Ave.
On Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 pm there is a Festival Eucharist at Stanford Memorial Church. You are invited to join local Episcopal congregations for a service of Holy Eucharist hosted by the Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry in celebration of Ascension Day and our call to common mission. Our preacher will be the Rev. Susan Briehl, poet, musician, and pastor and the presider will be the Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real.
Collection for Synod Assembly in Burlingame
The Synod is asking for donations of knit or crocheted hats and scarves, rain gear, and sleeping bags that turn into rain gear. Please place your donations in the white, labeled box on the information table in Heritage Hall. Thank you!
Bike to Worship on Sunday, June 1
As part of Bike Month in May, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition members are working in partnership with the San Francisco Interfaith Council to create a Bike to Worship Week from Sunday, May 25 to Sunday, June 1, 2014. St. Mark's is participating in the event with a Bike to Worship Day on June 1. We are calling on all bikers to participate! The event will include a Blessing of the Bicycles at both services as well as a raffle for free bike gear. Don't know what route to take? Talk to Andrew Sallach or Colin Williams for tips, or consult the bike routing function on Google Maps. Interested in helping on the day of the event? Please contact Matt Helland to volunteer.
New LSS Building Opening Celebration on June 1
All are welcome to attend the opening of a new Lutheran Social Services home in San Francisco, at 191 Golden Gate Avenue. Bishop Mark Holmerud (ELCA) and First Vice President Paul Hoffmann (Missouri Synod) will be in attendance. Come and bless us with your presence at 4:00 pm on Sunday, June 1st. Light refreshments will be served.
Please return those Lenten offering boxes!
Please get those boxes in so we can send the money on to Lutheran Social Services. Remember LSS in your prayers.-St. Mark's Social Ministry
Give Thrivent Choice Dollars® to St. Mark's Now!
Thrivent Financial members: Direct your Choice Dollars to St. Mark's before May 31, and Thrivent will add $20 to your grant. Select us as the first organization when you make your direction(s). Thrivent's campaign "Direct Now...add $20" is for each Thrivent member directing Choice Dollars. Our members have $2,400 to donate! Check your Choice balance / donate online now or call 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) and say "Thrivent Choice."
Register Now for Summer Day Camp at St. Mark's, June 30- July 4
Day Camp is a unique partnership between Mt. Cross Summer Camp and St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Join us for a week of faith-based fun, which includes group games, arts & crafts, worship, community building activities and Bible Encounters. Location: St. Mark's Heritage Hall. Dates: June 30-July 4.|Time: 9am-3pm | Cost: $90. Full scholarships are available. | Age range: Youth who have completed Kindergarten through 6th grade | For more details and registration forms, please visit www.stmarks-sf.org.
Do you have any housing leads for members of St. Mark's?
Affordable housing is a concern for all residents in the Bay Area. We have a special interest at St. Mark's. Each year, beloved members of St. Mark's move out of the area due to lack of affordable housing. We'd like to utilize the power of the St. Mark's network to share possible leads with these families.
Currently, we have the following affordable housing needs:
1. An active couple at St. Mark's is looking to purchase a condominium in SF for approx. $600,000.
2. An active couple at St. Mark's is looking for affordable rent near transit or to buy; their buy budget is no greater than $500,000.
If you have a piece of property that you might be willing to sell or have any leads for these two families, please e-mail Pr. Elizabeth at Ekdale@stmarks-sf.org. She will connect the two parties together. Thank you. (Please refer to article in current newsletter for additional details.)
Western States Youth Gathering June 27-July 1
Calling all high school students! WSYG is for high school youth (grades 9-12) in Lutheran congregations. WSYG occurs every three years, and is a partnership with California Lutheran University. WSYG will feature mass gatherings with great speakers and musicians; learning and small group experiences; worship that takes you in new directions; an immersion experience in Los Angeles; a Southern California beach party, and much more! Visit wsyg.com or contact Pastor Bekah for more details.
Malaria Campaign Challenge Grant
An anonymous member of St. Mark's has offered a $10,000 challenge grant for congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod who are raising funds for the ELCA Malaria Campaign! The challenge provides a $1-for-$1 match. To have your gift doubled, please make your check out to St. Mark's and write "Malaria Campaign" in the memo line. Alternatively, you can click on the donate button on St. Mark's homepage and designate your gift to the Malaria Campaign. The challenge grant will be offered until the goal is met or until July 31.
Interfaith Food Pantry Dates for 2014
The Interfaith Food Pantry is held every Saturday at the Old First Presbyterian Church. Here are the St. Mark's dates in 2014: May 17th, July 12th, August 16th, October 4th and November 15th. All Faiths Dates in 2014: June 21st, August 23rd, October 11th, December 6th. For more info, contact Wendy Figliuolo at Northern.cal@gmail.com.
Let's fill those Food Bank barrels!
Most needed foods are: tuna, canned meat, peanut butter, soup, chili, beans, cereal, canned fruit and vegetables and granola bars. No glass or perishable items; please donate only unopened items that you would eat, and check that items are still within their "Use before" date. Look for the green barrels in the Narthex.
Worship Leaders for this Sunday
Assisting Ministers...Liv Beck (9); Brach Jennings, Linda Jackson (11)
Lectors...Robert Rathmell (9); Cory Schoolland (11)
Chalice Bearers...Mark Semonian (9); Cora Rose (11)
Acolytes...Ana & Nora Hurley
Refreshment Hour Chairs...Nadine Robinson, Kimberly Hamilton-Lam