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St. Francis Times

November 18, 2007
Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading:      Isaiah 65:17-25
Second Reading  2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Holy Gospel:        Luke 21:5-19
Psalmody:           Psalm 98

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Walter F Huxley
• T. J. Togasaki, a choir member and his brother Peter Togasaki
• Jeffrey Meinster & Jan Marie, friends of Timur Muhrlin
• Shana Reznek, friend of Janet Thuesen
• 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
• Jen Rude and Resurrection Lutheran Church in Chicago, as the congregation installs Pastor-elect Jen Rude November 17

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.

LUTHER'S BIRTHDAY PARTY A BLAST
KATY VON BORA CHARMS

Happy 524th Birthday Martin Luther! raised approximately $11,000 for St. Francis’ Mission and Ministry. Pastor DeLange had a brisk sale of indulgences, such as: Falling asleep during the sermon $5, Signing up for Coffee Hour and not showing up $10, Failing to turn pledge card in on time $20, and a "priceless indulgence" to cover a really big past or future sin.

The indulgences were on sale until Luther arrived "from above," exiting the elevator with his ravishing bride, Katharine von Bora, in hand to hammer his 95 theses against indulgences on the door. Katy was adorned with a beautiful evening dress and was tickled pink to tell of her life with Martin as the first pastor’s spouse for 1000 years. Asked how she looked, Katy said, "I look like Joan Crawford after too many drinks."

Over $1000 was raised to commit Katy von Bora to lead worship one Sunday. Pastor Robert pledged to this fund although Katy informed everyone he had to leave early. Many, many people worked very hard to make this at-home event such a success. Thanks to all who donated auction items.

The first of three mailings was sent to all members of St. Francis regarding pledging for 2008. Two additional mailings will be sent out later this week and the week after with additional information.

THANKSGIVING HELPERS NEEDED

We serve a meal for some 200 people. Would you volunteer to make this meal run smoothly? The following is a summary of volunteers needed:

• 1. Wednesday Preparation - 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. So far we only have 4 signed up.
• 2. Kitchen help morning & afternoon of Thanks-giving Day starting at 8 am only 2 signed up.
• 3. Parish Hall volunteers all day Thanksgiving Day starting at 8 am. 14 signed up.
• 4. Kitchen and Parish Hall Cleanup starting at 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. 2 people signed up.
• 5. Desserts: 11 providing 18 pies. We need more desserts of any kind.
• 6. Turkeys: 4 people cooking donated turkeys. We are still in need of volunteers to cook turkeys at home and deliver them to St. Francis on Thanksgiving morning. Persons roasting turkeys can pick their’s up on Sunday morning (Nov 18).

WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS - PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE

LUTHERAN YOUTH SUPPORT LGBT CLERGY

On Saturday, November 10, the Council of Synod Lutheran Youth Organization Presidents passed a recommendation in support of LGBT clergy and requested that the subject be included in the agenda of the 2009 Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) Convention. The vote was 38 to 9 with 3 abstentions at the Council's annual meeting, held at Camp Wapogasset in Amery, Wisconsin. The LYO meets in convention every three years; the next convention will be at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg Mississippi, July 26-30 2009.

Pastor Dawn Roginski is in Chicago to attend the extraordinary ordination of Jen Rude at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Chicago. Pastor Dawn will pass on the red stole handed to her when she was ordained at St. Francis.

JESSICA’S OXFORD CONNECTION

In last Tuesday’s New York Times it was reported that the Oxford English Dictionary has declared our very own Jessica Prentice’s coined word, "locavore" the 2007 Word of the Year.

Locavore refers to using locally grown ingredients, taking advantage of seasonally available foodstuffs that can be bought and prepared without the need for extra preservatives.

In the San Francisco Chronicle of June 1, 2005, "Calling themselves the Locavores, the women -- Lia McKinney, Jessica Prentice, Dede Sampson and Sage Van Wing -- are passionate about eating locally and have devised a way to show others how to do that, too. With San Francisco as the center, they have drawn a circle with a 100-mile radius from the city, and are urging people to buy, cook and eat from within that "foodshed" -- or their own foodshed, based on where they live."

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.

ANOTHER ELM EXTRAODINARY ORDINATION/P>

Jen Nagel, Chaplain to the (Lutherans Concerned) LC/NA board, has been called as Pastor by Salem English Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. The Call Vote occurred yesterday and will result in Jen's ordination on January 19th. Jen has served as Pastoral Minister for the congregation since 2003. She has been the Chaplain to the LC/NA board since July 2006.

Emily Eastwood said, "Jen is a pastor to her core. The delight in her face when she speaks of ordination and her ministry at Salem is infectious. We have been blessed to have Jen as the chaplain to the board of LC/NA for the last year and a half. She is truly gifted for ministry. We applaud this prophetic action of Salem-English Lutheran as it gives public witness to the ELCA and its community of its long held belief in the full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the church."

WELCOME MINISTRY BINGO BENEFIT

$500 Cash Grand Prize

Raffle & Concessions

Friday, Nov 30th 6:30 - 9PM
$10 Entrance Fee
$2 per game
Located at 1751 Sacramento St @ Van Ness, Old First Presbyterian Church

ST FRANCIS FOUNDATION AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF ELM BENEFIT ALBUM

The St. Francis Lutheran Foundation gave a grant to the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries to be used for the production of a benefit album. Titled "Out of the Extraordinary", it has 14 songs donated by various artists. The proceeds from the sale of the album will be used for the vital support of the work of ELM. The album features the songs of some famous Lutheran and GLBTQ artists, two renowned choral groups, a former LLGM Board, a son of a former LLGM board member and more.

The album is produced by the Rev. Megan Rohrer and Amalia Vagts; Executive Producers are St. Francis Luthueran Church Foundation, Ida Hakkarinen, Ellen Maxon and the Rev. Jane Ralph.

The album can be ordered by going to the ELM website, www.ELM.org and following the links. If anyone without internet access is interested in ordering, contact Dave Walda at the office.

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is held on November 20th each year to remember those who have died from anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. This 9th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance happens in a month that has seen the U.S. House of Representatives strip any protection for transgender and gender variant individuals. It is an important time to highlight the violence and discrimination that remains a persistent threat to the well-being of every gender variant individual.

Stay up-to-date on the events at the St. Francis website www.St-Francis-Lutheran.org! The site has a calendar, the weekly edition of the Times, and other information about St. Francis.

Let us know what other information you would like to see on the website. Contact the Parish Administrator, Dave Walda if you have suggestions.

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.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE CALENDAR

Lectionary for the The Consummation of All Things in Christ

• First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
• Second Reading Colossians 1:11-20
• Gospel: Luke 23:33-43
• Psalmody: Psalm 46

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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