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St. Francis Times

August 12, 2007
Festival of Mary, Mother of Jesus

Presiding Minister    Pr. Dawn Roginksi
Preacher                  Pr. Dawn Roginksi
Assisting Minister     Ken Broshous
Healing Minister      
Sacristan                 Paul Johnson
Crucifer                   Lawrence Mortensen
Lector                      Rachel Hoobing
Ushers                     Scott Beckerley & Chuck Hancock
Coffee Hour Host     
Counters                 Brad Hubert & Scott Beckerley
Flowers   Today’s altar flowers are given to the glory of God in honor of those individuals working to end discrimination of LGBT clergy.

First Reading:       Isaiah 6:7-11
Second Reading   Galatians 4:4-7
Holy Gospel:         Luke 1:46-55
Psalmody:            Psalm 34:1-9

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Faye Robinson
• Jane Huey, mother of James Huey, who has health concerns
• James Huey
• Mary Wiltse, sister of Mari Irvin
• Doug Oakman, brother-in-law of Dave Walda, in treatment for cancer
• Bill Hunter
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Dorothy Smith, of the childcare center
• Pastor Bradley Schmeling and St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, as they ponder their future with the ELCA
• For the victims and families of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis

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;
• Catharine Coon and the Children of Hope Project in Uganda.

CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY DELIBERATION OF LGBT CLERGY CONTINUES

As the churchwide assembly in Chicago continued the business of the ELCA, so did consideration of LGBT clergy. As the plenary sessions ended on Friday, the assembly is still in the process of discussion of "memorials" pertaining to this subject. These deliberations were punctuated with amendments, more amendments, amendments to amendments, and points of order or privilege.

The churchwide assembly ended on Saturday, and our Pastors Goldstein and Roginski will be sharing their impressions of the assembly and the outcome of the LGBT matters.

Pictures from the assembly that Pastor Goldstein sent to the office are below.

PR. SCHMELING AT CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY

Pastor Schmeling entertaining questions during a session sponsored by Goodsoil which introduced him and members of St. John's, Atlanta GA to voting members and visitors to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Tuesday evening.

Bradley Schmeling and members of the congregation of St. John's are here now. They spoke to the press this afternoon and this evening to a room full of more than 350 voting members, observers, and visitors. The vast majority were voting members.
Those present heard the reasons St. John's and their pastor, Bradley Schmeling, are a combination led by the Holy Spirit and infused with a joyful commitment to mission, spiritual growth, and lifting up each other as community. They heard of a strong pastor, theologically rooted in Gospel, gifted with children. Members spoke of the brokenness of some of their relations with the Lutheran church prior to their experience of St. John's and the pastor called Bradley.

MORE IMAGES FROM THE CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY, CHICAGO

LGBT clergy introduced to the ELCA at the assembly

Clergy who processed in the hugely-attended Lutherans Concerned worship service on Wednesday night. Pr. Bradley Schmeling is lying down as the sacraficial lamb. There were both straight & LGBT clergy with several ELCA bishops. Bishop Margaret Payne of New England Synod presided and Pastor Schmeling preached. Over 650 persons attended.

Sign directing assembly voting members and visitors to the Goodsoil Center

Watching the assembly deliberations at Goodsoil Central

Inside the assembly hall at Navy Pier, Chicago where the plenary sessions occured

STORIES TO TELL! GIFTS TO SHARE!

"Stories to tell! Gifts to share! " is our theme for St. Francis for 2007-2008. Stewardship at St. Francis is becoming much more than just a two-month pledge program - it will include year-round experiences and activities, such as discussions on faith practices, devotions, sharing our personal stories, supporting the development of the Diaconate Program and encouraging worship.

Beginning at worship on Sunday, September 9, and continuing throughout the year, we will hear one of our own tell their story of being involved at St. Francis and why being part of this congregation’s ministry is so important to that person. You will also be invited to share your story of participation in and connection to the life of our congregation one-on-one with a member of the Stewardship Committee, and, if you like, with the entire congregation.

Please contact any of the members of the committee if you have any questions: Jim Asp, Grant Burger, Bruce Jervis, Paul Johnson, Jim Kowalksi, Nancy Loewe, Brandee Marckmann, Susan Tucerri, Pr. Robert Goldstein and Pr. Dawn Roginski.

FILL THE FOOD BASKET

Bring your food offering to church on Sunday mornings and leave it in the basket as you enter the sanctuary. Food that can be accepted include: canned vegetables, canned fruit, tuna, canned meats, soups, stews and chili, peanut butter and cereal (no glass containers or perishable food, please). Some of the food will be used for Sunday’s Community Hospitality. The remaining donations will be given to the San Francisco Food Bank.

BRING YOUR CALENDER

Bring your calendar on August 26th when you can select future Sundays for Worship Assistant participation. Persons from the Worship Committee will be on hand should anyone need information on particular positions.

SUNDAY CLASS

We are reading Bishop John Spong’s latest book, Jesus for the Non Religious. As usual for Bishop Spong, this too is a controversial and provocative book. Please join us for an animated discussion about our faith in the 21st Century in San Francisco. Pastor Robert

SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE

Join team St. Francis & Friends in the fight against breast cancer. Register today for the Susan B. Komen Sept. 23rd Race for the Cure Run/Walk. Visit http://race.sfkomen.org,, click on "Join An Existing Team" and follow the prompts to team St. Francis and Friends.

The walk begins in front of the SF Ferry Building. Proceeds from the event support breast cancer outreach, prevention and research grants. Sponsorship events news to follow soon.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE WEEKLY CALENDAR

Lectionary for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

• First Reading: Jeremiah 23:23-29
• Second Reading: Hebrews 11:29-12:2
• Gospel: Luke 12:49-56
• Psalmody: Psalm 82

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

Presiding Minister    Pr. Dawn Roginksi
Preacher                  Pr. Robert Goldstein
Assisting Minister     Barbara Kling
Healing Minister       Pr. Robert Goldstein
Sacristan                 Samuel Aller
Crucifer                   Stephen Lawson
Lector                      Grant Burger
Ushers                     Needed
Flowers                   Ken Hedrick
Coffee Hour Host     Bruce Jervis & Jim Kowalski
Counters                  Jim Kowalski & Mike Callahan

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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