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Thursday Announcements for October 29, 2020

10/29/2020

 
FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
  1. Lots of great ideas came out of last night’s vestry meeting, including this one – next week I will begin offering a “Zoom Coffee Break” Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 – 9:45 A.M. The idea is simple – grab a cup of coffee and log in through zoom to just talk for a few minutes with me and whoever else shows up that day. No agenda and no stress, just a cup of coffee and the chance to see one another online and chat. Thirty minutes, twice a week, no expectations. Here is the link which you should copy and paste somewhere as we will use the same one every time. Hope to (literally) see you next week! Topic: Zoom Bible Study Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89987808959?pwd=SXVxY2hyREtqQ093RW9nWG03STBmZz09 Meeting ID: 899 8780 8959 Passcode: 794681 
  2. Yesterday I received a letter from Potter’s Wheel Ministries, with the news that they are struggling financially at this time and asking for financial donations to make it through this rough spot. I know I donate lots of stuff to Potter’s Wheel, but mostly that’s them helping me get rid of things I don’t need anymore. Frequently I will refer someone there for food assistance or work out a deal to help pay for someone’s needed items with my Discretionary Fund. It really does serve a need in this community. If you would like to help with a financial contribution, you can contact Pastor Craig at First United Methodist in Scottsbluff, or you can drop a check off at St. Francis and I will make sure it gets to them.  
  3. This Sunday is the Feast of All Saints – a major feast in the church where we recall and celebrate the lives of the saints we have known and lost. In years past we have invited the congregation to come forward and light candles for their loved ones, but this year we will light the candles prior to the start of the service, and then Mo. Karen, Fr. Bob, and I will read the names aloud as we begin our online worship. This will take a few minutes. I hope you will pray reverently with us as we express our gratitude to God for giving us these saints to lead us into love. 
  4. Local COVID cases are still rising and our health system is being stretched. Please pray for all of our front-line workers, and take extra precautions in your daily life. Several people in our congregation work in healthcare, and I am astounded and humbled when I see the dedication they have to the people of this community. We should all do something nice for a healthcare worker this week. 
  5. It looks like we will be online only for many weeks. I pray that we can gather in person for Christmas Eve services, but am planning for both possibilities. If we are still livestreaming only for Christmas Eve, we are working on ways that it can still be a special season and a special night for our church family.​​
GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Happy Birthday!!
Walker Anderson   October 29
 
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 October 29, 2020***
Don’t Be Led Astray
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go
Pause
God’s words challenge you to live a life worthy of imitation.
Step into the challenge of these words today and be reminded that you
are called to shine light into darkness, and the light you shine points back
to the love of God.

Listen
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples, “The legal experts and
the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. Therefore, you must take care to do
everything they say. But don’t do what they do. For they tie together heavy
packs that are impossible to carry. They put them on the shoulders of
others, but are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.”
Matthew 23:1-4

Think
Most parents have had moments where they think to themselves (while
speaking to their kids), “Do as I say, not as I do.” It is one thing to know all
the right things to do, and it is entirely something else to do them – and do
them for the right reasons.
Rules are one of those things that can lead you astray. When you become
too committed to following all the rules or checking the boxes, you are on
autopilot, perhaps not even thinking about why something is right or
wrong, faithful or not.
The Pharisees created rule upon rule to keep the Jews from breaking any
of the laws, as the Pharisees interpreted them. They became caught up in
following rules, so much so that they became a burden, even a weight of
expectation and control on others.
Jesus rejected this, even pointing out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
Maybe all the rules weigh you down as well. If so, it may be time to
examine whether any of them are making it impossible for you to live into
Christ’s teaching.
Brian Foreman

Pray
God, what is mine to carry in order to be faithful to you? Teach me to live
and love in ways that point to you, not to a handbook of rules. May I
always lead with the love of Christ.
Amen.

Go
You are the light of your community.
You are the salt of the neighborhood.
You carry God’s truth to the places you go.
Be confident that imitating Christ is your call, even imperfectly.
Be bold in lifting others up in a world that seeks to put them down.
Remember your brothers and sisters, and pray for them this day.
Amen.
 
***For those of you that would like to access these devotionals daily, you can go on this website
: www.d365.org


 
I thought everyone could use a laugh, so I included some funny memes.
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Thursday Announcements for October 22, 2020

10/22/2020

 
FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
1) As announced yesterday, Vonnie Rubottom’s funeral service has been
moved to Bridgeman Funeral Home in order to accommodate a larger number
of guests. The family invites you to attend, beginning at 1:00 P.M. It will be an
Episcopal service.


2) Last Saturday the diocese-wide Annual Council was held via Zoom, and it
was certainly much different than years past. What it lacked in fellowship and
collegiality, it made up for in brevity. Two takeaways: first, the Bishop and
Trustees have done a great job managing the diocesan finances during
this difficult time. 2020 will not have a dramatic effect on the overall
financial health of the diocese, and 2021’s budget is realistic and doable.
Second, we continue to be led by an extremely capable, energetic, and
visionary Bishop and staff. Here is a link to the Bishop’s annual address, which
will give you a clear sense of what I mean by
that. 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4uwstlw7ffkm24w/Bishop%27s%20Annual%20Council%20Address.mp4?

 
3) As you know, we are closed again for public worship due to the surge in local
COVID-19 cases. This rise in cases is more sudden and dramatic than the one
last summer, and by now most of us have seem a direct impact on our lives –
either ourselves or someone we know and love has been diagnosed with the
disease or quarantined due to close contact. Our church is not immune so we
continue to do everything we can think of to keep you safe, including
following the Bishop’s guidelines around public worship, which I fully support. 

 
Here are the highlights of our policy:
  • Using the data on the Healthynebraska.org website, we will be open when
  • the 7-day average number of cases in our region us below 20.0, and closed when it is above that threshold.
  • Being open for public worship means gathering together in the sanctuary and parish hall are allowed with masks and social distancing.
  • Being closed for public worship means only groups of 10 or fewer may meet together in the building, also with masks and social distancing.
  • Indoor weddings and funerals are subject to the same criteria.

 4) All of this is a hardship for sure. I don’t like it one bit and I know you don’t
either. But because I know it is the right thing to do I willingly abide by it and
enforce it here. So far our region has not been hit as hard by the virus as
others, but that seems to be changing these last few weeks. It would break
my heart if any of you fell seriously ill from this disease, so I pray that you will
protect yourselves and those you love by following the simple steps of wearing
a mask, keeping your distance, avoiding inside face-to-face meetings when
possible, and using good hand hygiene. These are the best tools we have at
this time to avoid increased spread. No doubt a vaccine and treatments are on
the horizon, but it may be another year before they are widely available and
working. So for now, do what you can to protect yourself and others. It is an act
​of Christian witness keep others safe, even when it is inconvenient or difficult.
Happy Birthday!!                               Happy Anniversary
Sandy Gibson     October 17              Christian & Stacy Bach   October 24
Josh Halstead     October 22             
Samuel Selzer    October 22
Haley Sauer        October 25
Al Williams          October 27
 
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 October 22, 2020***
The Great Commandment
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go
Pause
Take a moment to breathe, to reflect on the past day, and to pray:
Did I search for happiness in things or in my relationship with the Creator?
Did I find ways to express my love to God and those around me?
God, open my heart to be more like Christ.

Listen
The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the
road of sinners, and doesn’t si
t with the disrespectful. Instead of doing
those things, these persons love the Lord’s Instruction, and they recite
God’s Instruction day and night!

Psalm 1:1-2
Think
I don’t know anyone who does not want to be happy, yet experiencing
happiness in this crazy world is a real struggle for many, including myself
at times. We often experience moments of feeling happy when we see
cute puppies, get invited to the big party, get a good grade on a test, get
lots of “likes” on social media, or have a good hair day. But what about
happiness that is lasting, happiness that doesn’t go away when thing
don’t go our way?
Psalm 1:1-2 says that those who are truly happy love the Lord’s
Instruction and recite it day and night. They stay away from people and
situations that will bring them down and pull them away from God. They
seek God’s guidance through scripture and prayer and stay on the right
path.
Will it be easy and will everything go our way? No way. But we can be
assured that God loves us and will see us through. And that, dear friends,
gives me a deep sense of happiness that the world cannot take away.
Stella Perrin

Pray
God, help me to see that following your way instead of doing things my
way is best and is the path to being truly happy. Give me eyes to see
beyond the circumstances around me and trust that you are working to
bless me. Amen.

Go
Go,
Offering yourself fully to God, faults and all,
Believing that God loves you without reservation,
As you seek to love God and the world with all that you are.
 
***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.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Special Wednesday Update

10/22/2020

 
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Special Wednesday Updates
I apologize for the blizzard of emails this week, but things are moving
around fairly quickly these days. Here are three things I want to share
with you today.


1) Vonnie Rubottom's funeral service has been moved to
Bridgeman Funeral Home on Friday, still at 1:00 P.M. 
This is in
order to allow more than 10 people to be present. The family invites
you to join them either for the funeral at 1:00 P.M. or a remembrance
gathering (similar to a "viewing" but without body/ashes present)
Friday evening 4:00-7:00 P.M., both at Bridgeman. 


2) Gina and I have been notified of some omissions and errors in
the most recent Parish Directory
, and so we have done our
homework and will send out a revised version tomorrow. 
Please
forgive us if we fouled up your entry 
(or in a couple of cases,
omitted them altogether). We are deeply sorry and if we continue to
make more, if you'll let us know we'll continue to correct them. Our
goal is an accurate and complete database and a helpful directory. It is
never our intention to be sloppy, although at times I know in the things
I send I personally tend to let speed take precedence over accuracy.
Any errors in the directory were mine and not Gina's -- she's perfect as
far as I can tell :)


3) Finally, I have been remiss in not mentioning (or SHOUTING) that
we have a STATE CHAMPION in our parish!! Congratulations to
Anna Kelly -- Individual State Champion Golfer!!
 Anna has been
killing it on the course for two years now, and with two years of varsity
golf left, I and many others are eagerly looking forward to what she
accomplishes next. Way to go, Anna!!!


OK -- even more announcements tomorrow :)

Blessings,

Fr. Mark+

CLOSED AGAIN!

10/20/2020

 
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​UGH!
Due to a surge in local COVID-19 cases, we are required to close again for in-person worship, and so as of this Sunday, October 18th, we are back to online livestreamed only. 

We will continue to track the local case numbers closely, and follow the Bishop's directives. I am sorry this is happening. We must all do what we can to protect ourselves and others. Wear a mask. Social distance. Limit contact. Test and trace. Seek medical help if symptomatic. We will get through this, but it is up to us to do our part.

As you know, we have a funeral scheduled for Friday in the church. I will be making a decision about that possibility early next week.

Fr. Mark+

Thursday Announcements for October 15, 2020

10/15/2020

 
FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) SCAM WARNING!!
 Many of us in the diocese have received a phishing email in the past 24 hours that purports to come from Bishop Barker, asking for a reply. THIS IS A SCAM! You can just ignore and trash/delete it and any other email or text with his name that looks like this. Bp. Barker will never send a request like this asking for a reply or asking for a donation or anything else. He will communicate via the Ministry Memo or some diocesan-wide publication, or he will call. Feel free to err on the side of ignoring. If the Bishop's office needs to speak with you, they will find you I promise.

 
2) Speaking of our Bishop, we were just notified that he is resuming parish visits, and we have set our Annual Visitation for Sunday, November 22, 2020 (five weeks from now.) Assuming we are still able to worship in-person, he will be here to celebrate and preach on that day, and during the service he will do Confirmations and Receptions. If you are new to the Episcopal Church and would like to be Confirmed (or Received if previously confirmed in another tradition) please contact me and we can make arrangements. Typically we would have many weeks to go through a more complete catechism with adults but this year and next everything is up in the air and I would hate to miss the chance to Confirm or Receive during this 2020 visit, so I’ll make arrangements to do my best to get a group ready via zoom if there is interest.

3) We are starting to look at Christmas Eve services, and will be posting more information soon about times for both in-person and online worship. How to handle music is a huge deal – Christmas Carols are about our favorite of all hymns – and I am working hard to see what we can do 
4) Tonight at 6:30 P.M. we start another zoom bible study, this time on the Book of Acts. It’s not too late to join us, just follow this link to sign-up and get the login info. All you need is a computer connection and a bible. https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/cb4222
GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
                                 Happy Birthday!!
Jan Johnson             October 15           Danika Bohl                 October 21
Robert Brenner         October 18           Laura Lee Margheim   October 21
Santana Tamarak     October 18

 
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 October 15, 2020***
God’s Presence
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * 
Go

Pause
Take a deep breath right now.
Notice one thing you see,
one thing you hear,
one thing your body is touching.
You are here in this place. God is here with you, too.


Listen
We always thank God for all of you when we mention you constantly in our
prayers. This is because we remember your work that comes from faith,
your effort that comes from love, and your perseverance that comes from
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Think
Earlier this year, I took a pottery class — and I was terrible at “throwing” a
pot on the wheel! I spent several classes just trying to make something
that resembled a pot… and finally made one! Then another, and another.
They say that “practice makes perfect.” Whether you’re learning to play a
trombone, throw a baseball, do a pirouette, or make pottery, you’ll
definitely need practice.
In today’s scripture, Paul is commending the Thessalonians for working so
hard — for practicing — on becoming faithful, loving, and hopeful. He
recognizes that it takes work to be faithful, continual effort to be loving,
and perseverance to be hopeful. We also have to practice being faithful,
loving, and hopeful. We may never be perfect (spoiler alert: we won’t be),
but we know that God is present with us as we practice.
Erin Spengeman Hutchison


Pray
God, just when I think I can’t be more faithful, loving, or hopeful, help me
to keep practicing, relying on your Spirit for help. Amen.

Go
As you go, remember that God is with you and with those who do justice.
Dare to be with God, too.


***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.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Thursday's Announcements October 11, 2020

10/14/2020

 
FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
1) Last week we gathered in the sanctuary at 10:00 A.M. for in-person worship, and it felt so great to have you all here! While parts of the state are still above the Bishop’s threshold for safe worship, and we’re not out of the woods yet by any means and need to continue to be vigilant about mask-wearing, social distancing, and sanitizing, our numbers are lower and our folks are spread out and it is just wonderful to be together for Eucharist again. As always, make good decisions about your own health risk and what you can and should do safely, but if you are healthy and feel ready, come back together with us. We can fit about 45 people in the sanctuary and another 50 or so in the parish hall with live-streamed feed. As soon as it seems needed, we will resume a second service. Live-stream will of course continue to be available through our website www.saintf.org.
 
2) We are starting to think about Christmas services, knowing that we won’t be able to sit tightly together with tons of adults and kids and relatives and visitors. That is so sad, but since there is nothing we can do right now to change it, we are working to put together enough services with enough creativity to still celebrate joyfully and with enough of the usual elements that it will still be special. Probably that looks like more services on Christmas Eve and some video choral music mixed with live soloist. Creativity is not my strength, but stubbornness is, and I am stubbornly committed to providing Christmas services that honor our  traditions. You may be asked to “sign-up” for a time to reserve a pew/seat at the service of your choice. Off the top of my head I am thinking of the traditional early and late services plus one or more additional services, maybe something like 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, and 10:30. That’s not in stone yet, but we'll have it nailed down in the next few weeks, so watch this space for more news.
 
3) Next week I will be starting my next Zoom Bible Study on the Acts of the Apostles —the story of the earliest days of the church. We will meet via zoom every Thursday evening from 6:30-7:30 P.M. If you have any interest in reading the bible with others (the very best way to read it) join us for this delightful time of fellowship and discovery. To sign up, use this link https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/c6ee0398
 
4) Our bi-weekly Sack Lunch Ministry is a great chance to pitch in and help the hungry in our community. Every other Wednesday (we alternate with the Methodists) we prepare and hand out 35 sack lunches to folks who drive or walk by the church. There are three jobs — shopping for the food, preparing the lunches, and distributing the lunches (sitting in front of the church). If you would more information about volunteering with this fun, easy ministry, click this link: https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/6745a3
 
5) This week we are sending out Quarterly Giving Reports for the period 1/1/20 - 9/30/20. You should receive your report either electronically or in the mail. Please take a minute to review and check our records against yours. We are happy to investigate and correct any discrepancies. As always, I am humbled by your continued generosity and support of this parish, and especially during this difficult year. You are a blessing.
GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
***New Directory*** Father Mark and I have been working on finalizing a new directory and will be sending it out electronically and mailing a hard copy to those who do not have an email address next week.

 
                                         Happy Birthday!!
Curt Mecklem            October 8              Anna Kelley       October 12
Jill Selvey                  October 8              Shirley Brewer   October 13
Lisa Betz-Marquez    October 9              Lorrie Wold        October 13
Paul Brooks              October 10

 
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 October 8, 2020***
Do Not Fear
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go
Pause
Some may say there is much to fear.
But see what obstacles we’ve overcome!
For the Lord has been walking with us every step of the journey and will continue to. Forever.
If God is for us, who can be against us?

Listen
Lord, you are my God. I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, planned long ago, faithful and sure.
You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in distress, a hiding place from the storm, a shade from the heat.
Isaiah 25:1, 4a

Think
Storms can be very scary, especially those that include tornadoes and hurricanes. Storms can be unpredictable and can cause a lot of worries, both before and after they come. When a storm is about to come, weather forecasters tend to always have the same advice to keep us safe: “Seek shelter.”
While these storms only have to do with the weather, we encounter many other storms in life. We may go through troubles at school, difficulties with our parents, or uncertainty within our workplace. These storms of life can cause a lot of fear, worry, and anxiety.
The words in today’s scripture point us to our greatest protector in any storm we could ever encounter. We find that our Lord not only protects us but will ensure that we are safe, even in distress. Our God is a God of promises and these promises only end in “yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20). With God’s protection, we will see the end of the storm and the fulfillment of the promises that were created for us.
Dewayne Outlaw

Pray
Lord, thank you for the promises you have made to me. May I cast all of my cares on you and know that you care for me as you protect me through life’s storms. May I experience your perfect love for me today and show love to all those I see. Amen.
Go
Remember the words of Jesus as you go forth today:
“Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” (Matthew 28:20)
 
***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.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Thursday Announcements for October 1, 2020

10/1/2020

 
FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
1) OPEN AGAIN! As I said last week, the Bishop has issued new safe re-opening guidelines that take into account regional populations and a new tracking tool (healthynebraska.org). The result is that we are ready and cleared to reopen for public worship beginning this Sunday, October 4th! As before, we will start with one service at 10:00 A.M. and add an early service when needed. Masks and social distancing will be required and there will be no congregational singing, but we will have communion and the rest of the service will be pretty much normal. We can accommodate 40 people safely in the sanctuary, and another 50 or so in the parish hall with real-time video/audio feed. So come and worship if you are ready! 
 
2) Coincidentally, this Sunday is the feast day of our “name saint,” St. Francis. In addition to using the readings for this day and hearing anthems related to his life and works, we will also host our annual Pet/Animal Blessing in Centennial Park this Sunday afternoon at 2:00 P.M., joined this year by several other sister churches. Come out and bring your pets for a short and fun event!
 
3) Annual Council is coming up, and this year representatives from all Episcopal churches in the Diocese will gather virtually via Zoom rather than in-person. It will be a much different experience than in years past — we will miss the social and fellowship aspects, but we won’t have to travel and we will save money! In addition to myself, Fr. Bob and Mo. Karen, your delegates are Cory Foster, Colleen Kelly, Ann Peterson, and alternate Charlie Kennedy. Thanks to these dedicated volunteers for offering up a Saturday to do the work of the Diocese. ​
GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Happy Birthday!!
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
Allie Cawiezel          October 4

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 October 1, 2020***
Righteousness in Christ
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go

Pause
We make space for God’s Spirit to fill us. A new identity – a new purpose – wells up within.
This new way of being comes not from our hearts alone; it comes from Jesus Christ and his righteousness.
Breathe in these words and know that you are loved: “Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me.” (from The Prayer of St. Patrick)

Listen
It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose. Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14

Think
I try, but I am not a very good runner. It’s not so much the exertion; it’s the boredom! I get tired of running on a treadmill or around a familiar path in the park. I get distracted too easily and lose my focus.
Here in Philippians, the Apostle Paul compares the journey of faith to running a race. Paul says that the key to being a successful runner is to keep your eyes on the finish line. For those of us who seek to follow Jesus, his example is our goal. We are to continually remind ourselves that the goal is to be more and more like Christ.
It’s easy to get distracted or to become bored. But what if we were to wake up every day and to simply pray (even if we don’t feel like it): “God, help me to reflect the light and love of Jesus Christ today”? Perhaps just that simple act may reorient us and help us to focus the eyes of our hearts on our goal.
Tyler Tankersley

Pray
Gracious God, today I ask that you help me to always be striving for the ultimate goal. Help me, dear Lord, to become more and more like you in all that I say and in all that I do today. Amen.
Go
As you depart from this moment, may you know that the righteousness of Jesus Christ walks with you wherever you go.
 
 ***For those of you that would like to access these devotionals daily, you can go on this website: www.d365.org 
 
For more information on how the devotionals work, just access the website and click on the “menu”, then click on “about”. This page explains what changes each day and what does not. Please feel free to email with your comments or questions.
 

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.
 

    Rev. Erin Rath

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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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