  _______________________August 6, 2026_______________________ A Message from Mary Dear Friends – This week, it is potpourri! Have you notice the new LED lights in the Parish Hall? Thanks to the Foundation for funding that improvement and to Kathy Shambaugh for coordinating the installation. LED lights were also installed in other areas of the church. In addition to improved lighting, we expect to realize savings on our future electricity bills. Have you noticed the little treasure box on the small table in the narthex? You can place your receipts from Main Street Market (Co-op) in the box. They are given to Cooperative Ministries and used to help fund the Backpack program. What an easy way to help kids in our community! If you have questions about this, contact Collette Suhr. Did you know that St Francis is hosting this year’s Annual Council? It will be held in October and we will welcome fellow Episcopalians from across the State. As a part of the Annual Council we need to provide volunteers in a variety of roles. I know it sems like a long time away, but we are planning the logistics now. Please consider volunteering for a role. You can contact Karen Larson for more information. Mary ______________________________________________________________________________  Surprise Donation for the Sack Lunch Program! Earlier this year we requested a grant from the Oregon Trail Community Foundation to help fund our Sack Lunch program. We were disappointed to learn that they did not have funds to allocate for that purpose. Imagine our surprise when Barb Manasek got a call from the OTCF saying they had an anonymous donor who gave them funds for ministries like our Sack Lunch program. The OTCF remembered us and included us in the recipients of funds from this generous anonymous donor with a check for $4,000! What a blessing! ______________________________________________________________________________ Those who serve, Sunday, August 9, 9am Musician Barb Becker Media Team Jack Schaaf Ushers Richard Gable, Sarah Schaaf Worship Leader Jane Sayre Lector/Intercessor Beth McKibbin Altar Guild Judi Widmaier, Connie Schingle, Jeane Anderson Coffee Hosts Ann Peterson, Patti Clown Horse Flowers: George & Judy Blundell, Mike & Steve In memory of sons, Scott & Joseph Upcoming Events at St. Francis: Tuesday 8/11 Centering Prayer 11a Friday 8/14 Men’s Bible Study 8a Library Sunday 8/16 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Rev. Chris Plantz will be here on the following dates: 8/16 and 9/20 for Eucharist Worship Services.
 Birthdays:
Collette Suhr August 9 Mike Schingle August 10 Diane Morrison August 11 Anniversaries: Justin & Jenny Bohl August 10 Emergency Pastoral Care Pastor Kathy Montira, ELCA Sr. Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church (308) 632-8023, 8:30a-2:30p Monday-Friday (308) 874-6021 after hours 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. The Forward Day by Day’s for August-October 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.   _______________________July 30, 2026_______________________ A Message from Mary This Sunday, I was so pleased to announce that your Vestry has called The Reverend Mary Caucutt to serve as Interim Rector. Mother Mary will begin with us on September 1. We will be sharing her with All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Torrington. She will be with us three Sundays each month and will be in our Parish office four days per week for three weeks out of the month. She will be returning to her home in Cody, WY one week each month. Your Vestry met with Mother Mary and had the opportunity to discuss our vision for the future of St Francis and hear how she can partner with us. We were impressed with her experience, energy and enthusiasm. We look forward to engaging with Mother Mary during this transition period as we search for our permanent Rector.  Surprise Donation for the Sack Lunch Program! Earlier this year we requested a grant from the Oregon Trail Community Foundation to help fund our Sack Lunch program. We were disappointed to learn that they did not have funds to allocate for that purpose. Imagine our surprise when Barb Manasek got a call from the OTCF saying they had an anonymous donor who gave them funds for ministries like our Sack Lunch program. The OTCF remembered us and included us in the recipients of funds from this generous anonymous donor with a check for $4,000! What a blessing! ______________________________________________________________________________ Intercessory Prayer Members of the Daughters of the King are available for Intercessory Prayer in the Mary Chapel each Sunday after worship. All prayer requests are kept confidential. ______________________________________________________________________________ A big thank you for your generous support of the Daughters of the King hygiene/toiletry drive during July. Your donations of products and cash are awesome and will provide help to those in our community who need assistance. The Daughters will be working on Saturday, August 1, to prepare your donations for distribution. Again, many thanks for your kindness and support! ______________________________________________________________________________ Those who serve, Sunday, August 2, 9am Musician Nancy Meier Media Team Steve Trickler Ushers Artie Johnson, Jan Johnson Worship Leader Monica Shambaugh Lector/Intercessor Lisa Betz-Marquez Altar Guild Judi Widmaier, Connie Schingle, Jeane Anderson Coffee Hosts Karen Larson, Nancy Kepler Flowers: Lorrie Wold In thanksgiving for her children, Adrian & Andrew Upcoming Events at St. Francis: Sunday 8/2 Joyful Noise Collection Tuesday 8/4 Centering Prayer 11a Friday 8/7 Men’s Bible Study 8a Library Sunday 8/9 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Rev. Chris Plantz will be here on the following dates: 8/16 and 9/20 for Eucharist Worship Services. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2026 BBQ Success! The Saint Francis Family and Friends BBQ held Sunday July 19th was an amazing success with an estimated 60-70 people attending! Thank you Janet for organizing all of this! Jake Collins spent nearly all day roasting the pork assisted by Jessica Collins. Charlie Kennedy stepped in later to assist with hot dogs and hamburgers. People generously contributed a wonderful variety of salads, desserts and side dishes. Many pitched in for setup and cleanup. Much laughter and good conversations filled the parish hall. There were many new and returning faces along with several guests. A huge thank you to all who attended and contributed. A giant shout to Jake and Jessica for providing the delicious pulled pork along with the grills. Thanks to Bill Mann for his preparations to make our grounds look amazing and setting up umbrellas for the patio! Many also attended a fun filled game night after the meal. Thanks to Steve Trickler and Dylan Coop for hosting the gamers! From the Office—Ann’s Announcements Birthdays:
Justin Bohl August 2 Ayita Gomez August 5 Emergency Pastoral Care Pastor Kathy Montira, ELCA Sr. Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church (308) 632-8023, 8:30a-2:30p Monday-Friday (308) 874-6021 after hours 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. The Forward Day by Day’s for August-October 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.   _______________________July 23, 2026_______________________ Intercessory Prayer Members of the Daughters of the King are available for Intercessory Prayer in the Mary Chapel each Sunday after worship. All prayer requests are kept confidential. ______________________________________________________________________________ The Daughters of the King are sponsoring a personal hygiene collection during the month of July. The donations will be distributed to benefit those in need. In the past we have taken items to several local groups in the community, including the Hope Center, WNCC students and DOVES. There is a collection bin in the narthex. Suggested items to donate include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, lotion, Kleenex packets, lip balm, deodorant, shampoo, etc. The DOK will sort the items and distribute them in August. Thank you for your support and generosity! Those who serve, Sunday, July 26, 9am Musician Nancy Meier Media Team Stephanie Schingle Ushers John & Jamie Selzer Worship Leader Clark Wisniewski Lector/Intercessor Artie Johnson Altar Guild Collette Suhr, Ann Peterson, Jane Sayre Coffee Hosts Collette Suhr, Jeane Anderson Flowers: Ron & Ann Salomon For the blessings of family and friends Upcoming Events at St. Francis: Tuesday 7/28 No Centering Prayer 11a Friday 7/31 Men’s Bible Study 8a Library Sunday 8/2 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Rev. Chris Plantz will be here on the following dates: 8/16 and 9/20 for Eucharist Worship Services. 2026 BBQ Success! The Saint Francis Family and Friends BBQ held Sunday July 19th was an amazing success with an estimated 60-70 people attending! Thank you Janet for organizing all of this! Jake Collins spent nearly all day roasting the pork assisted by Jessica Collins. Charlie Kennedy stepped in later to assist with hot dogs and hamburgers. People generously contributed a wonderful variety of salads, desserts and side dishes. Many pitched in for setup and cleanup. Much laughter and good conversations filled the parish hall. There were many new and returning faces along with several guests. A huge thank you to all who attended and contributed. A giant shout to Jake and Jessica for providing the delicious pulled pork along with the grills. Thanks to Bill Mann for his preparations to make our grounds look amazing and setting up umbrellas for the patio! Many also attended a fun filled game night after the meal. Thanks to Steve Trickler and Dylan Coop for hosting the gamers! From the Office—Ann’s Announcements Birthdays:
Judi Widmaier July 31 Leticia Schnell August 1 Anniversaries: Chris & Jane Kelley July 30 Ralph & Melissa Moreno August 1 Emergency Pastoral Care Pastor Kathy Montira, ELCA Sr. Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church (308) 632-8023, 8:30a-2:30p Monday-Friday (308) 874-6021 after hours 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. The Forward Day by Day’s for August-October 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.   _______________________July 16, 2026_______________________ Intercessory Prayer Members of the Daughters of the King are available for Intercessory Prayer in the Mary Chapel each Sunday after worship. All prayer requests are kept confidential. ______________________________________________________________________________ The Daughters of the King are sponsoring a personal hygiene collection during the month of July. The donations will be distributed to benefit those in need. In the past we have taken items to several local groups in the community, including the Hope Center, WNCC students and DOVES. There is a collection bin in the narthex. Suggested items to donate include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, lotion, Kleenex packets, lip balm, deodorant, shampoo, etc. The DOK will sort the items and distribute them in August. Thank you for your support and generosity! Those who serve, Sunday, July 19, 9am Musician Barb Becker Media Team Charlie Kennedy Ushers Alena Kennedy, Cindy Dickinson Acolyte Master Clark Wisniewski Acolytes Walker Anderson, Reece Meysenburg Lector/Intercessor Jane Sayre Eucharistic Minister Santana Tamarak Altar Guild Collette Suhr, Ann Peterson, Jane Sayre Coffee Hosts Kathy & Monica Shambaugh Flowers: Bill Mann In memory of his mother, Mary Upcoming Events at St. Francis: 7/19 TODAY-Family BBQ & Game Night Tuesday 7/21 Centering Prayer 11a Friday 7/24 Men’s Bible Study 8a Library Sunday 7/26 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Rev. Chris Plantz will be here on the following dates: 8/16, and 9/20 for Eucharist Worship Services From the Office-Ann's Announcements  Birthdays:
Trudy Schnell July 19 Velysia Gomez July 21 Gary Larson July 22 Ashton Tuzson July 22 Anniversaries: John & Jamie Selzer July 20 Kevin& Monica Lehr July 23 SUMMER BBQ IS COMING UP! The St. Francis Church Family and Friends BBQ will be held THIS Sunday, July 19 at 4:30 pm prior to Game Night which begins at 6. Please invite friends and family members to attend. Everyone is welcome! While all are welcome to participate in Game Night following the BBQ, it is not required. Feel free to come and enjoy good food and good company. There is no charge for the meal. There will be an opportunity for a free will offering. The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and pork roast. If you are able, please bring chips, salad, dessert or other side dish to share. We also seek paper plates, napkins, disposable flatware, bottled water and volunteers to help with set up and clean up. Please text Janet Craven 308-637-7173 with approximate number of your family and friends who might attend. Thank you and hope to see you there! Emergency Pastoral Care Pastor Kathy Montira, ELCA Sr. Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church (308) 632-8023, 8:30a-2:30p Monday-Friday (308) 874-6021 after hours 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. The Forward Day by Day’s for August-October 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.   _______________________July 9, 2026_______________________ A Message from Mary I love those few moments right before the curtain rises. I hear the cacophony of the musicians tuning up their instruments. There – hear the clarinets. Now, the trumpets (do, re, mi, fa – do, re, me, fa). The strings sing – hmmmm, hmmmm, hmmmm. Ah, the trill of the flute! And, look – a small movement of the curtain indicating that someone is back there – maybe moving some piece of the set into place. All the behind-the-scenes work, the cues that something is about to happen, invoke a feeling of anticipation and excitement. Look at my fellow audience members – they are ready to see what has been prepared for their discernment. Your Vestry has been working behind-the-scenes on the first step of many that will celebrate and strengthen the core of what makes St Francis a welcoming, warm community. This will help position us to attract the Rector we know is out there looking for us. Stay tuned! M ______________________________________________________________________________ Intercessory Prayer Members of the Daughters of the King are available for Intercessory Prayer in the Mary Chapel each Sunday after worship. All prayer requests are kept confidential. ______________________________________________________________________________ The Daughters of the King are sponsoring a personal hygiene collection during the month of July. The donations will be distributed to benefit those in need. In the past we have taken items to several local groups in the community, including the Hope Center, WNCC students and DOVES. There is a collection bin in the narthex. Suggested items to donate include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, lotion, Kleenex packets, lip balm, deodorant, shampoo, etc. The DOK will sort the items and distribute them in August. Thank you for your support and generosity! Those who serve, Sunday, July 12, 9am Musician Barb Becker Media Team Jack Schaaf Ushers Jim Petitt, Mike Schingle Worship Leader Monica Shambaugh Lector/Intercessor Connie Schingle Altar Guild Collette Suhr, Ann Peterson, Jane Sayre Coffee Hosts Karen Mecklem, Diane Morrison Flowers: Alan & Jan Johnson For the birthday of grandson, Oliver John Clark Greg & Collette Suhr In memory of his father, Dean Suhr Upcoming Events at St. Francis: Tuesday 7/14 Centering Prayer 11a Friday 7/17 Men’s Bible Study 8a Library Sunday 7/19 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Rev. Chris Plantz will be here on the following dates: 7/19, 8/16, and 9/20 for Eucharist Worship Services. 7/19 Family BBQ & Game Night From the office--Ann's announcements  Birthdays: Matt Anderson July 17 Anniversaries: Donald & Kathy Graham July 18 SUMMER BBQ IS COMING UP! The St. Francis Church Family and Friends BBQ will be held Sunday, July 19 at 4:30 pm prior to Game Night which begins at 6. Please invite friends and family members to attend. Everyone is welcome! While all are welcome to participate in Game Night following the BBQ, it is not required. Feel free to come and enjoy good food and good company. There is no charge for the meal. There will be an opportunity for a free will offering. The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and pork roast. If you are able, please bring chips, salad, dessert or other side dish to share. We also seek paper plates, napkins, disposable flatware, bottled water and volunteers to help with set up and clean up. Please text Janet Craven 308-637-7173 with approximate number of your family and friends who might attend. Thank you and hope to see you there! Emergency Pastoral Care Pastor Kathy Montira, ELCA Sr. Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church (308) 632-8023, 8:30a-2:30p Monday-Friday (308) 874-6021 after hours 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. The Forward Day by Day’s for August-October 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.   _______________________July 2, 2026_______________________ A Message from Mary I love those few moments right before the curtain rises. I hear the cacophony of the musicians tuning up their instruments. There – hear the clarinets. Now, the trumpets (do, re, mi, fa – do, re, me, fa). The strings sing – hmmmm, hmmmm, hmmmm. Ah, the trill of the flute! And, look – a small movement of the curtain indicating that someone is back there – maybe moving some piece of the set into place. All the behind-the-scenes work, the cues that something is about to happen, invoke a feeling of anticipation and excitement. Look at my fellow audience members – they are ready to see what has been prepared for their discernment. Your Vestry has been working behind-the-scenes on the first step of many that will celebrate and strengthen the core of what makes St Francis a welcoming, warm community. This will help position us to attract the Rector we know is out there looking for us. Stay tuned! M ____________________________________________________________________________ Intercessory Prayer Members of the Daughters of the King are available for Intercessory Prayer in the Mary Chapel each Sunday after worship. All prayer requests are kept confidential. _____________________________________________________________________________ Scam Alert We have received reports about emails that purportedly come from Father Bob Manesek stating that he wants to contact them regarding an important matter. These emails are not legitimate! Please do not click on the return email address to respond. _____________________________________________________________________________ The Daughters of the King are sponsoring a personal hygiene collection during the month of July. The donations will be distributed to benefit those in need. In the past we have taken items to several local groups in the community, including the Hope Center, WNCC students and DOVES. There is a collection bin in the narthex. Suggested items to donate include soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, lotion, Kleenex packets, lip balm, deodorant, shampoo, etc. The DOK will sort the items and distribute them in August. Thank you for your support and generosity! Those who serve, Sunday, July 5, 9am Musician Nancy Meier Media Team Steve Trickler Ushers Greg & Collette Suhr Worship Leader Jack Webb Lector/Intercessor Jane Sayre Altar Guild Collette Suhr, Ann Peterson, Jane Sayre Coffee Hosts Christie Shaver, Beth McKibbin Flowers: Judi Widmaier In memory of Chris & Sean McArthur and parents, Claire & Ted Widmaier Upcoming Events at St. Francis: Tuesday 7/7Centering Prayer 11a Friday 7/10 Men’s Bible Study 8a Library Sunday 7/12 Sunday Worship 9a St Francis Rev. Chris Plantz will be here on the following dates: 7/19, 8/16, and 9/20 for Eucharist Worship Services. 7/19 Family BBQ & Game Night ____________________________________________________________________________ From the Office—Ann’s Announcements  250 Years of God Blessing America!!! Birthdays:
Marvin Lamont July 5 Anniversaries: Fernando & Sara Moreno July 5 SUMMER BBQ IS COMING UP! The St. Francis Church Family and Friends BBQ will be held Sunday, July 19 at 4:30 pm prior to Game Night which begins at 6. Please invite friends and family members to attend. Everyone is welcome! While all are welcome to participate in Game Night following the BBQ, it is not required. Feel free to come and enjoy good food and good company. There is no charge for the meal. There will be an opportunity for a free will offering. The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and pork roast. If you are able, please bring chips, salad, dessert or other side dish to share. We also seek paper plates, napkins, disposable flatware, bottled water and volunteers to help with set up and clean up. Please text Janet Craven 308-637-7173 with approximate number of your family and friends who might attend. Thank you and hope to see you there! Emergency Pastoral Care Pastor Kathy Montira, ELCA Sr. Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church (308) 632-8023, 8:30a-2:30p Monday-Friday (308) 874-6021 after hours 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. The Forward Day by Day’s for August-October 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. |
Rev. Erin Rath
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