First Reading:      Isaiah 60:1-6
Second Reading  Ephesians 3:1-12
Holy Gospel:        Matthew 1-12
Psalmody:           Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Marilyn Janson, sister of Jeannine Janson, hospitalized
• the sister of Pastor Anita Hill, near death, and for Anita and family
• 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.

WORSHIP PARTICIPANT TRAINING

Two training sessions, led by our pastors, will take place on Sundays, January 13 and 27, (after worship) for those who want to volunteer for worship duties. The description of the various participants will be available on the St. Francis website under the "Worship" page this next week. Printed copies can also be obtained by contacting the church office.

Please plan to attend one of these sessions if you serve as Assisting Minister, Lector, Crucifer and/or Usher. Copies of the descriptions will also be available at the sessions.

BRING YOUR CALENDER SUNDAY JANUARY 13, 2008

It's that time again to get folks signed up for Sunday morning worship opportunities through March 2008. We are looking to sign up folks to be lectors, ushers, coffee hosts, providers of altar flowers, crucifer and assisting minister. Grant Burger will be leading the process once again! Here's a chance to team-up with others to do flowers and/or coffee hour.

So check your schedule, bring your calendar, and SIGN UP! SIGN UP FOR JESUS; THERE'S SO MUCH WORK TO DO!

2008 PLEDGES & PARTICIPATION

2008 Pledge Update:
Through January 3rd, 74 people have pledged approx. 177,570.00 to the Mission and Ministry of St. Francis. Thank you! If you have not already pledged, please do so as soon as possible. We will need all of our members pledging to reach of goal of $225,000 to make our ministry happen next year.
Don't forget to to hand in your participation form, too. If you need another copy, contact the church office. Thanks.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING

There will be training for persons interested teaching Sunday School on January 13 at 10 AM. Teachers will be introduced to the curriculum series. This program includes lesson plans, suggestions and other helps so that teachers do not have to develop a class from scratch. Contact Pastor Dawn (extension 12) for more information.

Offering envelopes for next year, 2008, will be available for pick up in the Parish Hall after service on December 30th and January 6th, 2008. Envelopes not picked up by January 6 will be mailed. Persons enrolled in the Simply Giving Program will not receive envelopes.

Pastor Goldstein is on vacation from December 27 through January 12, 2008. Pastor Roginski is on call for pastoral emergencies.

LGBT & HIV ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The LGBT & HIV Advisory Committee of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission is currently recruiting new members who represent the full diversity of the LGBT community. The LGBTAC provides assistance and advice to the commission regarding discrimination against LGBT communities and persons with AIDS/HIV. Applications are due by Jan. 24, 08, and persons applying must be a SF resident. More info at www.sfgov.org/sfhumanrights or 415/252-2500.

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

Adult Forum decided to continue with a study of the Sunday lectionary. Join us on Sundays at 9:30 AM in the Conference Room.

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKET

During the last two weeks, St. Francis received donations of food from the children at the Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center, and twelve bags of food from neighborhood friends who wanted to donate food for our food program and the San Francisco Food Bank. When you are at the store, buy a couple of extra cans and bring them on Sunday. 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).

NEW IAM WEBSITE

The Inclusive and Affirming Ministries, supported by St. Francis Church is developing a website. Though it is still under construction, part of it can be viewed at www.iam.org.za. As we keep this ministry in our prayers each week, we can also see the work they do via their website.

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE CALENDAR

Lectionary for the Baptism of Jesus

• First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9
• Second Reading Act 10:34-43
• Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17
• Psalmody: Psalm 29

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

Contact us:

Deadline for Times material is Wednesday at 2 p.m. Every effort will be made to accommodate all submissions according to space availability.