Weekly News from St. Francis Lutheran Church for January 31, 2010

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

Sunday's Readings

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

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
• the family of John Schert on the death of his wife, Debbie (friends of Paster Paul)
• 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
• Grace, mother of Dan Jones
• our shut-ins
• Those who use our facilities, especially our Seniors, and those attending the 12-step programs here, and the Friends of St. Francis Childcare Center. 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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  ST. FRANCIS WILL DOUBLE YOUR HAITI RELIEF GIFT

  The Congregation Council has agreed 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.”

  Photo courtesy of Paul Jeffrey / ACT Alliance

  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 Next Sunday, February 7, 2010 after worship. Election of Council Officers & Approval of 2010 Budget Copies of the Annual Report are available in the Parish Hall during coffee hour.

  
  

  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.

  Since the historic vote of the ELCA the RIC program has become a very useful vehicle to help congregations and other entities to learn how to deeply welcome LGBTQ people into their communities.

  Pastor Megan Rohrer will preside today and Pastor Dawn will be the preacher. Pastor Robert will be sitting in the pews to worship and to observe how you see the liturgy.

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  Ash Wednesday at St. Francis February 17, 2010 1:30 PM & 7:00 PM

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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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  QUESTIONS 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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  USHER TEAMS Click here
  
  
  
  

  • Feb 1 Bill Mooney
  • Feb 2 Paul Knutson
  • Feb 3 Robin Ressler
  • Feb 6 Steve Casavant
  
  
  

  Lectionary for next Sunday

  • Isaiah 6:1-13
  • 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
  • Luke 5:1-11
  • Psalm 138
  
  

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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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