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St. Francis Times

February 12, 2006
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Presiding Minister Fr. Evan Ardley
Preacher Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister Grant Burger
Lector Lee McCormick
Healing Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Crucifer Mark Pritchard
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers Scott Beckerley & Karen Custer
Counters Jane Moyer & Paul Knutson
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Faith and Life Group
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by Faith and Life Group in memory of Coretta Scott King.

Hebrew Lesson:  II Kings 5:1-14
Psalmody: Psalm 30
Holy Gospel:  St. Mark 1:21-28

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• David Cortez and his family on the sudden passing of his sister, Virginia Huiza;
• Ken Hedrick, whose mother was buried in West Virginia, February 3;
• Karen, sister of Paul Groth, as she struggles with the side effects of chemotherapy;
• Esther Boyd, Karen Custer's Mother and Scott Beckerley's Grandmother in Lawton Rehab Center;
• Tom Tragardh, now at home, as he recovers from surgery;
• three of our Seniors: Edna Gourley, who is recuperating at home, Rose Mitchell, who is in St. Francis Hospital, and Rose Wong, who recently suffered a stroke;
• John Ross, a resident at Maitri;
• Robert Zampetti's father, George, who is recovering from illness;
• Ollie Payne as she recovers from a long illness;
• John Duffy, uncle of Dann Cantrell, as he goes through serious treatment:

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.

ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting will be held after church today.  We will discuss and approve a 2006 budget and elect council members, council officers and candidates for the nominating and audit committees.

SOUTH DAKOTANS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION SPEAKER Jon Hoadley, will address our congregation before the Annual Meeting in the Parish Hall this morning.  Voters in the Mt. Rushmore state will cast ballots in November on a constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriages. Moral and financial assistance is greatly needed. To help pro-gay, pro-equality advocates, sign up for alerts and mail a donation. Email: jon.hoadley@gmail.com; Postal address: South Dakotans Against Discrimination, PO Box 891, Sioux Falls, SD 57101

FATHER EVAN ARDLEY gives thanks for thirty-five years as a Priest on February 14, being the Feasts of Saints Cyril, Methodius and Valentine.

A DAY IN THE ST FRANCIS YARD:  Please join in the fun of a spring cleanup of the St. Francis yard and grounds on Saturday, February 18 starting at 10:00 am.  (Rain cancels).  We will do some pruning, clean up winter debris, pull a few weeds and distribute compost and mulch.  Wear gloves and warm clothes.  No gardening experience is required just a willingness to get a little dirty and hang out with your St. Francis friends.  If you have a perennial in your own garden that you would like to donate bring it along and we will find a place for it.

INSTALLATION.  The Installation Eucharist for Pr. Goldstein will be held the Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 26, at 2:30 PM.  This important event for undertaking our vision is also an opportunity to witness to the larger Lutheran and religious community.  Bishop Landahl from Chicago will be the preacher, Pr. Dan Solberg, Dean of San Francisco Conference, will be installing and Pr. Susan Strauss, First United Lutheran Church, will preside.  Invitations will be extended to other churches and synagogues for participation.

SCREENING OF BONHOEFFER.  The Documentary, Bonhoeffer, directed by Martin Doblmeir, will be screened at Grace Cathedral, Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 PM, $10.  The director will be in attendance, speak and answer questions.  In addition, representatives from Harper/San Francisco will be displaying their newly published volume, A Year With Dietrich Bonhoeffer:  Daily Meditations from His Letters, Writings and Sermons.  Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor who was executed in the closing days of World War II at the age of 39 for participating in the plot against Hitler.  Among his many books, Cost of Discipleship, was specifically addressed to a Lutheran audience, challenging inactivism and laise faire Christianity.  We have observed his day as part of our liturgies frequently.  Plan to attend.

PASTOR ROBERTS NEW CELLPHONE NUMBER is 415-516-5878.  His residence phone is 415-558-8978.  You can reach him any time except Mondays, his day off unless, of course, you have a pastoral emergency.

PARTICIPATION IN ST. FRANCIS CHOIR. Each Sunday morning rehearsal is at 9:00 AM.

HOSPITALITY HOUR serves about 60 to 65 people each Sunday morning at 8:45 AM.  Volunteers are needed to help with welcoming, serving juice, preparing breakfast, and cleaning up.  Speak to Chuck Hancock, Gabriel Proo, Max Kirkeberg, Michael Callahan or Pr. Brenner.

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.

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

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, are 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!

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 (346-3029). Choose your day:  March 2, 3, 11, 12.

CHINESE NEW YEAR & BLACK HISTORY MONTH reminds us that our society is polycultural and provides opportunities to learn about the contributions of different cultures.  We wish good fortune to our Chinese friends and neighbors and salute our African American friends and neighbors for their accomplishments.

A MESSAGE FROM NEW ORLEANS  Last Fall we helped a Tunisian exchange teacher in New Orleans return to that devastated city.  Here is a portion of his letter to us:  Bonjour for all the members of the Church of St. Francis.  I hope that everyone is very well and in good health. I want to thank you all very much for your generous help which made my return to New Orleans much easier.  I cannot forget what you did so generously!  I have been so busy in fact establishing my new life here, my return to school, to find a location where to live and a lot of other occupations.  I write today especially to tell you that I'm happy to be again here, to return to my position at my school on January 17 and to try to rebuild, with New Orleans people, the City & I wrote above all to tell you that you are in my mind.  I pray God to bless you and to protect you all!  Thanks a lot again.  Gratefully, Sami

Weekly Schedule

Sun 12	Mon 13	Tue 14	Wed 15	Thu 16	Fri 17	Sat 18	Sun 19
8:45 AM Community Hospitality (PH) 9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal (S) 9:30 AM Demonization of Darwin a study presented by Robin Ressler (PH) 11:00 AM WORSHIP (S) 12:15 PM Annual Meeting Cost Lunch (4$ donation) (PH) 2:00 PM PFLAG (S)	.	.	10:00 AM St. Francis Senior Center (PH) 11:00 AM Valentines Day Dance (PH)	.	.	9:30 AM Property Committee Meeting (SC) 10:00 AM Spring Gardening (Y)	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, February 19
The Seventh Sunday After Epiphany

Presiding Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher Robin Ressler
Assisting Minister NEEDED
Lector Glenda Lisk
Healing Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Crucifer NEEDED
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers NEEDED
Counters Sarah Wells & Lynne Ohlson
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Max Kirkeberg & Gabriel Proo
Altar Flowers Faith and Life Group

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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