​Thursday Announcements-From the Vestry
 August 4, 2022
 

 1). Canon Easton will be coming to St. Francis for our service on August 21st.  On this date the vestry will recognize Father Bob and Mother Karen for all their work in keeping St. Francis alive and well and the search committee will be recognized for their work.  Please put this date on your calendar as we will celebrate with cake and fruit after the 9:00 am service.  What a great way to celebrate with all our church family. 
 
2). Please continue to offer prayers for our new rector as she prepares to make the move from South Dakota to the GOOD LIFE of Nebraska, and our St. Francis parish.  
Lord, please encourage Rev. Erin Rath by the power of your Holy Spirit. Let her soul be refreshed with the love of Christ. Let her have faith for the future. Help her to keep pressing forward even when the way is not so clearly defined. Let her be refreshed by the fact that your grace is sufficient for her.  In Christ’s name we pray.  AMEN
 
3). 100 years of services at our church, St. Francis, will be celebrated later this year.  You can look forward to information and photos being shared in the coming months.  December 24, 1922, was the first church service at our current location.  The church has lots of memories to share!!!
 
4) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office between 9:00AM and 1:00PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, August 10 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.
 
5) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  
 
Three friends from the local congregation were asked, "When you're in your casket, and friends and congregation members are mourning over you, what would you like them to say?
Artie said, " I would like them to say I was a wonderful husband, a fine spiritual leader, and a great family man."
Merle said:  "I would like them to say I was a wonderful teacher and servant of God who made a huge difference in people’s lives."
Don said, "I'd like them to say, 'Look! He's moving!'"
 

From the office--Ann’s Announcements
 
The 2022 Old West Balloon Fest

Birthdays
Collette Suhr                           August 9
Ryan Hergenreder                  August 10
Jersey Joplin                           August 10
Shirley Mead                           August 10
Diane Morrison                       August 11
 
Anniversaries
Justin & Jenny Bohl                August 10
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until September. 
We will keep you posted when these services resume.

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 August-September in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

 
1). Canon Easton will be coming to St. Francis for our service on August 21st.  On this date the vestry will recognize Father Bob and Mother Karen for all their work in keeping St. Francis alive and well and the search committee will be recognized for their work.  Please put this date on your calendar as we are thinking a brunch after the 9:00 am service would be a great way to celebrate with all of our church family.
 
2). Please continue to offer prayers for our new rector as she prepares to make the move from South Dakota to the GOOD LIFE of Nebraska, and our St. Francis parish. 
Lord, please encourage Rev. Erin Rath by the power of your Holy Spirit. Let her soul be refreshed with the love of Christ. Let her have faith for the future. Help her to keep pressing forward even when the way is not so clearly defined. Let her be refreshed by the fact that your grace is sufficient for her.  In Christ’s name we pray.  AMEN
 
3). 100 years of services at our church, St. Francis, will be celebrated later this year.  You can look forward to information and photos being shared in the coming months.  December 24, 1922 was the first church service at our current location.  The church has lots of memories to share!!!
 
4) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office between 9:00AM and 1:00PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, August 3 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.
 
5) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  
 
One day the devil challenged God to a baseball game. Smiling, God proclaimed, “You don’t have a chance. I’ve got Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and all the greatest players up here.” “Yes,” laughed the devil, “but I have all the empires.”
 
 COVID positive cases have hit our church family.  Please take care of yourself and your family.  Masks are always an option at church.
​

 
Birthdays
Judi Widmaier                      July 31
Leticia Schnell                      August 1
Justin Bohl                            August 2
Jim Calder                            August 4
Ayita Gomez                         August 5
 
Anniversaries
Jim & Suzi Calder                 August 1
Ralph & Melissa Moreno      August 1       
Phil & Colleen Kelly              August 5
 
If you have not served as a coffee host and would like to share some delicious treats after the 9am service, please let Barb Manasek know at 436-7767. You would serve with another person who would show you how to use the coffeemaker.

Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until September.   We will keep you posted when these services resume.

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’ve got the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

Thursday Announcements
 July 21, 2022
From the Vestry 

​1). Well, the paperwork is signed, and Reverend Erin Rath will be moving to Scottsbluff around August 15th with a start date at St. Francis on Tuesday, August 30th.  Mother Erin’s letter to the parish will be sent via email and through the mail for those who do not have email.  Please keep an eye out for this letter.
 
2). Canon Easton will be coming to St. Francis for our service on August 21st.  On this date the vestry will recognize Father Bob and Mother Karen for all their work in keeping St. Francis alive and well and the search committee will be recognized for their work.
 
3). We will have our 3rd Vestry meeting of the summer on Sunday, July 24th, starting at 10:15. 
 
4). Please continue to offer prayers for our new rector, and our St. Francis parish.  We should all feel blessed to have found someone who wanted to continue their faith journey with us at St. Francis, especially when so many churches are waiting for a rector they can call their own.
 
5) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office between 9:00AM and 1:00PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, July 27 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.
 
6) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  
 
A businessman ordered flowers to be sent to the opening of his friend’s new branch office. When the businessman got there, he was shocked to see the flowers with the inscription. “Rest In Peace.” He was so outraged that he stopped at the florist to complain.
 
“It could be worse,” the florist said, “Just think: Today someone was buried beneath a floral arrangement with the inscription. ‘Congratulations on Your New Location!’ ”

Birthdays
Sarah Williams                        July 26
Steve Shaw                             July 28
Alyson Anderson-Saenz         July 29
Judi Widmaier                         July 31
 
Anniversaries
Chris & Jane Kelley                July 30
 
If you have not served as a coffee host and would like to share some delicious treats after the 9am service, please let Barb Manasek know at 436-7767. You would serve with another person who would show you how to use the coffeemaker.
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September.
We will keep you posted when these services resume.
 
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 also just got in the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

Thursday Announcements
 July 14, 2022
From the Vestry 

1).  Here we are…the middle of July…in a month we will be gearing up for back to school.  Thanks to all of you who continue to support St. Francis through our transition to a new Rector. 
 
2) Just a cautionary reminder that COVID cases are on the rise again in our area.  Please do what you need to do to keep you and your family safe.  We love to have all in-person at services but totally understand if you want to watch remotely.
 
3) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office between 9:00AM and 1:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, July 20 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.
 
4). Our parish will celebrate 100 years of existence later this year.  Look for upcoming ways to partake in this celebration.
 
5) Please continue to offer prayers for our search committee and those who have been called as a possible rector for our church.  We can never have too many prayers!!! 
 
6) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  Mrs. Smartt was fumbling in her purse for her offering when a large television remote fell out and clattered into the aisle. The curious usher bent over to retrieve it for her and whispered, “Do you always carry your TV remote to church?”“ No,” she replied, “but my husband refused to come with me this morning, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.”
 

From the office--Ann’s Announcements

Thank you, Bill Mann for working in this heat to clean up the South Side of our driveway!!!  It looks much better.

Birthdays
Matt Anderson                       July 17
Dael Hendren                        July 17
Trudy Schnell                        July 19
Velysia Gomez                      July 21
Gary Larson                           July 22
Ashton Tuscon                      July 22
 
Anniversaries
Don & Kathy Graham           July 18
Johnny & Jamie Selzer         July 20
Kevin & Monica Lehr            July 23
 
If you have not served as a coffee host and would like to share some delicious treats after the 9am service, please let Barb Manasek know at 436-7767.
You would serve with another person who would show you how to use the coffeemaker.

Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September.
We will keep you posted when these services resume.
 
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 also just got in the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

From the office--Ann’s Announcements​

Summer Fun…have some!​

If you have not served as a coffee host and would like to share some delicious treats after the 9am service, please let Barb Manasek know at 436-7767.
​You would serve with another person who would show you how to use the coffeemaker.
 
Anniversaries
Erica Croft                             July 10
Jennifer & Mindy Baird          July 16

The St. Francis chapter of the Daughters of the King (DOK) are sponsoring a drive to help support the mission of the local Foster Closet.  They serve the needs of foster children in
Scotts Bluff County.
The Foster Closet is presently in need of suitcases, pillows, blankets, and personal hygiene items (tooth brushes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, deodorant, etc.)
Please donate NEW items.
There will be a place to leave your donations in the Narthex of the Church.  We’ll be collecting donations throughout the month of July.
Thank you for supporting this worthwhile cause!
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September.
We will keep you posted when these services resume.
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 May-July in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.
 
We also just got in the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

​1). Happy 4th of July weekend everyone.  If you are traveling, our thoughts and prayers are with you for a  safe journey.  We hope you get a chance to enjoy friends and family, which includes your faith family at St. Francis.  Remember why we celebrate the 4th of July…this day signifies the birth of American independence and severed our political connections to Great Britain.

2). Thanks to everyone who helped Monica Lehr clean up the nursery rooms.  They look great.

3).  COVID cases are on the rise again in our area.  Please make the best decisions for you and your family.  We want everyone to stay as healthy as possible.

4).   Please continue to offer prayers for our search committee and those who have been called as a possible rector for our church. We can never have too many prayers!!!  

5) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office between 9:00AM and 1:00PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, July 6 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.

6) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  
After having children, Adam and Eve started getting a lot of questions from their kids about why they no longer lived in Eden. Adam has a simple answer for this: “Your mother ate us out of house and home.”

Birthdays
Marvin Lamont                                 July 5
Joan Worthman                               July 8
Adam Haack                                    July 9
Daniel Harvey                                  July 9
 
Anniversaries
Fernando & Sara Moreno               July 5
 
The St. Francis chapter of the Daughters of the King (DOK) are sponsoring a drive to help support the mission of the local Foster Closet.  They serve the needs of foster children in Scotts Bluff County.
The Foster Closet is presently in need of suitcases, pillows, blankets, and personal hygiene items (tooth brushes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, deodorant, etc.)
Please donate NEW items.
There will be a place to leave your donations in the Narthex of the Church.  We’ll be collecting donations throughout the month of July.
Thank you for supporting this worthwhile cause!
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September.
We will keep you posted when these services resume.
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 May-July in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.
 
We also just got in the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

 
From the office--Ann’s Announcements

Birthdays
Rick Anderson                     June 26
Kathy Graham                     June 28
Lisa Ledbetter                     June 28
Mary Kay Versen                June 30
Dan Witko                           June 30
Adena Taylor                        July 1
Keith Viola                            July 1
Ayden Reed                         July 2
Joyce Walsh                        July 2 
 
Anniversaries
Cory & Gretchen Foster        June 26
Alan & Jan Johnson               July 1
Matt & Jeane Anderson         July 2

​THANK YOU to the lady who came and weeded and watered our sunken garden on Thursday!!!   Collette found out her name was Veronica and she said she did this work
because she felt the Lord wanted her to.           Random acts of kindness are such a joy!
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September.
We will keep you posted when these services resume.
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 May-July in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.
 
We also just got in the Forward Day by Day’s for August-September in regular and large print. If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

Thursday Announcements
 June 16, 2022
From the Vestry 

1). This Saturday, June 18th, we will be doing some cleaning and organizing of toys and rooms where our children spend time! We would love to have some volunteers to assist. We will begin at 9:00 am. There will be plenty of refreshments and plenty of good company.

2). HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all those guys who make lives better for our children. We sure hope you enjoy your day and get to connect with the ones you love!!!
​
3). We will have our 2nd Vestry meeting of the summer on Sunday, June 26, starting at 10:15.  I promise to make our time together short and sweet!!!

4). Please continue to offer prayers for our search committee and those who have been called as a possible rector for our church. We can never have too many prayers!!! 

5) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office between 9:00AM and 1:00PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, June 22 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.

6) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  This priest decided to skip church one Sunday morning and go play golf.  He told his assistant that he wasn't feeling well. He drove to a golf course in another city, so nobody would know him.  He teed off on the first hole. A huge gust of wind caught his ball, carried is an extra hundred yards and dropped it right in the hole, for a 450 yard hole in one.  An angel looked at God and said "What'd you do that for?" God smiled and said "Who's he going to tell?"
 

Birthdays
Frank Marquez                               June 20
Jill Wozniak                                    June 20
Jerry Leonard                                 June 23
Jane Sayre                                     June 23

Anniversaries
John & Cricket Simmons               June 20
Justin & Jackie Cawiezel               June 21
Al & Barb Williams                         June 21
Robert & Lisa Brenner                   June 25
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September.
We will keep you posted when these services resume.
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 May-July in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

​ 
1) Thanks to Gary and Karen Larson and Beth McKibbin for making the pots in the courtyard come alive with flowers.  St. Francis looks beautiful both inside and out.
 
2). I heard the salad luncheon was wonderful and a huge hit!!!  Thanks to all who participated.  You help make St. Francis what it is, a caring community full of wonderful people sharing in the joy of Christ’s love for us all.
 
3) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office most times between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, June 15 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.
 
4) Please continue to offer prayers for our search committee and those who have been called as a possible rector for our church.  We can never have too many prayers!!! 
 
5) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  A minister, a priest and a rabbi went for a hike one day. It was very hot. They were sweating and exhausted when they came upon a small lake. Since it was fairly secluded, they took off all their clothes and jumped in the water.
Feeling refreshed, the trio decided to pick a few berries while enjoying their "freedom." As they were crossing an open area, who should come along but a group of ladies from town.
Unable to get to their clothes in time, the minister and the priest covered their privates, and the rabbi covered his face while they ran for cover.
After the ladies had left and the men got their clothes back on, the minister and the priest asked the rabbi why he covered his face rather than his privates. The rabbi replied,
"I don't know about you, but in MY congregation, it’s my face they would recognize."

Birthdays
Ashley Haack                         June 5
Mary Bowman                        June 7
Kristi Weiss                            June 9
Elliot Selzer                            June 11
Carolyn Pevey                        June 12

Anniversaries
Stan & Diane Eskam             June 7
Glen Amateis                         June 9
Don & Nancy Kepler              June 10
Brett & Demuri Parrish          June 11
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September.
We will keep you posted when these services resume.

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 May-July in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

​What's Happening at St. Francis This Week – From the Vestry

 1) Thanks to all of you who are attending church both in-person and on-line.  Our collective voices on Sunday morning were magical.  How blessed we are to have such a faithful congregation.  See you all at 9:00 am on Sunday!!!
 
2) Office Hours – Ann will be in the office between 9:00AM and 1:00PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Father Bob will be in the office on Wednesday, May 18 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  The office phone will be manned outside of these hours when the office is closed.
 
3) Please continue to offer prayers for our search committee and those who have been called as a possible rector for our church.  We can never have too many prayers!!! 
 
4) Some levity to share (because who couldn't use a good laugh these days?):  A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom as the children drew pictures. The teacher would occasionally walk around and see each child’s artwork. As she approached one little girl who was working especially hard, she asked what the drawing was. The little girl told her: “I’m drawing God!” “But sweety,” the teacher replied, “no one knows what God looks like. ”Automatically, the little girl continued drawing and said: “Well, they certainly will in a minute!” 

​Sending love to all the families in Uvalde, Texas!!

Birthdays
Ashley Haack                                   June 5
Mary Bowman                                  June 7
Kristi Weiss                                      June 9
Elliot Selzer                                      June 11
Carolyn Pevey                                  June 12
  
Anniversaries
Stan & Diane Eskam                       June 7
Glen Amateis                                   June 9
Don & Nancy Kepler                       June 10
Brett & Demuri Parrish                    June 11
 
The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) will be hosting a “Ladies Salad Luncheon”
is tomorrow, Saturday, June 4th, at 11:30am, in the Parish Hall.  We'll share delicious salads and fellowship and be entertained by vocalist Stephanie Coley from the Arts Center.  She will be performing at the beginning of our luncheon, so please arrive on time.

Thank you to the green thumb team, who planted our courtyard and entry planters and made the area look so pretty!   It's a beautiful place to enjoy!
 
Sunday School, Pre-Teen Bible Study, and Godly Play will not meet until next September. We will keep you posted when these services resume.

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 May-July in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.