Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for February 15, 2009

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

First Reading:      Genesis 1:1-10, 26-28, 31 Second Reading  Colossians 1:15-20 Holy Gospel:        Mark 1:40-45 Psalmody:           Psalm 8
	WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER:
Sylvia Beckerley, stepmother of Scott Beckerley, Nancy Burns Ken Broshous the father of Ted Hyrons Jan, sister of Pastor Anita Hill Ron Merk Bruce Jervis Bill Hunter Bob Douglas Sophie Barron, mother of James Barron Lisa's daughter Amber, with addiction problems, and son Aaron serving in Iraq Humberto Valle, friend of Dale Leininger Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis Eileen, the mother of a friend of Ken Hedrick our shut-ins Robert Gardiner, friend of Pastor Robert Those who use our facilities, especially our Seniors, and those attending the 12-step programs that meet here. We pray for their continued health, happiness and success. 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 Hope Alive Project in Uganda. The congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran, Newmarket, Canada, and their Pastors Hutchings and Ketola, suspended by their synod of the Evangelical Lutheran of Canada for installing Pastor Lionel Ketola who is openly gay

EVOLUTION SUNDAY: OBSERVING DARWIN’S ANNIVERSARY This Sunday St. Francis Lutheran Church will join almost 1000 other congregations worldwide to observe the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his The Origin of Species. You are invited to explore the origin of our species in Genesis One. A DVD will be shown during the Adult Study Group about Darwin and religion, and the sermon will examine his contribution to Biblical understanding. A handout will also be available. Darwin’s findings were as challenging to how people understood creation as were the findings of Galileo and Copernicus to how people understood the relationship of the sun to the earth. In both situations, these findings conflicted with a literal reading of the Scriptures. For example, if the earth rotates around the sun, how did Joshua command the sun to stand still? What actually happened?

The questions the various sciences have raised include: What kind of language is the language of faith, of spirituality, of Biblical stories, and how is that different from the language of the sciences. Is religious language the language of mystery, poetry, story, depth of meaning, or is it the language of “fact” as we understand it in court trials and proceedings? Does the value and veracity of the Bible depend up believing as “fact” all its scientific, cosmological, sociological, anthropological, and astronomical descriptions and claims, or does its truth and value and message lie elsewhere? If we accept the premise of evolution as to how life has actually evolved, how does that affect how we understand the creation story in Genesis? This unique celebration of Darwin’s achievements is offered help us appreciate fundamental assumptions and understandings which can deepen our spirituality, faith, and witness to the world.

NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTED 2009 BUDGET PASSED

Our Annual Meeting last Sunday passed a reduced and balanced budget of $519, 825. In addition, the congregation renewed the term calls of Pastors Pieter Oberholzer and Megan Rohrer, and elected new comiittee and council members.

Nominating Committee

Diane DeLange and Paul Johnson were again elected to the Nominating Committee, who, with two committee members selected by the council, will select candidates for committees that require a congregation vote. Thanks to all of the Nominating Committee for their work in preparation for this annual meeting.

Audit Committee

Dale Leininger was elected to a 3 year term on the Audit Committee, who with the other two members of this committee, Karen Custer and Brian Border, are charged with reviewing the financial and related activites of the mission and ministry of St. Francis.

The term of Glenda Lisk expired effective on this year's annual meeting date. The Church Council is extremely grateful for all her work as well as the work of this committee.

Congregation Council

Four members were elected to the council for terms of one year to three years.

The roster of the congregation council is:

Susan Tucceri (2011) President

Brandee Marckmann (2011) Vice President

Jim Kowalski (2010) Secretary

Paul Brenner (2012) At-Large

Rob Byrne (2012) At-Large

Susan Kools (2012) At-Large

Steve Lawson (2010) At-Large

Nancy Loewe (2010) At-Large

Tom Metz (2011) At-Large

If you are interested in a copy of the annual report, please contact the church office.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF ST. FRANCIS?

We invite you to attend the last membership inquiry class that will take place on Saturday February 21 in the Saint Clare room from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. New members will be received on Transfiguration Sunday, February 22nd. For questions contact Pastor Robert or Pastor Dawn. Other arrangements can be made.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE NEWS

The Personnel Committee: Bill Mooney, Jim Kowalski, Susan Tucceri and Gabriel Proo has begun to evaluate, support and provide feedback to our staff. A secure email address stfrancispersonnel@gmail.com has been set up and managed by Bill. If you are contacted by the committee, your information will be held in confidence. Hopefully, the evaluation process will be completed by late Winter. You are welcome to contact any member of this committee.

JOIN US FOR SERVICES AT ST. FRANCIS
FEBRUARY 25^TH
1:30 PM & 7:00 PM

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. Details with dates and times will be forthcoming in the Times. If you are interested in hosting a group, please contact Brandee Marckmann.

Thrivent will build a Habitat for Humanity house here in San Francisco this year. The first Thrivent Builds Day when volunteers can help with hammers and nails will be February 21. Interested people should talk with Diane DeLange about getting on the list of workers. Austin Alldredge, the president of the local Chapter Board would like to speak to our congregation at Coffee Hour on March 1.

The Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center's Spring Fling will be held on the evening of May 2nd, 2009 at the Swedish American Hall. More information to follow.

The Sign-up list for January through March 2009 is on the Parish Hall bulletin board. Please take a moment to sign up and help at worship service. Thanks.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

The church office is open from 8:30 am to 5 PM, It is highly recommended that appointments be made when visiting Dave Walda, the Senior Parish Administrator to insure that he will be available to assist you. Thanks!

EXTRAORDINARY LUTHERAN MINISTRIES GATHERING
Saturday, February 14, 2009 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1111 O'Farrell St., San Francisco
9 A.M. - 5 P.M.

9:00---Coffee & Gathering
9:30---Welcome from ELM
10:30--Worship led by ELM roster members
11:30--Guided Movement with Judith Dancer 11:45--ELM Ministry in Action (Stories from ELM congregations and ministries)
12:30--Lunch
1:30---Guided Movement with Judith Dancer 1:45---ELM Ministry in Action
2:30---Small Group Conversation
3:15---Guided Movement with Judith Dancer 3:30---Celebration Concert with Coyote Grace 4:30---Closing Prayer  

There will be a service opportunity that evening from 5-7 pm for up to 20 interested volunteers. We will be serving the Saturday Community Dinner at the Welcome Ministry.

There is no charge for this event and all are welcome. Please bring a friend to introduce them to ELM. Coffee and lunch provided. Donations gratefully accepted.

Please register in advance by Monday, February 9 to ensure accurate food count.

Email Rachael at operations@elm.org to register.

Lectionary for next Sunday

• First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12

• Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

• Gospel: Mark 9:2-9

• Psalmody: Psalm 50:1-6

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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