First Reading:      Exodus 24:12-18
Second Reading  2 Peter 1:16-21
Holy Gospel:        Matthew 17:1-9
Psalmody:           Psalm 2

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

• Hilda Pope, from the Senior Center, hospitalized
• Diane Reyneker, teacher at Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center, who had surgery recently
• Don Grant, friends of William and Steve, who is seriously ill
• 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.

LENT BEGINS THIS WEEK

Our annual journey through Lent to Holy Week and Easter begins this Wednesday with the Imposition of Ashes. Our ashes come from last year’s Palm Sunday palm fronds. Plan to attend either the 1:30 PM or 7:00 PM service this Wednesday to receive also a nail to take along your Lenten journey as a reminder of Jesus’ love and to give to it any sadness, any pain, it can represent in your life. You will be invited to place the nail with all its gathered significance at the foot of the cross on Good Friday.

To help you on your Lenten journey members of the Stewardship committee are sponsoring small group meals and discussions. (See below). May God bless us as we grow in grace during Lent.

JOIN A LENTEN DISCUSSION GROUP!

The Stewardship Committee will be sponsoring small groups to discuss topics relating to faith, telling the stories of our journeys and talking about how we share our personal gifts with each other. For February, a series of three meetings, that include a light meal, will take us through our personal journeys that relate to Lent and Easter. Sign-ups will start on Sunday, February 10, at the Annual Meeting.

Grant Burger will host on Thursdays evenings (Feb. 14, 20 and 28) at the church; Bruce Jervis and Jim Kowalski will host on Monday evenings (Feb. 11, 18 and 25) at their home in Bernal Heights. Another host or two is needed - please let Grant or Jim know if you are interested and the discussion questions will be provided in writing.

Groups are also being planned for March and April, so those opportunities to meet, discuss and host will be announced later this month.

SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, April 13: Brunch will take the place of coffee hour following worship to formally introduce the fall 2007 and spring 2008 new members to the congregation! This festive, annual gathering is for every member and all visitors attending worship that Sunday. Please mark your calendar now!

BELCHER STREET TASK FORCE

The Task Force has over fifteen members including two from the Childcare Center and has had one organizational meeting. For the next several months, the Task Force will be in an information gathering mode - studying development options, talking to the community and to potential partners. The Task Force hopes to have a Phase 1 report to the congregation sometime in the late fall.

Lutheran Bishop David Mullen will preach and Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus will preside on Feb. 2nd at St. Mark’s to mark Candlemas.

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 is currently studying the Sunday lectionary. Join us on Sundays at 9:30 AM in the Conference Room.

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKET

When at the store, buy a couple of extra cans and bring them on Sunday to put in our basket. 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).

CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE CALENDAR

Lectionary for the First Sunday in Lent