St. Francis Bulletin

September 2013

From the Rector
I hope that all of you enjoyed your summer and that you were able to get to some place cool, at least for a few days. With the coming of September things begin to wind up again and that is true at St. Francis as well.
 
You may be wondering where our building program stands at present. We are currently working with an architect to provide us with a design for our new church which will be located on Oak Creek Drive. We have been working with representatives of Aquila, a commercial real estate firm which handled our buying and selling transactions, to help us wend our way through the maze of proposals and approvals needed for and by the City of Austin in order to make our plans a reality. I’m sure Mark Rambin will keep you updated on the specifics when there are some. Please keep praying that our plans will come to fruition so that we can get to the building aspect of the plan.
 
As I mentioned to you in church a few weeks ago, there will be a city-wide prayer service on Thursday, September 5 at Great Hills Baptist Church on Jollyville Road to kick off the seven week Explore God program being launched in Austin beginning September 8. Explore God is designed to help those who are interested in thinking about God, perhaps a little more than they have in the past, investigate some of the questions many people have about God. There are different aspects of this program, including a sermon series which I will undertake beginning September 8, and discussion groups which we will probably not undertake as a parish unless the small groups want to take on these topics for themselves. I realize that most of you are well beyond the investigation stage in your relationship with God. My purpose in undertaking this is to help all to think about some of the questions many people have and perhaps have skipped over because the answers to them are not all that easy. This is for me, too. Although I have been accused in the past of thinking too much, I don’t always do it when the questions are really hard. Also, one of my responsibilities as a pastor is to equip the saints for ministry. You come into contact with far more people than I do. Many of them may have these questions and you may have been reluctant to engage in this type of conversation with them because you thought you weren't equipped to do so. I hope that this will help. The topics for the sermon series are as follows:
  • Does Life Have a Purpose?
  • Is There a God?
  • Why Does God Allow Pain and Suffering?
  • Is Christianity Too Narrow?
  • Is Jesus Really God?
  • Is the Bible Reliable?
  • Can I Know God Personally?
You may have from time to time investigated some or all of these questions with varying degrees of success. The answers to them are life-long pursuits. Perhaps this will help all of us to delve more deeply into them.
 
40 Days for Life will begin its fall campaign of prayer vigils in front of Austin’s four abortion clinics on Wednesday, September 25. You will have the opportunity to sign up at St. Francis or on line. But I encourage you to do this if you are able. Your commitment is only one hour a week unless you want to do more.

On the evening before the 40 days begin, the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center will have its annual banquet and fundraiser at the Doubletree Hotel. St. Francis will have a presence there. As you know, St. Francis has actively supported APRC for several years because of the work they do to help parents avoid the tragedy of abortion. I am proud of the support we have given to them and all of the Pro-Life organizations we have supported throughout the years of my ministry at St. Francis.
 
A couple of quick notes at the end here. I want to thank Becky Hunt for leading the summer bible study for women on the Book of Judges. Every-one seems to enjoy these series and studying the bible is never a waste of time. I also want to express our sincere condolences to Dinah Arce and her family. Dinah’s husband, Roy, passed away on August 16. Please keep the Arce family in your prayers.
 
40 Days for Life
From September 25th - November 3rd we will unite with hundreds of cities across the country and world for a simultaneous 40-day prayer vigil. 40 Days for Life is a 40-day campaign of prayer, fasting and a constant peaceful prayer vigil in front of abortion clinics. This international movement has resulted in 40 abortion clinics closing, over 100 abortion clinic workers having conversions and leaving their jobs, and over 7,536 women choosing life for children they were going to abort. Here in Central Texas at least 160 women have changed their minds and chosen life! An information table will be setup in the reception area for two weeks in September. Many St. Francis members register online -- so now is the time to do this! Go to this site to register. You can also call the Coalition for Life office at (512) 296-2071 for more information or speak to Rory Motl or Fr. Len to find out what this is about. The commitment is an hour of praying one day a week for 6 weeks. Most of us can spare an hour and it does make a difference.

Mother's Prayer Group

A group of mothers is planning to gather on Mon-day, September 16 at noon for an hour of prayer for our children and grandchildren, plus the chil-dren of St. Francis. Every mother should consider attending this service, especially if your children are now adults! The parental influence greatly changes when the child grows into an adult. Pray-er helps us as mothers to focus on seeking God's will for us and for our children. The influence of the world is a tremendous pressure on everyone and prayer helps us keep the focus on God. Using the special relationship of mother to child, to know when and what to say something and when to be quiet -- needs God's guidance at all times.

5th Sunday Activities

September is the third of four months in 2013 with 5 Sundays. As is the custom at St. Francis, two activities are scheduled for this day: the potluck luncheon and the nursing home visit.
 
Our temporary space has turned out to be quite nice for a luncheon. There is plenty of room for tables and the food. The acoustics are such that you can actually hear the conversation at the table. It is good to be able to visit with other St. Francis friends. Plan to bring something good to eat and to share with all who attend the luncheon after the 11:00 service on September 29.
 
On the same afternoon, a small group of us travel to the Retirement and Nursing Center at 6909 Burnet Ln to sing and pray with the the residents from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. Come and see what we are doing here -- additional people are always needed. See Amy Crandell for more information.
 
Evening Prayer

Each Thursday at 7 pm, Evening Prayer is said - with the canticles sung in the worship center of our temporary space. Consider attending this service - traffic is lightening up by this time, so it is easier to get to the church. One exception this month: on September 5, we won't meet and instead will go to the prayer service for Explore God at Great Hills Baptist Church.

Anglicans for Life

The recent passage of House Bill 2 by the Texas Legislature which limits abortion, and all of the pro and con demonstrations that went with it, has shone the importance of acknowledging our support for life, not only by our words, but sometimes by our presence. I am happy to say that St. Francis was represented here. We also have a table for ten at the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center fund raising dinner on September 24th. Anglicans for Life is always looking for new ways to improve and grow our commitment to the sanctity of life. We welcome every one to share ideas and to join us at our monthly meetings. We meet on the third Sunday of each month after the 11:00 service. Our next meeting is September 15th.
 
Christian Education News

Calling all St. Francis youth!

Sunday school classes begin on Sunday, September 8th at 9:30 am. 5th graders and up will meet with Doug Cooper to begin Year 3 of the Teach Deep series. The younger class will begin with a few minutes of worship at the 9:30 service, then return to the classroom to begin the One Room Sunday School curriculum with Missy Bernard. Grace Rowse will continue as our nursery aide for both the 9:30 and 11:00 services. All St. Francis youth are warmly welcomed. We are excited to begin! Please keep the Sunday School in your prayers.
 
Call for Shoe Boxes

Operation Christmas Child will be here before we know it! The youth classes hope to fill 50 boxes on our packing day, November 18th. Right now we have about 18, so please check your closets! The boxes are being kept in the supply room and you may drop them off there at any time or give them to Missy Bernard. A letter with more information about donations will go out in October. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry. The children really enjoy it and look for-ward to it every year!

Games Night

On Friday, September 6, a small group of St. Francis friends gathers at 7 pm for a light potluck supper followed by an evening of games and conversation. This is always a pleasant time with St. Francis friends. You are welcome to attend any time.

Location
10435 Burnet Road, #125
Austin, TX 78758
Rector
The Rev. Canon Len Giacolone 
Assisting Priest
The Rev. Peter Nganga
Senior Warden
Mark Rambin 
Junior Warden
Keith Harrell
Treasurer
Michael Ready
Secretary
Jim Crandell
Vestry Members
Grady Collins, Doug Cooper, Carole Martin, Don St. Martin, and Fr. Len Giacolone
Organist
Paula Blaha
Choir Director
Amy Crandell
Acolytes
Ray Merrill, Ed Sandlin, Arthur Woodgate and James Glomb
Director of Christian Education for Youth
Missy Bernard
Altar Guild Director
Becky Hunt
Anglicans for Life
Phoebe Hughes
Ushers
Al Parker
Readers
Mark Rambin
Sunday, September 1st 
14th Sunday After Trinity
9:30 am, Holy Communion
11:00 am, Morning Prayer and Holy Communion 
  • Ecclesiasticus 10:7-18
  • Psalm 112
  • Hebrews 13:1-8
  • Luke 14:1, 7-14
Tuesday, September 3rd
Noon, Anglican Rosary
 
Thursday, September 5th
7 pm, Explore God Prayer Service
Great Hills Baptist Church on
Jollyville Road
 
Friday, September 6th
7 pm, Games Night
 
Saturday, September 7th
9 am, Austin City Prayer Walk

Sunday, September 8th 
15th Sunday after Trinity
9:30 am and 11:00 am, Holy Communion
  • Deuteronomy 30:15-20
  • Psalm 1
  • Philemon 1-20
  • Luke 14:25-33

Monday, September 9th
5:30 pm, Vestry meeting
 
Tuesday, September 10th
Noon, Anglican Rosary

Thursday, September 12th
7 pm, Evening Prayer
 
Sunday, September 15th 
16th Sunday after Trinity
 9:30 am and 11:00 am, Holy Communion
  • Exodus 32:1, 7-14
  • Psalm 51
  • 1 Timothy 1:12-17
  • Luke 15:1-10
Monday, September 16th
Noon, Mothers’ Prayer Group
 
Tuesday, September 17th
Noon, Anglican Rosary
 
Thursday, September 19th
7 pm, Evening Prayer
 
Sunday, September 22nd
17th Sunday after Trinity
 9:30 am and 11:00 am, Holy Communion
  • Amos 8:4-12
  • Psalm 138
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-8
  • Luke 16:1-13
Tuesday, September 24th
Noon, Anglican Rosary
 
Thursday, September 26th
7 pm, Evening Prayer
 
Sunday, September 29th
St. Michael & All Angels
9:30 am and 11 am, Holy Communion
  • Genesis 28:10-17
  • Psalm 103
  • Revelation 12:7-12
  • John 1:47-51
12 pm, Noon, Potluck Luncheon
3:30 pm, Nursing Home Visit
4th
Judith Bernard 
7th
Eileen Cole 
15th
 Katie Sandlin, Michelle Collins 
20th
Kimberly Norris, Henry Noelke 
22nd
Brian Hoard
25th
Sheri Brummett

5th 
Susan & Mark Rambin 
6th
Steve & Angie McCown