Fall Stewardship Campaign, October 20- November 24 What does community mean to you? Each week through November 24th St. Mark's Stewardship Committee will highlight one of the important communities of faith that impact us as members of St. Mark's. This week Matt Helland will discuss our relationship with Cordero de Dios in El Salvador. Matt will discuss the significance of maintaining a relationship with Cordero de Dios and its relevance to us as members of God's community of faith. We encourage you to join us in celebrating our communities of faith and to realize they are made possible largely through your pledge of financial support. Please remember to return your pledge cards at either the 9:00 or 11:00 service on November 24th. We encourage all members of St. Mark's to join in our stewardship efforts as we go Forward in Faith...Celebrating Community.
2013 World AIDS Day Interfaith Service: Giving Voice to The Here and Now, Dec. 1st
The AIDS epidemic affects many around the world as well as in our own city of San Francisco. Despite significant advances in research worldwide, many still do not realize the significant impact of this disease at present.
The Third Space Community, a network of young adults representing many faith and non-faith traditions, will be joined by the San Francisco Interfaith Council and St. Mark's Lutheran Church to recognize those who have given so much to this movement and to empower those who want to make a difference now. Please join us for this powerful event on Sunday, December 1st at 7pm @ St. Mark's.
Interested in Baptism? Membership? Deepening Your Faith?
If you are interested in membership or Baptism, please contact the Journeys in Faith team at journeys@stmarks-sf.org.
ELCA offers prayers, financial support for Philippines typhoon relief
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) are offering prayers and financial contributions to support immediate relief efforts among communities affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan that struck the central Philippines Nov. 8. The typhoon is the one of the most powerful storms recorded, causing massive destruction and forcing more than 700,000 people to flee their homes. Lutheran Disaster Response, in partnership with Action for Churches Together Alliance, will work to assess immediate and long-term needs and provide survivors with food, water, clothing, shelter, medicine and other materials. Financial gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response will be used 100 percent to support relief efforts for all survivors impacted by the typhoon. For more information visit www.elca.org.
Lutheran Social Service: Give a Gift in November
Our 2nd Mile gift recipient in November is Lutheran Social Services of Northern California. LSS serves over 3000 people in Northern California every day. Read about some of their work in the bulletin insert. Donate by writing a check to St. Mark's and noting "Lutheran Social Services" in the memo line. --St. Mark's Social Ministry
Nov.-Dec.-Jan. Voice Deadline is this Monday, November 18th
Monday, November 18 is the deadline for the November-December 2013 and January 2014 Voice newsletter. Generally speaking the guidelines are as follows: each blurb should be no more than 100 words; and each full article should be no more than 350 words. Photos are always welcome! Please email content to dayton@stmarks-sf.org. Thank you!
The Diverse Face of Christianity in the Middle East
Adult Education Presentation by Fr. DN. John Khoury, Wed., Nov. 20 at 7:15 pm
Many American Christians don't know about the existence of Christian communities in Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and other regions of the Middle East. Many of these communities have existed for centuries and are continuing to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ today despite major social and political unrest. As part of our monthly Prayer Vigil for Peace in Israel/Palestine, St. Mark's has invited Fr. Dn. John Khoury of St. George Orthodox Church in San Francisco to talk about his upbringing in Palestine and his own faith community's history there as well as the diversity of the Christian perspective within the context of the Middle East.
Enter into the Mystery of Advent
Wednesday @ 6:45pm during Advent - The Great O Antiphons: a Service for Advent
In the ancient church the seven "Great O Antiphons" were used during the last days Advent. They later formed the basis for the familiar Advent hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." During our Wednesday evening Advent services (come for soup at 6 pm, the service will start at 6:45) we will hear these ancient texts sung in new settings by Carl Schalk, each followed by a brief meditation by the poet Jill Peláez Baumgaertner. We will also sing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," joining our voices with those of the faithful throughout the centuries.
Bright Stars of Bethlehem Art Exhibit, Dec. 1
On December 1 from 2:00 - 6:00 pm you are invited to attend a special art exhibit of paintings and drawings by artists living in the Holy Land. Bright Stars of Bethlehem will present this open house with refreshments, music and fellowship at Ebenezer/herchurch Lutheran, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco. Come and view these unique pieces from artists living under occupation in the West Bank.
Mark your calendars!
Sunday, December 15, 3:30 pm - @ St. Mary's Cathedral
The choir of St. Mark's will join the choir of St. Mary's Cathedral for a fourth annual joint Advent Service of Lessons and Carols. Hosted this year by St. Mary's and under the direction of Cathedral Music Director and Organist, Christoph Tietze, the combined choirs will sing Stanford's Magnificat in G, Victoria's Ave Maria for double choir, Demantius' Ich bin ein guter Hirt, and Lauridsen's hauntingly beautiful O Magnum Mysterium, and more! Don't miss this beautiful service in a truly spectacular space.
Interfaith Food Pantry Dates for 2013
The Interfaith Food Pantry is held every Saturday at the Old First Presbyterian Church. St. Mark's last date for the year is: December 14. The "All Faiths" last date is: December 7. For more info, contact John Elford atjbruceelford@gmail.com.
Making (& Breaking!) Bread
Each Sunday we serve freshly baked bread for Holy Communion at 11am. If you would like to become part of the breadmaking team, please contact Richard Boyle at rboylern@yahoo.com. This is an enjoyable way to get involved on Sunday mornings!
St. Mark's clergy available for pastoral care, conversation, and prayer
You can reach Pr. Elizabeth and Pr. Bekah several different ways:
1. Call the church office and ask to speak to them. Feel free to leave a confidential voice mail for them at their extensions - Pr Elizabeth ext. 2300; Pr. Bekah ext. 2320;
2. You may email them at: ekdale@stmarks-sf.org and davis@stmarks-sf.org.
3. If you are in need of immediate, emergency assistance (for example, an unplanned hospital visit or death of a family member), please call them on their cell phones: Pr. Ekdale - 415 846-4340; Pr. Bekah - 402 608-1899. They want to be available to you - especially during a time of crisis.
In addition, both clergy are available for pastoral appointments. You are invited to contact them directly to set up an appointment. Note that Pr. Bekah's day off is Tuesday and Pr. Ekdale's day off is Friday.
Wednesday Produce Market on the Square, 11 am-12 noon
Support our community market! Please come and purchase fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs every Wednesday from 11am-12noon in the Urban Life Center Auditorium! The market is co-sponsored by Episcopal Senior Communities and Martin Luther Tower.
Worship Leaders for this Sunday
Assisting Ministers...Richard Boyle (9); Marge Okuley, Linda Jackson (11)
Lectors...Dianne Velleno (9); Barbara McCormick (11)
Acolytes...Astra Varian
Chalice Bearers...Matt Helland, Robert Rathmell (9); Marisa Louie, Nate McDonald (11)
Welcome Ministry... Susan Sall (9); Nate & Kacie McDonald, Debra Varian (11)
Refreshment Hour Chairs...Cal & Gail Culp, Philip Krikau