Thursday Announcements for July 2, 2020

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
​1. With special permission from the Bishop, this Sunday’s online service will include the in-person baptism of our newest brother in Christ Bryan Ugwu, son of proud parents Dennis and Luchi! The caveat is that we will have to keep to the 10-person limit in the church and follow all the same distance and safety protocols that we are planning to use once we are allowed to regather in larger groups for worship. So – look for some new wrinkles, including a change in the order of service at communion/blessing/dismissal. All this is in keeping with the goal of making church safe once we come together again. However it looks, I am so delighted to be doing this baptism! Join me in welcoming Bryan into our church family! 
 
2. COVID cases are on the rise locally, so don’t be fooled – keep practicing social distancing and keep wearing your mask when you are out in public and keep washing your hands. Defeating the virus is the fastest way to return to worship. I know I have personally been less diligent lately and I have to constantly remind myself that this thing is here and it is no joke. Some local churches are reopening, and some are not. We are still in the “not” group for now, but tracking the cases daily and weekly, watching for the signs that the virus is decreasing in the counties we serve, and ready to go once that is true. We have just begun to get creative with our livestream, and Scott and crew have more nice touches in store going forward. 

3. Don’t forget that we have three ways to prayer for one another and our loved ones in the church. If you or someone you know would like prayers for healing or blessings of any kind, you can let Regina know and she will get them added to the:

• Prayers of the People during Sunday worship (for two weeks)
• Parish Prayer Chain (as long as needed)
• Daughters of the King Prayer List (as long as needed)

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
                Happy Birthday!!                        Happy Anniversary!!
       Adena Taylor        July 1             Alan & Jan Johnson              July 1
     Joyce Walsh         July 2             Matt & Jeane Anderson        July 2
     Marvin Lamont     July 5             Fernando & Sara Moreno     July 5
     Adam Haack         July 9
     Daniel Harvey       July 9

1) Prayer Requests: Please email your prayer requests to Gina at stfrancis@allophone.com.  If you do not have email, just call the church and leave a message. The requests must be received on Tuesday’s before 12:00pm for them to be included in the Sunday Bulletin for that week. If the request is received after 12:00pm on Tuesday, they will be added to the next Sunday Bulletin. We will follow the same process and keep the names on for two weeks.

2) ALL IN-PERSON SERVICES SUSPENDED FOR NOW SUNDAY’S 10 A.M. SERVICES WILL BE LIVE STREAMED ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE – Saint Francis Episcopal Church  (Saint must be spelled out, do not abbreviate)
If you do not have Facebook, you can go to our website www.saintf.org

3) System Updates: I am updating our information database and want to make sure I have all the correct information such as names, addresses, spouses and/or minor children, birthdays, anniversaries, phone numbers and email addresses. If possible, please send an email to me at stfrancis@allophone.com with you or your family’s current information, it would be appreciated.
***Thank you to everyone who has responded with their information. I do not have a time limit on updates, so just respond when you can. 

The Forward Day by Day Meditation for July 2, 2020 

THURSDAY, July 2                           Moses the Black 

Matthew 20:27-28 And whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

From the Archives: July 25, 1946
From the human viewpoint, the training given to James was wasted: all that time of discipleship with Jesus, all the teaching and example, all the understanding of the inner circle—and then to be killed when his real ministry of leadership had just begun. No labor in God’s name is in vain.

James once wanted prominence and position. He obtained them but not as he had imagined. He became a saint rather than Jesus’ grand vizier. And he became so not by his ability or by pulling wires but by witnessing and suffering for Jesus.

We may long for greatness, and we can have it: the greatness thrust upon us by those we loved while they ill-treated and persecuted us.

MOVING FORWARD: What may be holding you back? Offer it up to Jesus—ask him for direction and peace.

PRAY for the Dioceses of Makurdi (Nigeria) and Thika (Kenya)

Ps 131, 132, [133] * 134, 135 | Numbers 23:11-26 | Romans 8:1-11 | Matthew 22:1-14

Gina’s Office Hours
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (at the church)
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (work from home)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (work from home)