 Thursday Announcements March 16, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
Holy Week at Saint Francis What is Maundy Thursday? The word maundy comes from the Latin phrase mandatum novum, which means "new commandment." The phrase refers to the example of service Jesus sets by washing the disciples' feet at the last meal he shared with them before his arrest. This meal became the first Eucharist. Descriptions of elaborate ceremonies commemorating these events date to the fourth century. Following Jesus' example of service, worshippers at Saint Francis will also have an opportunity to share a simple meal and wash each other's feet. At the close of the service, we will strip the altar in preparation for Good Friday. Maundy Thursday is a part of the Triduum, the three days leading up to the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter. Saint Francis will celebrate Maundy Thursday at 6 p.m. on April 6. Holy Week Schedule
From the office—Ann’s Announcements  Yeah Spring!!! Birthdays Colleen Kelly March 23 Patty Clown Horse March 25 The Daughters of the King will be sponsoring a special collection on the fourth Sunday, March 26. In place of collecting personal hygiene items, we will be collecting items for Capstone, the child advocacy agency in Gering that serves children in 11 counties in western Nebraska. They are in need of journals which can be found in many stores in Scottsbluff; blankets, new only please, especially warm fuzzy ones; and McDonalds or Runza gift cards. The cards are used to purchase meals for the children by DHHS workers who escort the children to Capstone. Please help us fulfill this wish list for this vital child advocacy organization. Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.   Thursday Announcements March 9, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
What is Tenebrae? Tenebrae is a Latin word meaning darkness or shadows. In the monastic tradition, Tenebrae was a series of night and early morning services held during Holy Week. Our contemporary Episcopal service draws the materials of these several services into a single liturgy. In addition to incorporating a seasonally appropriate Hebrew acrostic from the Book of Lamentations, a series of candles are extinguished to symbolize the impending darkness of the Passion week events. Incorporation of the writings of Saint Augustine dates to the eight century. Saint Francis will host this moving service at 6 p.m. Wednesday of Holy Week, April 5. Holy Week Schedule
From the office—Ann’s Announcements Remember the Time Change Saturday Night "Spring Ahead" Birthdays Cricket Simmons March 13
Thank you so much for the $786.37 you donated this past year to children’s “Joyful Noise” buckets, the first Sunday of each month. In their study of outreach, the children decided to donate the money to : The Lakota Lutheran Center, Skipper’s Cupboard, The Riverside Discovery Center, and Episcopal Relief and Development. They paid for 1 goat, 1 pig, fruit trees (especially Banana), wells, and a bicycle for health care workers to cover greater distances and reach more homes. The wells will provide clean water to villages and prevent disease. Skipper’s Cupboard builds shelters for people whose pets do not have shelter and are outside animals, and food for pets whose owners need extra help. The Lakota Lutheran Center provides meals, clothing and religious services to many in our community. Thank you again for you generosity! Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.   Thursday Announcements March 2, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
Scam Alert!!! We received word another scam artist is contacting church members, this time to ask for eBay gift cards. The messages are coming from a number with a 707 area code. We will never, ever ask you for gift cards, nor will a church staff member ever contact you from a number other than our own. If you receive a text like this please delete it without responding and, if possible, report it as junk to your cell carrier. Recent Attendance Trends November Average: 71 December Average (Including Christmas Eve): 86 December Average (Excluding Christmas Eve): 69 January Average: 62 February Average: 65 .......... Six-Month Average (as of the End of February): 69 Threshold to Add a Second Service Sundays: 90 From the office—Ann’s Announcements Birthdays Jennifer Mills March 5 Barb Becker March 6 Kenzy Hernandez March 6 Charlie Kennedy March 9 Sammy Masid March 9 Landon Parrish March 9 Jennifer Schilke March 11 Charlie Selzer March 11 Thank you so much for the $786.37 you donated this past year to children’s “Joyful Noise” buckets, the first Sunday of each month. In their study of outreach, the children decided to donate the money to : The Lakota Lutheran Center, Skipper’s Cupboard, The Riverside Discovery Center, and Episcopal Relief and Development. They paid for 1 goat, 1 pig, fruit trees (especially Banana), wells, and a bicycle for health care workers to cover greater distances and reach more homes. The wells will provide clean water to villages and prevent disease. Skipper’s Cupboard builds shelters for people whose pets do not have shelter and are outside animals, and food for pets whose owners need extra help. The Lakota Lutheran Center provides meals, clothing and religious services to many in our community. Thank you again for you generosity! United Thank Offering United Thank Offering is not just for grown-ups! We can begin teaching gratitude and giving at a very young age. Here is a fun idea to get kids (and grown-ups) involved. ABC's of gratitude: Write all the letters of the alphabet down on the left side of a piece of paper. As you think of a blessing or gratitude, write it down next to the corresponding letter of the alphabet. With each new blessing or gratitude, add a coin to your box. It might take a while to have a blessing beside each letter. Try to fill in a gratitude for each letter before beginning a new piece of paper. Jenny Bohl Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.   Thursday Announcements February 23, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
From the office—Ann’s Announcements  Birthdays Aunna Taylor February 26 Jack Schaaf March 2 Erin Cawiezel March 3 Damuri Parrish March 4 The Daughters of the King will be collecting personal hygiene items Sunday, February 26. A collection basket will be in the narthex. Items collected are distributed to local agencies. Thank you for your generous support of this project. Our church provides a soup kitchen across the street at the Presbyterian Church. We do this on the 5th Thursday of the month. This usually works out to 4 to 5 times a year. The months in November and December that have 5 Thursdays are not done because of holiday dinners set up in the community. This year we have 3 and they are March, June, and August. These are done at 5:00 pm at the Presbyterian church which is one of the head quarters for the soup kitchen dinners. There is meat and other items supplied by the soup kitchen head quarters but I usually try to get a donation from Walmart to help pick up some fruit, cookies, milk, bread and other items. We always have volunteers to help serve and clean up. I usually do sloppy joes but other ideas would be welcome. We usually plan for 50 to 60 people. Most of the time we are done in a couple of hours. Sometimes when I have plans, Father Bob and Barb will take care of it. We have been blessed with volunteers to help out. A big thanks to all who have helped these past years! Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 308-672-7839 or signup with the church office by phone or email. Rick Gable United Thank Offering Mission Statement: United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. UTO is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and Provinces in the developing world. Jenny Bohl Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.  Thursday Announcements February 16, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
From the office--Ann’s Announcements  Honoring Black History Month & President’s Day  Birthdays
John A. Selzer February 19 Kathy Anderson February 20 Pete Schilke February 21 Peggy Wymore February 22 Alyssa Harvey February 22 Evelyn Anderson-Saenz February 22 Jacklyn Cawiezel February 24 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 21st from 5-7PM. Pancakes, eggs and ham will be our menu. Freewill offering. Come enjoy supper with us! Ash Wednesday Service Volunteers Still Needed Please call in, or email to let us know if you can serve. NOON: 1 or 2 acoyltes AND 1 more greeter The Daughters of the King will be collecting personal hygiene items Sunday, February 26. A collection basket will be in the narthex. Items collected are distributed to local agencies. Thank you for your generous support of this project.] Our church provides a soup kitchen across the street at the Presbyterian Church. We do this on the 5th Thursday of the month. This usually works out to 4 to 5 times a year. The months in November and December that have 5 Thursdays are not done because of holiday dinners set up in the community. This year we have 3 and they are March, June, and August. These are done at 5:00 pm at the Presbyterian church which is one of the head quarters for the soup kitchen dinners. There is meat and other items supplied by the soup kitchen head quarters but I usually try to get a donation from Walmart to help pick up some fruit, cookies, milk, bread and other items. We always have volunteers to help serve and clean up. I usually do sloppy joes but other ideas would be welcome. We usually plan for 50 to 60 people. Most of the time we are done in a couple of hours. Sometimes when I have plans, Father Bob and Barb will take care of it. We have been blessed with volunteers to help out. A big thanks to all who have helped these past years! Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 308-672-7839 or signup with the church office by phone or email. Rick Gable United Thank Offering is a ministry of all the people to celebrate the blessings in our lives. NOTICE the good things that happen each day. GIVE THANKS for your blessings. MAKE an offering for each blessing. Blue boxes will be provided for you to place your bills and coins in during Lent. Each coin and bill transforms lives in the United State and around the world, and your blessings become blessings for others. The Sunday before Easter, the combined ingathering of donations will be blessed, and the money will be sent to The United Thank Offering. Jenny Bohl The Pre/Early Teen Sunday School class will return to the 9:00 hour, meeting in the parish hall for about 1/2 hour before going in to church with their family. In this class of 11-14 year-olds we are learning our way around the Bible, looking up and studying basic truths through stories, Psalms, history, etc. using a variety of activities for lesson reinforcement. Please talk to Peggy Wymore or Mother Erin about any ideas, questions or concerns you may have. Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.  Thursday Announcements February 9, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
From the office--Ann’s Announcements  Happy Valentine's Day!!  Birthdays Devon Parrish February 12 Ebram Gomez February 12 Sarah Schaaf February 15 Stacy Bach February 17 Carol Hotchkiss February 18 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 21st from 5-7PM. Pancakes, eggs and ham will be our menu. Freewill offering. Come enjoy supper with us! Ash Wednesday Service Volunteers Needed. Please call in to let us know if you can serve or sign the volunteer sheet posted by the kitchen. Noon: 1 reader 2 acoyltes 2 greeters 6:30PM: 1 reader 3 acolyltes 2 greeters The Daughters of the King will be collecting personal hygiene items Sunday, February 26. A collection basket will be in the narthex. Items collected are distributed to local agencies. Thank you for your generous support of this project. Our church provides a soup kitchen across the street at the Presbyterian Church. We do this on the 5th Thursday of the month. This usually works out to 4 to 5 times a year. The months in November and December that have 5 Thursdays are not done because of holiday dinners set up in the community. This year we have 3 and they are March, June, and August. These are done at 5:00 pm at the Presbyterian church which is one of the head quarters for the soup kitchen dinners. There is meat and other items supplied by the soup kitchen head quarters but I usually try to get a donation from Walmart to help pick up some fruit, cookies, milk, bread and other items. We always have volunteers to help serve and clean up. I usually do sloppy joes but other ideas would be welcome. We usually plan for 50 to 60 people. Most of the time we are done in a couple of hours. Sometimes when I have plans, Father Bob and Barb will take care of it. We have been blessed with volunteers to help out. A big thanks to all who have helped these past years! Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 308-672-7839 or signup with the church office by phone or email. Rick Gable The Pre/Early Teen Sunday School class will return to the 9:00 hour, meeting in the parish hall for about 1/2 hour before going in to church with their family. In this class of 11-14 year-olds we are learning our way around the Bible, looking up and studying basic truths through stories, Psalms, history, etc. using a variety of activities for lesson reinforcement. Please talk to Peggy Wymore or Mother Erin about any ideas, questions or concerns you may have. Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church. Alena and Charlie Kennedy are once again jumping in the frozen Platte River on Saturday, February 25 in Support of Special Olympics Nebraska and our team the Scotts Bluff County Thunder.
The Polar Plunge will take place at the YMCA Trails West behind the zoo. If you wish to support Alena and our special needs athletes in the community to help fund state and regional tournaments trips please make your pledge on the Special Olympics Nebraska website, www.sone.org, Be Bold Get Cold, Panhandle Polar Plunge, Online Registration, Donate Now On the pledge page for “Would you like to credit this donation to a specific fundraiser or team” please search for Alena or the MacPlungers (our theme this year is the Scottish kilt). You may also donate offline to Charlie with cash or check to Special Olympics Nebraska. Thank you for helping Special Olympics in western Nebraska!  Thursday Announcements February 2, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
Recent Attendance Trends November Monthly Average: 71 / Six-Month Average: 63 December Monthly Average: 86 / Six-Month Average: 67 (Inclusive of Christmas Eve) January Monthly Average: 62 / Six-Month Average: 69 Wednesday Evening Eucharist Since the first Wednesday of Advent, 11/30/22... Services: 7 / Average Attendance: 3 From the office--Ann’s Announcements Birthdays Jane Kelley February 5 Karen Mecklem February 6 Hadlee Peterson February 9 Bob Manasek February 10 Diane Eskam February 10 Anniversaries Charlie & Gloria Kennedy February 11 It’s “Joyful Noise” money collection this Sunday, February 5th. Please make some noise with your coins in the bucket J The Daughters of the King will resume the collecting of personal hygiene items on Sunday, January 22. Collection baskets will be located in the narthex. Suggested items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, razors, etc. Thanks to your past donations, we’ve been able to help several local agencies serving people in need. The Pre/Early Teen Sunday School class will return to the 9:00 hour, meeting in the parish hall for about 1/2 hour before going in to church with their family. In this class of 11-14 year-olds we are learning our way around the Bible, looking up and studying basic truths through stories, Psalms, history, etc. using a variety of activities for lesson reinforcement. Please talk to Peggy Wymore or Mother Erin about any ideas, questions or concerns you may have. Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church. Alena and Charlie Kennedy are once again jumping in the frozen Platte River on Saturday, February 25 in Support of Special Olympics Nebraska and our team the Scotts Bluff County Thunder.
The Polar Plunge will take place at the YMCA Trails West behind the zoo. If you wish to support Alena and our special needs athletes in the community to help fund state and regional tournaments trips please make your pledge on the Special Olympics Nebraska website, www.sone.org, Be Bold Get Cold, Panhandle Polar Plunge, Online Registration, Donate Now On the pledge page for “Would you like to credit this donation to a specific fundraiser or team” please search for Alena or the MacPlungers (our theme this year is the Scottish kilt). You may also donate offline to Charlie with cash or check to Special Olympics Nebraska. Thank you for helping Special Olympics in western Nebraska!  Thursday Announcements January 26, 2023  ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
From the office--Ann’s Announcements  Birthdays Kim Hurst January 30 Mona Leach February 1 Jack Webb February 4 Tiffany Mackrill February 4 Lily Croft February 4 Will Schaaf February 4 The Daughters of the King will resume the collecting of personal hygiene items on Sunday, January 22. Collection baskets will be located in the narthex. Suggested items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, razors, etc. Thanks to your past donations, we’ve been able to help several local agencies serving people in need. The Pre/Early Teen Sunday School class will return to the 9:00 hour, meeting in the parish hall for about 1/2 hour before going in to church with their family. In this class of 11-14 year-olds we are learning our way around the Bible, looking up and studying basic truths through stories, Psalms, history, etc. using a variety of activities for lesson reinforcement. Please talk to Peggy Wymore or Mother Erin about any ideas, questions or concerns you may have. Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church. Alena and Charlie Kennedy are once again jumping in the frozen Platte River on Saturday, February 25 in Support of Special Olympics Nebraska and our team the Scotts Bluff County Thunder. The Polar Plunge will take place at the YMCA Trails West behind the zoo. If you wish to support Alena and our special needs athletes in the community to help fund state and regional tournaments trips please make your pledge on the Special Olympics Nebraska website, www.sone.org, Be Bold Get Cold, Panhandle Polar Plunge, Online Registration, Donate Now On the pledge page for "Would you like to credit this donation to a specific fundraiser or team" please search for Alena or the MacPlungers (our theme this year is the Scottish kilt). You may also donate offline to Charlie with cash or check to Special Olympics Nebraska. Thank you for helping Special Olympics in western Nebraska!
 Thursday Announcements January 19, 2023 ERIN’S EPISTLETTES  
And in another section (from the Diocesan Ministry Memo): The Benedictine Service Corps Apply Now for the 2023-24 Service Year Young adults who are passionate about service and want to explore their prayer life and spirituality are invited to apply to The Benedictine Service Corps or for a summer internship at The Benedictine Way! Members of the Benedictine Service Corps live and pray with the monastic community in North Omaha, working in the community’s three urban gardens and running their food pantry. Click here to learn more and apply to the Benedictine Service Corps, or here to learn more about an internship. Have other questions about young adult ministries at The Benedictine Way? Email Br. James Dowd at jdowd@episcopal-ne.org.  2023 EfM Event Registration Open Prayer Revision and the Future of Common Prayer January 28, 2023, 9:30am-12pm CT / 8:30-11am MT What does the General Convention resolution about Prayerbook revisions mean to clergy, liturgical planners, and interested people in the pew? Come find out at the third annual Zoom EfM Event! Learn more from our flyer, and read about the resolution in an ENS article here. All are welcome - EfM Graduates, Mentors, Students, and interested individuals. This event is free, but we suggest a donation of $25 to St. Benedict's Food Pantry. Click here to register now. If you have questions about this event or EfM, contact Sandra Squires. From the office--Ann’s Announcements  Birthdays
Jennifer Baird January 22 Victoria Schnell January 25 Anniversaries Charlene Collins January 25 Curt & Karen Mecklem January 27 The Daughters of the King will resume the collecting of personal hygiene items on Sunday, January 22. Collection baskets will be located in the narthex. Suggested items include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, razors, etc. Thanks to your past donations, we’ve been able to help several local agencies serving people in need. Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.  Thursday Announcements January 12, 2023 ERIN’S EPISTLETTES  
 2023 EfM Event Registration Open Prayer Revision and the Future of Common Prayer January 28, 2023, 9:30am-12pm CT / 8:30-11am MT What does the General Convention resolution about Prayerbook revisions mean to clergy, liturgical planners, and interested people in the pew? Come find out at the third annual Zoom EfM Event! Learn more from our flyer, and read about the resolution in an ENS article here. All are welcome - EfM Graduates, Mentors, Students, and interested individuals. This event is free, but we suggest a donation of $25 to St. Benedict's Food Pantry. Click here to register now. If you have questions about this event or EfM, contact Sandra Squires. From the office--Ann’s Announcements  Birthdays
Lynn Okicki January 17 Saydee Peterson January 17 Ben Shaver January 17 Ben Sauer January 20 Prayer Requests * Please make sure your request is received by Wednesday of each week. You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message), email stfrancis@allophone.com or mail to: St. Francis Episcopal Church P.O. Box 1201 Scottsbluff, NE 69361 Forward Day by Day Booklets We have the Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are here in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church. |
Rev. Erin RathCheck in here for weekly announcements. 
Archives
March 2023
|
