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FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) Episcopal Women’s History Project Announces New Series: “Women Worth Knowing” which includes one session on our own Rae E. Whitney on March 11th. From their announcement: "There are hundreds of remarkable stories of women who have served the Episcopal Church with love, with persistence, with energy and with creativity. EWHP is presenting a series telling the stories of six women who have made an impact on the Episcopal Church. There will be time for discussion and questions. The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Barker, President of EWHP will be emcee. The sessions will be presented as a Zoom experience where there is room for all who wish to participate. Ash Wednesday is on February 17, 2021; the series will begin on Thursday: February 18, and continued on February 25, and March 4, 11, 18 and 25. Mark your calendars!” To sign up go here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEsc-yrqzMjG9UOMhFfeOepK8rHkhZjcLrw 2) Are you ready to get more involved here at St. Francis? Would you be willing to attend one meeting per month to help us manage and guide the parish? If so, this might be the year you volunteer to serve on our Vestry. It is a fun and interesting way to help the church and get to know others who are similarly committed to serving. A slate of candidates will be submitted and approved at Sunday’s Annual Meeting. Please contact Fr. Mark at 308-765-1535 or frmarks@me.com by Saturday if you would be willing to become a Vestry Member this year! 3) This Sunday at 11:30 A.M. we will hold our Parish Annual Meeting -- virtually this year using Zoom. Today you will receive another email with the handouts and link to login to the meeting. It will be different for sure and less fun (and less filling as we will miss our annual brunch potluck!) but this is what we are able to do and it will allow us to conduct our necessary annual business of electing the Vestry, reviewing 2020, and setting some goals for 2021. I think it will be right at an hour, and I hope not too boring. Watch for the email with attachments. There is very limited seating available in the Parish Hall for those who don’t have email. Please call the office and confirm that you will attend in person. GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!! Kim Hurst January 30 Prayer Requests ** Now that I am back in the office 3 days a week, 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 for February, March, April 2021**- Please let me know if you would like a copy set aside or mailed to you. We have received the regular print and the large print. ***Daily Devotion for Thursday January 14, 2021*** God, the Source The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause Come. Come to the well of God’s Word and draw from the source of hope, inspiration, and courage that only God can give us through the Love of Jesus Christ. Listen Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.” “Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out. Mark 1:23-26 Think One aspect of Mark’s gospel that I love is that everyone who should recognize Jesus as the Christ doesn’t, and everyone/everything that shouldn’t recognize Jesus as the Christ does. The people who hear Jesus teach are amazed at what he is doing and wonder who he is, yet the evil spirit knows exactly who Jesus is and where he comes from. Where Jesus comes from is an important acknowledgement, for Jesus comes from God. Indeed, as his followers, we proclaim that Jesus is God. Have you ever thought of yourself as coming from God? We don’t come from God in the same sense as Jesus did, but I would argue we do come from God and maybe in an even bigger way. We are chosen by God to be God’s children. A good friend always told her children “Remember who you are and whose you are!” When we belong to God, we are from God – called, loved, and sent. Don’t be shy of your nature; embrace it, live it, and let the world see it in you. Kris “Bubba” Brammer Pray O Creator God, you know me so well that I cannot possibly hide who I am from you. Remind me always that my identity rests in you as a child of God. Help me to remember in all things that I am yours and that you are my God. Help me to live a life reflecting this identity I have in Christ to others. Amen. Go Go. Go from the well of God’s Word and presence, knowing that what we draw there sustains us, renews us, and gives us life to be the people of God and Christ’s light in the world. ***These daily devotionals are available at www.d365.org Gina’s Office Hours Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) The good and great news is that we continue to see our local number of cases declining, and we are now just slightly above the 20 avg cases/day threshold for reopening. We have to get below and stay below that number for a few weeks in a row before it makes sense to reopen for public worship, but things are definitely trending in the right direction, and I am beginning to be optimistic that we will be back together for part of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. What a glorious blessing that would be!! While we still couldn’t jam the pews for Easter Morning, I could easily envision us adding a service to two and accommodating everyone who wants to be present. Fingers crossed and prayers ascending!! 2) Thanks to the Vestry for approving and the Foundation for funding and Anderson-Shaw for installing our new back door to the kitchen! You will notice it has a keypad entry. If you are part of a group that regularly uses the kitchen or parish hall, Gina will get you the correct code for your group. If you or anyone else reserves the parish hall for a one-time meeting or celebration, we have single use codes for that. It’s really a slick system, and — bonus — the door now opens easily and closes securely! 3) Annual Meeting by ZOOM — Sunday, January 31st at 11:30 A.M. Now is a good time to get Zoom downloaded and installed so you are ready to go on the 31st! Here is the link: https://zoom.us/download 4) Hang in there, dear friends! The vaccines are on the way they say, and if we just keep wearing masks and keeping distance and washing hands, we will be out of this thing in 2021!!! GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!! Happy Anniversary Jen Baird January 22 Curt & Karen Mecklem January 27 Victoria Schnell January 25 Prayer Requests ** Now that I am back in the office 3 days a week, 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 for February, March, April 2021**- Please let me know if you would like a copy set aside or mailed to you. We have received the regular print and the large print. ***Daily Devotion for Thursday January 14, 2021*** Called for a Purpose The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause Stop! Listen. Can you hear it? God is calling you. Probably not by words in your ear or by writing in a letter or by signs seen by your eyes – Instead, God calls to you through the rhythm of your life, through the love of people who support you, through the opportunities to share grace that surround you. Stop! Listen. God’s voice is calling you to love and serve! Listen Don’t trust in violence; don’t set false hopes in robbery. When wealth bears fruit, don’t set your heart on it. God has spoken one thing— make it two things— that I myself have heard: that strength belongs to God, and faithful love comes from you, my Lord— and that you will repay everyone according to their deeds. Psalm 62:10-12 Think When you think about who or what you trust, what comes to mind? I imagine many of us know how we would like to answer: we trust in hope, in laughter, in faith, in love, in God. But these words from the psalmist not to trust in violence or wealth cut just a bit, because if we’re honest with ourselves, these words are less a warning and more of a mirror. I’d like to say I don’t trust in violence, but how often have I spoken sharp words or held bitterness in my heart? I want to say I don’t hold too tightly to the promises of wealth, but how often do I value my own comfort and well-being over that of others? I think the psalmist doesn’t want to shame us so much as redirect us. We have brokenness, and learning to trust in God’s strength and faithful love is like a dance. Every day, every moment, we have a chance to choose that trust. What would trusting God’s love change for you? Jessica Tidwell-Weinzierl Pray God of love, thank you for your faithfulness. You are always with me, even though I often find myself trusting in things which ultimately cause more harm than good. Draw my heart closer to yours, and help me to trust in your strength and love. Amen. Go You are a child of God, deeply beloved, and you have great purpose in God’s kingdom. Go, and do what is yours to do, in the love of Christ, our Redeemer! Amen. ***These daily devotionals are available at www.d365.org Gina’s Office Hours Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) The funeral service for our dear Ruth Masid will be this Saturday at 10:00 A.M. Seating in the church is limited to immediate family, but you can join us online using the usual link on our website. Ruth was a longtime faithful member of this parish, and although she hasn’t been able to attend in person for several years, she will be deeply missed and never forgotten. I will always remember her smiling face in the front pews. 2) Don’t forget to get those Annual Meeting reports in this week! We will put them together with minutes and agenda and send the Annual Meeting packet out by the 27th, along with a link to the Zoom meeting. If you need help figuring out how to use Zoom to join a meeting, here is a link to a short YouTube video The Annual Meeting is Sunday, January 31st at 11:30 A.M. If you don’t have access to a computer to join that way, we have limited seating in the parish hall, call Gina to sign up. 3) We have wrapped up our 2021 Pledge Campaign, and since this year was so different we have a slightly different approach. If you sent in or emailed or called with a 2021 pledge amount, we will use that number for our records. If you haven’t contacted us but have been a giver in the past, we have used your 2020 pledge/giving amount as your 2021 pledge. This is really just so that we can plan and make reasonable budget assumptions for this year. Please remember that a pledge is not a contract and everybody’s life changes so estimates of giving are just that – not set in stone – so feel free to adjust as the year goes on. I will say more in a letter that is coming soon, but I do hope you know how much I appreciate everything that you do and give and share that keeps this ministry alive and growing. You really are amazing. GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!! Lynn Okicki January 17 Ben Shaver January 17 Saydee Peterson January 17 Ben Sauer January 20 Gina’s Schedule -- Starting Tuesday, January 19th, I will back to my regular “In 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. 2020 Giving Statements – The Giving Statements for 2020 were emailed out today and those who do not have an email address, I have printed the statements and they have been mailed out 1/14/2021. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me during my office hours or send an email to stfrancis@allophone.com. ***Daily Devotion for Thursday January 14, 2020*** CALLED AND KNOWN The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause Take, o take me as I am. Summon out what I shall be. Set your seal upon my heart, And live in me. from "Take, O Take Me As I Am" by John L. Bell (1995) Listen Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. There isn’t a word on my tongue, Lord, that you don’t already know completely. You surround me—front and back. You put your hand on me. That kind of knowledge is too much for me; it’s so high above me that I can’t reach it. Psalm 139:1-6 Think Have you ever had a really special friend? This person might have been able to complete every last word of your sentence. Sometimes our friends may even know us better than we know ourselves, and they’re able to speak into parts of us we didn’t even know existed. How does it feel to be known and loved like that? Regardless of how strong an earthly friendship might be, moments of conflict may arise. As imperfect people, we may make an ill-timed joke, feel snubbed in the school hallway or all together lonely and left out. The best friendships leave room for apology and reconnection despite difficult moments. If all that could be true about a relationship with another imperfect person, consider how much deeper that bond might be with the one who created you. God knows you better than your best friend – good moments and bad – and still loves you immensely. There’s no conflict there; simply an invitation to accept God’s love and grace and an invitation to share those with others. Daniel Potter Pray Thank you, God, for being the perfect friend – one who knows me so intimately, who understands me so well, who celebrates joys, and who mourns my sorrows. Remind me today that there is no conflict in our relationship, but simply an invitation. Give me the peace that comes from being known by you and the strength to follow wherever you may lead. Amen. Go The Creator of the Cosmos, the one who formed all that was or is or will be, is the same God who breathed breath into you, the one who knit you together, the one who knows you best, and the one who calls you. Know this gift more deeply today, and share it as freely as you received it: You are called and known. ***These daily devotionals are available at www.d365.org Gina’s Office Hours Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office) FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) Mark your Calendars for our Zoom Annual Meeting Sunday, January 31st at 11:30 A.M. This being our first (and fingers crossed only) online annual meeting, there will undoubtedly be hang-ups, glitches, and mistakes, but we have to do what we can to get our parish business accomplished, even when large gatherings are not possible, so this is what we have. I promise we will do our level best to make it work in spite of the difficulties. Here are a couple of accommodations:
2) The online coffee breaks using Zoom will cut back to one online coffee break session per week on Tuesdays at 9:15 A.M. We will end about 9:45. There’s no agenda. It’s just a chance to say “Hi” to parish friends and chat about whatever comes up. 3) Thanks to Steve Trickler for this update on local vaccine availability: “To sign up for COVID-19 vaccine shots, adults 75 and older should call the message line 308 262 5764 and leave their name, date of birth, county of residence, and phone number. They will be contacted several weeks later with the particulars.” GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!! William Schnell January 7 Jane Wisniewski January 7 Quinn Mackrill January 11 Barbara Martinson January 11 Catherine Wisniewski January 12 Prayer Requests: Due to my working from home two days a week (for now), please send me your prayer requests by Wednesday each week to ensure they are in the next Sunday’s Bulletin. ***Daily Devotion for Thursday January 7, 2020*** CHRISTMAS LIGHT The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause Once the decorations come down, where do you notice the Christmas lights still shining? Today, take a few moments to notice and remember the people, places, and experiences where you are continuing to see Christmas light. Listen When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route. Matthew 2:9-12 Think Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold is as relevant today as it was in the time of Jesus. A valuable item exchanged for goods or services. Frankincense and myrrh do not hold the same value to us, though. In ancient times, frankincense helped make temples smell like special places. Myrrh was an ingredient in oil that priests used to bless people. They also had other uses, like in medicine. They were so valuable that they were gifts given to kings and rulers. Often, they were given out of fear instead of generosity. The ancient world was full of rivalries and wars between this king and that ruler. That is why the wise men bringing Jesus these gifts is so interesting. They see the light of the star in the sky and are filled with joy. The real gift is not the items themselves but the joy with which they are given. These gifts of joy announce a new kind of ruler is in the world — a Prince of Peace. Patrick Kangrga Pray God, help me know that the greatest gift you gave was Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Help me share the gift of joy and peace and love and light wherever I go. Amen. Go Is the Christmas light still shining bright in you? Take that light out into the world. Live brightly so that others may take notice and be reminded of God's love and light. ***For those of you that would like to access these devotionals daily, you can go on this website: www.d365.org Gina’s Office Hours Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Work from Home) Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Work from Home) Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (at the Office) |
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