Thursday Announcements for March 25, 2021

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) UTO Boxes – It’s time to gather in our
blue UTO boxes! Please bring them to church
on Easter Sunday or any Sunday in April and
we will get those donations to the National
Church United Thank Offering office. Thank
you so much in advance to everyone who has
​ faithfully donated to this charity once again
this year. This is a ministry that has a great
​ impact on the church over the years and continues to build and support local ministries across The Episcopal Church.

2) Bereavement Group — Beginning April 22, Linda Rock will lead a 4-
week bereavement group open to anyone who has lost a loved on in the past
two years. Click here https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/d28198 or go to our
website for more information and to sign-up. I cannot recommend this highly
enough. Linda is truly an expert in this field, and this will be a world-class
seminar and group.

3) Speaking of World-Class, Rae Whitney was the subject of a recent
Episcopal Church Women presentation by Marty Burnett titled Hope, Joy,
and Wonder: The Hymns of Rae E. Whitney. If you missed it, you can watch
the full program here: https://youtu.be/yyiIDYe0Owk

4) This Sunday we resume our 8:00A.M. Worship Service! This is Palm
Sunday, and I am so happy to announce that we're adding back our 8:00
service! One note — we will begin in the Sanctuary and not the Parish Hall,
and you will pick up your palms on the way in. Come back to church and
celebrate together as we begin our Holy Week Services.
 
5) Once again our Holy Week Schedule will be: 
          Palm Sunday                8:00 & 10:00 A.M.
          Maundy Thursday         6:00 P.M.
          Good Friday                 12:00 & 6:00 P.M.
          Great Vigil (Sat)            8:00 P.M.
          Easter Sunday              8:00 & 10:00 A.M.
 
6) Don’t forget to sign up for the Diocesan Program “Sacred Ground” by
going to the Diocese of Nebraska website https://www.episcopal-ne.org and
using the “Registration” link. I haven’t said enough about this program yet,
but I absolutely want everyone in the parish to participate. Racial issues have
been a part of all of our lives for the entirety of our lives. This program won’t
solve these issues for you or me or our country, but it is a beginning of a new
conversation that may lead us in a new direction toward new understandings.
​I urge you in the strongest terms to sign-up and participate. 

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GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Happy Birthday!! 
Patty Clown Horse    March 25
Eain Peterson            March 26
Melissa Moreno         March 28
Gretchen Traw          March 30
 
Prayer Requests ** 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

It’s time to sign-up for Easter
Lilies. If you would like to
donate this year, you can do
so by calling the office and
letting Gina know, or you
can use this online form. The
cost is $25. https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/49ab43

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
This is a National Group of Episcopal Women who commit to pray and
work regularly for the mission and ministries of their local parish and the
wider church. I have personally seen the fruits of having a DOK Chapter –
both for the parish and for the women involved – and so am very happy to
announce a diocesan discernment/training to be offered via Zoom by
Omaha members Sandra Squires and Carol Ott. Our own Beth McKibbon
Beth leads our small but growing DOK group and will be your local
contact. Here is the information about the meetings:
“Discernment classes will meet 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday
mornings starting April 5. Sandra will start promptly at 10 a.m. If someone
needs assistance with joining Zoom,  Sandra or Carol Ott will practice with
them before April 5th.
The meeting dates are: April 5, 19, 26, May 3,17, 24, June 7, 21
(Note that there will not be sessions on April 12 and May 10, and May 31
which is Memorial Day.)”
 
For more information you can email Beth at bethmckibbin@yahoo.com

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​NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR DAY – MARCH 25TH
National Medal of Honor Day on March 25th recognizes all Medal of
Honor recipients.
On March 25, 1863, Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton presented the first
Medals of Honor (Army) to six members of “Andrews Raiders” for their
volunteering and participation during an American Civil War raid in April of
1862.
Created in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s
highest military honor.  It is awarded only to US military personnel by the
President of the United States in the name of Congress for personal acts
of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
There are three versions of the Medal of Honor; one for the Army, one for
the Navy and one for the Air Force, with personnel of the Marine Corps
and the Coast Guard receiving the Navy version.
Since its creation, there have been 3,468 Medals of Honor awarded to the
​ country’s soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and coastguardsmen.
 
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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