St. Francis Episcopal Church
 
 
We seek to be instruments of God's peace,
bearing witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ for all people. 
Little PortionWeek of December 1, 2013
Stewardship Update.....Thank you to all who have pledged so far as part of this year's "Flourish in Faith" stewardship program.  Thus far we have received $267,018 in pledges from 114 giving units.  Last year when our collection of pledges was complete we received a total of $353,754 from 163 giving units.  There are still many outstanding pledges that the stewardship team will be making phone calls to follow up on this week.  If you have not already submitted your pledge we ask that you please do so as soon as possible in order to help the Vestry and Finance Committee in planning for the coming year.  We are grateful for the continued faithful stewardship of all members of the St. Francis community that allows us to live out the ministry that God calls us to as the body of Christ gathered in this place.

Advent Meditations...The people of St. Francis Church have written daily devotions which are posted on a blog at http://stfrancisholden.blogspot.com.  You can check the blog daily, at your  convenience, have the blog linked to your home page, or you can receive emails by using 

a service such as www.Blogtrottr.com which will deliver these posts directly to your email.

 
Midweek Advent Worship...This Advent our Wednesday midweek Eucharist will be in the style of Taize.  We will gather at 7:00pm in the sanctuary for a time of prayer, Scripture reading, silence, singing Taize chants, and sharing in the Eucharist.  We hope you will join us for this midweek opportunity for renewal as we await the coming Christ.  
Sign up has begun for this year's "Living Creche"

This nativity pageant is a gift from the adults of our congregation to our children and is presented on Christmas Eve at the 3:00 and 4:30  p.m. services. Youth participation (Middle School, High School) is always welcome!

 

Preparation is minimal: scripts will be distributed ahead of time, and we will have one rehearsal to "walk through" the pageant on the Sunday before Christmas (Dec. 22nd) right after the 10:00 service. On Christmas Eve, participants need to show up a little early to get into their costumes. Children love to see familiar people telling the Christmas story in this way. Please consider signing up!

 

Calling all Angels: The pageant includes a creative movement piece done by the angels. Students in Kindergarten and up are invited to join in here. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. Rehearsals will take place after church for 15 minutes from 11/24 to 12/15. Participation in the whole cast rehearsal on Dec. 22nd is also required.

Confirmation Class  will meet this Sunday, December 8th in the library at 11:30 a.m.  We will discuss the topics, "Who are the saints?" and "What does it mean to be baptized?".

Annual Heifer Living Market at St. Francis December 7th and 8th following worship services. Offered by Heifer Project. Rutland, MA.   A perfect opportunity to 'purchase' animals like, pigs, chickens, or goats, as an alternative to commercial gifts. Give a gift that keeps on giving!!!!

Advent Spiritual Formation....."Doorways to God"

In Celtic Theology the Thin Place is where the divine touches the earth; where our creator God intersects with our human experience.

 

A small group will meet at 4:00 p.m. on December 10th and December 17th at St. Clare House to share experiences of Thin Places using hymns, prayers, poems, short stories, Bible Stories, their story, or a piece of art, which expresses their experience of a Thin Place. A doorway to God is that which opens us to the presence of God and welcomes the Spirit.

New Website....Check out our new updated website at www.stfrancisholden.org

Seniors Birthdays in December...

02  Ellie Provencal

07  Dick Davis

07  Jonathan Phelps

09  Paul Morrissette

11  Phil Kerr

12  Marty Martel

12  Donna Lasher

13  Dianne Wilson

23  Joe Reynolds

Serving this weekend: December 7/8, 2013

 

Altar Guild: Gloria Goewey, Persis Hamilton, Sharlene O'Connor, Sarah Anderson

 

Saturday, December 7th -

5:00 p.m.

Ushers: Al and Helen VanDeMark

LEMs: Robin Carlo and Kathleen O'Connor

 

Sunday, December 8th -

Nursing Home: Laurie Sanchez and Betty Hofstra

8:00 a.m.   LEM: Chris Berglund

10:00 a.m.

Ushers: John and Luanne Westerling

Acolytes: Jay Carlo, Katherine Galvinhill, Erynn Sheehan

LEMs: Kathy Diehl and Loretta Haynes

Lectors: John Westerling, Craig Stanovich, Kathy Diehl

Coffee Hour Host: Lori Welch

Quick Links
Coming Up.......
  • A Living Nativity - December 14th and 15th.  Two performances each evening at 4:00 and 5:30 p.m.  There is no charge, but please bring a plate of cookies to share.  Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided.    Mesa Farm, 67 Muschopauge Road in Rutland.  www.mesafarmrutland.com or call 508-886-6898
  • Mustard Seed - Wednesday, December 11th
  • El Salvador Trip Info - December 14/15 after 5:00 p.m. & 10:00 a.m. services
  • Caroling and Pot-Luck - Sunday, December 15th at 5:00 p.m. Sign-up in the narthex.

 

December 24th, Christmas Eve -          

                                              3:00 and 4:30 p.m.  Holy Eucharist with Pageant                         

                                              8:00 p.m. Candlelight Eucharist

December 25th, Christmas Day -

                                              10:00 a.m.  Spoken Eucharist