St. Francis Episcopal Church
Little Portion
Week of December 21, 2014
 
We seek to be instruments of God's peace, bearing witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ for all people.

                  

The Staff of St. Francis Episcopal Church wishes you a holy and blessed Christmas and health and happiness in the New Year!

 

 

THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE will be closed from Wednesday, December 24th through Sunday, January 4th.

 

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Christmas Eve: Wednesday, December 24th

                             3:00 & 4:30 p.m. Family Eucharist with Pageant

                       9:00 p.m. Festival Candlelight Eucharist with Festival Choir

 

Christmas Day: Thursday, December 25th

10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Spoken Eucharist

 

1st Christmas: Saturday/Sunday, December 27/28

5:00 p.m. & 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist - No choir or  church school. 

HOLIDAY HOMECOMING BREAKFAST

Tuesday, December 30th With exams done, and as holiday chaos comes to its close - we invite all college aged and high school members of our Saint Francis family to reconnect with each other and enjoy a big, country style breakfast before returning to school!  Yes, it is a hearty breakfast served just at the right time (12 noon of course!)We will also be offering transportation to those that need a ride!

 

If you know of any college students home for the holidays or hungry high schoolers, please pass this announcement on to them, as this an event just for them! RSVP's are encouraged (though not required). Please send RSVP's to Andi Deane at Bizymum@charter.net (subject line: Breakfast).

You may also pick up an announcement flyer/invite in the Narthax - to mail or just pass along! Help us welcome our young adults and older youths home to Saint Francis this holiday season! If you have any questions or for further information, please email Andi Deane.
END OF YEAR PLEDGE INFO

Please note: In order for your contribution to be tax deductible in 2014 and on your 2014 giving statement, your checks must be received in the church office by Tuesday, December 30th to be included in the final deposit for the year. (The bank will be closing at noon on December 31st)

Giving Envelopes...The 2015 Giving Envelopes are on the table in the narthex. Please be sure to pick yours up. They are awkward and expensive to mail. Thanks!  

MISSION

Buy a Bed for Abby's House...Abby's House provides emergency shelter as well as supported housing for women and children in Worcester. The cost to provide a warm, safe bed in the shelter for a woman or child for one night is $35. Each of our 100 Christmas Tree ornaments this year represents a bed. Please contribute the cost of a bed or whatever you are able to do. You may place your contribution in the basket near the tree, in the offering basket, or at the church office. We also have "Buy a Bed" contribution boxes if you wish to bring it home to encourage your family to save your contribution over time. Checks should be payable to "Abby's House". We will continue this effort through Epiphany.  

Military Christmas cards... The Military Christmas cards were mailed on Monday, the 15th, and should arrive in time for Christmas.  Each card was filled with signatures and good wishes from the St. Francis family.  Many thanks for your time and thoughtfulness on behalf of these service men and women.  Peace be with you.

Blankets for Syrian Refugees...Many thanks for the donations of blankets. They are very much appreciated. We will continue the collection into the new year.
Hope for Housing Cards...Available for purchase every 2nd and 4th weekend of the month in the narthex.

Grocery Shoppers needed: The Thanksgiving plate offering will be used to purchase Hope for Housing grocery cards. Volunteers are needed to shop and drop food off at the Wachusett or Rutland pantry. Please sign-up on the table in the narthex if you can help.

Mustard Seed The second Wednesday of each month. Finger desserts are always welcome and needed. Please deliver them to the church by 5:00 p.m.

YOUTH MISSION 
Two mission trip opportunities for teens of St Francis!
Lori Churchill is leading a high school group to Scranton, PA from June 28 - July 4. Cost is $467, $50 due up front to reserve slot, $208.50 due in March and May.  She has reserved 16 slots and needs to know asap if someone is interested. Anyone 14 and older is welcome. Please contact Lori at lchurchill@me.com.
Laura Caswell is leading a group of middle schoolers and high schoolers from the diocese to Niagara Falls, NY the same week (June 28 - July 3). Cost for this trip is $475, $100 due Jan 10, $190 due in March and $185 due in April. We will be joining teens from St Phillip's, Easthampton and All Saints, Worcester. Anyone in 6th thru 12th grades is welcome. Please contact Laura at lcaswell99@gmail.com
St. Francis Episcopal Church

70 Highland Street, Holden, MA 01520

  

Office Phone: 508-829-3344  

Email: stfran@verizon.net  

Web page: www.stfrancisholden.org

 

Like us on Facebook          @StFrancisH

 

Worship Schedule

Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.  | Sundays at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.  
SERVERS

Altar Guild for week of December 22nd:

Bev Giarusso, Dianne Thibeault, Lucy Nowak, Maureen Lowell
   

Servers for Christmas Eve:

3:00 p.m.

Crucifer: Erynn Sheehan

Ushers: Craig Stanovich and Chuck Miller

LEMs: Robin Carlo and Chris Berglund

4:30 p.m. 

Crucifer: Jay Carlo

Ushers: Phil King and Brian Gemborys

LEMs: Loretta Haynes and Jonathan Phelps

9:00 p.m.

Acolytes: Chris Whamond, Katherine Galvinhill, Kathryn Keagle

Ushers: Bev Giarusso and Carolyn Schmidt

LEMs: Dick Delorme and Nancy Gundersen 

Server for Christmas Day:

LEM: Sam Davenport

 

Servers this Weekend:

December 27/28, 2014  

5:00 p.m.

Ushers:John and Lucy Nowak

LEMs: Ann Scannell and Kathleen O'Connor

8:00 a.m.

LEM: Judith Morrissette

10:00 a.m.

Nursing Home: Judith Morrissette

Acolytes: Chris Whamond, Katherine Galvinhill, Kathryn Keagle

Ushers: David Gundersen and Paul McIntyre

LEMs: Sam Davenport and Nancy Gundersen

Lectors: Tom Miller, Nancy Gundersen, Sam Davenport

Coffee Hour: Steve Donkin

DIRECTORIES

Pictorial Directories are now available on the table in the narthex. The telephone part of the directory is also available electronically.  If you would like an electronic copy please send an email to the office to request one.  stfran@verizon.net

QUICK LINKS

St. Francis Webpage 

Sermon Archives