GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
This Week’s Schedule     March 30th – April 4th
 
ALL IN-PERSON SERVICES SUSPENDED FOR NOW
SUNDAY’S 10 A.M. SERVICES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE – ST. FRANCIS ESPISCOPAL CHURCH
 
 
EASTER FLOWERS
The sign-up sheet for Easter Flowers is on a clipboard in the Narthax. Please sign up by Palm Sunday if you want someone remembered at the Easter Service. UNTIL IN PERSON SERVICES ARE RESTORED, PLEASE EMAIL GINA AT TO SIGN UP FOR EASTER FLOWERS.
EMAIL: STFRANCIS@ALLOPHONE.COM
 

For the Future of the Human Race
O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
 
Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (in office)
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (work from home)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (work from home)

Father Mark's Announcements
  

1. So, what's new? Anything going on in your lives?? Hahaha. Dumb joke. Of course EVERYTHING is upside down for now and for the immediate future! We are living through something unprecedented -- something future generations will talk about and study. That makes us special. I hope you are feeling special :) OK, had to get that snark out, but we're all getting a little punchy I think. It may in fact get worse before it gets better, but IT WILL GET BETTER. Our job is to do what the experts say -- practice good and frequent hand washing, keep 6 feet away from others when you encounter them, and eliminate all unnecessary gatherings. 
2. I have to say this -- three weeks ago I made a flip remark in church that I was not worried about this virus. That was wrong, I was wrong, and I 100% apologize and take it back. This thing is NO JOKE. 
3. The church continues to operate at a minimal level inside the walls, but we are actually doing more than usual in some areas. We are trying to keep in contact with each other, and I have heard many great stories of our people taking care of each other in wonderful ways. Here are things we can do:

• Contact shut-ins and folks most at-risk and offer to run errands. You don't even have to go in, you can drop your deliveries of groceries or prescriptions on the porch. This might be super helpful in terms of physical health, but also emotional well-being. Who do you know in our church who might be isolated, and how might you reach out to them?
• A phone call is a great thing at this time. I am in the process of calling all of our households and checking in -- beginning with those my age and older.
• Imagine how you might help financially at this time. Someone you know, people in our parish, people in your friend or family group -- someone will be suffering from loss of wages as this unfolds. We may be called on to be generous to the marginally employed, as they will be hardest hit. Yesterday I was on a conference call with local pastors and challenged them to consider donating any stimulus money we receive to start a fund for this purpose. That idea may come to fruition. 
• THIS IS  MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING -- IF YOU HAVE A COUGH AND FEVER, CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, AND EVEN IF YOU ARE HEALTHY, DON'T SPREAD THE VIRUS.

5.  I expect to hear from the Bishop tomorrow about his directives regarding public worship and Holy Week/Easter. It would be a dramatic step to cancel our worship during the highest season of our church year, but if it is necessary, we will do what we can to be creative and respond to my need and your need to worship in ways that bring us peace, comfort, hope, and joy.
 
6. In the meantime, this Sunday we will again offer live-streamed  worship at 10:00 A.M., which you can follow in real-time or watch anytime at our Facebook page "Saint Francis Episcopal Church." I know not everyone uses Facebook, so I am trying to figure out how to make it available on our website. If anyone knows how to do that (capture the Facebook video and export or link it to our webpage) please email or call me and help me out. 

7. We will hold our first "Zoom" video vestry meeting next week, and after that I will be working on doing more using that online platform, including bible studies and catechism (those kids are out of school -- let's make 'em WORK!)

8. So -- that's what I know for now. If you have any questions or concerns or ideas, please don't hesitate to text, email, or call me. This is a time of great innovation and experimentation with new ways to be church, and nothing is off the table at this time. 

Do know that I love you dearly and am praying for you daily and we are all doing our best to serve God and our neighbor. This is a chance for us to make our faith real. This is the stuff God is really good at. 

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
This Week’s Schedule     March 16-22
 
ALL IN-PERSON SERVICES SUSPENDED FOR NOW
SUNDAY’S 10 A.M. SERVICES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE – ST. FRANCIS ESPISCOPAL CHURCH
 

EASTER FLOWERS 
The sign-up sheet for Easter Flowers is on a clipboard in the Narthax. Please sign up by Palm Sunday if you want someone remembered at the Easter Service.
UNTIL IN PERSON SERVICES ARE RESTORED, PLEASE EMAIL GINA  TO SIGN UP FOR EASTER FLOWERS. 
EMAIL: STFRANCIS@ALLOPHONE.COM
 
Gina’s Hours
Please note that during this time, I will be working regular my regular hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday’s only.  Wednesday and Thursday, I will be working from home.  
 
 
For Guidance 
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

​FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
​
1) If you are looking for something to do or read this Lent, here are a few suggestions:

• Attend the weekly Tuesday Lenten Luncheons — rotated between several churches, next Tuesday we will be at Westway. Just come and enjoy a simple lunch and short program. This is new tradition begun several years ago by our friends at First Presbyterian, and it has grown into a fun and anticipated program. We will host on March 24th, but don’t wait until then to attend — come this week!
• The Labyrinth is setup Sunday 1-5pm in the parish hall. No trick to it, there is only one way in and one way out. Simply remove your shoes, say a short prayer, and begin following the path. When you get to the center, rest a moment and say a prayer, then follow the same path out. If someone is going faster or slower than you, just make space to pass. It's a great ancient meditative practice.
• Our Lenten Soup Supper Program this year is based on the Passion Play of Oberammergau, and last night we had about 20 folks attend and it was really fun. You don’t have to sign up, you can just show up next week. Wednesdays 5:30-7:00pm during Lent.
• Maybe you just want to worship a little more during this season. Don’t forget we do a Morning Prayer service with Eucharist Tuesdays at 9:00am in our chapel.  
• In addition to daily Morning Prayer, I am using these two for daily readings: Forward Day By Day — this continues to an invaluable resource for so many of us in the church. Published every three months, copies are available free in the narthex. A Way Other Than Our Own, by Walter Brueggeman — a Lenten daily devotion. Kindle version available for less than $10. My favorite scholar and my go-to lenten resource.

 
2) As I said on Sunday, there are lots of ideas about best practices regarding hand washing and greeting one another and keeping ourselves and our community safe. I think the best thing we can change at church is to avoid handshakes at the passing of the peace until we get the ok to go back to normal. That will be my practice for now. I will say that I miss shaking hands — there is something about that simple gesture that speaks to friendship and reconciliation — and I look forward to being able to get back to that. In the meantime, use the hand gel in the pews, smile and speak a greeting at the peace, and follow the advice of the experts in your daily lives. 
 
3) I have not forgotten that we have two pretty important discussions ahead of us this spring — the first has to do with Youth Group. We will be contacting the youth and parents to discuss programming options and preferences. The other is a follow-up to our Sunday evening service trial in December. More to come on both of these.


GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) will be holding their Spring meeting on Saturday, March 14, at 10 am.  We are looking forward to your input on the Mother’s Day Brunch and “Christmas in July” bazaar.  Refreshments will be served! Please call Barb if you have any questions at 436-7767.


Schedule for March 10th to March 15th 
Tuesday
9:00 a.m.       Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing
Wednesday
7:00 a.m.       Men’s Bible Study
3:00 p.m.       Book Study   
5:30p.m.        Lenten Soup Supper & Study                    
Thursday
9:30 a.m.       Ecumenical Bible Study (First Presbyterian)
12:00 p.m.  Discipleship Group     
6:00 p.m.       Adult Bible Study
Sunday
8:00  a.m.      Holy Eucharist followed by Coffee Hour
9:10 a.m.       Lectionary Study (Whitney Library)
10:00 a.m.     Holy Eucharist w/Music followed by Coffee Hour

 
                                        Happy Birthday!!

         March 2    Mark Selvey                  March 12      Kobe Moreno
        March 3    Erin Cawiezel.               March 13      Cricket Simmons 
        March 4    Demuri Parrish              March 16      Vonnie Rubottom
        March 6    Barb Becker,                 March 23      Colleen Kelly
                          Kenzy Feltes                 March 25      Patty Clown Horse
        March 9    Sammy Masid III,          March 26      Eain Peterson
                          Charlie Kennedy,          March 28      Melissa Moreno
                          Landon Parrish.            March 29      Dixie Amateis
        March 11  Jennifer Schilk,              March 30      Gretchen Traw
                          Charlie Selzer


Watch over thy child, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if hefall; and his heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

LENT IS HERE!

​1) First, thanks to everyone who shopped, cooked, served, cleaned, or ate at     our Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed! It was a super fun and super delicious meal!
 
2) Second, thanks to everyone who served or attended one or both of our Ash Wednesday services yesterday. I was humbled and moved to be present with such a committed and faithful group of Christians as we remembered our failings and accepted God's forgiveness. Truly the beginning of a Holy Lent.
 
3) We will have two Lenten Programs this year, as follows:

• Sunday afternoons 1:00-5:00 P.M. (begins 3/1) "Walk the Labyrinth" The labyrinth will be set up in the Parish Hall for anyone who wishes to walk it. No instruction needed, simply come and walk and pray.

 

• Wednesday evenings 5:30-7:00 P.M. (begins 3/4) "The Passion Play of Oberammergau” We'll start with a soup supper and then head up to the church for Stations of the cross. Sign-up in narthex for soups. 

​
GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) will be holding their Spring meeting on Saturday, March 14, at 10 am.  We are looking forward to your input on the Mother’s Day Brunch and “Christmas in July” bazaar.  Refreshments will be served! Please call Barb if you have any questions at 436-7767.
 
This Week’s Schedule
Tuesday
9:00 a.m.   Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing
Wednesday
7:00 a.m.    Men’s Bible Study
3:00 p.m.    Book Study         
5:30p.m.    Lenten Sour Supper & Study         
Thursday
9:30 a.m.    Ecumenical Bible Study (First Presbyterian)
12:00 p.m.  Discipleship Group      
6:00 p.m.    Adult Bible Study  NO MTG THIS WEEK
Sunday
8:00  a.m.   Holy Eucharist followed by Coffee Hour
9:10 a.m.    Lectionary Study (Whitney Library)
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist w/Music followed by Coffee Hour
 
For Joy in God’s Creation
O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thygracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve theewith gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Father Mark’s Announcements

1) Jill and I send our heartfelt thanks to the entire parish for your many cards, words of encouragement and support, memorial gifts, and prayers as we have dealt with two close family deaths in a sort period.  I cannot tell you how comforting it is to know that you walk alongside us during this time. 

2) Shrove Tuesday -- Next Tuesday is our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed -- 5:30-6:30 in the Parish Hall. No charge, freewill donation to help cover costs. Pancakes, garlic sausage, and eggs will be served. Come and invite your friends to this fun no-pressure church event and let them see how great St. Francis can be! 

3) The following day, Wednesday Feb 26th Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. We will have two services that day -- noon and 6PM -- both with Holy Eucharist and the Imposition of Ashes. This is a moving and important day in the church year, so I hope you will make time to attend one of these services. 


Gina’s Announcements
 
The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) will be holding their Spring meeting on Saturday, March 14, at 10 am.  We are looking forward to your input on the Mother’s Day Brunch and “Christmas in July” bazaar.  Refreshments will be served! Please call Barb if you have any questions at 436-7767.
 
This Week’s Schedule
Tuesday
9:00 a.m.       Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing
Wednesday
7:00 a.m.       Men’s Bible Study
12:00p.m.       Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist    
3:00 p.m.       Book Study   
6:00p.m.        Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist 
Thursday
9:30 a.m.       Ecumenical Bible Study (First Presbyterian)
12:00 p.m.  Discipleship Group     
6:00 p.m.       Adult Bible Study     
Sunday
8:00  a.m.      Holy Eucharist
9:00  a.m.      Coffee Hour
9:10 a.m.       Lectionary Study (Whitney Library)
10:00 a.m.     Holy Eucharist with Music
11:00 a.m.     Coffee Hour
 
Prayer: 
For those we Love
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things that we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 
Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Father Mark's Announcements

1) Last night I preached at the annual Recovery Service held at Trinity Cathedral in Omaha. It was a joyous time celebrating the power and possibilities of our loving God to change lives. If anyone in your life struggles with substance abuse or addiction, they can find the help they need in the rooms where others with the same issues can share their strength, experience, and hope. If you would like more information about addiction and recovery, please call or speak to me anytime.

2) In two days, on February 1st at 2:00 p.m., we will celebrate the life of my dear sister Susan Selvey, and pray and sing together and name the truth that death is not the final answer, rather at our death God calls us to new and eternal life. I, and my whole family, deeply appreciate the many, many cards and kindnesses and prayers which we have received this week, and look forward to spending this time together Saturday doing what the church has always done — gather, mourn, pray, sing, and witness to the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection.

Regina's Announcements

I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome and I look forward to being here to assist Father Mark  and meeting each person here.  Please do not hesitate to let me know if there are any questions that I can help with.

Regina's Hours
Tuesday's:        9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday's:   9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday's:       9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
This Week's Schedule
​Tuesday
9:00 a.m.    Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing
Wednesday
7:00 a.m.    Men’s Bible Study (Whitney Library)
3:00 p.m.    Book Study “The Time is Now” Joan Chittister
Thursday
9:30 a.m.    Ecumenical Bible Study (First Presbyterian)
12:00 p.m.  Discipleship Group (Whitney Library)
6:00 p.m.    Adult Bible Study (Whitney Library)
Sunday
8:00  a.m.   Holy Eucharist
9:00  a.m.   Coffee Hour
9:10 a.m.    Lectionary Study (Whitney Library)
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music
11:00 a.m.  Coffee Hour