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St. Francis Times

December 2, 2007
First Sunday of Advent

First Reading:      Isaiah 2:1-5
Second Reading  Romans 13:11-14
Holy Gospel:        Matthew 24:36-43
Psalmody:           Psalm 122

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Leona Lee, who undergoes surgery this Friday, December 7
• Walter F Huxley
• T. J. Togasaki, a choir member and her 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

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.

DAVE WALDA RECEIVES PROMOTION TO
SENIOR PARISH ADMINSTRATOR

Church Council approved the rewrite of the Parish Administrator position to include many of the responsibilities that formerly were given to the commercial property management company.

Because the management company’s work performance was disappointing, the Council decided not to renew the contract with them and, instead, promote Dave Walda to Senior Parish Administrator with a salary increase.

We have been very pleased with Dave’s work and feel confident that with the new responsibilities we have in Dave someone at the hub of all our ministries in whom we can have a lot of confidence. Congratulations Dave!

Three mailings have been sent to all members of the congregation, asking each of us to pledge our gifts of money, time and talent to the mission and ministry of St. Francis Lutheran Church 2008. Please read the material, ask any member of the Stewardship Committee or Pastors any questions you may have, and return your pledge forms by next Sunday December 9th.

With all of us giving our gifts - out of gratitude for the gifts God has first given us - we can together make the ministry of St. Francis possible. Thanks be to God!

There are still opportunities to participate in the Christmas Angels program, which benefits those needy families at the Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center. See Nancy Record after service today if you would like to be an "Angel" and donate gifts for one of these families. Nancy has the information on the 16 families in this program for this year. You may also make a donation toward Safeway gift certificates for much needed foods. Contributions can be given directly to Nancy, or left in the offering, designated as "Christmas Angels".

There will be no coffee hour on Sunday, December 23rd. Instead we will be serving hot mulled cider and homemade cookies in the narthex while we "hang the greens" (decorate the tree, drape the window sills with garlands and bows) preparing the church for the concert that afternoon. Please bring cookies!

For more information about the concert that day, and during December, go the the homepage.

POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS

Donate a poinsettia to decorate the Nave. You are invited to make a contri-bution towards the purchase of a poinsettia plant to decorate for Christmas. We will be purchasing the plants by December 21st. To reserve a plant, you can make a contribution of $20.00 in an offering envelope marked Poinsettia.

NEW WEEKEND CUSTODIAN

St. Francis will be hiring a part-time custodian for Friday and Saturday nights, when our Sexton, Clifton is off. Anyone interested in working 2 to 3 hours a week should contact Dave Walda at the office for further information.

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

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.

ST FRANCIS FOUNDATION AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF ELM BENEFIT ALBUM

The St. Francis Lutheran Foundation gave a grant to the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries 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 album will be used for the vital support of the work of ELM. The CD album can be picked up from the church office for $15.00 each.

DUBOCE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (NERT) next team meeting will be Thursday, January 10, 2008 at St. Francis at 7 PM. Would you consider becoming our representative to help St. Francis become prepared to minister to the community in the event of a disaster? Please see Pastor Robert

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 Second Sunday of Advent

• First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10
• Second Reading Romans 15:4-13
• Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12
• Psalmody: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

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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