Join us for the Sixth Sunday of Easter
9:00 am - Holy Communion with Children's Time10:00 am
10:00 am - Sunday School
10:00 am – Refreshments
10:10 am - Confirmation Class
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist
12:15 pm - Refreshment and Fellowship Hour
Installation of the Martin Luther Tower Board of Trustees
This volunteer board is comprised of St. Mark's members and is responsible for the mission and ministry of Martin Luther Tower (MLT). MLT is an affordable senior housing community for anyone 62 years or older. If you are over 62 or have family or friends looking to move into a wonderful community, consider Martin Luther Tower. A brochure is included in the announcements today. Take one for yourself or pass it on. www.mlt-sf.org.
Confirmation at St. Mark's
This Sunday is the last Confirmation Class meeting before our end of year celebration on June 1st.
Sunday School News
June 1st: Last day of SS Party!
Sierra Pacific Synod Surpasses $10,000 ELCA Malaria Campaign Challenge Grant Goal!
Good news! ELCA congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod have raised over $10,000 in response to the $10,000 challenge grant for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. The grant, which was given anonymously by a member of St. Mark's, provided a dollar-for-dollar match.
Thanks be to God, and thanks be to all who have given of their time and treasure to stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Africa who live under the threat of malaria.
What would Martin Luther's name tag look like?
We'll never know for certain, but you can bet it would have been BOLD! It probably would not have been nailed to his chest.
Starting next Sunday, the 1st of June, St. Mark's will start making name tags available in the Narthex before services. Please take the time to make a name tag and wear it boldly through the service and coffee hour.
From the April 2014 Council Meeting
Council met on May 15 and approved minutes from its April 24, 2014 meeting. A summary follows. Please contact Marisa Louie (louie@stmarks-sf.org) know if you wish to receive a copy of the full minutes by email, or if you have any questions.
April 2014 Meeting Summary:
- Discussed Synod Assembly plans. Marisa Louie and Mark Semonian will attend as voting members. [Secretary's Note: Andrew Sallach will attend as the third voting member.] St. Mark's will have a table to advertise the El Salvador Endowment Fund benefit and other upcoming events. Volunteers are needed to help at Synod Assembly!
- Approved participation in the Bike to Worship Day on June 1st. This event is co-sponsored by the San Francisco Interfaith Council and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, to encourage "self-powered" forms of transportation to church.
- Approved motion to extend an internship to the candidate proposed by Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, pending further discussion between the candidate, the Director of Contextual Education, and Pastor Ekdale.
- Shared about relational meetings Council members are having with members. Those interested in meeting with a Council member are invited to reach out to schedule one.
From the Church Office
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: helland@stmarks-sf.org.
New LSS Building Opening Celebration on June 1
All are welcome to attend the opening of the new Lutheran Social Services offices 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.
Senior Trip to Filoli House and Gardens, Thursday, June 5
The Filoli Estate is recognized as one of the finest country estates of the early 20th century. The lawns and shrubs around the house, and the Crystal Springs Watershed lands surrounding the estate provide a magnificent backdrop to the formal garden. We will have a light lunch at Filoli Café. We will meet in the Ellis Street parking lot at 10 am. The cost of admission is $15. Contact Pastor Elizabeth at 415.928.7770 or at ekdale@stmarks-sf.org for more information. To sign up for the trip, please contact the MLT office at 415.885.1084.
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.
Donation Requests for Day Camp Service Project
Our Day Camp program has been partnering with Lutheran World Relief to send school kits to children in need all over the world. Volunteers all over Northern California graciously sew the school bags, Day Camp sites and campers collect school supplies and Day Campers assemble the kits. This is a great way for our children to help children like them who otherwise would not be able to go to school. There will be a box placed in Heritage Hall to accept donations of the following: 70-sheet notebooks, pencil sharpener, 30 cm ruler (not inches), blunt scissors, #2 pencils, blue or black ball point pens, box of 16 or 24 crayons, 2 1/2 inch erasers (not decorative).
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.
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.
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: 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...Sharon Reinbott (9); Greg Jahnke, Ed Chitty (11)
Lectors...Tina Hogan (9); Bertie Brouhard (11)
Chalice Bearers...Kimberly Hamilton-Lam, Marisa Louie (11)
Acolytes...Coco Ocker, Katherine Lam
Refreshment Hour Chairs...Andrew Sallach, Geri Bailey