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St. Francis Times

March 19, 2006
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

Hebrew Lesson: Exodus 20:1-17
Psalmody: Psalm 19
Christian Reading: I Corinthians 1:18-25
Holy Gospel:  St. John 2:13-22

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• The family and loved ones of Dr. Robert Smith, former Interim Pastor at First United, who passed away Thursday, March 16;
• Tami Moore, one of our Seniors, as she mourns the loss of her youngest son, Paul Moore, who died unexpectedly of pancreatic cancer;
• Jack Kling whose recovery is progressing;
• Roy Matlofsky, Rob Zampetti's partner, who is recovering from hernia surgery;
• Ellen Zoppi, Eric Shifler's sister, who is at home recovering from complications related to diabetes;
• 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;
• Edna Gourley, one of our Seniors, who is recuperating at home;
• 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.

INSTALLATION.  The Installation Eucharist for Pr. Robert 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.

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. 

RUSSELL BLANK, OUR OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, has accepted a position with Apple Computer.  We will miss Russell's cheery greetings at the office and we thank him for his years of service at St. Francis.  His last day will be this Wednesday, March 22.  We have hired David Walda as Interim Parish Administrator who will be working weekday mornings.  We need your help in covering the phone and accepting deliveries on weekday afternoons from noon till 4 PM.  A sign up sheet has been posted downstairs if you can help until a new Parish Administrator is on staff.  Your assistance will be very much appreciated.

ON APRIL 17TH, THE SF GAY MEN'S CHORUS is delighted to host the Stockholm Gay Choir from Sweden, and the Community Women's Orchestra, at Davies Symphony Hall for the Thank You for the Music concert. Please help preserve the musical and cultural legacy of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus by financially supporting its continued success through your attendance at this concert and through your tax deductible donations. For more information and to purchase tickets please go to the SFGMC website at: http://www.sfgmc.org/pub/home/index.asp

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 (there is a sliding scale of $5-$50.)  Spring Fling 2006 will be held at the S. F. County Fair Building at Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way.

EASTER BUFFET:  Persons interested in going for an Easter Buffet at the Marriott Hotel please see Barbara Kling for details.

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.

PARISH HALL FLOORING IS STILL BEING INSTALLED.  All programs using that room are canceled through Wednesday, March 22

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&.

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

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

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

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

Sun 19	Mon 20	Tue 21	Wed 22	Thu 23	Fri 24	Sat 25	Sun 26
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)	.	6:30 PM Church Council (CR) 6:30 PM Worship Committee (SC)	Senior Center Closed for parish hall floor repairs	.	7:00 PM Foundation Dinner (One Market)	10:30 AM Membership Class (SC) 10:30 AM Assisting Minister & Crucifer Training (S)	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) 2:30 PM Pastor Goldstein's Installation Service (S) & (PH)

Participants for Sunday, March 26
The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Presiding Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Preacher Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister Rachel Markel
Lector(s) Jessica Prentice
Healing Minister Pr. Robert Goldstein
Crucifer NEEDED
Sacristan Patrick Brown, Jr.
Ushers Scott Beckerley & Karen Custer
Counters Debora Tully & Dale Leininger
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Coffee Hour Hosts Leona Lee & Grant Burger

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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