Thursday, August 12, 2021 Announcements

 
                                                                                                                     FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
1) Thursdays Sept 9, 16, & 23 at 10:30 A.M. at the Carpenter Center, First Presbyterian Church, along with Panhandle Public Health District, are co-hosting a 3-session workshop series titled “Putting Life Together After COVID.” Two of our parishioners, Linda Rock and Ally Berggren, are presenters. Workshops are free, lunch will be available for $6.00. For more information and to RSVP, contact Kristin Wiebe at 308-672-3923 ekweibe@gmail.com. 

2) This week one of our newest members, Madi Collins, presented us with a check (see pic below) for our Wednesday Sack Lunch Ministry. Madi raised the money by baking and selling treats and wanted to do something to help the needy in our community. I was so delighted to receive this check and witness the active faith of a young person who only a few months ago was baptized here. THANKS Madi for your gift, and for sharing your faith and ministry with us!

3) Two months ago I was so encouraged by the dropping numbers and re-opening of our stores, restaurants, and churches,that I imagined we would never be forced to go back to indoor masks and social distancing and other safety precautions. Today as I write this I am not at all certain this is the case. The diocese is sharing the statewide data they can find, but much of what we have available is piecemeal and anecdotal. However, all signs point to increased number of positive tests which will soon lead to increased number of infections and hospitalizations. Since this is a very fluid situation, I will be making a week-by-week decision about masking and singing in worship. THIS SUNDAY AUGUST 15TH WE WILL HAVE CONGREGATIONAL SINGING AT 10:00 AND MASKS OPTIONAL AT BOTH SERVICES. UNVACCINATED MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE ONLINE. 

Sadly, this current wave of infections was entirely preventable, and we have the means necessary to stop this pandemic; namely vaccinations. Yesterday a local county commissioner shared his story of moving from vaccine hesitancy to taking the vaccine. I encourage you to read it if you haven’t already, and prayerfully consider how best to protect yourself and those you love. 
 

​ANN’S ADDITIONS

  
Happy Birthday!!
 
Cory Foster                             August 16
Donald Graham                      August 19
Ann Selzer                              August 20
 
Happy Anniversary!!

Jim & Donetta Petitt              August 18
Greg & Collette Suhr             August 21
 
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

Forward Day by Day Booklets
We have the Forward Day by Day’s for August-October in regular and large print.
If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

 
After the verb to LOVE, to HELP is the most beautiful verb in the world.     Bertha Von Suttner