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St. Francis Times

January 15, 2006
The Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Presiding Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Preacher Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister Rachel Hoobing
Lector Gabriel Proo
Reader Marilyn Jackson
Healing Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Crucifer Eric Shifler
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers Max Kirkeberg & Leona Lee
Counters Bruce Jervis & Paul Knutson
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Karen Olesen & Lynne Ohlson
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by James Barron

Hebrew Lesson: I Samuel 3:1-10
Psalmody: Psalm 139:1-11
Second Reading:  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s A Letter from the Birmingham Jail
Holy Gospel: St. John 1:43-51

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Tom Tragardh as he prepares for surgery;
• Ken Hedrick's mother, Lorraine Hedrick, as she deals with cancer;
• Rose Mitchell, one of our Seniors, who recently suffered a stroke;
• Damaris Copperud, Richard's former wife, who is in the hospital recovering from a staff infection;
• Rose Wong, one of our Seniors, who recently suffered a stroke;
• John Ross, resident at Maitri;
• Robert Zampetti's father, George, who is recovering from illness;
• Ollie Payne, aunt of Dann Cantrell, as she recovers from a long illness;
• victims of  the Bay Area flooding;
• victims of the violence in Africa and Middle East.

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;
• all who work for justice and seek peace in the world.

SAYING YES, SAYING THANKS.  The Stewardship Team would like to thank everyone for participating in this years program.  We received 85 pledges totaling $181,160, shy of our goals for the year, but definitely a collective YES to the vision and the work that lies ahead at St. Francis.

SUNDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP:  How does one practice the presence of the Holy Spirit?  Join the lively discussion at 9:45 AM as the Adult Study Group comes close to finishing its study of Living Buddha, Living Christ.  All are invited and welcome.

RESERVE SATURDAY.  January 28, 10 AM to 12:30 PM for a special workshop on Writing the Sacred.  Ray McGinnis will lead participants in a process of writing our own psalms and hymns, based on the model of the ancient Hebrew psalter and Early Christian hymnodody.  The cost is $10 and scholarships are available.  Come to express your own spirituality and find your own voice.   Please pre-register with the office so adequate arrangements can be made.

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.  Requests for a house blessing are available in the pocket of the Worship Folder.

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

HOSPITALITY HOUR serves about 60 to 65 people each Sunday morning.  Volunteers are needed to help with welcoming, serving juice, preparing breakfast, and cleaning up.  Speak to Chuck Hancock, Gabriel Proo, Max Kirkeberg, Michael Callahan,
Pr. Brenner.

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

EXPERT HOUSE CLEANING AVAILABLE:  Friends of St Francis Childcare Center parent Monica has  immediate openings. Call Monica to leave a message at 407-2215 or Nancy Record at 861-1818 to get your New Year off to a clean start.

SHEPHERDS, ANGELS & SEERS, today from 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).

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.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE:  Wednesday, January 25, 6:30 PM, in the Conference Room.  If you are interested in helping, please come.

PARKING PERMITS:  New Safeway parking permits are available in the narthex.

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 LGBT youth.

LAST MONTH AT ST. FRANCIS Council Highlights included:  The main focus of December's Council meeting was on the 2006 budget.  Pastor Goldstein got his first taste of a meeting where we spent 5 hours discussing the 2006 budget.  Council approved Foundation Grant recommendations.  Approved Benevolence Distribution. A new membership class is in the works and there was a discussion about a Celebration for our 100th Anniversary of 152 Church St. Building coming up in 2006.  Mission & Ministry Giving for December was $26,927 with a budget of $15,816.  This is 170% of projected total.  The YTD stood at $187,480, with a YTD budget of $189,795.  This is 99% of the projected Mission & Ministry total.  Finally, average Sunday morning worship attendance for December was 66; Christmas Eve service attendance was 100. Average Sunday morning worship attendance, year-to-date is 71.  Thanks to everyone for their continued support!

Weekly Schedule

Sun 15	Mon 16	Tue 17	Wed 18	Thu 19	Fri 20	Sat 21	Sun 22
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 in Honor of MARTIN LUTHER KING	6:30 PM Church Council (CR)	10:00 AM St. Francis Senior Center (PH) 11:00 AM Awareness Through Movement 7:00 PM HIV Support Group	.	.	.	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 22
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Presiding Minister Fr. Evan Ardley
Preacher Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister Mark Pritchard
Lector Lee McCormick
Healing Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Crucifer Paul Johnson
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers Timur Muhrlin & Lawrence Mortensen
Counters Susan Tucceri & Lynne Ohlson
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Leona Lee
Altar Flowers Jane Moyer & Janet Free

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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