Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for January 24, 2010

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

Sunday's Readings

• Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
• Luke 4:14-21
• Psalm 19

WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER: To improve our ministry to those members of the congregation remembered in prayer, we are indicating those who would be open to a visit (v) phone call (p) and/or card (c). Contact the church office for further information.

• Chris Marckmann, brother of Brandee Marckmann
• Steve Casavant
• Brandy, sister of William Brogan
• Karen Olesen (c) and the husband and son of Cathy May (Karen’s cousin) who passed away in Seattle
• Richard Copperud (c)
• Glenda Lisk (v,p,c)
• Susan Tucceri
• Bill Hunter (p,v)
• Bob Douglas (v,c)
• Angie Tedder, aunt of Russ Morgan
• Phyllis Frohmuth, great aunt of Russ Morgan
• Les, father of Richard Peterson
• The father of Rob Zampetti
• Sylvia Beckerley, stepmother of Scott Beckerley,
• Sophie Barron, mother of James Barron
• Mary, cousin of Michael Petrelis
• Debby Schert, friend of Paster Paul
• Grace, mother of Dan Jones
• our shut-ins
• 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.
  

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  Hand sanitizer is available on the table in the Narthex as a precaution to prevent the spread of germs. Please feel free to use it. However, if you do become sick, please stay home so that others attending here do not become infected. Thanks.

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  ST. FRANCIS WILL DOUBLE YOUR HAITI RELIEF GIFT

  The Congregation Council agreed last Tuesday to match our contributions to the Haiti Relief campaign up to $1,000. The matching funds will come from our 2010 Benevolence. By making your checks out to St. Francis and putting Haiti Relief on the Memo line, your gift doubles. It will be sent to the ELCA Disaster Response who will put 100% of our donations into relief. We also can accept credit cards. Also, if you are a Thrivent member, Thrivent will add $1 to every $2 given by Thrivent members, up to a total Thrivent Financial contribution of $1 million. Just add “Thrivent” to memo line along with “Haiti Relief.”

  Lutheran World Federation offices and staff on Haiti survived the earthquake, making it possible to begin work immediately. The ELCA has long been in Haiti through the Lutheran Church in Haiti. Staff there will focus their efforts on issues of water safety and sanitation, assisting with medical triage, and providing shelter for the many who are now homeless.

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  ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING Sunday, February 7, 2010 after worship. Election of Council Officers & Approval of 2010 Budget All Committee Reports are due by this Sunday January 24 so that the annual report can be produced for distribution to the congregation on January 31st. Please email reports to Dave Walda or leave it on his desk.

  This Sunday, January 24, 2010 12:30-2:00 PM Lee’s 70th Birthday celebration in the Parish Hall, with lunch and party games hosted by the Lydia Circle. All members and friends of St. Francis are welcome!

  
  

  Ash Wednesday Services February 17, 2010 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM

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  NEXT SUNDAY IS RIC SUNDAY

  In 1984 Lutherans Concerned / North America started the Reconciling in Christ Program (RIC) to recognize Lutheran congregations that welcome lesbian and gay believers. During the 2002 LC/NA Assembly, members took action to include people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the RIC Program. The complete Reconciling in Christ Roster now exceeds 450 settings, including congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, and organizations.

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  At their January meeting, the Council agreed to match Haiti donations up to $1000; the Budget for 2010 is 99% complete for presentation to the congregation at the Annual Meeting on Sun. Feb.7, and St. Francis grew to 143 members in 2009.

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  WORSHIP PARTICIPANT TRAINING

  The Liturgical Deacons will be offering training for the worship participant positions of crucifer and torch bearer on February 28th, and assisting minister on March 21st. Both training days will occur after worship service and coffee hour. This is chance to find out more about these important worship roles, and hopefully, inspire you to take the leap-of-faith and give the lector role a try some Sunday morning.

  If you have any questions, feel free to speak with any of the deacons -- Grant, Burger, Bruce Jervis and Paul Johnson-- or Pr. Dawn.

  
  
  

  UPDATES TO ELCA DOCUMENTS

  There are number of documents being revised by the ELCA to allow for GLBT people to serve in ELCA rostered ministry. The ELCA is inviting responses to these drafts.

  Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) may develop an official response but it would be good for us to add our thoughts as well, so they can hear from a congregation directly affected by the proposed changes. You can find the documents here: http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Vocation/Rostered-Leadership/Ministry-Policies.aspx

  
  

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  NOT IN DAVE'S JOB DESCRIPTION

  Slapstick antics at Wednesday’s Senior Program. Wes Winters dishes up pie on Dave Walda.

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  RIVERS IN THE DESERT

  Reception, Reflection and Vespers

  DATE

  February 13, 2010
  6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  $40.00 per person

  EVENT

  Join us in honoring the congregations of First United Lutheran Church and St. Francis Lutheran Church on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Ordinations of the Revs. Jeff Johnson, Ruth Frost, and Phyllis Zillhart.

  LOCATION

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

  QUESTIONS

  Invitation is coming in the mail. Contact Greg Egertson at (415) 722-4224

  
  
  

  HELLO FROM RUTH & PHYLLIS

  To the people of First United Lutheran Church in San Francisco:
  Peace and power to you from God’s bountiful grace.

  What a joy it is to recall twenty years ago when First United Lutheran Church and St. Francis Lutheran Church stood up for justice for all people, giving despair and complacency a mighty shove in the direction of hope and spirited involvement. The ripple effect of that bold action pulses through the tide of advocacy and creative ministry that we see today through Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM), through the rostering changes emerging in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and beyond. God’s justice-love in action shines hope on our wide human journey. Thank you for allowing us to be part of that dynamic movement. Thanks to our ELM roster status, we both currently work as hospice chaplains in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro, uplifting dignity and compassion in end of life struggles.

  We hope to see many of you at the upcoming celebration, “Rivers in the Desert” on Saturday, February 13. With our adolescent daughter, we will be attending, giving thanks for the witness of St. Francis and 1st United, enjoying another good party together, and embracing the challenges of embodying our vision for wholeness.

  The Revs. Phyllis Zillhart and Ruth Frost

  
  

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  GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

  
  

  Some of our older boys at Friends of St. Francis are becoming Master Builders. Recently a new set of simple wooden slats about 1 inch by 5 inches was placed on an activity table after nap. Later, as I walked through the room, I noticed Austin putting a finishing piece on a fabulous, exquisitely crafted tower nearly 3 feet tall. "Quick!" I said, Let's get a camera and take a photo of you an your wonderful tower." He held up his hand and said, "Wait, let me get George, he helped me too."

  This touching act of sharing the limelight with a friend, demonstrates a depth and subtlety of empathy which early childhood research is showing, develops much earlier than previously believed.

  Perhaps, we are truly born wired to CARE. Nancy A. Record

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  St. Francis received letters of thanks for our contribution to Alma and Donna Petersen on the occasion of Donna’s 80th birthday. Alma, now 108, is the widow of Pastor Spener Petersen who served the predecessor Danish Lutheran congregation on this site called Ansgar Lutheran Church (in honor of the Scandinavian patron saint) from 1931 to 1934 and then again from 1951 to 1964. Donna actually grew up in Ansgar and lived in the parsonage attached to the church, which now houses our offices and meeting rooms.

  
  

  SF CONGREGATION TO LEAVE ELCA

  On 6 December 2009, members of Chinese Lutheran Church (Balboa Street) adopted by more than two-thirds a motion to begin the process of leaving the ELCA in response to the ELCA's decision to allow sexual minority clergy in a relationship to be ordained and serve in the ELCA. The required second vote will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, 11 April 2010. In the intervening period, Bishop Holmerud will consult with the congregation as required by the ELCA, synod, and congregation constitutions.

  Since Chinese Lutheran was formerly a congregation of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), an affirmative vote of the Synod Council will be necessary to approve the termination of the membership of Chinese Lutheran Church in the ELCA.

  About 13 congregations in the Sierra Pacific Synod are contemplating this action. The ELCA has 65 synods.

  
  

  USHER TEAMS Click here
  
  
  
  

  • January 26 Michael Petrelis
  • January 30 Carl Tebell
  
  
  

  Lectionary for next Sunday

  • Jeremiah 1:4-10
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
  • Luke 4:21-30
  • Psalm 71:1-6
  
  

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  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:

  Directions to St. Francis: Ext 21
  Worship Service schedule: Ext 20
  Pr. Robert Goldstein: Ext 11
  Pr. Dawn Roginksi Ext 12
  Senior Center Coordinator: Ext 12
  Dave Walda, Senior Parish Administrator: Ext 10
  Clifton King, Sexton
  Brandee Marckmann, Congregation President
  Janet Thuesen, Treasurer

  Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday

  General Email: St.FrancisSF - at - sbcglobal.net

  The Rev. Robert Goldstein: RevRGoldstein-at-sbcglobal.net
  The Rev. Dawn Roginski RevDRoginski-at-sbcglobal.net
  Dr. David Schofield StFrancischoir-at-sbcglobal.net
  David Walda, Senior Parish Administrator: St.FrancisSF-at-sbcglobal.net

  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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