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St. Francis Times

December 16, 2007 Third Sunday of Advent

First Reading:      Isaiah 35:1-10
Second Reading  James 5:7-10
Holy Gospel:        Matthew 11:2-11
Psalmody:           Psalm 146:5-10

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Brad Hubert and his uncle, cousins and family as they mourn the death of Brad's aunt, Mina Hubert
• 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.

MEGAN ROHRER PREACHES & LEADS ADULT FORUM TODAY

The Rev. Megan Rohrer, whom we support as our missionary pastor to the homeless brothers and sisters of San Francisco, will preach this Sunday, December 16. Preceding this, Pr. Rohrer will lead the Adult Forum in a study of the theology of her ministry to the homeless. Adult Forum meets at 9:45 AM in the Conference Room. Pastor Rohrer was ordained extraordinarily by St. Francis and three other congregations of San Francisco to this homeless ministry of Word and Sacrament.

2008 PLEDGES & PARTICIPATION

Thanks to everyone who has committeed their gifts of money, time and talent to St. Francis Lutheran Church for 2008! As of Friday, December 14, we have 44 financial pledges totaling $137,454 toward our goal of $225,000. If you have not turned in your pledge and participation forms, plese do so as soon as possible. Thanks for helping make our ministry possible in 2008!

Persons bringing gifts for the Christmas Angels Program should bring the gifts no later than Tuesday, December 18. The gifts can be brought on Sunday or dropped by at the office. There is still time to donate for the Safeway gift cards. Contributions can be given directly to Nancy Record, or left in the offering designated as "Christmas Angels".

Rather than the usual coffee hour in the Parish Hall, cookies and hot mulled cider will be served in the sanctuary during the hanging of the greens. Please plan to stay upstairs and help (if you can) and enjoy the refreshments. Please bring cookies to share.

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 contribution towards the purchase of a poinsettia plant to decorate for Christmas. Poinsettias may also be brought to church by the morning of December 23rd. 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.

LEONA LEE AT HOME

Lee’s surgery was a great success. She recovered at the home of Cicero Braganca a few days this last week and is pain-free. Lee even came to the Senior lunch on Wednesday. Lee thanks everyone who prayed for her, and sent her well wishes. You can say hello to her today at church.

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.

HELLO FROM THE PAULSENS

Good to hear from you Pastor Robert. By now you know how special St Francis is. We miss it all the time--even my wife who grew up "unchurched". We have joined a church here, Christ Lutheran in DC, but it has a hard time competing in our hearts with our family back on Church Street. Please pass on our wishes of peace this holiday season to our West Coast church family. Russ Paulsen

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

The Adult Forum is studying the Sunday texts. You are invited to learn in depth the context and meaning of our readings., Sundays at 9:30 AM in the Conference Room. Today, Pastor Megan Rohrer will lead the forum.

THANKSGIVING DAY DINNER A SUCCESS

Thanks to the help and contributions of members of St. Francis, Metropolitan Community Church members, as well as neighbors and friends, an estimated 280 persons enjoyed the Thanksgiving Day dinner. The Parish Hall, kitchen and conference room was packed with activity during the morning and afternoon. This successful dinner happened to a great degree by the efforts of Michael Callahan, and by Churck Hancock, head chef.

During the dinner, Mr. Bruce Miller, chairperson of the San Francisco Food Bank, dropped by, and was able to see all the activity and happy faces of the guests. Subsequent to that day, Mr. Miller sent St. Francis Church a personal donation in the amount of $200.00, who noted that he was "touched by the dedication and enthusiasm and kindness; you made the San Francisco Food Bank very proud."

As a result of the efforts of Mr. Miller, St. Francis received a voucher to be used toward 10 turkeys during the next five months, and will also receive 20 turkeys next Thanksgiving, up from the 8 turkeys received this year.

Below are pictures from that day.

Marcus Cayson cooks, while others trim the birds	Steve O'Rourke and several of our senior friends dine
Samuel Aller and Richard Copperud finish their desserts	Volunteers draw Thanksgiving designs on placemats
Guests line up on Church street for the meal	Paul Brenner acts as maitre d' out front
Brandee Marckmann and Bill Mooney catch a break

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

Pastor Dawn has CD's of the Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries album, which was funded in part by the St. Francis Lutheran Foundation. If you wish to purchase "Out of the Extraordinary," see Pastor Dawn, or contact the church office during the week. The cost is $15.00.

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

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE CALENDAR

Lectionary for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

• First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16
• Second Reading Romans 1:1-7
• Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25
• Psalmody: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

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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