August 16, 2018
ST. FRANCIS WEEKLY WORD NEWSLETTER
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My Word

Are you, like me, trying to hold on to the last dregs of Summer? It’s been a wonderful one, despite the record setting heat. There have been plenty of baseball games, time to work in the yard in the evenings, a relaxed and wonderful time here at St. Francis. 

Deacon Tamara will be taking a couple of Sundays to do other things (not a Sunday off, but a couple of Sundays spent in preparation for the coming year). I took off some time, you may recall, at the beginning of the Summer, and again recently when my wife underwent surgery. It means that I’m both holding onto Summer, and yet eager to get on with the Fall.

Our Favorite Hymn Sunday seems to have struck a chord with folks. I’m hoping that on the 26th, our Taize Sunday will also appeal to you all, but likewise strike a hopeful chord. The vestry, who have been discussing things via our online connections this Summer, will have its August meeting on the 26th, and we are devoting the bulk of our time to the Rector Search. Those promised steps behind the scenes will soon be bearing fruit.

I’m already looking forward to Cru Sunday, September 2nd, and our St. Francis Fest (ival) on the 6th of October! I’ve never had the good fortune to celebrate St. Francis day in a parish named in honor of the Saint. I’m looking forward to the experience.

Before then, school starts up, with St. Francis Episcopal School beginning classes on the 29th of August. I can hardly wait to see what’s up with this year’s school term! Enrollment is already slightly above capacity, with a waiting list nearly a quarter of additional capacity long! We are truly blessed that our school is touching the lives of so many young persons, and their families. Christ is being made present in their lives through the strong witness of this community.

It's a time of transition. Summer not quite over, but the Fall with all of it’s promise, not quite here. However, maybe that’s a really good spot to be in. After all, isn’t life just this way? We are here, and not quite yet fully into the Kingdom of God. Sinners, yet also the Saints of God. Maybe this is a great time to see how we both love and worship the Lord, but also fall short of our full hopes and dreams. 

In that, there just may be a lesson for us all.
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-Fr David Krause

Sympathy is extended to
Dr. Hanes Brindley and family
on the loss of his brother,
Dr. Glen Brindley.
PRAYER DURING THIS TIME OF TRANSITION
As we continue to let the work of listening to God to discover His desires for St. Francis, let us pray:
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Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, Page 816 )
PRAYER REQUESTS
Open to All
You are invited to submit to your prayer requests here, which will be received by office staff and included in the Parish prayer list. If received after 4:00pm on Wednesdays, or your indicate that you would prefer to keep your prayer confidential, a member of the clergy will address your prayer privately.
SUNDAY SERVICE TIME
All are Welcome
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9:30am: Holy Eucharist Rite II

9:30am: Children's Chapel

10:30am: Hospitality
(Coffee and Conversation)
WHAT'S GOING ON AT ST.FRANCIS?
A Note From Deacon Tamara
DO YOU HAVE A THUMB YOU ARE WILLING TO SHARE?
Green thumb? Brown thumb?
Any thumb at all?

Wildscape Guild is looking, for new members who can help on Thursday mornings, but also for folks who are willing to splash some water on sunbaked plants, between our Thursday waterings. Feel free, if you notice pots that look sad, to grab a hose or douse them from the sink. It takes a village, when it’s so hot this early in the summer.

See Ruth Henry , Karen Fredenburg or Cindy Allen for questions about joining us...or just show up on Thursday morning with work gloves and your favorite tools between 8:00 and 9:00am
.
“One is nearer God’s heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth.” Dorothy Frances Gurney
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Did You Know?
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sol·ace • ˈsäləs/
noun
noun: solace; plural noun: solaces
comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.

One of the very first ministries of St. Francis with which I came into contact was the Solace gathering on Tuesday afternoons. Each week, a slightly different group of folks gather to help give some of our more seasoned members of the area community, a place to gather, a group to identify with, some time away from primary care givers (and for many of those caregivers, some time differently focused), and an all around wonderful time.

I’ve spent time with these folks, and can only marvel at the ongoing work, love, and ability to draw in volunteers from around the community they show week in and week out. And this coming September marks the 10th anniversary of this vital and unique ministry.

With very little outlay of cash, with hearts that open wide, and with determination to see the face of Christ in each of our guests, this group has shared the best of St. Francis church. If you see someone who has volunteered to help out, thank them. If you would like to help, let them know. If you can’t figure out how to do either, keep them in your hearts and prayers!
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

THE COLLECT:
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever . Amen.

( Book of Common Pray e  r Page 232 )

Lectionary for this Sunday

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ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday, August 19
  • 9:30am: Holy Eucharist Rite II


Monday, August 20
  • 5:30pm: School Board Meeting


Tuesday, August 21
  • 1:00pm: Tuesday Solace


Thursday, August 23
  • 8:00am: Garden Day
Meditation Garden
Today's featured garden plant is the Tropical Milkweed.


“A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last. Do you fix your eyes on such a one? Do you bring me into judgment with you? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one can. Since their days are determined, and the number of their months is known to you, and you have appointed the bounds, that they cannot pass, Look away from them, and desist, that they may enjoy, like laborers, their days.
“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant.
WELCOME

Congratulations to Ryan and Ruth Macchi on the birth of their daughter born August 12, 2018.

Adelyn Reese weighted in at 8 lbs 13 oz. She is joined by her sister, Reagan. Proud grandparents are Richard and Sheri Macchi.
The Passing of
Dr. Kerry Brady
We have just received word of the passing of Dr. Kerry Brady. In times such as these we remember the power of the Resurrection. Because Jesus was raised, we too shall be raised.

Details will follow shortly, but in times of distress it is helpful to recall that our funeral services are characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn

May his soul and the souls of the all the faithful departed Rest in peace.
UPCOMING EVENTS
September Events
CRU SUNDAY:
September 2
St. Francis Episcopal Church

Cru Sunday is an annual tradition for St. Francis. We host the Cru (UMHB University of Mary Hardin Baylor Crusador Crusader) football team and coaches, and feed them Chip’s Smoking BBQ and homemade sides, provided by the congregation. Sign up to bring a side and / or take on a job for that day with Chris Sedonic or Karen Fredenburg.
SERVING ON THE SEARCH COMMITTEE AND NOMINEES:
ASAP
St. Francis Episcopal Church

In another week or two, St. Francis' Profile should appear on the Diocese's search site. At that point, Rev. Francene Young will set up a time to train our Search Committee. If you would like to serve or know someone who would be good at in that position, nominate them or yourself very soon!
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KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR...

  • Don't forget that St. Francis Fest is coming up!

  • The date for the next vestry meeting will also be announced soon.
VIEW A FULL LIST OF EVENTS ON THE DIOCESAN CALENDAR
ONGOING MINISTRIES
TUESDAY SOLACE
Tuesday Solace is a free service supporting families affected by Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia and takes place from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Parish Hall. Allowing caregivers respite time, the program provides music and singing, fun, social activities, and loving care to the participants.

FEED MY SHEEP SACK MEALS (FMS)
On the 2nd Sunday of each month, all are invited to gather in the Parish after the 9:30 service to prepare 100 sack lunches for our neighbors who have limited access to food.

CHURCHES TOUCHING LIVES FOR CHRIST (CTLC)
The collection item for August 2018 will be Cereal . Items may be brought to the narthex on Sunday or to the Church Office during weekdays.

THE WILDSCAPE GUILD
The Wildscape Guild's purpose is to provide a beautiful and welcoming outdoor environment at St. Francis' church for all God's creatures—including humans. We seek an awareness of God's presence in fellowship, in silent meditation, and in all the sensual joys of planting and harvesting in the care of creation. We are filling the grounds with native and adapted plants that will support birds, butterflies, and other wildlife as well as saving water and preventing erosion. We hope to make the gardens a living classroom to encourage the love of the outdoors in children at the school. We meet every Thursday at 8:00am . Please feel free to come by with your gloves and favorite tools. We would love to have you!.

ST. FRANCIS GIFT SHOP
As most of you know, the gift shop must have two workers at all times. We are in desperate need of volunteers. This is a great time to ask your best friend to sit with you and a great time to socialize and catch up. Please consider, just 3 1/2 hours a month and we will put you on the schedule.

ST. FRANCIS CHOIR
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” Notice the passage does NOT say we have to have a beautiful voice to praise God! We are looking for new choir members. We practice at 8:30am before we sing at the 9:30am service. So come join us!

We still need more choir members.  Our group is small enough that when a couple of members have to be absent, we are left really short. With more people we would be able to do more & different kinds of music. You do not have to have a big or beautiful voice because as in math, the whole (choir) is greater than any of its parts (members). We are a fun & companionable group and will welcome YOU! Come try singing with us & then decide if you want to join us!
MINISTERS IN THE LORD'S SERVICE
Altar Guild
Judy Ludlow &
Chris Sedonic
     
Readers :
Cindy Allen &
Peggiann Jones

Acolytes:
John & Noelle Dieter
Ushers :
Bill Frick & Len Henry


Hospitality :
Len & Ruth Henry


Children's Chapel:

Vestry Greeter:  
Mickey Kerr


Organist:
Debra Johnson

Social Media at St. Francis
Don't wait for the Weekly Word! Stay up to date with the latest news, photos and events on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and NOW Pintrest too! It is also a great way to stay in touch or make friendships with your fellow parishioners.

Click any of the circular icons to the left and either create an account and follow and like us. We are followed and following many Social Influencers in our space so it would be a great way to hear from the Anglican Communion and others.
JULY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
AUGUST 24 BIRTHDAY
Carole Cortinez
AUGUST 27 BIRTHDAY
Nancy Smith
AUGUST 27 BIRTHDAY
Ty Summey
AUGUST 28 BIRTHDAY
Frances Ford
AUGUST 30 ANNIVERSARY
Gary & Wanda White
Take time to walk around the gardens. Thank you to the Wildscape Guild for working so hard to maintain such a beautiful, natural, meditative space for us.

Thank you for reading its entirety.