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St. Francis Times

January 1, 2006
The Feast of the Expulsion

Presiding Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher Pr. Jeff Johnson
Assisting Minister Robin Ressler
Lector Jim Lokken
Healing Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Crucifer Grant Burger
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Counters Grant Burger & Jim Kowalski
Organist Gene Clark
Coffee Hour Hosts Paul Johnson
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by Scott Beckerley and Karen Custer

Hebrew Lesson: Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Psalmody: Psalm 90
Christian Reading: Galatians 4:4-7
Holy Gospel: St. Luke 2:22-40

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Tom Tragardh as he prepares for surgery;
• Damaris Cooperud, Richard's former wife, who fell and is recovering in the hospital;
• Rose Wong, one of our Seniors, who recently suffered a stroke;
• Charles Barrett, partner of Patrick Brown, Jr.;
• Robert Zampetti's father, George, who is recovering from illness;
• Ollie Payne, aunt of Dann Cantrell, as she recovers from a long illness.

Those serving in the world:

• The Rev. Pieter Oberholzer and his partner, Fanie Zondagh, and the staff at Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (I AM) in South Africa, serving LGBT people and allies;
• Catherine Coon and the Children of Hope Project in Uganda;
• the St. Francis Transitional Ministry Team;
• for gay Roman Catholic priests during this time of oppression;
• all who work for justice and seek peace in the world.

WELCOME AND THANK YOU.  Rev. Jeff Johnson, pastor of University Lutheran Church, Berkeley, CA, for being our guest preacher for the Tenth Anniversary of our expulsion from the ELCA.  May God continue to bless Pr. Johnson and his ministry in Berkeley.  Pastor Johnson joins a distinguished list of guest preachers on this day including:  Rev. Sharon Stalkfleet; Bishop Stanley Olson; Rev. Mel White; Rev. Anita Hill; Rev. Jenny Mason; and Bishop David Mullen.

THANK YOU to the choir members and Dr. Schofield for the exceptional music during Advent and Christmas; to all who participated in the services as readers, assisting ministers, crucifers, torchbearers, ushers, counters, sacristans, and hosts.

SUNDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP:  Is religious experience and human experience two different unrelated things?  Join us for a lively discussion at 9:45 am, all are invited.  The Study Group is nearing the end of reading through Living Buddha, Living Christ If you have some topic or issue you would like to study, please speak with one of the pastors.

RESERVE SATURDAY, January 28, 10:00 am for a workshop, Writing the Sacred.  Ray McGinnis, a poet and psalm enthusiast, has taught over 3800 people how to write their own prayers and praise within the style of the psalms.  This two hour workshop is being offered to support the deepening of our spirituality and creativity.  The cost is $10 with scholarships available.  The workshop will be in the Parish Hall.  Please pre-register with the office so adequate supplies and preparations can be made.

HELP NEEDED TODAY after the service to put away the decorations in the Sanctuary.  Many hands make the effort go quickly and efficiently.

HOUSE BLESSINGS DURING EPIPHANY.  In Matthews Gospel when the magi saw the shining star stop overhead, they were filled with joy.  On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother.  In the home, Christ is met with partners, spouses, children, friends and visitors.  In the home love is lived out day by day.  Invite the pastor to lead the blessing of your home or make the blessing a family affair.  Orders of a house blessing are available in the pocket of the Worship Folder.

SAY YES, SAY THANKS UPDATE.  Please get your pledges in, if you haven't already.  Your pledge is critical to the budget process and our Mission & Ministry programming for 2006.

HELP US UPDATE OUR MEMBERS BOARD:  Max Kirkeberg will be available over the next several weeks to take your picture during coffee hour.

SAVE THE DATE: Shepherds, Angels & Seers, Sunday, January 15, 2006, 6:00 - 10:00 PM., a gala epiphany banquet at the Holiday Inn on Van Ness near Pine to honor St. Francis members, Mari Irvin and Jim DeLange, upon their retirement from the Board of Directors of Lutheran Lesbian & Gay Ministries, and to award the first Joel Workin Memorial Scholarship. Individual Tickets $120/Table for Eight $900. Scholarships available. For tickets and scholarship information contact: Jeannine Janson (415-606-6297 or jeanninejanson@aol.com) or Greg Egertson (415-722-4224 or gegertson@ggu.edu).

HOSPITALITY HOUR serves about 45 people each Sunday morning.  Volunteers are needed to help provide welcoming, serve juice, help prepare breakfast, and clean up.  Speak to Chuck Hancock, Gabriel Proo, Max Kirkeberg, Pr. Brenner.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP A YOUNG WOMAN THROUGH COLLEGE? A good friend of Sylvia Braselmann and Kathy Emery and a science teacher at Mission High School, Derrlyn Tom, is setting up a scholarship fund for Jacqueline, one of her students.  Scholarship donations will be tax-deductible, and any amount is appreciated.  Talk to or email Sylvia (sbraselmann@rigel.com). Thank you!

BABETTES FEAST will be featured at Movie Night at Thrivent Financial on Friday, January 20, 2006. Come at 6:30 PM for hearty soup and rustic bread. The film (along with popcorn, of course!) will begin at 7:00 PM.  We suggest a donation of $5 per person, which will benefit the San Francisco Chapters Thrivent Builds/Habitat for Humanity. The San Francisco office is at 50 Belcher Street.  RSVP by calling (800) 564-1293.

PARTICIPATION IN ST. FRANCIS CHOIR.  Each Sunday morning rehearsal is at 9 AM. 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY  Nancy Record is the St. Francis contact person and can help you find a time to participate in this project to make affordable housing available to needy families (H 346-3029). Choose your day:  January 28, 31; February 4, 9; March 2, 3, 11, 12.

HELP PROVIDE SHELTER FOR LGBT YOUTH IN NYC.  This winter, Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan (internship site for seminarian Chris Wogaman) will be hosting a shelter for 6 homeless LGBT youth, in conjunction with the only safe shelter for these youth in NYC, Sylvias Place at MCC. So far, we have enough money and volunteers (from Trinity and other sources) to support two weeks of this shelter in January and February. More money will enable us to heat the church ($500 extra per week in heating costs) and provide the space necessary for the shelter. Your support would be much appreciated! Checks made out to Trinity Lutheran Church can be sent to Trinity at 164 W. 100th St. NY, NY, 10025. Or call (212) 222-7045. Please mark them for LGTB youth.

FROM BISHOP CLYMA:  On behalf of Fr. John, our small band from St. Saviors and myself, I want to thank you the St. Francis community for their warm welcome and for letting us celebrate Christmas Eve with you. From the music to the well planned liturgy to your friendliness, it truly made our Christmas! Thank you again and I hope we can worship together in the future. Much Peace to you all.

OUR BOOKS WILL BE CLOSED JANUARY 4.  All donations and reimbursement requests for 2005 must be received by 5:00 PM that day.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  The staff here at St. Francis would like to wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2006.

Weekly Schedule

Sun 1	Mon 2	Tue 3	Wed 4	Thu 5	Fri 6	Sat 7	Sun 8
Feast of the Expulsion 8:45 AM Community Hospitality (PH) 9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal (S) 9:45 AM Adult Education Class (CR) 11:00 AM WORSHIP (S) 12:15 PM Coffee Hour (PH)	OFFICE CLOSED	.	10:00 AM St. Francis Senior Center (PH) 1:30 PM Senior Committee (PH)	.	.	.	8:45 AM Community Hospitality (PH) 9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal (S) 9:45 AM Adult Education Class (CR) 11:00 AM WORSHIP (S) 12:15 PM Coffee Hour (PH)

Participants for Sunday, January 8
The Baptism of Jesus

Presiding Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Preacher Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister NEEDED
Lector James Loubriel
Healing Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Crucifer Mark Pritchard
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers Brian Border & James Infusino
Counters NEEDED
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Grant Burger
Altar Flowers Clifton King & Faye Robinson

Do you have an article or event you'd like included in The St. Francis Times? Please inform the Church Office by Thursday mornings. The Times is prepared on Thursday so our volunteers can duplicate and stuff it early Friday mornings. Articles may be submitted via fax or e-mail, short items or "Save the Date" entries are welcome via phone.

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