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St. Francis Times

March 12, 2006
Second Sunday in Lent

Presiding Minister Fr. Evan Ardley
Preacher Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister Paul Johnson
Lectors Lee McCormick & Nancy Ewart
Healing Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Crucifer Stephen Lawson
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers Scott Beckerley & Karen Custer
Counters Sarah Wells & Lynne Ohlson
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Faith and Life Group

Hebrew Lesson:  Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalmody: Psalm 22:23-31
Christian Reading: Romans 4:13-25
Holy Gospel:  St. Mark 8:31-38

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Jack Kling whose recovery is progressing;
• Roy Matlofsky, Rob Zampetti's partner, who is recovering from hernia surgery;
• Paul Brenner who is having trouble with his shoulder;
• Karen Custer and Scott Beckerley whose mother/grandmother, Esther Boyd, died recently;
• Beverly Hines, who is recovering from cataract surgery;
• Tony Partono as he undergoes chemotherapy;
• Ellen Zoppi, Eric Shifler's sister, who is at home recovering from complications related to diabetes;
• Karen, sister of Paul Groth, as she struggles with the side effects of chemotherapy;
• Tom Tragardh, now at home, as he recovers from his second surgery;
• 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;
• two of our Seniors: Edna Gourley, who is recuperating at home, and Rose Wong, who recently suffered a stroke;
• 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.

ADULT STUDY GROUP.  All are invited to join us as we begin studying a wonderful series by Professor Bart D. Ehrman looking at the first three hundred years of the formation of the Church From Jesus to Constantine. 

PARTICIPATE IN ST. FRANCIS CHOIR. Each Sunday morning rehearsal is at 9:00 AM.  To sing is to pray twice.

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 Strouse, First United Lutheran Church, will preside.  Invitations will be extended to other churches and synagogues for participation.

MEMBERSHIP INQUIRY CLASSES will meet at 10:30 AM on Saturdays March 25 and April 1.  Whether you plan to join or not, you are invited to attend.  New Members will be received at the Easter Vigil.  See Pr. Goldstein.

SERVICE PARTICIPATION.  In the attempt to be more gender inclusive we are trying a new system during Lent in assigning people to serve as Crucifer, Readers, Assistant Ministers.  Ushers and Hosts for coffee hour still can sign the sheets in the Parish Hall.  If you are interested in being assigned please speak with Pr. Brenner.  A training session for Crucifers, Torchbearers, and Assisting Ministers is scheduled for Saturday, March 25 at 10:30 PM.

SPRING FLING SILENT AUCTION to benefit Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center will be held Saturday evening, May 20, 2006.  Mark your calendars now and join us for an evening of great food, drinks, a silent auction, a raffle and entertainment.  Spring Fling 2006 will be held at the S. F. County Fair Building at Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way.

LOVE BAGS are available in the narthex for you to use for making a special love offering during Lent.  You may use more than one Love Bag.  The offering of the Love Bags will be during the Great Days of Holy Week from Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday. Your offering will help support the mission of justice and compassion by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Francis Lutheran Church.  "Inasmuch as you have done it ...".

PARISH HALL FLOORING WILL BE DONE THIS WEEK.  All programs using that room are canceled, this week only.  We expect it to be completed by Friday, March 17th.

COUNCIL RETREAT is to be held this Friday Saturday, March 17 and 18.  Pastors can be reached on their cell phones.

WORSHIP COMMITTEE:  All are invited to attend the Worship Committee Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 PM.

INCOME TAX REFUND?  Do consider a tithe of your tax refund to some special interest group or organization within the St. Francis family.

GREG GOMEZ is looking for a 1 bedroom apartment in the Bay Area.  He would like to move sometime over the next few months and can pay up to $1,200.  If you have any leads please call Greg at (415) 244-6728.

SF FREEDOM SCHOOL FILM AND CONCERT FUNDRAISER, with Civil Rights Veterans and the Bay Area Labor Chorus (and Food and Drink) Saturday, May 6, 6:30 - 9 PM. St. Francis Church Parish Hall.  Please come and join us to support the SF Freedom School where we use Civil Rights history as a case study to help people understand how social movements happen. We inspire and energize!  Contact Kathy Emery (mke4think@hotmail.com) if you want more information. Also see www.educationanddemocracy.org/ED_SFFS.html

NEW ARCHBISHOP IN SAN FRANCISCO:  The Jewish community invites you to join them in welcoming the new Archbishop of San Francisco, George H. Niederauer, DD, Ph. D.  The program will include an acknowledgement of the 40th Anniversary of Nostra Aetate, which transformed Catholic-Jewish relations, and will feature childrens choirs from Temple Emanu-El and Stuart Hall High School. It will be held Sunday, March 12, 7:00 PM, at Temple Emanu-El, 2 Lake Street.  For more information call Judi Leff at 751-2541 x115.

PEACE MASS to honor the American soldiers and Iraqi civilians who have died or been wounded.  The Mass will take place next Sunday, March 19, 6:00 PM at Church of the Advent of Christ the King Episcopal Church, 261 Fell Street.

THE SAN FRANCISCO RELAY FOR LIFE which raises money to help prevent cancer and diminish suffering from the disease, will be held at Crissy Field on June 10-11.  There will be food, games, activities, and music throughout the day, evening, and into the night.  For more information please talk to Wei Haur Lau.

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) 9:45 AM Adult Education Class (CR) 11:00 AM WORSHIP (S) 12:15 PM Coffee Hour (PH) 2:00 PM PFLAG (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, March 19
The Third Sunday in Lent

Presiding Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher Fr. Evan Ardley
Assisting Minister Mark Pritchard
Lectors Arthur Morris & Rachel Markel
Healing Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Crucifer Sarah Wells
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers Bill Hunter & Leona Lee
Counters Scott Beckerley & Dale Leininger
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Kirsten Havrehed

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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