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St. Francis Times

November 11, 2007
Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading:      Job 19:23-27a
Second Reading  2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
Holy Gospel:        Luke 20:27-38
Psalmody:           Psalm 17:1-9

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Beverly Hines
• T. J. Togasaki and Peter Togasaki, the former one of our choir members
• Jeffrey Meinster & Jan Marie, friends of Timur Muhrlin
• Doug Oakman, brother-in-law of Dave Walda, recovering from his recent treatment
• 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

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.

DR. KAREN BLOOMQUIST TO SPEAK AT ADULT FORUM

The Rev. Dr. Karen Bloomquist, Director of Studies of the Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, Switzerland, will be at St. Francis this Sunday morning. Dr. Bloomquist will speak at Adult Forum, which starts at 9:30 AM in the Conference Room.

In 1993 Dr. Bloomquist was director of the Task Force on Human Sexuality of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which produced the booklet, The Church and Human Sexuality: A Lutheran Perspective. This was a wide-ranging statement on sexuality, opening the way for the church to consider blessing any relationship based on a loving, permanent commitment -- heterosexual or homosexual.

"Karen and the Task Force’s statement was both visionary and courageous. It broke new ground for the church heartening this gay pastor as well as other LGBT clergy and laity. In turn, there were sharp reactions from conservative clergy and laity," said Pastor Robert.

The Stewardship Committee will be conducting the 2008 pledge program by sending three mailings to each voting member of the congregation, beginning the week of November 12th, and continuing for each of the following two weeks. Please watch your mailbox and read this important information. If you have any questions you would like to ask ahead of time about giving or pledging to St. Francis, please talk with member of the committee today after worship in the conference room (light refreshments and snacks will be provided.)

THANKSGIVING IS APPROACHING QUICKLY

We serve a meal for some 200 people. Would you volunteer to make this meal run smoothly? The St. Vincent DePaul Society will staff a sign-up table at coffee hour. Please consider how you could volunteer!

BELCHER STREET REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Church Council is looking for members of the Congregation who are interested in working on the Belcher Street Redevelopment Project. The Committee will consist of representatives from Council and the Property Committee, members from the Congregation as well as Sally Large from the St. Francis Childcare Center. If interested, please contact by email, Susan Tucceri, President of the Church Council stucceri@larkcreek.com or talk to her after service on Sundays.

In addition, Council is soliciting ideas or thoughts that members may have on the proposed Belcher Street Project They may be submitted in writing to the church office, attention Susan Tucceri or sent to her email. Please be specific as possible. As with all projects at St. Francis, the Belcher Street redevelopment will be a collative process.

If you would like one of your pastors to listen to your concerns or pain, don't hesitate to ask us -make an appointment, or ask us to call you or mark the pew card. We can be distracted at times on Sundays, so it is best to set aside another time when we can really listen. Pastors Robert and Dawn

	ADULT FORUM HAS A NEW BOOK
	Join us in the reading and discussion of a new book on understanding the Bad News of the religious right. Sundays at 10:30 AM in the Conference Room. This Sunday only Dr. Karen Bloomquist, Director of Studies of the Lutheran World Federation will speak. Pastor Robert

ORGAN RENOVATION UPDATE

David Schofield has informed us that the organ renovations are scheduled to be completed by mid-December. A dedication service will be sometime before the start of Lent when the Organ Plaque will be unveiled. If you have changes to the Organ Plaque, please send an email to Ken Hedrick at: kenhedrick@aol.com.

The Task Force would also like to remind those that are on the payment plan for their respective pledge, to please make their 2007 commitment by the end of the year. Thanks for your support!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. Francis serves a meal to the homeless every Sunday morning. The committee welcomes all to come see this efficient ministry that serves up to 60 people each Sunday. We would also like you to consider volunteering for this ministry, even if you cannot help every Sunday.

TRIP TO SCANDINAVIA, THE BALTICS AND ST. PETERSBURG

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oakland plans a trip to this area of Northern Europe in August 2008, If you are interested and would like more information, contact Pastor Ross Merkel (510) 530-6333.

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKET

In case you are wondering what to bring for the food basket, for the next three Sundays we ask that you bring items for the Thanksgiving Dinner. This dinner is a big event that feeds up to 200 people. The items we need include: Bags of stuffing mix, jars of apple sauce, juice boxes, and cans of sweet potatoes. If everyone brought even one thing, we would be well on our way to have everything we need!-St. Vincent De Paul Committee

Thanks to all who have contributed to the food basket. We were able to bring a large box of donations to the Food Bank last week and they were very appreciative.

SENIOR'S HALLOWEEN-ED

Pasha the Clown entertains the Seniors on Halloween as Pastor Dawn looks on

Pastor Dawn and two of her "Ghouls"

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE CALENDAR

Lectionary for the Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

• First Reading: Malachi 4:1-2a
• Second Reading 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
• Gospel: Luke 21:5-19
• Psalmody: Psalm 98

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

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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