Thursday Announcements for November 19, 2020

Several fun things to share today.
 
1) Several people have expressed how much they miss being in the
sanctuary, and especially this time of year, so on Sunday, November
29th we will open the sanctuary from 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. for people to
come and sit and pray, either as individuals or a household group, for
up to 20 minutes. The church will be decorated, and the Nativity Scene
will be placed under the altar. To make sure we don’t get more than
safe numbers at one time, you must sign-up with the link that was
sent separately to your email and by text a short time ago. If for some
reason that link doesn’t work you can email Gina and let her know your
preference and she can plug you in. If all the slots fill up and more
would like to participate, we will do this again on the following
Sunday(s) in Advent. 
 
2) We are looking at hosting a St. Francis Drive-In Movie Night! The
date is being worked out, but we are hoping early in December. This
will be open to all St. Francis folks and families, and will start sometime
around sundown. It’s a chance for our families to get out and have
some fun together. The weather is unpredictable, but we’ll all be inside
our vehicles, so cuddling and sleeping bags and blankets will only add
to the experience. There will be concessions, or you can go “old
school” and bring your own. Admission is free, covered by the
church. The movie is titled “The Star,” a 2017 animated movie about
the birth of Jesus. Here’s a link to the RT trailer: www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_star_2017
As soon as the date and time are nailed down, I’ll communicate it. FUN!
 
3) Starting on Sunday Nov 29th, we will be offering “Drive-By
Communion” for the Sundays in Advent. Here’s how it will work:

1. Watch the online service
2. As soon as it is completed, the clergy and LEM will be stationed in the back parking lot.
3. Drive through from east to west in the lot, stopping in turns to receive communion in the car.
4. Continue out to the alleyway and south to 19th.

 
4) We continue to work on Christmas Eve livestreamed services, and
​ hope to have more to announce soon on that.

​Happy Birthday!!                     Happy Anniversary
Gretchen Foster   November 24    Peter & Jennifer Schilke    November 19
                                                      Jon & Amy Meyer               November 20

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. Now that I am working from home two days a week, 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 November 19, 2020***
Welcoming Christ
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go

Pause
Jesus our Redeemer, teach us this day faithfulness.
Jesus our Friend, inspire us to act with kindness and mercy.
Jesus the Christ, calm our spirit in the ways of grace and peace.

Listen
“Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and
feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and
welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in
prison and visit you?’
“Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’"
Matthew 25:37-40

Think
There’s a saying: “Sing like no one is listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance
like no one is watching, and live like it is heaven on earth.” In other words, be you,
freely and whole-heartedly. It’s good advice, and I like it. The focus, however, is on the
self. In today’s parable, Jesus’ focus is on the other. It’s a pivotal shift, one that is
marked by a Christian understanding of humanity.
Of all the ways we stand out for our faith, may we shine for the ways we treat one
another. When we care for each other, we show that we care about God. More
specifically, we care about the people for whom God cares deeply. Faithful living is that
simple: in all we do, we do it in the name of the Holy One whose love extends to all,
especially those in our society who have been ignored and dismissed.
In your midst there is someone whose life experience is like “the least of these.” May
today be the day we turn our energies and attention on those who need it the most.
Aram Bae 

Pray
God, I confess it’s an easy habit to become narrowly focused on my own needs.
Strengthen a different kind of spiritual habit. Turn my attention on someone who is in
need of a listening ear and encouragement. Open my eyes and heart to tend to
someone who could use an extra dose of your kindness and love. I’ll do it, Lord. Use
me. Amen.

Go
May Jesus the Christ bless you and keep you.
May Jesus the Christ smile upon you and be gracious towards you.
And may Jesus the Christ lead you on this day in the path of wisdom and peace.
And all of God’s people said,
Amen.

***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. (Work from home)
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Work from home)
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (In Office)