Thursday Announcements for August 20, 2020

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
1) Last week’s initial re-gathering for worship was super meaningful for me, and I hope for the 35 or so present. It was so wonderful to see the faces of those I love and to worship, pray, and receive communion together. We will continue to worship in-person as long as our local cases remain low, which is true as of this writing. If you are able and low-risk, come back and worship in the sanctuary. If you are high-risk or unsure, online will always be an option, and one we hope to continually improve. Either way, your presence is important and your prayer and support are critical to our mission and ministry, and more so during this time of disruption. Hang in there! We are finding our way through, and God has never left our side. One last note — if you have been longing to sit in the sanctuary and just rest in the peace of the sacred space, think about arriving early. Things really start to buzz about 10 min ’til and if you just want to take a minute in quiet, 9:40 is the sweet spot!
 
 
2) We have about 8 folks signed up for our Wednesday Sack Lunch ministry. If you would like to get involved, just shoot me an email or text and I’ll send you a sign-up schedule, There are three jobs — shopping for the food, packing the lunches, and distributing them in front of the church. No single job takes more than an hour. The two weeks we have offered this, we gave away 35 lunches each time. The first week we ran out in 15 minutes, the second week we had 12 lunches left after an hour and I took them to the Capri where the office hands them out to the needy folks who are staying there. I do believe this ministry, which we are doing in partnership with the Methodist Church, is needed, and as the one who handed out the lunches both weeks, I can testify that it is both easy and fun. 
 
3) Speaking of ministry, last Sunday we again offered Laundry Love, a shared ministry with our friends at First Presbyterian, this time at East Overland. This is growing into a much anticipated and much appreciated gift to the community, which people are now calling and inquiring about. I am so thankful for the idea generated by our Thursday Discipleship Group, and especially to the many dedicated volunteers who joyfully commit their time to make this work!

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
   Happy Birthday!!                                      Happy Anniversary!!
Ann Selzer                August 20             Greg & Collette Suhr     August 21
Kamden Leonard     August 21
Jean Hilyard             August 23
Mandi Sauer            August 24
Robin Biltjinitis         August 26
Sean McKeehan      August 26
John Wymore          August 26
 
 
(Update) 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 August 20, 2020
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go
Pause
God, give me courage to take on this day.
Jesus, give me words when I don’t know what to say.
Spirit, give me breath so I can work and play.
Listen
Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
                                                                                      Colossians 3:12
Think
How are we supposed to “put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” when the world seems to be falling apart around us? Especially when the adults around us can’t seem to treat one another with dignity and respect?
Sometimes society needs the young people to remind us of our collective values. At school, whether online or in person, we are expected to be kind, be patient, treat other with respect, and take responsibility for our own actions.
Today God is reminding us how to be decent humans to one another. And if we are made in God’s image, then we can do this! Even when it’s hard to be humble, we can demonstrate humility. We can choose to be kind rather than cranky. In the attempt, we will feel better about ourselves, and others are likely to respond in kind. Can you help set an example today?
Pray
Holy One, bless me with the patience to be a gentle human today. Help me to hold back criticism and offer encouragement to my friends. Thank you for reminding me what it means to be made in your image with the capacity for kindness and creativity. Amen.
Go
Let me be a friend to those who have few friends,
Let me find a friend when I feel lonely,
Let me walk away from danger to safety,
Help me to walk in the light and love of Jesus.
 
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.