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St. Francis Times

April 8, 2007
Festival of the Resurrection
Easter Sunday

Presiding Minister    Fr. Evan Ardley
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister     Rachel Markel
Healing Minister       Pr. Robert Goldstein
Sacristan                  Samuel Aller
Crucifer                   Stephen Lawson
Lector                     Jack Kling
Ushers                    Chuck Hancock & Leona Lee
Flowers                   Karen Custer
Coffee Hour Host   
Counters                 Jim Kowalski & Ken Hedrick

First Reading:       Isaiah 25:6-9

Second Reading   1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Holy Gospel:        John 20:1-18
Psalmody:            Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

GLORIA SIECH HAS DIED

After a valiant struggle, our Gloria Jean Siech, beloved partner of Pat Stein, passed away on Friday morning. She will be remembered at a funeral at St. Francis on Tuesday, April 10 at 4 PM.
Blessed are they who die in the arms of Jesus

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Grant Burger and family in the passing of Grant's father, August F. Burger
• Pat Stein and the family of Gloria Siech, who passed on Friday morning
• Chris Wogaman and family as they mourn the loss of Dorrie Jensen, grandmother to Chris
• Rachel Hoobing and family as they mourn the death of her grandmother Marian Hoobing, 93 years old
• Faye Robinson, recovering from surgery
• Dorothy Muhrlin, mother of Timur Muhrlin, hospitalized due to heart problems
• Hilda, aunt of Deb Cote, diagnosed with breast cancer
• Tony Michelini, co-worker of Eric Shifler, under going lung cancer treatment
• Maria Ryndik, one of our senior, with a growth on her lung, and her sister Madeleine and brother Conrad, who are both very ill
• Doris Davis, recuperating at home
• Bob Douglas
• James Huey, in transition
• Dale Johnson's mother, who had a fall and is in physical therapy
• Rob Zampetti’s father, out of the hospital, recovering
• Brian Knittel’s mother
• Mary Wiltse, sister of Mari Irvin
• Bill Hunter
• Ollie Payne
• John Duffy
• Rick Anderson
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Dorothy Smith, of the childcare center, recovery from major surgery
• Pastor Bradley Schmeling and St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, as they appeal the verdict of the Hearing Committee

• New members who will be received today: Gray Hall, James Huey, Robert James, Adam Maass, Ron Merk, and Keith Skelly

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.

NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED AT EASTER

Six new members are received at both the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday liturgies. We welcome Gray Hall, James Huey, Robert James, Adam Maass, Ron Merk, and Keith Skelly. Their bio's follow:

Gray Hall (Graydon Raymond Hall Grimaldi) was born in Newport VT. Is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design. and University of Massachusetts. Gray now spends his time volunteering.

James Huey, was born in Texas, September 5, 1945 to Jane Pickard & Enders Huey. He states, "I have spent 61 years searching and trying to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ. I join St. Francis to continue my quest for God’s truth. This church and it’s Holy Communion are critical to my life."

Robert (Bob) James was born in Los Angeles, and raised in St. Louis. He attended Middlebury Preparatory School and Choat Preparatory School, Stamford, Ct. Bob has degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California. He moved to San Francisco in 2006, and is currently retired from DMS Industries, Ltd.

Adam Maass is "nearly native" - he moved with his family to San Francisco when he was 8 years old, and attended the public schools until he left for UC San Diego at 18. Each summer growing up, Adam spent time in suburban Philadelphia visiting with grandparents, who attended a neighborhood Lutheran church. At age 28, he returned to San Francisco after stints in San Diego and the South Bay, and last year began seeking a spiritual home after his grandfather passed away.

Ron Merk Since 1967 Ron Merk has been an independent producer, director, and writer and distributor. His most recent animated feature project, MARCO POLO-RETURN TO XANADU, is being distributed by Warner Brothers Home Video. He is a winner of many festival awards. Ron's other activities include: importing classic & foreign films, and film restoration projects. Ron is Executive Director of the Metro Theatre Center Foundation which gives out annual grants to local non-profits which focus on filmmakers, including the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. This year, Ron will be presenting the first Chris Holter Humor in Film Award, honoring his late partner, at the San Francisco International Film Festival. The foundation is also developing a multi-use film & live event theater in the City of San Francisco.

Keith F. Skelly was born in Elgin, IL. He attended Luther College, Decorah, IA, and California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, CA. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University, Sequin, TX. Keith moved to San Francisco in 1973 and received a Master’s degree from Golden Gate University. He retired from Pacific Bell in 2000, but has returned to work for AT&T in San Francisco.

DAWN ROGINSKI CALLED TO ST. FRANCIS

Dawn Roginski was elected at St. Francis’ congregational meeting on Sunday, March 25 to the call to serve as Pastor of Parish Programs. Pastor Roginski has accepted the Call and is in the midst of planning her date of arrival and will be working with us on setting up her date of ordination.

MARCH AT ST. FRANCIS

By Grant Burger, Congregation President

Dawn Roginski's acceptance of our call to serve as Pastor of Parish Programs as voted by this congregation last Sunday was the highlight for March at St. Francis. What a great day! Other March highlights included a traditional St. Patrick feast at coffee hour on the 18th (thank you Carl, Mike, Gabe and Max), and another fine organ concert by our music director, Dr. David Schofield.

The Wednesday Taize services continue to be well-received, and the Council approved the continuation of this program through the end of June at its March meeting.

The Council held its annual spring retreat and spent quality time discussing the next steps outlined in the Visioning Team report, plus ideas to strengthen and invigorate current programs and committee work for the upcoming year.

To further communicate among the membership, the Council will hold quarterly dialogues called "Fifth Sunday Forums" on July 29 and September 30. This will be a chance for the community to discuss on-going topics, initiatives and/or programs at St. Francis during coffee hour on those days.

Mission & Ministry giving for March was $12,678, down 23-percent from the projected budget of $16,534. Average worship attendance for March was 73.

RESTORED COMMUNION WARE USED TODAY

This morning we are using the restored Communion tray and Flagon from the former Ansgar Danish Lutheran Church.

MUSIC AT ST. FRANCIS

CHORAL READING, HAYDN NELSON MASS

Palestrina Missa "Aeterna Christi Munera"
Saturday, May 5th at 9:30 AM - Free Admission

PIETER OBERHOLDZER & FANIE ZONDAGH MARRIED

We just thought to let you know that Fanie and I will be lawfully married on Good Friday. At our 15th anniversary - 5 years ago - Susan Kools and her family were present during our Blessing service. Now that South Africa legalised same-sex unions December 2006 we can finally make it legal.

We had a battle to find someone to perform it, as state officials - according to law - may refuse if they have conscientious objections. We found a retired gay priest in the country who holds one of the first official licenses to do this It will be a small ceremony with only friends -a lesbian couple - as our witnesses - as we already did the big "vow thing" 5 years ago.
Greetings and blessings
Pieter Oberholzer

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.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Lectionary For Easter 2

• First Reading: Acts 5:27-32
• Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8
• Gospel: John 20: 19-31
• Psalmody: Psalm 118:14-29

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

Presiding Minister    Pr. Robert Goldstein
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister    Rachel Hoobing    
Healing Minister      
Sacristan                 
Crucifer                    Brandee Marckmann
Lector                      Jessica Prentice
Ushers                     Needed
Flowers                    Needed
Coffee Hour Host     Needed
Counters                  Jim Kowalski & Susan Tucceri

Please take note of the opportunities available to assist with the worship service. There are open slots for upcoming Sundays. Please sign up on the sign-up sheets in the Parish Hall.

Safeway parking permits are available in the back of the church. The permits allow parking for Sunday services ONLY.

St. Francis Lutheran Church

A Place for Gathering: Memory, Presence and Promise
152 Church Street, San Francisco, CA 94114-1111

(415)621-2635, FAX (415)621-8819

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Deadline for Times material is Wednesday at 2 p.m. Every effort will be made to accommodate all submissions according to space availability.
 

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