ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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What's Happening at St. Francis this week

2/23/2023

 
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Thursday Announcements March 2, 2023
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ERIN’S EPISTLETTES​
  • Children's program participants recently selected the beneficiaries of their "Joyful Noise" collection. Please see the article below for details. You chose wisely, my friends. I'm proud of you! 
  • Now that Ash Wednesday is over, I'd like to take a moment to look ahead to Holy Week. Our schedule of services will be as follows:
    • Palm Sunday (April 2): one service @ 9 a.m.
    • Tenebrae (Wednesday, April 5): 6 p.m. (Last Soup and Stations March 29)
    • Maundy Thursday (April 6): 6 p.m. (this will include an agape dinner; details forthcoming)
    • Good Friday (April 7): noon & 6:30 p.m.
    • Holy Saturday Day Service (April 8): 10 a.m. 
    • Easter Vigil (April 8): 7:45 p.m.
    • Easter Sunday (April 9): 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
    • I'll share information about Holy Week services, particularly less familiar ones, in upcoming editions of the enews. 
    • We'll communicate which services will be live streamed once the schedule is finalized. 
  • Don't forget: Soup and Stations takes place every Wednesday in March. We'll eat at 5:30 and transition to the sanctuary around 6:15. Volunteers are needed to bring soup, salad and bread. Please see the sign-up sheet on the kitchen bulletin board for a list of needs. 


​Scam Alert!!!  

​We received word another scam artist is contacting church members, this time to ask for eBay gift cards. The messages are coming from a number with a 707 area code. We will never, ever ask you for gift cards, nor will a church staff member ever contact you from a number other than our own. If you receive a text like this please delete it without responding and, if possible, report it as junk to your cell carrier. ​

​
Recent Attendance Trends
November Average: 71
December Average (Including Christmas Eve): 86
December Average (Excluding Christmas Eve): 69
January Average: 62
February Average: 65
..........
Six-Month Average (as of the End of February): 69
Threshold to Add a Second Service Sundays: 90
​From the office—Ann’s Announcements
Birthdays

Jennifer Mills              March 5
Barb Becker               March 6
Kenzy Hernandez      March 6
Charlie Kennedy        March 9
Sammy Masid            March 9
Landon Parrish          March 9
Jennifer Schilke         March 11
    Charlie Selzer            March 11    
Thank you so much for the $786.37 you donated this past year to children’s “Joyful Noise” buckets, the first Sunday of each month.
​
In their study of outreach, the children decided to donate the money to : The Lakota Lutheran Center, Skipper’s Cupboard, The Riverside Discovery Center, and Episcopal Relief and Development.  They paid for 1 goat, 1 pig, fruit trees (especially Banana), wells, and a bicycle for health care workers to cover greater distances and reach more homes.  The wells will provide clean water to villages and prevent disease. Skipper’s Cupboard builds shelters for people whose pets do not have shelter and are outside animals, and food for pets whose owners need extra help. The Lakota Lutheran Center provides meals, clothing and religious services to many in our community. Thank you again for you generosity!                  
United Thank Offering
United Thank Offering is not just for grown-ups!  We can begin teaching gratitude and giving at a very young age.  Here is a fun idea to get kids (and grown-ups) involved.  
ABC's of gratitude:  Write all the letters of the alphabet down on the left side of a piece of paper.  As you think of a blessing or gratitude, write it down next to the corresponding letter of the alphabet.  With each new blessing or gratitude, add a coin to your box.  It might take a while to have a blessing beside each letter.  Try to fill in a gratitude for each letter before beginning a new piece of paper.      Jenny Bohl
 
 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 February-April are here in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.
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What's Happening at St. Francis this week

2/15/2023

 
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Thursday Announcements February 23, 2023
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​ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
  • Due to the winter storm, Ash Wednesday services have been moved to Friday. They'll take place at the previously published times, noon and 6:30 p.m. I hope you can join us for this prayerful, once-a-year service. Watch our Facebook page for an announcement as to which service will be livestreamed. 
  • Thank you to those who are regularly wearing your name tag! It's a simple but important means of offering a warm welcome to visitors and newcomers. 
  • Next Wednesday marks the first of Saint Francis' "Soup and Stations." At 5:30, We'll serve a simple meal of soup, salad and bread. At 6, We'll transition to the church for Stations of the Cross and Eucharist. If you'd like to bring something to share, a sign-up sheet is available in the parish hall. This program will be offered March 1-29. 
  • Next Tuesday begins the interdenominational Lenten series celebrating two-and-a-half centuries of Amazing Grace. Lunch is served at noon followed by a reflection. Saint Francis hosts on March 7; I present on March 21. A different church hosts every week. See the below graphic for a detailed schedule. 
From the office—Ann’s Announcements
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Birthdays
Aunna Taylor              February 26
Jack Schaaf                March 2
Erin Cawiezel             March 3
Damuri Parrish           March 4    
 
The Daughters of the King will be collecting personal hygiene items Sunday, February 26. A collection basket will be in the narthex. Items collected are distributed to local agencies. Thank you for your generous support of this project.
 
Our church provides a soup kitchen across the street at the Presbyterian Church. We do this on the 5th Thursday of the month. This usually works out to 4 to 5 times a year. The months in November and December that have 5 Thursdays are not done because of holiday dinners set up in the community. This year we have 3 and they are March, June, and August. These are done at 5:00 pm at the Presbyterian church which is one of the head quarters for the soup kitchen dinners. There is meat and other items supplied by the soup kitchen head quarters but I usually try to get a donation from Walmart to help pick up some fruit, cookies, milk, bread and other items. We always have volunteers to help serve and clean up. I usually do sloppy joes but other ideas would be welcome. We usually plan for 50 to 60 people. Most of the time we are done in a couple of hours. Sometimes when I have plans, Father Bob and Barb will take care of it. We have been blessed with volunteers to help out. A big thanks to all who have helped these past years! Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 308-672-7839 or signup with the church office by phone or email.    Rick Gable
 
United Thank Offering
Mission Statement: United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church.  Through UTO, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God.  These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings.  Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity.  UTO is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and Provinces in the developing world.    Jenny Bohl
 
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 February-April are here in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.
 

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What's Happening at St. Francis this week

2/9/2023

 
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​Thursday Announcements February 16, 2023
 
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ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
  • Don't forget: Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday. (Already!) This means Shrove Tuesday pancake supper (see announcement below) and special worship services at noon and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
  • I hope you can participate in some excellent Lenten offerings...
    • Interdenominational Lenten Lunches will happen Tuesdays at different churches in the valley. (see graphic below) 
      • This year's theme is Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of Amazing Grace. 
      • Saint Francis will host on March 7. 
      • I'll present on March 21. 
      • Printouts of the graphic are available in the narthex. 
    • Saint Francis will offer soup, stations and Eucharist on Wednesday evenings. 
      • A simple soup supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. 
      • We'll transition to the main sanctuary for Stations of the Cross at 6 p.m. 
      • I'll move from the sanctuary to the chapel for Eucharist immediately after stations. 

From the office--Ann’s Announcements
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Honoring Black History Month
& President’s Day
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Birthdays
John  A. Selzer                   February 19
Kathy Anderson                  February 20
Pete Schilke                       February 21
Peggy Wymore                   February 22
Alyssa Harvey                     February 22
Evelyn Anderson-Saenz     February 22
Jacklyn Cawiezel                February 24

                                                                                      Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 21st from 5-7PM.

                                                                                                       Pancakes, eggs and ham will be our menu.   
                                                                                                                            Freewill offering.
 
                                                                                                               Come enjoy supper with us!
 
 ​

Ash Wednesday Service Volunteers Still Needed     Please call in, or email to let us know if you can serve.
NOON:    1 or 2 acoyltes    AND   1 more greeter   
 
The Daughters of the King will be collecting personal hygiene items Sunday, February 26. A collection basket will be in the narthex.
Items collected are distributed to local agencies. Thank you for your generous support of this project.]

Our church provides a soup kitchen across the street at the Presbyterian Church. We do this on the 5th Thursday of the month. This usually works out to 4 to 5 times a year. The months in November and December that have 5 Thursdays are not done because of holiday dinners set up in the community. This year we have 3 and they are March, June, and August. These are done at 5:00 pm at the Presbyterian church which is one of the head quarters for the soup kitchen dinners. There is meat and other items supplied by the soup kitchen head quarters but I usually try to get a donation from Walmart to help pick up some fruit, cookies, milk, bread and other items. We always have volunteers to help serve and clean up. I usually do sloppy joes but other ideas would be welcome. We usually plan for 50 to 60 people. Most of the time we are done in a couple of hours. Sometimes when I have plans, Father Bob and Barb will take care of it. We have been blessed with volunteers to help out. A big thanks to all who have helped these past years! Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 308-672-7839 or signup with the church office by phone or email.      Rick Gable

 
United Thank Offering is a ministry of all the people to celebrate the blessings in our lives.  NOTICE the good things that happen each day.  GIVE THANKS for your blessings.  MAKE an offering for each blessing.  Blue boxes will be provided for you to place your bills and coins in during Lent.  Each coin and bill transforms lives in the United State and around the world, and your blessings become blessings for others.  The Sunday before Easter, the combined ingathering of donations will be blessed, and the money will be sent to The United Thank Offering.  Jenny Bohl
 
The Pre/Early Teen Sunday School class will return to the 9:00 hour, meeting in the parish hall for about 1/2 hour before going in to church with their family.
In this class of 11-14 year-olds we are learning our way around the Bible, looking up and studying basic truths through stories, Psalms, history, etc.
using a variety of activities for lesson reinforcement.  Please talk to Peggy Wymore or Mother Erin about any ideas, questions or concerns you may have.

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

What's Happening at St. Francis this week

2/2/2023

 
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Thursday Announcements February 9, 2023
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ERIN’S EPISTLETTES
  • The other clergy and I will offer prayers for healing immediately following worship the second Sunday of the month. 
    • We'll begin this practice Sunday, February 12. Simply come to the altar rail after the recessional hymn, or if you don't feel safe utilizing the stairs, sit in the front row of pews and we will come to you. 
    • To be clear: this doesn't mean prayers for healing won't be offered any time they're requested, only that they'll purposefully be offered monthly. 
  • ​Ash Wednesday is February 22 this year. Services will be at noon and 6:30 p.m. 
From the office--Ann’s Announcements
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Happy Valentine's Day!!​
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Birthdays
Devon Parrish            February 12
Ebram Gomez            February 12
Sarah Schaaf             February 15
Stacy Bach                 February 17
Carol Hotchkiss          February 18
​

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, February 21st from 5-7PM.

Pancakes, eggs and ham will be our menu.   
Freewill offering.
 
Come enjoy supper with us!
 
 
Ash Wednesday Service Volunteers Needed.   
Please call in to let us know if you can serve or sign the volunteer sheet posted by the kitchen.
Noon:     1 reader
               2 acoyltes
               2 greeters
6:30PM:  1 reader
                3 acolyltes
                2 greeters

The Daughters of the King will be collecting personal hygiene items Sunday, February 26. A collection basket will be in the narthex.
Items collected are distributed to local agencies.   Thank you for your generous support of this project.

Our church provides a soup kitchen across the street at the Presbyterian Church. We do this on the 5th Thursday of the month. This usually works out to 4 to 5 times a year. The months in November and December that have 5 Thursdays are not done because of holiday dinners set up in the community. This year we have 3 and they are March, June, and August. These are done at 5:00 pm at the Presbyterian church which is one of the head quarters for the soup kitchen dinners. There is meat and other items supplied by the soup kitchen head quarters but I usually try to get a donation from Walmart to help pick up some fruit, cookies, milk, bread and other items. We always have volunteers to help serve and clean up. I usually do sloppy joes but other ideas would be welcome. We usually plan for 50 to 60 people. Most of the time we are done in a couple of hours. Sometimes when I have plans, Father Bob and Barb will take care of it. We have been blessed with volunteers to help out. A big thanks to all who have helped these past years! Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 308-672-7839 or signup with the church office by phone or email. 
 
Rick Gable

The Pre/Early Teen Sunday School class will return to the 9:00 hour, meeting in the parish hall for about 1/2 hour before going in to church with their family.
In this class of 11-14 year-olds we are learning our way around the Bible, looking up and studying basic truths through stories, Psalms, history, etc.
using a variety of activities for lesson reinforcement.  Please talk to Peggy Wymore or Mother Erin about any ideas, questions or concerns you may have.
 
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 February-April are here in regular and large print.  If you’d like one of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

Alena and Charlie Kennedy are once again jumping in the frozen Platte River on Saturday, February 25 in Support of Special Olympics Nebraska and our team the Scotts Bluff County Thunder.
 
The Polar Plunge will take place at the YMCA Trails West behind the zoo. If you wish to support Alena and our special needs athletes in the community to help fund state and regional tournaments trips please make your pledge on the Special Olympics Nebraska website, www.sone.org, Be Bold Get Cold, Panhandle Polar Plunge, Online Registration, Donate Now On the pledge page for “Would you like to credit this donation to a specific fundraiser or team” please search for Alena or the MacPlungers  (our theme this year is the Scottish kilt).

​You may also donate offline to Charlie with cash or check to Special Olympics Nebraska.  Thank you for helping Special Olympics in western Nebraska!
 
​

    Rev. Erin Rath

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Contact Us

St. Francis Episcopal Church
14 E 20th Street

Scottsbluff, NE 69361
​P.O. Box 1201


stfrancis@allophone.com

​(308) 632-4626

Service Times

Sundays 9 AM
Wednesdays 6 PM


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  • Home
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  • Who We Are
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  • What We Do
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    • Discipleship
    • Music & the Arts
    • Pastoral Care
    • Weddings
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    • New To St. Francis?
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