​This spring, I'll be offering a three-session discussion series on The Dream of God: A Call to Return by Verna Dozier.
(You can read more about the book and its author by following the links.) I'll offer one set of sessions during the day, and another set outside standard business hours.
If you're interested in participating in this discussion series, please complete this brief survey to let me know which days and times work best for you.
​The scheduling survey has been extended until February 2. ​

🎶🎵🎶 Liturgical Notes 🎶🎵🎶 
January/February 2025 ~ by the Rev. Erin Rath

Sunday, January 12 marked the beginning of a new season in the church year: Epiphany. The day of Epiphany recalls the wise men's arrival, with gifts in hand, at the manger which cradled the infant Jesus. It comes immediately after the short season of Christmas, often called "the twelve days of Christmas," so named for the twelve days between Christmas Day and the celebration of Epiphany. In many Christian cultures, particularly in the Orthodox world, Epiphany is the primary day of celebration rather than Christmas. The light and insight the star above Bethlehem gifted the wise men, which ultimately led them to Jesus' cradle, become common themes of this season. These themes are mentioned throughout our current prayers of the people, which were composed specifically for this season. Though the six forms of the Prayers of the People provided in the Book of Common Prayer (1979) are worthy of regular use and reflection, I do not feel they address these themes as explicitly as this season and the needs of our time call for. The instructions (often referred to as rubrics) at the beginning of the Prayers of the People in the BCP not only allow for but encourage prayers to be composed beyond the bounds of the forms printed therein. The only requirement is that any composed Prayers of the People include the topics listed in the rubrics (see BCP page 383).  

In addition to the Book of Common Prayer, Enriching Our Worship 1 (approved in 1997 and published in 1998) provides extensive liturgical resources for morning and evening prayer and Eucharist. Seasonal blessings are provided in the Book of Occasional Services (originally published in 1979 and most recently revised in 2018). In this current season of our shared worship life, in addition to utilizing the contemporary form of the Lord's Prayer, we're using a post communion prayer from Enriching Our Worship 1. (We used a different post communion prayer from Enriching Our Worship 1 during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.) The blessing being used this season is from the Book of Occasional Services, as are most of the lengthier blessings utilized over the course of the liturgical year. We'll take a closer look at some of the theological themes brought out by the various post communion prayers in a future Liturgical Notes. If you have a topic or question you'd like addressed in an upcoming Liturgical Notes, please let me know. To those who've read to the end, I thank you for your interest. 
 

 From the Office—Ann’s Announcements​

Last fall, Saint Francis began co-hosting a youth group in partnership with First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff. We’re delighted to report six youth from Saint Francis have participated! We’ve been invited to provide dinner for those weekly meetings of Youth Fellowship. Individuals and families, as well as small groups or several families working together, are welcome to participate. Those who volunteer will be asked to provide a meal for fifteen people (most of them hungry teenagers!). This meal may be home cooked or purchased from a store or restaurant. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the church office. 

Our friends at Calvary Lutheran in Scottsbluff will host the University of South Dakota Chamber singers in concert on March 10th. They're looking for locals willing to serve as host families that night. The choir requests accommodations for a minimum of two choir members per household, as well as a light breakfast the morning of March 11. If you're interested in hosting, please contact Calvary at 308-632-8023. 

This spring, I'll be offering a three-session discussion series on The Dream of God: A Call to Return by Verna Dozier. (You can read more about the book and its author by following the links.) I'll offer one set of sessions during the day, and another set outside standard business hours. If you're interested in participating in this discussion series, please complete this brief survey to let me know which days and times work best for you. The scheduling survey will be available through January 26. ​
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The Laundry of Love mission is a monthly service provided by three area churches. Saint Francis provides this service once every three months (March, June, September, and December) from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month at the East Overland laundromat. In 2 hours, the mission serves approximately 12 individuals/families. The church donates an average of $150 at each mission. Thank you to Jane Sayre, Janet Craven, and the Schingle family members who have volunteered their time and resources to help with this wonderful community outreach.
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Those who serve, this week January 19, 2025, 9am

Musician                          Nancy Meier      
Media Team                     Steve Trickler
Ushers                             Nancy Kepler, Diane Morrison
Acolyte Master                Clark Wisniewski
Acolytes                           Open, Open
Lector/Intercessor          Shirley Mead
Eucharistic Minister       Santana Tamarak
Altar Guild                 Nancy Kepler, Monica & Kathy Shambaugh
Coffee Hosts             Karen Larson, Karen Mecklem

Flowers:

Greg & Ann Peterson           In Memory Of Greg’s Parents,
                                             Dolan & Arlene Peterson
Clark & Amy Wisniewski      In Thanksgiving for their Daughter, Catherine

Upcoming Events At St. Francis:
This Sunday is the third Sunday of the month, so our loose offerings will go toward the Rector's Discretionary Fund. 
Lectionary Study And Compline, Tuesday 2pm, Library
Evening Prayer Services On Zoom, Wednesday @ 6pm
Men’s Bible Study Thursday, 8am
Discipleship Group. Thursday @ 12pm
Vestry Meeting Tuesday, January 28 @ 6pm
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From the Office—Ann’s Announcements
                                                  

​Birthdays
Stephanie Schingle         January 23
Victoria Schnell               January 23

A goodbye Reception for Shirley Mead is being held Sunday, January 19th during coffee hour after the service. 
As one of the longest living and beloved members of our Church family, we will miss her as she moves to Colorado to be closer to her daughters. 
A card basket will be provided for your well wishes.

The Soup Kitchen will be January 30th, 4:30, at the Presbyterian Church. 
​We’d love to have additional help.   Contact Rick Gable at 672-7839. 

Prayer Requests
Prayer requests need to be received by Tuesday, if you’d like them to be printed in the bulletin.
​You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message) or email [email protected].

The Forward Day by Day’s for February-April are available in regular and large print. 
If you’d like either of these mailed to you, please email us or call the church office

Thursday Announcements-January 9, 2025­­­­
 
ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
​

Upcoming Events at St. Francis:
Lectionary Study and Compline, Tuesday 2pm, Library
NO In Person Eucharist this week
Men’s Bible Study Thursday, 8am
Discipleship Group. Thursday @ 12pm
Diocesan EFM Book Study, January 15th @ 6pm on Zoom

From the Office—Ann’s Announcements
                                                  
Birthdays
Lynn Okicki                  January 17
Saydee Peterson         January 17
Ben Shaver                  January 17
 
Prayer Requests
Prayer requests need to be received by Tuesday, if you’d like them to be printed in
the bulletin.You may call (308) 632-4626 (leave a message) or email [email protected].

The Forward Day by Day’s for November-January are available in regular and large print.
If you’d like either of these mailed to you, please email us or call the church office.
​