Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for August 17 2008

More ushers are needed, especially for the 3rd Sunday. If you would like to help or need more information, contact Dave Walda at the church office. There is a listing of the usher duties available on the website under “Worship & Spirituality” and from Dave.

We appreciate all the help that individuals give for our Worship Services.

Our condolences to Janet Thuesen and the family of Shana Reznek, who passed away last Monday after a 6 year battle with cancer. May God bless her and keep her.

PASTORS RUTH AND PHYLLIS
AT ST. FRANCIS SUNDAY FOR BLESSING

Pastors Ruth Frost and Phyllis Zillhart whom St. Francis called and ordained in 1991, starting, one could say, the pattern of extra ordinem ordinations that are now beginning in the United Methodist Church (see above) will be in worship on Sunday to seek a blessing from the congregation upon their wedding the day previous.

Our congratulations to them and their family and many thanks for their years of ministry at St. Francis.

You’re Invited

Bradford Christian Hubert & Martin Sven Thompson

request the honor of your presence, participation and celebration in their Union,
invoking God’s blessing through the Rite of Marriage and Holy Communion

Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 2pm

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
1111 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco

Reception with light refreshments will follow in Heritage Hall
(lower level of St. Mark’s)

from LutheranConfessions.com

The Church Within a Church Movement (CWAC) has set October 19 as the date for the first ordination extra ordinem in the United Methodist Church (UMC). The ordinands are two women who have been blocked from ordination in the United Methodist Church process and who have completed the CWAC candidacy process. The women were approved for ordination in March 2008.

The ordinations will take place at Mount Vernon Place UMC in Baltimore, Maryland. United Methodist leaders and leaders in the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic and United Church of Christ will participate.

SENIOR COOK NEEDED

A cook is needed for the Wednesday meals at our Senior Center. The cook would be responsible for planning the meal, purchasing ingredients and cooking the meal on Wednesdays. Some experience cooking for large groups is needed. A detailed job description can be found on the website under What's New.

Contact Pr. Dawn, Director of the Senior Center if you need a copy mailed to you.

All interested applicants should send a resume to the attention of Pr. Dawn. Resumes will be accepted until September 30, 2008. The resumes will be reviewed and applicants will be notified if the Senior Committee is interested in an interview. Applicants will be asked to plan, purchase ingredients, and prepare a meal as part of the interview.

WINE TASTING FOR THE KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE

The St. Francis and Friends team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure invites you to a wine tasting and finger food event

Sunday, August 24, 2008 3:00-6:00

Hosted by Debbie Cote and Nancy Burns at their home
4645 California St San Francisco

Our own, Scott Beckerley, will be the specialist serving 12 wines from K&L Wine Merchants

All money raised will go to the San Francisco Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation to fight breast cancer

Suggested contribution for this event: $25 (scholarships are available)

ARE YOU A GAY OR LESBIAN STEP-GRANDPARENT?

If you are gay or lesbian, age 50 or above, and also the partner to a biological grandparent, you are needed for an interview for a university-related research project. The results from these interviews will better inform us about the role of gay and lesbian grandparents and stepgrandparents in the lives of their families.

Dr. David Jenkins, a professor of social work, is in charge of this project and Judith Levin, MSW will be available for confidential interviews during the months of August and September. Each participant will get a $30 gift certificate for their time in the project. If you are interested in participating or know of someone that may be interested, please email to D.jenkins@tcu.edu. You can also contact David at (817) 808-3676

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKET

Each Sunday we bring to the altar the food put in the basket in the sanctuary. It’s easy to buy an extra can or box and leave it in the basket Sunday morning. 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)

BULLETIN #11

August 13, 2008

Two days before final counting on August 15. I finally received the team roster on the 12th. Their figures show a team total of $31,928. Yesterday afternoon and evening, I called most of the Lutherans on our team. Most folks did not answer their phones so I just left this message: “August 15th is approaching. If you’ve received more checks or wish to make a donation to your account, you’d better get it to me ASAP or do it on-line. Thanks a lot.”

But I did hear from 10 folks, including me, that have raised $8,376, that, when added to $31,928 will produce a new total of $40, 304. Not bad.

I anticipate more checks coming in the next three days and I’ll bet some of the folks with whom I left messages last night will donate before Friday.

So it looks like our team total will probably be in the low $40,000’s. This is excellent even though last year we raised $50,366. Hopefully we will still rank high enough to be a gold team (the Olympics infects us all.) Again, my thanks to all for your support—as walker or sponsors or cheerleaders.

Maxie

WHO WE PRAY FOR

I recently was in New Jersey visiting with family and saw my dear cousin Mary. We pray for her every week, and have done so since she was diagnosed with cancer and neurological complications, and I am very thankful for your prayers.

Mary is loved by many, is doing well with treatments and drugs, we had a great time hanging out together. I write this note on a day when we've shared a phone conversation, and she's given me the pleasure of hearing her voice.

My cousin Mary is front and center in the photo. On the right is my brother, and myself on the left.

Blessings for Mary, and gratitude for the loving St. Francis community that prays for her.
Michael Petrelis

USHER TEAMS

More ushers are needed, especially for the 3rd Sunday. If you would like to help or need more information, contact Dave Walda at the church office. There is a listing of the usher duties available on the website under “Worship & Spirituality” and from Dave.

"Ciao" - A Private Screening

One of the big hits of the 2008 Frameline Film Festival is a wonderful American independent film, made in Dallas, Texas. Ron Merk got to know the director, Yen Tan, and the star, Alessandro Calza, during the festival. So many people who saw the film want to see it again, and if you haven't seen it, you're in for a very moving experience. At the end of the screening at the Castro, most of the audience was in tears, deeply moved and affected by this film. Yen Tan has graciously sent Ron a DVD of the film to screen before it's theatrical release. You can see the trailer and read more about the film by going to the website: www.ciaomovie.com.

Host: Filmmaker Resource Sharing Group
Location: MetroSpace - Ron Merk's Home Theater
379 Highland Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110 US (Bernal Heights)
When: Sunday, August 17, 5:00PM
Phone: 415-863-1937

Important:We're asking everyone to bring some drinks, and snacks to the event. It won't be our normal potluck. Just a movie and some socializing. Please try to arrive at 5PM. The film will screen promptly at 5:30PM. Ron Merk may be videotaping people's reactions to the film, so if you're interested (in possibly being in the DVD bonus section), please talk to Ron at the event.

Synopsis A man named Mark dies unexpectedly and leaves behind two men: Jeff, his best friend, and Andrea, an Italian he's corresponding with online. Jeff informs Andrea of Mark's passing; Andrea writes back to express his shock and sympathy. On a whim, Jeff and Andrea continue their correspondence and a rapport grows between them. Andrea, who's been planning to come and visit Mark, has already bought plane tickets and decides to come to Dallas, where the relationship born from the correspondence expands into more personal and intimate conversations. They talk about their jobs, their families, and their lives, but mostly they talk about Mark. What began as a tragedy that linked two strangers from different ends of the world becomes a deeply realized friendship that may change their lives forever. If you've already got goosebumps and you're feeling emotional from what you just read, you will be deeply touched, and maybe changed by seeing this film.