Thursday Announcements for January 14, 2021

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) The good and great news is that we continue to see our local number of
cases declining, and we  are now just slightly above the 20 avg cases/day
threshold for reopening. We have to get below and stay below that number
for a few weeks in a row before it makes sense to reopen for public worship,
but things are definitely  trending in the right direction, and I am beginning to
be optimistic that we will be back together for part of Lent, Holy Week, and
Easter. What a glorious blessing that would be!! While we still couldn’t jam
the pews for Easter Morning, I could easily envision us adding a service to
two and accommodating everyone who wants to be present. Fingers crossed
and prayers ascending!!
 
2) Thanks to the Vestry for approving and the Foundation for funding and
Anderson-Shaw for installing our new back door to the kitchen! You will
notice it has a keypad entry. If you are part of a group that regularly uses the
kitchen or parish hall, Gina will get you the correct code for your group. If
you or anyone else reserves the parish hall for a one-time meeting or
celebration, we have single use codes for that. It’s really a slick system, and
— bonus — the door now opens easily and closes securely!
 
3) Annual Meeting by ZOOM — Sunday, January 31st at 11:30 A.M. Now is a
good time to get Zoom downloaded and installed so you are ready to go on
the 31st! Here is the link: https://zoom.us/download
 
4) Hang in there, dear friends! The vaccines are on the way they say, and if
we just keep wearing masks and keeping distance and washing hands, we will
​ be out of this thing in 2021!!! 

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!!                          Happy Anniversary
Jen Baird             January 22        Curt & Karen Mecklem     January 27
Victoria Schnell   January 25

Prayer Requests ** Now that I am back in the office 3 days a week, 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 for February, March, April 2021**- Please let me know if you would like a copy set aside or mailed to you. We have received the regular print and the large print.
 
***Daily Devotion for Thursday January 14, 2021***
Called for a Purpose
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go
Pause
Stop! Listen. Can you hear it?
God is calling you.
Probably not by words in your ear
or by writing in a letter
or by signs seen by your eyes –
Instead, God calls to you
through the rhythm of your life,
through the love of people who support you,
through the opportunities to share grace that surround you.
Stop! Listen.
God’s voice is calling you to love and serve!
Listen
Don’t trust in violence; don’t set false hopes in robbery. When wealth bears fruit, don’t
set your heart on it. God has spoken one thing— make it two things— that I myself have
heard: that strength belongs to God, and faithful love comes from you, my Lord— and
that you will repay everyone according to their deeds.
Psalm 62:10-12
Think
When you think about who or what you trust, what comes to mind? I imagine many of
us know how we would like to answer: we trust in hope, in laughter, in faith, in love, in
God. But these words from the psalmist not to trust in violence or wealth cut just a bit,
because if we’re honest with ourselves, these words are less a warning and more of a
mirror.
I’d like to say I don’t trust in violence, but how often have I spoken sharp words or held
bitterness in my heart? I want to say I don’t hold too tightly to the promises of wealth,
but how often do I value my own comfort and well-being over that of others?
I think the psalmist doesn’t want to shame us so much as redirect us. We have
brokenness, and learning to trust in God’s strength and faithful love is like a dance.
Every day, every moment, we have a chance to choose that trust. What would trusting
God’s love change for you?
Jessica Tidwell-Weinzierl
Pray
God of love, thank you for your faithfulness. You are always with me, even though I
often find myself trusting in things which ultimately cause more harm than good. Draw
my heart closer to yours, and help me to trust in your strength and love.
Amen.
Go
You are a child of God, deeply beloved, and you have great purpose in God’s kingdom.
Go, and do what is yours to do, in the love of Christ, our Redeemer! Amen.

***These daily devotionals are available at www.d365.org  
 
Gina’s Office Hours
 Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)