St. Francis Episcopal Church 
December 2015
 
Join us for worship:
Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.
Sundays at 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.
From the desk of the Rector
"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness." (Luke 3:1-2)
 
Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Welcome to Advent! Actually, welcome to the second week of Advent...this holy season passes by quickly and I pray that you have already had an opportunity to set aside some quiet time of reflection to prepare for the joyful coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Not only does this season pass by quickly (a mere four weeks!), but this time of year is busy for many other reasons, and filled with many emotions...some joyful and some quite sorrowful. Above are the opening words of our Gospel lesson from this past Sunday, Advent II; the litany of ruling authorities that reigned as John the Baptist began his ministry reminds me that we do the work that God has given us to do in the real world, the world filled with amazing blessings and the world filled with the powers and principalities that so often work against the loving message of God...these same powers that can distract us and lure us away from our relationship with God.
 
I pray that you will discover at least one simple practice to set your mind on Christ during this season of Advent. There are many opportunities to pray, reflect and spend time with God this year; and I ask that you find a prayerful practice that is simple and achievable in your daily routine...these simple practices can be quite life changing if we are able to sustain them throughout the holy season. As suggested by Robin Carlo, our Missioner for Spiritual Formation, daily reflections are offered by following "Sharing the Season," which you may have delivered to your email inbox (link is here: http://sharingtheseasondwma.blogspot.com). You may also join us on Wednesday evenings in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m., where we will share a simple meal of soup & salad, followed by a time of conversation shaped by our video series, "Interrupted by Hope." These are just some simple ideas offered to you, and if you would like to learn of more ideas, please stop by and ask...I would love to share some thoughts with you!
 
As we journey through this holy season of Advent, preparing ourselves for the coming of our Savior, may you discover peaceful moments of prayer and know that God is with you in all you do; may you find quiet times of rest & reflection so you may be filled with God's Spirit on the holy day of Christ's return.
 
Advent blessings & peace,
Pat
 
Stewardship
Thank you for your continued commitment and support of the mission and ministry of St. Francis. To date we have received 143 pledges and we hope you will join this growing number. If you have not yet made your pledge, pledge cards are available on the table in the narthex. To make a pledge via email please send your name, total annual amount pledged for the year, and amount and frequency of payment (weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly) to stfrancisholden.stewardship@gmail.com.
 
END OF YEAR GIVING
Please note: In order for your pledges/contributions to be tax deductible in 2015 and on your 2015 year-end giving statement, your checks must be received in the church office by Wednesday, December 30th to be included in the final deposit for the year. (The bank will be closing at noon on December 31st)
St. Francis Christmas Pageants
The St. Francis Christmas Pageants will be held at 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th. Sign-up sheets for all parts have been posted in the narthex.  The pageant is primarily done by teens and adults as a gift to the children, but we are hoping to have as many children as possible participate as angels. Lisa Cherrier will lead children's rehearsals on Sundays after the 10:00 a.m. service starting December 6th.  Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex. A full cast rehearsal will take place on Sunday December 20th after the 10:00 service.
Advent Midweek Gatherings
This Advent take some time out of the busyness of the season to join us for a time of food, fellowship, reflection on the meaning of the season, and worship. We will gather each Wednesday evening of Advent, beginning at 5:30 p.m. for soup and salad; and at 6:00 p.m. we will watch and discuss short videos from the series "Interrupted by Hope." The series is produced by the Work of the People and includes videos from Richard Rohr (Franciscan priest and theologian), Glennon Doyle Melton (author and blogger at Momastery), and Barbara Brown Taylor (Episcopal priest and author). Each evening will conclude with Holy Eucharist, as celebrated by the community of Iona, a Christian ecumenical community in Scotland. Please sign up to join us on December 9, 16, and 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m. A separate sign up to bring food will also be located in the narthex.
Christmas Memorials

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, mailed or filled out and emailed to the church at stfran@verizon.net. Forms are due by Sunday, December 20th. The donations for these memorials are used for flowers and music, given to God's glory as we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord.    

Christmas Caroling and Pot-Luck
Sunday, December 20th. We'll meet at the church at 5:00 p.m. and travel to Holden Nursing Home for caroling. Then we'll return to the church for a pot-luck supper. Please sign-up on the sheet on the table in the narthex or contact Andi Deane at buzymum@charter.net if you would like to contribute to the pot-luck.
Mission
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MUSTARD SEED SOUP KITCHEN 2016
(every second Wednesday of the month)
The Mustard Seed is a rewarding ministry that provides a hot meal for nearly 200 homeless and needy people of all ages.
Shopping: We will provide you a list of ingredients required to cook the Mustard Seed dinner. Groceries can be purchased the week before the meal is prepared and drop off at St. Francis. We are seeking volunteers to spend 2 hours max. shopping--four times per year. 
Serving: Pick up prepared dinner and deserts at St. Francis at 5:15 PM and serve dinner at the Mustard Seed. 2 hour time commitment. Servers rotate every 3-4 months. 
Baking: Bake deserts for the meal and drop off at St. Francis by 5:00 PM. 
Contact Nancy Pope at nlpjwarden@aol.com  or 508-829-5564 or Mike Pope at  mpope85@gmail.com   if interested in volunteering. 
 
HEIFER LIVING GIFT MARKET
Thanks to all who donated during our annual living gift market. We will continue to collect for Heifer in the next few weeks? Anyone who wants to donate can simply put the donation in the collection basket. Please make checks out to St. Francis Episcopal Church with a note that the money is earmarked for Heifer. They can also pick up Heifer donation cards/pins on the Mission table in the Narthex if interested.

MILITARY CHRISTMAS CARDS
What better gift to our military family than to send each of them a Christmas card signed by a multitude of the St. Francis family? Stop by the library after services this weekend of December 12/13, to sign Christmas cards for those military men and women on our prayer list. You will find each card in its own box, and the person's name will be printed on the box. When you take a card out to sign it, kindly put it back into the same box, so family members can sign their service person's card with personal notes. Veterans, please feel free to note your branch of the service with your signature.  If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Webb at ruthpwebb@aol.com

A THANK YOU FROM OS2 (Operations Specialist - Petty Officer 2nd class) MARK WILLIAMS
"I just wanted to thank you for the care package.  It really helps to know I have someone looking over me.  Please extend my thanks to all those that had a hand in putting together the package.  Lastly, thank you to St. Francis Church who is still in my life twenty years later.
 
THE GIVING TREE
Many thanks to all who took angels and brought in gifts for the children in need. It is important that the gifts are returned as soon as possible as they are taken to the social workers as they come, and gives them time to get them to the children without being bombarded at the last minute.  Please leave items by the tree in Fellowship Hall. Thanks!
If you didn't get to take an angel and would like to help, there's still time. Many children come into care after the lists have been created, some just days before the holidays, leaving Social Workers and Foster Parents scrambling to make sure these children are not left out. 
Additional donations to DCF of clothes and toys are placed in a room for Social Workers to go in to pick out some items to deliver to foster parents and relatives that have taken in these emergency placements.
Especially appreciated are: socks, new clothes (especially for teens, but for any age really) books and toys, games and puzzles, stuffed animals, dolls, action figures and art supplies.  Thank you for providing cheer to a child in much need of it.
 
HOPE FOR HOUSING
The Holidays are quickly approaching and Hope for Housing cards would make great gifts.  Have a college student?  A family member on a fixed income?  What about an elderly neighbor or a veteran or a friend who is out of work?  The best thing about a Hope for Housing card is that not only do they make great gifts but you are benefiting the homeless here in Worcester.  Bring your checkbooks or cash the weekend of December 12-13 and purchase some great gift cards for some special people in your lives. If you would like to help out by selling the cards after any of the services, please contact Kathy Diehl at kdiehl@charter.net  or Dick Welch at welch96@charter.net.  Thank you!
Youth Ministry
T-SHIRT SALES CONTINUE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY
The Church Mouse Fair kicked off the sale of Saint Francis "swag" - snazzy t-shirts . These items will be on sale throughout the holiday season, on the first and third Sundays following each 10:00 a.m. service. Cost is $15 (2 for $25)
For speedy service (and in-church delivery!), please enter your order using this easy web form. Your payment will be collected, and your shirts delivered, at the next coffee hour or another convenient time.
Proceeds from your purchase will benefit Youth Ministry activities here at Saint Francis. Thanks for your support!
A Living Nativity at Mesa Farm in Rutland
A Living Nativity will be held at Mesa Farm in Rutland on December 12th and 13th, 2015. Two performances will be held each evening; at 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. The hour long shows will consist of carol singing and a narration and re-enactment of the nativity story in a barn with live animals. There will be no charge although attendees are requested to bring a plate of cookies to share.  Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided. The Saturday performances will have sign language interpretation.
Mesa Farm is at 67 Muschopauge Road in Rutland.  Directions and more info can be found at www.mesafarmrutland.com   For more information call  508-886-6898. 
Christmas Services
Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24th
3:00 & 4:30 p.m. Family Eucharist with Pageant
9:00 p.m. Candlelight Eucharist with Choir
 
Christmas Day: Friday, December 25th
10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Spoken Eucharist
 
1st Christmas: Saturday/Sunday, December 26/27
5:00 p.m. & 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist - No choir or  church school. 
Senior Ministry
SENIOR MINISTRY PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION: December 10th from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. in the St. Francis Library. The Meaning of Gifts: Christian Giving and Receiving - A Discussion facilitated by Ted and Deborah Harris. Refreshments will be served.
Although the "season of giving" is not limited to Christmas, many of us think about the meaning of giving and receiving at his time of year.  When commercialism abounds, where do spiritual gifts come in? "Gifts have many meanings, deep and subtle, both for those who give and for those who receive. The significance is no less for those who hope for, but do not receive; not is it less for those who d not give or do not receive the gifts proffered to them.  When we give something to someone, we enter into a many-sided relationship for in in return we hope for the gift of love."
Paul Tournier's book, The Meaning of Gifts, will form the basis and springboard of a discussion in the next Senior Ministry program. Topics will include: motivations for giving, gifts to children vs. adults, when "gifts" are really not gifts, what is meant by being "gifted" (talented), gifts as Grace vs. gifts as entitlement, what the Bible says about gifts, the magic of gifts, and refusing gifts. Those who wish to have a personal copy:   Amazon has choices from $.01 plus postage. Please sign up in the Narthex.
 
For help in planning, please note the following Senior Programs projected for 2016:
Wednesday, January 27th (snow date: Jan 28th):  time TBD
                   Robin Carlo:  "The Courage of Growing Old"
Wednesday,  February 4th - Valentine's Tea - 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 17  -
                   Ted and Deborah Harris: Mindfulness (Part 2) - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
April - open date (to allow for bad weather in January)
Wednesday, May 18th - 2nd Annual Luncheon - 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 12th - 11:00 a.m.
                    St. Francis Youth Group - Internet Safety and Technology  
 
Hope you are able to join us in any or all of these programs.  More complete information will be available closer to the program dates.
Thank you, Marge Tremblay
Calendar
WEEKLY
Worship:  Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. | Sundays at 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. | Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
September to June:
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

Rector: The Rev. Patrick R. Perkins                               pperkins.stfrancis@gmail.com                            
Associate Rector: The Rev. Karen Safstrom                karen.safstrom@gmail.com
Parish Administrator: Karen Heath                               stfran@verizon.net
Church School: Susan Bastardo                                     smbastardo@gmail.com              
Youth Minister: Matthew Haynes                                 haynes.matthew.m@gmail.com
 
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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