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Father Mark's Announcements
1) Our Annual Parish Meeting is Next Sunday, January 26th! We will have one service at 9 a.m. that day, and the Annual Meeting (with Brunch Potluck) will follow immediately at 10. You can sign-up in the narthex to let us know what dish you will be bringing, but please know that you don’t have to bring anything — you can just to come to the meeting. There will be plenty of delicious food to share, and we need every member present as we conduct the important business of our parish and make plans for the next year. 2) If you are chair of a Ministry Team or group that submits reports at the Annual Meeting, please send your report to me this week so that I can include it in our handouts. 3) As you know, Lisa Betz-Marquez has resigned and we are in the process of interviewing candidates for our Admin Asst position. Please join me in thanking Lisa for her many contributions to our growth and success! Whoever we hire will have a learning curve, so please be patient as we make this transition. I expect to have someone hired and in the office for training by early next week. 3) I have two announcements regarding Small Groups : * First, our Thursday Noon Discipleship Group is re-reading our foundational materials found in the book "The Restoration Project," by Christopher H. Martin. If you would like to read this book and consider joining this group, we will continue our study next Thursday at noon in our library. * Second, the Wednesday 3PM Women's Bible Study has decided to disband, or at least take a break for now. In the meantime, I will be leading a book study in that time slot, open to all in our church or in the community, on the book "The Time is Now," by well-known author and spiritual leader Joan Chittister. Anyone interested in learning about the prophet's call to hear and speak truth to power is invited to join us for a six-week study Wednesdays 3-4 p.m. in our Library beginning Feb 5th. 4) Finally, St. Francis will host the next Deanery Meeting Saturday, Feb 1st from 10::00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join us for conversation, a program about Panhandle Partnership, lunch, and a short Eucharist. Thursday Announcements
Father Mark's Announcements 1) Last Sunday I spoke about the ways we listen for God’s voice in our lives, and said that one of those ways is reading and studying of God’s word — Holy Scripture. If you are looking for a group to read and study scripture with, we have several Bible Studies here at St. Francis. You can find them in the weekly bulletin. Call or text me about joining one of these groups or if you would like to start another one that better fits your schedule. Maybe there are others who would want to gather and study at that time? 2) Our Annual Parish Meeting is Sunday, January 26th! We will have one service at 9 a.m. that day, and the Annual Meeting (with Brunch Potluck) will follow immediately at 10. You can sign-up in the narthex to let us know what dish you will be bringing, but please know that you don’t have to bring anything — you can just to come to the meeting. There will be plenty of delicious food to share, and we need every member present as we conduct the important business of our parish and make plans for the next year. Lisa's Announcements Happy Birthday! January 12 Catherine Wisniewski January 17 Saydee Peterson, Lynn Okicki It is with much gratitude and love that I have served St. Francis as our administrative assistant the past year and a half. I have given my 2-week notice to Fr. Mark, and will bid goodbye to this role (though not as a parishioner!) after January 23. The church will need a replacement, so if you know of someone suitable for the job, please have them contact Fr. Mark right away. It is my hope that we find a good replacement for the church. It has been a pleasure to serve our parish in this capacity! This Week’s Schedule Sunday 8 a.m. - Holy Eucharist 9 a.m. Coffee Hour 9:10 a.m. Lectionary Study (Whitney Library) 10 a.m. Godly Play (Sunday School) 10 a.m. - Holy Eucharist with Music 11 a.m. Coffee Hour Tuesday 9 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing Wednesday 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study (Whitney Library) 3 p.m. Women’s Bible Study (Whitney Library) Thursday 9:30 a.m. Ecumenical Bible Study (First Presbyterian) Noon Discipleship (Whitney Library) 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study (Whitney Library) Lisa’s Office Hours Next Week Tuesday 11a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.  Father Mark’s Announcements 1) SNOW!! It feels a little early, but it’s probably not historically so. It looks like things will warm up soon but for today, be careful when you go out — it’s slick on the roads. I’ll be in church as usual today, and:
 Lisa's Announcements Happy Birthday October 13 Shirley Brewer, Lorrie Wold October 15 Jan Johnson October 18 Robert Brenner, Santana Tamarak Next Sunday is Consecration Sunday! Remember – there is a single service that day – at 9 a.m., followed by a Potluck Brunch. Come and celebrate with us! You can bring your favorite hearty breakfast dish, or some fruit, or some bread, or anything else you would like to share, or just bring yourself and your family, there will be plenty of food. Remember to sign up for a food dish in the narthex if you plan to contribute to the brunch. If you are unable to attend on Consecration Sunday but would like to make a pledge, you can pick up a pledge card in the office. Please return it by Oct. 20, so we can include your pledge that day. Youth Group will meet after the 9 a.m. service next week. Just bring your plate downstairs. The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) will host a meeting on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5-7 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Featured speaker Beth Agar, from Bellevue, is visiting cities across Nebraska, speaking about “Women’s Ministries.” A pizza supper will be served. Please call Barb Manasek at (308) 436-7767 if you plan to attend. This Week’s Schedule
Sunday 8 a.m. - Holy Eucharist 9 a.m. Coffee Hour 9:10 a.m. Lectionary Study (Whitney Library) 10 a.m. - Holy Eucharist with Music 11 a.m. Coffee Hour Tuesday 9 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing Wednesday 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study (Whitney Library) 3 p.m. Women’s Bible Study (Whitney Library) 4:30 p.m. Youth Catechism Thursday 9:30 a.m. Ecumenical Bible Study (First Presbyterian) Noon Discipleship (Whitney Library) 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study (Joyce Hillman-Kortum Residence) Lisa’s Office Hours Tuesday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  1) Thank you all who helped to make last Saturday’s wedding such a joyous celebration! On Monday I received the following message from Dennis and Luchi — "With a heart filled with joy, we say a big thank you for the fathering love you showered us with, making our wedding a colorful and blessed one. Words aren't enough to convey our gratitude to you and each and every member of St Francis Episcopal Church for the love shown to us. We pray that Almighty God will continue to bless, keep and grant you all every one of your heart’s desires. We love you all!” 2) Thank you to the dedicated hard-working crew who showed up to swing hammers and clear debris at the 2019 Scottsbluff Habitat for Humanity project in Melbeta. It was super fun work! Next time I hope to have more lead-time to communicate so that everyone who wants to participate can do so. As it was, we had 6 from our parish, which was amazing! 3) Ice Cream Social! Remember to join us here this Sunday from 3-5 p.m. in the parish hall for our Benefit Ice Cream Social. All proceeds will go to help defray costs for Walker Anderson’s ongoing treatment. Come out, have fun, and give generously! 4) Fall is right around the corner, and so is church programming. Watch for more information, but everything will start-up again soon. If you are in one of my Bible studies or discipleship groups, we will begin again the week of Sept 9th. Lisa's AnnouncementsHappy Birthday August 18: Tracy Jackson August 20: Ann Selzer August 23: Jean Hilyard August 24: Mandi Sauer Happy Anniversary August 18: Jim and Donetta Petitt August 21: Greg and Collette Suhr Join us this Sunday from 3-5 p.m. for an Ice Cream Social fundraiser to benefit Walker Anderson and family as he continues to receive needed medical care in Denver twice weekly.
We are now planningfor the upcoming Sunday School (Godly Play) for the 5- 10 year-olds. If you have not participated previously and want to learn about becoming a teacher or helper, please call Peggy (308) 436-1820. Thank you to all who brought cut flowers from your garden for Dennis and Luchi's Wedding Reception.  We are so pleased to be having a wedding at St. Francis for Dennis Ugwu and Luchi Uzoma! Everyone is invited to the wedding on Saturday, August 10 at 11 a.m., and the reception to follow in the parish hall. Gifts are not necessary but they are registered at Target under the names Dennis Ugwu and Oluchi Uzoma.(Note, the spelling difference for Oluchi's formal name when searching for their registry).  Lisa's AnnouncementsHappy Birthday
August 1 Leticia Joy Schnell August 2 Justin Bohl August 4 Jim Calder August 9 Collette Suhr August 10 Shirley Mead, Jersey Joplin, Ryan Hergenreder Happy Anniversary August 1 Jim and Suzie Calder, Ralph and Melissa Moreno August 5 Colleen and Phillip Kelly August 10 Justin and Jenny Bohl If you are willing and able, please bring cut flowers from your garden to Fellowship Hall on Friday, August 9th from 4 -5:30 pm. The flowers will be arranged in vases to place on the reception tables for Dennis and Luchi's Wedding Reception. Wedding gifts are not expected or required, but they are registered at Target under the names Dennis Ugwu and Oluchi Uzoma. (Note, the spelling difference for Oluchi's formal name when searching for their registry). Thanks so much for your help. Christie Shaver 308-641-6281. It was great to see our parish well-represented at the Prayer Rally for our farmers last Monday. Please continue your prayers for our agricultural community, many of whom are dealing with some devastating water shortages at a critical time in the growing season. Please join us for an Ice Cream Social fundraiser to benefit Walker Anderson and family as he continues to receive needed medical care in Denver twice weekly. The social will be on Sunday, Aug. 11, 3-5 p.m. Lisa’s Office Hours Monday - 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Tuesday 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Thursday 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Friday 11:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.  1) Just heard from the Director of Camp Canterbury, who said registrations are up this year and there are only about 20 open spots left. It would break my heart if one of our youth who wanted to go couldn’t get in, so please make sure to get to the registration page and get your child signed-up. Here is the link: https://campcanterbury.episcopal-ne.org/Registration.html 2) Adult Catechism Class tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m. in the Whitney Library for those preparing to be Confirmed or Received by the Bishop in September, plus anyone interested in learning more about what the Episcopal Church is all about. A special birth announcement!Please join us in congratulating Mr. and Mrs Robin, who have welcomed three hatchlings in their courtyard tree nest. This morning, the happy, but tired-looking pair could be seen feeding fat worms to three hungry beaks. Visiting hours for the young family are Sunday morning before and after services. Enjoy the photo below, provided by Peggy Wymore.  Happy Birthday!
June 10 Joyce Hillman-Kortum June 11 Elliot Selzer June 12 Carolyn Pevey June 14 Jenny Bohl June 15 Kevin Lehr Happy Anniversary! June 9 Glen and Dixie Amateis June 10 Don and Nancy Kepler June 11 Brett and Demuri Parrish June 12 Jared and Tiffany Mackrill Lisa’s Office Hours: Monday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Thursday 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  1) It HAS to get nice soon, right??? It’s well into spring, for crying out loud, and we have graduated our seniors and school is out and so just know that weather be darned, we are starting our summer schedule here at St. Francis. This means;
 Be sure to come to church Sunday to see the Robin sitting on her nest in our beautiful courtyard tree! It has been a joy to watch her motherly dedication as she sits on her nest. Enjoy the photo below. We also have new furniture in the foyer! Come see what's new at St. Francis this week! Happy Birthday! May 26: Nancy Kepler, Jill Young, Conlan Cron May 27: Kira Bowhay May 29: Stan Eskam May 30: Clark Wisniewski, Jon Meyer, Everett James Ellison, Brian Croft May 31: Julie Fancher Happy Anniversary! May 26 John and Ann Selzer May 28 Brad and Jana Bode May 29 Kevin and Nikole Leonard Our next Soup Kitchen will be this Thursday, May 30. Volunteers are needed to serve the meal at the Presbyterian Church (1st Avenue door) around 5 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to help with clean up, even if you can’t make it to help serve the meal. Clean-up is around 6 p.m. Come be part of this ministry! Camp Canterbury: All youth entering grades 4-12 in the fall are eligible to attend this diocesan camp, an important, powerful, and formative complement to our regular parish youth programming. Every parent and youth in this parish is encouraged to consider making it to Camp Canterbury this summer. Registration is now open, Here is a link to the page https://campcanterbury.episcopal-ne.org Lisa’s Office Hours: Monday: Office Closed for Memorial Day Tuesday 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Thursday 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  1) Thanks to everyone for a great Graduation Celebration last week, and special thanks and congratulations to our Graduates! Please remember that this parish is here for you as you continue your incredible journey into adulthood. You can count on us. 2) We are getting ready to send in the paperwork for our Daughters of the King applicants. If you are interested in joining this incredible group of women in prayer, contact me and we will get your application in. 3) THANKS to Monica Lehr, for volunteering to help drive the van to Camp Canterbury! I am so happy to be able to provide this gift to the kids and their parents — transportation to and from camp — because it makes it easier for our youth to attend. Thanks, Monica and Trudy, for your ministry to the youth of our parish! 4) Summer is finally here, or darn close, and our regularly scheduled events will change somewhat for the summer months. More to come next week about Youth Bible Study and Adult Catechism Classes, along with Sunday morning schedules.  Lisa's AnnouncementsHappy Birthday! May 19 Sadie Davis, Lola Parrish May 21 Donetta Petitt, Rae Whitney May 24 Lia Selvey May 25 Travis Ironshell Happy Anniversary! May 20 Greg and Ann Peterson May 22 Erik and Lori Peterson May 24 Dan and Cindy Dickinson Thank you to everyone who allowed me to take your photo last Sunday. They are wonderful! Enjoy a few of them at the end of this message. Little Angels Choir Schedule Practice at 9:30 a.m. and sing at the 10 o'clock service. Our next Soup Kitchen will be on Thursday, May 30. Volunteers are needed to serve the meal at the Presbyterian Church (1st Avenue door) around 5 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to help with clean up, even if you can’t make it to help serve the meal. Clean-up is around 6 p.m. Come be part of this ministry! Please be sure to log on to to your Ministry Scheduler profile and list your “unable to serve” dates for June before this Monday. If you need help with MSP, please contact Lisa in the office or speak with Cory Foster. We are happy to work with you one-on-one to ensure everyone can use the system so the parish gets the most out of its investment in this software. Camp Canterbury: All youth entering grades 4-12 in the fall are eligible to attend this diocesan camp, an important, powerful, and formative complement to our regular parish youth programming. Every parent and youth in this parish is encouraged to consider making it to Camp Canterbury this summer. Registration is now open, Here is a link to the page https://campcanterbury.episcopal-ne.org Lisa’s Office Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesdays 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Thursdays 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  1) Huge thanks to Phil and Colleen Kelly for hosting a great Newcomer’s Dinner last Saturday! It was a super-fun evening with great food and conversation. And WELCOME to all our new members, we are so glad that you are here!! 2) Camp Canterbury will be here before we know it! All youth entering grades 4-12 in the fall are eligible to attend. As you know, I am a huge believer in this diocesan camp, and know it to be an important, powerful, and formative complement to our regular parish youth programming. I strongly encourage every parent and youth in this parish to consider making it to Camp Canterbury this summer. Registration is now open, Here is a link to the page https://campcanterbury.episcopal-ne.org 3) Speaking of Camp Canterbury — we will again be using our van to transport kids and counselors to and from. Right now we have one adult counselor from the parish to drive. We need another adult to volunteer to drive, who may or may not be also interested in helping at camp. In other words, we need one volunteer to drive to Fremont, Neb., with Trudy and the kids in the van on Monday, July 22nd, returning Friday, July 26. Options for your week — a) help at camp; b) visit relatives in the eastern part of the state, c) fly to Vegas out of Omaha on Tuesday, win a million dollars, and fly back Thursday. I don’t know, there may be other options :) The point is, we need one more adult volunteer to ride in the van. Might God be calling you to serve in this way?  Happy Birthday to:
May 12 Lisa Brenner, Cindy Dickinson May 13 Sydney Petitt May 14 Tylor Petitt May 15 Sharon Santero, Janet Craven Little Angels Choir Schedule May 12 (Happy Mother's Day!) practice at 9:30 a.m. May 19 practice at 9:30 a.m. and sing at the 10 o'clock service. The ECW’s Mother's Day Brunch was lovely. Thank you to the ECW members for organizing it. Barb Manasek's prayer was especially beautiful, and The Fortis Boys choir, under the direction of Scott and Alyssa Harvey, was delightful. Thank you for a beautiful event. St. Francis will host a Graduation Reception following the 10 a.m. service this week for our graduates: Evelyn Anderson-Saenz, Sydney Petitt, Lia Selvey, Skylar Pratt, Sierra Sauer, and Catherine Wisniewski. Join us in celebration of their achievement!  1) The Results Are IN! Our Enchilada Fundraiser netted $2,970.78 to the parish! This was a remarkable and outstanding SUCCESS, and I want to thank every member and all your friends and family who helped in every way! I know the cooks and kitchen crew had a fun time preparing and packaging, and the proceeds will all go toward our budget shortfall in important areas of ministry this year, but none of it would have been possible without your enthusiastic support. I am humbled by both your work and your generosity. 2) As you know, we are formally working together with our sisters and brothers at Good Shepard of the Plains Episcopal Church in Harrisburg, NE. Fr. Bob, Mo. Karen, and I will be providing regular 2x/month Eucharist there, and the Good Shepard members will occasionally join us for worship here, and together our two parishes are committed to serving Christ’s people in our region. Next weekend, we have a chance to work together to serve when the Food Bank of the Heartland will be distributing food from Good Shepherd on Friday, May 10 from 5-7 p.m. St. Francis folks are invited to join with Good Shepherd folks to assist with this set-up and distribution. It will be a fun time and a great time to get to know each other. No sign-up needed, just meet at Good Shepherd in Harrisburg (Google Maps will get you right there) anytime around 5 a week from tomorrow. See you there! 3) Sadly, today we sing and pray our goodbyes to a dear friend of this parish -- Lyla Moran Tuttle. Luncheon at 12:30 p.m., followed by Funeral and Committal beginning at 2 p.m. 4) Thursday noon Discipleship Group cancelled today, but Thursday evening Bible Study will meet as scheduled at 6 p.m. in the Library, when we will begin a multi-week study of Revelation. All are welcome and invited! 5) Summer Formation Classes to begin in June. Final details are being worked out, but I am preparing for two new classes this summer -- a Youth Bible Study for middle and high schoolers, and Adult Catechism for anyone interested in being confirmed or received (if already confirmed) at our September 22 Bishop’s Visitation.  Happy Birthday to:
May 6 Fernando Moreno May 8 William Croft May 9 Cooper Feltes Youth Group meets this Sunday at 9 a.m. to plan for Youth Sunday, on May 19th. Ministry team members scheduled as ushers, lectors, intercessors, and Eucharistic Ministers on Youth Sunday will not need to serve that Sunday. This Week’s Schedule Sunday 8 a.m. - Holy Eucharist 9 a.m. Coffee Hour 9 a.m. Youth Group (Planning for Youth Sunday!) 9:10 a.m. Lectionary Study (Whitney Library) 10 a.m. - Holy Eucharist with Music Tuesday 9 a.m. - Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing Wednesday 7 a.m. - Men’s Bible Study 3 p.m. - Women’s Bible Study Thursday Noon - Discipleship Study 6 p.m. - Open Bible Study Those serving on the Altar Guild this month are: Judith Widmaier, Joyce Walsh, Shirley Mead, Gretchen Deter. Special thanks to last month's Altar Guild for the loving care they gave: Collette Suhr, Sandy Gibson, Ann Peterson, Jane Sayre, Dael Cron. Thank you, ladies! The ECW’s Mother's Day Brunch will be on Saturday, May 4th, at 10 a.m., in the Parish Hall. The Fortis Boys choir, under the direction of Scott and Alyssa Harvey, will entertain. The United Thank Offering collected this year was $579.20, the most we’ve ever collected! Thank you for participating in this worthwhile ingathering of funds to become blessings for needy people throughout the world. St. Francis will host a Graduation Reception following the 10 am service, on Sunday, May 12th for our graduates: Evelyn Anderson-Saenz, Sydney Pettit, Lia Selvey, Skylar Pratt, Sierra Sauer, and Catherine Wisniewski. If you know of others graduating this year, please call the church at (308) 632-4626. Regarding the enchilada fundraiser, a compliment to the cooks: The dozen I purchased were absolutely delicious. Thank you for the love you put into it! Lisa’s Office Hours: Mondays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tuesdays 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Thursdays 10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. - noon (leaving early this week due to a funeral) |
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