We seek to be instruments of God's peace,
bearing witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ for all people.
St. Francis Church St. Francis Episcopal Church ~ Holden, Massachusetts
From the Rector

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

As the snow continues to pile up higher and higher this winter and threatens to completely wrap us all in a blanket of white, perhaps you are tempted to join the bears and hibernate until spring...but don't do it! This winter may have delivered record snow and cold, but the coming month of February at St. Francis promises to keep your heart and mind occupied with more than just snowflakes. February ushers in the holy season of Lent and I invite you to join us for one or more of our many programs of study and prayer. We will offer Bible study on Thursday mornings, a program of spiritual study with a light meal on Wednesday evenings, and a few additional offerings that you may take up on your own schedule. Lent provides us an opportunity to strip away the excesses and obstacles of our life that hinder our relationship with God; much as the bitter winds of winter strip the landscape bare in preparation for the blossoms of spring, I encourage you to do some "yard work of your soul" this Lent. I am confident that your faithful work will be a rich and rewarding experience, both for you and for those in your company!

 

Stay warm and I pray that your Lenten journey will reveal many moments of God's grace.

 

Faithfully,

Pat 

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes and Jambalaya

Tuesday, February 17 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Jambalaya (with chicken, sausage and shrimp)   $8 in advance/$10 at the door

*Pancakes and Sausages   $5 in advance/$6 at the door      *gluten fee pancakes available 

Please sign-up by this Sunday, February 15th either on the sign-up sheet in the narthex or by emailing Dawn Rooke at dtrooke@gmail.com with the number of people and meal choice.

 

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent begins, on Ash Wednesday....to read more click here. 

Lent Begins....

Ash Wednesday is February 18th   Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes will be offered at

7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

 

The 2015 Lenten Booklet, with information on worship services and programs being offered is available on the Lenten Resource table in the narthex, or you can download a copy here.

Festival Choir

It's almost that time again. FESTIVAL CHOIR for Holy Week......March 29th (Palm Sunday) through April 5th (Easter).

 

If you would like to join the core choir for this special time, we will begin rehearsing after the 10:00 service on Sunday, February 22nd. All are welcome, but we especially need basses. If you are interested, talk to Mary Been or any choir member. Don't forget.....THOSE WHO SING PRAY TWICE. 

Adult Confirmation/Reception

Our bishop, The Rt. Rev. Douglas Fisher, will be coming to St. Francis next on Sunday, May 3rd to the 10:00 a.m. service. Classes will meet on four Sundays during Lent for any and all adults who wish to prepare for Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation. Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex if you are interested. If you have questions about becoming a member of St. Francis please speak to the Rev. Patrick Perkins. 

For more about Adult Confirmation or Reception please click here. 

Children's Pageant ~ Oh Jonah!

Rehearsals for this year's children's pageant will begin on Sunday, March 1st right after the 10:00 a.m. service. All children (preschool through grade 5) are encouraged to participate - there are plenty of parts to go around! Rehearsals will take place most weekends after the 10:00 service, and the pageant will be presented on Sunday, June 7th.

 

Pageant participation is a great way for your children to learn Bible stories in a fun, in-depth way that will stick with them for years. 

 

 

 

  Come help us tell the tale of the whale!

Mission

Are you interested in Mission participation but not in a committee membership? You are encouraged to sign up in the Narthex and someone from the Committee will contact you or you can email Kathy Diehl at khdiehl@charter.net or Dick Welch at welch96@charter.net.

 

For information on February Mission Projects click here.  

Abby's House Buy A Bed Program
Our Christmastide "Buy a Bed" drive for Abby's House resulted in donations of $1758.95, providing the cost of a safe, warm bed for a woman or child at Abby's shelter for 50 nights! This was a wonderful, generous effort which was gratefully received. You can learn more about the mission of Abby's House in furnishing safe shelter, housing and supportive programs to woman at www.abbyshouse.org.
Calendar
February 2015:
16 - Presidents' Day - office closed
17 - Shrove Tuesday Pancakes and Jambalaya from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
18 - Ash Wednesday Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes - 7:00 a.m., 4:30 & 7:00 p.m.
25 - Lenten Book Study and Soup Supper - 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall (please sign up)
26 - Lenten Bible Study - 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (please sign up)

Weekly
Worship:  Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. | Sundays at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Choir Rehearsals: Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
Church School: Sundays at 9:45 a.m.
Youth Group: Sundays at 11:30 a.m.
Bell Choir Rehearsals: Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Monthly
Mission Committee: First Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Vestry: Second Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Mustard Seed: Second Wednesday - Prep begins at noon.  Pick-up for delivery is at 5:00 p.m.
Holden Nursing Home Eucharist: Second Thursday at 11:00 a.m.
Men's Ministry: Second Saturday at 7:00 a.m.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Third Monday at 10:00 a.m.
Dismas Farm Dinner: Fourth Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
Useful Links
Feeding Ministry Schedules:  Mustard Seed  |  Dismas Farm

Church School Newsletters: Family Connections

Youth Group: Schedule

Sermon Archives: Sermons

Senior's Birthdays:  Birthday list

Calendar: Monthly calendar

St. Francis Episcopal Church                   508-829-3344                                 
70 Highland Street                                    stfran@verizon.net                                       Follow us on Twitter
Holden, MA 01520                                   www.stfrancisholden.org                             Like us on Facebook

Services of Holy Eucharist
Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. | Sundays at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
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