|
|
|
St. Francis Episcopal Church ~ Christmas 2012 |
|
The staff of St. Francis Church
wish you and yours
a Merry Christmas
and joy and peace in the New Year!
Rich, Charles, Jim,
Karen S., Liz, Karen H., Susan
|
|
|
|
|
 A Message from the Rector
"'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel', which means, 'God is with us.'" (Matthew 1:23)
The Christmas story we love and tell each Christmas Eve comes to us from Luke's Gospel. It is because of Luke that we bring live animals into church, and because of Luke that we speak of shepherds keeping watch in their fields when the heavenly chorus starts to sing.
On Christmas Day we shift our attention to John's Gospel, and the mystery of the Incarnation: "In the beginning was the Word...and the Word became flesh."
But it is Matthew's Gospel that gives us what may be the most important name for God in all of the Bible. Matthew borrows that name from the prophet Isaiah: Emmanuel - which means, "God is with us."
God is with us whether or not we have been diligent in keeping Advent. God is with us whether or not we have our act together. God is with us, whether or not we have all our shopping done. God is with us in the maternity ward and in the surgical ICU; in the nursing home and at the grave. God is with us at our kitchen tables, in our school holiday concerts and at our workplaces. God is with us when we don't have a workplace to go to. God is with us in the midst of life's joys and heartaches.
That truth is worth singing about-and I want to extend an invitation to all of you to come and celebrate with us at one of the four Christmas liturgies where this good news will be proclaimed, and the Eucharist will be celebrated and shared. All are welcome.
In the first two liturgies of Christmas Eve, at 3:00 and 4:30 p.m, a pageant that includes live animals serves as the Ministry of the Word. Please be aware that the turnaround time in the parking lot is tight, but the good news is that with two services we have had room in the church for everyone. If you are coming to the first service it helps to be prepared to leave promptly when the service ends, so others can park in your place. If you are coming to the second service, it helps to arrive at around 4:15 p.m. (not much earlier!)
The later Christmas Eve Service, at 9:00 p.m., includes candles and adult choir. Christmas Day is a simple spoken service.
Each liturgy has its own flavor. Find the one that works best for you, and come to celebrate the gift of Jesus, God with us. Blessings to you and all dear to you in this season.
Yours in Christ,
Rich |
Heifer Living Gift Market 
It's with great pride that I tell you that this year we acheived ur 11th consecutive Ark Award. An Ark award is given by Heifer when an organization raises $5,000 or more at their living gift market. This is a great testament to the continued generosity of St. Francis Church, regardless of the economics in our secular life.
As in previous years St. Francis has had many  fundraisers before and during Advent. Although it shouldn't be a surprise to any of us, it seems that the outpouring of generosity never diminishes. This season is full of giving but gifts from our heart to those in need is of far more worth and more enduring than any present under our Christmas Tree.
In Peace
Tom Wilson |
|
|
Christmas Worship Services
Christmas Eve - Monday, December 24
3:00 and 4:30 p.m. Family Eucharist with Pageant
9:00 p.m. Festival Eucharist with Choir
Christmas Day - Tuesday, December 25
10:00 a.m. Christmas Morning Eucharist (spoken)
(no Choir or Church School)
Wednesday Evening Eucharist - December 26
7:00 p.m. Celebration of Baptism and Holy Eucharist with prayers for healing
First Saturday/Sunday after Christmas - December 29/30
5:00 p.m. Holy Euchrist
8:00 and 10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist
(no Choir or Church School) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mini Christmas Fair and Bake Sale
Saturday, December 15th and Sunday, December 16th
Christmas craft items and baked goods will be for sale.
If you would like to bake, drop-of times are from 2:00 - 5:00 on Saturday the 15th and at the services on Sunday the 16th.
Contact Donna Alarie with questions. 508-847-8574 or donnachesspals@gmail.com. |
|
Christmas Caroling
Sunday, December 16th
We'll gather at the church by 5:00 p.m. and head to Holden Nursing Home for 5:30 p.m. Then return to the church for cocoa and goodies. Please sign-up on the narthex table so we'll know how many to plan for. Many thanks to Steve Bullock, Joan Balkus,
the Deane Family and Liz Korandanis for coordinating this year. |
|
Christmas Flowers and Music
During Christmas services this year, you may wish to have a loved one remembered, or to express special thanks to God for his blessings in your life. To do so, please click here to download the form. Forms may be dropped off at the office, put in the offering plate, or emailed to stfran@verizon.net.
Forms are due by this coming Sunday, December 16th. The money for these memorials is used for flowers and music, given to God's glory as we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord. |
|
Christmas Offering
A reminder that it is our custom at St. Francis to give away our Christmas (and Thanksgiving and Easter) offerings and this year the Mission Committee has designated Habitat for Humanity. This gift includes loose-plate offering and checks received in your Christmas envelopes.
Habitat for Humanity International is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat and its homeowner families have built or rehabilitated more than 400,000 houses.
A nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry, Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build together in partnership. |
The office will be closed from Friday, December 21st through Tuesday, January 1st. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
70 Highland St., Holden, MA 01520
Worship: Wednesday - 7:00 p.m., Saturday - 5:00 p.m., Sunday - 8:00 &10:00 a.m.
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday
Office Phone: 508-829-3344 Fax : 508-829-6211
Rector: stfrancis_rector@charter.net
|
| |
|
|
|
