FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Today is sometimes called "Good Shepherd Sunday." Jesus is called the "gate" of the sheep in today's gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us in the midst of the world's violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God's tender care to all creation.

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
10:00 am - Adult Forum - Faith, Sexism, and Justice - Auditorium
10:00 am - Journeys in Faith - Fireside Room
10:15 am - Sunday School - School Rooms
11:00 am - Choral Eucharist Worship Service - Sanctuary
12:15 pm - Refreshments and Fellowship Hour - Heritage Hall
12:15 pm - Altar Guild Training - Sanctuary
4:00 pm - American Bach Soloists Concert - Sanctuary

ADULT FORUM - 10:00AM IN THE AUDITORIUM
Faith, Sexism, and Justice
Facilitated by Pr. Elizabeth Ekdale, Pr. Ron Moe-Lobeda and Dr. Margaret McLean
April 30 – May 28
We will study and discuss “Faith, Sexism, Justice” utilizing the study document of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We hope these forums will generate honest and empowering conversations about sexism and how it negatively affects individuals and families in our homes, congregations and communities. These issues can be complex and hard for some to talk about. We trust, though, that when we come together as members of the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is with us and among us. Everyone is invited to these forums – men, women, young, old: ALL are welcome.

This Sunday, we will look squarely at violence against women and children and what you can do to address gender-based violence. Session leader--Mary Ritter

On May 14, we will examine our names and images for God that influence the way that we might view and treat women. We also will explore ways that the Bible has been used and abused to subjugate women and girls and treat them as "lesser than." Session leader--Pastor Ron

WOULD YOU CONSIDER SERVING ON THE NEWLY FORMED ALTAR GUILD AT ST. MARK’S? THIS SUNDAY!
Liturgy begins and ends with the work of the Altar Guild. To care for the sacred vessels, the bread and the wine, the fair linens and hangings and the candles and torches used for worship in the Sanctuary is far more than a task, it is a true ministry.

Pastors Elizabeth and Ron are inviting anyone who is interested in this sacred “behind-the-scenes” role to come to a training on Sunday, May 7 from 12:15 - 1:45 in the sanctuary. Your gifts will be used and all help will be appreciated. Ed Chitty and Richard Boyle who have been serving in this capacity for many years are needing some time off for vacation and recuperation. Kyle Schiefelbein and Pr. Elizabeth will facilitate the training on May 7. If you have any questions, please speak with Ed Chitty, Kyle Schiefelbein or Pr. Elizabeth. Many thanks for your service.

COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote that community is a gift from God that we are called upon to nurture as members of the body of Christ. One of the desires of your pastoral team is to create and provide opportunities for our St. Mark’s community to grow in fellowship with one another and “build itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:18). With Pastor Ron’s arrival, we have another opportunity (excuse) to get better acquainted with each other and strengthen our community ties. Small group gatherings have been scheduled in various parts of the Bay area to meet with members of St. Mark’s for this purpose.

Several members have graciously opened their homes for these gatherings (see the schedule below). The gatherings will last for 1 ½ hours and focus on sharing some of our common life experiences. Please make every effort to sign up for the host site in your geographic area. If the date for the gathering in your area does not work for you, then feel free to sign up for another gathering. If you plan to attend, please sign up early because space at each site is limited. If we run out of space, then we will schedule another group in your area at a later date.

Please click the button below and check the gathering that you will be attending.

CLICK TO SIGN UP!

PR. ELIZABETH'S UPCOMING MOSAIC TLELVISION SHOW
May 14 at 5:00 am on KPIX (channel 5) you can watch Pr. Elizabeth interview our own Bishop Mark Holmerud of the Sierra Pacific Synod.

Bishop Holmerud shares his thoughts about Lutheran congregations in California, the ongoing work of the Reformation, and his own faith journey during a time in his life when his mother was struggling with cancer. Tune in!

ELEVATOR PROGRESS AT ST. MARK'S
This week and next, Architectural Resources Group (ARG) and Plant Construction are preparing to pour the concrete foundations while resolving a number of details related to the elevator shaft walls and steel anchorage. As we've long known, the existing walkway along the west side of the church is just wide enough to accommodate the new lift and its enclosing structure - with no room to spare - so it's important to resolve all of these fine points. The discussions are slowing the process a bit, but the project should still be complete by mid-September. We'll keep you posted on our progress; if you have questions, please speak with Tim Bohan, Winnie Heslin, Pastor Ron Moe-Lobeda or Gary Schilling who regularly meet with Plant and ARG to monitor the project.

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.

TRIP TO THE ZOO WITH PR. ELIZABETH, MAY 25 AT 10:00AM
We’re going to the Oakland Zoo with Pr. Elizabeth
Leaving Martin Luther Tower parking lot at 10:00 am
Returning approximately at 4:00 pm
Bring a sack lunch

Cost: If you are over 75, your admission is FREE
Seniors 65-75: $15.75
If you are between the ages of 15 - 64: $19.75

EASTER MIDWEEK COMMUNITY MEAL, WORSHIP, AND BOOK STUDY, WEDNESDAYS APRIL 26 – MAY 24

Come and join in our Wednesday evening fellowship beginning April 26 (for 5 weeks of the Easter season) with a simple supper, a meditative worship, and a fabulous book discussion. The book chosen for this study is “When Jesus Became God,” by Richard Rubenstein—a fascinating book about the conversation and controversy regarding the humanity and divinity of Jesus during the 4th century. This book provides an excellent background for understanding how our creeds were formulated and took on such prominence in determining our perception of who Jesus is. You may purchase a book at church for $12.00, or from Amazon.com. Although it is helpful to read the book for this discussion, you certainly do not have to read the book in order to participate.

6:00 Dinner - all are welcome!
6:45 Worship with Holy Communion
7:30 - 8:30 Book study and discussion with the Pastors

CINCO DE MAYO SENIOR LUNCHEON AT ST. MARK'S ON MAY 11
All seniors are welcome to attend a festive lunch and raffle on May 11 at 12:00 in
Heritage Hall. Please sign up by calling the Martin Luther Tower office - 415 885-1084. Charge of the lunch is $3.00. We need a couple of volunteers to help set up the place settings and serve the meal to our guests. 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.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
May 21st: No SS due to Bay to Breakers
May 28th: Memorial Day Weekend: Last Day of Sunday School: PARTY!!!!

NEW MEMBER DIRECTORY
We will be updating our member directory and putting a new one out on May 28th and we need your updated contact information. Please send all updates to Stefani at lawrence@stmarks-sf.org by May 8th. Thank you!

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 May our groups will meet on:

Second Tuesday – May 9 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,” the theme for the Women of the ELCA Triennial this summer in Minneapolis.

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

AMAZING GRACE
150 Years of Saint Paulus Lutheran Church
May 19, 20, and 21, 2017

The formal celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Saint Paulus Lutheran Church will take place over the three-day weekend of May 19-21, 2017. On Friday, May 19th, a concert has been scheduled led by our Director of Music, Dustin Hart, of music both traditional and contemporary representing the life of Saint Paulus. Choirs from area churches will be invited to participate as well as volunteers from those who have participated in the great traditions of music which have characterized the history of the congregation. The concert will be held at the present location of Saint Paulus, 1541 Polk St., San Francisco, at 7:30 PM. The public is invited.

On Saturday, May 20th from 1-5 pm there will be an informal Meet and Greet at the Old First Presbyterian Church at Van Ness and Sacramento so people may have conversation together. On May the 20th in the evening a formal celebrative banquet will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral on Gough St, in San Francisco. This invitation only banquet will feature honored guests and former pastors, representatives from past and present, and congregational membership both past and present.

On Sunday, May 21, a festival worship service will be held at the church’s present location at 1541 Polk St. at 10 am. The Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod will participate as well as former and present pastors. All are invited to worship. In the afternoon, beginning at 12 noon until 3 PM, the congregation will host an open house in order to greet well-wishers and interested folks. This event will be open to the public, with local sister congregations receiving specific invitation.

To help in our planning please indicate what event(s) you plan to attend and how many people will be there. Please RSVP to admin@saintpaulus.org.

WORSHIP LEADERS THIS SUNDAY

Director of Music...Dr. Timothy Zerlang
Assisting Ministers...Sharon Reinbott (9); Phil Krikau, Steve Ernst (11)
Lectors...Robert Rathmell (9); Matthias Will (11)
Chalice Bearers...Cristin Owens (9)
Acolytes...Linda Jackson, Grace Ekdale-Hoch
Sacristan and Altar Guild...Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero, Richard Boyle
Ministry of Welcome...Kimberly & David Lam (9); Pam Cheung, Linda R. Jackson (11)
Coffee Hour Chairs...Eva and Matt Dober, Kate Knickerbocker
Next Week’s Coffee Hour Chairs...Barbara Bock