"Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also." (John 12:24-26a)

Dear Friends in Christ,

The passage of Scripture above is from our readings during the Fifth Sunday of Lent; words that point us in the direction of Christ's journey through Holy Week, and therefore our journey as well if we are to follow him. The entire season of Lent provides us an opportunity to strip away the earthly impediments to our relationship with God, offering us time to pray, reflect and sit in the presence of the Holy One. But the days ahead that together form Holy Week create a space for us to truly enter into the mind of Christ and struggle with him as he encounters the challenges of discipleship. Holy Week provides some powerful and unsettling moments as we walk with Christ, but as we experience Christ bearing his burdens, we too are changed forever. German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in his classic book, Life Together, that bearing burdens creates a distinctively Christian character: "The law of Christ is a law of bearing. The other is a burden to the Christian, precisely because of being a Christian. For the unbeliever, the other person never becomes a burden at all; for he simply sidesteps every burden that others impose. The Christian, however, must bear the burden of the other. It is only when one is a burden that another person is really a brother or sister and not merely an object to be manipulated." I believe Bonhoeffer's thoughts give us insight to Christ's ability to faithfully bear the tremendous burdens of his journey through Holy Week - Christ was faithful to his ministry among humankind, even when we turned against him. As we walk with Christ in this way, our proclamations of "Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia," will ring loudly with joyous Easter praise!

Faithfully,

Pat 

Palm/Passion Sunday - March 28/29, 2015

Last call for Easter Memorials.  Forms can be downloaded here or found on the table in the narthex.  Forms need to be returned no later than this Sunday, March 29th.  Checks should be made payable to St. Francis Episcopal Church with Easter Memorials written in the memo.

The Mission Committee

Film series Prophetic Voices: Speaking Hope to the World.   Friday, April 10th at 7:00 p.m.

The second movie, called Ciclovida: Lifecycle, which follows subsistence farmers from Brazil who cycle over 6,000 miles across the South American continent in search of natural seeds. The film follows the protagonists as they embark on their journey to gather novel ideas, seeds, and touching stories from landless laborers, agricultural schools, small farmers, an other supporters sympathetic to their cause.

In April/May we will have a collection of travel soaps, shampoos etc.  We had this drive last year and it was so well received we thought we would do it again.  This year the donations will go to Abby's House at or around Mother's Day. 

Perhaps you are interested in supporting Mission projects but not in serving on a committee. If so, we have many opportunities to do so over the course of the year. You are encouraged to add your name to our list - either by putting your name on the sign-up sheet in the Narthex or by contacting either Kathy or Dick.

Dick Welch - welch96@charter.net and Kathy Diehl - khdiehl@charter.net

St. Francis Youth Group would like to thank everyone who donated, helped or participated in our 30-Hour Famine weekend March 7 & 8. Thus far, we have exceeded our fund-raising goal of $700 quite significantly - we've raised over $1000. Yet another testament to the spirit of caring and generosity of the St Francis congregation. Thank You. 

A Newcomer's Reception will be held on Sunday, April 12th following the 10:00 a.m. service at St. Clare House.  Contact Dawn Rooke at 508-829-7124 / dtrooke@gmail.com or Melanie Amaral at 508-304-8130 / smamaral@charter.net or by signing up in the narthex.

Church School Newsletters: Family Connections

Youth Group: Schedule

Sermon Archives: Sermons

Senior's Birthdays:  Birthday list

Calendar: Monthly calendar