St. Francis Bulletin
March 2016, Volume 23, Issue 3
From the Rector Fr. Len Giacolone
Easter comes early this year, almost as early as it can come. It doesn't affect our services at all, just the weather that is possible for the Holy Week and Easter services. That being said, the way things are going this spring, it could be 100 degrees on Easter Sunday.
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. The past two years, our services on Palm Sunday have been interrupted by the Austin 10/20. That will not be the case this year (although they will have the race on the Sunday after Easter and we will have to adjust the worship schedule on April 3). We will have our regularly scheduled services on Palm Sunday. However, at the 11:00 am service I would like to have a procession and therefore we will begin in the hospitality area for the blessing of Palms and process into the church during the Processional Hymn. The remainder of the service will be as usual.
On Wednesday evening of Holy Week I will conclude my series of reflections on The Imitation of Christ. That will be at 7:00 pm along with Holy Communion.
Maundy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist and the command of Jesus to love one another. We will celebrate Holy Communion at 7:00 pm followed by the stripping of the altar.
Our Good Friday service will also be at 7:00 pm. This is a service of readings, including St. John's Passion narrative, the Litany, and the Veneration of the Cross. After the service I will hear confessions for anyone who wishes to avail themselves of the sacrament.
On Saturday Evening, we will celebrate the Solemn Easter Vigil at 7:30 pm, which is also the first Mass of Easter. At that service it will be my honor to baptize Ella Elizabeth Collins, the newest member of our congregation. This is my favorite liturgy of the year and the most solemn of the church's liturgies. It would be my hope that many of you would attend, even if you are planning to come on Easter Sunday morning.
On Easter Sunday we will have Holy Communion at 9:30 and 11:00 as usual. I know that some of may be out of town for Easter, but others will have family coming in. Please bring them. Our worship services are always beautiful and inspiring. I don't believe that anyone ever goes away disappointed.
Parish Meeting Follow-up
At the recent parish meeting it was suggested that a committee be formed to address some of the concerns of some members about the new church. Since it is late in the game for making any changes to our current plans, the idea of the committee was not acted upon. The Vestry, at its meeting on February 8, decided to appoint one of its members to act as a liaison for people who have such concerns so that they might be heard. Dr. Brendle Glomb will be the Vestry contact person for any such comments. You may contact Dr. Glomb at church in person, or at glomb1@msn.com. Please understand that it is necessary that we move forward with the plans we currently have. Suggestions or comments will be addressed moving forward.
Finally, Daylight Saving Time begins again on Sunday, March 13. Please set your clocks ahead one hour the night before.
Statements
The statement of contributions to St. Francis in 2015 are available. Pick up yours from the table at the entrance to the church.
Daylight Saving Time
As Fr.Len stated, be sure to set your clock forward one hour before going to bed on March 12. Daylight Saving Time goes into effect on March 13 until Nov. 6.
Phoebe Hughes
When our chapter of Anglicans for Life met at the Austin Pregnancy Resource Center to distribute Christmas gifts, we met a grandmother who is raising her three grandchildren. Her daughter died soon after giving birth to twins, also leaving a two year old daughter. She is needy, particularly for support, so we are in the process of reaching her and offering our help.
We are also still collecting diapers, wipes and other baby needs for the APRC. Our sincere thanks for the support you have given this project.
Because of the dates of Palm Sunday and Easter this year, we will be meeting on the second Sunday of March, the 13th.
We would love to have you join us.
Lenten Food Drive Amy Crandell
During Lent, St. Francis is conducting a food drive that benefits The Storehouse, a Christian-based food pantry in Pflugerville. The food items they like to have on hand are:
Canned fruits/veggies
Canned meat/fish
Peanut Butter/Jelly
1 pint cooking oil
2 pound bag of flour
2 pound bag of sugar
Bring your donations to the office until Palm Sunday, March 20. A printed copy of the above list is available on the table outside the worship space, as well as bags to transport the items.
Jack and Sandra Cochrun who founded The Storehouse have an amazing story of the path that brought them to founding this food pantry. Go to www.thestorehousenetwork.com and click on Our Story.
St. Francis is a church partner with the Storehouse.
40 Days for Life is a volunteer based prayer campaign that draws attention to the injustice of abortion through three simple avenues:
Prayer and fasting
Community outreach & Education
Constant peaceful vigil
Consider devoting an hour or your time to pray in front of Planned Parenthood on Congress and Ben White. The 40 day vigil is held every day from 7 am to 7 pm through March 20. Questions? Becky Hunt, Amy and Jim Crandell are currently volunteering and are happy to answer your questions.
Vestry Movers and Shakers Amy Crandell
Fr. Len appointed Grady Collins as Senior Warden of the Vestry for this year. At the February Vestry meeting the remaining officers were elected: David Norris, Junior Warden, Michael Ready, Treasurer and Kevin Burnette, Secretary.
The vestry meets on the second Monday of the month at 6 pm. Anyone is welcome to observe a meeting. Vestry minutes are placed in the notebook on the front table for all to read, but leave for others to do the same.
Sunday School Missy Bernard
After finishing a rousing lesson on Joshua and the Battle of Jericho at the end of February, the younger class will spend March studying the events leading up to the Resurrection. This year we will use an Easter lesson cycle designed by Mary-Kate Warner called Exploring Easter. It is concentrated into three lessons, which we will stretch into four weeks: 1) Palm Sunday & Jesus Withers the Fig Tree, 2) Last Supper & Jesus Is Arrested, and 3) Trial, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. More information about this curriculum can be found here: http://teachsundayschool.com/i/easter/
The older class is concentrating on exegesis of the weekly lectionary readings. This is very helpful both in furthering "real world" understanding of Scripture and in developing the ability to focus and listen closely in the service.
As always, the St. Francis children look forward to coming together for the Flowering of the Cross just before the 11:00 service on Easter Sunday. We will begin preparing the flowers at about 10:40, and the flowering will begin at 10:55.
March
4-6, New Beginnings Weekend for grades 6-9, Camp Crucis, Granbury
5, Diocesan Altar Guild meeting, Good Shepherd, Granbury
22, 10:30 am, Mass of Collegiality, St. Vincent's Cathedral
April
8-10, Happenings Weekend for grades 10-12
For additional information on these events, visit the Diocese of Fort Worth's website: www.fwepiscopal.org.
Bishop Iker is scheduled to visit St. Francis on 6/5/2016. Confirmation classes will begin after Easter.
St. Francis February Calendar
Sundays
9:30 am Holy Communion (said service)
9:30 am, Sunday School
10 am, Choir Practice
11 am, Holy Communion with Music On the first Sunday, this service is sung Morning Prayer with Holy Communion.
Thursdays
7 pm, Evening Prayer (except March 24)
1st Friday, March 4
7 - 9 pm, Games Night
1st Saturday, March 5
9 am, Prayer Walk
2nd Sunday, March 13
12:30 pm, Anglicans for Life Meeting
2nd Monday, March 14
6:00 pm, Vestry Meeting
Wednesdays, Mar 2, 9, 16, 23
7 pm, Holy Communion with reflections on Thomas a Kempis' work, The Imitation of Christ
3rd Friday, March 18
12 pm, Mothers' Prayer Group
Holy Week Services
March 24, 7 pm, Maundy Thursday
March 25, 7 pm, Good Friday Liturgy
March 26, 7:30 pm, Easter Vigil
2 Hannah Hatley
3 Julie Davis
4 Andy Adkins
7 Penny Sandlin
15 Shirley Ellis, Melissa Nelson Bernard, Kolby Glenn
23 Jim Orr
26 Joe Gardner, Grady Collins
31 Stephanie Brail
1 Larry and Eileen Cole
14 G.W. and Carole Martin
Monthly newsletter deadline is the 20th of the month.
Weekly service bulletin deadline is end of day on Wednesdays.
St. Francis Anglican Church of Austin
A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth Diocese Office: 2900 Alemeda St.
Fort Worth, TX 76108 http://www.fwepiscopal.org/
Bishop
The Rt. Rev'd Jack L. Iker, D.D
Rector
The Rev. Canon Len Giacolone
Music Director and Organist
Paula Blaha
Parish Administrator
Mark Rambin
Vestry Members Senior Warden, Grady Collins; Junior Warden, David Norris; Treasurer, Michael Ready; Secretary, Kevin Burnette; Brendle Glomb, John Hatley, Don St.Martin, Ed Sandlin
Church Group Leaders Acolytes: Fr. Len Giacolone Altar Guild: Becky Hunt Anglicans for Life: Phoebe Hughes Austin City Prayer Walk: Amy & Jim Crandell Choir: Amy Crandell Christian Education for Youth: Missy Bernard, Doug Cooper Christian Education for Adults: Fr. Len Giacolone Evening Prayer: Jim Crandell Home Group Hosts: Claire Ducker, Kim & David Norris, Doug Cooper Hospitality: Kim and David Norris Intercessory Prayer Group: Fr. Len and Nancy Giacolone Mothers' Prayer Group: Charlotte Ready Newsletter & Pew Sheet: Amy Crandell Nursery: Missy Bernard & Grace Rowse Prayer Shawl Ministry: Charlotte Ready Readers: Mark Rambin St. Claire's Guild: Eileen Cole St. Polycarp's Guild: Jim Crandell Ushers: Al Parker Webmaster: Jim Crandell Women's Bible Study: Becky Hunt Women of the Church: Leanne Read 5th Sunday Nursing Home Service: Amy & Jim Crandell
