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St. Francis Times

July 23, 2006
The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Presiding Minister Pr. Paul Brenner
Preacher Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister Michael Mallory
Lector Leona Lee
Healing Minister  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Crucifer Stephen Lawson
Sacristan Samuel Aller & Timur Muhrlin
Ushers Susan Tucceri & Robert Zampetti
Counters Brad Hubert & Ken Hedrick
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Flowers Robert Zampetti

First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalmody: Psalm 23
Second Reading:  Ephesians 2:11-22
Holy Gospel:  Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Paul Johnson and his step-father, Ray Berven, in the passing of Paul’s mother, Ruby, this week;
• George Zampetti, father of Robert Zampetti, who still having health issues;
• Paul C for God’s strength and aid;
• John, friend of Michael Mallory;
• Ollie Payne;
• John Duffy, uncle of Dann Cantrell;
• Rick Anderson, friend of Dale Johnson;
• Carl Jech;
• Pat Stein, partner of Gloria Seich;
• Diane DeLange;
• Karen Olesen and her family as her mother recovers from a stroke;
• Family of Rose Mitchell, (one of our seniors) who passed recently.

Those serving in the world:

• The Rev. Pieter Oberholzer and his partner, Fanie Zondagh, and the staff at Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) in South Africa, serving LGBT people and allies;
• Catherine Coon and the Children of Hope Project in Uganda;
• our Call Committee: Scott Beckerley, Rob Byrne, Marilyn Jackson, Susan Kools, Jim Kowalski, Dale Leininger, Deb Tully and Marsha White.

IN PLACE OF ADULT FORUM THIS SUNDAY MORNING the first of today’s two meetings will be held by the PPP Call Committee in the Conference Room to hear your concerns and answer your questions.  The second meeting will take place after worship this morning.  Next Sunday, after worship service will be the final meeting.

WE WELCOME DAVID WALDA to our staff as our new full-time Parish Administrator.  Dave has worked since Russell’s departure on a part-time interim basis until tomorrow, July 24th, when he begins full-time on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. David is known to many around St. Francis, not only for his work for LLGM but also for his friendly and calm manner in his role as Parish Administrator.  Please welcome David when you see or talk to him.

Our thanks to the many members and friends of St. Francis who pitched in to help us through our interim transition. Your work is deeply appreciated and made the staff’s work easier.  Thanks so much.

SAVE THE DATE!  This year's GALA is Sunday, September 17.  The event is extra special because we are commemorating the 100-Year Anniversary of the 152 Church Street Building and Cornerstone.  The evening will include a cocktail hour, dinner, silent & live auction and other festivities. We are now accepting auction items.

Talk to your favorite restaurant or store manager today and start bringing in those gift certificates!  Next GALA Committee Meeting is today after service..

GAY GAMES:

RACHEL HOOBING’S TEAM WINS SILVER MEDAL!  From Leah Garchik’s column on July 19 in the San Francisco Chronicle : The Oakland Trip the Light Fantastic Formal Team won a silver medal at the Games for a Night Club 2-step number in the Team Dance Sport competition. First place went to Australian Cloggers who danced to a Madonna song.

THE CONGREGATION COUNCIL held its July meeting last Tuesday.  Some of the council highlights included:

1.  A gift of $2,000 to the One Voice capital campaign was approved.  This line item was part of the 2006 Budget approved by the Congregation at the annual meeting in February.  One Voice is the joint fundraising appeal to benefit Lutherans Concerned/North America, Lutheran Lesbian & Gay Ministries and Wingspan Ministry of St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church.

2.  David Walda has accepted the Parish Administrator position.  David has been serving as the interim parish administrator since Russell Blank left in March 2006.

3.  Dr. David Schofield has accepted the Music Director position.  David has been serving as the interim music director since Wingate Greathouse left in January 2005.

4.  This year's GALA, "A Century of Faith", will be Sunday, September 17 at the Atrium Restaurant located in the 101 California building.  The event promises to be great fun and everyone is encouraged to attend.  More details about the event will be forthcoming from the Events Committee.

5.  The Promissory Note 2006 for the loan from the Foundation covering the Organ Refurbishing project was approved. The downpayment has been made to the organ builders, Hupalo & Repasky, to begin work on the first three phases of the refurbishing project.  In addition, we have received enough pledges and donations to move forward on the fourth phase of this project.

6.  The last phase of the termite treatment for the Belcher Street Property was completed on Saturday.

7.  The church's financial position is in fine shape through June 2006.  Our overall income is ahead of expenses by $15,121.94, and Mission & Ministry giving is $100,468.93, approximately 4-percent ahead of schedule.  This is especially good news since member giving during the summer historically tends to lag, says Dale Leininger, our treasurer.  Thanks to everyone as we continue to "Say Yes!" and "Say Thanks!" to the mission and ministry of St. Francis lived out among us!

8.  The Council authorized the formation of the Belcher Street Redevelopment Study Group.  This Study Group will explore options and make recommendations to the council and the congregation on how this property might be redeveloped while keeping in step with our current mission and vision for the future.  This initiative came out of the Council's long-range planning discussion it held at its March retreat.  If you would like additional information, please contact a council member.  The first meeting will be Sunday, October 1, 2006.  Everyone is invited to participate.

SEND THOSE PROFILES BACK: St. Francis members should have received the profile information by now. Please return them to the church, or mail them in so we can update our records. Thanks to those that have already responded.

UPDATE ON THE ORGAN RENOVATION PROGRAM.  We are only $5,570 away from our $40,000 goal.  The contract has been signed and parts ordered for the first three phases, so progress is being made. THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN SO GENEROUS WITH GIFTS AND PLEDGES.  For those that have not made a gift or pledge, please contact David Walda, Parish Administrator for a copy of The Organ at St. Francis, or with any questions.  The end of the pledge period is August 6, 2006.  All those that contribute can dedicate their contribution in memory of or in honor of someone.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MARATHON will be held next Sunday 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The run course bypasses the St. Francis Church area, but may impact your trip  to church service that day. Go to www.runsfm.com for more information

AIDS WALK POST-WALK UPDATE

The Walk took place on a gorgeous Sunday morning;. 65 team members checked in with Iris and $45,337.00 was collected. Also, 13 team members not present raised $2,185.00 on-line by Sunday, bringing our total to $47,522.00. Last year our tally on the day of the walk was $43,066. This is about $4,500 more than last year. This is good. AIDS-Walk Headquarters is still resting and I have no access to their figures, but will pass on their figures ASAP. The Tania/Michael & friends barbeque was awesome &worth the effort to get to the park. Remember, we have until August 11 to get in our late pledges and solicit new support, so keep alert!

Thanks for everyone’s efforts, especially Clifton for getting up so early to make us coffee, and Dave for his help and patience, and Carl for shopping with me early Sunday at Safeway. And finally Iris for taking on the task of recording the collections.

AND I just checked our team’s on-line totals. Since Sunday, the 45 team members using on-line collections have added $1,970. Very excellent. I may just have to convert to computers; we’ll see.

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

ST. FRANCIS REPRESENTED AT VIGIL REMEMBERING EXECUTED IRANIAN GAY TEENAGERS

Pastor Robert spoke at the vigil along with Bevan Dufty and Michael Petrelis and others.

Sun 23	Mon 24	Tue 25	Wed 26	Thu 27	Fri 28	Sat 29	Sun 30
8:45 AM Community Hospitality (PH) 9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal (S) 10:00 AM Call Committee with Congregation( CR) 11:00 AM WORSHIP (S) 12:15 PM Coffee Hour (PH) 12:30 PM Call Committee with Congregation( CR) 12:30 PM GALA Committee Meeting (SC)	.	9:00 AM SFLC Staff Meeting (SC)	10:00 AM St. Francis Senior Center (PH) 11:00 AM Senior Program: Wes Winters & Lauren Bacall host "100 Years of Hollywood's Most Memorabel Kisses on the Silver Screen" (PH) 6:30 PM Personnel Committee (SC)	.	.	10:00 AM Garden Committee Landscaping	8:45 AM Community Hospitality (PH) 9:00 AM Choir Rehearsal (S) 10:45 AM Adult Education Class (CR) 11:00 AM WORSHIP (S) 12:15 PM Coffee Hour (PH) 12:30 PM Call Committee with Congregation( CR)

Participants for Sunday, July 30
The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Presiding Minister Pr. Evan Ardley
Preacher Pr. Robin Ressler
Assisting Minister Paul Johnson
Lector Glenda Lisk
Healing Minister Robin Resslers,
Crucifer NEEDED
Sacristan Samuel Aller & Timur Muhrlin
Ushers Chuck Hancock & Carl Tebell
Counters Glenda Lisk & Grant Burger
Organist Dr. David Schofield
Flowers NEEDED
Coffee Hour Host  NEEDED

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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