 LETTER FROM BP. BARKER
Yesterday we received a letter from the Bishop outlining new guidelines for safely returning to in-person worship. I know so many of us have been longing for a return to the sanctuary and some sort of normalcy in church, and this isn't a complete roll-back -- we will still need to social distance and wear masks as we have been -- but there is a change in the data we are tracking and the metric we are using to establish the safe threshold of cases for gathering together on Sunday. The new number we will go by is a 7-day average of local cases per 100,000 population, and if that number is below 20, we are permitted to worship together in the church. This is actually good news for us, because as of yesterday our counties total 8.76 cases per 100,000, so unless something really big changes here, we will re-open Oct 4th and I really think we will be able to stay open from then on. (That's my hope, anyway.) Here's the link to the Healthy Nebraska website and you can check it out for yourself -- www.healthynebraska.org. Be sure to "uncheck" Lancaster County and "check" Banner, Box Butte, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to see our number (bold black line is the 7-day average). My deepes thanks to everyone for your continued support and prayers and notes and emails and calls and just generally hanging in there with us as we work through the most unusual, unexpected, and frustrating time in my life in the church. You are all amazing! Never forget that when this is all over, this building will be here and there will be church and there will be communion and there will be singing and there will be hope and joy and laughter and fellowship (cookies!) This church will survive and this church will grow again. I know it. Blessings, Fr. Mark+ FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
https://www.roguecu.org/community/donate?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-roguecreditunion&utm_content=later-10024205&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!! Rebecca Brenner September 27 Allie Cawiezel October 4 Pati McLellan October 1 Shawn Hergenreder October 5 James Nielsen October 1 Chris Kelley October 5 Alena Kennedy October 2 Dennis Mitchell October 5 Johnny Selzer October 2 Lucretia Green October 6 Bible Study: John and Peggy Wymore will be leading a bible study on the book of Hebrews beginning Thursday, October 1st from 6:00-7:30 P.M. in the parish hall (10 or fewer, masks required). For more information contact John and Peggy at jpwymore@charter.net. Prayer Requests: The prayer request sheet is still just outside the office in the church and is updated weekly. Anyone may still email your prayer requests to me at stfrancis@allophone.com. If you do not have email, just call the church and leave a message. Since, I am back in the office, the requests must be received on by Wednesday at the latest, for them to be included in the Sunday Bulletin for that week. If the request is received after Wednesday, they will be added to the next Sunday Bulletin. We will follow the same process and keep the names on for two weeks. Once the prayer request is received, it is added to the prayer list and then I email the names to have them added to the Prayer Chain and to the Daughters of the King. **Daily Devotion for Thursday September 24, 2020** Humility and Authority The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause Approach God with quiet, gentle movements. Refuse to be “loud” and eager to do the talking. Come ready to bow down . . . and listen . . . and find purpose, as one who remembers what it is to be less than holy. Listen Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. Philippians 2:1-4 Think Do we have any milk left? Is there any leftover pizza? Maybe you’ve asked a question like this in the past. Sometimes, any amount will do. We just need a little bit, just a piece. Keep this mindset as you think about today’s passage. The Apostle Paul encourages the church in the city of Philippi to rally around some areas of overlap or commonality within their congregation. He guides them to imitate Christ. Paul asks them to consider if any encouragement, any comfort, any sharing, or any sympathy characterizes their fellowship. Any at all? Just a little bit? Identifying such an overlap within a youth group or church family creates a powerful sense of unity. Learning how to “watch out” for others evolves to including neighbors, strangers, and even enemies. Jesus made a space for the needs of others without worrying about himself. Paul believed in the ability of the Philippians to follow the example of Christ. Now it’s our turn. Any chance you want to “watch out,” too? Brian Abel Pray God, any moment when I pause to pray, you are ready to spend time with me. Any time I see a need while driving around, watching TV, or checking social media, you can guide my response. Increase my willingness to “watch out” for others. In Jesus’ name, amen. Go Rise from a kneeling place. Embrace God’s call to put others first today. Resist the urge to find a spotlight. Allow the light of God’s love to shine brightly, even boldly, through you. Gina’s 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. FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) Oregon Fire Assistance – many of us are watching with sadness and grief over what is happening on the west coast, with fires destroying so much and threatening so many. Parishioners Dan and Cindy Dickinson’s daughter and her family are very near the Almeda fire in Jackson Co., and while their family is safe, many in that region will be devastated. If you would like to help, here is a link to a local effort that will match any cash donations, thereby doubling your gift. https://www.roguecu.org/community/donate?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-roguecreditunion&utm_content=later-10024205&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram 2) COVID-19 Parish Update – We’re holding pretty steady with a slight uptick since last week in the number of local cases (see chart below.) While statewide things are opening up more, there is still good reason to be cautious as individuals and as parishes, and we continue to follow the guidance and direction of the Bishop. As of today, our plan is to remain “online only” for the next two Sundays and if things improve to re-open for public worship on Sunday, October 4th. Keep watching these announcements and our website for the latest information.  3) Church life continues, however, with bible studies (online and in-person), hospital visitations, funerals, charitable assistance, outreach, pastoral counseling, and even a wedding scheduled for October! Gina and I are back to regular hours in the office, and I am in as usual, and Don holds everything together from his bunker downstairs. We’re not together as much as we would like, but we are still church, and we are still in mission and ministry in our community. There are lots of creative-types doing lots of creative things to stay in contact (see one parish’s amazing work here https://www.trinitytoledo.org). Sadly, I am not so gifted, but maybe you have ideas about how we might better reach and serve you in these COVID times. I would welcome your suggestions and also you help getting them implemented! GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!! Chris Webb September 17 Bill Mann September 19 Margaret Pepper September 20 Jeane Anderson September 21 Amy Wisniewski September 23 Bible Study: John and Peggy Wymore will be leading a bible study on the book of Hebrews beginning Thursday, October 1st from 6:00-7:30 P.M. in the parish hall (10 or fewer, masks required). For more information contact John and Peggy at jpwymore@charter.net. Prayer Requests: The prayer request sheet is still just outside the office in the church and is updated weekly. Anyone may still email your prayer requests to me at stfrancis@allophone.com. If you do not have email, just call the church and leave a message. Since, I am back in the office, the requests must be received on by Wednesday at the latest, for them to be included in the Sunday Bulletin for that week. If the request is received after Wednesday, they will be added to the next Sunday Bulletin. We will follow the same process and keep the names on for two weeks. Once the prayer request is received, it is added to the prayer list and then I email the names to have them added to the Prayer Chain and to the Daughters of the King. **Daily Devotion for Thursday September 17, 2020** Rules for Relationships The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; he keeps me alive. He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name. Psalm 23:1-3 Listen The whole Israelite community complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert. The Israelites said to them, “Oh, how we wish that the Lord had just put us to death while we were still in the land of Egypt. There we could sit by the pots cooking meat and eat our fill of bread. Instead, you’ve brought us out into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “I’m going to make bread rain down from the sky for you. The people will go out each day and gather just enough for that day. In this way, I’ll test them to see whether or not they follow my Instruction.” Exodus 16:2-4 Think When we follow God, unexpected things happen. God leads people into freedom because God is a liberating God, but it might not be what we expect. In today’s passage, the Israelites who were slaves have been freed but they are also still suffering because they haven’t yet made it to the end of their journey into God’s fulfilled promises. Freedom doesn’t come instantly. Even when old oppressive systems are broken down, it takes time to build new liberating ones. Following God means leaving behind what we know to be harmful and then sticking with the difficult journey toward building something better, even if it takes a long time. Following a liberating God is also signing up to be patient and continuing to trust God in the journey as it unfolds. Thankfully, that journey is marked by God’s unswerving presence and provision, like when God provided for these Israelites in the desert on their journey. What does God provide you for your journey? How does God show you God is present? Emily Peck-McClain Pray Liberating God, I know you call us to be free and to work to free others from oppression. I know you are with me on the journey from freedom to promise. Teach me patience, provide for me, and keep me near to others who can journey with me. In your holy name I pray, amen. Go Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff— they protect me. You set a table for me right in front of my enemies. You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over! Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the Lord’s house as long as I live. Psalm 23:4-6 Gina’s 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. FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS As many of you know Father Mark is out of town this week. He will update you with his announcements when he returns. Thank you all for your patience!! GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Did you know???? The Thursday Announcements are posted every week on our website, too? Just go to www.saintf.org , then click on “PARISH NEWS”. So, if you misplace your email or lose the mailed copy, you can still access the information. Happy Birthday!! Christy Anderson September 10 Noah Moreno September 11 Ralph Anderson September 12 Greg Peterson September 12 Wanda Mueller September 13 Father Gary Young September 13 Emma Hergenreder September 15 Hannah Schillereff September 16 Prayer Requests: The prayer request sheet is still just outside the office in the church and is updated weekly. Anyone may still email your prayer requests to me at stfrancis@allophone.com. If you do not have email, just call the church and leave a message. Since, I am back in the office, the requests must be received on by Wednesday at the latest, for them to be included in the Sunday Bulletin for that week. If the request is received after Wednesday, they will be added to the next Sunday Bulletin. We will follow the same process and keep the names on for two weeks. Once the prayer request is received, it is added to the prayer list and then I email the names to have them added to the Prayer Chain and to the Daughters of the King. Daily Devotion for Thursday September 10, 2020 Rules for Relationships The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause Be still breathe in, breathe out God’s first language is silence Be still breathe in, breathe out listen closely for the voice of God Listen When Joseph’s brothers realized that their father was now dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us, and wants to pay us back seriously for all of the terrible things we did to him?” So they approached Joseph and said, “Your father gave orders before he died, telling us, ‘This is what you should say to Joseph. “Please, forgive your brothers’ sins and misdeeds, for they did terrible things to you. Now, please forgive the sins of the servants of your father’s God.”’” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Genesis 50:15-17 Think What would you do if you had the chance to get payback on someone who did something so hurtful you could not forget it? Forgiveness is one of the most difficult Christian acts to understand and do. When someone has embarrassed or bullied us, our culture tells us we should get even or at least “clap back.” If the offender is bigger, more powerful, or more popular we may hold our anger in our hearts and wish or even pray that they somehow get what we think they have coming to them. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt when he was a young boy. His life was extremely hard, but God’s love and care never left him. He rose to become the second most powerful person in the country. Now, without their father to protect them, his brothers fear that Joseph will seek revenge for what they did. It is time for a life lesson. What do you think it will be? Kamal Hassan Pray God, let me know what to do about those who have injured me and are trying to get away with it. I need the wisdom to make a choice that upholds my dignity and my rights. Let me be neither complicit by my silence nor vengeful in my actions. Amen. Go I don’t feel no ways tired, I come too far from where I started from. Nobody told me that the road would be easy, I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me. from “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired” by Curtis Burrell (1978) Gina’s 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. FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
I miss you all terribly and it has been so great to see some of you in-person, even masked! It has started to feel more and more like “church” lately. We've had a setback for sure, but we are making it, and we will be back in the sanctuary and praying and singing and (gasp!) maybe even shaking hands someday! GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Did you know???? The Thursday Announcements are posted every week on our website, too? Just go to www.saintf.org , then click on “PARISH NEWS”. So, if you misplace your email or lose the mailed copy, you can still access the information. Happy Birthday!! Happy Anniversary!! Elsi Nielsen September 6 Clark & Amy Wisniewski September 4 John & Peggy Wymore September 5 Prayer Requests: The prayer request sheet is still just outside the office in the church and is updated weekly. Anyone may still email your prayer requests to me at stfrancis@allophone.com. If you do not have email, just call the church and leave a message. Since, I am back in the office, the requests must be received on by Wednesday at the latest, for them to be included in the Sunday Bulletin for that week. If the request is received after Wednesday, they will be added to the next Sunday Bulletin. We will follow the same process and keep the names on for two weeks. Once the prayer request is received, it is added to the prayer list and then I email the names to have them added to the Prayer Chain and to the Daughters of the King. Daily Devotion for Thursday September 3, 2020 Rules for Relationships The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go Pause Some pride themselves on being rule-followers. Others see rules as made to be broken. Think of these “Rules for Relationships” like a ruler – helping us get things straight, connecting two points, allowing us to be level and aligned. When it comes to loving one another, God knows we need every tool we can get! Listen The commandments, Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t desire what others have, and other commandments, are all summed up in one word: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Romans 13:9 Think Do you remember when you first learned the Ten Commandments? One Sunday School teacher I know calls them “The Ten Best Ways to Live.” In today’s text, Paul says that those last five commandments God gave to Moses can be summed up in how we care for our neighbor. Don’t cheat, don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t try to get what’s not yours. These laws are both literal and figurative. We may pride ourselves on not being murderers, but Jesus says that even hating your brother in your heart is the essence of killing. Even looking at someone lustfully is the essence of adultery. Without God’s grace, these can be hard commandments to follow! But Paul says it really comes down to loving our neighbor as ourselves. You wouldn’t want someone to cheat off your test at school, so you choose to keep your eyes on your own work. You wouldn’t want someone to break the rules during a soccer game, so you play fairly too. It’s important to see that loving your neighbor as yourself only works when you actually do love yourself. Cari Pattison Pray “God, help me believe the truth about myself, no matter how beautiful it is.” Amen Marcrina Wiederkehr Go Being human together can be hard. Be gentle with yourself. Be generous to others. Love might require effort. It might mean saying “no”. It might include “I’m Sorry,” Or “I don’t know”. And when it comes to down to it, loving your neighbor as yourself simply means paying attention to what you feel and need and offering the same to another person. Go in love, and God be with you. Gina’s 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. |
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