Thursday's Announcements,December 3, 2020

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
1) I’m getting a fair amount of positive feedback and compliments lately that I simply don’t deserve, and I want to set the record straight on who actually does deserve credit for some of this stuff: (And by the way, if you get a sense reading this that the success of this this parish is less dependent on the Rector and more dependent on the assisting clergy and engaged laity, you would be 100% correct in that J)
 

• Drive-In Movie Night (last night – super great movie and people loved it): This was the brainchild of Charlie Kennedy. Literally all I did was make sure the check got cut.
• Stewardship Letters/Pledge Campaign: Credit goes to Mary Kay Versen and Mo. Karen Anderson, who had a vision for something simple and creative and pulled it off wonderfully. Assist to Gina for getting the mailings put together and out the door.
• Online Services: Honestly, without Scott Harvey putting all the technology together we would never have been able to pull this off. And of course we equally indebted to Alyssa Harvey and Barb Becker for making the musical part of the service so wonderful, and to our many lectors/intercessors who faithfully lead us each week in readings and prayers.
• Zoom Coffee with Clergy  (9:15 A.M. Tues & Thurs): I didn’t think of this and can’t even remember who did – someone on the Vestry for sure – but it is a fun way to connect for a few minutes with you during the week.
• Beauty in the Sanctuary: This is Barb and Fr. Bob Manasek, Collette and Greg Suhr, Nancy Kepler, and if there are others I apologize but these are the folks I remember seeing. It does look beautiful, and it was a lot of work, and we are all thankful for all of it.
• Sanctuary Seating Sign-Ups: Again, I’m not sure exactly who did come up with this, but it wasn’t me. I only did the actual scheduling part. Brilliant idea whoever did suggest it!
• Advent Candle Lighting Pre-Taping: Totally not possible without the folks/families who volunteered and showed up to pre-tape. Also, Scott is the one who will pull it all together into a connected streaming video.
• Drive-Through Communion: Mother Karen gets all the credit for the idea, and she and Father Bob have done the actual work of distributing. All I did was buy the plastic cups. 
• Advent Lessons and Carols: OK, I didn’t think of this – it’s a traditional Episcopal Service – but it was my idea to do it using pre-taped readings and music. Still, you know how far it would have gotten without the 20 or so folks both on-screen and behind the scenes, including some voices from as far away as Trinity Cathedral in Omaha.
• And finally, you should know that so much of what happens here would never be possible without the direct influence, support, commitment and just plain work of one Cory Foster, your Senior Warden. I am blessed to have him as Warden and count him as friend, and this parish is so blessed by the many ways he leads us.

 
2) If you are reading “Low – An Honest Advent Devotional,” don’t forget that we will meet online ZOOM at 2:00 P.M. this Sunday. You should already have received an invitation to that meeting. If not, please email me and I’ll resend the link.

GINA’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Happy Birthday!!                             Happy Anniversary!!
Jana Bode           December 4          Trudy & Mardell Schnell   December 6
Beth McKibbin     December 4
Chesney Joplin    December 8
 
Memorial Poinsettia Donations: with the Christmas Season upon us, we will have a sign up for donations to purchase Memorial Poinsettia’s. If you would like to have the Poinsettia donated in the memory of a loved one, please email Gina at stfrancis@allophone.com or call the church and leave a message. The names will be added to the Christmas Eve Bulletin.
 
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. Since, I am back in the office, 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 December 3, 2020***
HOPE 
The 5 Steps – Pause * Listen * Think * Pray * Go

Pause
It is Advent. The Lord is coming. This is our hope.
With every breath you take — Wait. With every breath you take — Listen.
Wait and Listen. Hear the coming of the Lord.

Listen
“Learn this parable from the fig tree. After its branch becomes tender and it sprouts new leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that he’s near, at the door. I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away.”
Mark 13:28-31

Think
The season of Advent is one of my favorite times of the year. Christmas carols are sung, ugly sweaters are worn, and shopping increases as we try to find that perfect gift for our family and friends. It truly is one of the most wonderful times of the year.
With all of the busyness, it is easy to forget that Advent is about waiting.
It is a time to wait in expectation for the coming of the Christ child. We sometimes need a reminder to see through the busyness and to set our eyes on Jesus. The one who is observant will notice the signs that point to Jesus as the reason for the season.
Throughout Advent, let us take some time to observe. Let us observe our need for hope, peace, joy, and love. These, like the branches of a fig tree, are the signs that point us to the good news of the coming of Christ our Lord.
Emmitt Drumgoole

Pray
Lord, give me eyes to see and ears to hear the coming of good news for all. Amen.

Go
It is Advent. The Lord is coming.
Go! Make ready for the Lord!

***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.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.