What's Happening at St. Francis this Week

Thursday Announcements
 December 9, 2021

FATHER MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. THANKS to everyone who helped decorate last Sunday!! Our church is always beautiful, but never more so than when it is dressed up for the great Feast of Christmas. I know it’s still Advent, but our tradition here has been to put up decorations and even sing a carol or two prior to the 24th as a way of living in harmony with what’s going on in our homes and our communities. I love this season and hope you do, too. John the Baptist tells us clearly that the long-awaited Messiah is coming soon. So we wait. And we anticipate. (But we also celebrate just a teeny bit along the way!) 
2. If you’re in the market for a unique Christmas Gift for someone who is hard to buy for, check out our Tri-Parish Cookbooks, “A Taste of Heaven,” available in the office for the bargain price of $15 ea. These cookbooks were a fundraising collaboration between St. Andrews, St. Timothys, and Holy Apostles and they contain great treasured recipes from beloved members of those parishes. They make great presents for the cooks in your life.
3. “Sacred Ground” is a program created by The Episcopal Church that explores culture and race considering history and personal experience. Over ten weeks participants read articles and watch videos and discuss in small groups over zoom how the materials both support and challenge their established views. I was in a small group last fall and found it an extraordinary experience. I recommend it without reservation to anyone. Click here for more information and to sign-up. 
4. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help with our Wednesday Sack Lunch Ministry. There are three jobs in this bi-weekly ministry: Shoppers go to COOP on Sunday or Monday and purchase (charge to our account) food and supplies and bring them to the church. There is a shopping list so you will know what to get. Then Packers come to church around 10AM on the assigned Wednesday and pack the lunches. Finally, Distributers stand out front of the church on that day and hand out the lunches. You are invited to participate in one of these three jobs, although some choose to do more than one. Here is a form to sign-up for the job(s) you are interested in   

         https://saintf.breezechms.com/form/6745a369​      
        Once we receive your form, we will enter your name into our MSP program and you will be scheduled and notified and someone will work with you until you are confident in the job.

ANN’S ADDITIONS

 
Birthdays
Ryley Collins                         December 12
Theodore Meyer                   December 12
Len Tabor                              December 12
Ian Mills                                 December 13
Rick Gable                            December 15
Don Kepler                            December 15
Steve Trickler                        December 17
 
Anniversaries
Amy and Michelle Andersen-Saenz        December 12​


​You’re all invited to a birthday party reception for Richard Schaneman at West NE Veterans home, Rm 13; 1002 W. 42nd St., Scottsbluff, NE.  69361  from 2-3:30PM Sunday 12/12.
This is to celebrate Richard’s 90th birthday!!
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It’s time for our annual ECW Christmas Cookie Exchange!  We will meet in the Parish Hall on Saturday, December 11th, at 10 am to fill cookie tins for our shut-ins.  Each person is asked to bring 3 dozen cookies to share.  We hope that will leave 2 dozen for each of us after the tins for shut-ins are filled. Please bring an empty container for yourself.  Tins for shut-ins will be provide by the ECW.
Refreshments will also be served. Come join us for some holiday fellowship!
If you have questions or concerns call Barb Manasek at 436-7767.

​​If you would like to sign up for a Christmas poinsettia
​in memory or in honor of someone, please sign the sheet in the Narthex, with your name and the person to be remembered.  The cost of the poinsettia is $25.00 or a donation.   Any questions may be directed to Collette Suhr at 436-5963 or her email: collettesuhr@gmail.com.
 
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 November-December in regular and large print. If you would like any of these mailed to you, please email or call the church.

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