Each Friday, next week's Times is posted here. Older issues are archived here.

St. Francis Times

January 28, 2007
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Presiding Minister    Pr. Paul Brenner
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister     Rob Byrne
Healing Minister       Pr. Robert Goldstein
Sacristan                  Samuel Aller
Crucifer                   Brandee Marckmann
Lector                     Glenda Lisk
Ushers                    Scott Beckerley & Karen Custer
Coffee Hour Host    Carl Tebell
Counters                 Brad Hubert & Susan Tucceri
Altar Flowers          are given to the glory of God from Ken Hedrick in memory of his mother Lorraine K Hedrick

First Reading:      Jeremiah 1:4-10
Second Reading:   1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Holy Gospel:        Luke 4:21-30
Psalmody:            Psalm 71:1-6

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Bill Hunter;
• Ollie Payne;
• Parker Nolen, at home
• Ollie Payne;
• John Duffy;
• Rick Anderson;
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Dorothy Smith, of the childcare center, recovery from major surgery;
• David Belcher, son of Fr. George Belcher, hospitalized in Calgary;
• Chris Wogaman and family, on the news that the grandmother of Chris, Doris has inoperable cancer;
• Pastor Bradley Schmeling and St. John's; Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, who awaits the verdict of the trial by the Southeastern Synod, ELCA.

Those serving in the world:

• The Rev. Megan Rohrer, Missionary to the Homeless of SF through The Welcome Ministry;
• 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.

The fourth Sunday in January is designated by the ecumenical welcoming community as Welcoming Sunday, which, in Lutheran churches is called RIC Sunday. On this day, we join other welcoming congregations from various denominations in celebrating the witness to God’s love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. 335 Lutheran congregations, 24 synods and 13 Lutheran colleges and organizations join us.

ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11

The Annual Meeting for 2007 will be held on Sunday, February 11, following worship service in the Parish Hall. All voting members are encouraged to attend.

The following statement was sent to St. John’s Lutheran Church at the close of hearings by the ELCA against Pastor Bradley Schmeling.

To the People of God in Christ gathered at St. John’s Lutheran Church and to their Pastor, the Rev. Bradley Schmeling:

Grace be to you and Peace from our Savior Jesus Christ.

We, the Congregation and Pastor of St. Francis Lutheran Church, San Francisco, stand in solidarity with you. We recognize and lift up the courage of Pastor Bradley to come forward, with honesty & integrity, to challenge the ELCA Vision & Expectation guidelines. At times it feels so lonely to be out there at the front of the vanguard of truth and justice. But you are definitely not alone. God is truly in your midst working wonders and miracles. Her Spirit embraces you with caring arms and tender breast. Many people of faith everywhere, who have the vision of the kingdom of God that truly welcomes all, stand with you.

We lift up prayers of yearning that justice shall prevail, that the Holy Spirit shall illumine the ELCA leaders with justice mixed with courage. Truly, the ELCA is on trial because you have the future already given to you.

We don't know what lies ahead for you. But what we can convey to you is that the possible expulsion from the ELCA, if it comes to that, is not the end but a witness that even moves the ELCA forward. For as you step closer to God’s kingdom of truth and justice in your courageous and costly act of faith, you make room for others to step forward behind you. Your ministry of Word and Sacrament WILL continue. Your inclusive ministry and outreach to all people, especially those disenfranchised or marginalized by the church, WILL continue.

The trial and subsequent expulsion of St. Francis by the ELCA only strengthened our inclusive ministry. Our expulsion from the ELCA was but a group version of what happens to many individuals who come out to their families and are likewise expelled. And like any rejected child, even though we at St. Francis are formally disconnected from the ELCA we, and many members of the ELCA family, know we belong and that truth is on our side. We long for that day when all families are reconciled. We seek to minister to all with thankfulness and awe for the path along which God continues to take us.

Be not afraid, St. John’s! Be not afraid, Pastor Schmeling!

Grant Burger, Congregation President

The Rev. Dr. Robert Goldstein, Lead Pastor

Reported by Phil Soucy, Director of Communications, Lutherans Concerned

Closing arguments were made on Tuesday, and, at 12:45 pm, the proceedings of the Disciplinary Hearing of Pastor Bradley Schmeling closed. Deliberations began in the afternoon following lunch and will continue to a decision. The decision will then be written up and the results transmitted simultaneously to ELCA Bishop Warren, ELCA Secretary Almen, and Pastor Bradley. That must be done within 15 days from today.

CALL COMMITTEE

The call committee for the Pastor of Parish Programs expects to make a recommenation to the Council at it’s regular February meeting regarding a candidate to be recommended to the congregation for call. Shortly thereafter we will schedule a time to introduce the candidate to the congregation, including a presentation by the committee, and a question and answer session with the candidate. A congregational meeting should soon follow to vote on the call.

PR. MEGAN ROHRER'S COMMISSIONING SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25

St. Francis will formally commission Pr. Megan Rohrer as Missionary to the Homeless of San Francisco through the Welcome Ministry on Sunday, February 25th during the 11 AM worship service. Come to this celebration.

SUNDAY CLASS

We are reading Diana Bass' Christianity For the Rest of Us, a real alternative to the religious right and a model with which to test St. Francis' vision.

ROB & ROY RELOCATING

Rob Zampetti and Roy Matlofsky are moving to London shortly. Their last Sundays at St. Francis will be January 28th and February 4th. They are also selling TV’s, appliances and furniture, should anyone have a need for these items.

NEW MEMBERS

We will be receiving new members on Sunday, February 11th and then at Easter. If you would like to consider joining in the mission and vision of St. Francis please see Pr. Robert.

BIRTHDAYS

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE WEEKLY CALENDAR

LECTIONARY FOR NEXT WEEK Epiphany 5C